Chapter 321 Drifting Road of the Divine Tree ②

Part 2

“…………The route from the sky is blocked. You can’t cheat. Like what happened just now, you will be repelled…………” (Eliza)

“Haaah…… There is no way you can conquer a magic labyrinth with such a simple method. Ti-chan, you have to listen to what Cry-san says until the end, okay?” (Sytry)

　Tino shudders as she is confronted by Sytry, who has a scary smile on her face.

　No, Tino just did what I told her to do, you know………… That being said, she did jump out of the way before I finished.

　Everyone from 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 is also looking at us in the background while whispering to each other about what happened with grim expressions.
　According to one theory, Spirit People are very mindful of their companions. At this rate, my position, which is already at the bottom, will fall to the bottom of the earth.

　That is fine on its own, but it is not fair for it to fall because of what happened right now.
　I *pachin* clap my hands and say.

“Yosh, thanks to Tino, we now understand that the sky is no good. Let’s go through the gate properly.” (Cry)

“Yowaningen, if you seriously don’t stop, Tino’s going to beat you up, desu.” (Kruz)

“I-I won’t hit you! Master~!” (Tino)

　I have been involving her in a lot of things so far, so I think it might be time for her to hit me soon.
　Of course, I will die so I need her to hold back――.

　And then Liz puts her hand on her hips and says as if she has no choice.

“Well, let’s talk about Ti’s predicament later…… So, Cry-chan, which one do we go to?” (Liz)

“Eh? …………………… Ri-Right. Which one shall I choose……” (Cry)

　Aaaah, so it is my decision again…… Yeah, yeah. By the way, where is the official road? The guide is completely useless――.

　Usually, Liz and the others leave the decision-making to me, but this time Eliza also remains silent and looks at me. I *guruguru* go around each gate, pretending to investigate.

　It is obvious, but I don’t know which one is correct. After all, even Liz doesn’t know.
　And the fact that I do not know means that it is the same no matter which one I choose.

　As I randomly stand in front of the largest gate, everyone comes up to me. In the past, I used to get stomach aches in situations like this, but now I am fine as long as it is not something serious.

“So you made up your mind, desu.” (Kruz)

“What is your basis for taking this one, Leader?” (Lucia)

　Lucia asks me without even the slightest bit of trust. It is strange that she thinks there is a basis behind it despite not trusting me.
　I nonsensically *tonton* tap my head with my finger and say.

“My instinct………… You can say?” (Cry)

“………………” (Lucia)

“Kuu………… Wait.” (Eliza)

　Eliza steps forward as everyone turns their stunned eyes on me. When she stands in front of the gate, she narrows her eyes and stares into the gate.

　Originally, Spirit People have talent in Magic and have a keen and special sense of perception by virtue of their race. Therefore, Spirit People often become Magi or Thieves.

　It is said that this feeling is something that cannot be replicated by human Thieves. Many Spirit People Thieves are said to have excellent survival skills, but even among them, Eliza’s ability is exceptional.
　Eliza checks inside the gate for a few seconds. Then she quickly gives me an accusing look and *furufuru* shakes her head sideways.

“This one is………… No good.” (Eliza)

“!? O-Oi, Yowaningen!!” (Kruz)

　Apparently, it is no good. The Members of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 turn to me with sharp looks on their faces while Kruz raises her voice in panic.

　I didn’t say why and Eliza didn’t say why either, but apparently it seems Eliza is more trusted than I am.
　After clearing my throat, I naturally move to the next gate as if it is a matter of course and say.

“I’m kidding. I think this gate is the right one.” (Cry)

　Eliza approaches the gate with a straight face and immediately shakes her head.

“……………… This one is no good either.” (Eliza)

“Master~……” (Tino)

　I feel their gaze focusing on me. Sytry smiles serenely and Lucia sighs deeply. It is starting to feel unbearable, but all I need to do is to make Eliza show the right way in the first place.
　《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 are *purupuru* trembling. Lapis is still glaring at me, so she is still quiet, but it wouldn’t be strange if she explodes at any moment.

