Hakuto Sakuragi’s Point of View

We thoroughly searched the forest where 30 goblins appeared, but found nothing unusual. It's also concerning that only Burn-san, Riffia-san, and Yumi noticed a strange gaze.

"Sensei, there's nothing unusual in the forest. Should we assume that something happened in the village or on the way to the capital?"

"There's nothing unusual in the forest, but it's too abnormal. Normally, we should encounter other evil tribes besides goblins, but there's no sign of them in the vicinity. I've seen many countries before, and I always encounter several evil tribes a day on the way. It's worrisome that we haven't seen any today."

Certainly, we haven't encountered any evil tribes today. We should consider that someone has already defeated them if they're not around here.

"Burn-san, should we head back for now?”

“Yeah, there's nothing left for us here."

When we returned to the village and reported that everything was normal to the village chief, Riffia-san and the others returned.

"Nothing unusual here, Burn.”

“Same here. I'm just concerned that we haven't encountered any evil tribes or felt their presence in the vicinity. Something feels off."

Perhaps it's Burn-san's intuition. Indeed, I observed the villagers earlier, and some of them seemed different from the people I've met before.

"Burn-san, I thought of something when I saw the villagers earlier.”

“What is it, Haruto?"

"There were a few people among the villagers I've met before who had a pale complexion. I felt a strange sense of discomfort from them. I can't say for sure since I didn't use 'Seishin Ittou' (mental focus) but it felt like there was something else inside their bodies."

"Ah, I see. Something else. Excellent! We've been so focused on the evil tribe that we haven't paid much attention to the villagers' details."

"Hmm, I was also distracted by your gaze and overlooked it. Haru, you noticed well."

Oh, I'm praised!

"Certainly, I also saw a few people with a bad complexion here. I was also distracted by the gaze, and I only paid attention to that direction."

Mika also noticed it.

"Some of the villagers with a bad complexion and strange looks. For now, let's stay here and see what happens."

"Yes!"

Until dinner time, they were free to do as they pleased, but they had nothing to do. Since they were on a mission, they couldn't even have a mock battle. Then, why not practice "Mental Concentration"? Oh, that tree looks sturdy. It seems safe to climb.

"Alright, if I climb this far, it should be fine."

First, close your eyes and concentrate your mind. Phew, that's good. In Mental Concentration, it's important to discard distractions and focus on the opponent. Burn-san is over there. If I were to fight him seriously now, would I have a chance of winning?

"Uh-huh, I knew it, but a 0% chance of winning? The scene of being repelled no matter what method I used flashed back. However, the more I concentrate on this Mental Concentration, the more I should be able to discern the opponent's true nature and provide precise guidance on how to defeat them. The problem is, how can I concentrate even more than I am now? In situations like this, I need to cut off my presence and clear my mind, but I think it's called "Muso" in words. Even now, I might be distracted by thinking like this. Let's try to expand our awareness and clear our minds more than when we acquired Mental Concentration at that time. Just concentrate on expanding it, ignoring anything you feel."

!!!

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Once it was time for dinner, they returned to the house prepared by the village chief.

"Haruto, what's wrong? You look deep in thought."

"Well, yeah. While I was doing my mental training with my eyes closed, I sensed a strange presence."

"A strange presence?"

"When I found it, I opened my eyes and looked in that direction, and the pale-faced villagers were just chatting normally. The feeling had disappeared. So, when I closed my eyes and searched again, I felt the strange presence again. And I felt it from the pale-faced villagers."

"Hey, Haru, did you try to investigate the presence more deeply?"

"Yes, but no matter how much I concentrated, I couldn't understand the contents of the presence. My impression was that I sensed it and searched, but it was empty inside. I think it's just because I'm lacking concentration, even though my mental training is activated."

Honestly, I don't know what to call that presence. It's different from the evil tribe, elves, and humans. In the case of the evil tribe, it feels like a dark lump, but I don't feel anything from this presence. Yes, it's contradictory. I can sense the presence, but it's empty inside.

"Hmm, a presence felt from the villagers, and when investigated, it's empty."

