We live at the foot of Dragon Peak.
Run, Miko Trainee!
While Elnea and the others rushed about. In the land of dragons and spirits far to the east, there were those who challenged trials in an attempt to fulfill the grave responsibilities they had been assigned.
“Istericia, this way!”
Led by Rubia, a Miko Trainee, Istericia, also a Miko Trainee, advanced through the forest.
“I am surprised. Rubia is more accustomed to walking in the forest than I, a member of the Mimicho Race.”
“Hahaha. I lived in a place like a secret realm until I became Madrine’s disciple.”
It should also be added that Istericia of the Mimicho Race had sealed her Spatial Jump and was traveling on foot.
Istericia had lived for many times the years of young Rubia.
However, having lived most of her life as a sacrifice for her clan, she was unaccustomed to interacting with others. All the same, having been saved by Elnea and come to live with Jab, she had become somewhat more accustomed to people.
Even now, although clumsy, she was getting along reasonably well with Rubia, who faced the same trial.
“The spring Madrine spoke of should be just ahead.”
Rubia, too, had never seen anyone other than her family until she met Elnea. Yet, Rubia, with her cheerful personality, quickly made many friends and acquaintances after coming to the city.
The socially adept Rubia and the shy Istericia.
Before they knew it, an unusual relationship had formed between them, where the younger Rubia would lead like an older sister, and the older Istericia would follow like a younger sister.
“I can smell water.”
“You Mimicho are amazing. The scent of water, huh? I want to feel it too.”
“I think Rubia is more amazing. To be able to hear the voices of all things.”
“What are you saying? Istericia, can’t you also hear the voices of the spirits, not just that, but also see their forms?”
Indeed, Istericia felt the spirits close to her and could see the forms of those who had not manifested.
That is, if the spirits came close to Istericia.
In fact, around the two as they walked through the forest, there were no spirits, not even their presence.
In the northern land.
Rouiseine, the Miko, had advised Istericia that she was also loved by the spirits.
However, several days had passed since her arrival in this paradise, and Istericia still could not feel the presence of spirits.
“I wonder if the Spirit King really resides in the spring.”
The forest was so quiet that she almost doubted if spirits truly lived in this paradise.
However, spirits probably existed, even if they did not usually approach Istericia.
Because…
“I still can’t believe it. Are the spirits really the ones stealing things?”
Since arriving in paradise, Istericia and Rubia had been living and sleeping with the Miko and priests who had arrived in advance and were planning the construction of a temple.
However, every morning when Istericia woke up, there was always an incident of missing items.
Who was the culprit?
It was Rubia who found a clue.
“The owls told me. It seems that after we fell asleep, spirits sneak in and play pranks.”
The owls said that around midnight, spirits would come to their sleeping quarters and play pranks on Istericia and the other Miko who were fast asleep.
Then, in the morning, before Istericia woke up, they would steal things and go home, the owls said.
“The Spirit King will know why the spirits are playing tricks on Istericia. And we must get our belongings back.”
“I know without asking. It’s harassment for those they dislike.”
Is that so? I feel like they’re just teasing those they’re interested in.”
How could she possibly come to such a conclusion as Rubia’s?
Istericia, despite her long life, lacked life experience and could not understand.
“At any rate, if we meet the spirit in the spring ahead, the problem of the pranks will be solved.”
“If we can meet them…”
Would the Water Spirit King appear before Istericia?
As the scent of clear water grew stronger, Istericia’s steps became heavier.
However, before Istericia could worry about what lay ahead, an unexpected problem arose.
“Istericia, stop!”
Rubia suddenly crouched down and held her breath. Istericia also reacted quickly.
“This is bad. There’s an Earth Dragon ahead.”
If they went through the bushes, they would soon reach the spring.
However, an Earth Dragon’s presence appeared, as if to block their path.
And the Dragon Race had superior detection abilities to humans like Istericia and Rubia.
Before they noticed the Earth Dragon’s presence, the Earth Dragon had already recognized them.
“It’s useless to hide!”
The Earth Dragon roared. Even Istericia, who did not possess a Dragon Heart, understood the danger.
“Run!”
“I’m scared!”
