In a part of the area around the Spirits’ Forest, not far from the city of Rigforeshia, the figures of Rejnhardt and Sylphia, who had joined the Security Force, could be seen.
Half of the guards had been decimated, an unusual situation in previous years, and these two seemed quite serious as they stood watch over the area. However, in stark contrast to their vigilance, the harvest festival was progressing peacefully and calmly, and soon, it would already be lunchtime.
Nearly two hours had passed since the harvest festival began, but despite the time, there were no monsters or even animals in sight around the two of them.
If you really think about it, it makes sense that this would happen.
The magic power of death released by the Death King, Isis, once covered the entire Elven Forest. And if her magic power of death is so overwhelmingly powerful that it shattered the minds of half the guards just from the residual effect…
Given that, it was no surprise that wild animals and monsters—creatures with a heightened sense of danger—would stay far away. They would likely remain huddled in their nests for days, terrified.
With that in mind, it was clear that the usual fierce beasts and monsters that would typically disrupt the harvest festival had all but disappeared, leaving Rejnhardt and Sylphia with more free time than expected.
As the two remained alert, but still at ease, continuing their watch over the area with somewhat serene expressions on their faces, a man and woman approached them.
[Oiiiii~~. Rei, Fia!]
[Oh, I never expected to see you here.]
The male elf called out their names, waving his hand enthusiastically. It seemed they knew each other, as Rejnhardt casually raised one hand in return to the greeting.
The elf couple stopped when they got close, and this time, the female elf spoke to them with a warm smile.
[Did you two join the Security Force?]
[Yeah, it was kind of unavoidable, considering the situation. Looks like we didn’t have much choice.]
[Are you two not going to join the harvest festival?]
[Ah, well, I’m not participating this year. I’m just here to pick her up.]
Sylphia responded to the woman’s question, and Rejnhardt followed up by asking about the couple.
[I was actually going to join the Security Force… but for some reason, he insisted I join the harvest festival, so here I am. I’m just heading back for lunch.]
[Well, that makes sense. It wouldn’t be much fun without you at the festival, especially since you’re “last year’s winner.”]
[Yes, that’s true… though it’s a shame Fia’s not joining this time. It wouldn’t be the same without a worthy rival.]
The female elf is a Spirit Mage, just like Sylphia, and the two are both rivals and best friends, always pushing each other to do their best.
In fact, last year, the woman may have come out on top, but the point difference between her and Sylphia was minuscule.
The fact that such a close rival wasn’t competing this year left the woman feeling a bit disappointed. Sylphia, noticing this, chose her words carefully before speaking.
[…H-Hey, um, can we not… do it this year?]
[ [ Eh? ] ]
[See? It’s not too late, so you can still back out now…]
[W-Wait a second, Fia? What the heck are you talking about?]
[No, Fia’s right. I know what you’re capable of. But having that competition this year isn’t a good idea.]
Both the man and woman were surprised by Sylphia’s words. As the woman looked back, confused, Rejnhardt followed up, suggesting they abstain.
[Oi, oi, what kind of joke are you two playing here?]
[No, I’m not joking! This year isn’t right… A “monster” is entering the competition.]
[ [ A monster? ] ]
Hearing Rejnhardt’s words, the man and woman, looking a bit pale, nodded their heads, their expressions clearly saying they still didn’t fully grasp the reasoning behind it.
After a brief silence, Sylphia slowly spoke up.
[…“I was actually planning to participate” since Rei encouraged me before…]
[Yeah, but Fia withdrew from joining yesterday. After witnessing just how outrageous that child is right before our eyes…]
[ [ That child? ] ]
[ I thought it’d be better to abstain. Otherwise… this pride I’ve built up as a Spirit Mage… would be shattered to pieces.]
[I agree with Fia. I don’t mean to underestimate you, but that child is a monster.]
[ [ ……………… ] ]
Seeing Sylphia and Rejnhardt, who were recommending abstention so urgently it almost felt like they were facing an “impending crisis,” the man and woman finally understood that the two of them weren’t joking.
However, even so, it seemed like they still couldn’t fully comprehend the threat. Probably because they had never seen this “monster” for themselves, the danger they were talking about wasn’t properly conveyed.
[…Good gracious, you two seriously think she’s going to lose? You remember how many fruits she collected last year, right? “186,” that’s the highest record, even among the generations, right?]
[T-That’s…]
[It’s certainly an astounding number, considering the average harvest only totals about 50, but…]
Certainly, if you normally think about it, even if the person was highly capable, the person Rejnhardt and Sylphia had in mind isn’t a Spirit Mage.
