"No good. I can't do any more than this."
Marina's voice echoed through the underground space beneath the heart of the Treant Forest.
It had been about an hour since they began their investigation.
Marina had tried her best, conducting the research in various ways, but unfortunately, nothing of particular significance had come to light.
What they did determine was that this Wisp was a truly docile creature. Even when Rei and Marina approached to within arm's reach, it not only refrained from attacking—it showed absolutely no reaction whatsoever.
In a sense, they had confirmed it was a reassuringly harmless monster, but that was essentially all they learned.
Even now, standing right beside it, neither Rei nor Marina sensed any hint of hostility.
"Hmm. I can understand how you feel, but... honestly, isn't this about the same as knowing almost nothing?"
"That's only natural. I'm not a researcher or anything, you know? I told you from the start that what I can do is merely play at investigating. Still, I think it's significant that we at least confirmed there's no danger in being this close to it."
Rei found himself agreeing with much of Marina's reasoning.
That said, he wasn't entirely satisfied.
"We already knew that much yesterday, though. Granted, neither Grimm nor I are exactly normal, so there was a chance that had something to do with it."
"Oh, if we're going there, I'm not exactly normal either, you know? For one thing, I'm not human, and as the Shrine Maiden of the World Tree, I'm different from an ordinary Dark Elf too."
"Compared to Grimm and me, I'd say you're close enough to normal."
Marina seemed to mull over Rei's words.
From her perspective, being told there was a difference between herself and Rei left her in an ambiguous position—she could almost accept it, yet not quite.
"In any case, investigating this Wisp should be left to professionals rather than me. The problem is that no such professionals are available."
"If there were a reliable expert to begin with, we wouldn't have had to ask you."
It was precisely because no such person existed that Daskar had entrusted the matter to Marina.
...Though the results of that decision hadn't been particularly fruitful.
What Marina had gleaned from her investigation was by no means substantial. Most of it merely confirmed what was already known.
"I'm sure Lord Daskar has considered that. It's just that finding the right person for the job will likely take more time."
"True. But given how important this Wisp is, I think a full-scale investigation should begin as soon as possible."
Rei and Marina exchanged words while watching the Wisp.
Even as they spoke, the creature showed no reaction of any kind, simply floating motionless in one spot.
Given the Wisp's abilities, it was unquestionably better that it remained still rather than moving about or turning hostile.
That said, a total lack of response was its own kind of problem for anyone trying to study it.
"For now, why don't you come home today? You've been camping at the Birth Tower to stand guard because you didn't know what might teleport in, right?"
"That's not the only reason, but it's definitely a major one."
The teleportation issue aside, the more immediate concern right now was the danger posed by the lake.
The giant Slime still ablaze, the Water Strider with what amounted to a projectile attack, the lizards with their crocodile-like jaws—those were the monsters confirmed to inhabit the area so far.
There were also glowing jellyfish drifting through the air, but since they showed no hostility, they weren't opponents that needed to be confronted at the moment.
And the possibility that other, still-unknown monsters lurked in the lake couldn't be ruled out.
To protect everyone from such threats—and above all, to protect the Lizardman children and eggs at the Birth Tower—Rei had been camping on-site as a guard.
Given those circumstances, he couldn't simply call off the night watch just because the teleportations had stopped.
If he did, and then some unknown monster emerged from the lake and caused widespread casualties, the regret would be more than enough to haunt him.
(Then again, it's also true that I'd love to take it easy at Marina's place for the first time in a while.)
With the Magic Tent, there was no need to worry about sleeping comfort.
But even so, sleeping out in the open outside of Gilm meant he could never fully let his guard down or rest with complete peace of mind.
"Hmm, it's a tough call... There are skilled fighters at the Birth Tower, so it's also true that I don't need to worry too much."
Gaga was there—someone who had fought Rei in a mock battle, even if not at full strength.
And while not quite at Gaga's level, Zozo was still more skilled than the average Lizardman.
The adventurers entrusted with guarding the location had been handpicked by the Guild as capable fighters.
The other Lizardmen were each reasonably competent as well.
Unless a truly exceptional opponent appeared—something like the Slime still burning by the lake—there was no need to worry about being overwhelmed by a lack of combat power.
"You haven't seen Byune in a while either. She's been missing you, you know? She doesn't show it, though."
"No, isn't she missing Set rather than me?"
Rei had witnessed Byune affectionately petting Set and Ielo on countless occasions.
Given that, it was only natural to suspect that when Marina said Byune was lonely, she meant she missed Set—not Rei.
Rei's gaze drifted upward toward the ceiling... or more precisely, toward Set, who was surely standing watch above ground to make sure no one entered the underground passage.
Given Set's size, it wouldn't have been surprising if he were lying on top of the hole Grimm had opened, physically blocking the entrance with his body.
"Of course that's part of it, but she really does miss seeing you too, you know? Besides, I got to spend time with you today while Elena and Vihera couldn't—to be honest, that doesn't sit right with me."
"Ah... yeah, you're right. For now, I'll stay at your place today, Marina."
Marina smiled radiantly at Rei's declaration.
