Chapter 565 – Somei Yoshino (5)

In the early dawn, when the dense darkness had yet to completely fade.

Exhausted from the throes of passion, I stacked the spent nymphs on the bed and ventured into the village to examine the magical devices I had previously installed.

‘Someway, the count has multiplied.’

Perhaps due to the absence of soundproofing in the house, our sounds of pleasure lured more excited nymphs. This caused quite a delay.

‘Nevertheless, the elemental reaction has sufficiently increased.’

Including the ones named Kkingkking and Mingming, we total fourteen. Given that my innate ability was originally stagnant at an F-grade, this occasion has advanced it to a B-grade. This F-grade ability was only achieved thanks to my intimate entanglement with Azalea, and I can only be thankful for my constitution that buds from bare ground.

I place my hand on the ground and extract the embedded mana.

– Hummm.

The bundled thread of mana, congealed and tangled, appeared before me. Thanks to it, intricately woven throughout the village, there was no need to squander precious time searching for the murderer. Unlike the destructive capabilities of magic, the utilitarian potential of spirits and magical power is at its zenith.

– Hssss.

When I linked the thread, seeping into the ground, with my senses, the entire vista of the village flowed into my perception.

I inspect it in sections, akin to a CCTV.
The blacksmith’s shop, the elder’s house front, and the village center’s fountain. As I surveyed the scene, I spotted a diminutive nymph, supine next to an alley, her back against the wall.

‘This is…’

Focused, as my eyes widened, the hazy form came into sharp focus.
It was a disheveled body, the clear evidence of a brutal murder. I sensed the cold temperature of the deceased; it was bone-chilling. The tragic incident seemed to have occurred at least two hours ago.

‘Considering the murderer evaded the traps, they must have a deep understanding of magic.’

The nymph population of this village numbers at least fifty.
Yesterday, while surveying the new path, I had marked several nymphs, but none exhibited this level of proficiency.
Therefore, the murderer likely originated from outside or inside, or possibly, it was a beast that spawns every alternate night.

‘There’s no need to overthink.’

Upon making my decision, I rose and retrieved the installed magic.

Upon reaching the scene, I found a frigid nymph lying down.
I knelt and caressed the icy neck of the corpse. No visible wounds marred the skin’s surface, but sparse traces of scars were apparent.
If it was a blatant scattering trace, contrasting would reveal it. However, the remnants of mana were faint.
While not impossible to trace the culprit through mana residues, it would be exceedingly time-consuming.

‘The answer has emerged.’

After covering the nymph’s eyes, I rose from my position.
I felt no need to wrack my brains and deduce the situation.

The answer was far simpler than I had anticipated.

* * *　* * * * * * * *

A wave of mourning swept through the nymph’s village.

– Blacksmith nymph… why have you departed before us!! Wuaaa.

– Smithy nymph!! Dark. I shan’t forget the iron blade bestowed upon me by the nymph.

Clad in unknown origin black attire, their tear-streaked faces aside, I found myself entering her dwelling post the funeral, alongside the elder attired in ceremonial mourning wear, engaging in conversation.

“So, did you manage to uncover the culprit?”

Dressed in mourning clothes, yet likened to see-through due to their thinness, the elder spirit invited me to speak with a poetic flourish.

The see-through black stockings, which hadn’t been laundered, were marred by dust and had faded in color.

“Last night, I installed devices throughout the village.”
“Indeed, and the outcome?”

I shook my head a few times, indicating that no one was apprehended. The elder’s reaction was cold.

“I see.”
“Regret doesn’t seem to trouble you.”
“Undoubtedly, she’ll survive.”

The elder, blinking her lethargic eyes, shed a layer of her clothing, revealing her shoulders.

“Perhaps it’s time you turned to the first recourse as well. It’s the most convenient.”
“Indeed?”
“No need for concern over the village. This place was never meant to be serene.”
“I’ve never really been concerned.”
“You’re more despicable than I initially thought.”

The elder’s eyes widened in mild surprise.
Is there really any difference between you and me?

“Didn’t the nightly sounds give it away?”
“Well, all men are like that. I’ve seen a truckload of nymphs in a sorry state. But that’s not wrong. Rather, it’s a sacred act of disseminating the seed.”
“Hmm, is that right?”

“Returning to the main issue, if the murderer remains elusive, perhaps it’s best to fulfill the initial request.”
“I’ve already identified the culprit.”
“What?”

The elder, taken aback by my assertive response, faltered in her speech.
My hand pointed at the elder.

