347 - - 345 points and no control?

"Mel, we're almost at the base, are you settled in?"

"Oh, yes, I've calmed down. I'm all right now."

You look a little tired, but you seem okay. I had a hard time convincing Eunice before we left, and I guess it's my fault for not telling her that we have a base in the land of the dead, so she was a little freaked out.

We entered the land of the dead without saying a word, and Mel's face turned pale as we went deeper into the land of the dead. I regretted keeping my mouth shut for a moment, just for the fun of it. You have to choose the right person to play a trick on. If Gina and the others hadn't calmed him down and told him it was okay, he might have panicked.

"Oh, good. Oh, that's our base, the sanctuary we call the spirits' paradise.

He points to a spirit tree in the distance and tells Mel.

"I see it. That tree is the base. It looks like it is quite far away. Is it a very big tree?

"Yeah, that's a spirit tree, so it's a pretty big tree."

Mel is looking at me and her mouth is agape. I knew he would be surprised because I heard that spirit trees are legendary, but it makes me feel good to know that he was surprised this much. It seems that I can surprise Mel with a non-scary story like this.

While Mel is surprised, we are getting closer and closer to paradise. It would be interesting to enter the sanctuary and see Meraru while he is surprised, but since this is an emotional meeting, let's at least try to meet him in a normal state.

I'd like to have a scene of Meraru's arrival at the sanctuary, but I don't think it's possible because Meraru is so nervous and can't wait for the arrival.

"Mel, I'll tell you about the spirit tree later.

"Oh, yes, yes, I understand!"

Mel's expression tightens as he remembers his original purpose at the mention of meeting Meral. This is all right.

"Sylphy. I want Mel and Meral to meet slowly, so stop just before Paradise.

"Mm-hmm, okay."

Sylphy understood what I wanted to do, and immediately agreed. Next, we go to Meral ......, which is already standing by in front of Mel's eyes. I don't think I need to say anything.

I called up Bell and the others and told them to stay with Gina and the others, and we arrived at the border of paradise.

"Well then, Mel, don't panic because a little further from here we will enter the sanctuary and Meral will materialize. And Meral, I'm sure you're happy to see her, but don't get too excited."

I'm a little worried about Meral, though, because she's always so nervous.

I understand.

I'll be fine!"

Mel and Meral replied cheerfully and nodded toward Sylphy.

"Mel!"

"Me, Meral-sama?"

As soon as they enter the paradise, Meral, who has materialized, hugs Mel. Mel, who probably didn't expect to be embraced, is a bit flustered and confused by the suddenness of the embrace. I tried to warn her beforehand to avoid this, but I guess I didn't say enough.

Well, the sight of boyish Meral and girlish Mel hugging each other is not bad, including Mel's flustered appearance, in a sweet and sour way. Both of them are over the age of adulthood, so there should ...... probably be no problem ethically.

"Dear Meral, oh, it's so nice to meet you. Thank you so much for watching over our family for so long. I know I'm still inexperienced, but will you continue to help me?"

Mel is flustered but tries her best to speak. His mood is different from usual Mel's, and he must have thought about what he was going to say when he meets her. He is a little stumped, probably because he didn't expect the hug.

I'm Mel's contracted spirit. You don't have to say "sir". Besides, I've been watching Mel work hard. Mel is not immature, he's my contracted spirit. It's good to see you!"

Oh, something cool Meral is saying. Mel is ...... hugged again and her face is bright red, so I can't tell if she's impressed or embarrassed. But he seems a little happy, and it's not a bad meeting.

"Hmmm, you're so youthful!"

"Youth?　...... When is a genie's youth?"

I couldn't help but ask a question at Sylphy's tweet. But Meral is a mid-level spirit too, so she's not old enough to call herself an adolescent, right?

"Well, I don't have a specific age, but I think Dine and the others are still in their youth. I think maybe until they become adults in spirit, they are adolescents."

The period of youth for a genie is quite long. Maybe there are spirit kings who are in the midst of their youth. I especially suspect Wind-sama. Light-sama's pretentious way of speaking is also suspicious. And ...... Sylphy in front of me also looks suspicious though she looks like I'm an adult.

"I feel something unpleasant in Yuta's gaze, don't you?"

"No, no, I was just wondering if Sylphy is also an adolescent."

A shiver runs down my spine, and I feel like I've stepped on a land mine by reflex.

