For People Who Are In The World
Chapter 26: Part 1
「Izin to go to the Great Tree has been given?」
On one day some time after Rio held the first cooking class, he was told by Arthura that permission to approach the Great Tree had been granted.
「Uhm it seems that the cooking class started by Rio-dono was very well received and your reputation soared a little. Moreover, when I explained the reason why you wanted to go to the Great Tree, I told them that you were contracted by an unknown spirit. Since our faith is centered on the spirit, we honor all who are capable of contracting the spirit. 」
Arthura told Rio the details on how he managed to obtain the permission.
"I saw . 」
Hearing that story, Rio let a bitter smile creep onto his face.
Although the level of mistrust towards Rio was not alarming, it had been greatly reduced recently.
While Rio only started cooking classes for Latifa's sake, he found it rather amusing that the various benefits for her also appeared as a result.
「Then, we can go to the Great Tree during the next Spirit Festival?」
Based on what he knew, the next Spirit Festival was scheduled to be held in two weeks.
「No, I've arranged it so that we will leave before the Spirit Festival. Otherwise, you might not be able to calm down with so many people watching. 」
Almost the entire population of the spirit village people would gather around the Great Tree during the Spirit Festival.
Arthura was considering Rio because it was not an issue that should be discussed in public.
"That's ... I'm really grateful for your consideration. 」
Rio thanked for Arthura's consideration while smiling.
「Hoho, a youngster like you will not be able to stay calm in front of a large number of people. Besides, I also consider Rio-dono as my benefactor. It's just a simple matter, you know. 」
Arthura smiled gently as she spoke.
"That's why, besides me, there will only be four people who will come: Oufia, Sara, Alma, and Uzuma. The requirement to allow you access is that we will accompany you as a guide, so I hope you don't mind. 」[1]
"Sure . I don't mind. 」
As for Rio, he did not mind that condition so he immediately replied.
「Umu, then departure in 3 days. Not far away so it only takes 30 minutes to get there. 」
And so, 3 days later, guided by Arthura and the others, Rio proceeded to the Great Tree where the High Spirit Spirit, Dryad, resided.
By the way\, Latifa also came with them to meet spirits for the first time. [ED: It seems customary for the spirit village people to welcome Dryad] [TL: well\, Latifa is the prodigal son of the spirit village of person\, so Dryad actually does not know about his birth\, he said\, maybe just a warning before]
Although he saw the Great Tree every day during his time in the village, Rio became overwhelmed with its presence as he got closer.
"I'm not sure how to describe this, but, while the surrounding trees were also very large, nothing exuded a divine and majestic presence comparable to the Great Tree. 」
Enchanted by the Great Tree as she watched it, Rio voiced his impression.
「Ara, I'm glad you said that. 」
The charming voice of a woman sounded.
Arthura, Uzuma, Sara, Oufia, and Alma immediately knelt down as the voice sounded.
Rio and Latifa also followed.
"It's nice to meet you . I am Dryad, the spirit who lives in the Great Tree. 」
Introducing herself with an innocent smile, a young lady appeared before Rio wearing a one-piece dress adorned with beautiful flowers.
Having long wavy green hair that reached the ground and emerald-colored irides, she gave off an impression of momentary beauty, yet was wrapped in a gentle atmosphere.
「Pardon my rudeness for late introduction. I'm Rio. 」
At Dryad's sudden appearance, the bewildered Rio respectfully greeted him.
「Un, Rio right? Nice to meet you . 」
Dryad smiled sweetly, which would captivate anyone who witnessed it.
「Now, I want to know if you have any business with me？ The Spirit Festival is coming, right? 」
"Yes . We came today to ask Dryad-sama for help regarding the dormant spirit residing in Rio body which is the human race. It is unfortunate but none of us know about that spirit. 」
Seeing Rio, Arthura stated the reason for their visit.
Dryad's eyes moved back to Rio.
「Spirit in this child? Of course I can feel something like that from this child but .. Do you really know anything about the spirit sleeping in your body? 」
Dryad said that with a curious expression.
"Yes . I really don't know anything. 」
No matter how hard he tried, he was unable to recall anything spirit-related from his memories. That's the reason for the simple answer.
Rio told the truth which showed a wry smile.
「So so. N—, may I check you a little? 」
"Yes . Instead, I'll thank you if you do. 」
After receiving his approval, Dryad gently touched his body.
Rio felt a foreign object enter his body but did not try to resist.
「Yeah, you have an incredible amount of Odo. Delicacy like that too. Are you really from the human race? In addition, yes, there is no doubt that you have made a contract to judge from your completed circle— .. eh !? 」
While he was confirming the condition of the spirit residing within Rio, his body jolted in shock.
「Did you find anything?」
Seeing Dryad's strange behavior, Rio asked her.
「... The spirit inside you is a humanoid spirit. 」[TL: Dryad can be considered as human-part, plant-part, and fairy-part, which is why its rating is Quasi-High]
Dryad said in a confused voice.
「!!!?」
Hearing Dryad's words, everyone present except Latifa had astonished looks.
「Spirit humanoid?」
Sensing the real change in the atmosphere, Rio asked Dryad further because he was not included.
「In the current condition, I can't find anything else other than that is a humanoid spirit. U ~ n, it's just that the humanoid spirit has a very high rank. It's not impossible to be at least on the same level as me. I'm just as surprised as you all because it's not the kind of spirit one usually encounters. 」
Dryad explained the situation briefly.
「... Coincidentally, did you arrive at the spirit village of people about a year ago?」
As if recalling something, Dryad suddenly asked him.
「True, I did arrive in the village around that time ..」
While affirming Dryad's question, Rio slightly tilted his head to the side, wondering how he knew about the event.
「At that time, I sensed the presence of a powerful spirit briefly. Perhaps it was something similar to the resonance between powerful spirits. The spirit sleeping inside you feels similar to the one I felt back then. It may be short, but the spirit inside you must awaken for a while. Do you really have no memory of that time? 」
「... No, there's no. 」
Raising his hand to the lips, Rio excitedly searched around in his memories but could not remember anything related.
「U ~ n. I saw . If so, then I give up ... 」
Dryad said so with a restless expression.
His resignation statement shocked Rio; it was an anticlimactic answer.
「Dryad-sama, is the spirit sleeping inside Rio-dono's body really High Spirit?」
At that moment, Arthura carefully cut off the conversation.
「It is impossible ... According to legend, the Six High Spirits disappeared from this world over 1000 years ago. No High Spirit was born after that. 」[TL: Dryad Rank is Quasi [Fake] high rank, while Rio spirit rank is high rank [True]]
