We don’t really come across monsters in the forest, and advance as planned. And because of it, Hikari is a little bored. Argo and the others smile awkwardly at that. We fought a lot in the dungeon after all.
Looking at Map, I see that if we walk a bit more, we’ll exit the area where there are magic energy reactions along the path.
“The flow of magic energy has changed.”
Chris says with a sigh as we leave the magic energy reactions.
I’m walking next to her, and I also feel like they’re gone.
I try using Transfer, and see I can use the skill. That means those magic energy reactions really were doing something bad.
I think to myself that it’s strange, and definitely want to investigate it, but that curiosity disappears when I take a step back.
Is it the influence of the magic energy reactions? I take another step forward, and focus with Parallel Thinking as I take another step back.
Curiosity and a feel holding it back. I managed to separate the two.
After confirming this, I take some time to investigate. That said, I’m just looking for the magic energy reactions and casting Appraisal.
I don’t know what the source is, but I think it’s some sort of magic item. If not, they wouldn’t be placed along the path.
Also, looking at Map shows me the magic energy reactions are placed at even intervals.
“Well, it’s fine if you don’t go too far. Call us if something happens.”
I nod to Rurika, but first take out a sheet and food.
It’s about time for lunch.
I take out a sandwich I can eat while walking as I approach the first magic energy reaction.
It seems to be buried, and I can tell with the 3D skill that it’s three meters deep.
It’s also under a tree, so I use magic to dig it out.
First, I use Earth Magic to move the tree. Infusing the ground with magic energy takes twice, no, three times more magic energy than usual before I can move the tree.
After moving it two meters away, I’m really tired. Touching my forehead shows me I’m sweating.
Next I dig, but it takes some effort to reach the magic energy reaction. I almost run out of MP along the way, so I drink a mana potion. I’ll have to pick medicinal herbs when we get back. I used a lot conquering the dungeon.
“I see…”
At the end of my effort, I see a transparent ball with a shiny red octahedron inside.
Magic sealing stone. A monster repelling magic item.
That’s what Appraisal tells me, but Analysis tells me more.
Magic sealing stone. A monster repelling magic item. Cancels the effects of magic.
So this is why I couldn’t use Transfer and why using magic took so much out of me.
I assume this is also why monsters wouldn’t approach the path, but I feel like more people would use this path if that was the case. But I heard monsters in the forest are strong, so maybe that information was put out there on purpose.
I want to take one with me, but they’d definitely notice it was missing. And if they’re checking who passes by here, we’d be prime suspects.
I can’t help but be curious, but I let go of the magic sealing stone I’m touching with my right hand, and put the dirt back where it was. And the tree too.
“Are you done, Sora?”
“Yes. Objective accomplished. But…”
I tell everyone about the magic sealing stone when I get back, and Chris seems curious. Some are too busy eating to listen.
“Is that why there weren’t monster reactions?”
“Are there more of those other than by the path?”
Asks Guilford after Rurika nods.
“I only saw them along the path on my Map.”
“How many were there?”
“Twenty… six.”
“Not a lot.”
I don’t know if it’s a lot or few, but they’re enough to have an effect on this area.
“I wonder if magic items like these are used elsewhere.”
Mia’s casual statement reminds me of the dark forest.
The empire has a history of wanting to develop it. They also forced slaves like Sera to fight in it.
If they had these magic items, they could do it more safely, so why didn’t they do it?
…I don’t have an answer.
The Kingdom of Elesya had a lot of problems, like summoning people from another world, but I think there’s more to the Borsheil Empire too.
It’s a warlike country, so could it be using those mysterious monsters as weapons? No, even if they were testing their abilities, they probably wouldn’t release them into one of their towns.
…It’s no good, thinking is getting me nowhere.
Maybe I’ll think about it some more after returning to Nahal.
I look at my right hand, and clench it tightly.
We are finally caught up with the raws, so from now on, chapters will be posted as they come.
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