Chapter 132: End of the Mine Shaft
“Well then, what will you do?”
“I’ll move while Whyle is being quiet. Thank you very much.”
With that, Sara gave a polite bow and started to head towards the corridor.
It seemed she had been talking with the three of them while helping with the dismantling, but it appeared they couldn’t come to an agreement.
As a token of gratitude for her help, I offered her a torch, some food, and a few pieces of magic ore. Once we got out of this mine, I could sell the magic ore in town and manage for a while.
“Hmm?”
Is that box just left there?
“Hey, hey, are you leaving the spirit behind?”
Dinoss noticed and called out.
“She was never a contracted spirit to begin with. Besides, it’s not the first time Whyle has found a comfortable spot to sleep and wandered off. Whether it’s three days or a year—she needs to stock up enough to nap three times a day.”
She stopped and smiled gently.
“Can you really earn that much?”
Dean asked, looking unconvinced.
“Despite my appearance, I am a ‘Spirit’s Bud.’ If I hadn’t been possessed by Whyle, I surely would have become a ‘Flower’ by now.”
“Is eating and sleeping really that essential?”
I was about to ask what the whole bud and flower thing meant when Retze cut in.
Is that something I shouldn’t ask about? Like a sacred prostitute or something?
“I’ve always liked sleeping, and after experiencing a state where I couldn’t eat, I grew fond of eating as well.”
“I see. May you receive the spirit’s blessing.”
Retze seemed satisfied as long as he could interrupt my question.
“Thank you. Please call me when you can afford to support me. I will express my gratitude the next time we meet.”
With that, Sara finally disappeared into the corridor.
“…”
“…”
“She left, huh?”
“Indeed, she has gone.”
The others stared intently into the darkness of the corridor.
I handed her a torch, but how is she going to climb the vertical shaft with that outfit and a torch in hand? Those assets of hers might get in the way of her arms…
“Big sister’s gone.”
“Soft breasts~”
“What are you squeezing~?”
The children, who had been quiet with a stranger around, suddenly burst into chatter.
“Alright, you lot, sit properly there!”
Dinoss glared at Dean and the others with wide eyes.
From what En and Baku said, it seemed the trio—well, excluding Retze who was indifferent—had been discussing something rather indecent.
“Why is even Jean sitting properly?”
“Uh, just felt like it.”
I had just thought of something a bit lewd earlier.
Even though I was talking in a low voice!? I ignored the sounds of surprise and “Eek!” and stood up at Retze’s urging.
“So? Is Whyle in this box or what?”
“Hmm, quite cute.”
“Lord Jean, it would be wise to refrain from acting without thinking ahead.”
The butler, who had appeared behind me without my noticing, chimed in with a critique.
“I just set the box down, you know?”
“Where did you get that box from?”
I averted my gaze. I took it out from [Storage].
Why is Retze butting in when he wasn’t even there to see it?
“Also, ‘Spirit’s Bud’ refers to those who wield healing magic under the care of the Spirit’s Branch or the Temple. ‘Spirit’s Flower’ is an exceptional being among them, possessing high abilities and being recommended by more than one temple. Be careful, as this is common knowledge.”
The Temple serves spirits known as gods, while the Spirit’s Branch does not worship a specific spirit. They have many followers, making them wealthy.
Still, should I join in sitting properly too? Ah, but that looks painful. When I glanced at Dean and Chris, I saw Shiva just clawing at Dean.
“Hmm, I neglected to guide you when we first met. Next time, I’ll show you the Spirit’s Branch.”
“Thank you.”
What does Ash think of me? Come to think of it, I had been completely clueless about this world since we met.
Ash must have skipped showing me the Spirit’s Branch because he thought I wouldn’t know about a place I had never been to.
I did visit once after that, but it was faster to fetch water from home, and I hadn’t gone there. It’s a place that ordinary people visit at least once a month, so not knowing about the Spirit’s Bud would raise suspicions.
Maybe I should seriously explore Kanum. I might know more about it than Naruadeid.
After finishing the lecture for Dean and Chris and sorting through the piled-up ore, En began to put away the good pieces that couldn’t be carried individually.
While En was busy with the lantern, I secretly collected everything he couldn’t store.
“Alright, we got more magic ore than we aimed for, so let’s head back.”
“What about the cat?”
“Can’t do anything about it, can we?”
When I asked Dinoss, he seemed indifferent about leaving it behind.
“A stray cat…”
“No, it’s a spirit. It doesn’t appear to me, or to most people, for that matter.”
Retze admonished me.
“I’d love to see it, though!”
What kind of reaction would Chris have if he saw a spirit with a broken jaw?
“I’d like to say you should take good care of it, but I already have a dog…”
I couldn’t say I would take on more than I could handle. I tend to be away from home too often.
“How about keeping it in Retze’s room?”
“I won’t keep it, nor can I!”
I thought it would be fine since Retze didn’t have a specific spirit around him, but that was rejected.
“If you get bored here and have nowhere else to go, come to the second floor, Room A, at 31 Ash Fox’s Back in Kanum.”
“That’s my room, you know!”