第１４７５堀：夜の泉は空の色 (Part1)
**Chapter 1475: The Night Spring is the Color of the Sky**
**Side: Labyris**
When I heard Yuki say he was heading out in the middle of the night, we scrambled to tag along, but...
"Hey now. Labyris, if you're scared, it’s perfectly fine to head back home, you know."
Yuki, who was currently carrying me on his shoulders, called out with a chuckle. Yes, I wasn't walking on my own two feet; I was being carried—a piggyback ride I hadn't received in quite a while. Furthermore, I was doing so with my eyes squeezed shut.
"...I-I'm fine. I can sense the surroundings just fine."
Yes, this way I wouldn't have to see any terrifying ghosts, so there was no problem at all. I had my magical perception dialed up to the maximum; if anything approached, I’d know immediately.
"No, that’s not really how it works, but... well, whatever."
"Besides, it’s all Big Brother’s fault for calling this a 'test of courage' in the first place."
"That’s right. Labyris isn't good with ghosts, so you shouldn't say things like that."
Aslin and Firia chimed in to back me up. Exactly. The whole situation was Yuki’s fault for saying things that would frighten me. Earth ghosts are genuinely terrifying, you know? Noriko already proved that neither physical attacks nor magic have any effect on them. I mean, what kind of monster kills someone with nothing but a grudge or some incomprehensible curse?
*"Oh, come on. The world is full of mysteries, isn't it? Oh, pass me that pen."*
Hearing Noriko say something like that so casually makes me want to commit murder. Apparently, she didn't become a vengeful spirit intentionally, but I really wish she’d take more interest in her own body. Also, I really hope Zargis and his team manage to build a proper Ghostbusters unit soon. Akiten has been cooperating and doing everything he can to make sure I don't feel scared, and one day, I’m going to kick the spirits and demons of Earth to the curb.
But for now, this is the best I can do. As I was lost in these thoughts, Yuki began chatting with Taiki and Taizo, who were walking beside us.
"Still, there really isn't any foot traffic here, is there? The grass is so overgrown it’s a chore just to walk."
"Ideally, we’d use magic or something to clear a path, but that’s not an option."
"Unfortunately, we are here on the sly."
Just as the three of them said, the area around the Saint’s Spring had been left untouched by human hands, leaving it in a state of wild disarray. They say this place is a sanctuary, but I have to wonder if it’s really necessary for it to be this neglected.
"Well, I suppose it’s an inviolable place even for the Suurus. Since the Saint of Litea once visited here, Litea holds a claim to the ownership, so it’s a bit of a delicate situation."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Hm? You didn't know, Yuki-dono? This is a place they actively advertise as having been visited by the Saint herself—and by Litea, no less! There’s no way the Holy Nation of Litea isn't involved."
"Now that you mention it, that’s true..."
This is the place said to have been visited by Litea, the daughter of Lilishe—the founder of the Holy Nation of Litea—and Faide. Naturally, Litea would want to keep this place held in high regard.
"But it’s located on another country's land, isn't it?"
"Well, that part is complicated. Litea was active all over this Rogali continent, and she was the one who founded the nation. That’s why legends of Litea remain scattered across the continent, and because those stories exist, the Litean faith has spread throughout all of Rogali."
"Ah, I see. So her achievements are just that immense."
"Indeed. And by leveraging that name, they can receive support from Litea. They aren't being told not to use the water or to hand over the land; it’s just a restriction on entry. If you think about it, being protected from invasion by other countries just for that small concession..."
"It is, indeed, an incredibly favorable condition."
Taizo replied. It’s true; if all you have to do is leave a patch of land alone to gain the protection of Litea, it’s a pretty good deal.
"The world really is a complicated place, isn't it?"
I truly feel the same way. Since I started being with Yuki, I’ve had to look at the faces of nations and the like, and I’ve seen firsthand that these kinds of rules actually exist. I suppose everyone is just doing their best to survive in this world.
"But it’s a good thing the moon is out; we can see our surroundings at least a little bit. Aslin-chan, Firia-chan, is it hard to walk?"
"Nope. I’m fine, Taiki-onii-chan."
"It’s a piece of cake."
"You two are so energetic."
Taiki said, watching them. It’s sweet of him to worry, but both of them are fine young ladies; walking through a bit of brush like this is nothing to them. Though, since my eyes are closed, I can't see the situation myself.
No, wait—I can sense everyone’s presence through my perception, and I know there are no enemies nearby. But as long as my eyes are closed, no ghosts can enter my field of vision. So, yes, I’m perfectly fine.
"Hey, Labyris. You know, you don't have to keep your eyes closed to walk..."
"I am a delicate girl, you know. So this is fine."
I felt Yuki start to lower me, so I clung to him tighter. Yuki has the highest anti-ghost capability among everyone here, so I am absolutely not letting go.
"Alright, alright. Looks like we’ve arrived."
"Whoa, it’s a lake."
"The night sky and the moon are reflecting on it like a mirror."
"Truly, it’s amazing."
"This is what one might call the beauty of nature."
I could hear the voices of Ria and Samantha, along with Aslin and Firia. Based on their reactions, they were clearly impressed by the Saint’s Spring, but I still felt hesitant to open my eyes. Just as I was thinking that...
"Labyris. I know you're scared, but why don't you take a look? A night sky reflected on the surface of a lake isn't something you get to see every day."
"Yeah. It’s not scary. So, let’s take a look."
"That’s right. Firia and the others will protect you, so you can feel safe."
"Mmph."
If I kept my eyes closed after all that, I’d just be branded a coward. I had no choice but to open them. And when I did...
"Oh, it’s beautiful."
The words slipped out naturally. The area was overgrown with grass and trees, hardly a place designed for human comfort, but the surface of the lake was perfectly still—a mirror without a single ripple. It reflected not just the moon, but the clouds and the light of the tiny stars above.
"Right? You don't get to see this unless the natural conditions are absolutely perfect. It only happens because there’s no wind to disturb the water."
"Now that you mention it, there really isn't any wind. And I don't feel the presence of any living creatures, either."
It was only after Yuki pointed it out that I realized it: the air was completely still, and there wasn't a single creature stirring the water.
"It’s like... like we’ve been left behind by the rest of the world, isn't it?"
"Haha. Taiki-kun, you’re quite the poet. Still, I know what you mean."
Yes, just as Taizo said, I understand what Taiki is trying to say. Because there is no wind, it feels as if time itself has stopped. It’s like being in a town in the middle of the night with no one around... when you’re in a world without change, that’s exactly the kind of mood that settles in.