Chapter 47
“Will the task I asked you about earlier take much longer?”
At my question, Marin, who had been playing around with Modway, tilted her head.
[Hmm~, about that~.]
She stretched out her words in her usual singsong tone.
Brrr—
Suddenly, Marin stopped swimming and began trembling all over, her body shaking uncontrollably without a word.
I frowned at the sight and fixed my gaze on the spirit before me.
“Marin?”
Modway and Nesgal, who had been nearby, rushed toward her and gasped.
[Eh? Marin! Your eyes got super huge!]
[Good heavens, a fish sweating cold sweat? Are you truly all right?!]
Their reactions only made my worry spike. I jumped to my feet, reaching out to hold Marin—
And then it happened.
Shaking from head to tail, Marin suddenly cried out.
[Right~! Now~!]
At once, a brilliant light burst from her mouth.
Her jaws opened wider than my own height, and before I could even react, she spat something out!
Clatter—!
The object hit the greenhouse floor with a dazzling flash. I stared blankly at it, stunned, while Marin’s mouth snapped back to its normal size as if nothing had happened.
She had just expelled something several times larger than herself, yet she only smacked her lips once and casually swished her fins.
[Finished~.]
Her calm tone made Modway and Nesgal immediately swarm her, checking for injuries. Annoyed, Marin swatted them away with her tail and drifted toward me.
[Well, Master~? Isn’t it perfect~?]
“…It is.”
Still dazed, I looked at what Marin had just produced. Slowly, my lips curved into a smile.
How could I not?
“It’s perfect, Marin.”
At least on the surface, it was identical to the one I knew.
Hearing my judgment, Marin whispered coyly.
[Not just the outside—it has the same magic, too~. I worked super hard to copy it~.]
Carefully, I reached out and stroked her smooth scales.
“I know. I wasn’t doubting you.”
[Hmph~.]
“Thank you, Marin. You’ve done so well.”
[Hmph-hmph~.]
Though she puffed out a haughty snort, she didn’t swim away. Clearly, my touch pleased her.
I showered her with praise before turning back to the object she had spat out.
It’s done…!
The very thing I had long dreamed of creating with her copying technique now lay before me.
So what if Gobard shattered the mirror into pieces?
As long as I had a fragment, my beloved spirit could reproduce it—
And even restore it to the state it was in before it broke!
I withdrew my hand from Marin and caressed the flawless surface of the mirror. Just like the one I had seen in the abandoned palace, even the scorch marks along the frame were perfectly reproduced.
As I examined it, Modway and Nesgal flew closer, tilting their heads in amazement.
[Wow! Marin, you’re incredible! I thought since you swallowed just a shard, you’d only be able to copy the shard!]
[I thought the same. I expected failure, and yet… splendid, Marin!]
[Hmph~. If it were a simple copy, I wouldn’t even have bothered~. This is the true essence of water’s power—the ability to copy the very core!]
Of course, the technique had limitations. The more complex the object, the longer it took her to reproduce. And afterward, Marin needed ample rest before she could copy again.
A kind of recharging, really.
This mirror in particular was imbued with dragon magic—the very opposite of a spirit’s nature. Since she had perfectly copied it, it would likely be a long while before she could use her ability again.
Just then, Modway and Nesgal raised the obvious question.
[So when can Marin copy something again?!]
[Hmm~, I’m not sure~. I’ve only just learned how to do it~.]
[From my experience, I’d say at least half a year!]
[Oh my~, that long? What if the Master needs it urgently~?]
“No worries, Marin. You’ve already accomplished something extraordinary. Don’t trouble yourself—just rest.”
[Master~.]
[Hmph! Then pet me too! Me too!]
[Ahem! It would not displease me either if you were to pet me, Master.]
Smiling, I indulged my spirits’ antics before heading to the table. My gaze lingered on the fragment of Dimodi resting there.
Yes, I have everything I need now.
My spirits had done their part. It was time for me to do mine.
