Desert Temple - 3

"What's wrong, Gram? Why the frightened look?"

I stared back, startled but calm.

My heart raced. Cold sweat trickled down my back. What on earth is going on?!

If Gram attacks for real, there's nothing I can do at this distance—maybe only summon a lightning barrier.

But skilled swordsmen and swift beastmen have pierced through such barriers before. What should I do now?

As I was thinking such thoughts, Erine also screamed.

"What are you thinking, Gram? Stop fighting Taro!" I say, stepping between Gram and me.

We aren't fighting at all! And aren't you the one who should understand the current state of this village!?

Gram's stern, threatening face vividly reflected the village's dire state. Elin shrunk back, overwhelmed by his angry outburst.

There's no resources in this village anymore. No funds, and few young people. Yet we send our precious youth out as adventurers to earn magic stones and foreign currency. We lure young people from outside the village and entice them to settle here.

I didn't question anything before becoming an adventurer. But once I became one and learned the village's true state...

If we keep going like this, the village will vanish—quietly, unnoticed by anyone. That's why we must change everything. Absolutely everything!

He seems to be under considerable pressure.

He's been thinking deeply about the village—without telling a soul.

"But you don't need to force things like this... We still have time, after all."

"What guarantee do you have that Taro will be here tomorrow? He's strong. That medicine didn't even work on him, did it? So you're here. If Taro really wanted to, he could easily escape from us right now."

"That's..."

Riruka looks at me with worried eyes. She seemed cheerful during the exploration, but now her face is clouded with concern.

Gram continues.

"If we use the method to restore the deteriorated magic stone, there's no need to send the few villagers to another town! We won't have to risk entering the dangerous dungeon anymore."

Do you understand just how much this could change the village? Simply buying low-cost magic stones in Puetoji means we can continue using our village's precious high-purity magic stones. It will spread water throughout the entire village and keep the village square lively. That's why I must know this right away."

Gram said, raising his longsword toward me.

This technique is still far from complete and isn't as flexible as he might imagine. Will he be disappointed to learn this truth?

No, even so, he probably still desires it. After hearing his thoughts, that's how I came to believe.

"I understand. Gram, I'll explain the basics of the technique right away. But please don't be discouraged—it's not something anyone can master. So even if I teach it to you, that doesn't mean you'll be able to use it effectively."

From the backpack he was carrying on his back, he pulled out a deteriorated fire crystal and a low-grade light crystal still usable.

He joined the two crystals together, demonstrating the transfer of magical energy right before their eyes. Two crystals, each half-transformed in color, lay before them.

"You can probably tell just by looking at this, but it's the technique of transferring magical essence from an activated crystal to a degraded one. It takes a bit of skill, but with practice, you might eventually be able to do it. However, I haven't tested whether this works with every type of crystal. Gram, I don't know if you'll be able to do what you desire, but you said you'd try—so let's see."

Saying that, I tossed the two crystals to Gram. Gram caught them firmly and, mimicking me as best he could, tried doing the same thing. But nothing happened.

Gram clenched the crystals tightly and repeated the motion, but there was no response at all. When I wrote the paper on transferring magical essence, even Emma and others had to practice extensively before they could replicate it. It seemed Gram wouldn't succeed on the first try either.

"How's it going? I doubt you'll manage it without practice."

"Just... be quiet for a moment. I'm not finished yet."

Saying that, he forcefully clamps the magic stones together and grips them even tighter.

"What if I told you I'd stay in the village until someone else here could do what I can?"

Gram loosens his grip on the magic stone and looks at me, surprised.

"Are you sure? I did threaten you, after all."

"Ah, either way, I wanted to thoroughly explore this ruin. I was startled, but through your journey across the desert, I could clearly feel how desperately you're working for the village. That's no problem at all."

"...Thank you. Really, thank you."

Gram finally released the tension in his body and lowered his arms.

He arrived in the village by evening. That day, he quickly finished his meal and went to the tokonoma.

He placed his belongings in the circular room and lay down on his bed. Things that had happened today naturally came to mind—Rilka’s joyful expression, Gram’s tense face.

It was only natural, really, that everyone carried their own thoughts. He had felt that truth today. Gram’s eyes had burned like flames.

Lost in thought once again, he heard a knock at the door.

"Sure, come in! I'm free!"

It was Rilka who walked in.

"What's up? I'm not doing any breeding."

"No, it's not that! I came to say thank you!"

"Thank you? Did I do something?"

"The adventure. You took me along, didn't you? It was so much fun. Thanks a lot."

"Is that so? The ruins were said to have no strong monsters, based on prior surveys. Perfect for a first adventure. The exploration will continue, so keep your hopes up."

"Yeah!"

Rilka continued chatting cheerfully about the experiences she'd had on their adventures.

"By the way, how long are you staying? I'm about ready to head to bed."

"Shall I sleep next to you?"

"Cut the jokes. Go to sleep already, Rilka. We've got an early start tomorrow."

"Alright, alright."

With that, Rilka quickly scurried off.

I had expected to begin the survey first thing in the morning, but Gram stopped me.

Following Gram, I found several young villagers standing side by side.