Author: Himezaki Shiu	Original Source: Syosetu
Translator: Jiro	English Source: Re:Library

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

Finally, we were about to meet the leader of the Beastmen tribe. I had considered asking Lullus to stay at home, but I thought it would feel strange to attend the audience by myself considering we’d come together as sisters, so I brought her along. As a side note, up until that point, Lullus had not spoken to anyone other than me since we arrived in the Beastmen’s settlement.

There was no specific significance to it, but since the concept of Lullus suffering a severe shock and being unable to communicate with anybody but me seemed so believable, I enjoyed coming up with ideas on how I could use this narrative in the future.

The leader was said to be waiting at the largest mansion in the center of the settlement. I didn’t know if it was because this building was the first to be built or because it was home to the leader, but the building stood out as much more solidly built compared to the other structures.

In contrast, the doors on some of the shacks on the outskirts wouldn’t even open.

I even noticed several people forcing them open to get inside. There were even places without doors altogether. The village radiated a sense of wilderness, where as long as a structure could provide shelter from the wind and rain, nothing else seemed to matter.

The inside of the building was small and tidy, with decor that was simple but proper. It was a place consisting of several rooms. The bear I’d met yesterday led me through a massive door, and I found myself in an impressively spacious area.

It was likely an audience room, although there wasn’t a throne. Instead, there was a very large table surrounded by several chairs. It resembled a strategy meeting room more than anything else.

I considered asking about it, but my attention was drawn to the large Beastman across the table, watching me with a stern expression. It seemed wise to address him first.

(That must be the leader.)

He had a lion-like appearance, which I had been expecting. I briefly wondered if lions existed in this world but quickly remembered that a thing like the Gryps existed. While similar to the griffons often mentioned in stories, Gryps were essentially creatures with the lower body of a lion.

Seated beside the leader were a man and a woman who appeared to be his children.

“You’re here. You must be the one who says they’re here with information, correct?”

The leader asked roughly. He carried himself differently from the royalty I had encountered before, but it didn’t feel strange given that he was Beastman.

“Yes, I am. I don’t mean to be rude, but are you the king of the Beastmen of Viridis?”
“They refer to me as the leader, but I guess that is the case. And who are you?”
“My birthplace, as Your Majesty may already know, is a place a couple of days’ travel from this land. It is one of the dwellings of the Elves. I come from a family that once held a secret mission. Now, only I, Finis, and my sister, Lullus, remain alive.”
“I see.”

I tried speaking in an eloquent manner, but the leader’s unenthusiastic response left me somewhat flabbergasted. It was possible that I could have talked fast and perplexed him, but I had talked softly and naturally so he could understand. Perhaps it was the automatic translation that had played a trick on me.

Regardless, I believed I had conveyed the key points, so I decided to give him a moment to gather his thoughts.

“I dislike tedious things. What information do you have?”
“This might prove to be crucial intel; would it be alright for me to continue?”
“Yes.”

With his permission, I prepared to discuss the spirit. The bear Beastman who had brought me here seemed to have already left, leaving only me, the leader, what I believed were his children, and one of his advisors. The advisor in question had horns that looked distinctly herbivore-like.

I couldn’t help but wonder if it was safe for him to be here—what if the leader decided to eat him?

“Alright. I’m here to share with you details about the spirit that resides in Viridis.”
“Oh? Since you’ve brought up the spirit, it doesn’t seem like you came to just waste my time.”

From the leader’s response, I could figure out that the existence of the spirit was regarded as a secret here as well. And also that the upper ranks of their society were aware of it. I didn’t know just how much they knew, but that would become apparent as we talked.

“We’ve come here with a way to reach the spirit that resides within the Tree of Spirits.
In addition, I believe I can also answer some questions you might have about the situation amongst the Elves.”
“Let’s hear about the spirit first then.”

Despite his bold and dynamic manner of speaking, I could see that he was observing us carefully. I wasn’t here to deceive him, so I resolved to provide accurate information.

“You can reach the spirit through the mirror located in the private chambers of the Elven King. The method involves wearing the crown and drawing a specific magic circle on the mirror in that room.”
“A magic circle?”
“I have it drawn here.”

I said, placing a piece of paper with the magic circle drawn on it onto the table. The leader likely couldn’t see it clearly from his position, but I assumed he would examine it more closely later.

“Additionally, to access the private chambers of the Elven King, we’ll need to cross a barrier, so precautions will be necessary.”
“How is the situation amongst the elves then?” the leader asked.

It seemed he trusted us to some extent, or perhaps he was verifying my words against information he already had about the spirit. If he was willing to listen to more, then that was a sign that I had gotten through the first hurdle.

“They are preparing to fight against us. However, it appears they won’t make a move until the war between the Fraus and Nigel Kingdoms begins.”
“That’s not much different from us. However, I believe we can use this. Do you know anything else?”
“Yes. I heard something interesting that involves the whole world, and not just the spirit¹.”

With that, I began to speak about the fate of Viridis. Having said that, regardless of what fate awaited them, I had resolved to take the spirit with me.

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