“…Are you implying it’s me?”
“Yes.”

In this vicinity, the only entity capable of evading my magic and maneuvering is the elder. She surpassed my imagination. Even if we were to cross blades, without employing the ‘Spines’, it would be challenging to bring her down instantly.

“A novel approach.”
“Have you never encountered such?”
“Not even once. You’re mistaken.”

The terse elder rose from her seat, evidently weary, and made her way towards the bedroom.

“That’s enough. Further conversation would only prove tedious.”
“Given our transient association, don’t you feel inclined to bare your soul?”
“…A passing relationship? In your world, does a fleeting bond warrant setting a village ablaze and pillaging it?”

Hmm.
Sometimes, yes.

My response caused the elder to crease her brow in distaste.

“No sense of propriety. Considering you’re a guest of the Yoshino family.”
“A parasite?”
“Well, aren’t you?”
“My reputation is too significant to be reduced to a mere parasite of a noble family.”
“Just… just that.”

The elder, stroking her chin, was met with my unwavering gaze.

A hard-to-decipher emptiness had taken residence in the elder’s eyes, who seemed to be contemplating something. Since our initial encounter, this woman had appeared resigned.

Her body was lightly exposed, even the occasional sigh that slipped out during our conversation seemed to be an act tinged with her innermost thoughts.

“What position do you hold in the outside world?”
“I am a king.”
“A king? That’s a name hard to digest.”
“It exists nonetheless.”

The elder tilted her head slightly. One thing was certain, my identity had stirred something within her. I decided to reveal another fact.

“Moreover, the Yoshino family is on the brink of extinction. More accurately put, it’s destined to be.”
“…!”
“Upon my arrival, the family was ablaze. I came here with the intention of breaking this place.”
“You mean to conquer the dungeon?”

The elder’s reaction was noticeably more vivid.

If she had grown weary over the course of her lengthy existence, maybe she harbored a yearning for something transformative.

Considering that this Spirit Mountain has remained as a dungeon for over a thousand years, she must have spent an eternity within its confines. It was not surprising that she seemed to be falling into disrepair, assuming her memories had not been erased.

“Are you truly intending to conquer this dungeon?”
“Do I have a reason to lie?”
“You claimed not to be of the Yoshino family.”
“Why, has that family committed some misdeeds in this village?”
“Cunning folk, they took advantage of the resetting process to plunder this place of its magic stones and elixirs. I died quite a few times too.”

Upon hearing this, the image of Saku, a national treasure of Japan, came to mind.

“Si-heon, Si-heon! It’s Tomodachi!”

A spirited and adorable spirit magician donning a fox mask.
Though I found it hard to believe she would partake in such actions, could there have been another side to her, despite her apparent innocence?

‘Come to think of it, has Saku already advanced to the third gate?’

I carried on with our conversation without addressing the question that had surfaced.

“So, will you continue to deny it?”

The elder’s countenance had changed from the previous listlessness. Her eyes were filled with anticipation. Although I was unsure of what she was expecting, I knew it was something I could fulfill.

She, who had been standing at the bedroom door, returned and took her seat.

“You’ve found the culprit then.”

The elder finally accepted the fact that I had slain the nymph. There was no need for me to explain why.
Given that this is a dungeon and she is its gatekeeper, it was only natural for her to kill the nymph.

“Well, that isn’t the only reason.”
“Then?”
“From birth, I was destined to be at odds with the spirits.”
“I fail to comprehend your meaning.”

The elder covered her eyes, heavy with dark circles, and soon withdrew her magic. Her face, hitherto blurred and unrecognizable, was now revealed to the world.

“…?”

Tired eyes radiating a decadent allure. In stark contrast, her skin was remarkably clear.
If she had merely been a beautiful woman, I wouldn’t have been taken aback.

The elder asked me, her fingers gently caressing her long ears.

“Do people in the outside world know about elves?”
“…One does.”

A being that is birthed solely from the union of the World Trees and pure-blooded humans. An Elf.

“I’ve heard they’re extinct now.”

“Indeed, I am extinct. I am merely… a life form conjured by the dungeon. The very makeup of my body is no different from that of a spirit.”

A spirit embodying the form of an elf, could it be understood as such? The elder responded with a nod.

“Venice.”
“Venice?”
“My name. I reveal it especially to you. Since you have declared your intention to conquer this dungeon, consider it a token of my interest in you.”

Venice, the elder elf, raised her slender arm and snapped her fingers. Instantly, my empty teacup brimmed with aromatic tea.