"I've never heard of anything like this before. Even if the evil tribe takes over the villagers, there's no benefit, so what's happening in this village? This strange feeling is the first time for me."

Even Burn-san and Riffia-san don't know everything.

Knock, knock

When I opened the front door, the village chief and the others brought dinner.

"Thank you for patrolling today. Since it's a small village, we couldn't prepare a luxurious meal, but we've prepared dinner for you. We'll put it on the table for you."

Um, Village Chief, this is really luxurious. I just took a quick look around the area, and is it really okay to have this much? The smell of delicious food is drifting in. Elves mainly cook vegetable dishes, such as salads, mixed dishes, and tempura. Huh? Is this fried chicken?

"Village Chief, is this fried chicken?"

"Did you already know? I heard it was popular in the Thermia Kingdom, so I made it. I got the recipe from an acquaintance, so I think it'll suit your taste."

"Ohhhh, Village Chief, thank you very much!!"

Mika and Yuumi, their eyes sparkling, said in unison. They had been buying ingredients in Martique, but hadn't fried anything, so they were quite hungry. They boasted, "Vegetable tempura is good, but fried meat is still the best."

Well then, let's dig in!

Oh, everyone's food is delicious. The fried chicken is also seasoned well. This soup is light and good. Especially this jet-black fruit, it was so black that I hesitated at first, but I took the plunge and ate it, and despite its appearance, it was delicious.

"Huh? Shinya, Yoshiteru, Yuumi, aren't you going to eat that fruit?”

“It's actually pretty good."

Mika had also tried it.

"The appearance is a bit strange though."

"Okay, I'll eat Yuumi's share too, it's bad to leave it behind.”

“Shinya-kun, are you sure? Thank you!"

"I have no choice, I'll eat some too."

Shinya and Yoshiteru ate it with determination. Were they that reluctant?

"Ugh, guuuuh~”

“Huh? Shinya-kun, Yoshiteru-kun too!"

"Gwaaar”

“Gaaaah!"

"Hey hey, what's going on here?"

"This is bad! The magic balance in Shinya and Yoshiki's bodies is starting to go out of whack! If we don't do something, they'll both die!"

What?! Hold on a second. Mika, Burn, Riffia-san, and I ate the same thing and we're fine.

"I'm Yoshiki. Mika, cast the recovery magic 'Max Heal' on Shinya! Hurry!”

“Y-Yes!"

"Yumi, you stay with Burn and Haruto.”

“Y-Yes!"

Hey, what about me?

"Haruto, calm down! We'll leave this to them. We can use recovery magic, but that's it. We have no specialized knowledge."

"If Shinya hadn't knocked me down, I would've..."

"Right, you would have. Haruto, prepare yourself mentally."

Got it!

"I understand. I don't want to let Shinya and Yoshiteru die. We will find a cure."

Shinya, Yoshiteru, please hold on a little longer. I'll definitely save you.

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Viewpoint of Mika Shimazaki:

What's going on? Shinya's magic is going wild inside his body. Even when I cast Max Heal, it only calms down a bit, and there's no sign of it getting better. If I stop the magic, it starts going wild again, so I have to keep casting it.

"Riffia-san, even when I cast Max Heal, it only calms down a bit. It's like his magic is trying to come out of his body."

"Same here. Mika, cast the status recovery magic 'Dispel' at the same time. That should calm him down. But be careful, if you let your guard down even a little, it'll start going wild again."

"Understood."

Phew, when I cast Dispel, it finally calmed down. But what can I do to cure him? I searched inside Shinya's body, but I can't find anything wrong. I don't know how to deal with this. And Shinya's life force is slowly weakening. He'll die in about an hour if we don't do something.

"Ugh, this is more troublesome than I expected. I can't find anything wrong.”

“Same here, Riffia-san. At this rate..."

Looking at Haruto, I can tell he's closing his eyes and focusing. He's preparing his mind for the task ahead. While Haruto searches for an answer, I'll do my best to suppress whatever is inside of Shinya. When I look at Riffia-san, she nods. We share the same thought.

Haruto, please! Find a way to cure Shinya and Yoshiteru!