Though there was still time before the secret vault reopened, there was far too much to prepare. I couldn’t afford to keep putting it off.
I picked up a pen and paper.
“If you have time, come to the greenhouse. I’ll show you something fun.”
I folded the note neatly.
I was about to take out a calling card from the drawer when I stopped, struck by a mischievous idea.
“Modway.”
[Hmm?]
“Would you deliver this note yourself?”
He fluttered over eagerly. I tucked the folded paper into his beak and whispered:
“Think you can teleport straight to Hist without using the card?”
His eyes gleamed, instantly understanding. He nodded vigorously.
[Of course! If I suddenly pop up in front of Hist, he’ll be so surprised! It’ll be hilarious!]
His muffled words, garbled by the note in his beak, made him giggle. Then he vanished, leaving only a light breeze that ruffled my hair.
The bait is cast—he’ll bite soon enough.
It struck me that I hadn’t seen Hist in quite some time.
He used to drop by the greenhouse often, waiting for me. But ever since his relationship with Moren was made public, he had practically vanished.
Though he still kept up his daily journals…
“Weather: clear. Trained Moren’s stamina. A strong foundation is the start of all things.”
“Weather: warm. Introduced Moren to the Tower apprentices. Seems he’s quick to make friends.”
…Though the entries have been getting lazier.
Still, I knew the Tower was swamped with work. The restoration of the palace was nearly complete, and mages were busier than ever. The fact that he still squeezed in time to write daily notes showed at least some effort.
Nothing I can do. He’ll probably check the message only later, once things calm down.
I was tidying up, preparing to leave the greenhouse, when—
Whoosh—!
A powerful gust of wind swept through, far stronger than Modway’s breeze.
And with it, a man with vivid purple hair appeared, grinning brightly at me.
“Hello, Princess!”
His cheerful face startled me into flinching. Oblivious, Hist laughed.
“Today’s a special day! Imagine, the Princess contacted me first!”
I quickly regained composure, brushing my tousled hair back.
“You’re overreacting.”
“You don’t know how happy I am right now, Princess! It’s such a pity I can’t share this joy with the world.”
He shook his head dramatically, then suddenly leaned in close.
“By the way, what did you teach Modway while I was gone? Do you know how much he scared me, suddenly teleporting right in front of me?”
I pushed his face back with a sigh.
“For a wind spirit, short-range teleportation is basic.”
I let just a hint of pride slip into my tone.
Hist crossed his arms, thought for a moment, and nodded.
“True enough. Wind is the essence of short-range teleportation. I love learning new things about spirits—it’s delightful!”
He beamed wider than usual, his mood oddly high.
I eyed him suspiciously.
Why is he so cheerful today?
And more importantly—how was he free to come here so quickly when he should be buried in work?
While I was puzzling over it, Modway reappeared in the greenhouse.
[Master.]
“Welcome back, Modway.”
He perched on my shoulder at once, his expression grave—so unlike Hist’s glee.
[About Hist…]
“What about him?”
[He might be about to die…!]
I blinked.
“Die? Hist?”
[Yes!]
What nonsense was this now?
Hist pricked his ears at the word and came closer.
“Whoa, Modway! You can see the future too?”
“Quiet, you.”
I kicked him lightly in the shin and focused on my spirit.
Modway chattered rapidly.
[When I went to Hist’s office, it was crammed full of mages! They were buried under piles of documents, working half-dead. But the moment Hist saw my note, he suddenly dropped everything and teleported here! Then one of his coworkers jumped up, shouting he’d beat Hist to death for every hair he’d lost to stress because of him!]
“…For every hair he lost?”
I glanced at Hist.
At the word hair, he flinched violently. Our eyes met, and he quickly looked away.
“Ahem. You know, Princess… don’t you have any interest in hair loss remedies?”
“…”
“Of course you do! Look at all these medicines you’ve been making—surely one of them must help with baldness?”
“…”
“D-Don’t look at me like that! Baldness is one of the greatest unsolved problems in human history!”
I sighed. Best not to dignify that with a reply.
