Chapter 120: Just to Confirm
“I thought it was Luf, but it’s just another person from another world, huh?”
“I feel like there was a ton of crazy information.”
“Can I ask about your relationship with the Heroes?”
“I’ll remain silent.”
The relationship with my sister still irritates me.
“I can’t process all this information, and I can’t even make a proper retort.”
Retze and the others grumbled as they headed home.
I took care of the fire and then used Teleportation to return home. I patted Rishu, who ran up to me, and stoked the fire in the Fireplace. The firewood looked burnt out but was still smoldering as charcoal. I placed some new thin logs and fanned the flames with the poker, and it easily flared up.
There were various points of concern: creating something new, being able to see Spirits and being strong, yet lacking emotional maturity and possibly being exploited.
I lined up all the things I was being targeted for, and I was reminded to be aware of them. I was prepared to be open about various things and see their surprised reactions, but it seemed that worry came before surprise.
There are already three Heroes, and there are others besides me who can see Spirits. I plan to create things, but I don’t intend to step into the spotlight as Jean. Healing potions? That’s a bit late now.
Retze said there was a lot of crazy information, but the most alarming thing might be the ability to attach a contracted Spirit to someone. If things go poorly, we could end up with a first-string team full of Spirit Possessed individuals.
Ash doesn’t seem to have told Az much about the Butler either. There were various blunders in the early days… Maybe it’s because Az has grown attached to Ash. For now, I think I’ll keep quiet about it.
I played tug-of-war with Rishu for a while, took a bath, and went to bed.
Originally, I should be waiting for the Wind Great Deity to petrify, but Rishu is fighting. That battle is hastening the petrification of the Wind Great Deity, and Rishu has decided to gain strength for the next summoning.
However, Rishu has failed to open the path to the world and has lost a significant portion of his power. Was it intentional? It feels intentional. My child is clever after all.
I reached out to Rishu’s sleeping basket next to the bed and gently patted him goodnight.
The next day, my morning routine remained unchanged. Today, Pal and Ish were in the field, while Kadal was at the place where the fruit trees were planted.
“Is there a sign that a Spirit is about to turn to stone?”
“First, their behavior becomes strange, and they can no longer disappear.”
Kadal answered without changing his expression.
“Are Mishto and Haralfa okay?”
I worry that those two, while not purely light, might petrify faster than a Ball of Light in a weakened state.
“Oh, you’re worried about us. How cute.”
“Whoa!”
Haralfa suddenly appeared behind me and blew air into my ear.
I jumped back to create some distance. Her clothes emphasized her chest, slim waist, round hips, and toned thighs. Her eyes narrowed playfully, and her lips curled up at the ends.
“Don’t tease me.”
“You’re still as stiff as ever.”
Kadal chided Haralfa, who was admiring a branch bearing blood oranges.
The safe zone is behind Kadal. But then again, how does it look for a man to hide from a beautiful woman?
“You have contracted far more Spirits than we expected, so our retainers are increasing.”
“If the number of retainers increases, the vessel of power expands, at least you won’t petrify before Namina.”
I see, so the Spirits I contracted are becoming retainers of strong Spirits of the same type?
“What about matter and spirit?”
“There are too many Spirits right now; just keep increasing them. However, I am not impressed with the connections of the buildings… Mix in ash that houses Spirits, or use honey and flour.”
Kadal said something incomprehensible and then vanished.
He answers when asked, but it seems the god who protects the Heroes shouldn’t restrict their actions (wishes), so there are no active instructions. It’s just a request to contract the fleeing Spirits. Kadal seems to have warned me about that too.
If I try to hear everything, it feels like I’d be tied up, so I keep it to the bare minimum. It’s more fun to investigate on my own.
“Oh ho, that stiff guy is blushing. I’ve seen something rare.”
As I was looking at the spot where Kadal had disappeared, Haralfa appeared behind me.
“I need to prepare for tomorrow!”
I hurriedly fled.
And so, I began preparing for tomorrow’s departure before noon.
Healing potions? Check! Sun-drying the sheets and makeshift sleeping bags? Check! Checking the items in Storage? Check! Stocking up on livestock feed? Check! Everything in my backpack except for the bento? Check!
I had no particular items I wanted to buy, so the preparations were completed quickly. Since I felt like I wouldn’t be able to eat Japanese food for a while, I decided to have seafood for lunch.
Sushi, sushi! It’s time for the fish I’ve set aside to shine. Ginger? Check! Wasabi? Check! Momiji oroshi? Check! Green onions? Check!
I had two types of sea bream: one fresh and one aged with kelp. The former was crunchy and mild, while the latter was sticky and sweet. Spring sea bream is in season too.
A taste comparison of squid: Sumi-ika, Yari-ika, and Kou-ika. The squid is nearly transparent and beautiful. Thanks to Detection, I can handle parasites, which is wonderful.
I added a bit of ginger to the Sayori. The pulled skin was roasted to a crisp for a delightful snack.
Hiragai and scallops. The scallops were a little unfaithful and got butter-fried! Butter and soy sauce really whet the appetite. I washed my mouth with gari and green tea before diving back into the sushi.
I varied the thickness of the red meat, medium fatty tuna, and fatty tuna of the black tuna. The sushi rice, placed lightly on the board, filled the gaps and sank under the weight of the toppings.
With delicious seaweed and fresh cucumber, I made kappa rolls. I sprinkled sesame over finely shredded cucumber.
The soup was clam broth.
I savored sushi alone, wishing someone else had made it for me. I was already full from the ikura, so I thought I’d make ikura donburi later. Since I hadn’t used up all the fish, I decided to keep a sushi set in Storage for a while.
For dinner, I thought I’d have ramen, and while I took a little meal break, I Teleported to the Library.
What could the connections of the buildings mean?