"Oh?　Does Yuta look like I'm coming of age?"

"Hmm?　Well, I don't know.　Sylphy is also a beautiful lady in my opinion, so I don't think it's strange if she's a young woman."

How's that for a heartwarming turn of phrase with a good word or two? You were able to reply quite well in a spur-of-the-moment situation. I can't give you a better answer than that. I'm afraid of Sylphy's expressionless face.

"Is that so?　...... might be right. I'm having a lot of fun right now, and I think I'm coming of age."

Sylphy nods her head in confirmation. I'm glad that she agreed with me, but I'm a little sad that she didn't take my comment about her being a pretty lady lightly. Deanne would have been quite happy to hear that, but Sylfie is a bit mature.

Anyway, I'll change the subject because it's going to be scary if I keep talking about it. I turn my attention to Mel and Meral, the stars of the show, and they seem to have calmed down, looking at each other and talking happily. They seem to be talking about Mel's father right now.

And then Dine, a few floating spirits and lower level spirits ...... who had appeared before I knew them, and Belle and Fuchu are also there, looking warmly at the two.

The little ones are nodding their heads in agreement with Dine's teaching, "This is love. Is this education possible?　I feel that floating spirits and lower level spirits who just come to play are being given a distorted education.

I remember that in Mel's workshop, the relationship between Mel and Meraru was used as a teaching material to educate them about love. I don't know what kind of love is in the spirit world, but maybe Dine wants to spread love in the spirit world.

"Ha!　Whoa, whoa, whoa, what is it?　Why are they watching us?"

Oh, Mel realized he was being watched. But I've never seen someone say "haha" before, even if they are panicking. It's pretty mocking, but Mel is a natural, isn't he?　If this were calculated, I would distrust people.

"Mmmm, Meru-chan, Meral-chan, passing spirits and humans finally meet in paradise!　Your sister is very impressed!"

Deanne is hugging herself with both arms and giggling. What she says is grandmotherly, but there's a lot of motherly love that almost spills out from her arms.

"Oh, it's not love or anything like that. I was just expressing my gratitude to Meral-sama!"

Mel explains to Dineh with a red face and a crisp expression. Meral hides behind ...... Mel and watches her.

This should be Meral's place to do her best, but she can't come forward because she's not very good with Dine. It's a bit pathetic, but it can't be helped that he is a bit traumatized by Dine.

Anyway, this will be the first time for Mel to see Dene in person, let alone Meral. I wonder if this is the right way to meet the Great Spirit.　...... cannot bear to make Mel and Meral's emotional meeting into a sad memory. Let me intervene.

Dene, I'm home.

"Welcome home, Yuta. I can't stop being excited for you!"

I can see it in your face. But I wish you'd learn to read the air a little better.

"Well, I know you're curious, but don't interrupt me now. So, we're going to have a banquet today to welcome Mel and Meral, will you let everyone know?"

"A banquet!　Ummmmm....I wonder if there will be more alcohol than usual today if it's a welcome party for Meru and Meralu..."

"......Yes, we will have more people and more drinks than usual. And you can serve spirits, too.

"Yes! I'll go let everyone know.

"Yes, please."

As always, the only way to move the Great Spirit is with alcohol. I've had to increase the amount of alcohol I drink, but in this case it can't be helped.

"Oh, yes, Yuta. Alvard-chan said she wanted to talk to you. Should I invite him to the banquet?

"Mr. Alvard?　If it's urgent, I'll call you right away, and if it's at the banquet, I'll call you at the banquet."

Mr. Alvard is very serious, so when he says he needs to talk to me, I'm a little scared.

"Okay. Okay, everyone, let's go!"

Deane led the floating spirits and lower level spirits away. She was very good with the little ones.

"Yuta, you saved me!

After Deene left, Meral came up to her happily. Her sparkling and dazzling smile ...... is that bad for Deanne.

Yeah, but if you're going to be in paradise, that means you're always going to have Deanne nearby. You don't have to do anything, but you should try to get used to it.

"...... Oh, now I can talk to Mel. I'll do my best!"

"Aye."

"I'm gonna be smoldering!"

Meral's enthusiasm is met with an innocent tsk-tsk from Belle and Flair. Belle and Flair are happy, wriggling their arms and legs, and they don't mean to offend.

Mel, Meral, I know you're going through a lot, but I hope you enjoy paradise. I'll help you as much as I can.