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The Tale of the Wizrain Kingdom

This Human is Too Strong, It's Scary

Translated by: S3

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

Gripping the belly of a fish, Elna’s eyes snapped open with a sharp glint.

「Alright! A huge haul!」

『That was way too reckless, gonsu.』

Due to the impact of the stone she’d dropped, fish were bobbing to the surface belly-up. Elna quickly began scooping them up. Since it wouldn't be good for her skirt to get wet, she had it tucked up at her waist. Her shoes and socks were lined up on the riverbank, and next to them, the hamster spirit sat primly in a perfect little pose.

As they had pushed further into the Forest of Confusion, they had stumbled upon a mountain stream. Compared to the river Elna and the others had fallen into, this was a mere brook, but it appeared to flow down from the Vidrast Mountains and connect to that larger river they’d seen first.

「I can't help it. I have a terrible affinity with water... and this is the fastest way to get fish.」

『So your first instinct is to hurl a giant boulder, gansu...?』

『This human is too strong, it’s scary, ssu...』

The one trembling and curling its long, slender white body next to the hamster spirit was—presumably—a ferret. *Hawawawawawa*, its fluffy thin tail whipped through the air as if frantically stirring the atmosphere.

『Trembling over something like this? You’ll never make it as a spirit, gonsu! Foolish, truly foolish!』

『Hawawa! Senpai! I wish you’d stop wagging your tail so hard, it’s hitting my face, ssu! Your tail is so short it’s basically like I’m being slapped by your butt-ssu!』

『Foolish! Truly foolish!』

「...You're all being way too noisy...」

Elna placed the fish she’d caught into her pouch and waded out of the river on bare feet. So much had happened in such a short amount of time that she felt a wave of exhaustion hit her. Sighing, she placed the fish on the bank and began to dry her feet, her mind drifting back to what had happened just moments ago—

---

「Hm? Eh? What is this? A tail...?」

Moving both hands, she snatched the thing wiggling in front of her eyes and yanked it out with a sharp tug.

Dangling in mid-air was a mysterious ferret. Being vertically long, it was a bit larger than the hamster spirit. Shocked by the impact of being pulled out, the ferret froze with its mouth agape, its head hanging limp as it dangled.

「...What even is this? Hmm, a spirit, maybe...?」

『...Hafuh!? Fsha-sha-sha-sha-sha, sha-sha-sha-sha!』

「Whoa, stop thrashing, stop thrashing!」

『This guy...! Calm down, gonsu! Hey! That's wrong, gonsu!』

『Fsha...? Fsha-sha-sha-shaa!』

「Wow, it’s thrashing even more!? It’s really flopping about, huh!?」

『I’m telling you, you’ve got it wrong...! Fine, forget it, gansu! Just give this thing some mana, gansu!』

「Eh?」

Elna didn't understand the language of spirits. The tongues of humans and spirits were different.

However, there were exceptions. By being provided with dense mana, a spirit’s rank would rise, and they would come to understand the language of the one who infused them with that mana. That was how the hamster spirit had become able to converse with Elna.

『Now! Do it quick, a nice "shubot"! Let's go, gansu!』

「O-oh?」

Following the instructions, Elna thrust her finger into the thrashing ferret’s mouth.

『Ham-gyumu!? Muguu! Muguu! Mugu, mu...』

(What is this tension...?) Elna watched with a pounding heart as the ferret munched and gnawed on her finger. She failed to notice Rigoberto standing behind her, shooting her a cold look that clearly said, *What on earth is she doing?*

『HAFU-AAH! Good heavens, this is—the more you chew, the tastier the mana gets... No, that's not it! Let go of me! A mere human like you! You're the one who's been dragging my senior around all this time!』

The ferret wrinkled its cute face and hissed in intimidation. Since it seemed piteous to keep it dangling, Elna set it on the ground as requested. It immediately dropped onto all fours, baring its canines with a *fshaah* in a combat-ready stance. However, with its short legs and tiny body, it unfortunately didn't have an ounce of "menace" to it. *Can I just ignore this thing?* she wondered.

『Not being dragged around, ham. I am here by choice, ham.』

『Senpai!? Why would you say that to a mere human... Hm? Hare? What is this "mouthfeel" of mana... It’s as if I was forced to drink a thick concentrate... yet it goes down the throat so smoothly, light yet mellow... Like the mana supplied by a high-ranking existence... Yes, like a dragon... A dragon?』

The excited ferret’s tail went limp and hit the ground. It looked up at Elna. *Hawawa*, it brought its tiny paws to its mouth and sat up, its bottom plunking onto the dirt. (Ferret can sit like that...?) Elna wondered, but since it was a spirit, she figured anything was possible.

「…………」

『…………』

A mysterious silence fell. The ferret closed its eyes with a soft sigh. Then, it simply flopped onto its back, limbs spread out in an "X" on the ground.

『...Kill me-i!』

(Its emotions are way too unstable.)

『Better to just stop worrying about this guy, gonsu.』

「...True. We're in a hurry, so let's ignore it.」

『If you're gonna do it, do it in one shot-i! With dragon power, it would take a second, right!? Don't keep me in suspense-ssu! Doryaa! *thrash thrash thrash*!』

And it was also moderately noisy.

