Chapter 58

[Dream Projection] – Sigurd, the branch chief’s skill of foreseeing the future.

Though everyone but Fiole knows about this skill, the chief’s intense presence seems to have convinced her to stay silent and listen attentively. Sigurd begins to speak.

“The surroundings are a wasteland. It’s an unforgiving place with strong sunlight beating down. As you continue over a rocky and sandy land, a massive crater suddenly appears ahead.”

“…?”

“Inside the crater, astonishingly, a lush forest stretches out. What’s more, you can see buildings along the crater’s edge resembling a town. Though not large, it looks like a lively place.”

“What is this… What are you talking about?”

Unable to hold back, Fiole frowns and asks.

I exchanged a glance with Mitera. We only know one place that fits the branch chief’s description. Anyone in the guild would’ve heard of it. Sigurd nods.

“Ella Amo, a town far to the south of Wigarlus, set in the wilderness. That unique landscape is unmistakable.”

“A town? Unmistakable? I don’t quite…”

“Sigurd can predict things happening in other places through dreams.”

I explained for the left-out Fiole, whose eyes widened in shock. Mitera then inquired.

“So, did you ‘see’ something there? What exactly?”

“I saw your team, Elpida, celebrating in joy.”

We exchanged looks.

…What could be so bad about that?

“There were many novice adventurers around you, all battered and worn.”

“Huh…?”

“There’s a ranger exam for explorers happening soon in Ella Amo. I believe what I saw was the aftermath of that test. You all struggled against something, and while many participants were injured, they managed to get through safely. Thanks to none other than Elpida—that’s what I saw.”

Sigurd took out a map from the document shelf, spreading it out before us to show the way to Ella Amo.

“In other words, if you don’t go to Ella Amo, that vision may never come true. At worst, many lives could be lost. As I mentioned, my skill depends on people’s actions. For now, this victory is assured, but who knows how long it’ll last?”

That’s strange. Has Sigurd’s skill always been this unstable?

Sigurd gently brushed his head.

“Lately, the content of my ‘Dream Projection’ has been shifting frequently. I don’t often experience this. It’s been keeping me up at night to get to the bottom of it. And just when my fatigue was at its peak, Mr. Almoa and his team visited.”

Almoa averted his gaze.

“I’ve been analyzing the contents of my visions these past few days, and it turns out there’s a high chance of an unprecedented monster appearing. What’s more, it’s likely that this creature is affecting my visions.”

“A monster that directly influences human skills? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“Nor have I. But we know of the Demon Lord, who once reshaped the monster landscape across the nation in an instant. It may be that this new power is also quietly influencing our surroundings. It’s speculation, but…”

When I think about it, that makes sense. The Demon Lord—the formidable entity that overturned everything adventurers held as common sense. It wouldn’t be strange if there were others who defied our assumptions.

Indeed, the cat spirit, Houma, mentioned that there seemed to be an unusual power mingling in the city lately.

Mitera raised her hand.

“In that case, why not just cancel the ranger exam altogether?”

“That’s difficult. Ella Amo is far away and outside the jurisdiction of the Wigarlus branch. Even as a branch chief, I can’t just cancel a significant test in another region.”

Sigurd handed us the map.

“That’s why it’s up to you now, the members of the Elpida Adventurer’s Guild. Work with the locals to ward off this calamity so that my ‘Dream Projection’ can function as it should.”

I folded my arms. Mitera, Almoa, and Fiole all looked at me.

“Understood.”

Recalling the incident in Minniegel, I nodded. I didn’t want to witness such a horrifying scene again. Guild or not, if I could prevent it, I would. If we had the power to make a difference…

“We accept the request.”

“As expected of you, Isto!”

Suddenly, Fiole stood up. Her eyes were sparkling with excitement.

“I’m thrilled…! For Mr. Isto, as both a guild master and an adventurer, to save an entire town for his first mission—it’s legendary already! I’ll do my best! Just tell me what to do. I’ll even take the exam if I must!”

Sigurd chimed in, “That might be a good idea.”

“If one of you takes the exam, you’ll likely detect any anomalies sooner.”

“Hmm…”

“You can handle it as you see fit. I’ll support you in any way possible. That’s all from me.”

We left the Guild Federation branch. Fiole was still buzzing with excitement, and Mitera gently chided her.

From behind, while I pondered our next steps, Almoa whispered to me.

“Isto.”

“Hm?”

“Avril has something to tell you.”

Something to tell me?

The great spirit, nestled in its master’s bosom, spoke in a slightly awkward tone.

“Yah-ho!”

“…Yah? Ho?”

“Hey, Avril. This isn’t the time to joke around.”

The spirit’s master looked flustered.

I chuckled. Turns out Avril has a playful side. Or maybe everyone’s been rubbing off on it?

“When I was born, I received memories from various spirits, both new and old. An old memory showed me—Minniegel’s presence is at the level of a past Demon Lord.”

My amusement vanished in an instant.