The Spearmaster and the Black Cat

"Puyuyu, what are you doing?"

Puyuyu was nimbly standing on one leg, using the chair as a pedestal. After lowering its wand, it turned my way while maintaining its posture.

Its eyes were big, round and cute. A small animal with fur that looked awfully fluffy.

"Puyuyu, ceremonial dance?"

"Another weird spell like the one it used to attack my chest?" Kisara covered her voluptuous chest with a hand.

Currently she was wearing her nun's garb without the magic garment, but her tits were so big that they basically spilled out, making her pressing a hand against them look seductive and erotic.

Rebecca fixed her eyes on Kisara's big boobs. Her eyes immediately turned into dots, but then, after shaking her head, she looked back at Puyuyu, "――Shuuya, can I have Puyuyu?"

"Rebecca, so far as it goes, Puyuyu is no stuffed toy, you know?"

"Puyuyu!" Puyuyu screamed.

It apparently got triggered by the "so far as it goes" bit, seeing how it was pointing its wand at me.

"I know that."

Slightly excited, Rebecca approached Puyuyu while examining the interior design of the first floor. On the table where Puyuyu had been performing its ritual thing…small animal bones, cat grass, and oat grains were arrayed up in a circle as if to reproduce a magic crest. A fluffy omelet-rice dish was situated in the center of that circle.

Is that possibly Gramps Ton's cooking? I wonder what's hidden under the egg layer. A honey-colored, sparkling liquid was covering the egg yolk and white like a sheen. Maybe it's a sweet, honey-based sauce? It does look awfully delicious.

In the center of the egg dish towered a small flag…something similar to Granny Bang's amulets…like it's used for kid's lunches.

"That amulet flag is the same as what we've received, isn't it?"

"Nn, effect is a mystery and little mana."

"That's the elder lady who uses rose magic similar to that of the dark elves who used to be subordinates of the Barrier King, right? I have seen that new flower beds have appeared around her house."

Granny Bang's house has apparently transformed into a house of roses. She has been chanting 『……Ruguh wind razelis delyu…<Pseudo-Rose Blowers of Wind Traces>』.

"Granny Bang hails from a family of spellcasters who lived in the Rose Forest or some such."

"She might be a human lady, but it is pretty obvious that she is a witch."

"But, not one of the Back Witch Church, right?"

"Correct."

"Nn, people connected to quirky fates gather around Shuuya?"

"It may be because of Cursed Goddess Kokbruuundozuu-sama."

I guess her necklace is proving to be useful in one way or another.

"…You've not become like the shopkeeper of Suloza, have you?"

"Don't worry, it's no problem," I answered Rebecca with a serious expression.

"Shuuya-sama is the master of the Sea of Spirits after all."

Shiki's words which Hazes had mentioned, huh?

"Ah, you mean the conversation during the night of chaos when that melee took place high up in the sky, right? The Skeletal Mage Hazes who acted as your ally during that battle, was it? The one who made those weird skeleton sounds, huh? And since it's been acknowledged by the Queen of Twilight Lebra, as Kisara-san has said, it means that this area already belongs to you, doesn't it Shuuya?" Rebecca commented while looking at the female Spirit World Knight.

I think she really wanted to take part in that battle. Maybe she also wanted to see the Skeletal Mage. But, Rebecca can't fly.

"…Even if I'm called master of the Sea of Trees, it doesn't really hit home. Rather than that, Shiki's message for me about the apples being delicious and the importance of the tools, land and the spot where Golgonshura had been sealed bother me a lot more."

"Nn, ability to watch from far away. Shiki's power? She also had a spider-like being as a subordinate."

"Probably it's one of those two, right? Though…she also had a strong-looking vampire among her close aides."

"Puyuyuu~" Puyuyu said so as to butt into our conversation.

"…Puyuyu, what's the matter with that dish? Also, this is no place to perform rituals."

"Puyu…"

Puyuyu lowered its wand.

"Puyuyu, is it okay for you to not go back home? It's not like you have no family, right? I'd think your relatives, or rather, your parents back home are sad about you suddenly being gone…"

"Puyuuu."

Looks like my words got through. While the tone of Puyuyu's words changed faintly, it stored its ritual tools away in its bosom. And then it gulped down the dish in one bite.

I had arbitrarily named the small bear cub as Puyuyu, but…it might actually possess a name it cherishes. I kept staring at its adorable appearance. Since it was covered by fur all over, the small pelt didn't stand out overly much. But, it was covered by a bluish-white membrane, like the magic it had shown me when I encountered it for the first time. The surface of its leather belt was also covered by a film.

Did it activate some kind of magic that was linked to the round magic crest on its wand just now? Puyuyu was of a race called Porcid, wasn't it…? Maybe it's some race-specific ritual magic?

A tribe mark was also shining on the surface of the protective armor Puyuyu was wearing.

