Chapter 283: Things I Don’t Know
“Don’t worry, it’s clear that Dinoss is well-liked.”
Dinoss’s Spirit, a dragon-shaped entity with a sharp expression, was covered in flames. It seemed disinterested as it gazed toward the fireplace, but its tail was wrapped around Dinoss’s arm.
“Spirits aren’t restricted to interacting with just one person, right? I think being possessive is a bit much, don’t you?”
“Is that really the issue!? Stop making it sound like I’m some kind of controlling guy!?”
Dinoss suddenly turned to look at me.
“I had thought that Spirits attached to people would not pay attention to others, but it seems I need to revise that understanding…”
The Butler said with a subtle smile.
“Spirits usually ignore everything happening around them in the physical world unless it piques their interest, so that perception isn’t entirely wrong. If you call out to them, they might notice their surroundings, though?”
“Well, normally, you can’t even talk to Spirits, right?” Dinoss said, sounding somewhat dissatisfied.
“I can’t even see them. Communicating with Spirits is tough—it’s generally difficult, so stop poking at me.”
Vines extended from the sword and began poking at Retze.
“Okay, okay. Once we get back to Kanum, I’ll make sure to put some fertilizer in the pot!”
Satisfied after securing that promise, the vines withdrew smoothly.
Retze let out a sigh of relief, drawing the attention of everyone around him.
“Ah, damn it! It’s just that the vines are being overly assertive!”
With everyone staring at him, especially Dinoss and the Butler giving him a side-eye, Retze started to panic.
“Should I also pamper my Spirit? I have no idea how to do that, though.”
“Isn’t it a bit much to pamper them too much?” Dinoss and the Butler exchanged words, while Ash silently scratched around Az’s ears.
“After all, some Spirits lack a clear will, and many dislike being seen even if they become friendly… Since Retze can’t see them and knows he can’t release magic power, it was okay for them to show themselves. I chose a Spirit that can absorb magic power on its own and is satisfied with other forms of nourishment.”
I filtered out Spirits that couldn’t receive magic unless given or those that would just greedily absorb it.
“If they do it by their own will, it can still be controlled, but there are Spirits that instinctively absorb magic just by being present. Some want to show themselves but can’t. Spirits are diverse and full of individuality.”
“I appreciate it, but I can’t tell if I’m maintaining the sword, growing plants, or taking care of a pet.”
“It’s about interacting with the Spirit, you know? Interaction.”
“This is not what I imagined…”
Retze stared at the sword in the bucket with a distant look. It seems he cares for it, which is nice.
“Where did the Spirit of the former High Priest’s son go?”
Dinoss, seemingly regaining his composure, asked.
“Probably at the Temple. He spent a long time there, so it seems he has many Spirits he’s close with?”
“I see, so he returned to a place he likes after being freed…”
Dinoss took a sip of the tea the Butler had brewed, looking a bit more relaxed.
The tea set was a sturdy, metal one I had taken to the dungeon. It was a choice between a heavy metal for durability or a lightweight wooden one. I wonder if they could make something lightweight yet sturdy like aluminum?
…Even if they could, I have a feeling it would end up being something I couldn’t show off.
“Is it possible to release a Spirit from any contract?”
This time, the Butler asked.
“I don’t know. I’ve only undone two contracts, and neither was particularly strong. Both wanted to be freed. I feel like breaking a contract that both parties desire would be difficult, though.”
The contract for the zabuton was quite complex, but it had become thin and worn over time. Perhaps the magic power of the person who created the contract had faded, or the parchment it was written on was deteriorating.
“When I returned to the Duke’s Household, I heard that the box containing the contract with Az was broken, and the parchment with the magic circle was charred. I’ve heard that breaking a magic circle causes a backlash of magic power. Don’t do anything reckless.”
Ash conveyed this with a serious expression.
“Was there really a backlash? Wait, does that mean the box breaking affected the person near the magic circle, not me? Did I put Ash’s family in danger?”
“The box was a precaution. If your power to break the contract is weak, it could damage you.”
“I’ll be careful. Thanks.”
“By the way, how old are you now, Jean?”
Ash changed the subject, still wearing a serious expression, perhaps feeling a bit shy.
“I’m twenty. In my original world, that’s finally the age where I can drink.”
“Is that so?”
Retze responded with surprise. What does he mean by that?
“Speaking of which, Jean never touches the alcohol he makes himself.”
Ash seemed to recall something, furrowing his brow. It was better than his earlier serious expression, but he still had a habit of frowning.
“In my original place, you can’t drink until you’re an adult. I was trying to refrain from the alcohol from my world.”
“So you were a kid after all.”
Dinoss said, as if it were obvious. What do you mean by ‘after all’!?
“You look young for twenty… How long is the average lifespan in your original world?”
“Spirit Possessed individuals generally look younger, right?” Retze replied to the Butler’s question.
“The average is around eighty years? I haven’t asked about my appearance—no, my body’s age.”
I had shrunk in height, so maybe I look younger than my actual age?
“You’re talking about your own body!”
“I just asked for a form that would fit in this world. I had no idea about the average appearance or beauty standards here. Ah, I should have asked for height and muscle back then…!”
I lamented while answering Dinoss.
Back then, I was overwhelmed and didn’t think that far ahead. I didn’t care much about appearances at all.
“I wouldn’t want to look like Karn and be poking at pill bugs.”
Retze said.
“Don’t suddenly bring me into this.”
Karn, who had been silently listening, finally spoke up.