211 Episode 211 "Secrets of Pilgrimage and Notice of Establishment of New Organization (Tentative)".txt (1/2)

Before noon the next day, we arrived at the Sumi-Iro Valley.

So this is Lila's destination.

We were standing in a large valley between the mountains.

We were surrounded by sheer cliffs, but Laila knew a safe route down to the valley. It's just as well that they are a family that has been on pilgrimage for many years.

It's called the ”Sumi-iro valley,” so the walls and the ground are completely black.

There is a river running between the valleys, and it goes all the way to the foot of the valley.

It's wide enough to allow large creatures to pass through. For example, a ground dragon.

It really is a hidden gem.

Yes.

Next to me, Cecil nodded.

Raphilia, of course, and Iris, Aine, and Cutlass all look impressed.

On the other side of the valley, there is a mountain shrouded in deep mist. That's where the 'Ancient Elf Ruins' are.

After Lyra's pilgrimage was over, we would be divided into two teams.

One team will explore the Ancient Elf Ruins.

The other team will be in charge of escorting Lyra back to town.

But first we have to see the first half of the quest through.

''Thank you. Thank you for bringing me here. I will now perform the 'pilgrimage' ceremony myself.

Lila bowed deeply to us.

'But the location of the 'tailbone' is a family secret. I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait here.

I understand.

I nodded.

It's that kind of quest.

Unless, of course, we found the tailbone by accident.

Ok. I'm off.

Lila turned her back on us and started walking upstream to the river.

'...... I'll keep your secret. Mr. Lila.

After Lila's back was out of sight, I said in a small voice.

I'm not going to tell anyone about the ”tailbone”. I won't use it for anything.

We just want to make sure it is the Bone of the Earth Dragon.

We also want to know if Lyra's ancestors are related to the Ancient Elves.

''Well, it can't be helped if we don't find it.

Yeah.

If it's a dragon bone, I'm sure we can find it with Iris's Dragon Seed Awakening Empathy, Dragonic Brave Sympathy.

”The 'Holy Sword Dragon's Goiner' may be of some use to you, sir.

I also have the 'Armband of the Heavenly Dragon'. I'm sure White will help me.

Raphilia and Iris, Cutlass and Aine also nodded.

Before I knew it, I've got all the dragon related skills and items.

''I won't interfere with Lyra-san and the others. I'll also keep your secret. So let me make sure for a moment.

When I said that...

Across the valley, a black light ran across the valley.

Cecil tells me that it's the light of magic power.

The fact that there was a response means that Lila-san's 'pilgrimage' was a success.

That's fast. Laila-san, I'm already back.

At Raphilia's words, I looked across the valley.

It's true.

Lila-san, she's walking towards us.

But ...... something is wrong with her.

Her body is shaking as if she were anemic.

Her complexion is pale and her eyes are glazed over.

Lila. Are you all right, Mr. Lila?

Raphilia exclaimed.

Lila looked up. It was as if she had just now noticed Rafilia's presence.

She shook her head, shook her red hair, glanced at Rafilia - and

What are you doing there?　Raphilia-Grace!

He shouted in a voice that seemed to echo throughout the valley.

'I'm asking what you are doing there. 'It's Raphilia-Grace, the Ancient Elflein of the Third Generation!'

Oh, yeah?

”Rafilia!　Over here!

I tugged on Raphilia's arm.

Strange.

Laila-san, the elf moe, would never call Rafilia by her name.

Yesterday, Laila-san told me about the pilgrimage. What did she say?

As I recall ...... If you touch the bones at a place of pilgrimage, the spirits of your ancestors will appear.

So...

Cecil, tell me.

I looked at Cecil.

”Do you think it is possible for a ghost to possess its offspring?

There might be.

At my words, Cecil nodded.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it happen. If they are descendants, their bodies should be similar to your own, so I think they can be temporarily possessed by you.

So, one more thing. Is it possible that that Lila is possessed by the spirits of your ancestors?

Yes.

Cecil's answer was simple.

''I can see some other magical power surrounding Lyra-san's body. It's different from what we saw earlier. That magic power is different from Lila-san!

Seriously.

So, Laila's ”pilgrimage (junrei)” is

You mean it was a black pilgrimage, surrendering your body to the spirits (ghosts) of your ancestors: ......?

'I guess Lila's ancestors were 'Ancient Elves' after all: ......