‘……’

Now that the cognitive impairment has lifted, I can clearly see the mature form of the elf. Her bare breasts were laid enticingly on the table. The delicate shoulder, hollowed waist, and her thin outfit emphasized her figure, making it all the more alluring.

It was said that elves were the epitome of beauty. This was indeed a testament to that. Still, our Shiba was more beautiful.

“Elves had waged wars with spirits. They are beings frustrated by their inability to consume each other.”
“….”
“You seem to have many questions.”
“I was pondering why the dungeon would bother to create you as an elf and station you here.”
“It’s simple. This dungeon was constructed from the beginning to prevent the recurrence of past wars.”

A constructed dungeon. The origin of naturally occurring dungeons, a mystery that no scholar has yet solved. I was intrigued by the story.

“I don’t know the specifics, but it’s written in this book. You might want to take a detailed look at it later.”
“…This…”

The third request. A book about the spirit world. I had never imagined this, but had she intercepted it as well? Noticing my gaze, Venice covered her chest and let out a soft laugh.

“I tricked you. Is there a problem?”

The elf saying ‘tricked’… It was absurd, yet it made me chuckle.

“When the dungeon is cleared, all spirits residing in the Spirit Mountain will face their end. It signifies the end of this monotonous life.”
“So, that’s why you reacted?”
“The descendants of the Yoshino family had no intention of ending it.”

Just like the King of Trees whom I’m currently accompanying, is she also longing for death? It’s not something I need to interfere with.

“There are many things I want to share, and I wish to help, but I can’t.”
“It’s rather difficult when you give so much all at once.”
“If I can just end this life, I would do anything.”
“How about accompanying me till the end then?”
“It might be a good idea to have an adventure before dying, but I am unable to leave this gateway.”

Unable to leave the gateway…

“The spirit of the first gate wasn’t like this.”
“Did it submit to you?”
“Yes.”

Venice chuckled, crossing her legs and murmuring as she placed her dust-covered feet on the table.

“Subjugation is easy for beginner or intermediate spirits, but my case is a bit different.”

Far from boasting, she seemed genuinely regretful as she took another sip.

“Despite your ordeal in the dungeon, I’m relieved. Now, I can finally rest my eyes.”
“Why do you insist on having the last word?”
“…Are you contemplating a trial? Subjugation is an act that can only be accomplished by truly overpowering a spirit. Even if I had the intention, to execute it…”

Wouldn’t it be faster to prove it by attempting once?
In response to my provocative statement, Venice arched an eyebrow.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Elder!”

I bid farewell to this monotonous existence.
How mortifying it was, to launder my undergarments amidst the nymphs by the riverside at dawn.

I recall the five nymphs who were tormented by a man the previous night, all washing their undergarments collectively, their faces aflame with embarrassment.

Saku appeared at the elder’s dwelling, holding the star-shaped essence, the symbol of spirit subjugation.

-Thud.

The sound of something colliding with a wall.
Saku, a child of virtue, dutifully waited amidst the disturbance, and soon enough, the door creaked open.

“…Has Saku arrived?”

The elder’s face peeking through the door’s crack.
He was decently clothed, but unlike usual, his chest protruded unusually in the middle.

“Uh, huh…”

Steam billowing out from the door.
Had he perspired excessively?

“Elder, are you unwell…?”
“No, I’m not. Hah… Hah. Oh!?”
“Ah!?”
“Oh, don’t approach. What’s happening?”

The elder exhaled a staggering sigh, tears trickling down his face as he lowered his upper body.
It was as if someone was yanking his arm from behind.
It resembled the posture police adopt when apprehending a thief.

– Wobble.

As the elder shifted his body, his white, twisted chest quivered.
It was slightly unsettling.
Taken aback by the prickling atmosphere, Saku swiftly averted her gaze.

‘Were the elder’s ears always this elongated…?’

The elder’s elongated ears were flushed crimson.

“What’s your purpose?”
“Well, I’ve subdued the spirit. I’m planning to proceed to the next gateway tomorrow.”
“I see. You’ve fulfilled your task. Once you approach the gateway, it should open for you. Therefore, rest for today……”

The elder’s speech trailed off.
His eyes darted upwards momentarily.

“Gulp…!?”
“Elder!”
“No, it’s nothing… Leave… Ah!”

He was always weary, but he had never shown such a pained expression.
Seeing the usually stalwart elder in such a fragile and feminine state, Saku found herself anxious and deeply concerned.