Ill never set foot in th.., p.1
I’ll Never Set Foot in That House Again! Volume 7, page 1
Table of Contents
Cover
Characters
Color Illustrations
Prologue
1. Departure
2. The Inspection Begins
3. Down Underground
4. Pumpkin Potage
5. The Tribe of Shadows
6. Food, Clothing, and Lodging
7. To the Surface
Interlude: Glen and the Nox Tribe
8. Multiplying Shadows
9. An Audience and Jealousy
10. The Tea Party
Epilogue
Side Story: Micah’s Past
Afterword
Bonus Textless Illustrations
About J-Novel Club
Copyright
Prologue
My name is Chelsea. I’m the adopted daughter of Margrave Sargent and the fiancée of His Highness Prince Glenarnold, the younger brother of the king of Chronowize.
After awakening to the new Skill [Seed Creation] on my twelfth birthday, I was rescued from the abusive barony where I had been born and brought to the Royal Research Institute to become a research fellow. [Seed Creation] was a unique Skill that let me create any seed I wished for. I could easily replicate seeds that already existed, but creating entirely new ones required me to first prepare a detailed blueprint.
Not only could I make seeds that filled one’s belly or enriched the world, but I could also create ones capable of killing. Knowing this potential danger, I made a promise to Lord Glen never to use my Skill to harm others. It was also decided that I would work alongside Lord Tristano, son of Marquis Forium, dedicating ourselves to studying my Skill.
After planting the Spirit Tree Seed I’d developed during our research, my life became far more eventful than I ever could have anticipated. I became the contractor of the Spirit King Element, was targeted by the Worshippers of the Proxy, Driven by Envy, and began traveling across the world, planting Spirit Tree cuttings in hopes of one day meeting the true Proxy herself.
“What should I do...?” I muttered, sitting in my quarters—a reward for becoming a research fellow. Just then, Cyril and Root appeared, sharing Cyril’s small floating cloud.
Cyril was a Nightmare, a young girl with powers related to dreams. She kept her bangs long and wore a hood to hide her gender, an effect enhanced by her baggy top and bottoms. She traveled around on the cloud she created with her Nightmare abilities. Root was a Communication Spirit who looked like a little boy. He wore green pants and a purple hooded shirt that stopped under his chin. Butterfly-like wings sprouted from his back, and he was almost always flying around.
Both spirits were only about the size of my thumb and remained invisible to most people, though I and a few others could see them.
“What’s wrong, Chelsea?” Cyril asked.
«Are you worried about something, Lady Chelsea?» Root added.
The two, who had become good friends before I even realized it, peered into my face expectantly.
“Actually... Lord Glen wants me to give him a necklace-shaped seed...” I said with a frown, explaining what had me so troubled.
Until now, most of the seeds I made fell into two categories: seeds that produced immediate effects when planted—like trees that bore cookie-filled fruit or ones that grew into treehouses—and seeds filled with liquid that took effect when consumed, such as the Elixir Seed that healed Emperor Royz of the Radzuel Empire or the mana restoration seeds. But recently, I had created a new kind of seed—one that activated its effects simply by being worn. To protect my personal maid, Gina, from poison, [Charm], and other status ailments, I’d designed a seed that took the form of a necklace. It looked like a real accessory, crafted to resemble metal and gemstone, so it wouldn’t draw attention when worn. I later made a similar necklace for my fellow researcher, Lord Tris. When I gave it to him, Lord Glen, who happened to be present, mentioned that he would like one as well.
It was rare for Lord Glen to ask me to create anything for him. If possible, I wanted his to be different from the ones I’d made for Gina and Lord Tris.
“I’ve been trying to decide what design to use...” I confessed.
As I spoke, Root tilted his head. «Why do you want to make his present different?» he asked.
“B-Because I... Um...”
While I struggled to put my feelings into words, Cyril grinned. “It’s because she doesn’t want to see her fiancé wearing something that matches someone else’s! Chelsea’s got a maidenly heart, you know!”
My face instantly flushed red when she said it so directly, while Root gave her a blank look, tilting his head once again.
«What’s a maidenly heart...?»
“Don’t worry about it, Root. It’s too complicated. The important thing is that Chelsea wants to make him something special!”
A special gift... Just hearing it put so bluntly made my cheeks burn even hotter. I nodded, pressing my hands against my face.
Then Root suddenly gasped. «If you want it to be special, maybe it doesn’t have to be a necklace at all?»
He had a point. I’d made the necklaces to suit Gina’s needs, blending into her usual appearance. There was no reason I had to stick with the same design for Lord Glen.
“What about a ring, or a bracelet?” Cyril suggested, pointing first to the ring on my right hand, then to the bracelet on my left wrist.
The ring was a magic tool that Lord Glen had given me to mark our engagement; it would automatically cast defensive magic to protect me in times of danger. The bracelet, a gift from Ele, was crafted from a Spirit Tree branch and connected to my special storage space in the Spirit World. By simply willing it, or whispering to it, the assigned Spirits could retrieve or store items for me.