After Puyuyu stored its things away, it hoisted its wand up and bowed towards me. And then it jumped off the chair, landing on the floor. As it tapped the floor with the butt end of its wand, Puyuyu briskly walked up to me.

"Puyuyu~n, puyu! Puyuyuu~" Puyuyu said haughtily while walking.

…I tried to translate its cryptic Puyuyu language in my own way, based on its attitude.

『Brothers and sister, feel free to use this room as you need! Also, where's my tea?』

Or something like that? I think it might be different since my <Instant Translation> didn't seem to work on its language whatsoever, but it kinda sounded like Puyuyu was saying something along those lines.

For some reason, Puyuyu was breathing hard with its round eyes gleaming while it showed its pure-white teeth through a broad grin.. Rebecca, who had moved next to Puyuyu, also grinned broadly. Apparently unable to resist its fluff, she squatted down, trying to catch Puyuyu all of a sudden.

"――Puyu!"

Puyuyu spread both its arms, and performed a rotational turn while placing its weight on the toes of one leg. It was a movement reminiscent of a ballerina who was wearing a cartoon-character costume.

After dodging Rebecca in such a manner, Puyuyu kept running away while rotating alongside the wall.

"Kuuuh! It's fast at getting away, but its movements are so adorable…"

The cat grass fell out of Puyuyu's body and dropped on the ground. Puyuyu stopped spinning alongside the wall, and jumped atop the block shelf I had built as a cat walk. As it moved from one block to another, it kept leaping higher and higher, moving from the second floor all the way to the attic. Its jumping motions resembled my usage of <Magic Hand guided By Thought> when moving through the sky. At least, I think my jumps would look like this in the eyes of a third party.

"Mysty would have unleashed her "Shit!" I'll definitely experience the wonderful feeling of hugging Puyuyu next time!" Rebecca declared arrogantly while emphasizing her non-existent chest, her arms akimbo.

Then she let her eyes wander, apparently returning to checking out the interior design.

"…But, I gotta say, this first floor has a rather peculiar design, hasn't it?"

"Peculiar, huh? You don't like it?"

"No, that's not it! I meant the opposite! It has a big atrium and the sun brightly shines into the house. It feels really nice. I really wanna move in…" Rebecca murmured while swinging a finger around happily.

"You got a point. It's a design you won't see in Pelneet often, I guess."

"Yep. The wall also uses wooden workmanship as only Shuuya can pull it off. Especially the edges curving from the ceiling all the way down along the atrium would make any carpenter cry in shock as they'd have no clue how such thick wooden blocks had been bent in such a way."

Rebecca praised my tree design that connected the central room situated on small house beams. I had used many root crops, tied into ropes, for the beams that lined up like wooden framework blocks. But, traces of mischief by the Rollo Squad were visible on the floor beneath.

Oh well, whatever.

"Nn, plenty of veggies."

"Donagan gave them to me as a present."

"Hee, that's the dwarf that possessed seeds suited for farming, right? When I pointed it out, he glared at me, though."

"That's because you're a Sweets Empress. He probably feared that you'd devour all of his seeds."

"Wha-!?" Rebecca got angry with her eyebrows flying up.

While laughing, I pointed at a vegetable looking like a dried daikon.

"Having said that, there's also the root crops that Higlia and her wolfmen harvested in the forest."

I remembered that similar vegetables had been dried in the Goldiba Village, too.

"By the way, Gramps Ton had also praised the ceiling's workmanship."

"Nn, the old man with the oddly complicated way of talking who loves to cook and eat acorns?"

"Yep."

That hermit-like grandpa who likes to philosophize and is supposedly able to use his finger to flick the acorns as projectiles. And he also possesses a connection to Sumeragi Fubuki, who I assume to be a reincarnator.

"Sometimes I don't understand what he's saying, but…occasionally he had some heated discussions about black tea with Riedel-chan. Gramps Ton seems to be quite interested in tea.

"I see. For using it in his cooking, eh?"

"Yes. I gave him the tea leaves I had on me. When I did, he said that they smelled different from the ones he knew and that he'd use them to surprise Granny Bang, before dashing off towards his kitchen while all excited."

"Hee."

He's probably in the middle of making dishes using those tea leaves.

Rebecca scanned the interior once more.

"…I've also never seen an interior design based on such wall frames. Did you come up with this as well, Shuuya?"

"Yeah."

It's because some of my modern, artistic sense still remains.

"You've been lamenting over not having the <Woodwork> skill, but I don't really think you need it."

"That might be true, but although I built plenty of houses and furniture, on top of making farming tools and fences for Donagan's fields, I didn't acquire anything."

"Nn, back then your blood message was unusually gloomy, Shuuya."

"Skills are simply like that, you know? I wanted to become a Magic Painter too, but then I ended up with another combat occupation."

