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“Really…. I can’t believe I’ll be allowed to break the seal in just two days…”

Lindy murmured in disbelief. Of course, there are still a few tasks to complete to lift the seal on her, but that was something she could wait for. It was ridiculous to be greedy now, especially since she had never expected the persuasion to be this simple.

“This is all thanks to Goddess Flora and Clarice. Thank you so much.”

If it weren’t for Clarice, who defended us from the beginning, and Flora, who came to our aid when the discussions were going nowhere, things couldn’t have been resolved this quickly and easily.

“Thank Silphy for me. She was the one who convinced me and called me here.”

“Sure, I’ll thank Silphy too, but let’s not forget that Goddess Flora helped us. I’m truly grateful.”

I bowed my head towards Flora, even considering a full bow to express my gratitude, but instead, I simply held my head high and voiced my thanks.

After all, Flora was still perched above my head in the form of a large bird.

However, instead of responding to my thanks, Flora merely spread one wing wide and waved it once.

Then a feather fell gently in front of my eyes.

I’m not so clumsy that I couldn’t catch one falling feather, so I reached out and slowly moved my hands to snatch the gently falling feather. It was clearly a bird’s feather, its color shifting slowly through a spectrum instead of being fixed to one hue.

Intrigued by the beautiful play of colors, I was inspecting it when Flora, still sitting above me, spoke up.

“This is a gift. It’s best if you don’t need it at all, but keep it on you just in case. It will definitely help you someday.”

“Ah….”

Without detailed explanations, I had no idea what this object was for, and while I was looking it over, Lindy pretended to know what the feather was.

“It would be wise to keep it safe as Flora suggested. That feather, infused with Flora’s power, can serve as a medium, allowing her to descend into the material world directly, even if it’s just once.”

To think such tremendous power is hidden within this lightweight feather. Although the Spirit King has limitations in the material world, that alone is enough. It’s clear that if I were to use this feather, it would undoubtedly be in a critical situation, making it a great help in overcoming a crisis.

I suddenly turned my head to look at Clarice. I wasn’t eyeing her to see if she might have some adventure-related item like Flora did. Honestly, it was because she had been so quiet that I was worried about her. Of course, I’d be grateful if she had something to give.

“This can’t be happening….”

“Um, Clarice?”

Even though the matter had settled well, Clarice seemed to be lost in deep despair all on her own. There was a single tear pooling at the corners of her eyes, as if something sad was bothering her.

However, even when I called out her name, Clarice just sat there without responding.

“Clarice. The matter is finished, and we should celebrate with a drink later, right?”

“Yeah…? Oh, um, yes…”

As soon as I mentioned drinks, Clarice immediately perked up. Truly, she is a lover of spirits. Next time I want to ask Clarice for something, I should lure her in with drinks, just like this.

“What about you, Goddess Flora? We’re thinking of having drinks later; would you like to join us?”

Of course, since it wasn’t just Clarice who helped, I tried to invite Flora too.

“No, I’m good.”

“Huh? You, who love drinks, are turning them down? That’s unusual.”

“I feel like drinking would mess up my flying plans. Even though I came back due to Silphy’s request, I still need to finish my rounds.”

Flora spread her wings wide and finally descended from my head. It wasn’t heavy or anything, but I still felt a sense of tension; after all, it wouldn’t do to be rude.

“Then later….”

With that, she left without any formal farewell, soaring high into the sky.

“True to being the Spirit King of the Wind, she really lives freely… huh?”

As I shifted my gaze away from Flora, Clarice looked at me, or more precisely, at the feather I held in my hand, pretending to know something.

Given how rare this item is, I couldn’t just toss it into my pocket without a second thought, so I was holding it openly, not for Clarice to see it specifically.

“What’s this? When did she give you that?”

Lindy certainly knew about it, so it was no surprise that Clarice recognized the feather right away.

“Hmmm…. Hmmm….”

Then Clarice started to ponder something.

“Then shall we have our drinks tonight? I’ll wait in my room like yesterday. You’re okay with that, right, Lindy?”

“Ah, I think it’ll be tough for me too. It requires multiple rituals to break the seal, and others will be waiting, so it would be better to finish it quickly. Of course, since I’m with Elysia, staying longer would be nicer, but I’m not rude enough to deliberately stall.”

“Really? That’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. Drinks can be enjoyed any time, so let’s postpone the one with Lindy.”

“Sorry, but I’ll head out right away. Silphy is already preparing for the ritual.”

So Lindy left as well, leaving just Clarice and me behind. Once again, it turned out we would be drinking alone, yet the drinking appointment was still hours away.

“I have things to prepare too, so I’ll stop by your room later. Is the drink the same as yesterday?”

“Ah, yes. Do as you please. The drink from yesterday was quite good.”

Of course, I couldn’t remember the drink’s taste since I was drunkenly out of it, but I didn’t want to show weakness, so I pretended to be knowledgeable about it. Some might say it’s childish, but a man is inherently filled with bravado.

