107 - - Episode 105 Consultation on Meral

After the discussion with Marie, I went back to my room and saw Meral?　There was a genie called Apparently, Bell and his friends brought him here. Friends?

"Hello. I'm Yuta. Can I call you Meral?"

She talks to Meral while holding Belle, who has just flown in. He looks like a boy of elementary school age, about the same age as Sarah and the others. Well, I guess he's older than me, but I don't feel comfortable using honorifics with a boy, so I'd appreciate it if you'd give me a break.

"Yeah. I've heard rumors about you, but you really can see and talk with spirits.

Rumors?　Is it rumored? Well, I heard that it's very rare to be able to see and talk, so maybe it's just a rumor.

"Yes. I can see, I can talk, and I can touch. So what's going on?　You're more than welcome to come visit, but what can I do for you?"

He used to be a cheerful boy, but now he looks a little downcast. Maybe something is bothering him.

"Yeah. When I was worried, Bell said that Yuta can help me. ...... can you help me?"

"Yuta is amazing!" Cue... "It's okay." "Coo-oo."

Huh?　If I don't have to, am I going to be the solution to Meral's problems?　The expectant stares of the Belles are putting subtle pressure on me.

"Well... Well, can we at least talk about it?　I'm also indebted to the spirits, so I'll help if I can."

"Thanks."

"Yes. Well, I can't do what I can't do."

I can't imagine the troubles of a genie, so I'd like to at least take a precaution.

If you can't do it, don't do it. I've been worshipped at a blacksmith's shop in the labyrinth city for generations, but there's been a problem at the blacksmith's shop.

"You worship spirits?"

It's like a god. Isn't it strange that they had so many different kinds of festivals in Japan?

"Yeah. I'm a fire spirit and the first blacksmith was also a necromancer. So a fire is always burning in the blacksmith's furnace, and I have made it my home and contracted to be the blacksmith's heir from generation to generation."

Wow. A contract that is passed down from generation to generation. I didn't know that was possible.

"But not all children have the gift of the necromancer, do they?　I'm surprised you've stayed connected."

"Yuta. Not all of us, but some of our talents are passed on. Maybe a handful of the more privileged geniunists have been geniunists for generations.

I see. I guess the accumulated know-how and the fact that they have been under contract with the family for a long time, the spirits are used to the family's way of doing things. Sylphy gives me a quick answer to my question.

Then I guess most of the wild spiritists are not good enough. So it takes a genius or an apprenticeship in a prestigious family to be successful?

Well, there is no law. It is only natural that we should monopolize the information and use it ourselves rather than spread it around. I'm also afraid of my simple method spreading to the world, so I'll be selective about who I teach.

But I wish you would have paid a little more attention to the reputation of the necromancer in the world. If you have a prestigious reputation, adventurers are not for us prestigious necromancers!　I'm sure he'll say something like that. I can only imagine. No, if he's a jerk, he'll abandon the spirits.　I guess I'll have to check it out.

"I kind of get it. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"No. No. It's easier for me to talk to you if you understand. So, about six months ago, the owner of the blacksmith shop fell ill and went to heaven.

Departed means dead. Meral looked sad too, so she must have been a contractor.　　　　　

"The problem is the heir. My husband has only one daughter, Meral. She's a good smith, but she's having a hard time making a contract with me."

Let's see, your daughter is Mel and the spirit is Meral. That's a bit confusing. Did you name her after the spirit you worship?　And the daughter is a blacksmith.

"Wasn't the girl gifted as a spiritist?"

I can't help you with that.

"No. I'm a gifted spiritualist. But I evolved into an intermediate spirit in the previous generation, so I can't make a contract with Mel because I don't have enough magic power.

"Don't you realize that lack of magical power is the reason why you can't make a contract?"　

"Yes, that's right. The previous generation had dabbled in adventuring when they were younger, so they had more magical power and no problems. But Mel doesn't realize that it's because of his magical power, so he's only raised his magical power up to the level passed down from generation to generation. That's why he's suffering because he thinks he's a woman or that I don't recognize him as a blacksmith.

I see. If it's been passed down from generation to generation, you must know the magic required to make a contract. But now that you've evolved, there's a discrepancy.

"Didn't Meraru's contractor notice that he evolved into a mid-level spirit?　It's going to increase their presence, and if they fight demons, you can tell by the increased power of their magic."

"He made a contract with me when he took over the blacksmith shop, so he didn't really know the difference. I don't use that much magic when I'm in the furnace. The contractor when I evolved was also indifferent to everything but blacksmithing, and I just thought he was in good shape.

From what I've heard, it sounds like something I could easily handle. But if the contractor who signed the contract with Meral when it evolved had checked it properly, there wouldn't have been any problem at all. You're in good shape and you're done with it. .......

"Then I guess it's okay. Just tell them that you don't have enough magic power, and if necessary, go along with the power leveling. But I can't help you if the growth of magic power stops halfway, can I?"

