NOVEL NEXT Ch. 38
The target didn’t lie.
Therefore, the status floating next to Agnes’s head must be the truth.
Physical: 0.7
Mental Defense: 0.1
Magic Sensitivity: 3.2
Spirit Sensitivity: 8.9
While everything else was within the expected range, even Deltain was astonished at the spirit sensitivity.
The number that appeared was 8.9 out of 10.
A natural spirit sensitivity of 8.9 was an absurd number.
To put it into perspective, even Kaltara had a natural physical ability of 7.1.
This meant that Agnes Levadine, from birth, was a new being blessed by spirits.
In that moment, a possibility surfaced in Deltain’s mind.
‘If this woman hadn’t been a host of the magic flower…’
Evil Lore wouldn’t have needed a player.
If Agnes had grown up normally, she would have torn apart the invading demons with her own strength.
The fact that her mental defense was lower than that of an ant didn’t matter.
One of the primary characteristics of spirit masters was that they could enhance their mental defense using spirits.
“Deltain?”
Agnes leaned her head closer.
Startled, Deltain pulled back, which only made Agnes’s smile deepen.
“So, I can come too, right?”
Her cherry blossom-colored eyes sparkled with clear anticipation.
It wasn’t just that she could go; with a sensitivity like hers, they should be begging her to join.
Agnes’s sensitivity was high enough to communicate with even the Spirit King of the snowy mountains, if needed be.
Although Deltain could have just nodded, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
There were many logical reasons—like her frail body—but ultimately, it was his pride.
“… do you really think spirit sensitivity alone is enough to travel? The snowy mountains are the polar regions. With that fragile body of yours, you’d barely make five steps before it becomes a living hell.”
“Then you can carry me. Or better yet, can’t you just use magic to fix the weather?”
“You think that’s the only problem? Have you forgotten? The only reason you’re still alive without being attacked by demons is because of the
“Are there really that many demons?”
“This is why you, capital folks, are so clueless. If there weren’t any demons, would I still need to maintain the Saint’s Hall?”
The Demon King had been slain, and the main story of Evil Lore was over.
But that didn’t mean the chaos had ended.
Demons that crossed through dimensional gates still roamed the continent, and among them were beings like Gaias, who even Deltain couldn’t let his guard down against.
“… the only reason I can freely roam outside is because demons can’t mess with my mind. But what about you? Your mental defense is the worst I’ve ever seen in anyone. A demon could knock you out with just a puff of breath.”
“Hmm, would demons even want to come near you?”
“They’d be desperate to. I closed the gates to their home, after all.”
Agnes frowned, clearly displeased.
“That’s too bad. In that case, I just need to learn spirit magic and come along, right?”
“Don’t even think about it. Being a spirit master is a job that even those with spirit sensitivity often avoid.”
“Why?”
“Do you think it’s easy to please spirits? Those bastards are shut-ins who never want to leave the land they’ve settled on. And naturally, spirit masters who contract with them are also stuck in that same land.”
This was the main problem that troubled Deltain.
It was easy enough to coerce a spirit master to come along, but if their contracted spirit refused to budge, the spirit master was rendered useless.
Spirits were fiercely possessive. If their contracted spirit master even thought about seeing another spirit, they’d monopolize the spirit master’s sensitivity to blind them.
Such spirits would never willingly help their spirit masters meet with another.
Agnes laughed in amusement at Deltain’s explanation.
“They sound really fun. I kind of like them.”
“You like being obsessed over? Are you mentally ill?”
“Isn’t that someone really liking me?”
“Once you experience it, you won’t be saying that.”
“Have you experienced it?”
“Yeah, I’ve had more than five women sneak up on me in the middle of the night, trying to assault me with a knife.”
Of course, that was back on Earth, but Agnes didn’t know that. She couldn’t overlook what he said.
Her expression briefly turned cold.
“… who were they?”
Her tone was icy, but before Deltain could question it, Agnes’s expression returned to normal, her usual bright smile.
“I can’t imagine you’d have let them go. I’m curious what happened.”
“What else? I threw them in jail.”
“You didn’t kill them?”
“Sorry, but I’m not a murderer. I don’t kill people just for revenge.”
“Hmm…”
Agnes nodded as if she understood and then said.
“Then I really must go with you.”
“What part of what I said—?”
“You said it’s hard to bring spirit master along. And there’s no one else with proper sensitivity who can go. That means I’m the only option.”
“What—”
“Exactly the nonsense you’re spouting.”
Deltain’s expression twisted.
Agnes placed her hand on top of his, gently tapping his hand.
“Don’t overthink it. This is the reasonable thing to do. As for demons… I’m not worried because I know you’ll protect me from any demon that comes our way.”
It was a declaration of trust, but when examined closely, it revealed a certain slyness.
Agnes was provoking him.
‘Are you telling me you can’t even protect the person right next to you?’
Deltain let out a short laugh.
The provocation was obvious, and he could easily ignore it. But…
‘… I have to admit it.’
The honest truth was that no one was better suited for this task than her.
A spirit master who could move freely was rarer than a mythical beast, and searching for one would take too long when he had a perfectly suitable candidate right in front of him.
