Chapter 326: Chapter 181: 24-Hour Warrior (1)

『It seems the contract was a success. Can you feel this connection as well, Martel?』

Eventually all the light and spectacle vanished from the room and it returned to its initial state. The Spirit King’s satisfied voice broke the silence.

』…Umm… yes, I can feel it. It’s like your presence is much closer to me now, Lord Sym.』

The contract created a bond between Martel and Mira, which was tethered onto all the other contracts present through the Spirit King’s Divine Protection. Martel focused for a bit on that new connection and clearly felt it, bringing forth a solemn but pleased smile.

『Oh my, Worth is here as well. How long has it been?』

As Martel checked the new bonds, she suddenly raised her voice happily. Mira looked at her, wondering what had happened, but quickly understood. The spirit of stillness Worthramble. Martel had encountered him through the Spirit King’s Divine Protection, and from her reaction they seemed to be acquainted.

『Yeah I know, I just formed a contract with her and was checking out the bonds Lord Sym mentioned. This is incredible, I didn’t think I would run into you here.』

Martel was starting to get more talkative, which changed slightly the impression she gave at first. She seemed to be enjoying herself so much that the Spirit King remained silent, letting her talk as much as she wanted. At the same time, Mira once again understood the position Originator Spirits held, being able to keep the Spirit King waiting like that.

『Yes, I’m still taking care of that, Lord Sym’s power made an opening in the seal to get here. Ah right, you were guarding Sancty, right? Is she doing alright?』

『Huh? Wait, so she’s also formed a contract with Mira? Hmm… ah, found it. I think this is Sancty’s…』

『I know, Mira is pretty incredible. Oh hey Sancty, I’m glad to hear you’re doing alright…』

『I think that it should be alright? Let me ask her just in case.』

She was starting to sound like a secretary on the phone, talking to Worthramble and then to the Spirit King’s daughter Sanctia at the same time, but then she kept them on hold and turned to Mira.

「Mira, Sancty asks if her father has been causing you trouble. What should I tell her?」

「Ah… uhh… I wouldn’t say he’s caused any trouble, he’s actually a pretty good source of information.」

Mira was a bit startled being addressed so suddenly, but she quickly gave an honest reply. The Spirit King merely repeated 「source of information…」 in a weak voice, but did not complain.

『I don’t think you should worry, she says he’s actually helping her.』

『Mhm, I know. I’ll do my best to not fall behind you either.』

『Ah, since you’re still with Worth, is Tinney around there too?』

『Yeah, I can imagine that, it brings back memories. Huh… this is weird. I can’t find a connection to Tinney.』

『Huh, are you sure? She didn’t form a contract? Do you know why?』

『Oh… I guess that’s how water spirits are sometimes. That’s a shame.』

Tinney, that had to be a nickname for Anlutine, the water spirit that was with Worthramble and Sanctia. Mira thought about that as she listened to Martel’s conversation, though only her voice was audible.

「How long do you think this will take?」

Martel’s conversation showed no signs of ending, so Mira turned to the Spirit King. He just shrugged a bit and said, 「Once Martel starts talking there’s no way of stopping her.」

「And I just gave her a wealth of connections to talk with… This might backfire one day.」

「It’s been millenia since she had an outlet, I’m sure she’ll wind down eventually. I hope.」

「I hope so too.」

His voice did not sound too convincing. Mira watched Martel talk endlessly and sat down randomly, waiting for Martel to pay attention to them again.

But as an ancient spirit, Martel knew many other spirits, and Mira also had contracts with many spirits, so she found old friend after old friend, all of which she wanted to greet. It seemed like that would go on for a while longer.

Martel’s voice was clearly audible to Mira, but that was only because the contract was so recent. Once their bond deepened, Martel would be able to communicate without her voice disturbing Mira.

「I’m really sorry, I got carried away there. But this really is incredible.」n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

A bit more than an hour later Martel finished talking to the other spirits, and finally turned around with a satisfied smile.

「I’m glad you enjoyed it.」

She had kept Mira and the Spirit King waiting for a long time, but that place was filled with so many surprises that it was easy to wait that time. There were all sorts of plants growing everywhere in the room, so just observing each variety would take a while. The two had been doing that, walking around and looking at the various plants until Martel was done.

「It really is an odd sensation though. It’s like I’m much closer to you now, Mira. It’s a really warm and kind feeling. I guess that’s what a bond feels like.」

The Spirit King’s Divine Protection offered an additional connection on top of the contract, so Mira’s feelings were also communicated more clearly, her kindness enveloping Martel.

「Let’s get along from now on too, Mira.」

Martel said that and tightly embraced Mira. Either Mira’s feelings had touched her, or she had actually missed interacting with others more than she knew herself. From afar it looked like a mother and daughter, though Martel who looked like the older one was being pampered like a child.

「Of course, let’s get along.」

Mira was a bit taken aback by the sudden hug and onrush of a floral scent, but she quickly recomposed herself and replied calmly. The Spirit King watched with a fatherly smile, glad to see such friendship flourish between humans and spirits.

So much time had passed that Mira decided it was best to spend the night at Martel’s house. She had only gotten there thanks to the Spirit King’s power opening the way, so it was an extremely safe location, only someone with a similar power being able to infiltrate it.

For dinner they had a salad made of special vegetables grown by Martel, with the juice of a new species of fruit as dressing, making it an extremely unique meal. It also had plenty of nutritious value, and it granted various effects that would enhance Mira’s abilities for a few days.

Mira also felt like her body was lighter after eating it, which prompted her to wolf down even more of that wondrous salad, leading to her eventually feeling bloated.

「I can die in peace now.」

Mira said with gleeful joy as she reclined her body on the bed of vines prepared by Martel. Mira usually favored eating meat, so the fact that she gorged on a meal of only vegetables went to show just how special Martel’s plants were.

Mira rubbed her full stomach and thanked Martel for the meal, greatly praising it. That seemed to please Martel, filling her with motivation to make something even better for the next morning, so she went to create even more new species and tastes in preparation for that.

Meanwhile the Spirit King began to test the various produce, mentioning how some needed to be a bit more sweet, or others needed more crunch, tuning them to his own liking, which was met with glares from Martel. All in all it was a pretty playful time.