"I guess you got a point there. It looks like I've been specializing in nothing but combat-based skills."

"Shuuya, you're a spearmaster, so that's only natural. A skill like <Training Maniac> might also exist――ah!" Rebecca's eyes focused on one point while stretched to make herself taller. "Look! There's a design on one of the small blocks for the cats."

Design?

I followed Rebecca's hand with my eyes. A design, which I've seen somewhere before, was carved on the exterior of a block lining up next to the clothes which Dokoko-san had hung up on a hanger for me.

It's Puyuyu's mark, not mine.

"It's the tribal mark that was also on Puyuyu's armor. That damn furball added it without me noticing!"

"Hihi, that Puyuyu sure is a mysterious race…" Rebecca looked in the direction of Puyuyu's earlier escape.

Did Puyuyu go outside through the cat walk instead of hiding in my bed?

While pondering about that, "…Doesn't that only increase its mysteriousness, coupled with its appearance?", I asked.

"Ahaha, it looks like a furry doll, though," laughed Rebecca.

"Nn."

Eva nodded, but pointed her slender chin to the side as if asking 『What are you going to do about them?』. She was talking about the female knight, Ciel, Sana-san, and Hina-san.

"You're right. Anyway, first off, everyone, please sit down. Sana-san, Hina-san, this way."

"Ah, I've already entered, but pardon my intrusion. This place sure is big."

"Then, please excuse me as well. Since it's my first time visiting a man's home, I feel a bit nervous."

Sana-san and Hina-san said while acting humble, before sitting down on chairs.

"I plan to have you live here, but is that okay?" I asked while taking black sweet water out of my item box.

Eva and Rebecca prepared goblets for everyone.

After I poured the sweet water into everyone's goblet, I continued, "This is something we obtained in a city called Labyrinth City Pelneet. It's a sweet, refreshing, and delicious drink. I think carbonated drinks exist in your world as well. This here is close to a carbonated drink."

"Of course, they exist. Nuko Coke and New Paven are famous."

"Don't tell me, the caps…the bottle's lids aren't used as currency or some such? Those drinks aren't made out of cats, right?" 1

"Caps? The currency is Yen, okay? Hehe, cats aren't used as material for the drinks, no. But, the cat character "Nuko" is famous as a mascot for the carbonated drink. The character has been turned into various merchandise goods, ranging from funny stuff to serious motifs, and it also made an appearance in movies."

"Ah, I got Nuko goods with me," Hina-san added after fixing her glasses.

"I'd love to see them by all means."

"Sure."

Hina-san pressed a button on her sleeve. In response, a simple bag appeared from within. The bag, which had expanded like a folded balloon snake when its knots came undone, maintained its shape of a proper, rectangle bag.

Moreover, the entire bag was full of Nuko character goods.

Anyway, how does that sleeve of hers work? Air compression? It was as weird as a jack-in-the-box, but…then again, I'm not in any position to comment on this since I also possess a weird item box.

Hina-san doesn't have any bracelets like Sana-san. I guess those bracelets with their special mythological pipe fox drawings are only for Sana-san… It's very likely that her nails and bracelets are linked with the semi-transparent warrior Matabei.

Also, the same button was visible on Sana-san's uniform. I wonder whether a similar bag is going to pop out if Sana-san pushes her button like Hina-san did.

"Whaaa~, it's full of cat dolls!!"

"Nn, cute. Also has some elaborate ones like magically-created creatures."

Eva and Rebecca immediately jumped at the goods. Kisara, on the other hand, didn't move at all. She cast a fleeting glance at the bag, but then looked back at the female knight.

Hina-san didn't understand the language, but she apparently understood Rebecca and Eva's feelings from their reactions. She took out two cat goods from her bag, and offered them to Eva and Rebecca.

"You're giving them to us?"

"Yes."

Hina-san understood what Rebecca was asking from the sound of her voice.

"Yay, thanks a bunch!"

"Nn, as thanks I'll give you some of the sweets I bought from a competitor to investigate them."

"Ah, I received those earlier already, so…," Hina-san turned down the donuts which Eva offered her shyly.

"……"

The female knight seemed to be curious about the Nuko goods, too. She was staring at them with greed coloring her eyes.

"Hina. Those are the rare ones you collected – the 「Spa Nuko」 and 「Tres Bien Nuko」, aren't they? Are you sure?"

"Yes, it's okay. It's also a thanks for them having saved us. Moreover, this here seems to be a world where it'll be quite tough for me to survive on my sorcery skills alone, so…I want to get along with Shuuya-san's group as much as possible."

"…I…I guess you have a point," Sana-san repeatedly blinked at Hina-san's words.

Did she feel shaken by the clear-cut nature of Hina-san's words and attitude?

