116 - - The Beginning of Episode 114

Last night, we came up with a countermeasure based on the information Sylphy had gathered about the guild. Let's go to Mel's workshop to see about the contract with Meral and then rest until the evening.

Then we'll go to the Adventurers' Guild!　It's not good for Belle and the others to see us in an ugly fight, so we'll ask them to stay at home. Do you think we should leave Sarah and the others with you?

Well, Sara and her friends might be okay with it since they seem to see the ugliness in the world, but they don't have to like to show it to us. I guess I'm staying at home. I walked around thinking about my plans for the day and arrived at Mel's workshop.

"Good morning."

I opened the door to the workshop and walked in to find Mel sitting alone at the counter. He was as small as ever.

"Good morning. Master, Sara, Marco, Kikka, and all the spirits.

Mel's greeting makes me think. I'm moving in a pretty big group.

"Good morning, Yuta. We've been waiting for you!"

Both Mel and Meral are a little sorely awaiting their contracts. They can sign the contract even if I'm not here, so if I had overslept, they would have done it as soon as possible. Mel, on the other hand, doesn't seem to have much patience with Meral. Let's get the important stuff out of the way first.

Where's Yunice?

"Is that you, Yunis?　Yunice said she had a meeting with her party mates, so I don't think she'll be here today. What can I do for you?"

I guess Yunis is a proper adventurer too.

"No, I just wanted to make sure you weren't around when we make contracts and talk about spirits. Mel, be careful not to get caught with your childhood friend.

"Ah, yes. Yes, I will be very careful.

He nodded seriously, so I guess it's okay.

"Well, since Meral can't wait to see you, do you want to sign the contract?"

"Yes!" I'll do it!"

"Well, I'll just be watching, so good luck."

He seemed to have tried many times to sign the contract, so I guess the procedure is fine. Mel and Meral move in front of the furnace. The furnace is a good place for them to make a contract since Meral is worshipped in that furnace.

I'm a little excited because this is the first time I've seen a contract between middle level spirits. As I watch with interest, Belle pops into my bosom.

"Yuta. Do you want to make a contract?"

He asked me with his eyes full of curiosity.

"Yes. I'll sign the contract. I'm looking forward to it.

"I'm so excited!"

The joyful Belle gives me a warm feeling. Hmm?　Rain, Tulu, and Tamamo have also snuggled up to me. Ah, maybe I'm happy.

While I was feeling happy by chance, Mel and Meraru's contract started.

"Spirit of fire that melts iron! Guardian spirit who dwells in my family. Bless my new beginning with fire!"

Mel chants a sort of rousing prayer. ...... Is that necessary?　I looked at Sylphy with some doubt, and she silently shook her head from side to side. It is not necessary. Well, we need beauty of style, don't we?

Sylphy also added some style to the contract. A contract that could be a milestone in one's life deserves something special like that.

Meral popped a lump of fire in front of Mel. Is it like a wind ball?　I think he said that there are other ways than giving names to spirits who already have names, so that must be the way to do it.　

Mel wrapped the fire in his hands and pulled it to his chest, and it melted and was absorbed into his chest as magical power. Compared to Sylphy's wind ball, it was less powerful, but that might be the difference between a great spirit and a middle class spirit.

"Fubu. Kei, keisatsu. It's done!"

Perhaps overcome with emotion, Mel began to cry when the contract was completed." I wondered how "fubu" sounded like a cry from a grown woman, even if she was tiny.　No, he was so happy that he could make such a sound. I guess that's why she was so worried about not being able to sign the contract.

"Yes, I'm relieved now!　Don't cry, Mel. I'll protect you."

Meral is also excited to have the contract completed. Belle and the others take off and jump up to congratulate Meral.

"Master. Did Mel and Meral's contract go well?"

"Yes. The deal went off without a hitch.

"I see. I'm relieved. I'm going to go celebrate.

Sara, too, seemed relieved and smiled as she trotted toward Mel. Marco and Kikka followed.

"Mel. Congratulations, sister Mel. Congratulations! Congratulations, Mel! Congratulations!

Mel, whose lacrimal gland had been broken by the congratulatory words of Sarah, Marco and Kikka, was happy to see them, shedding more tears.

Above, the spirits rejoice. Below, children are rejoicing. Oh, Mel is not a child. But, well, congratulations!

"Hey, Sylphie. How powerful is a medium spirit?"

You never told me about the power of intermediate spirits. You said it was at a level where the country would bow down and come for them, but I can't imagine how powerful they would be.

"How powerful?　Hmmm, yes. If Meral got angry, this city would be on fire in a day, wouldn't it?"

.................. eh?　No, no, no, no, that overprotective fire spirit has that kind of power?　No, you can't. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.　　　

"Hey, Sylphie. Meral would get mad if something happened to Mel, right?"

