Shurein’s attention was caught by a ritual that borrowed the power of the Mother Goddess of the Earth to make a contract with spirits.
The book did not specifically state what kind of results would be brought about when a contract was made with a spirit.
It stated that the results were not detailed because the effects varied depending on the practitioner.
In any case, it seemed that performing this ritual would yield some kind of effect.
Shurein was interested in this ritual because it could lead to a connection with Clara (God).
Shurein believed that with their current strength, it would be easy to borrow the power of the Mother Goddess of the Earth, and the ritual would be successful.
Shurein thought it was worth a try, even if the results were uncertain.
After thoroughly reading the passages about the ritual, Shurein immediately set about making preparations.
Some rituals performed by Vampires can be done with just one’s body, while others require the preparation of small props.
Some rituals even require over a week, or more, to prepare.
One of the reasons Shurein wanted to perform this ritual immediately was that it could be done with simple tools, the kind normally used in rituals.
While tools for drawing magic circles on the ground and offerings to the Mother Goddess of the Earth were necessary, they were not particularly valuable items.
After all the preliminary preparations were completed, Shurein finally began the ritual.
As Shurein began to chant Norito (Shinto prayer) while holding a staff, a change immediately occurred in the ritual.
In time with Shurein’s chanting, the spirits’ light began to dance wildly around them.
Except for some Elves, spirits’ light is normally not visible.
The fact that it was visible without Shurein doing anything further was likely due to the ritual’s influence.
However, the ritual was not yet over.
While inwardly surprised, Shurein continued chanting Norito until the end to ensure the ritual’s success.
As the Norito concluded, the wildly dancing spirits’ light gathered before Shurein’s eyes and slowly descended onto the prepared pedestal.
Then, after the light vanished, a transparent, crystal-like spherical object was left behind.
It had not been there before the ritual began, so it was undoubtedly left by the spirits.
Judging that there was no danger, Shurein picked up the sphere and examined it closely.
“It looks like crystal… but what could it be?”
Even after holding it, Shurein could not determine if it was actually crystal.
Regardless of what the spirits had left behind, the ritual could be considered a success as it had yielded a result.
Shurein, having revived (?), a new-to-them ancient ritual, left the room in high spirits.
Of course, Shurein did not forget to collect the crystal-like object.
Shurein’s next task (?) was to identify this pseudo-crystal.
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“Kousuke, do you know what this is?”
Kousuke tilted his head, looking at the object Shurein suddenly presented, thinking they had returned to the Vampire village.
“Hmm? It doesn’t look like crystal… May I touch it?”
“Ah, of course.”
Shurein nodded easily to Kousuke, who had confirmed with the belief that it might be something important to Vampires, and placed the pseudo-crystal in Kousuke’s hand.
What Shurein handed over was what the spirits had left behind during the ritual.
Afterward, Shurein had asked several Vampires, but none of them could answer what it was.
Naturally, Shurein even visited the Prost Clan, but the answers were unhelpful.
In the end, Shurein had only received the answer that it was something like crystal, and so they came to Kousuke’s place, who might be able to provide an answer.
After rolling the crystal-like object in his hand for a while, Kousuke let out a “Hmm” and looked at Shurein.
“I have a few possibilities, but to investigate properly, I’ll need to use the right tools.”
“You have some idea?!”
Shurein’s expression turned surprised at Kousuke’s reply.
It was understandable, given that Shurein had received no promising answers from the Vampires.
Unaware of Shurein’s inner thoughts, Kousuke nodded easily.
“Yeah. Well, but I still want to examine it properly. I won’t damage it or anything… is that okay?”
While Kousuke was more of a craftsman than a researcher, he was as knowledgeable as any researcher when it came to materials for making tools.
Naturally, he possessed many tools for examining materials.
Shurein seemed to ponder Kousuke’s words for a moment before nodding slightly.
“It’s fine to examine it, but is it alright if I also observe?”
“Ah, of course.”
Kousuke had no intention of examining it secretly or covertly.
He did not even know through what route Shurein had obtained it.
Kousuke thought it was possible that it could be a Vampire treasure, so being watched during the process was not a major issue.
Kousuke’s (and Isunani’s) laboratory was crammed with items whose purpose was unknown.
Some of them had only been used once and never again, and some were so desirable that researchers or clerics would drool at the sight.
The tools Kousuke brought out to examine the pseudo-crystal were among them.
It was a tool that Kousuke himself rarely used, and naturally, Shurein tilted his head.
“What will you examine with that?”
“Simply put, it’s for measuring things like magic conductivity and content.”
“Hmm.”
Shurein nodded, but did not understand what could be learned from such an examination.
As they watched the work, Kousuke did not scrape or destroy the pseudo-crystal, only attaching a stick-like object and making some adjustments. Shurein quietly observed Kousuke’s actions.
Kousuke investigated something else using two more tools, and then, with a satisfied expression, handed the pseudo-crystal back to Shurein.
“Did you find something?”
“Yeah. Well.”
“So? What was it?”
To Shurein, who was hurrying for an answer, Kousuke calmly soothed him and replied.
“In a word, it’s a type of mineral that’s referred to as fairy stone or spirit stone. I’m not sure of its exact name, though.”
Kousuke added that it might not even have a name, at which Shurein blinked for a moment before hesitantly asking,
“Could this… be a major discovery?”
“Perhaps? Ah, at least for Vampires, it might be.”
Kousuke said this with a smirk, and Shurein, feeling a bad premonition, told herself she couldn’t let this slide and hesitantly asked.
“…What do you mean?”
Although Shurein had braced herself, Kousuke’s next reply shattered that resolve completely.
“This, in essence, is the raw material for the Vermilia Jewel used in the Aris Temple.”
Upon Kousuke’s words, Shurein stood dumbfounded on the spot for over thirty seconds.
Some of you may wonder about past events, but I intend to explain various mysteries in future installments.
Please understand that I cannot answer questions in the reviews as it would spoil the story w
By the way, the item identified as a jewel in this chapter is different from the one that appeared in a previous chapter.
I plan to explain that in the next chapter (?).