Sana-san looked at me before turning her eyes back to Hina-san. Meanwhile, Hina-san fixed her eyes on me after watching Eva and Rebecca. Her small black eyes, which seemed to contain a lot of cleverness, trembled. It was just for an instant, but it looked to me as if stars twinkled deep within. I could sense her womanhood.

『…Your Excellency, how about turning Hina-san into your bloodkin?』

『So you're not recommending Sana-san, who can employ Matabei, but Hina-san, eh? Is that related to the stuff we talked about a while ago?』

『Yes, she has a sharp mind』

『I see』

『I took a liking to her resolute spirit that allows her to appeal herself to you while using her womanly charm for the sake of survival. Even at this moment, she's been closing in, trying to nestle up to you. I suspect that her abilities as mage are fairly outstanding, too』

She's right. Even now she's directing a passionate gaze at me through her glasses. And Hina-san has been slowly shifting her seating position, continuously drawing closer.

『…I judged her skill in manipulating mana to not be that different from Sana-san's either』

『It might be different from Matabei who is being operated by Sana-san, but I am certainly curious about the abilities she's hiding』

『She's hiding…? I didn't notice. Nothing less of your unique eyes as a spirit, Helme』

『It wasn't me but the spirits who got an inkling of it. Just as with Sana-san's nails, the spirits have also been gathering around her nails』

So that's the reason.

『Are the spirits interested in the existence of something similar to a different world's magic?』

『Yes, indeed』

At that point I stopped the telepathic conversation.

"…For the time being, feel free to drink this here," I offered the sweet water to Sana-san and Hina-san, and then looked at Ciel.

She was conscious, but her eyes were unfocused, staring into empty air. Everyone else could also tell from her state, and that's why they nodded with the intent to leave things to me.

I took Ciel's hand and kindly guided her to the wooden sofa.

"Aaua," Ciel wailed quietly with a miserable voice.

Each time she took a step, small purplish red butterflies flew off her body. Did her body become somewhat smaller? Her expression looked absentminded, and that worried me, but…for starters I had her sit down on the sofa, and then looked at the female Spirit World Knight. Support us on Patreon & read more than 40 chapters ahead!

The knight had been checking my house in the same way Rebecca did. Next she confirmed the location of her weapon that was affixed to her waist.

So she wasn't admiring the interior design, but was looking for an escape route in case of a battle. Quite easy to read, that girl.

I exchanged a look with Eva. Eva nodded, and touched the knight's body. Given that she had nodded, it looks like she read most of her mind already.

"Shuuya, should I touch Ciel, too?"

Because the knight was pretty straightforward in her behavior anyway, Eva didn't point out anything in particular. 𝙗𝙚𝙙𝒏𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡．𝙣𝒆𝙩

"Yes, please. Rebecca, Kisara, keep an eye on the Spirit World Knight's movements.

"It'll be okay. As long as she isn't an idiot, that is…"

Blue flames manifested inside Rebecca's eyes as if she was looking forward to the knight putting up a resistance. No wind was blowing in here, but her blond forelocks being gently lifted up as if under the effect of a mana wind had an impact.

"Sure, such a situation would be rather convenient. It would allow me to chastise Ms. Spirit World Knight with the blades of these lovely daggers in Shuuya-sama's stead."

Kisara-san, you're so damn scary.

Without me even noticing when it happened, she was suddenly grasping sacred darkness in both hands. A silver chain was hanging down from a metal loop at the pommel of those daggers, and a shining cross was installed on the other end of those chains. At the same time turquoise mana blades extended from the physical dagger blades.

Sana-san and Hina-san muttered, "Beam sabers?" and "A heat-based weapon, huh?"

"Kisara-san, although it's a short sword, you've mastered mana blades? They do look somewhat special."

"Yes, I have. Rebecca-san, you have been using a magic wand and special fist blades as well, haven't you?"

Kisara's two mana blades passed in front of the female knight's eyes.

It seems like Kisara isn't only good at spearmanship, but also dagger arts. Maybe it's a part of her grappling skills, though.

"My katar and Guphon's Magic Wand, huh? Guphon is Unique, but the katar at my fists are special, just as you say! They are Legendary weapons which had been used by Katar Do Gluvulchet, a Spirit World Warrior, not Knight."

Rebecca put on the katar and extended her arm as if to match Kisara. It appears to also serve as a way to show the effect of her having learned hand-to-hand fighting.

"Your blue flames and the quality of your outstanding movements…"

"Hehe, thankies. I'll give you my treasured sweets later on!"

"Nn, how rare."

Just as Eva had muttered, it was certainly unusual for Sweets Empress Rebecca to offer her cherished sweets to someone other than Eva. She must have been quite overjoyed about Kisara praising her prided weapons and fist movements.

But, the female knight's eyes took on a sharp glint as she watched Kisara and Rebecca's weapons pass in front of her nose with such force that they cut her forelocks. She activated something akin to Demonic Eyes. A crimson 卍 surfaced on the surface of her golden iris.

