I let the Great Dark Spirit take care of the Great Water Spirit, and we went through the crowd of people, northto the north.

Hikaru, the Great Spirit-samas cant enter the domain of other Great Spirit-samas, so if we can pass the dungeon, it will be okay! (Rifreya)

Rifreya said this while we were running.

Even if our residence is located in the Great Water Spirits domain, the dungeon is close to the center of the city, so it didnt take long for us to escape from the water domain.

It should be plenty enough with the Great Dark Spirit holding it back.

The dungeon city of Meltia has created the dungeon with the existence of 4 Great Spirits as the pillars.

North is the Great Earth Spirit.

West is the Great Fire Spirit.

South is the Great Water Spirit.

East is the Great Wind Spirit.

We have to run away as far as possible for now.

The dungeon is already really close.

The presence of the Great Spirit is far. It seems like the Great Dark Spirit is properly keeping her in place.

North, east, or west; which would be better? (Hikaru)

If we are running as it is, it would be north. What should we do? Should we leave the city just like this? (Rifreya)

Right. It would be better to get distance first. (Hikaru)

It may look like we can escape, but the danger is still there.

Weno, humans in general cant match Great Spirits.

Are you okay, Grapefull? (Hikaru)

Running is my specialty-nyan. But what are we going to be doing nyow? I still dont know well whats going on here-nya. (Full)

Sorry. We will explain when we manage to run away. (Hikaru)

The surroundings of the dungeon is a plaza, and it is easy to go in any direction.

North and east is different from the west and south in that theres not that many buildings.

Theres a decent amount of buildings on the outer side of the plaza, but if you go a little further from there, agricultural lands spread. If we go that far, there would be no issues with running at full speed.

We go past the side of the dungeon and head north.

According to Rifreya, the Great Water Spirit wont be able to chase us all the way here, but

Lets go all the way to the neighboring settlement. We are going to be leaving the city anyways, so might as well journey off just like this. (Rifreya)

We cant just leave Jeanne behind. (Hikaru)

Really? Then, we will have to find herone day. (Rifreya)

One day, you say. (Hikaru)

Once we reach the highway where the vast arable land spreads, it is pretty much certain that we can get out of the city.

The Great Water Spirit cant chase after us anymore.

I didnt imagine that I, being a Loved One, would be exposed to the Great Spirits, and I cant really say that wont be happening in the future again.

I am a Chosen, and I am being watched by billions of people.

But once we get out of the city, there will barely be any people who know me.

It should be safe to assume that we will be able to escape danger for now.

It might be a good idea to take refuge at my home. It is not that far. (Rifreya)

Isnt your home where the Great Light Spirit is at? I dont want the same thing happening. (Hikaru)

The Great Spirit-sama of Siltion is a Natural Church, so it will be okay. It hasnt had a record of killing Loved Ones. (Rifreya)

Is that how it works? (Hikaru)

Hearing that, it makes me feel like dungeon cities keeping Great Spirits in place is pretty messed up.

Well, the benefit of Spirit Stones you get from dungeons is big, and once they learned about it, they probably couldnt ignore it.

The people on Earth probably cant live without electricity anymore, so it is probably the same.

Thats right, thats a good idea! I would like Flora -ah, my little sister- to thank you, Hikaru! (Rifreya)

Rifreya was totally into the idea while running.

It is true that if we are going to leave the city and move to a far continent, there would be the need to go to her home once and tell them.

A farewell of a lifetimewould be exaggerating, but this is a world where transportation isnt advanced. With the future being unknown, living without regrets might be even more important than in the lifestyle of Japan.

Then, lets do that. Where is Siltion? (Hikaru)

Northeast of Meltia. It is just one highway apart, so it is pretty close. (Rifreya)

You say it is pretty close, but it would be impossible to get there in 1 day, right? (Hikaru)

It would take around 3 days running. (Rifreya)

In that case, we would have to do so after reuniting with Jeanne.