「Hey. What have you been making such a fuss about by yourself for a while now?」

「By myself...? Eh?」

Rigoberto’s irritated voice cut in, and Elna turned around in confusion. She thought it was strange that he hadn't noticed them since they were right there, but after tilting her head, she suddenly realized. 「Ah.」

Those without the **Eyes to See** spirits cannot see their forms or hear their voices. The hamster spirit was a bit special and could manipulate its form and voice at will, but because it was complicated, she had asked it to act like a normal hamster in front of others.

In other words, the hamster spirit was currently speaking in a language only Elna could hear, and the ferret spirit (if that’s what it was) was screaming while rolling on the ground—even if Rigoberto had heard anything, he wouldn't know who was talking. To Rigoberto, Elna was making a fuss, shouting, and having a conversation entirely by herself.

Elna gently closed her eyes. (How did it come to this?)

「Have you lost the way? If so, just say it. You seemed brimming with confidence about being able to pass through the Forest of Confusion, but the whole idea is absurd to begin with. You are of Wizrain. This is the land of Marls. Why are you so certain you know the way?」

Now he was even beginning to suspect her. Honestly, the fact that he’d followed her this far without questioning it was probably the real miracle. When asked "Would you bet your life?" she had basically brushed him off with "It's not even worth a bet because I'm obviously right," but...

(Wait, wait. If he starts doubting me now, I won't be able to achieve my goal of making the Empire owe me a debt!)

A man with an injured dominant arm was nothing to be afraid of, but when it came to international relations, this was very bad. *Aaah*, Elna clutched her head.

(Even if he asks "why," I can't explain it other than by saying I can see spirits...)

She groaned with her hand on her forehead, but then it hit her. It wouldn't actually be a problem if she just told him, would it? Having the **Eyes to See** spirits might be rare, but it was a standard skill for spirit users. Even in the Kingdom of Wizrain, spirit users existed, though they weren't as numerous as mages. To continue acting as a guide, she needed some level of credibility.

「I didn't tell you before, but I have the Eyes to See spirits. That's why... well, even if you can't tell, there are many spirits in this forest, and I'm asking them to guide us.」

「Spirits...?」

「Yes. The reason this is called the Forest of Confusion is because the spirits lead people astray. In other words, if we can get the spirits to cooperate—」

「Nonsense about spirits. This isn't a fairy tale.」

Rigoberto let out a long sigh, stepped closer, and looked down at Elna.

「...A fairy tale...?」

「I suppose I should say, "As expected of a woman of Wizrain." I hear that in your country, you call magic 'spirit arts' and fear the dark of everyday life unnecessarily, claiming there are demons and such...」

「Spirit arts and magic are completely different, though...?」

Elna blinked in bewilderment at the total lack of communication.

「They are the same.」

His denial carried the exact same nuance as her own. Rigoberto raised an eyebrow as if to say, *What on earth are you talking about?*

「No, I mean, the same...」

They were similar if you squinted, but spirit arts and magic were entirely different powers. Magic used the power from within oneself. It required an innate talent. Spirit arts, as the name implied, borrowed the power of spirits. Because of that, it was influenced more by one's disposition than raw talent; even the **Eyes to See** spirits could be acquired later in life. Back when Elna was Elnalfia, most people conversed with spirits and borrowed small amounts of their power.

(And he thinks... spirit arts don't exist?)

It was unbelievable, but Rigoberto didn't look like he was lying.

「Whatever. I suppose your 'spirit arts' are just some metaphor for the laws of nature. You've been navigating by the shape of the forest, but have you finally lost the way? ...Hmph. I hear the sound of water.」

「Eh?」

Rigoberto snorted, pushed past Elna’s shoulder, and walked ahead. Throwing a complaint at the man’s back produced no response. Checking the spirits, Elna saw they hadn't lost the path, so she hurried after him. As for the abandoned ferret spirit, it watched them go with a blank expression for a moment, but then:

『H-Hey! I’m coming too-ssu! Wait for me-ssu!』

It scrambled after Elna, its short limbs moving *peso-peso-pepepe-peso*.

---

「Whoa...」

Rigoberto had pushed forward without hesitation and finally reached the stream. The crystal-clear water, likely flowing from the peak of the Vidrast Mountains, sparkled in the sunlight. Even the scales of the swimming fish glittered. Perhaps because the plants were drinking this pure water, the scent of greenery was thick and heavy. The sound of splashing water echoed, and simultaneously, a loud *GUOOOOOOOOO*—the roar of a beast—rang out.

Elna looked at Rigoberto’s stomach in shock. It wasn't the sound of a beast; it was the sound of Rigoberto’s stomach growling. Without changing his expression, Rigoberto stared at the river in silence, then waded in, not caring that his boots were getting soaked.

「What... eh? Wait!」

Before she could even shout, Rigoberto used his left hand to snatch a fish out of the water with his bare hands. She could almost see the *SHPAA!* sound effect. He climbed back out and moved under a tree. It was a bit early, but apparently, that was dinner.

「…………」

『Is that guy a bear or something-ssu?』

The ferret spirit, which had caught up at some point, whispered. Left with no choice, Elna decided she had better catch some fish too.