Maybe she's measuring the distance to Kisara and Rebecca's weapons.

But, noticing my look on her, the knight made her pupils dilate and shrink. Just to suddenly make them dilate once more. The edges of her thin, golden eyebrows also moved up and down. She appeared to be agitated after looking at my eyes.

The 卍 in her irises fell apart like dust, vanishing.

"…What are you planning to do with me? This doesn't seem to be a dungeon, but…," the female knight asked while letting her eyes wander as if being baffled.

Without mentioning the Demonic Eyes, I told here, "Hurry up and sit down."

"……Kuuh."

She grunted unhappily while chewing on her lips, but then she lowered her butt on a chair. At that moment, the tip of her magic sword's scabbard bumped against the floor.

Her hands were still bound by blue flame shackles, but we deliberately allowed her to keep her weapon.

Now then, I guess the problem is Ciel.

Eva had placed a hand on top of Ciel's trembling hand. The female knight was garnering for attention, but I didn't pay any heed to that and continued talking to everyone else.

Assuming I were to invite Quiche as bloodkin and form an alliance with the ancient wolfmen, bringing the protection of this place to perfection…this village still needs to increase its combat forces. If possible, I plan to also bring in people who used to be enemies. And the knight over here is a beauty to boot.

But well, that has to wait until the talk with Ciel finishes…

"…Shuuya, earlier it was impossible, but I've become able to feel Ciel's mind a bit," Eva told me.

"What is it like?"

"Nn, full with nothing but "Jody"…it's certainly not normal."

Not normal, huh?

Eva's eyes trembled and raced about as she seemed to be at a loss and agitated. Her expression and the intonation of her world probably hinted towards Ciel being beyond help.

Kisara observed Eva's face and her hand movements with a mystified look. I did inform Kisara about Eva's Extra Skill <Violet Magic Mind Resonance>. But, to an outsider it looked as though Eva's hand was just touching Ciel. Obviously Rebecca was already aware of Eva possessing a mind-reading skill.

"…Okay."

After meeting my eyes, Eva nodded with sadness written on her face. Eva's own heart was fairly delicate. This is just my own conjecture, but maybe she feels something like a tightening of her chest when she encounters an ailing mind.

Eva put on a gentle expression so as to veil her elusive sadness, and caressed Ciel's head. Ciel responded by nestling her hand against Eva's palm. It was a behavior similar to a kitten acting spoiled when being groomed.

But then, Ciel asked, "Jody?", with a smile.

Ciel's expression that carried sorrow within its smile was heartrending… Precisely because I clearly recalled my battle against the powerful Ciel who wielded her big scythe so skillfully, it deeply stung my heart with grief. The feelings of pity intensely reverberated within my chest.

And just as before, several earthworm-like blood veins surfaced in the remaining eye of Ciel. Particle-shaped tears, tiny butterflies, spilled out of that pitiful eye, fluttering into the vicinity. But, the butterflies lost their shape mid-flight, and vanished like fleeting dreams as if melting with the atmosphere.

Kisara and Helme had pointed it out, but it was a way of vanishing which clearly indicated that Ciel is in the process of losing her power. Cracks were running across her beautiful body made out of butterflies.

The female knight also gazed at this with a perplexed expression, muttering, "So this is a Death Butterfly person…just as the rumors stated."

She obviously knew about the Death Butterfly people. She was probably in the middle of some kind of mission in the Southern Mahaheim region.

Well, for now, Ciel's matters come first.

"…Some time ago, I talked about her with Quiche and everyone else, but it sounded like they didn't know of any method to totally heal her mind. But, Luciel, who's well-versed in light magic, mentioned that she heard about a light spell capable of healing spirit and mind. Though it's just something she heard of."

"As for the magic mentioned by Luciel-san, I heard about something similar as well," Kisara commented after having modestly stayed silent during my earlier meeting with Quiche and the others.

Her experience of the Great Goldix Desert sure is a valuable asset.

"What did you hear about it?"

"Forgive me, but it is not like I know the full details. It is mostly the same as what Luciel-san said earlier."

"That's fine. Please tell us anyway."

"Okay. It is said that bishops who lead the priests in the Holy Church, and the archbishops above them possess a special "Mind Magic" within their repertoire of light spells that is supposedly capable of healing people's minds. I heard about this at the 【Martial Artist Bar – Eight Star Swords】 and the 【Demonoid Bar Fu Gand Buy】, located at the lake shore of Lake Rhinoceros."

Come to think of it, a while back I heard about the ranks in the Holy Church from Nora.

"The bishops are above priests, archbishops are above them, and cardinals are above archbishops. I think this is the hierarchy of the Vatican, the Holy Church of Religious State Hesliphat. That means the church already existed back when you were active in the desert, Kisara."

