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

Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

“The recent climate changes and crop failures are caused by the confinement of the spirits. If this situation remains unresolved, the world will collapse before twenty season changes come to pass.”
“Hmph…”

The Beastmen leader murmured, looking at me with a condescending gaze. It was hard to tell whether he was looking down on us, doubting my words, or just suspecting us. Either way, it didn’t faze me. I wasn’t lying to begin with.

I could understand why someone might be skeptical when told, out of nowhere, that the world was on the brink of collapse. It reminded me of the so-called “Great King of Terror” prophecy in 1999 that never came to pass, and time continued to flow after the year 2000, yet I still felt like many had believed it at the time. Regardless, I believed leaders shouldn’t be swayed by similar stories.

“Are you certain about this?”
“I have not verified it. Rather, I cannot verify it. I’m only providing the information I have.”
“Okay. You’re dismissed.”
“Thank you. Now if you will excuse me.”

Having said what I had to say, I bowed before the leader and left. After being escorted out of the building by the bear Beastman who had been waiting at the door, both Lullus and I were released. He informed us that a house had been prepared for us and suggested we stay there for a while. So we decided to check what the place was about.

I was relieved to find that the house was situated near the center of the settlement and was well-maintained.

However, upon stepping inside for the first time, I discovered that it was completely empty.

“Lullus, there wasn’t a rule that Beastmen couldn’t sleep on mattresses, was there?”
“If I remember correctly, there was something about them being able to sleep even on hard ground.”
“So they don’t need mattresses because they’re fine sleeping on bare ground? I suppose making one for each of them would be a hassle. And if someone finds it too uncomfortable, they can always grab some nearby leaves to use as a cushion. This is survival at its rawest… I’d rather not experience it firsthand.”
“But you don’t sleep, do you, Master Finis?”
“I can sleep. And I don’t have any issues with sleeping on the floor.”

It wasn’t exactly comfortable, but it wasn’t unbearable either. When I woke up the next day, my body didn’t ache. I suspected this had less to do with my stats and more to do with the inherent resilience of being a Demigod.

“So, what are you planning to do now?” Lullus asked.
“I’m going to see the king once more. Though this time, I’ll use Stealth. Are you coming with me, Lullus?”
“I will accompany you.”

Lullus said without hesitation and quickly changed into her spirit form. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy at this form of hers, which allowed her to pass through walls and bypass barrier-type magic effortlessly. Unfortunately, the most I could do was conceal my presence.

On the bright side, there didn’t seem to be any barriers within the settlement, so as long as I used Stealth, there wasn’t anywhere we couldn’t go. I had barely spent a few minutes in the house, but it was time to leave again.

“Oh yeah, Lullus, could you open the door for me? After I leave, close it and turn back into your spirit form.”
“Ah, I see. A surveillance measure.”

I had entered the house deliberately, wanting any potential observers to believe I was staying there. I’d felt eyes on me ever since leaving the leader’s building, so it was safer to act as if I was being watched. I could always have Lullus check, but even the outcome wouldn’t change anything.

It would mostly make Lullus wonder what I was planning.

Lullus shifted back into her Beastman form and opened the door. I stepped outside, using the Stealth skill, and waited for her to join me. Lullus didn’t just open and close the door thoughtlessly, though. Instead, she looked around and even went outside, only to feign surprise and scurry back indoors when someone appeared nearby.

Watching her was amusing. The performance seemed intended to make her appear shy—or perhaps wounded—but it was undeniably entertaining.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.” After a short while, Lullus joined me in her spirit form, and together we made our way back toward the leader’s place.

◇◇◇

The leader and his children were discussing the information I had shared with them in the same room we had been earlier. The one who appeared to be his son was actively expressing his opinions, while the daughter listened quietly, showing a more reserved demeanor.

The son was 20 years old, the daughter 16, and the leader himself was 35. The thought of someone having children at 15 seemed strange to me, considering the Japanese perspective. Then again, I remembered that Fraus also had similar age gaps.

“Father, how much do you trust what that girl said?”
“I’m certain she isn’t lying about the spirit’s location and the situation with the Elves.”
“I too agree with that, but that is not what I mean. I’m talking about the end of the world,” the son said.
“I wonder. While the situation may be as she described, that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been fed false information. She could be trying to deceive us.”
“Are you watching her?”
“Of course.”

This confirmed that I was indeed being watched. One could even say they were watching me even now, given that I was right before their eyes.

“Nonetheless, her story is worth some consideration,” the leader said.
“So are you saying that the world will collapse, Father?”
“No. It mostly has to do with our plans after we take care of the Elves. We can’t just kick them out and call it quits. To make a long story short, we need to figure out how we’ll take revenge against the Elves. I’m thinking we can reduce the blessing on their territory.”
“I like the way that you think, Father.”

(I had a feeling it would go this way. If they had taken a more wait-and-see approach, my actions would’ve been different.)

“Is that really the right way?” the daughter asked¹.
“What is it, Farana? Are you trying to tell Father what to do?”
“No, brother. It’s nothing.”

(I see. It might be interesting to speak with Farana after their conversation is over².)

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