"Yes. He's very protective of her, and I think he'd be very angry.

"I know, right?"

Today, at this moment. A dangerous thing was born in the labyrinth city. Maybe it's a good thing for the world that the necromancer is not so lucky, right?

I think it's safe to say that if you're dealing with a too bad guy, the spirits will avoid you, but there are many different types of spirits. It would be unfortunate if a genie suddenly explodes in anger one day.　

"Don't worry. With Meral here, nothing can happen to Mel. If you're worried, Yuta should make sure to teach Mel about the necromancer.

"Uh-huh. I'll do that."

I hate the Adventurers' Guild in the Labyrinth City, but there are people who have helped me and some of my favorite stalls. I don't want to be in the line of fire. There's not much I can tell you, but I don't know what's going to happen after we talk. I don't know when I'll have time, and I need to teach him well while I still can.

Mel!

"Ah, master. Thanks to you, I was able to sign the contract. Thank you very much."

Mel thanked me happily, though there were still a few tears left in her eyes. The warm, animal-like atmosphere of the room made me feel like I was losing my nerve.

"Yes, congratulations. But you know what, Mel? But you know, Mel... the Meral you signed up with has a very strong power. We have to learn not to unleash that power. We may leave Labyrinth City soon depending on what we discuss today. So, we need to train hard from now on.

Mel is a bit jumpy at my enthusiasm, but I need him to do his best. Now is the time to exude the dignity of a master!

From there, with the help of Sylphy and Dolly, we trained Mel thoroughly until it was time to go to the Adventurers' Guild. I was a little anxious, but I think we made it. It was a good thing that he had experienced many things with Belle and the others during the search in the labyrinth.

** **

"Okay, Mel. I'll be back to pick you up at night.

Yes, yes. Yes, sir.

Yeah, you don't look so good. Maybe it's because I've almost negated the knowledge of spirits that Mel's family has passed down from generation to generation. But since you've become my apprentice, you'll have to give that up.

The communication between Mer and Meraru became active, and as a result of my little intervention, the furnace that houses Meraru has created an unbearable fire power. They were happy to be able to adjust the heat and process new metals at will, and I'm sure it turned out well.

"Yuta. Beruti orusuban?"

Why?　He is cocking his head.

"Yeah. The place we're going to now is boring with all the talking, so stay here and help Mel, Sarah and the others with their training."

After thinking about it for a while, I'll do my best to help!　He accepted. Now I can take on the confrontation in peace. We wave goodbye to everyone and head for the Adventurers' Guild.

"Yuta, you haven't forgotten about the Adventurers' Guild, have you?　Don't accidentally agree to it, okay?"

（It's all right. I know what they're going to do, and I'm not going to lose.)

Yes. Gilmouth's apology should be the perfect stage for another Gilmouth nerve-wracking ....... Maybe. I'm getting ...... nervous.

"Yuta, just stay calm and you'll be fine. Sylphy and I will be by your side. You don't have to worry about anything.

(Yes, I know. Thank you, Dolly.)

Encouraged by the Great Spirit, I arrived at the Adventurers' Guild and entered ................... Gilmouth is going to do it.

Many adventurers are gathered around the counter, and a table and chairs are set up in the middle of it. I know I wanted this to be a public meeting, and I know that Guilmouth's strategy is to gather adventurers to give himself an advantage, but it's amazing to see how determined he is.

If he's going to go public, he'd rather gather people and create an atmosphere of advantage for himself than reduce the number of people. If I didn't know anything about it, I might have been in the mood of the event, and I might have been a bit of a slacker. Thanks to Sylphy.

"Mr. Yuta! We have been waiting for you. Please come this way."

Ertina approached me, bowed deeply, and led me to a table in the center of the crowd. Do you feel like a star?　I guess not, since I didn't get any cheers. It's mostly just a bunch of swell guys. I'd be afraid of being screamed at.

As soon as I sat down in a chair, a muscular Guillermas came out from the back. He was ready and waiting for me. The adventurers opened the way and Guillmas came in front of me and started to talk.

"Mister Yuta! I am sorry you had to come all the way here. The reason I have arranged this meeting is to apologize for the many disrespects I and the Adventurers' Guild have done to you. I am truly sorry for what happened.

Suddenly, Guilmouth bowed deeply to me in front of everyone. The same way Ertina did. Is there some kind of template?　Well, everything started as Sylphy told me it would, so let's just focus on the show.

First, Guilmouth bows his head firmly in front of everyone. At this time, there are several people around him who are sympathetic to him and lead the others to create a sympathetic atmosphere toward him. This is the first strategy of Guilmouth.

Everything is going according to plan, except for the fact that he is suddenly called in with a "lord". I feel like I'm watching a rerun of a TV drama. But I'll draw the plot from here!　Pfft. I'm kinda cool.