I left through the gate and headed for the Forest of Fog at a speed that would not arouse suspicion.\nOh, and I haven't let Prenna out yet because I'm afraid she'll fly right off.
When there were few people around, I picked up speed. Woah, that's speedy. In the end, I arrived in less than half the time it took for Gil-san and the others.
"Prenna"
《Here. You actually called me!》
"I would not forget. So, can you hear the voice you were talking about yesterday?"
If only Prenna could hear it, then it might be a monster that was asking for help.\nPrenna put her hands near her ears to listen closely to the sound.\n...... It's really cute. But since she looked so serious, I didn't bother her.
《Un... It's quiet, but probably from this direction.》
With a small hand, she pointed to the right. Of course, the Forest of Fog is in this direction.
"This way?"
《Yes. Most likely.》
Anyway, it was the only info I could rely on, so I walked into the forest in that direction.
"Ah, how do we get out?"
I realized that right after entering the forest. What if we get lost and can't get out?
『That is not a problem. I will guide you.』
Ho... that's a relief. I'll leave it to you.
『Yes, leave it to me』
Since Haku can guide me to the exit, I felt safe. So, we went further into the forest, where the fog seemed to be getting thicker and thicker. It was as if it didn't want us to go any further.......
"Hey, hey, is this really the right way?"
I couldn't help but feel uneasy because only my footsteps were audible.
《It's okay! It seems to be this way!》
It seems to be... but I have no choice.\nI braced myself and continued forward.
"Is it just me or... is the fog thick, but the air is fresh..."
《That's what I thought too. But I don't hate it.》
Yes, I don't hate it either. It's rather... soothing.
『Perhaps we are close to a sanctuary.』
Sanctuary?
『Yes. It's a space where pure energy gathers.』
I see... so such a thing exists in this forest.
《Oh! Lord! There!》
Prenna shouted after pointing to a place where there was a faint, but piercing light.\nI went in that direction without hesitation.
The moment I touched the light, my vision went blank. No, it would be better to say that I was enveloped by bright light. In fact, it was so dazzling that I had to close my eyes.
After a while, I opened my eyes and saw.......
"What is this..."
The place before my eyes had no fog at all. It was filled with thickly grown trees, all of them bearing ripe fruits. A clear stream was flowing beside them, and colorful flowers bloomed everywhere. I don't think I was mistaken to feel that this could be called a paradise.
《Amazing..... beautiful...》
Prenna seemed to be deeply moved by the sight as well. But this is not the time to be gazing at it forever.
"Prenna, where's the voice?"
《...Ah! Wait a minute... this way.》
I went in the direction Prenna pointed to. The further I went, the clearer the air was.\n....... When I arrived, I found a single gray rabbit lying on a flat stone. Actually, more like it was sleeping on the ground.\nWhen I slowly approached the rabbit, other rabbits of varying sizes and colors suddenly appeared. They looked like they were trying to protect the sleeping rabbit...
"Uh- ummm"
I'm having a hard time following this sudden development...\nThen, Prenna dropped to the ground and started talking.
《It's okay. My Master is a good person.》
Prenna explained while gesturing. So cute...
《...Master, are you thinking of something strange?》
"Eh?! I wouldn't do that kind of thing, okay?"
Prenna looked at me with a frown. She's seriously so cute!
《Anyways, my master is a good person, so you don't have to worry》
What'd she mean by saying they don't have to worry. But if I say something like that now, it might get me into trouble, so I kept my mouth shut.
I think Prenna's persuasion went well. The rabbits parted and opened up a path for us.
《Okay! Master!》
"U- un."
I feel like Moses....... but now is not the time for that. I thanked them and went to the sleeping rabbit.
"Are you okay?
I gently stroked his head and said, but his breathing was chaotic.
Haku, do you know what's happening?
『You can find out with Divine Sight.』
Divine Sight...
As I muttered those words in my heart, a semi-transparent screen appeared.
Cursed: The state of being affected by something that invades the sanctuary.
Something that invades the sanctuary...
"Hey, do you know if there's something that invaded the sanctuary?"
《I'll ask!》
While Prenna is asking, I'll do whatever I can...!
『.........』
In order to lift the curse, we need to remove the cause. But before we can do that, this rabbit's life...
Think. I need to think.\nCurse. Malice. Evil. The counter for that is......... Holy? But how....?
During the time I spent, it's life is diminishing.
I knew I couldn't.... no, I have enough power to save it. I can't give up here!
"Holy attribute... can get rid of curses..."
To do that, maybe I have to force that existence out of its body.
"I'm sorry"
Touching the rabbit's body, I let the light magic flow from there. I imagined forcing something out of the rabbit.
"Please..."
I suppressed my impatience and carefully channeled my mana. Then, black smoke came out of its body. Is this... the curse?\nAt any rate, to prevent it from escaping, I trapped it in a Light attribute barrier. I can't let it defile this sanctuary, you know....
After a while, the smoke gradually thinned until eventually, it disappeared.
Divine Sight... un. The curse is gone. Thank goodness.......
《Master?!》
My vision blurred. Ah... maybe I pushed myself a bit too far.......\nI lost consciousness just like that.