Chapter 41

I apologize for the delay in updating.

The reason is that the other day, I exchanged a large amount of Japanese banknotes for tokens and inserted them into a pachinko machine, but the tokens paid out by the machine were not enough to exchange for special prizes, resulting in the impossibility of recovering the investment amount, and I was deeply hurt by this.

I will be more careful to avoid such occurrences in the future and approach pachinko with a fresh mindset.

I sincerely request your understanding and cooperation.

P.S. "Where is the cash exchange counter?" has become my recent trend to ask the staff.

"Proposal?"

I ask Forest in return.

Despite such a "blunder," the fact that he still wants to talk about it suggests there might be something behind it.

"Yes. The Earl would like to request that you supply Mithril alloy to the Earl's family. The Earl said so."

"Hmm..."

What should I say?

Suspicious. Very suspicious. But it's also an attractive offer.

The rumor of the summoning of a spirit of terror will likely spread throughout the town of Badgold in the next few days. If the rumor spreads, I might not even be able to stay in this town, let alone deal in Mithril alloy. That much is clear.

At such a time, for them to bring up a deal is something I can't help but feel grateful for. I might end up accepting without thinking. It's a very trap-like timing.

Well, I'll decline. There's no need to make money through Mithril alloy. I'll avoid unnecessary risks.

"..."

While thinking this, I glance at Yuki.

Yuki looks at me with a face that seems to be "itching" for something.

Why is she itching? The reason comes to mind immediately. Probably a "this time for sure!" kind of feeling. She must think this is a chance to make up for the past. Does that mean she has come up with a good plan?

What should I do?

...No, wait.

I realize, as Yuki pointed out, that pretending to be "struggling" is one of my bad habits. The answer is already decided. "It doesn't matter." Then I should think positively.

Yes, even if I fail, it will be fine. If I can take advantage of this good opportunity, it will be more efficient, and it will also help with Yuki's mental care.

"Yuki, can I leave it to you?"

"I will take care of it, Master."

Yuki, trying to look cool but unable to hide her joy, bowed and started talking to Forest about the deal. She looks like a capable secretary. Though what she's doing goes beyond the scope of a secretary.

Thus, Yuki and Forest discussed and finalized the details.

"Master, we need to meet with the Earl. What is your schedule?"

"You can decide all our plans for this matter, Yuki."

"Understood. I will aim to create the shortest possible schedule."

By the time their conversation ended, Yuki had asked me a question. Since I have no plans or anything, I told her to decide everything on her own. I also asked her to make it as short as possible, but it seems she already understood without me saying it.

The meeting concluded.

Tomorrow, we will meet the Earl visiting Badgold, followed by dinner. The next morning, we will move to the commercial city of Renyado with the Earl, and in the afternoon, we will have a meeting. In the evening, we will have a dinner with the Earl's family. The day after, we will have another meeting in the morning and sign the contract in the afternoon.

...This is quite a rush. Well, it helps me, but I wonder if the Earl is okay with it?

"Then, I will come to pick you up at the scheduled time tomorrow evening."

Forest, with a formal and lengthy farewell, bowed gracefully and left the room. He is a very polite and meticulous old man.

"He seems to be a reasonable person. From my brief impression, I think he can be somewhat flexible."

Yuki says something unexpected.

"Is there any possibility of a trap?"

"It can't be ruled out, but the possibility is very low. They immediately cleared three days of their schedule to accommodate us, and they even sent the house steward as a greeting. They must be very determined to make this deal successful."

"I see."

The house steward is the highest-ranking among those who serve the master, making it the most powerful greeting diplomatically. Moreover, for someone of the Earl's status to clear three days of his schedule at once is almost impossible unless it's something very important. This means the Mithril alloy deal is very important to the Earl. He must really want the Mithril alloy.

...I see. It has a slightly troublesome smell, but it doesn't seem to be a trap. If this deal goes through, it could be a good opportunity to earn money while gaining experience. It will bring us one step closer to the world's best (mansion). However, Yuki will be quite busy.

"Though I said that earlier, is it okay to leave everything to you?"

"Yes, I will take care of it. I will present it to you in the form you desire, Master."

"You're reliable. But that's not what I mean. I'm asking if it's a burden for you."

"Burden?"

She looks surprised... or maybe not. Yuki's facial expressions are so subtle that it's sometimes hard to tell.

"Considering the blacksmithing, taking care of me, and acting as a secretary, plus standing in for the deal... I would collapse from overwork."

"I'm doing it because I want to. It's not a big deal. To me, aiming for the world's best is much more challenging."

"...Is that so?"

I thought about it, but the vectors are so different that they can't be compared. But I don't feel bad about it.

"Besides... unlike assassination, it's fulfilling."

Yuki, slightly looking down, said this with a glance upward. Then she continued.

"You promised to help me. So, I can trust you and just move forward without looking back at my dark past."

Yuki smiled a little.

I was genuinely happy.

She will follow me no matter what. Her resolve is clear. If that's the case, I can't let her down.

I will try to cultivate her as quickly as possible, but steadily, accurately, and carefully. I believe this will benefit me, her, and everyone.

"We need to become the best in the world soon."

I said this with a wry smile. Thinking of "the best in the world" reminded me of something unpleasant.

Yuki, sensing this, looks slightly exasperated.

What did she sense? It's the inevitable path to becoming the best in the world.

"I'll send it out again tomorrow morning, so at least be prepared."

"Understood... but to be honest, I have no confidence in getting along with it."

"Me neither..."

The next day, after breakfast.

The three of us gathered in my room.

"Then, I'll summon it."