"Oh, you don't have to say 'stay'—you could say 'come home,' you know? You're hardly using the room at the Wheat Inn at Dusk anymore, are you? And lodging fees aren't free."
Why don't you try actually living at my place? Marina suggested.
And indeed, her words made perfect sense—that much was undeniable.
He was currently camping near the Birth Tower, and before that, he had been staying at Marina's house despite the Lizardman situation.
By that logic, giving up his barely-used room at the Wheat Inn at Dusk was far from the wrong choice.
Right now, Gilm was seeing a flood of people seeking work—enough to call a massive influx.
So many that inns were running shorter on rooms even compared to last year.
If Rei gave up his room at the Wheat Inn at Dusk... and if Vihera and Byune did the same, those rooms would open up.
However, the Wheat Inn at Dusk was one of Gilm's premier high-end establishments.
Those who had come to Gilm seeking work and money couldn't afford to stay there so easily.
Of course, not everyone arriving in Gilm fell into that category. Wealthy merchants also came to conduct business, and people like that could certainly afford the Wheat Inn at Dusk.
"It's famous for its delicious food, but the Wheat Inn at Dusk opens its dining hall to non-guests too. So it's not like you'd lose access to the good cooking, right?"
"That's... well, I can't deny that."
"Then there's no problem with you living at my house, is there? You'd be closer to Set, too."
That single remark carried enormous persuasive power.
Marina's house did have a stable, but it was barely adequate at best.
The main reason Set stayed in the stable at the Wheat Inn at Dusk was because people unfamiliar with him would panic at the sight of a griffon wandering about freely.
Conversely, there was also the problem of too many people wanting to play with Set, which interfered with the inn's operations.
When Rei's group had first arrived in Gilm, the former had been the more common issue, but now that they were fully settled in, the latter was far more frequent.
Because of that, the idea of Set being able to roam freely in a courtyard rather than being confined to a stable was extremely appealing, even from Rei's perspective.
Moreover, Marina's courtyard was maintained through Spirit Magic to remain comfortable year-round—winter or summer, rain, snow, or strong winds.
...Though Set could sleep soundly even in a blizzard, so what pleased him more than comfortable living conditions was simply having space to move around in.
"For now, I don't object to staying at your place for a while, but I'm keeping the room at the Wheat Inn at Dusk as well."
Under normal circumstances, most people couldn't afford to do what Rei was doing. The lodging fees at the Wheat Inn at Dusk were considerable, as befitting a high-end inn.
But the money Rei earned as an adventurer was substantial.
Enough that even if a person were reborn several times over, they could live comfortably without ever struggling.
On top of that, Rei also had a hobby of hunting bandits.
He had annihilated so many that they feared him, calling him the Bandit Eater.
Treasures found on bandits fundamentally belonged to whoever defeated them.
If something happened to be a family heirloom, occasionally someone would come forward wanting to buy it back, but that was truly a rare occurrence.
Given the considerable income Rei earned from such bandit hunting, keeping a room at the Wheat Inn at Dusk—even as a high-end inn—was no problem whatsoever.
"Oh, is that so? A shame, but it can't be helped."
Marina didn't appear nearly as disappointed as her words suggested. She likely understood that pushing the matter further wouldn't change Rei's mind unless something extraordinary happened.
(Besides, he didn't give up the Wheat Inn at Dusk, but he did agree to stay at my house, so there's no problem with the outcome.)
Ideally, it would have been best if he had given up the room entirely, but the current result was still the better option.
"In any case, there's nothing more to gain by staying here today. I'll let Daskar know the results of our investigation, so shall we head out? Being in a place like this, you completely lose track of time."
"Based on how hungry I am, I'd say it's already past noon, at least."
"Oh, already that late? Now that you mention it, I am hungry. Well then, shall we head outside and have a somewhat late lunch?"
Rei had no objection to Marina's suggestion, so after one last glance at the Wisp, he headed toward the passage leading above ground.
"Gruu!"
Upon emerging above ground, it was clear Set had noticed Rei approaching.
Set was looking toward them, purring happily.
...It was also likely he was anticipating the lunch stored in Rei's Misty Ring.
(Ah, come to think of it, unlike what I was thinking underground, Set didn't try to block the underground passage with his body after all.)
Rei recalled the thought he'd had below, but quickly decided it didn't matter.
"Marina, since we probably won't be coming back here today, could you use Spirit Magic to seal off the passage underground?"
"Yes, just a moment."
With that, Marina quietly called upon the Earth Spirit.
The hole leading to the space where the Wisp resided was covered over with earth and vanished from sight.
Since no grass was growing there, a slight visual discrepancy remained, but even so, a casual glance wouldn't prompt anyone to start digging on the spot.
"For now, I've set it so that if you, Rei, or Set want to enter, we can reopen it without any problem."
"Thanks. Let's have lunch, then. Where should we eat? Since we're already here, want to just eat here?"
"Hmm, let's see. The weather is nice, so that works, but... is that okay with you, Set?"
"Gruu!"
Set purred to indicate he had no objection, and the group decided to eat right there.
It was only then that it occurred to Rei—the adventurers tasked with guarding the Birth Tower would likely be less than pleased about eating ordinary fare instead of the meals Rei usually prepared for them.