It is said that the ”Ancient Elves” were a race that worked beyond the limit - the so-called ”Black Race”.

But I didn't think that they are planning such an event even after death.

If the spirit of your ancestor is really possessing Lila-san and controlling her freely...

...... We would have been helping the 'Black Pilgrimage' without even knowing it: ......

Of course, even if we hadn't, someone would have been guarding Lila.

I didn't see this coming.

I don't like it. ...... It's depressing.

”My answer. Rafilia-Grace, the ancient Elfwehr. I'm sure you're not supposed to be on the side of the brave and take the misfortune out of their hands!　Why are you playing here!

Lila spoke up again.

'If you're going to call me the 'Ancient Elleweiler', I'd like to hear your name.

Rafilia said.

You're a ghost like me, right? Please, I would like to hear your name.

”Uriella-Grace.

Lila shook her red hair and glanced at Raphilia.

”He is the bearer of the 'Ancient Elven Lore'.

Grace - Rafilia's family name.

The coffin I found in the Valley of the Mist also had a name similar engraved on it. It says ”Gabriella Grace”. He was also a replica of an ancient elf.

So there's no doubt about it.

Laila is haunted by the Ghost of the Ancient Elf Wives.

''Master. Can I ask you to hold my hand?

Raphilia held out her hand to me, and I squeezed it back.

Then we both stood side by side and looked at Lila's - Uriella-Grace.

''I am ...... no longer unhappy.''

Raphilia said.

'I had my master rewrite my skills to make me unhappy and to withstand it. Now I'm just an adventurer, Raphilia-Grice!

.................. Is that right?

'Yes, sir. I am very happy to be away from my mission.

Oh, no, it's not possible!　And yet, but ...... you are here ......

It was my decision to come here. The master is a very nice man. Ahem.

Raphilia puffed her chest out as much as she could, as if she were proud.

'How about you? 'Uriella-Grace-san,'

Me?

You're a man of the olden days, aren't you?　Were you happy at the time?

............ Happiness ...... Happiness,

Don't you understand?　So what about now?

...... right now.

You stay here as a ghost and talk to your descendants. I think it's a very pleasant thing to do. It's a happy thing to do, right?

............

Uriella-Grace held her head down.

'Uh-uh.'

Aren't you happy?　Is it because you look so scary?

It doesn't matter!

Dan, stomping the ground and shouting, Uriera-Grace.

”I will leave my descendants ...... and bring them here to tell the story of the greatness of the 'ancient elves' ...... and carry out the plan ...... ............!

Yeah, yeah. It's magnificent.

Raphilia is facing Uriella-Grace.

She looks at me and nods a few times. I can tell she's saying, ”I'll take care of this.

It's a reunion of sisters, I'll leave it to you. But if it gets dangerous, I'll jump out of the way in a heartbeat.

'You've left a progeny. So even in 'Ancient Elle', you can have children!

It doesn't matter!

It doesn't matter!

Rafilia pointed to Uriera-Grace.

The most important thing for me is to serve my master and leave a child in the future to serve my master!　I've decided that I'm going to serve the Master for the next two generations.

So!　I've decided to help Lila with her pilgrimage to see if she can do the same thing you can do - to see if you, the Ancient Elleweiler, could produce any offspring!

Really?!

That's right, Master!

Rafilia said to me. The usual 'cool pose'.

Huh?　I'm not listening to you!

That's why Raphilia, she was so motivated!

Looking around, ...... Aine and Iris are nodding in agreement.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

...... Maybe I was the only one who didn't notice?

Oh, no.

Lila-san - Uriella-Grace's body starts to tremble.

''Such ...... plans made by the 'ancient elves' after the death of the earth dragon are .......

Plan?

I said.

Uriella-Grace looked at me.

'Let me introduce you. This is my master. It's cool, isn't it? Ehen.

I don't care. What's the plan to save the world?

I asked Uriella-Grace again.

Uriela-Grace hesitated for a moment, then said a word.

Training the heroes for when the Demon King eventually appears in the world. That's why we're here.

That's what he said.

'The purpose of The Ancient Elves is to raise brave men to stabilize the world when it becomes unstable. The purpose of the Ancient Elves is to raise brave men and women to stabilize the world when it becomes unstable.

I have given a mission to my descendants who have come here on a 'pilgrimage' for that reason.

I'm not going to be the only one who has the ability to do this. By teaching them magic and where the items are (where they are).