"W-wait. I'm almost ready mentally."

"...I'm a bit scared."

Sylvia and Eko seem a bit nervous. That's understandable, considering they were forced to crawl on the ground yesterday by overwhelming power.

The spirit, by the system, should not disobey me. So, I am at ease, but they don't know that. I tried to explain it a few times during breakfast, but their anxiety didn't seem to go away.

Also, there is one thing that concerns me. Even if Angolmoa doesn't oppose me, might it oppose Sylvia and the others? If I command it not to oppose, will it obey? At least in Mefion, I couldn't give such a command. It's uncertain how it will turn out.

"Alright, it's fine."

Sylvia is gripping the Flame Wolf Bow, probably ready to use force if necessary.

"I'm ready too!"

Eko is straightforward. She will probably defend with the Rock Shield. But only her ears are visible behind the shield.

"I'm fine too."

...Yuki is also hiding behind Eko's shield.

"Hey, that's cheating!"

Sylvia also went. Yeah...

Well, let's summon it.

"Here we go."

I summoned Angolmoa with the "Spirit Summoning" skill.

A summoning array appeared in the center of the room. It was a small array, about 2 meters in diameter, unlike the large one used for the first summoning.

"---My Second! What is the meaning of this!"

Angolmoa immediately started yelling upon appearing. The grand appearance is very intimidating. The three of them completely hid behind the shield.

"Ah, thanks for coming out normally."

I thanked her first. I don't want her to cause a storm or anything in this small room.

"...I only did it because you asked for it to be normal this time."

She pouted. Is she sulking? This guy might be more straightforward than I thought.

"Anyway, I need an explanation. Why was I immediately sent back? Was my great power not needed?"

"No, it's not needed right now. But it will be needed eventually."

"I see, understood. Wait, that's not an answer."

"You caught that."

"Second... Is my treatment a bit careless? I am the King of Spirits, the ruler of all spirits, you know?"

"So what? I'm the best in the world."

"What! My Second is such a remarkable person! I see, I see, hahaha! A fitting master for the ruler of all spirits!"

Wow, this is so easy to handle. People like this would fall for a scam.

"Hey, I just wondered, are you male or female? How old are you? And what should I call you?"

"I am the King of Spirits. I have no gender. I have no age. I can be male or female, 1 year old or 10,000 years old. My name is Angolmoa. You can call me whatever you like. Angoomoa or Angreum is fine too."

Anything goes with this guy.

"I see, got it. I'll call you Angolmoa. And I'll introduce my companions."

"My Second's companions! The companions of the best in the world, very interesting."

Sylvia and Yuki cautiously came out from behind the shield. Eko peeked out from the side of the shield.

"From left to right, Sylvia, Yuki, and Eko."

"Hmm... I can tell. Sylvia is a skilled archer. Yuki is a good blacksmith. Eko handles a shield. A very balanced team."

Oh! ...Oh?

"How can you tell?"

"I don't know. But something is coming to me through my Second... Oh, oh, oh! I can tell, I can tell!"

Is knowledge being shared in real-time?

"Angolmoa, who was the first emperor?"

I asked as a test. Well, there's no way he would know—

"Emperor Jimmu, of course!"

...

This is serious...

"Hahaha! I get it, my Second. You're saying I'm a genius like Emperor Jimmu! No, I'm inferior to my Second. No, I should be called Seven—"

Send back!!

"..."

We managed to avoid any issues.

From the three's puzzled faces, it seems we were just barely safe.

I took a deep breath to calm down and summoned Angolmoa again with "Spirit Summoning."

"Don't send me back suddenly! It's a shock!"

He was angry.

I ignored him and desperately thought, "Don't reveal my information."

"Ugh... Fine, fine. Understood."

It worked!

...I see, this strange sense of unity is for telepathic communication. What a pain.

"Try thinking something."

"(Can you hear me, my Second?)"

"(I can hear you, it's amazing!)"

"(Wow! This is a very pleasant feeling!)"

"(Same here. What is this, a sense of unity?)"

"(Yes, a sense of unity.)"

Hmm, hmm... This is great! Too great. The tactical range has expanded significantly. The telepathic system and Angolmoa, the King of Spirits, will greatly contribute to becoming the best in the world. I'm getting excited.

Especially Angolmoa, the rarest spirit among all spirits. Spirits have an evolution system, and the final strength of spirits is adjusted so that there isn't a significant difference. However, Angolmoa has a characteristic that stands out.

It's the "Lightning Attribute." The proof of being the King of Spirits, who governs the four major elements: fire, water, wind, and earth. In Mefion, the Lightning Attribute was considered a non-element. Angolmoa can perform attribute attacks that do not follow the absolute rule of "fire > earth > wind > water > fire." Specifically, it deals 1.1 times the damage to all attributes, bypassing the 1.25 times damage when advantageous. This is a significant advantage because there are no disadvantageous attributes. It's broken.

And.

Thanks to the "sense of unity," I somehow know how to use "Lightning Attribute Magic."

—No way.

I checked the "Magic" skill list, and I had learned all the "Lightning Attribute" skills from "Lightning Attribute - First Form" to "Lightning Attribute - Fifth Form" at level 16.

...

...What?

I don't know this! The "Magic" skill in Mefion didn't have a Lightning Attribute. I've never heard of players who obtained Angolmoa being able to use it.

"(I know some amazing things!)"

"(Indeed, our compatibility is good.)"

"(Compatibility... compatibility, huh?)"

This doesn't seem like a problem that can be solved with such a simple word... I have no idea why.

Well, let's be happy about it.

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