Rubia and Istericia turned and fled. The Earth Dragon scattered the bushes and pursued them.
Furthermore, it was then.
“It’s a Mimicho.”
“The sinful one, right?”
“She’s a sinner!”
The spirits, whose presence I hadn’t even felt before, suddenly manifested around Istericia and Rubia.
“Perhaps they were hiding?”
Istericia, being a Mimicho, was about to deny Rubia’s words, thinking it was impossible.
It was an unbelievable situation for Istericia that she couldn’t sense the presence of the spirits who were supposedly by her side. However, the spirits had not come from afar; they had suddenly appeared near them.
“I’m bewildered.”
However, there was no time to leisurely focus on the spirits and her own matters. She knew without looking back. The Earth Dragon was charging towards them with a rumbling sound. If caught, humans would easily be killed. Istericia’s legs threatened to freeze at the fear of death closing in from behind. She wanted to escape this place immediately using Spatial Jump. She wanted to avoid the crisis by forcibly controlling the spirits that had appeared.
“I won’t lose to my fear!”
However, Istericia suppressed her instincts that threatened to go wild with fear. The spirits then toyed with Istericia.
“Why don’t you use Spirit Arts when you’re a Mimicho?”
“Rumor has it you sacrifice spirits?”
“How scary.”
“What a wicked Mimicho.”
The spirits said whatever they pleased. Istericia’s heart ached. Her own mistakes. Sins she could never atone for. The spirits, in their innocence, relentlessly blamed Istericia. The words of the spirits became a weight on her heart, slowing Istericia’s escape from the Earth Dragon. The fearsome fangs of the Earth Dragon were dangerously close behind her. If it continued like this, she would become the Earth Dragon’s prey without fulfilling her goal. But her body wouldn’t move as she wanted.
Just then, Rubia took Istericia’s hand.
“You’re trying your best. So, you should be more honest with your heart.”
“My heart…?”
What did it mean to be honest with one’s heart? Istericia, running desperately, tried to ask Rubia, but her rough breaths, which dominated her chest, throat, and mouth, prevented her from speaking properly. Then, Rubia, who still had some leeway, spoke first.
“If we continue like this, we’ll just be toyed with by the Earth Dragon and the spirits. Istericia, we should split up!”
“What!?”
“I’ll distract the Earth Dragon. You handle the spirits!”
“Whaaat!”
Istericia was bewildered. But she didn’t have time to object. Rubia released Istericia’s hand and taunted the Earth Dragon approaching from behind.
“Oni-san, over here! I’ll let you catch me if you can!”
“You bark, human. I’ll make you weep and apologize for your arrogance.”
The Earth Dragon took Rubia’s bait, its gaze sharpening. Rubia lured the Earth Dragon’s attention and separated from Istericia, who had been running alongside her, disappearing into the depths of the forest.
“I-I’m worried!”
Istericia’s feet stopped as she lost her reliable companion. At that moment, the spirits approached her.
“The sinner is alone.”
“She doesn’t seem to have her scary staff.”
“She must be here for revenge for our pranks.”
“How scary.”
Even though they had manifested, no spirits approached Istericia. Nevertheless, unlike before, she could sense their presence and see their forms. Istericia gasped, seeing the many spirits, a sight she hadn’t seen in a long time.
“Are they here to retrieve what they got from the bravery test?”
“No, no. They’re here to torment us.”
“Will they play scary pranks?”
“Because she’s a sinner.”
“How scary.”
It seemed these were the spirits who stole things from Istericia’s sleeping quarters every morning. If so, perhaps if she could catch the spirits without going to the spring…
“I will catch them.”
Without relying on Spirit Arts. Without controlling the spirits. Istericia decided to capture the spirits and retrieve the stolen items.
“Run!”
“The sinner is chasing us!”
“If we’re caught, we’ll be sacrificed!”
At Istericia’s declaration, the gathered spirits fled in droves. Istericia began to move her stopped feet again, as if to chase the spirits.
However, at this moment. Istericia had not yet understood the meaning of Rubia’s words.
“Did you have something stolen again today?”
“I’m furious. This morning, my staff, a gift from Jab, was taken.”
“Well, you’ll just have to do your best to get it back.”