“Okay. See you later.”

Eventually, Clarice left too. I was left alone, pondering what to do. Sure, I could return to my room and wait aimlessly, but I felt it would be a waste of my limited time in the Spirit Realm.

Alright. Since I’m in the Spirit Realm, I should go meet the cute, cool, and beautiful spirits. And who knows? There might be a spirit out there who could form a contract with me.

*

To summarize the result, it was a total failure. My spirit sensitivity was on such a pathetic level that it was practically non-existent. Just like yesterday, many spirits swarmed around me, but I couldn’t even form a contract with the weakest spirit among them.

In the end, I just mingled and played around with the spirits that approached me.

However, I didn’t know how this rumor spread, but the spirits all appearing as women put me in a bit of an awkward position.

They were so pure and innocent that they had no qualms about physical contact, but it didn’t quite match up to the skinship friends exchange, so there was no particular reason to feel shy.

Given that I often played around with beautiful female friends in a party devoid of men, I had gotten used to life as a woman, so I didn’t feel a significant burden.

In fact, I was now more accustomed to talking with women than men. Conversations with men usually came with romantic intentions directed towards me due to my appearance, prompting me to naturally avoid such chats.

As the appointed time approached and it was time to return to the palace, the spirits all gathered to bid farewell to me with faces expressing their disappointment at my departure. They would have happily accepted a contract if I had even a trace of spirit sensitivity, and I couldn’t help but feel regret.

Once I returned to my room, I prepared for Clarice’s eventual arrival. Although yesterday’s unexpected visit from her caused me to hastily drink and become inebriated, today would be different.

First, I grabbed a bottle of water. It’s said that drinking water intermixed with alcohol helps to stay tipsy longer. Additionally, I brought some fruits. It might seem silly to have fruits as a snack while drinking fruit wine, but at least it’s better than pouring alcohol on an empty stomach.

I was determined not to get drunk today while waiting, when I heard a knock on the door.

“Yes, I’m coming out!”

When I opened the door, as expected, Clarice was right there.

“Come on in!”

I confidently ushered her into the room since I had prepared well for her visit. Since she was familiar with the room, Clarice stepped in with an easy gait and placed the bottle of alcohol on the table.

“I brought the same drink as yesterday, just like I said. And….”

With that, Clarice rummaged in her pocket and pulled something out. She neatly placed what she retrieved beside the bottle of alcohol.

It was a tiny glass bottle, about the size of a finger, filled with a transparent liquid like water.

“It’s my tears. Will you accept it?”

While I tried to comprehend the idea of saving one’s tears in a glass bottle, I had to wonder what her intentions were in giving it to me as a gift.

“Um… don’t think it’s weird just because it’s tears. Like Flora’s feather or Truewell’s gem, or Ignis’s flames, my tears also have special effects. Just think of it as a potion. Drinking it will enhance your spirit sensitivity.”

Her words reminded me of the feather from Flora tucked away in my pocket. A feather capable of summoning the Spirit King Flora to the material world, even if just for a moment.

If it enhances spirit sensitivity, it’s something of immeasurable value on par with Flora’s feather. If I took it to the material world, people would fight over it even for a sum of gold.

Of course, I wouldn’t sell Clarice’s tears.

“Though it’s not much since it’s all in that little bottle, I hope it helps you.”

“It’s sure to help. Can I drink it right now?”

Seeing her nod, I opened the cap right in front of her and gulped it down. Although it was only a sip, I could feel energy flooding through my body as soon as I swallowed.

“This is spirit sensitivity…?”

“Oh no…. was it insufficient…?”

“With this level of sensitivity, how much spirit can I contract?”

Since it was a power I had never experienced before, I had no idea how to gauge it, so I asked her instead. It might be hard for me to assess how much energy resides within me, but for her, as a Spirit King, it should be easy.

“You’ll probably be limited to a low-level spirit. It’s hard to take form in the material world, and they only manifest weak strength.”

“That’s disappointing.”

The purpose I aimed to form a contract with spirits was not just to borrow their power, but simply to enjoy the fact of being with cute, cool, and beautiful spirits.

But to learn that my spirit sensitivity was limited to that of low-level spirits, who can’t show off their cuteness, coolness, and beauty, was simply tragic.

“Indeed. If only I had middle-level spirit sensitivity….”

“Well, it can’t be helped. This is just my ability. By the way, I really appreciate you giving me such a precious item, Clarice.”

“No, I gave it out of my own will.”

Along with my thanks, I pulled out a chair for her. Once she sat according to my invitation, I took a seat across from her.

There’s nothing material I can offer to Clarice in return. But that doesn’t mean I can’t find a way to express gratitude. It’s not all about material things.

“Even though it’s just the two of us today, let’s enjoy ourselves like yesterday.”

I decided to show how grateful I felt by being her drinking buddy and making this gathering even more enjoyable than the last.

“Uh, yeah…. Just like yesterday….”

Indeed, she already seemed excited at the prospect of drinking, revealing an eager expression.