Chapter 276: Zabuton
“I’ve come to report. Since I held back, I’d like to request a reduction in my sentence regarding my escape.”
“I’m not angry or anything. After hearing that guy’s status, it probably would have been more troublesome—it’s a Black Spirit, so it can’t be helped. Also, you’re set up as a Mage.”
I returned to my original spot next to Retze. In the end, I felt a quick jab to my side, but it seems I’ve successfully received a reduced sentence.
“Retze, huh? Thanks for the help,” the Guardian said, visibly relieved upon spotting Retze. The words of gratitude were directed at everyone.
“It’s been a while, Meikel. I didn’t expect to run into you here. So, what’s going on? Is it true that the Vice Guild Master is up there?” It seems Retze knows him.
I could see the Butler smiling as he tied up the Zabuton Robe with a gag in its mouth. He had his foot on its back, pulling the ropes tight, but everyone pretended not to notice.
“That’s the Divine Child from the Temple. He’s the son of the former Priest Chief, and he’s been upset for two years now that he hasn’t been recognized as a Saint, so he’s making a fuss about becoming an Adventurer.” What’s this? The Guardian just dropped a term that sounds like something out of a middle school fantasy novel.
“Oh, right. The former Priest Chief was well-loved and had great healing skills, able to even mend amputations,” another added. “Yeah, it’s that troublesome situation. Most of the high-ranking Adventurers brought in are due to amputations, after all.” I eavesdropped on their conversation along with the others.
Alright, I get it. If I take the Zabuton away and attach it to another Priest, that should resolve things with the Guild, right?
“Let’s move before it turns into a hassle,” Dinoss suggested as we began walking.
Karn was carrying the Zabuton Robe, so that was fine, but with a Black Spirit around, our pace wasn’t very fast. Even without any incidents, we’d definitely need to stay overnight before reaching the Twentieth Layer.
I had plenty of questions, but it wouldn’t be good to ask about general Adventurer knowledge in front of the Guardian, so I kept quiet.
“Can Zabuton-kun talk?” I asked, and it seemed to notice my question, lifting its body slightly and shaking its horn.
It appeared to be the type that couldn’t speak. However, it seemed capable of some form of communication.
“Do you like the one that’s possessing you?” I asked, and it shook its horn again.
Alright, first step cleared. Confirming its will is important. I’ll refrain from thinking about the Zabuton Robe for now.
“Do you have any intention of possessing someone else?” It curled its lower body and pointed vigorously with its upper horn.
“Is that why you’re tied up?” The upper part shook up and down.
On the back of the Zabuton—clearly visible since it was floating—there was a band inscribed with a spell, similar to what I saw with Az.
“When a being of great magic power emerges from my bloodline, possess and assist them. The price is that magic power…” There were also various customary patterns regarding the safety of the possessed. Of course, I’d just tear it off and dispose of it.
The Zabuton was bending its body, diligently checking its lower half.
“If you have someone you like among the Temple staff, go ahead and possess them. But if you were unwillingly bound, that would be unpleasant, so feel free to do as you wish.” It must have been free until a being of great magic power appeared, but I had no idea how many generations back that contract was. It must have been bound for quite a long time.
“Ah, right. Just suck up their magic power until they faint for two or three days.” Oh? Is that alright? It raised its upper body slightly, pausing for a moment.
The Zabuton began to absorb magic power from the back of the Robe that Karn was carrying. Slowly, it was sucking it in.
“What are you doing to the Spirit?”
“I disposed of it since it was a dark one.” Karn caught on but didn’t seem to mind. It’s a Black Spirit, after all.
“I heard that if you’re aware of doing something slightly bad, you start using polite language,” Retze said.
Retze!!
When I looked at Retze, he was talking with the Guardian.
“By the way, do you know about the Divine Child?”
“You changed the subject, didn’t you? The Divine Child, if it hasn’t changed since my time, is the child that the Temple keeps sheltered. The condition is that they either have a Spirit of the god they worship or are likely to attract one. They’re educated in a way that suits the Temple until they reach adulthood, when they become less likely to attract Spirits, and they’re kept from leaving the area where Spirits of that lineage gather.”
Karn explained it clearly. It might have become more troublesome, but the general idea seems unchanged.
“I see. So they keep them in conditions that make it easy for Spirits to possess them.” If it turns out that the Spirits don’t attach as expected, they’re either cast out upon reaching adulthood or simply become regular Priests.
“This is my understanding. The Temple has its own reasons, after all.”
The “Spirit’s Branch” accepts all Spirits and is closely tied to the city. On the other hand, the Temple is a place where a group worships specific Spirits and operates in an organized manner. There are various scales and forms, from inclusive Temples that manage the “Spirit’s Branch” like the Lord to exclusive and radical ones.
Since you can’t live without fire or water, it’s not so much about eliminating Spirits as it is about humans fighting among themselves over which Spirits to worship. It’s a hassle.
Among Spirits, it’s possible to accidentally erase each other’s existence! It’s common and natural for a Fire Spirit to absorb a Wood Spirit nearby or for a Water Spirit to wash away a Soil Spirit, but the individuals involved don’t really mind.
Whether good or bad, it’s often when humans intervene that Spirits get emotionally stirred.
“Ask Retze about it too. No, wait. I’ll ask.”
Hey, Karn? Can I ask why you changed your mind?