“A ring would feel a little too serious,” I said shyly, glancing at my engagement ring, “but a bracelet might be perfect.”
“Besides that...you could make him an earring, an ear cuff, or maybe even cufflinks,” the little Nightmare continued, pointing first to her ear, then to her wrist.
Now that I think about it, anything wearable could work... Which only made it harder to choose.
While I fretted, hand on my chin, Root fluttered off Cyril’s little cloud and hovered in front of me. Flapping his wings, he used both hands to draw a big square in the air.
«If it were for me, I’d want a seed that looked like a cookie and smelled nice and sweet! I’d carry it with me everywhere!» he said, miming holding the imaginary cookie before nuzzling it and inhaling deeply, savoring its nonexistent scent.
Seeing this, Cyril gave him an exasperated look. “A cookie your size wouldn’t even count as an accessory. Besides, you wouldn’t be able to eat it. Could you really carry something that smelled that good without eating it?”
Root froze, clearly struck by the thought, then shook his head vigorously. «I could never stand it if I couldn’t eat it!»
Seeing his reaction, Cyril sighed, and I couldn’t help but giggle.
+++
A few days later, I visited the Chief’s office at the Royal Research Institute. It was about the same size as my laboratory, furnished with a wide desk and chair near the window, and a set of sofas and a low table near the entrance. Bookshelves lined both side walls, crammed with books and research materials.
I sat across from the Chief on a three-seat sofa and asked, “What did you want to speak with me about?”
Lady Clementina, a marquise and the Chief of the Institute, was also a mother of three grown children. She had always looked after me kindly.
“Now that you’re an adult, I was wondering if you might be interested in going out on an inspection,” she said.
“An inspection...?” I repeated, tilting my head in confusion.
She nodded. “The Royal Research Institute sends staff each year to inspect research facilities and observation sites across the kingdom. Since you were underage before, you weren’t eligible.”
“I see.”
“Which brings me to the point,” she continued. “I’d like you to inspect the observation team at the Karya Megaflora Cluster.”
I vaguely remembered hearing of a place by that name in the Bazrack Duchy, on the eastern side of the kingdom.
“It’s an area where plants have grown to enormous sizes due to an overabundance of mana,” Lady Clementina explained. “The Royal Research Institute has been monitoring it for years, watching for any changes in the plants or the environment.”
Plants growing massive from excess mana? Her description caught my attention. “Um... Wouldn’t an overabundance of mana usually cause the soil to rot?” I asked, recalling what Lord Glen had taught me.
“You’ve studied well,” Lady Clementina said with a bright smile. “Normally, too much mana in the soil would cause it to rot and turn swamp-like. But somehow, the plants in the Megaflora Cluster grew massive instead. We still don’t understand why.”
“What a strange place...”
“Each year, we send a researcher specializing in plants to conduct the inspection,” she continued. “Tristano has handled it for the past few years. However, due to his current circumstances, he had to decline this time,” she said with a sigh.
I gave a wry smile, immediately understanding why.
During our visit to the Holy Country of Celesark, Lord Tris had formed a contract with Halnark, the Spirit of Water. Halnark had appeared to protect the Spirit Tree cutting
“So when I asked who should take his place, he insisted it had to be you.”
Why me...? I wondered as she continued.
“Given what the Karya Megaflora Cluster is like, he thought seeing the massive plants firsthand might inspire you to create new seeds. I agree; it would be a valuable opportunity for you. What do you think?”
Inspiration for new seeds... Hearing her words reminded me of a visit to my friend Lady Noel Wisteria’s home. After seeing the Venus flytraps in their botanical garden, I had created a seed for a giant Venus flytrap, imagining a plant that could capture monsters. Drawing inspiration from things outside my encyclopedias and textbooks always helped me imagine new kinds of seeds. This inspection would no doubt help deepen our study of the [Seed Creation] Skill.
“Please, let me do the inspection!” I answered resolutely, clasping both hands together.
The Chief smiled warmly. “I’m glad you’re so enthusiastic. Since this will be your first inspection, you’ll be accompanied by someone experienced—someone who’s conducted inspections there before. And, one more thing...”
She rose from the sofa, crossed to the bookshelves lining the right wall, and pulled out a thick stack of documents. Returning to the table, she set the pile down carefully in front of me.
“Here’s the inspection guide. If you have any questions while you’re reading through it, you can ask Tristano.”
The cover read Inspection Guide (Karya Megaflora Cluster Edition). I picked it up and gave her a firm nod. “Understood. I’ll read through it right away.”
“You’ll be departing in ten days. The inspection is expected to take about six days, including an extra day to allow for any unexpected delays. I’ll contact you again once we have more detailed arrangements. I’m counting on you, Miss Chelsea.”
“Okay!”
Carefully hugging the inspection guide to my chest, I left the Chief’s office and headed toward my personal laboratory, located on the same floor of the Research Institute. The lab was furnished simply; a dining table I used as a desk, four chairs, a three-seat sofa, and a low table. Through the window, I could see the sparkling, crystalline branches of the Spirit Tree.
