"We also investigated the Fourfold Grove," Luminita began, with Liber continuing. "There are no records of any daily-use items or funerary goods being unearthed, so it’s unlikely to be a residence or a cemetery. Given the intricate decorations and the construction of the rooms, it's plausible that it was a religious facility. The four rooms, the four types of spirits, and the name 'Fourfold Grove' all seem interconnected."

"In other words, it was a site for seasonal festivals?" Cyrus inquired, probing their theory.

"I once studied the local history in the academy’s library. There were records of several instances of forest depletion leading to a shortage of timber and changes in the ecosystem. The causes varied, from fires to soil contamination. I surmise that this land has long been susceptible to environmental changes, making it prone to shifts in living conditions."

"I see. So, the people of this land began to pray for the smooth cycle of the seasons, which led to the creation of the Fourfold Grove," the master offered, and Liber nodded in agreement.

"The mysterious spirits that appeared might be the result of ancient spirit magicians casting spells to summon spirits as warnings when changes occur in the forest."

"These spirits told me that 'the earth is eroding' and 'it's cold.' I believe they meant it literally. There might be soil erosion happening somewhere in the forest around the ruins," Luminita continued.

"And the cause?"

"For instance, deforestation. Large-scale logging for timber leads to soil exposure."

"Deforestation causes soil exposure, leading to erosion during the rainy season and loss of topsoil. This results in slower plant growth in autumn and a lack of food for animals during winter hibernation. It's a common scenario for soil contamination," Cyrus contributed logically to the discussion.

Elder Seron, who had been listening silently, slowly opened his mouth. "Why would there be excessive logging? Sure, this winter was cold, but the local residents' need for firewood shouldn't cause soil exposure."

"Considering the population size of Alderwick, logging for domestic use is insufficient. Thus, external factors are at play. I recall reports of groups sighted around the forest near the ruins... This suggests the possibility of illegal logging. Since the war fifty years ago, there has been significant consumption of resources across the Plains Country Plato for post-war reconstruction. Especially in the capital, Landinium, rapid development has been ongoing with the construction of buildings and public facilities. It’s likely that unauthorised groups are exploiting this demand. I suggest reporting to the capital and requesting an investigation team," Liber concluded.

After Liber's explanation, Luminita took a deep breath and tried to summarise calmly.

"This concludes our report."

There was a brief silence.

"I understand the story you've put together. However, evidence is necessary. At least to report to the Wardens, regional watchdogs. It’s been fifty years since the new regime, and the country is still unstable. There are countless similar incidents, but we can hope the Wardens aren’t too busy."

"The spirits I saw were pleading for help. Something is definitely happening in that forest."

"Can you summon the spirits again and get their testimony? If we need to go to the forest, we can go now."

Luminita hesitated. The spirits they encountered in the forest had disappeared after a while, and they hadn’t been able to communicate with them since. They returned without any conclusive evidence or testimony.

"It seems difficult."

"We certainly saw the spirits and heard their words."

Cyrus glared at Luminita for a while, then turned to Liber. "Did you hear the same words?"

Luminita glanced at Liber. Liber seemed to hesitate but then resolutely answered, "I saw them, but I couldn’t understand their words."

"I thought so. Communication with spirits is a very advanced skill. Even a first-class Phasmanicusian would struggle on their own."

"Can’t you believe us?" Luminita's voice rose despite her efforts to stay calm. Cyrus sighed in exasperation.

"It’s not about belief. Well, it's not my place as an outsider to say this. Consult the village elders. The national investigation can come afterword. Your role ends here."

"Then I'll go to the forest right now!"

"That's childish logic," Cyrus smirked, looking at Liber as if to say, "calm her down."

Luminita thought her emotions were like a flickering candle. Anger, sadness, and turmoil were mixed, burning unsteadily. She knew she was being emotional but didn’t know how to handle it. She looked at Liber. It was always Liber who brought the discussion back on track during times like this. She knew she shouldn't talk emotionally to someone like Cyrus. She was using the wrong approach...

