Chapter 480: Confirmation
“Well then. Can I use this too?”
Retze finished his meal and picked up the Magic Circle.
“You can, you can. Just press that little bump there.”
I made it usable.
“Like this?”
I prompted him to press the small raised circle at the edge of the Magic Circle.
“Wait, is that a Magic Stone? It’s expensive…”
“It’s a small one, so it’s not that pricey.”
The thick parchment for the Magic Circle had a thinly shaved piece of parchment layered on top. Inside was the usual Magic Circle that absorbs Magic Power from the Magic Stone, along with a circuit diagram that guides the activation of the desired Magic Circle. I suppose the circuit diagram is part of the Magic Circle too.
Between those two Magic Circles was a small Magic Stone, and when pressed, it would stick to the Magic Circle that absorbs Magic Power.
“That’s quite skillful.”
Haulon was examining the improved version of the Magic Circle with keen interest.
“Alright, my turn.”
Dean reached out for the regular Magic Circle.
“Welcome to the world where you can see the Spirits!”
What a comrade!
“That’s so cool!”
“This is the Flame Dragon of King Wolf Balmoa!”
It seemed both of them were captivated by Dinoss’s dragon at first.
Dean’s eyes sparkled; it was a dream world for him. But he would soon realize the reality.
“Yeah, I was moved too.”
“Ah—!?”
Dean froze as he glanced over at Chris.
“?”
Retze followed his gaze.
“Well, seeing clearly isn’t always a good thing…”
Haulon smirked, the corners of his mouth twisting into a smile.
“Ah, well, it’s quite adorable.”
Retze, unusually flustered, looked away.
“…Fabric?”
It seemed Haulon’s Spirit had come into view.
“It looks like an Ittan Momen.”
“An Ittan…?”
I blurted out, and Haulon looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“There was a kind of youkai—Demon Beast—where I came from. A fabric Demon Beast.”
“Is that so?”
He seemed somewhat unconvinced.
“Dinoss’s Spirit is just as I imagined. The Great Sage has four of them, though the rumors say there are three.”
Retze remarked.
“I have many secrets. One of them just got revealed.”
Haulon winked lazily.
Dean and the others nodded.
“…”
Was it really the three Spirit theory?
“Some people have secrets that aren’t really secrets.”
A fleeting glance was cast my way.
“My Spirit is a Lizard and a girl. They’re quite small compared to the legendary ones, but two of them!”
Dean laughed happily.
“Legendary, huh…”
When Retze glanced at the Butler, he smiled and nodded.
Retze shrugged slightly, choosing not to pursue the topic. The Butler also had a Dark Spirit that looked like an upside-down turnip, but perhaps due to my pickling, it was nowhere to be seen.
Now that I think about it, maybe it was a Spirit that hides from people? Since I caught it, it might be wary and not come near me. It seems to be physically hiding from my line of sight, like in the shadows of walls or on rooftops. It sounds strange to say “physically” when talking about Spirits.
From the Spirit’s perspective, buildings and physical objects might be transparent. Just like I wouldn’t want to hide behind a Spirit that can see through me, maybe Spirits don’t want to hide behind those things either.
So, it’s likely that the hiding is the Butler’s instruction. He might have just taught the Spirit how to hide.
I wonder if Haulon’s Spirit is also one that can disappear? Maybe that’s why they thought there were three?
“By the way, my Lizard has been licking its side for a while now. What’s up with that?”
“Is it a fetish? Also, Spirits apparently only taste things they are attached to…”
I averted my gaze and hesitated to say more.
The five of them turned to Dean with wide-eyed expressions.
Fire Lizards often like the soot stuck to frying pans or pots. I wonder why the Fire Lizard attached to Dean is interested in that?
Fortunately, it doesn’t talk, but I can’t help but think it’s thinking, “Mmm, delicious!” or “The salt flavor is irresistible.”
“I think Dean might have a body that attracts scent-fetish Spirits.”
I said while still looking away.
“Scent fetish!?”
Dean froze for a moment, looking at the Fire Lizard beside him, then down at the girl Spirit stuck to his boot.
Realizing their eyes met, the Fire Lizard, though not smiling, looked somewhat pleased. Spirits tend to like the people they are attached to.
The contrast between the expressions of the Spirits, starting with the Fire Lizard, and the surrounding humans was stark.
“Oh, Daifuku.”
A Spirit resembling a white, fluffy cat brushed against me, tail held high as it passed by.
It headed for Retze’s lap.
“Ah, it was in the Mine Shaft… So it made itself at home!”
Dinoss exclaimed, his gaze naturally fixed on Retze’s lap.
Daifuku sometimes shows itself to people when it feels like it, but often prefers to remain unseen.
“Wow, it really looks just like the Daifuku you made, Gene. I’m so happy to see it since I thought I wouldn’t!”
Chris beamed, her gaze on Retze’s lap.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen your form. I remember you being bigger, but can you change your appearance at will?”
The Butler’s gaze was also on Retze’s lap.
“It looks so soft. Is it attached to Retze?”
Dean’s eyes were glued to Retze’s lap.
“So that’s why you guys have been looking at my lap and Ash’s knee sometimes.”
Retze said with a frown.
“Uh-oh, was I found out!?”