Chapter 138:
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Clearly
Half an hour later, Jerome looked pale and seemed to be half out of it.
You said you were scared of many legs
Did I? Did I say that?
Juliet replied, adjusting her robe with a slight frown.
Someone was busy dropping a sword. I dont remember well.
Pfft.
The knights, who caught the horses that had run away in surprise, burst into laughter.
Blue butterflies, seemingly content after a long feast, fluttered about here and there.
Jerome kept stealing glances at those butterflies.
Juliet might have openly treated Jerome like an idiot, but his skills werent that bad. He did his fair share.
But because he had left a bad first impression, Juliet continued to ignore Jerome.
After the appearance of the unidentified blue butterflies, the monsters started fighting in terror and eventually killed each other.
Having witnessed that scene, Jerome seemed totally deflated.
From then on, Jerome no longer ignored or undermined Juliet. Instead, he nervously circled around her with a fearful look.
Why on earth would you need an escort if you can handle something like that? Huh?
Jerome mumbled as if he felt very wronged. It seemed like he had something to say. Juliet, feeling annoyed, asked him tersely.
Do you have something to say to me?
Yes.
Surprisingly, Jerome readily admitted.
Then just ask.
Well How long have you been handling that demon?
Juliet lifted her head.
If youre talking about the butterflies, theyre not demons. Theyre spirits.
Ha-ha. What a joke.
Jerome laughed as if he had heard a real joke, but when Juliet didnt laugh along, he blushed.
Ahem, you mean the spirit summoner? I know. But we dont call it a spirit. Thats not a spirit, its a demon. So, it would be better for you to be careful too.
Juliet shrugged her shoulders.
The creature that feeds on emotions could indeed be called an evil spirit or a demon. But Juliet didnt seem to heed his warning, so Jerome spoke again.
Let me tell you an old story, Miss.
Juliet sighed heavily.
With so many injured, it was a rash decision to head to the territory of Marquis Guinness with this group.
About ten years ago, there was a weird guy named Julio in the mercenary group I belonged to.
Jerome was very talkative, and Juliet hated men who talked too much.
He was a flashy and somewhat creepy guy, but he had a unique trait. Whenever he had money, he obsessively bought useless jewelry, claiming it was treasure.
And then?
Juliet asked with a hint of annoyance.
She couldnt understand why Jerome suddenly brought up a story about a former mercenary colleague.
Julio was a gold-tier mercenary. You know? Being gold is a big deal.
So, Miss, dont take Jeromes words too seriously. Mercenaries tend to boast; even if they catch a snake, theyll claim they caught a dragon. They exaggerate a lot, so filter what you hear.
Cain seriously advised Juliet, then escorted her to the carriage and returned to the barracks.
However, Juliet couldnt sleep for some reason.
Alone in the carriage, Juliet pondered.
A yellow snake.
Juliet had never seen another spirit summoner besides herself. But from what she heard, spirits were very different from her butterfly creatures.
They were merely creatures from another realm that lend their power for a short time.
But the yellow snake spirit Jerome mentioned seemed to have similarities with Juliets butterfly creatures.
For instance, appearing on their own without being summoned or hovering around a sleeping person even if not requested to.
()
Juliet looked up and glared at the butterflies, which had suddenly appeared and were quietly circling around.
Are you going to eat me too?
(No. Eat. Contractor!)
The butterflies protested in a voice that seemed somewhat annoyed.
(We. Like. Contractor.)
(Contractor. We. Hate.)
(But. No lies. We tell.)
(That. Snake. Yellow.)
(Bad. Snake. Bad)
Spark.
There was a brief spark.
Juliet was startled.
At the same time, the butterflies fluttered their wings as if in pain.
(We. Not. Snake.)
I get it, so you can stop.
A startled Juliet quickly stopped them, but the butterflies seemed to have been hurt, falling weakly onto her outstretched palm.
Some had already shattered into light or were consumed in a blue flame and disappeared.
(We cant talk. About it.)
(Thats how it is.)
Juliet suddenly remembered that the butterflies had said that before.
Perhaps the fact that they couldnt talk wasnt about their own kind.
He said he collected ancient artifacts.
Juliet mulled over that statement.
The only artifact she knew of was named Snowdrop, but maybe Julio had one too.
And.
Thats why he summoned a suspicious spirit or entity.
An artifact that summons a snake spirit.
Juliet became immensely curious.
She only knew of her blue butterflies, but confirming the existence of another entity was a first for her.
What kind of power did that spirit possess?