LS2RW 34

CHAPTER 34

‘Cecile came into direct contact with the summoning circle. That’s why she was so weak and thin—enough to pass out.’

Another two weeks and she might’ve died.

All those notes telling her to “endure for two weeks” or that she was “lucky” suddenly made sense.

“How powerful a demon was he trying to summon to go that far?”

— Who knows? The conditions change depending on the demon being summoned.

— Lord Lian, if you’d like, you could learn the demon language. Then you’d be able to read the runes inscribed on the summoning circle.

“I don’t want to go as far as learning demon script just to identify who summoned it. Let’s just get rid of it as soon as the life energy dissipates.”

— That much life energy won’t vanish overnight, though?

“How long? Two days? Three? Don’t tell me… more than a month?”

Undine snorted arrogantly.

— A month? That’s a joke. For that amount of life energy to naturally disperse? Try a hundred years.

— And with the natural energy weakened by the summoning circle, it could take even longer.

“A hundred years is… wait, WHAT? A hundred years?!”

— At least a hundred, yes. What will you do now, Lord Lian?

I already had too much to hide and protect.

And since this was a damn child-rearing fantasy story, who knew how long until the ending? Hiding that I was the dark sorcerer on top of everything else was too much.

But no one’s come here for five years. If I just add a shield, wouldn’t that be enough for now?

“What if we just shielded the entire building? That alone would make me feel safer.”

The spirits huddled together and began whispering.

Apparently, they’d never shielded an inanimate object this large before, so they needed to discuss it.

— Lian, we talked it over. If we split the work, it’s possible. But the building has to be empty of humans.

“I’ll take care of that. Let’s head out for now.”

— We should put the carpet back in place. Everyone, step aside.

We finished tidying up the lab and exited the building.

The sky was painted in sunset hues.

I had asked for a carriage to be sent before dinner, so it would probably arrive soon.

Just as I tried to listen for the sound of wheels, Salamander poked me with his tail.

— Pfft, contractor, look at Gnome. Hilarious, right?

Gnome had stuck a feather into his head.

It was a small black feather, only the size of a finger, but from certain angles it shimmered with a violet sheen.

“Oh my god, I can’t with you… Gnome, where’d you get that? Did you find it in the lab?”

— (Nods)

— Kyaa! Our Gnome is so cute! Maybe it flew in during the commotion earlier?

— The color’s really pretty. It suits Gnome perfectly.

Gnome blushed faintly. Undine started glancing around.

— Undine, what are you looking for?

— Just wondering if there’s a crow’s nest nearby.

— Why? You think if you wear feathers, you’ll be as cute as Gnome? You could stick a hundred on and still be nowhere close, so give it up.

— …Does this fire lizard think it’s funny or something.

I began walking slowly down the path where the carriage would arrive.

Even though the forest path darkened quickly, I wasn’t scared—too busy listening to the spirits chatter.

— Okay, but if we install a shield on the building, we’ll need to recharge it regularly. Isn’t there a less annoying way than doing that for a hundred years?

— It’s good to brainstorm, but Undine, don’t say things that’ll confuse Gnome. Humans don’t live that long.

— Ordinary humans don’t, but Lian isn’t ordinary. This great and mighty Water Spirit will find a Dragon Heart for her! With that, our Lian could easily live for ten thousand years!

I let out a dry laugh.

A Dragon Heart? What is this, some mythical panacea?

— There she goes again with her delusions. You planning to resurrect the vanished dragons too?

— Why resurrect those savage beasts? It’s in the royal vault.

Wait. It’s real?

Gnome, who was perched on my shoulder, fluttered up and looked at Undine.

A moment later, Undine let out a shriek that echoed through the woods.

— KYAAA! TOO CUTE!

Salamander blinked and asked in a dazed voice:

— You saw it for real? Seriously?

— I told you. Maybe 600 years ago? I saw it with my own eyes.

— Hmm, did the King say he’d give it to you?

— Silph, be real. You know how obsessed the King is with his collection. He kisses and rubs it all the time. Gross.

— Then how do you plan to—wait! Don’t tell me you’ll steal it?!

— I can’t talk to this ignorant fire lizard anymore. He’s lowering the level of the conversation. Stealing? Really?

