Volume 7 Chapter 26 Taboo？ It's Just That The Story Is Getting Bigger
Elements. They are mysterious neighbors. People have known they exist for a long time, but no one knows their true identity. Sometimes they're called spirits, but the only sure thing is that touching them is not allowed.
For example, long ago, there was a legend in a certain village.
'──ISometimes, high above the sky, a soft glowing light drifts by—neither fire nor ice, but something gentle and floating.
In the village, it's long been called the 'Wind Spirit Orb'.
Wind Spirit Orb doesn't speak, but being near it makes one's heart uneasy.
When someone feels lonely, sad, or is praying, it's said that Wind Spirit Orb suddenly appears and leads children away.
The oldest woman in the village said, "The children taken do not come back."
However, no one calls it a 'bad thing.'
Those who threw stones at Wind Spirit Orb were attacked by strong winds, and those who reached out to it were said to have been scorched by heat.
Therefore, if you meet Wind Spirit Orb, it's best to look down, clasp your hands together, and calm your heart.
Because it's like a prayer, like a curse—it simply exists near us.
As such, elements might be the most mysterious thing in this world—the closest and the furthest away.
Source: 'Elements and Folklore'
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"Using elements as material... Now, that's interesting."
Noah's eyes shine brightly, showing he's definitely on Randy's side.
"They're the same color—I mean, they're the same attribute, so they solidify quickly, right? I was thinking if I could use that."
Randy smiles, but Ellie looks exasperated, showing no sign of stopping it. Only Liz──
"Is it okay?"
She looks at Randy worriedly.
"Speaking of elements, some people say they're messengers of the goddess──"
"That's what I think, though."
Randy explains that the Church has never formally announced that elements are messengers of the goddess.
The previous Pope used the connection between elements and Holy Magic to maintain Church authority, but the Church itself has not officially declared that "elements are the goddess's messengers."
"It's just that the story got mixed up somewhere, and that's how it's become."
Randy, having just hunted a lot of elements, is something. He thoroughly examined their connections when he was young, so as not to attract attention from places like the Church. At that time—and still now—Victor, a small country town, couldn't afford to oppose a huge organization rooted on the continent.
Of course, even now... he has no intention of opposing the current Church.
Anyway, Randy's investigation revealed there is no relation between elements and the Church.
In fact, as Randy says, the Church does not hold elements sacred. Since they are merely part of oral tradition and a mysterious existence, the Church simply keeps silent and does not speak carelessly.
But because of their silence, innocent children who don't know better believe elements are sacred...
And that belief is passed down to honest, good children like Liz.
Only good children who have always honestly followed the advice of "that's no good" since childhood tend to recognize elements based on mistaken information.
"Certainly... even with the primary education conducted by the Church, I have not touched upon elements."
"See? If they were really followers, they'd properly teach that kind of thing."
As they say, sacred texts used in moral education mention various daemons, including the [Beast of Death (Morticus)], but the topic of elements never comes up.
"By the way──"
With Liz's curious gaze, Ellie sighs and says, "It's just like that."
"If I say so, some fool might say 'It can be used!' so I kept quiet..."
Ellie, giving Randy another tired look, also knows the true identity of ghosts, so she seems to know the true nature of elements as well.
"You call it an element and wonder, but... if I call it by its known name, it's a 'Free-Floating Mana Clusters,' 'Elemental Reaction Cores,' or 'Seventh-Phase Lifeforms.'"
Ellie sighs and explains that all those names—though different—are the same in essence, just called differently by researchers.
"'Free-Floating Mana Clusters'... Bingo, isn't it?"
Randy, looking displeased but happy, shows that elements have nothing to do with the goddess.
"In other words... even if we hunt elements relentlessly, there's no problem."
Randy nods confidently, but even so, in this era, it's too sensitive to mention without clearing out bystanders.
Probably knowing that, Ellie sighs and speaks up.
"I see. Still, the reason I told only you is to have you prepare tools to catch the elements, right?"
At Ellie's words, Liz tilts her head and shrugs with a wry smile. She probably guessed what Randy was about to do.
"In other words, it's a reproduction of the ghost situation, isn't it?"
"Well, to put it simply, yes."
Randy, smiling, talks about the element capture plan. The goal is to investigate the true nature of the mysterious element—which the Church does not venerate—by capturing and studying it. As they do, surprisingly, materials are created... that's the plan.
"Lady Eleonora, I'm curious why you call the element a 'Free-Floating Mana Clusters'..."
With a wry smile, Noah, Randy, and Liz sidestep, noting Ellie's knowledge of ancient magic and civilization.
"The reason will be told thoroughly when there's time next."
"Okay. I'm curious, but right now, there's a more interesting topic."
More than Ellie's true identity, Noah is truly interested in the true nature and usage methods of elements—a true magic tool enthusiast.
"If the element really is a Free-Floating Mana Clusters, the ghost catcher could be applied... No, in a sense, the element itself turned out to be tangible."
Whether fire and wind can be called tangible is uncertain, but water elements can be touched, wind can be felt on the skin, and fire burns.
Unlike ghosts that cannot be touched without magical power, elements can be considered tangible in that respect.
"If they have a tangible form, then the capture tools could be prepared immediately. But──"
Noah looked at Randy and asked, "What about counterattacks?" Noah meant the hostile actions of Elements, where they attack with attribute magic when someone tries to capture them.
"Oh, that? No problem."
Randy smiled and patted his chest.
"They attack, but they tire quickly. Just wait until they can't fight back, then catch them slowly."
"Tire quickly?"
"Perfect for new soldier training, they said."
Character Notes:
Ellie - Ellis. Succubus from the countryside. Kind but stubborn, with a caring side once close. Trains under Lina as a Magic Swordsman. Fast enough for Advanced-tier speed, though struggles in real fights. Cautious, efficient, and quietly hidden from Kent.
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