Luminita suddenly remembered when they were little, living in an institution with other children. At that time, the other children who could see spirits discovered new things daily, their eyes shining with wonder at the unseen world they sensed. They could easily identify rare plants or insects in the fields, avoid muddy cliffs and deep rivers after rain, distinguish healthy crops from unhealthy ones, and quickly become proficient in horse riding. They enjoyed discussing the new spirits and phenomena they saw each day, growing their powers.

But Luminita and Clara were different. At first, Luminita couldn’t tell anyone she couldn’t see spirits, fearing Clara might be bullied. She spent her days pretending to see what the others did, watching their reactions, and trying to fit in. At night, she was exhausted and quickly fell asleep. Waking up was depressing, knowing she had to live another day of lies.

It was Liber who spoke to her during those times. He confided that he couldn't see spirits either and spoke to the caretakers about their situation. Without him, Luminita would have spent much more time troubled and alone.

The news that the three of them couldn't see spirits quickly spread. Understandably so. In the mountains, they had to constantly check maps and observe their surroundings to avoid danger. They couldn’t just sense if the food was good, they had to taste it. They almost got kicked by horses because they couldn’t understand them. The other kids laughed, but they were serious.

They had to learn to live with twice as much effort as the others, getting hurt and making mistakes along the way. It felt like they were always being left behind, and Luminita cried quietly in her bed at night, hiding her tears from Clara to avoid worrying her.

Recalling those childhood memories, Luminita's heart trembled. She began to feel their efforts were insignificant, that someone like her, always lagging behind, had no place in such an endeavour. They were merely pretending to be heroes who could save the spirits, but it was all baseless. Perhaps the spirits asking for help was just her imagination. To adults, their constructed rationale might seem like childish mimicry.

Feeling this way, Luminita wanted to end the conversation and leave quickly. At least they had informed the adults about the spirits. As Cyrus said, their role was over. They were minor characters who should step off the stage before causing more trouble for everyone.

Did Liber feel the same? Luminita wondered as she glanced back. Seeing her gaze, Liber smiled slightly and then responded to Cyrus's question.

"Everything Luminita said is true. If we need evidence, we'll investigate again."

Liber’s words resonated in Luminita's heart like a bell. He believed in what they had built together. Luminita felt her wavering resolve strengthen. She remembered the difficult days of their childhood, yet they had lived happily because of Liber and Clara.

Luminita recalled the spirits she saw in the forest, huddled together, holding hands, just like her and her siblings. Thinking of this gave her strength. She decided to do her best.

"The forest spirits were asking us for help. They were trembling, likely scared. There were child-like spirits too, possibly a family or comrades. Although we haven’t been able to communicate well with spirits... the desire to protect family and friends is the same. We want to help. Elder Seron, please officially request a national investigation! If not, we'll investigate the forest again ourselves!"

At Luminita’s words, Seron thoughtfully stroked his chin.

"Why are you so fixated on this?" Cyrus asked calmly.

Cyrus remained calm as he asked. Luminita turned to him and answered.

"When we were young, we were taken from the Relic Country, Substania, to this country along with our siblings as part of an orphan protection program. But because we were from Substania, the country that caused the war fifty years ago, and because we couldn’t use spirit magic, we were considered a nuisance and had no place to go. At that time, someone helped us. It was they who found us a home in this village."

"Until then, I believed that being treated this way was inevitable. We were from Substania and couldn’t see spirits, so I thought suffering was our fate due to some defect in our souls or destiny. But this person told us otherwise. She said what’s important is recognition, how we see the world, not resigning ourselves to fate or our souls, but cherishing what we can share with others. She was a Hoshiwatari."

As she spoke, Luminita felt a burden lift from her heart.

"I want to be like her. That’s why I think we should convey the spirits' words and feelings."

"Do you mean to become a Hoshiwatari?"

"Yes."

There was a brief silence. Just as Luminita wondered if she had said everything

she needed to, she heard laughter. It was Cyrus. The master glared at Cyrus in surprise.

After laughing for a while, Cyrus softened his expression and murmured, "So young," before clearing his throat.

"Excuse me for startling you. Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Cyrus Vallo. I’m a specialist in spirit phenomena dispatched from the capital, Landinium."