In that case, he shouldn’t be able to defeat this woman, who has clear knowledge of spirits and extensive experience with them… or at least, that’s what should have been the case. But still, the anxiety never fully disappeared from their minds.
[…Fufufu, isn’t it amusing?]
[ [ Eh? ] ]
[For the two of you to describe him that way… Doesn’t that mean I’ll have rivals to compete with? Looks like he’s someone I’ll need to take seriously.]
[Ohh! Great, let’s go break the record again!]
[Yes, I’m in great shape this year, and “the spirits seem to be in a better mood than ever”… I’ll show you two how I’ll cross the 200-point mark this year.]
Rejnhardt and Sylphia had offered advice with the woman’s best interests in mind, but it ended up reigniting her competitive spirit. She hadn’t been very motivated for the competition since her rival, Sylphia, wasn’t participating.
Hearing the woman declare an unprecedented 200 points left both Rejnhardt and Sylphia at a loss for words unconsciously.
[Hahaha, that’s the spirit! Oops? If we spend too much time chatting here, we’ll end up missing lunch. No, I’m passing on lunch, I’m going back to the forest. If it’s someone that’s even greater than Sylphia…… I can’t be negligent.] [I see, I’ll be going back to Rigforeshia then.] [Yeah, look forward to it…… Well then, you two. Thanks for the good info. I’ll be off.]
The man and woman conversed in front of the two, who stood frozen, just staring at them. The woman then turned back the way she came and headed toward the Spirits’ Forest, while the man walked in the direction of the city of Rigforeshia.
As they majestically went their ways… Rejnhardt glanced at the woman, who was well-suited to speak such words, and quietly muttered to himself.
[……Fia, she’s quite an incredible Spirit Mage, isn’t she?]
[……Yes, she’s the “Head Spirit Mage” after all… the greatest among the elves.]
[……200 should have been an outrageous amount of points, right?]
[……Yes, it would truly be a historic achievement.]
[……………….]
[……………….]
They exchanged quiet words as the woman disappeared from their sight. After a moment, they both turned to look in the direction she had gone, then looked back at each other.
[……But, I wonder why? I still can’t picture a future where she can beat Miyama-kun…]
[……How unexpected. Me neither…]
[Errr… Thank you.]
As I walked through the forest with them, I thanked the spirit for holding the fruits out in front of me before taking them and putting them in my bag.
It seems quite a bit of time has passed since the festival started, and when I checked my watch, it was already lunchtime.
It’s about time for a break anyway, so I guess it’s fine if I have lunch?
[How many do I have now? I think I’ve already got around “300,” right?]
I glanced at the bag, which worked just like my magic box and felt surprisingly light, and thought to myself.
I’ve been gathering fruits almost non-stop, and I think I’ve collected a little more than 300 by now.
But as a first-time participant, I’m not sure if 300 is a lot or not… I should’ve asked Rei-san or the others before.
No, wait, I still don’t get why Lilia-san and the others treated me like I had a chance at winning. They even bet money on me.
Honestly, if it was just Lunamaria-san, I wouldn’t have minded too much. If I lost, she’d get what she deserved. But with Lilia-san, Sieg-san, Kusunoki-san, and Yuzuki-san all betting on me, I feel some pressure on my shoulders.
Well, no point in dwelling on it. Let’s just do our best this afternoon too.
[……Even so.]
Having collected my thoughts, I suddenly moved my gaze.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see so many different colored spirits, filling my field of vision.
Some spirits, noticing my gaze, wave at me, others fly around me as if they’re having fun, and some repeatedly pat my body as though they’ve found something interesting…
[As expected of the Spirits’ Forest—there are so many spirits here…]
The spirits aren’t as shy as Rei-san and the others suggested. On the contrary, they’re the ones guiding me to the areas with the most fruit-growing trees, and they even helped me harvest them.
Hmm. I guess, since they’re hosting this festival, the spirits must be very friendly toward Humans.
Dear Mom, Dad—I think the harvest festival is going pretty well, but I suppose that was obvious, considering this place is called the Spirits’ Forest… In this forest—there’s an outrageous amount of spirits here.
<Author’s Notes>
Halfway Counting of Acquired Points
Last Year’s Winner……… Currently 96 pieces, with 30 spirits following her. Kusunoki Aoi……… Currently 30 pieces, with 3 spirits following her. Hina Yuzuki……… Currently 28 pieces, with 4 spirits following her.
Miyama Kaito……… Currently 345 pieces (broke the all-time record), with 152 spirits following him.
T/N: 2/15. Last chap for the day, I’m being distracted by this top war game.