know already.

“The abilities World Tree priestesses have?”

“Yes. My ability is 【Clairvoyance】. I can see any location under the influence of the World Tree’s powers, no matter how far it may be. I can also speak with the deceased, albeit only a little.”

“Wait a moment. Is it really alright to tell us so much? We’re not from Lanapacea, you know that.”

Shin was surprised to hear Lina talk about her powers in such detail. Shibaid did not say anything, but looked at her with suspicion too.

Despite Shin’s words and Shibaid’s gaze, Lina’s expression became unexpectedly softer.

“Actually, because of this power, I already knew that I could trust you both. Palmirack was apparently built over a Ley line, so I could use my powers a bit.”

Through the ability to communicate with the deceased, Lina learned that Shin and Shibaid could be trusted.

“The souls of the dead..could you tell us who that was?”

“That I don’t know, unfortunately.”

“You don’t know?”

All Lina could tell was that it was an elf connected to the World Tree priestesses’ lineage. Lina’s ability could tell that it was the truth, so she trusted Shin’s group. The soul that told her about Shin, however, never mentioned their name. According to Lina, however, that wasn’t unusual.

“To go all the way to tell you about us..did something happen to the World Tree?”

“Indeed..it could be a situation so dire that the assistance of a far away priestess was needed.”

Shin quietly prayed that the items he gave to Tiera could be effective.

“Okay, I guess it’s time. Yuzuha, change routes.”

As they talked, Shin noticed that there were not many people or carriages around them, so he told Yuzuha to head to the forest. It was an unnatural change of direction, but Lina did not say anything. Even if the World Tree had told her about Shin, he couldn’t help but think that she was being too trusting.

“Oh yeah, there’s one more thing I need to confirm, do you mind?”

“What is that?”

“About when you were kidnapped. The demons we encountered in the past tried to kill Tiera the instant they realized she was a World Tree priestess. Why did they let you live?”

They knew that Lina had been kidnapped by demons because of the traces left. It was all very unnatural.

“I believe that they meant to use my powers. My 【Clairvoyance】 cannot hurt others, but depending on its usage, it can be a powerful threat. I can’t do it myself, but it is told that in the past one could see the whole world with it. It was possible to see all the secrets people wished to hide.”

“It’s pretty different from the 【Clairvoyance】 skill.. so the demons found it worth using, and had found a way too.”

Lina said that she willingly absorbed miasma within herself to fall into a kind of coma and prevent them from manipulating her. They kept her alive because they could manipulate her even in that state or she was still worth using in other ways.

“If you go back to Lanapacea, will the demons come for you again?”

“It’s possible. It was so powerful that I couldn’t even resist for an instant.”

“..are you okay?”

Shin noticed that Lina’s arms, crossed in front of her chest, trembled a little. She acted like everything was okay, but she had been kidnapped by monsters and almost died. It was impossible for her not to be afraid.

“Sir Shin, you are cooperating with lady Tiera, but not with the Luderia clan, is that right?”

“Hm? Yes, that’s right. I haven’t met him yet, but we’ve heard rumors that the Luderia clan head is up to no good. I’m thinking of finding out the truth about that too.”

“..in that case..after we return to Lanapacea, could I stay with you for a while?”

Shin looked at Shibaid. If the missing Lulac priestess returned, all of Lanapacea would surely know of it instantly. Even if the Luderia head was plotting something, the Lulac had enough clout for him to put his plans into action easily.

The risk of Lina being attacked by demons was still present, however. Shin concluded that Lina had come up with that proposal after considering what she should do.

“There’s no guarantee that staying with us is safe, though.”

Shin stopped the carriage, turned it into a card and answered Lina. The card slipped into his shirt’s pocket..actually, the item box.

“They say my detection abilities are the highest in the history of priestesses. I can tell that you all- sir Shin, sir Shibaid, lady Yuzuha- are more powerful than the demon who attacked me. This is why I wish to ask for your assistance, until the clan head is captured.”

Lina then prostrated herself. Shin was surprised by her disregard for her hands and clothes turning dirty because of the soil and mud.

“What’s with you, all of a sudden!?”

“I..have seen it. I have seen the head of the Luderia clan..dealing with demons. The reason why I was attacked was probably that I saw that scene through my 【Clairvoyance】. I want to do something about the World Tree..but I’m scared..”

Lina talked with a very feeble voice. The feelings she had been holding back gushed out. Her slender shoulders trembled.

“..I see, that was also meant to keep you quiet.”

Proof of the clan head’s wrongdoings came up from an unexpected source. From Lanapacea, located right at the foot of the World Tree, even the clan head’s private rooms were visible to 【Clairvoyance】.

If Lina spoke the truth, they couldn’t let the clan head run free. There was even the possibility that Tiera was being attacked right now.

“You can rest easy. We aren’t going to leave you to fend for yourself, not at this point.”

Shin laid a hand on Lina’s shaking shoulders and raised her head. She had to be really terrified: her eyes were gleaming with tears.

“Will you..help me?”

Lina’s tears did not suggest she was acting at all. Her eyes still showed the struggle between her will to accomplish her mission and the terror she felt.

“Leave it to us. Even if a duke demon pops up, we’re bringing them down.”

“Indeed.”

“Kuu!”

Shin, Shibaid and Yuzuha all nodded confidently.

For the sake of the world? To erase impurity?

It was a mystery that, rather than such lofty ideals, fighting to help their comrade, who strove to fulfill her duty despite being banished, and to wipe the tears of a terrified girl made them much more motivated.