After a long pause, weighing the benefits and risks, Deltain sighed and said.
“Fine, but don’t blame me if you die on the way.”
Taking Agnes along was far more advantageous.
When Deltain made that judgment, Agnes burst into a fit of laughter.
*
“Going out… you say? To the snowy mountains?”
In the duke’s study.
Duke Levadine widened his eyes and asked Deltain.
When Deltain nodded, the duke spoke as if astonished.
“I never imagined my daughter had spirit sensitivity. And to the extent that the Count would rank her the highest.”
The expression that crossed the duke’s face held a mixture of emotions.
Joy, guilt, and a tinge of sorrow.
“… truly, if only she had been healthy, Agnes could have lived a life receiving the love of the entire world.”
“Isn’t she already receiving love?”
“The love she gets now is mixed with pity and sympathy, isn’t it?”
The duke’s tone was rather bitter.
He seemed to carry the guilt of not being able to bring his daughter into the world healthy.
To this, Deltain added words of comfort.
“… if she were healthy, her sensitivity might have been lower.”
“Hm?”
“Sensitivity, in the end, is about how much one aligns with the spirits’ preferences.”
“Oh, so you’re saying spirits might prefer weak individuals?”
“That’s right. Spirits are more mysterious than they are known.”
At this, the duke let out a small chuckle.
“That’s an interesting perspective.”
Realizing that Deltain’s words were meant as comfort, Duke Levadine quickly erased his bitter expression and nodded.
“Then please proceed.”
“… you’re granting permission rather easily.”
“I trust the Count.”
The duke’s face broke into a broad, pleased smile.
It was a face that made Deltain feel uneasy.
“I’ll leave my daughter in your care.”
There was an inexplicable warmth in his words.
Deltain unconsciously avoided his gaze.
Those words didn’t feel like just words.
*
Three more days passed at the Count’s residence.
Deltain summoned his hounds to the study and gave them a once-over.
His gaze eventually settled in the direction of Kaltara.
She had been smiling the whole time, looking quite satisfied.
“… why is your expression like that?”
“I ate the cardinal!”
“Ah.”
Deltain closed his eyes tightly at her blunt and unfiltered words.
“Next time, be more discreet. Saying it like that makes me imagine it, and it’s nauseating.”
“Got it! I craved the cardinal!”
“I said next time, you rotten bitch.”
“Sure! I’ll keep that in mind.”
Deltain pressed his temples, complaining of a headache.
“So… why did you call us?”
Among them, it was the nymphomaniac Javis who raised his hand and spoke.
His green eyes, peeking out from his blue hair, were a mix of anxiety and curiosity.
Deltain responded nonchalantly.
“We’re going to the snowy mountains. In ten days.”
“Ugh….”
Javis’s face darkened.
He had always hated going out, and the thought of a long-term mission already filled him with dread.
The carnivore Pobler, who had been scolding Javis with stern eyes, then turned to Deltain and asked,
“What is the purpose?”
“We need to find a spirit.”
“A spirit, you say….”
Pobler furrowed his brow.
He knew that finding a spirit required a spirit master.
Sensing what Pobler wanted to say, Deltain continued.
“We’re taking the duke’s daughter with us. Her sensitivity is high. Oh, and Cargo too.”
“Oho!”
Kaltara beamed with delight.
“Shall I get him to lose some weight?”
“Yes, just make sure he’s not flabby when he runs.”
“Leave it to me! I’ll wring him dry.”
Deltain didn’t bother asking how she planned to do it.
He had learned by now that some things were best left unknown, a lesson taught by the 7th Princess, Elina.
“Is it really okay to take the princess along? She’s quite mischievous….”
Javis’s voice was thick with anxiety. He had a severe phobia of women.
The only women he could bear to be around were children, the elderly, and Kaltara, who didn’t count as a woman to him.
Deltain scoffed.
“Then what? Will you find me another spirit master who can still move?”
Javis clamped his mouth shut.
Deltain, slouching in his chair, addressed the hounds.
“As you all know, the princess has the mental defense of an insect. Once we leave the capital, we’ll have to be even more careful than usual.”
“We’ll be sure to prepare thoroughly.”
Pobler bowed his head.
Deltain’s gaze shifted to Galan, the necrophiliac.
He simply nodded, indifferent.
Deltain didn’t bother pointing out Galan’s lack of response. Galan couldn’t speak because he didn’t have vocal cords.
“… anyway, that’s why you all will take turns closely guarding the princess this time. Twelve-hour shifts. Make sure you’re in top shape before departure.”
After giving his orders, Deltain waved his hand, and the hounds left the study.
It was at that moment.
“Count, a guest has arrived.”
Gerhart entered the study.
Behind him was a man wearing a robe.
Deltain narrowed his eyes.
He knew who the man was, based on how he entered without being invited, his robed appearance, and his general build.
“Why have you come?”
“Did I offend you?”
A voice laced with amusement echoed from beneath the robe.
The man then lowered his hood, revealing lustrous white hair spilling out from within.
It was Emperor Ishmark von Lebroch.
He had come to the Count’s estate.
“Could you spare some time for me?”