「But this is on top of a hill. Can you really make a well here?」
Amilia tilted her head.
「That’s exactly the problem…」
Digging a well isn’t as simple as just digging down. Finding a water source isn’t something you can do easily.
「In the end… I guess we have to rely on the occult…」
「Occult? What’s that?」
Liliana tilted her head slightly. Amilia and Selene didn’t seem to have any idea either.
「It’s the general term in my world for mysterious things, ghosts, supernatural stuff like that.」
「Ghoooosts!?」
Selene’s tail shot straight up. Wait, is she actually scared of them?
「Selene, are you bad with ghosts?」
「N-n-n-no, it’s not that I’m bad with them!!」
「But you look pretty bad with them.」
「Yes, I think so too.」
Aren’t people in this world used to that sort of thing? There are ghost-type monsters after all.
Amilia and Liliana looked completely calm.
「Because! Magic doesn’t work on them, right!?」
「「Ehhh～」」
「Ah… so that’s what you mean…」
Liliana and Amilia pulled back a little, but I could understand where Selene was coming from.
「Yeah, that makes sense. You can blast monsters with magic, but ghosts probably wouldn’t be affected…」
Come to think of it, when I get back to my original world, maybe I should check if ghosts actually exist there…
「Um… may I ask something?」
「What is it, Liliana-sama?」
「Selene-san… do you really not know that some of the people working in the castle are ghosts?」
Liliana asked cautiously. Wait, this is news to me too.
「Huh?」
「They mainly handle night patrols and organizing the library… They greet people normally, so I assumed you knew…」
「No waaay… ghosts… kyuu～」
「Selene!」
「Selene-san!?」
「Whoa!」
I caught Selene as she collapsed. Her eyes had rolled back; she wasn’t responding at all.
「No good… she’s out cold…」
「She really couldn’t handle it…」
「Uuu… I’m so sorry…」
Liliana looked genuinely awkward and apologetic. Can’t be helped.
「So, Liliana. Is it really true?」
「Yes. More precisely, they are members of a race called Spirit Source Species (Reigenshu). They are people who, after death, had lingering regrets or were bound by curses, leaving only their souls behind. Since they are reborn as a proper race, even after fulfilling their regrets or having the curse lifted, they continue to wander this world, and we recruit them.」
「Hee… I see.」
「Yes. Normally they don’t do much in spirit form, but during emergencies they help with rapid communication inside the castle and things like that.」
「Hee… that’s actually really convenient…」
Amilia and I nodded in admiration at Liliana’s explanation.
「Ghosts, huh… Hm?」
Yes, ghosts in many stories and beliefs can pass through walls, since they’re typically depicted as non-physical spirits without a solid body. In this world’s context too, it seems they can phase through things if they’re true spirits.
「Hey, Liliana. Could you take me to meet those ghost folks?」
「Yes, of course… but are we done searching for the water source already?」
「Yeah. If what I’m thinking is right, this could make things a lot easier.」
「Understood. Then shall we head back?」
「Ah, I’ll carry Selene.」
「Thanks, Amilia.」
I handed Selene over to Amilia in a princess carry.
「It’s fine, it’s fine. This is about all I can do anyway.」
Saying that, Amilia and Liliana hopped lightly into the carriage.
「All right, let’s head back.」
「Wafuu!」
I gave Gray, who was pulling the carriage, a quick pat, then climbed up to the driver’s seat and gave the signal.
The carriage slowly drew a wide arc as it descended the hill.
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
After that, I went around calling out to the ghosts in various places. Once night fell, we had them all gather in the central courtyard of the castle.
The ghosts were fidgeting nervously. Then one elderly knight raised his hand.
「Yuuki-samaaa, what do you need from ussss?」
「Ah, I gathered everyone because I’d like your help with something.」
「Something, you sayyyy?」
「Yeah. Actually, I want everyone to help search for the water source for a well.」
「The water source for a welllll…」
「There are a few conditions, so I’ll ask some questions now. Is that okay?」
「「「「「Yes, it’s fine (uu～)!」」」」」
The ones who couldn’t speak raised their hands instead. Communication seems fine.
「All right, first…」
I asked several questions: whether they suffered from claustrophobia, if they could pass through objects, and if they could sense my magic power.
In the end, a little less than half remained.
「Okay, last question. Are there any of you who feel drawn to water?」
When I asked, they exchanged glances.
「Drawn to waterrrr?」
「Yeah. Like, do you feel pulled toward water, or get a sense like 『ah, there’s water here』?」
Several hands went up.
「Um… fewer than ten, huh…」
「Is that too few?」
「No, I think it’s enough… All right! Everyone who didn’t raise your hand is free to go. Thank you for coming!」
The remaining ghosts returned to their duties.
「Well thennn, since I don’t seem suited for this, I’ll be heading backkk～ Farewellll～」
With that, the old knight grandfather floated away.
「Now then… is there anyone here who can speak?」
When I asked the rest, a young girl ghost stepped forward.
「Yes! I can!」
I let out a relieved breath that at least one could talk.
「Good… All right, Croco, I’m counting on you.」
「Yes!」
With those words, we transferred straight to the hill at the planned site.
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