"Yes. I heard that a small number of outstanding bishops who could use that kind of mind magic existed among the members of the 【Holy King Exploration Knight Order】…the people of Hesliphat which bordered the desert. But, that 【Holy King Exploration Knight Order】 opposed us of the Black Witch Church in addition to the religious group led by Human God Ameph and a heretic group that had devoured the corpses of the 【Sebdola Faith】. They should have been annihilated."

The Great Befaritz Empire collapsed around 500 to 800 years ago. The members of 【Bloody Long Ears of the White Whale】 were all part of Befaritz's special forces. However, after experiencing countless hardships…they managed to reach the 【Neutral Violent Tower City Senapua】 in the distant Southern Mahaheim.

The demons had advanced on the surface through a tear in the Great Forest of Demonic Haunts, which was one of the reasons for Befaritz's downfall. And because a frontline against those demons formed in the northern region of the Great Goldix Desert, the Religious State Hesliphat probably came into existence as linchpin of the Holy Church. No, maybe the Holy Kingdom Arkhamneris, which was facing the Tear, became independent under the pretext of fighting off the demons? 2

Anyway, I guess the 【Holy King Exploration Knight Order】, which had been dispatched by Hesliphat on an expedition into the southern parts of the great desert, was ultimately annihilated. I think the incident of Kisara's Black Witch Church being attacked by several organizations happened after this?

The current Religious State, which was created by the remnants of Ameph's religious group, the ones who won in the end, was now ruling over the desert. Even so, the desert was huge. The Ameph country might be no more than a small country ruling over a part of the cities in the desert.

After considering all that, I spoke up, "…I see. But, right now we don't have access to any such magic, and it'd take time to look for it. If I get indebted to my acquaintance Collector or Chianelas, it might be possible to obtain it relatively fast, but…"

"It's not guaranteed."

I nodded at Eva's words.

"Indeed. Rather, I think the chances are low. It'd be a scroll of high-class magic that can't even be used by all priests of the Holy Church, right? It's unlikely that someone is going to carry it around without using it. I didn't spot any in the Magic Street, and even the Underground Auction hosted only very, very few items related to light magic."

Because Rebecca has been checking the Magic Street often enough, her words were persuasive.

"So I don't have any choice but to use Golgonshura's gem after all?"

I took the egg-shaped gem out of my pocket. Everyone stared at it.

『Your Excellency, I am ready to fight at anytime. We can challenge the revival of Jody or heal Ciel's mind!』

Helme approved while in my left eye. Her mini-chara appearance cutely extended a hand in my visual field, pointing at the gem in my hand.

『…It is pretty, but it is an aggregation of Golgonshura's divinity who had failed in absorbing me…』

While talking with Helme in my mind, I tried to poke the wing of a butterfly, which looked like a colored flower petal, on the surface of the egg gem.

"I think that'd be the quickest solution. But, I'm against it. If you let the gem absorb your mana to revive the demi-goddess once more, it'll lead to disaster, you know? You saw the inside of her prison, didn't you…?"

Certainly, those scratch marks…if you consider the time she's been locked up…it's clear that she's gone insane.

"I agree with Rebecca-san."

"Nn, the risk is naturally high, but I support the notion since I think that Shuuya will be able to handle it one way or another."

"There also exists the option of opening the silver coffin with Kizeleg," supplemented Kisara.

"I examined that coffin-like box, but….it has no key hole. According to Sana-san and Hina-san, it also shuts out mana. Though I can't confirm it since I haven't actually tried to pour mana into it."

Sana-san and Hina-san remained silent. Probably because they didn't understand our conversation.

"Nn, Gol frantically called for Kizeleg. In that case, Kizeleg must be her family or kin. If you were to release that Kizeleg, he should wonder why Gol isn't around. And then, once he learns of her death, it's very likely that he will challenge Shuuya, who defeated her to a battle out of revenge."

Everyone nodded at Eva's words. Hina-san and Sana-san looked as if they had question marks floating above their heads, despite not being Catiza, as they didn't understand the language.

The female knight had narrowed her eyes while listening.

"It's a very natural conclusion. That's why we'll leave Kizeleg alone for the time being. Just as Helme pointed out, I'm going to use <White Flame Sage Hand> to pour mana into the white jewel held by Ciel and the egg-shaped gem containing Gol's divinity…"

"…Shuuya-sama, are you going to disregard the Water Goddess's warning?"

"Faith is important, but Jody formed a contract with me while bearing the risks…besides, I can't forget the expression she made back then. She looked kind of awfully happy, I think? And as her contracted master, I wish to answer her willpower. For this reason…as for the danger of reviving Golgonshura, I'll bear that risk――"

"Nn, Shuuya, it's not "I", but "everyone.""

"Yeah, it's just as Eva says. Bloody hell, don't try to carry all the burden by yourself just because you're our suzerain! We're family. That's why we'll help you if it comes to a fight against Golgonshura. Also, we need to go through harsh experiences in order to let our <Blood Mana> grow."

