The staff, which had become a close secret due to the involvement of the two gods, Elisamil and Clara, was to be used by Shurein as before, without him worrying about it.
More accurately, Kousuke had told him to use it properly.
If it were to be revered within the Vampire clan and become merely a decoration, it could end up like the three divine tools that Kousuke and the others had painstakingly searched for in this world.
While it hadn’t reached the point of having a complete will like those divine tools, it would undoubtedly become a troublesome matter.
Once Kousuke had explained it to that extent, Shurein had no choice but to use it.
However, Shurein, who initially hesitated to use it out of reverence, grew accustomed to it within a few days.
Furthermore, he even reported to Kousuke that the rituals had become even easier to perform than before.
That level of thick-skinnedness, to put it mildly, seemed to be a case of “birds of a feather flock together.”
Having grown accustomed to handling the new staff and continuing his ritual investigations as before, Shurein found a curious passage in some old documents.
“What is this? …Hmm. I see… But, however…”
Shurein began to mutter as he read the passage. Fortunately (?), no one else was present, so he was not seen.
However, even if he had been seen, he probably wouldn’t have cared.
Shurein was that engrossed in the document at the time.
Eventually, Shurein looked up from the document, a thoughtful expression on his face, and then rose from his seat and left the area.
***
Floria’s eyes widened in surprise when Shurein, who should have been at Vermilia Castle, appeared beside her and said, “I have something I’d like to try.”
“What’s wrong? So suddenly?”
It wasn’t the first time Shurein had asked her for a favor, but it was the first time he had done so so abruptly, and with a hint of panic. Therefore, Floria showed her evident surprise. It wasn’t out of any displeasure.
Perhaps noticing Floria’s reaction, Shurein took a small, deep breath. “Ah, sorry. I need your help with something.”
“Help? From me?”
The only connection Floria had with Shurein that she could think of was related to the tower. However, seeing Shurein holding the staff, she deduced that wasn’t the case. That’s why Floria tilted her head, but Shurein nodded vigorously. “Yes. It’s something only you can do.”
“Me? What do you mean?” Floria tilted her head, even more confused.
“Well, that is—”
As Shurein began to explain, Floria finally showed a look of understanding. She realized that it was indeed something only she could do.
“Alright. Should we do it right away?”
“Yes, the sooner the better, that would be helpful.”
When Shurein replied, Floria nodded and began preparing. Seeing that, Shurein started walking towards the management layer’s training ground.
What Shurein asked Floria to do was to perform a dance using the divine sword. Of course, that wasn’t all; Shurein would perform a certain ritual in accordance with Floria’s dance. In essence, the new ritual Shurein had discovered was meant to be used in conjunction with a dance. While they didn’t know the exact effects of the ritual without trying it, they knew it interfered with spirits. Floria was also interested in what kind of effects it would bring, so they decided to try it immediately.
Whether it was Floria who told Kousuke about Shurein’s new attempt, or Shurein himself, Kousuke and Silvia were also present at the training ground. Naturally, Kouhi and Mitsuki were there as well. In the end, with the usual members gathered, Shurein’s ritual and Floria’s dance began.
Floria’s dance this time would be performed to Shurein’s norito. Although called a norito, it was more like a song, with rhythm and melody. Shurein hadn’t learned it solely from the document; it was one of the rituals that had been passed down among the Vermilia Clan. What was written in the document wasn’t the ritual itself, but the method of using it, which Shurein found novel.
As Shurein chanted the norito, Floria danced. Even though it was their first time syncing, their timing was perfect. This was due to Floria’s skill in syncing on the spot, even more so than Shurein’s. Moreover, Shurein wasn’t trying to match the norito to the dance in the first place. He and Floria had coordinated their plan from the beginning.
A few minutes after Floria began her dance, a change occurred. Spirits, not for the first time, began to drift around Floria as she danced with the sword, but other spirits also started to react.
“….What is this?” Kousuke muttered, tilting his head. Silvia, watching beside him, replied, “It seems to be a reaction to Shurein’s norito. Perhaps the dance’s effect is stronger than usual, or maybe the spirits’ power is being amplified…”
“It’s a shame Colette isn’t here.” Kousuke and Silvia could sense the increased power from the spirits compared to usual, but they couldn’t distinguish whether it was due to the dance or the spirits. As Kousuke said, if Colette were present, they would have gotten an answer immediately, but unfortunately, she was in the village and hadn’t come this time.
While Kousuke and Silvia regretted Colette’s absence, Shurein’s ritual and Floria’s dance proceeded smoothly. It only lasted about ten minutes, but it was enough time for the spectators, Kousuke and the others, to fully enjoy it. And then, just as Floria finished her dance and Kousuke was about to speak, it happened. As the norito concluded, a magic circle, about thirty centimeters in diameter, appeared in front of the staff Shurein held, emitting a faint green light. The light spread throughout the training ground like an unfolding curtain. Furthermore, as if receiving the light, the spirits floating around Floria made a gesture as if bathing in light, and then charged towards the staff Shurein held. After the light disappeared, the spirits that had been visible until then were gone, as if all absorbed into the staff.
Witnessing the entire scene, Kousuke muttered in a dumbfounded expression, “…What just happened?”
“The one who made that staff was Mr. Kousuke, wasn’t it?”
“No, that’s true, but this is truly unexpected!” Silvia gave Kousuke a sidelong glance at his words, which were unbecoming of the creator. However, remembering that Clara had added a gem to the staff, she refrained from pointing it out specifically. She thought it was not impossible for unexpected effects to occur.
Power up!
…It seems it was Shurein’s staff that was powered up, but actually, Floria’s sword was powered up as well. We’ll discuss that in the next chapter.