How many days had passed since she was entangled with the Earth Dragon and the spirits? Rubia and Istericia were still rushing about in the forest of paradise. However, the meaning had changed slightly from the beginning.
“Rubia, are you alright too?”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m used to being chased by dragons now.”
“P-please be careful…”
“You too?”
Initially, Rubia was chased by a single Earth Dragon. But as days passed, Rubia’s reputation spread among the dragons of paradise. The dragons said, “It seems there’s a human who skillfully evades us dragons by using the voices of all things.” Rubia, who had originally lived a self-sufficient life in a remote area, naturally had to deal with magic beasts and monsters herself when they appeared. Rubia, who had fully demonstrated her innate abilities, honed through those harsh days of physical prowess and the courage to not be intimidated even by the crimson-colored Wyvern feared as a “tyrant” on Dragon Peak, continued to evade the pursuit of the Earth Dragon and other dragons who had heard of her. Meanwhile, Istericia, who confronted the spirits, had also been having a tough time for the past few days. The spirits, unlike before, now appeared before Istericia. However, they were not friendly. Things were still stolen during her sleep, and when she tried to get them back, she was either pranked or trapped. Nevertheless, Istericia continued to face the spirits without giving up. At first, it was a form of atonement. In any form, by interacting with the spirits, she would confront her sins and face her punishment.
“But, I’m actually having fun.”
Chasing and being chased. She sometimes endured merciless pranks and words that pierced her heart. But, when did it start? Istericia began to enjoy the time spent with the spirits.
“Hahaha. I see you’ve finally noticed your heart?”
“My heart?”
Istericia looked back, remembering that Rubia had said something like that at first.
“You are a Mimicho. The Mimicho are a race that lives alongside spirits. So, in any form, aren’t you happier surrounded by spirits? I know about the sin you committed. And I know you want to atone for it. But that’s impossible without knowing the hearts of the spirits and your own true feelings.”
“My true feelings…”
Istericia is, after all, a Mimicho. She felt happiness in living alongside spirits, even without being pointed out. So, what about the spirits? In the northern lands, she had also been told. Had her atonement been selfish? What did the spirits truly desire?
“I don’t know much about spirits. But I understand Istericia a little. You love spirits, don’t you?”
Istericia nodded honestly to Rubia’s statement.
“Then, first, you should live honestly according to that heart. Then, someday, your feelings will reach the spirits too.”
Until now, she had only felt guilt towards the spirits. But Rubia said that it was okay to like the ones you wanted to atone to. Things that could be done precisely because you liked them. How should one face the ones they love? Istericia, anew, gained the heart to face the spirits.
“Alright then, let’s go with energy today.”
“Today, I will definitely get back what was stolen.”
“I’ll escape from the dragons too!”
Rubia and Istericia, who had received special orders from Madrine, the Head Miko. There was still no prospect of achieving their goals. However, for some reason, they were convinced that beyond overcoming the problem that stood before them, there must be a clue to the solution. Today too, with unwavering footsteps, Rubia and Istericia entered the depths of paradise, and the other Miko and priests gently saw them off. And, several more days later. Rubia and Istericia’s paths connected, beyond hardship. With a fierce splash, the Earth Dragon fell into the spring. Beside it, the Water Spirit, without disturbing the water’s surface, escaped into the depths.
“Oh my? Falling into the spring in my haste, what a clumsy Earth Dragon.”
“I’m frustrated. I was so close to getting back the underwear stolen this morning.”
Rubia and Istericia, who had been running around paradise separately. Coincidentally, they both arrived at the spring at the same time. Peering into the spring where the Earth Dragon and the Water Spirit had fallen, the water’s surface began to ripple quietly. And from beneath the clear water, a woman emerged.
“Are the things you dropped into the spring this mischievous bad child and the foolish dragon? Or perhaps this pot, staff, underwear, comb, shoes, pillow…”
Madrine and the others had told them beforehand. The spring was inhabited by the Water Spirit King. Rubia and Istericia’s eyes widened in surprise as the woman appeared, holding the tip of the Earth Dragon’s tail and the Water Spirit’s collar in her right hand, and familiar items in her left.
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