Chapter 346: Confirmation About the Ex-Staff
I took a big bite of the fish burger slathered with tartar sauce filled with small pickles.
Hmm, I can’t bite into it as neatly as the Ex-Staff. The mechanics of eating it are too mysterious. Plus, while I don’t have any particular likes or dislikes compared to other Spirits, I can’t help but worry about the Ex-Staff’s health since my favorite foods are all junk.
It’s definitely healthier than Ish, who has started drinking salt, but how do I even compare that?
“It’s still delicious as ever.”
“I’ll just pretend everything is fresh out of the kitchen!”
Dinoss and Chris.
Well, it is piping hot. It would be strange if it didn’t raise any suspicions. As long as the food looks good enough to fool others, no one pays much attention.
Judging by the fact that there’s someone floating on a carpet, I guess it’s fine that I’m also slightly elevated on a zabuton. I wonder if Retze and Chris see me as doing an air chair.
For now, as long as Haulon is here, I feel like I can get away with anything, so it’s peaceful.
“Fresh is the best! Especially these fries!”
The Ex-Staff gobbled down some fried potatoes.
“Really, how do you eat? You must be consuming at least double your body weight!”
“I have one thing I’m curious about—” I looked at the Ex-Staff.
“What is it?”
Haulon squinted his eyes while puffing on his water pipe.
“Where does the Ex-Staff’s body start and end?”
“Bwah!” Dinoss burst out laughing, but thankfully, he managed to hold it back to just air.
“I mean, does the Spirit’s body extend to the part attached to this staff? Is the staff part of the body?”
I know the staff is the main body, but how far does the Spirit’s body actually go?
“The staff is the main body, and the humanoid part is the Spirit Form. The staff part is a fusion of matter and Spirit Form, and as time passes, it gradually separates into a state where the Spirit Form overlaps with the matter. Once that happens, it can operate away from the main body for a short time.”
“I see.”
Now that I think about it, when I handed Ash the bracelet, the Spirit was surprised to detach from it. My vague thoughts about the Ex-Staff’s main body were correct.
“Spirits with a main body often appear human-like, and many are strong Spirits. But at the same time, if the main body is damaged, they can’t maintain themselves. You need to handle them with care.”
“…Shiva already slashed at it, though. With the Spirit Sword.”
The butler, who had been distributing tea to everyone, turned around to say.
“That was bad for my heart…”
Dinoss turned his face away.
“…The King’s Branch is so strong that nothing can break it as long as wishes and ideals are being fulfilled…”
Haulon took a deep breath before exhaling those words.
“Yeah! I caught a bunch of Red Lizards today, feeling pretty accomplished!”
The Ex-Staff laughed heartily.
“Good for you… But still, could you please think a bit more about how to use it?! I’m begging you!!!”
Haulon, who looked like he was about to cry, suddenly snapped.
“Give it up. The Ex-Staff is a branch that was desired to be that way. The functions of the King’s Branch are just a bonus.”
Retze said while sipping his tea.
“Ugh… The King’s Branch, the King’s Branch…”
Haulon twisted his body on the carpet, crying. A muscular old man was sobbing quietly.
“I think Haulon dreams too much about the King’s Branch.”
“No, normally people dream about it, and it has the power to make those dreams come true, you know?”
This time, Retze denied it while looking at me.
“Gene, everyone dreams at least once of holding the King’s Branch! From the vague dreams of children to the earnest wishes of Adventurers, the intensity varies!”
Chris passionately declared.
“Wahaha! That’s embarrassing! So I’ll eat and sleep!”
Saying that, the Ex-Staff vanished. When I say vanished, I mean the humanoid part that was poking out at the end; the staff is still in my hand.
“Now, getting back on track, was that what you wanted to ask, Gene?”
Dinoss lightly waved the half-eaten chicken he was holding, bringing the conversation back.
“Yeah. I was curious about that, but I also want to know if there’s a way to suppress or conceal magic power.”
“There is. Besides, you perfectly concealed it when we first met, didn’t you?”
She casually stated that there was a way and tilted her head at me.
“That was just me not being recognized at all; I wasn’t doing anything.”
“I don’t understand that. Is that also the effect of the Guardian of Earth and Silence, Rudil?”
“Well, something like that.”
Every time voices from the sidelines chimed in with comments like, “That’s quite a digression,” “As usual, such a sloppy explanation,” “Not wrong, but still,” and “It’s hard to understand,” Haulon’s expression grew more troubled.
It’s just my imagination! Just my imagination!
“Got it. If possible, could you show me the strongest Spirit you can summon?”
Haulon asked with a sigh.
“The strongest…”
Come forth, the Spirit that claims to be the strongest!