"That would be very helpful. The magic power is high in Mel's family for generations, so it should rise until we can make a contract if it's not too much. If it stops halfway ...... then I would like to have a thorough discussion with you, so please lend me your help."

Is magical power also transmitted by blood? I guess sorcerers are obsessed with blood too.

"Yes. I don't mind that much. But I need you to keep what I've taught you about the spirits a secret. If you break your promise, I'll threaten to have Meral abandon Mel, is that okay?"

"It's okay if Mel promises. She won't break her promise unnecessarily. If he does, I'll take responsibility.

When you say it with such a serious face, I get a little scared too. Don't make me commit suicide or something.

"I'm afraid you'll get too worked up about it, so let's make a firm decision. If Mel breaks her promise, Meral will leave her side. Just let me know that she broke her promise. Sylphie, it's not a problem, is it?"

"That's fine. Genie don't break promises, don't worry.

"If I may say so myself, it's the humans I'm worried about. But if Meral says it's okay, I believe her. Can we go tomorrow morning?"

"Yes, I've been holed up in my workshop trying to improve my blacksmithing skills. Can I pick you up tomorrow morning?"

"Yes, that's right. I'll be ready for you, and it would be great if you could come and pick me up.

"Okay. And I'm sorry to add this, but could you also teach Mel how to be a necromancer?　The stories Belle told me were very informative."

You mean communication with spirits. It's not a problem as long as it's not someone who will abuse it.

As long as it's a secret and you don't abuse it, it's fine.

Thank you. You can rest assured that I won't let anything happen to you. Then I'm going back. I'll see you tomorrow.

He bowed his head and flew away. I didn't even have time to ask him to dinner.

"Yuta. Good job." "Coo-coo." "Good boy." "Coo-coo."

When Meral left, Belle and her friends came fluttering by and praised her. Apparently, it was a good thing she said she could solve Meral's request. In return for the praise, I pet the belles.

"Oh, by the way, Sylphy. I didn't know that spirits can work for humans like that even if they are not under contract. I was a little surprised since I had an image that genies don't get involved with people much.

"Oh, my. I was involved with Yuta, too. Meral likes the blacksmith's family, too.

Do you like the family lineage or was the ...... first generation a very nice person?　He seems to care about this Mel boy a lot, maybe he's attached to him.

"That's true too. So tomorrow we'll go to Meraru's."

Yes, it is. ...... Hey, Yuta. Tomorrow is your day off. I think Sara and the kids are going out. What are you going to do?"

"Ah, now you mention it. I'd like Sylphy to go with Sarah and the others, so I'll leave you with Dine and Dolly."

"Okay."

"Please. It's almost dinner, so let's go to Sarah's."

Marie gave me a letter of introduction, but do you think I can find the time to go to the carpenter's?　It's going to take some time.

**

"Did I keep you waiting?"

After breakfast, I summoned Dine and Dolly to explain the situation, and Meral came to pick me up.

"Just in time. Hmm?　What's wrong?"

Meral looks surprised.

"No, I'm just surprised to see more great spirits. What do you want with all these big spirits?　Are you going to get the world?"

Suddenly, I was told I was overreacting. World domination?　Can you ...... do it?　I think someone once said that world domination is a man's dream, but should a man aim for it?　World domination.

"This is Meral, isn't it? I'm Dine, nice to meet you. Yuta told me about you, so leave it to your sister. A spirit and a blacksmith's daughter, a secret love that cannot be spoken. That's wonderful! I'm going to do my best.

"Oh, come on. What's going on here? What did you tell them?　Hey. Don't ignore me."

"Yuta, Yuta!　I don't know what you're thinking, but they need your help."

As I sat on my throne smiling broadly after conquering the world, I heard Sylphy's voice.

"Hmm?　Sylphy. What's wrong?"

"I don't know what you're thinking, but can we leave that thing alone?"

Sylphy urges me to turn my head, and I see Dine, who for some reason is talking passionately about love, and Meral, who is desperately reaching out to me as if to ask for my help. Around them, Belle and the others are nodding their heads in an educational atmosphere. It's chaos.

"Why is this happening?"

"I don't know."

You really don't know?　I'm getting a vibe that I don't want to get involved. And Dory's looking the other way. Let's just get Meral out of here.

"Deanne. Deanne. Meral's in trouble.

I can't imagine what kind of story you're talking about when you say "love escapes".

"What?　Oh, my God, I'm sorry. Sis, I got a little carried away."

Dine, looking at a groggy Meraru, is a little cooler now. "I love you!" I'm worried about Belle and her friends who are talking with a "cue-cue", "to-hiko", and "coo-coo".

"Well, well, I'm going out soon, so we'll talk later."

"Right. Meral, we'll talk later.

Meral's face is stained with despair. I'm sorry. Meral. I chose my words wrong. I'm sorry, please don't look at me like that.

"Meral. We're leaving, so please show us the way."

"Okay, okay."　

I ask Sylphy to take care of Sarah and the others, and we leave the inn. I'm tired even before we leave.