Chapter 473: Contemplating the Mysteries of the World
The skies over Kanum are clear. Typically, the weather around here is more often overcast than sunny, but from early summer to summer, the pleasant weather continues.
This morning, I baked the bread I prepared last night with freshly ground flour and have been distributing it to everyone since early morning. — It’s always freshly ground thanks to [Storage], but it’s more about the mood.
I had some myself, and the aroma of the baguette wheat filled the air; it was delicious.
I also made another type, rye black bread. Following local tradition, I used fermented yeast, which gives it a slightly sour taste due to the fermentation. If left alone, it hardens significantly, but Dean often insists that the hardened version is simply irresistible.
Dean is still asleep, and the only ones awake in the rental house are Retze and Karn, but I left the basket in the shared living room, so the other three will likely eat once they wake up.
The weather is nice, but I’m up in the attic room on my bed. Daifuku was in the box earlier, but I let him knead some dough. Once it gets a bit warmer, he’ll move to the basket next door, but it seems he still finds it a bit chilly.
Now, it’s time to think.
At Kanum’s House, we’ve requested protection from Spirits. Only the specific Spirits I named are allowed to approach. While there’s a chance that stronger or faster Spirits might intrude, the likelihood of encountering Spirits outside is significantly lower.
Following the example of the mailman, I create a thin membrane of air around myself. This way, even the ‘little ones’ that might emerge are kept at bay. The ‘little ones’ don’t have a way to convey their intentions, though.
I’ve realized this, but I have no complaints about my current life and don’t intend to change anything.
Just to clarify, based on the mailman’s reactions, it seems my named Spirits are safe, but I might receive a notification, so it’s best to be cautious.
Spirits can read not only what I say but also my thoughts. Well, whether they understand them correctly is another matter.
So, I’ve been wondering if there are Spirits lurking around. It seems some are using Spirits to create and destroy worlds.
The world they aim for is likely a blend of the material and Spirits that the Gods desire, but I have no idea what that world specifically looks like. What’s expected of me might not be the same as what’s expected of the Hero.
Perhaps even they don’t fully understand the world they’re striving for. Is it a Spirit with many retainers, or is it Luf, who has contracts with numerous Spirits?
The fact that everything isn’t going as planned suggests that they don’t have complete control over all the Spirits. It seems my named Spirits are also slipping through the cracks.
The Gods who protect me are probably contracted with them. When I made a contract with Seabird-kun, I conducted an experiment to maintain my connection with Lady Rose, and I think that’s the state I have with the Gods. We have a contract, but there’s likely a more powerful contractor who approves my contract with them.
Thus, the air membrane surrounding me is selecting Rishu’s retainers. Since I’ve already named Rishu, I want to name the Gods too, but it would be ideal to have them all present, and I’m not confident I have enough magic power to name them all at once.
The Gods have become stronger. Have they been infused with magic power by their contractors? Recently, I’ve been diligently naming Spirits in places that don’t appear on maps, outside the Gods’ protective range, trying to distance them from the Gods’ retainers. Did they catch on?
Spirits can read my heart, and through the Gods, my thoughts are likely fully exposed. I don’t mind if they find out; I’m just doing what I want in this world.
Back when I first arrived here, the Gods mentioned that it wasn’t good for summoned beings — like me or the Hero — to interfere with their actions or wishes, so they probably intend to let me be free.
It’s a bit unsettling that Namina seems to have swapped places with another Spirit. Even though they govern different things, neither the Spirits nor the Priests seem to notice the change.
However, those who admired the previous Namina, including the Spirits in the Temple and Paorul, have distanced themselves. It’s not a strong enough suggestion to keep them close.
I can’t tell if it’s a good or bad thing. Rishu seems to know something, though. He’s quite clever.
I want to live as I please, and I’m grateful for the power that allows me to do so, so as long as they don’t impose restrictions, I think it’s fine to coexist without hostility.
Visiting places that don’t appear on maps is a hobby of mine, and naming Spirits there is necessary. Many Spirits also come to me willingly. It’s only natural that Rishu and the Spirit Note grow stronger instead of the Gods.
Since I’m using [Teleportation], [Storage], and the [Food Storage], the Gods should be getting stronger too; it’s not intentional. Yeah, it can’t be helped.
The reason I want to grow stronger is in case I accidentally run into the Hero! Preparation is essential.