"We won't get any stronger if you only pamper us out of misguided kindness."

Family, huh? Well, it does feel like a family consultation. Thanks, all of you.

But, I left Pelneet…and I never intended to pamper you.

"…So this is the backbone of <Head Servant Leaders>, huh? Thanks, it taught me a lot. Also, about the matter of Golgonshura's revival…I think it will not end in a battle if we hand over Kizeleg to her.

Eva, Rebecca, and Kisara looked at each other.

"Certainly."

"You might have a point."

"Right? So, everyone, thanks. If Jody revives, Ciel's mind might recover as well. I think it's smart to think positively when it comes to situations like this one."

Eva strongly reacted to my words. After smiling like an angel, she exclaimed "Nn――!" and lifted her hand.

"I heard about the technique that succeeded in healing Spirit-sama. Shuuya, your sage art has evolved too."

"I was also saved by his water magic after I fought."

"But, granted you formed a contract with them, it's still strange that you feel so strongly about the Death Butterfly women whom you fought before that."

"It is because Shuuya-sama fought them once. I suspect that a part of him respects them as fellow martial artists."

Kisara isn't just a spear user, but also a martial artist, that's why she can probably relate.

"Nn, you understand Shuuya's feelings well," Eva commented while looking at Kisara.

『She shouldn't possess an ability allowing her to read minds, but…』 or something like that, is what she might be thinking about.

"…I am happy to hear that. I am mostly dominated by my feelings of wanting to be close to Shuuya-sama as a man and messiah, but…a part of me feels proud as a martial artist for having fought him seriously. And, no matter the opponent, I also respect the martial techniques and skills employed by them."

Kisara felt a bit like Viine. I thought so before as well, but I think those two might be quite compatible.

"…That is, honestly spoken, quite persuasive…"

"Nn, because it's the word of a martial artist who seriously fought Shuuya."

"…Shuuya, let's have a serious fight, okay?"

Rebecca-san, why are you all eager to duke it out all of a sudden?

"No, it'd be impossible for me to fight you seriously."

"Why!? Even though you fought Kisara-san seriously beforehand!"

"Look…something like fighting a woman I love with a genuine intent to kill while looking at your lovely face all the while…is a tall order…"

"Auu…you dummy…"

Rebecca's cheeks became so red that they looked as if steam was rising from them as she cast her face down. Rebecca patted her friend's back with a smile.

Kisara coughed unnaturally, "Should we then move in front of Golgonshura's prison again?", and destroyed the nice mood with that question.

"You're right. I think that's a good place over there to do Ciel's healing. But, before we move over, I'll have Eva touch the Iglued tree. And I think I should also ask the female Spirit World Knight to introduce herself.

The knight reacted with a twitch of her eyebrow.

If it's possible to scout her, then let's give it a try.

"Finally, eh…? But, you're going to do something capable of reviving Golgonshura for the sake of a Death Butterfly Woman who lost her power? Are you people dumb or something?"

"It's not said that the demi-goddess is going to revive."

"Indeed. Shuuya-sama, should I silence that cheeky mouth of hers with my daggers?" Kisara hissed coldly while releasing her aura as Four Heavenly Witch.

I shook my head, stopping her. Kisara scowled at the knight while looking kind of disappointed.

"Nn, Shuuya, this knight wishes to die fighting if she's going to die anyway. And she's very alert as her Demonic Eyes' power doesn't work on me, you, and Rebecca."

Figures, anyone would be wary in such a situation. But, does that mean her Demonic Eyes worked on Kisara?

"She's been thinking things like, 『This man is called Shuuya, huh? That's the spearmaster who became famous in Pelneet. If he truly defeated Delhart, he's as strong as Padoh the Ogre or Four-Eye Rulizeze. But, rather than that, his night-like eyes are extremely beautiful…and the black-leathered boots, which have apparently been made by Spirit World Enchanter Arzen, fit him quite nicely too…』, and then 『How odd. My senses as woman have been sharpened. For me to feel so strongly about that man…it's something I've never experienced before…although there should be plenty of other strong fighters about in the Spirit World…in an instant, a feeling that transcends loyalty…ah, have I been kept alive because offering my body and soul to him is part of it?』, and she also imagines some lewd things like 『If it's a strong man, there's merit…in being submitted forcibly』, just as you'd expected of a perverted bitch in heat."

For real?

"Moreover, she feels very ashamed to have lost against Spirit-sama. And it looks like she still can'T believe that you defeated Spirit World Knight Delhart, who survived the harsh battlefields of the Spirit World and possesses the divine protection of Dark God Aldin."

"Wh-…!? You possess a divine power…no, a devil tool to read minds?"