— Then what, you’ll borrow it?

— Sigh… Anyway, I’ve got a plan, so just watch and be amazed.

This is a novel.

A world where chatty spirits exist, where the Spirit King kisses his collectibles, and where a dark sorcerer duchess walks free.

But it didn’t feel strange anymore.

Until I return to my original world, I’ve accepted that I belong here now.

Smiling to myself, I hoped the Spirit King would beef up his vault security.

Bathed in the light of the full moon, I returned to the main estate and gave instructions to the butler.

“Butler, build a new servant’s quarters. The current building will be used exclusively as a lab.”

The butler looked surprised but quickly composed himself.

“…Understood. Should I proceed with the bid-based contract method you mentioned previously?”

“Yes. Announce that blueprints and renderings must be submitted with applications, and bring them to me as they come in.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“And until the new quarters are finished, divide the servants between the main estate and the annex.”

“My lady, having the staff stay in your residence is highly improper. They should remain in the existing quarters until construction is complete.”

That won’t do. The building needs to be empty for the shield.

“Did I ask for your permission?”

“…Apologies. Shall I begin moving them today?”

“Have them drop everything and start packing.”

“Any other orders?”

“Be done by tomorrow morning.”

“Understood, my lady.”

That night,

The lights at the Eibrante estate stayed on until dawn.

There were more servants than expected, so moving everything took longer than planned.

By late afternoon the next day, the spirits and I finally returned to the lab building.

“Everyone, confirmed no humans inside, right? Then let’s begin.”

The four elemental spirits lifted off, glowing with a soft light.

They really were spirits—ethereal and mesmerizing.

Positioned around the center of the building, they extended their hands.

A breeze stirred, humidity rose. A subtle tremor rippled through the ground, and a wave of heat brushed against my skin.

The next instant—

Whoosh! Energy burst out from the center and blanketed the building. A brilliant light exploded outward.

“……!”

I reflexively shut my eyes. The surge of magic left me dizzy.

“Phew… Is it done?”

— Yep! No human but you can enter now.

— Though the building’s bigger than expected, so we used up more magic. You’ll need to recharge it every two weeks.

“That’s fine. Let’s go back. We don’t have much time.”

— Why? You just need to get to the Third Prince’s palace by 10, right?

— It’s not even 7 yet, Lord Lian.

“What?! Already?! Hurry up, guys! We need to eat and get ready!”

— Seriously?! You’re not molting like us, why does your prep take so long—HEY! Don’t run off alone! Gnome! Don’t just stand there—follow her!

I sprinted toward the carriage waiting in the distance.

As soon as I arrived at the estate, I ate dinner. Then the real prep began.

As expected, time was tight. The maids moved faster than ever.

[Whoa, Lian! You’re glowing like crazy!]

[Lord Lian, you look stunning.]

[Well… I guess the effort paid off. Gnome, what do you think?]

[…]

[Gnome? Why are you covering your eyes? Huh? You’re too embarrassed to look at Lian because she’s too pretty? Awww, so cute.]

I wanted to cover my eyes too—though for entirely different reasons.

‘I’m going to go blind.’

The silver dress clung to my figure and flowed like liquid. It looked like mermaid scales.

Tiny, transparent gemstones were sewn all over it, catching the light and sparkling wildly.

Those are all diamonds?

Silver threads shimmered between the curls of my elaborately styled hair—thinly processed strands of platinum, apparently.

On my left hand, a massive diamond ring. On my right, three guide rings—also encrusted with diamonds.

A walking LED.

I was radiating so much light, even my lower vision glowed while looking straight ahead. My own eyes were getting tired.

If I show up at the briefing dressed like this, they’ll think I’ve lost my mind.

Thankfully, I’d mentally prepared myself. It wasn’t that shocking.

Apparently, I’d gotten used to Adrian’s fashion preferences without realizing it.

“Prep is complete. Do you like it, my lady?”

“Butler, give Luna a reward.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Luna bowed deeply, eyes shining.

“Th-Thank you, my lady! I’m so glad you liked it!”

I was glad too. Just discovering this dress was worth it.

I made up my mind.

When I returned to my original world, I’d blackmail the trash author if I had to—but I was taking this dress with me.

At that point, I’d be a millionaire.