We run through the Great Earth Spirits domain where agricultural land spreads left and right.

Thats when the connection with my summoned Great Dark Spirit cut off.

I dont know if it is because there was too much distance between us or it was defeated by the Great Water Spirit.

The Great Dark Spirit has been defeated. (Hikaru)

No problem. The Great Water Spirit-sama cant chase us all the way here. (Rifreya)

Rifreya answered lightly, and the next instant

A water pillar rose in front of usno, a wall rose.

It rose vertically as if blocking off the highway, and we had no choice but to stop our feet.

The people on the highway were also surprised by this and looked around.

Ahyahyahyahya! You were still at a place like this! Humans are so slow!

I heard that voice really closeby.

Water Spirit Energy. With that being of unbelievable power showing up, I immediately understood what that was.

It was like teleportation.

No, it was most likely actual teleportation.

N-No way (Rifreya)

Didnt you say Great Spirits cant leave their domains? (Hikaru)

It should beit should, butwhy? (Rifreya)

It was the Great Water Spirit that was aiming for our lives until just now.

It is now reduced to the size of a human, but theres no way I would mistake it.

The god of water that has massive Spirit Energy.

I will catch you and get a bit of a taste before going back! Hohoho, this is a way too easy job!

It is more cheerful than the big Great Water Spirit, or likeit feels stupid.

Rather, this size, the feeling of the Spirit Energy, and that off sensation

It doesnt seem like the Great Water Spirit-sama. But it looks like the Great Spirit-sama (Rifreya)

Rifreya, this is most likely a Great Spirit that was summoned by the Great Water Spirit. (Hikaru)

You can tell that? (Rifreya)

Somewhat. It is the same way of clustering Spirit Energy or likeit feels similar but of different elements. The size is completely different though. (Hikaru)

In that sense, you could say the Light of Rifreya and my Darkness Fog are the same thing from different elements.

When checking the Status Plate, you can see the type of ability like Revelation of Darkness and Call of Darkness. I havent seen many abilities, but it is not like theres definitely going to be the same type of ability.

Rifreyas Photon Ray and Cure Glow dont have a darkness counterpart, and the Water Screen of Jojordan doesnt have a darkness counterpart either.

Thats why countering an ability of the opposite element is only limited to an ability of the same archetype.

On the other hand, I have no means to block Photon Ray, and Rifreya has no means to block Shadow Bind.

Anyways, if it is a Summoning Ability, it is possible to deal with it.

I held the hand of Rifreya and Grapefull before it could act, and broke a Barrier Stone after moving to a corner of the road.

A half-transparent barrier wraps around us in an instant.

It wont be able to do anything to us with just that, and it should disappear with time since it is not an actual Great Spirit.

Theres no need to face it upfront.

Ah! Thats not fair! I cant put a hand on you if you use that ability. You!

The Great Water Spirit (summon) was jumping in place, fuming, but it is human size, so it isnt that scary.

The people passing by were curious about this, but it seems like they dont think this is a Great Spirit. It is probably because a Great Water Spirit looks pretty similar to a human.

A Great Dark Spirit is darkness itself after all

So a Great Spirit-sama could use summoning abilities too (Rifreya)

If a human can do it, a Great Spirit obviously can as well. What the Great Spirit used just now was probably Water Screen. More importantly, what should we do from now on (Hikaru)

We cant move as long as that summoned Great Water Spirit doesnt disappear.

U-Uhm, what should I do-nyan? (Full)

I will explain. (Hikaru)

I have troubled Grapefull.

No, it cant be wrapped up with a simple troubled. She might have been killed at worst.

It originally had absolutely nothing to do with her. She was targeted simply because she was my weak point. It is completely my responsibility.

In other words, this is what it means to be watched by billions of people and being exposed to malice.

Ididnt properly understand this.

I thought I did, but I cant deny that a part of me was a bit too optimistic.

I tell everything to Full.

