Chapter 104: The Possibility of Being Targeted
“So? Are you planning to hide it?”
“I am, I am.”
I replied to Dinoss, who was sitting heavily on the floor, looking at me.
Since I was still crouched by the escape route, I faced him and crossed my legs in a relaxed manner.
“It seems your actions do not match your words.”
The butler, still standing, chimed in with a critique.
“I’m worried, so I’m going back to the children. Let me know later, okay?”
Shiva placed a hand on Dinoss’s shoulder, smiled at me, and left the room.
Leaving three children alone in a house I don’t know is indeed worrying.
“Jean, who do you want to hide from?”
Ash asked, his expression serious.
He then mimicked Dinoss and me, crossing his legs as well. No need to adjust your posture by glancing over! Just sit comfortably!
“Abilities that might attract unwanted attention.”
Ultimately, it’s about my sister discovering my existence.
My appearance has changed enough that a casual encounter wouldn’t lead anyone to think of me, and they probably don’t even consider that I might be here. The gods had assured that orb, but I severed ties with it immediately.
That orb seems untrustworthy, likely to break promises without malice. As long as the gods are stronger than that orb, the Severance is effective. Four against one, I need to hold my ground.
“Hmm. Does this mean they’ve deemed it acceptable for us to be aware? I appreciate it, but wouldn’t more people knowing make information leak more easily?”
Ash’s face grew even more serious.
Is he happy, angry, or just struggling to maintain balance? Which is it?
“Rumors are quickly forgotten. As long as we don’t exchange words, it’s hard to remember—it’s a rather convenient trait.”
To be precise, it’s not so much about forgetting, but more about a lack of attachment or focus. The paperwork still goes through, so that’s probably fine.
“I see. So when you get entangled, you just knock them out without a word.”
That’s mostly because talking is a hassle. Ash seems to accept this, so I won’t deny it.
“What kind of trait is that?”
Dinoss asked, half-lidded.
“That’s why there’s no talk of Lord Jean in the Merchant Guild. The only topics that came up were about me and Ash helping with medicine production, which was strange.”
The butler nodded in understanding.
“I think it’s convenient, but doesn’t that mean Jean won’t gain the fame he deserves?”
“If the income comes in as per the paperwork, I don’t care.”
“It feels wrong that we’re the ones gaining recognition instead.”
From Ash’s demeanor, it seems he’s been correcting himself every time he’s thanked.
“More like I’m pushing the trouble onto you. Sorry about that.”
“No, it’s not like that…”
I don’t want special treatment from the higher-ups, nor do I want to be the center of attention. I’m glad the staff at the counter have become kinder, though.
“I’m aware that I have a lot of weaknesses, so I’ve decided not to participate in group activities from the start.”
“Your physical abilities were obvious from the beginning. Yet, for some reason, spirits don’t seem to flock to you unnaturally.”
“Dinoss, can you see them?”
“Isn’t it obvious that everyone here can see them?”
It seems the butler has informed Ash that he can see spirits too, so is it okay to be open about it? I wonder if his wife can see them as well. What about En? If he could see them, that would mean he was expressionless while watching that squirrel store things…
“Are there too many people around me who can see spirits?”
“Is that what you’re hung up on? It’s not about whether they can see or not; I want to know why the Shadow Wolf is here…”
Dinoss looked dejected, while I sensed the butler chuckling.
“There seem to be a lot of fugitives with issues in Kanum… I’m not running away, though.”
“You seem to be the most at risk.”
“Isn’t Jean the one being targeted the most?”
“Lord Jean should be the one to be most cautious.”
The three of them spoke simultaneously.
“Well, I could escape quickly, but if you have a spirit you’re contracted with or a close spirit, you should keep one around, okay? Like I said earlier, it’d be strange if you didn’t have one with your physical abilities.”
Dinoss knows my mobility is unusual, so he doesn’t seem too worried about that.
“There are many adventurers who can see spirits.”
As the butler said, the freedom of adventurers tends to attract spirits, and many become able to see them due to their influence.
There are also those who originally could see spirits or had them attached and chose the path of an adventurer.
Conversely, it seems that those who settle down after being adventurers often lose that ability. Spirits tend to favor those who lend their strength to others, like the whimsical Wind Spirits, the Fire Spirits that love ambition and destruction, or the Light Spirits that enjoy situations of overcoming trials and aspirations, so they tend to drift away once a person settles down.
“Hmm. I don’t want to bring them into a chaotic environment, and I’d hate for something cute to be kidnapped by a strange person or entangled with a weird spirit.”
If I’m going to be with them all the time, bringing Rishu along would be best, but I have my worries.
“What kind of fragile spirit are you talking about?”
“Ash is doing just fine, though…”
“Lord Jean, ordinary humans cannot grasp spirits…”
“Hmm.”
I’ll ask Rishu about it later. He might not be able to respond, but he might show some indication of his thoughts.