Setting the guide down on the dining table, I took a seat and began flipping through its pages.
Just as I started, Ele appeared in his silver-furred cat form.
«You look quite pleased,» he said, his low voice resonating in my ears. When in cat form, only Spirits, their contractors, and those with certain special Skills could hear anything beyond his usual meows.
“I’m being sent on an inspection to the Karya Megaflora Cluster as a researcher,” I said, smiling.
Curious, Ele floated across the room and landed on the table across from me. «The Karya Megaflora Cluster? I do not believe I have ever heard of it.»
“It’s a place where all the plants grow to enormous sizes,” I explained, pointing to the page I had opened.
It showed an illustration of a researcher standing beside a colossal tulip.
“If this picture is accurate,” I added, spreading my arms wide to mime the size of a petal, “you could probably make a cradle out of one of these petals.”
Ele’s jaw dropped in shock. «I have seen places where plants grew to twice their normal size, but never anything towering over humans. To think such places still exist today...»
“So there are places even you don’t know about,” I said, surprised. It was rare for Ele to be unfamiliar with anything.
Ele pouted. «Of course there are places I do not know. I spent ages away from this world. Most places have different names now.»
“I see.”
Ele, the Spirit King, had once brought prosperity to the world alongside Sakura, the Proxy of the creation god. However, when his vessel, the Spirit Tree of Origin, was burned down under certain circumstances, he had been forced to return to the Spirit World. It wasn’t until many years later, after I planted the second Spirit Tree of Origin, that he regained his vessel and returned to our world. I’d never asked exactly how long he had been away, but it was likely several thousand years.
“Are you going to come with me to the Karya Megaflora Cluster for the inspection?” I asked.
Just like Hal, who stayed near her Spirit Tree in Celesark, Ele was bound to protect the Spirit Tree of Origin near the Royal Research Institute. Thanks to Lord Glen’s Barrier, the tree was impervious to damage or fire, and since it had fully matured, Ele could leave it unattended for longer periods.
Still, he shook his head. «It has not been very long since I returned from Celesark. If I leave the tree alone too long, it will sulk, so I will stay home this time.»
I glanced out the window toward the Spirit Tree. Though there was no wind, its branches shook as if protesting. The Spirit Trees had wills of their own; it seemed to have overheard our conversation and was pleading for Ele not to leave. It was almost like an upset child.
“I guess there’s no helping it, then,” I said, stifling a giggle.
«Ah, that reminds me. Have you told Glen about your plans yet?» Ele asked, crossing his small, furry arms.
“No, not yet.”
Before, Lord Glen and I had met daily for study sessions—part lessons, part tea parties—to help expand my mana pool. But after I completed my studies and my mana reached an ordinary adult’s level, those meetings ended when I turned fifteen. Now that I lived in the royal family’s quarters instead of the Research Institute’s dormitories, we shared breakfast together every morning. I’d considered visiting Lord Glen’s office to tell him about the inspection, but I worried I would only disrupt his work.
“I’m planning to tell him tomorrow at breakfast,” I said. At my answer, Ele sighed softly.
«Be sure you do,» he said, a hint of worry in his voice, before settling down on the table, curling up like a cat for a nap.
Seeing him like that, it was hard to believe he was the Spirit King. Smiling, I gently stroked his back, then turned my attention back to the inspection guide and resumed flipping through its pages.
+++
The next morning, after getting ready, I made my way to the dining hall in the western wing of the royal quarters.
“Good morning, Lord Glen.”
“Good morning, Chelsea.”
When I entered, Lord Glen was already seated at the table. I took the seat across from him just as Miss Micah, my foxwoman personal chef, arrived with our breakfast.
“Today’s menu is Japanese food~!” she announced cheerfully.
She placed before us steaming bowls of wakame seaweed miso soup, boiled spinach seasoned with soy sauce, seared white fish fillets, rolled omelets, and triangular rice balls wrapped in nori. Seeing the array of his favorite dishes, Lord Glen’s eyes lit up with joy.
“Enjoy your meals~!” Miss Micah sang out before leaving the room.
“Thank you for the meal,” we said, bringing our hands together in gratitude.
After offering a silent prayer to the earth gods, we began to eat.
I started with a sip of miso soup, the warmth spreading through me and naturally drawing a soft breath of relief. Then I picked up a piece of the seared fish with my chopsticks. Lately, I had gotten used to using them and could neatly split the fillet into bite-sized pieces.
Across the table, Lord Glen was already digging into his rice balls, a blissful smile on his face as if thanking fate itself for letting him be born into a world where this food existed. Judging by his expression, they must have been filled with his favorite chopped katsuobushi.
Ingredients like seaweed, miso, and katsuobushi could only be produced in a certain region of the Radzuel Empire, so it was rare for us to enjoy this kind of “Japanese food.” I made sure to savor every bite.
Once the after-meal tea was served, I straightened up, gathering my courage.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” I said, nervousness making my heart pound.
