Chapter 644: Activation of the Magic Circle
I scratched away at the side of the stone box.
“What kind of pen is that…?” Dinoss shot me a dubious glance.
“It’s a pen that can draw on stone,” I replied, recalling the one I used at Blue Spirit Island to etch into the well.
“More like you’re carving it. —You’re not making something dangerous, are you?” Retze interjected calmly.
“Thanks for worrying. But, I feel sorry for the Spirits too.” The magic circle itself was quite ordinary. I was prepared for any reprimands.
“Sorry for what?” Dean asked, puzzled.
“How can you not break the tip?” Chris, reading my expression that screamed “don’t ask,” quickly changed the subject.
Retze let out a shallow sigh.
“…What are you drawing? Is it a pattern for a limited range…?” Haulon peered in, a bit intrusive.
Maybe he could only see the magic circle, but I wanted him to notice me too! I get that he wants to see it from the front, but I’m right there! Please don’t push!
“Is it something even the Great Sage can’t read?”
“It’s a script I don’t recognize,” Ash replied to Haulon.
It’s Japanese. I can read it just fine, but writing it requires memorization. I’ve learned quite a bit, but kanji and short spells are really handy for magic circles.
However, when it comes to Spirits, this script is definitely more convenient. Instead of writing “Water Spirit” in Japanese, I can express it in one character. Words that are closely tied to culture and daily life become rich and concise.
I feel the differences in how concepts and matters are perceived influence the presence or absence of language expression.
On the flip side, it’s hard to think in a language that isn’t my own, so I’ve heard it’s better to ponder negative worries in another language.
I can’t be going around saying, “To be, or not to be, that is the question.” That kind of thinking and worrying just halts there. Plus, I can’t help but picture a handsome guy trembling in agony, which is a bit of a problem.
“By the way, I heard that Romeo and Juliet is trending,” I mentioned, figuring the Hero’s party must have popularized it.
“I don’t know why we’re talking about this, but it is trending. —Our somewhat antagonistic impression isn’t great, but the Heroes are raising the cultural standards. Few commoners can see Spirits, and it seems dolls eating Spirits are a sight in neighboring countries. It’s hugely popular in Shulm,” Haulon answered dutifully.
The topic was connected to Shakespeare.
“Meanwhile, neighboring countries are in a terrible state,” Dinoss added.
It seems peace is only found in Shulm and places far from it.
“With fewer Spirits and the impact of war, it must be unbearable,” Ash remarked.
“…Is it a good thing that dolls aren’t consuming the Black Spirits of this ‘Land of Ruin’ or Kokuzan?” Ash and the Butler pondered.
“Certainly, while fewer Black Spirits would be appreciated, I doubt anyone would complain!” Chris said cheerfully.
“It just speeds up the dolls going berserk. They act according to the wishes of their creators, but they’re empty inside. What fills their hearts are the Spirits they’ve consumed, like a mass of Black Spirits,” Haulon sighed.
“Wow. Concentrated Black Spirits, huh? Yikes,” Dinoss exaggeratedly recoiled.
“I haven’t heard of dolls actively consuming Black Spirits. They prefer to attack regular Spirits instead,” Haulon clarified.
“Ugh, both are a nuisance,” Dean grimaced at Haulon’s explanation.
“And… done. ‘Excuse me, please block the presence of the Eastern Spirits as per this magic circle,'” I finished, squeezing the Black Spirit that had been chasing around with a grin.
It looked really confused when I activated the magic circle. Maybe I should have asked a few more of them to do the same, so they could take turns?
“Wait, wait, wait. What did you just do!?”
“I asked the Black Spirits for help since it’s an emergency.”
If I woke up the sleeping Spirits, they’d be alone and awake, which wouldn’t be good. There aren’t any other Spirits around.
“It’s a forbidden spell, a forbidden spell!?” Haulon was in a panic.
“I couldn’t think of anything else.”
“I can’t think of anything either!?”
If the Great Sage can’t think of something, then I definitely can’t.
“Gene, your body… or rather, your mind in this case. Are you sure it’s okay?” Ash asked, his brows furrowed in concern.
“I’m fine. I have way more contracts with regular Spirits, and thanks to Liberation, I won’t be dragged down by the emotions of the Black Spirits.” I had already been squeezing the Black Spirits in the Demon Forest, so this was nothing new.
Wait, does this mean the Hero is with the Light Spirits while I’m on the Black Spirit side? That’s quite the villainous role!
“I’ll make sure it doesn’t get noticed.”
“Do that,” Retze said, squeezing me.
“If it weren’t you, Gene, I’d have destroyed this magic circle to stop it,” Chris said, raising his hands and shaking his head.
“Nobody wishes for harmless magic or the activation of a magic circle from a Black Spirit. It’s usually something dangerous,” Dean shrugged.
There seems to be a strong aversion to anything involving Black Spirits. Well, I think it’s questionable for humans to torment Spirits until they turn black and then exploit them further.
…Sorry, but if you contract with me, various pains should lessen, so please overlook this.
Also, if the Hero takes hold of the box, this magic circle will automatically disappear. If it breaks, it’ll be the Hero’s fault, so let’s go with that.