The Seirei Gensouki Spirit Chronicles
Chapter 7's

“Betul. You need to consider how that person feels .. Especially when it comes to women,” Rio said, making Dominic look at Alma in surprise.

“Why? Don't you like Rio, Alma? ”

“T-No, not because I don't like Rio or anything. It's just that I'm young, so there are other things I want to do first ..”Surprisingly, Alma takes Dominic quite seriously, his face red.

“Alma so imuuuut. Then .... I'll be Rio's bride too,” Orphia said, caressing Alma's head.

“Ohoho. You can't lose to them, Latifa. You too, Sara. ”

“Ya!”

“K-Why am I included?!” Latifa nodded innocently, while Sara cried out in panic.

“Gahaha. Rio, my son, you must take the fourth as your bride. After all, the spirit village allows polygamy, the red-faced Dominic” mocking, laughing loudly and violently with Soul Sake in one hand.

“It looks like this old man has finally reached the status of a full-fledged drunk ..” Alma looked at Dominic with a look of despair. Others laughed at the sight. Before he realized it, Rio was also laughing. He could not even remember the last time he laughed this loud.

While they laughed, chatted boisterously, and watched the entertaining side show being performed, the majority of the folk spirits on the ground fainted from intoxication. Latifa, Sara, Orphia, and even the alcohol-resistant Alma had fallen asleep next to Rio. Alma had flipped the stronger drink to hide her embarrassment, resulting in her current predicament.

“Hm. It's really a spectacle,” Ursula said to Rio with a restless smile.

“If that's what you think, then please stop them next time,” Rio replied smoothly while his face flushed red.

“Bwahaha! Aren't you having fun, Rio-sama? You could use spirit arts to resuscitate them at any time, but no one would do disrespectful things at a celebration like this. Why don't you enjoy it a little more? ”

“No, I've had enough fun.” Rio shook his head with a slightly tense smile, then looked at Latifa, who was sleeping soundly.

“I'm thinking of telling Latifa soon.” He didn't specify what. Ursula would understand what Rio needed to convey to Latifa even without her saying it.

“... I'm sure it's still a little early, but it's probably best,” said Ursula, staring at the sleeping Latifa lovingly.

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The day after the Grand Spirit Festival …

Rio woke up as the morning light filtered through his window. No other house dweller wakes up, so she cooks thin porridge for everyone – easy on stomach – and eats herself. After leaving a note, he went outside, and wandered aimlessly around the village. After yesterday's banquet, far fewer people were getting up and walking outside than usual.

Rio walked to the quiet village square, then lay on the ground, facing upwards. He closed his eyes and felt angina approaching him, and he remained that way for several hours.

“Onii Chan?” Anxious voice sounded from above his head. Rio blinked his eyes open, and Latifa face

staring back.

“How did you know I was here?” Rio asked with a somewhat tense expression.

“I'm werefox, remember? I have a good sense of smell, and I will never forget the scent of Onii-chan.”

“Oh, that's right. So what's up? You don't look too good. ”

“... Hey, it's been more than half a year since we came to this village, right? Are you having fun staying here?” Rio suddenly asked, a contemplative expression on his face.

“Hm? Yep! So fun! Sara and the other girls are here, Vera and the other kids are here,

Ursula and the elders are really good, and most importantly – Onii-chan is here!” Latifa nodded, smiling cheerfully. Rio felt a jolt in his chest, but he had to keep going. After a few seconds of hesitation, he spoke.

“... Latifa. I was thinking of leaving this village for a while. ” Not sure how to break ice,

he finally said it frankly. He watched his reaction. At a certain point, when he was distracted, all traces of emotion had disappeared from Latifa face. She froze stiffly, staring at Rio face blankly, even though she smiled very sweetly a few seconds ago.

“You ... go?” Latifa managed to ask in a hoarse voice.

“Yes, I have to go. You remember how I originally headed east, right?” Rio answered her honestly with a serious face, deliberately pushing back his own emotions.

“...No.” Latifa muttered in a soft voice, but Rio kept talking.

“I won't be able to take you with me, Latifa—”

“T-No! Never!” Latifa shouted loudly, as if wanting to eliminate Rio's voice.

“Latifa, please, listen to what I say.”

“I'm not listening! I don't want to!” Latifa backed away doubtfully. Her eyes moved quickly, before she suddenly fled from Rio, refusing to listen to him again.

“Hei, Latifa ?!” Rio called out after he escaped, but Latifa did not move to stop.

Perhaps he had applied the physical enhancement spirit arts he had learned from his new advancement

this was in training, as his small and light body ran like the wind.

Where the hell's he going? Rio wondered, his expression getting darker. At the very least, he was not heading towards the house. He ran away in a direction far from the center of the village. Rio's movements had been numbed by his guilt towards Latifa – even if she were to chase after him now, obviously every conversation they had would only become sour. Standing still and clenching his fists, Rio hesitated, wondering if he should chase after her.

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Latifa was panting as she continued to run aimlessly.

“Hah hah...” His surroundings changed at a dizzying pace, but he did not stop running. Right now, he only wanted to distance as far away from Rio as possible.

No no no no no!

His heart was completely focused on getting away from him. In his mind, as long as he didn't have to listen to her, he wouldn't leave.

This presents a contradiction: although he does not want her to leave, he seeks to leave her. Fortunately, there were not many people walking around the village due to the late-night dinner. This way, he would not meet anyone who would question his behavior and try to stop him.

Splice...

Thanks guys,, mantle...