The knight was surprised. And apparently having judged that Eva's magic wheelchair was a tool to read her mind, she stared fixedly at the magic wheelchair while hurling her question at Eva. She was drenched in sweat, causing her golden hair to stick to her forehead while something like steam billowed up from her nape.

She seems to be excited. Maybe in an erotic way.

"…If it's Delhart, I’ve fought and defeated him. I haven't seen his corpse, so maybe he's survived. So, what's your name? Also, Eva mentioned your feelings, but it's just as you say, you're a beauty, so I also hoped for such a development," I told her frankly.

"…I-I see… My name is Shuhelia. Many call me Demonic Twin Blade Shuhelia. So, umm, you intend to conquer my secret garden to turn me into your pawn…?" Shuhelia asked with crimson cheeks while repeatedly casting fleeting glances at my face.

It looks like she's embarrassed to have her true feelings exposed.

"No, no, sorry to have given your expectations, but I'm not that easy-going to jump into a bed with you right away," I explained with a laugh.

"Nn, Shuuya, ero-honesty," Eva chimed in, laughing as well.

But, it's totally as she says.

"Shuhelia is quite beautiful, so I can understand Shuuya being attracted to her. But, because she's a strong Spirit World Knight, she could become part of the personnel necessary to protect this village, correct?"

"Correct. Helme also harbors expectations of her."

『Yes. Her skill with the two magic swords is so terrifyingly high that Solobo feels like a toddler when swinging his silver sword. I also recommend to turn her into a bloodkin』

I suppose it's because Helme fought Shuhelia personally. The yellow, flash-like magic blade Shuhelia unleashed during the air battle made me instinctively let go of my cherished Baldok…

"Shuuya-sama…" Kisara powerfully grabbed my arm as I stared at Shuhelia.

Her looking worriedly at me through her black mask is lovable. She seems to be jealous.

"It's fine. Leave it to me.

"Okay."

Having said that, Shuhelia was a Spirit World Knight. She was under the command of Demonic Moth King Zebal, one of the Spirit World's lords. Even if she might have been active on Sela, she should know quite a bit about the internal affairs of Sebdola. In other words, she was a person knowing the Spirit World and the surface, which made her precious.

That experience might allow her to not only become a part of Cydale's defense, but also help us out in various other areas. Moreover, Shuhelia fortunately looks human.

She had racial skin patterns as you wouldn't find on humans, but her appearance was completely identical to humans otherwise. Even if she were to stand smack down in the middle of a human city, she wouldn't feel out of place at all.

And above all that, she met an important condition: She has been looking at me with a sharp glint in her eyes, but…I could feel the will to talk with me from her.

"…I think she pledged her allegiance to Demonic Moth King Zebal, though."

"So you're aware of my lord. That's true. But, existences like mine can be found anywhere in the Spirit World. Moreover, someone like me who has been defeated in disgrace…will likely be discarded like trash. In reality…," she said while sadly looking at her wrist.

A bracelet? I can see something like a string there.

"…I think a valuable asset like Delhart might be forgiven, but…even so, he's someone caring a lot about pride and reputation, so…"

Does the Spirit World also have something like a noble society to care about reputation? Which reminds me…I heard about ranks such as Demon Marquis or Demon Duke.

Eva touched Shuhelia's hand and nodded, "Nn, she's telling the truth."

Well, I suppose it's only natural.

At that point, I passed Shuhelia a new leather cloth.

"Wipe yourself with this."

"T-Thanks," she honestly thanked me and accepted the cloth, using it to wipe off the sweat drenching her nape and forehead.

Her golden hair swayed, causing a nice fragrance, the peculiar fermented smell of a woman, to drift my way. The way of her wiping herself looked strangely lewd.

The sweat that accumulated at her collarbones trickled down towards her moderate breasts that were hidden underneath her magic armor. I ended up imagining how the sweat droplets bounced off her boobs' pointed nipples. I was charmed by her showing her frailty as a female knight.

As I thought that it'd be bad if I kept staring at her like that, I shifted my eyes to Adombraly's ring. I had asked the Burning Knights who returned to the Spirit World a short while ago, but I think I should have Ado meet Shuhelia, too.

And, just as it was mentioned in the status…I should try to draw the power out of that ruby ring which was inhabited by ado.

Before healing Ciel and persuading Shuhelia…I'll carve a crest on Adombraly's forehead. The ability boosted by this action seems to change depending on the artistic style. I'll give it a go.

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Translation Notes:

The Nuko Coke above uses ヌコ for Nuko which is a slang term for cats. As for the caps, the second name sounds similar to New Haven, so maybe it's got something to do with that? Not sure as it sounds like a reference to a manga or anime, but I can't quite pinpoint it.A longer rant about historical assumptions completely unrelated to the current topic follows after this. Well, most of the novel is a huge rant, but in favor of keeping some kind of story line, I'm cutting it out.