“It can’t be helped, Eliza. I will leave it to you.” (Cry)

“………… Alright.” (Eliza)

　I wish you had done that from the beginning.

　While everyone is watching, Eliza *furafura* wanders unsteadily over each gate to check them. Her verification takes only a moment, maybe less time than me who didn’t check anything.
　And then, eventually, her legs stop in front of a small gate. After standing there for a while, she turns to me and appeals to me with her gaze.

“This one is, where I feel the least uncomfortable.” (Eliza)

“I see, so this is Eliza’s choice………… Not bad.” (Cry)

“Eliza Onee-sama…… Spirit People’s senses are unique, aren’t they, Master~.” (Tino)

　Un, un, that’s right. The one she feels the least uncomfortable, huuuh…… I wish I had that feeling too. I don’t always have a bad feeling about things like this either, but I never had any success. On the other hand, Eliza was going solo with just her ability, so there really is something called aptitude in this world.

　I approach the gate Eliza chooses. Like the others, the gate was made of rock and had moss growing on its surfaces. Like Eliza, I don’t feel bad about it either――Even from a closer look, it doesn’t look any different than the gate I chose.

　However, since Eliza joined the group, the number of times 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 has fallen into desperate situations has decreased. There is no doubt about her skill (Incidentally, the number of times Eliza has fallen into dangerous situations has increased since joining 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》. What a mystery).

　I *petapeta* touch the gate just because, and when I was about to pass through it enthusiastically, Eliza let out a sharp voice.

“Wait, Kuu!!” (Eliza)

“Eh……!? Wha-What!?” (Cry)

　Eliza pushes away my body standing in front of the gate and looks up at the gate. Unusually, she has a rather grim expression. Her ears are *pin* erect and are *pikupiku* trembling.
　Eventually, when she looks at me, she raises her eyebrows in trouble and says.

“……………… This gate is, no good.” (Eliza)

“…… Eh?” (Cry)

“Just now, it became no good.” (Eliza)

　What does that mean……?

　Maybe because this is the first time something like this has happened, Lucia and Sytry are also looking at each other.
　Eliza resumes checking the gate again. She walks *sutasuta* briskly past each gate, and stops at one again.

“………… This one. No doubt about it.” (Eliza)

　I thought there was only one right wa――No, I am not going to say anything.
　There is no other way to know the right way anyway. And the guide is also *guruguru* spinning around in circles all the time too……

“Hmph………… 《Lost (Horo)》, who boasts particularly keen senses even among Spirit People, and has traversed the complex and mysterious underground labyrinth without once getting lost, misjudged the way, even if only for a moment――As expected of the royal family secret arts, it seems that it is not so simple after all.” (Lapis)

　Lapis approached the gate with graceful steps that would make people fall in love with her and Kruz and the others followed.

　Eliza, so you did something like that………… But even the best of us make mistakes. As the saying goes, 『Even the best Hunters can fall into a pit.』

“Hmmm…… After all, it still feels kinda strange. What’s going on inside?” (Liz)

“The space is twisted. The flow of air and light are also different from the rest――So that is why maybe people with keen senses are more lost. It is Liz’s natural enemy.” (Lucia)

　Lucia frowns as Liz tilts her head and looks up at the gate. It is an unusual reaction.

　Looks like my eyes weren’t that bad when I invited Eliza into the Party.
　While silently praising myself, I approach the gate and stroked its *gotsugotsu* rough surface.  And then, just as I was about to take a step forward, Eliza shouted.

“Kuu, wait!” (Eliza)

“………… Eh?” (Cry)

　After pulling my hand when I stop dead on my track, Eliza steps forward. Eliza stares at the gate in silence for a while before she let out a heavy sigh.

“This gate is…… No good.” (Eliza)

“Eh?” (Cry)

　Eliza, who is always absent-minded but is firm in the parts that should be firm, makes the same mistake twice in a row……?

　I unintentionally open my eyes and stare at her face, but Eliza says as if she is making an excuse.

“It was fine until a minute ago, but now it just became no good. Kuu………… What did you do?” (Eliza)