It seems like she didnt understand completely even after hearing the explanation.

I havent told her that I come from another world to begin with.

We are in a business relationship, so she didnt try to learn about my background, and she was most likely involved with us while drawing a clear line.

I myself was trying to protect that line because of my standing.

I at least did so myself.

But this is the result.

The masked man should still be around, and as long as he might be targeting me, I cant just have her go back to the city.

Full, I will properly pay you, so please tag along with us. Is it possible for you to leave the city for a while? (Hikaru)

Nya nya nya I think there wont be anya problems if you apply for it properly in the Mutual Aid Association. (Full)

Aah, then I will go tell them. I do have to find Jeanne-san too. (Rifreya)

Sorry about that. Can I ask this of you? (Hikaru)

Well, it cant be helped. You owe me one, okay? (Rifreya)

I definitely will pay you back. (Hikaru)

It is not like theres no danger with Rifreya acting separately from me, but the Great Spirit wont be harming Rifreya who is not involved in this and is a resident of the city. The masked man has no means to capture Rifreya aside from confirming by sight. That goes the same with the other Chosen.

And right now this place is an open space and theres no shadow of anyone resembling a Chosen around.

I think the masked man is still in the city. The chance of him hurting you might be low, but please be careful. Well, even if he has a map, you are not a Chosen, so he wouldnt know where you are, so I think you will be fine though. (Hikaru)

You really are a worrywart, Hikaru. In that case, I will go out from the street once, then do a long turn, and return to the city from the Great Fire Spirit-samas domain. Should I disguise myself? (Rifreya)

Disguise, huh. That might be a good idea. If you change your clothes and cover your face, it will be hard to get discovered. (Hikaru)

I was just kidding though. Well, if that gives you peace of mind, Hikaru. (Rifreya)

I bring out the cloak I bought for Rifreya from the Shadow Storage, and a scarf to hide her face. We planned on going out on a journey, so it helped out that we were storing our luggage.

Then, I will be going. What will happen if I go out of this barrier? (Rifreya)

Speaking of which, I wonder. I will prepare another Barrier Stone just in case. (Hikaru)

The Great Water Spirit is outside.

It really might be dangerous to go outside right now, but Rifreya doesnt seem to be nervous at all. She probably holds outstanding trust in Great Spirits.

Rifreya leaves the barrier.

We thought of the possibility that the barrier might disappear at that moment, but it was maintained without issues.

It seems like it wont disappear as long as someone is still inside.

The Great Water Spirit (summon) raised a brow after seeing Rifreya come out.

Hm? Hohoho, whats the matter? Are you not protecting that brat, Rifreya Ashbird?

I have business elsewhere. (Rifreya)

I see, I see. You have been getting stronger lately. Do your best.

Thank you very much, Great Spirit-sama. (Rifreya)

A carefree conversation was exchanged between Rifreya and the Great Water Spirit.

That difference from when she is dealing with me is incredible, but I see, so this is how a Great Spirit really looks.

The protector of humans and God.

I -a Loved One- am the outlier here.

Or more like, Great Spirits even remember names?

Then, Hikaru, I will be going. (Rifreya)

O-Okay, counting on you. Be careful. (Hikaru)

Rifreya ran off north.

I cant move from here until this Great Spirit summoned from the Great Spirit is gone which is who-knows-when.

(With my summoning ability, the effective time is 5 minutes, but one created from a Great Spirit definitely will last longer It doesnt disappear even after 30 minutes have already passed.) (Hikaru)

Theres even the worst possibility of it wont disappear ever.

If it doesnt at least disappear by the time the barrier I used runs out of time, I will have to think of my next move.

That said, it will be alright while I have a barrier.

I dont know if I can do it, but theres the choice of trying to call the Great Dark Spirit again.

The Great Water Spirit was throwing a tantrum at the beginning, but it is now standing there, spacing out.

Now, if only Rifreya can manage to bring Jeanne

l