Chapter : 123

What in the world just happened?

I stared dumbfounded at the lizard and the long-tailed tit that were busy bickering with each other.

No, is it right to call that bird a long-tailed tit?

The long-tailed tit, commonly known as a ‘baepsae,’ is a cute bird with snow-white feathers.

In comparison, the feathers of the bird, which was preoccupied with fighting Albedo, held the golden light of the sun.

《Theo!!!》

At Albedo’s furious shout, I hastily grabbed Albedo tightly with both hands.

《You should be grabbing that fool, not me!》

“But!”

Although Albedo was the one getting unilaterally beaten, isn’t it a bit much to grab that cute, fluffy long-tailed tit with both hands?

As if reading my thoughts, Albedo glared with wide eyes.

The bird that had suddenly appeared puffed up its body and chirped loudly at Albedo.

《You little brat!!》

“Let’s not act like a kkondae!”

Seeing Albedo finally slip out of my grasp, I quickly used a skill to catch him.

Albedo, caught in the golden chains, struggled violently, but fortunately, he couldn’t escape.

《Theo, you scoundrel! Are you taking the side of a mere Light Spirit now!!!》

At Albedo’s shout, I blinked blankly.

Light Spirit? So… this bird is the Light Spirit?

The Light Spirit that only appeared once or twice in the game’s main story and that was it?

But in the original storyline, wasn’t it more like a fairy than a bird like this?

“Peeee!”

At the bird’s strangely dissatisfied cry, I just blinked foolishly.

What on earth is it trying to say? I couldn’t understand it, but Albedo certainly could.

《Old? Did you just call me old!?》

The golden chains thrashed violently, and for a moment, my body was overloaded.

I thought that now that my mana had increased quite a bit, holding Albedo in his lizard form would be fine, but it seemed I was completely mistaken.

My body curled up in pain as if my breath had been knocked out of me, and I clutched the area around my heart. In an instant, blood seeped from my throat.

《Theo!》

“Peee…!”

The golden chains were released, but fortunately, the two of them didn’t bicker with each other like before.

What a relief that they’re not fighting.

“⋯Are you two calm now?”

I asked the two beasts, wiping the blood from my mouth.

《How dare you do such a reckless thing!》

“Pee, pee!!”

What are you really saying? Ugh, letting out a small groan, I flopped down on the bed.

“Albedo, you can understand what the Light Spirit is saying, right?”

《That’s right.》

As if reluctant, Albedo scowled, but he didn’t deny the fact.

“Then you interpret what the Light Spirit is saying.”

《Who do you think you’re using as a translator right now!》

Lightly ignoring Albedo’s complaint, I wiped the tears of the bird crying ‘peep peep’ on my lap as if it had done something wrong.

I thought I wouldn’t even be able to touch it because it was a Light Spirit, but surprisingly, I could, and its feathers were quite fluffy.

“You, too, if you think Albedo is misinterpreting, shake your head twice, alright?”

Peep! The Light Spirit replied as if it understood.

Albedo looked like he was about to die from frustration, but he eventually quieted down.

It seemed he thought he had no choice since I had even vomited blood, even though my body was already in bad shape, because of his resistance.

If his guilt made him cooperative, it wouldn’t be bad for me either, so I decided to subtly take advantage of it.

“How did you end up in that dungeon?”

“Peep peep?”

The Light Spirit tilted its head.

《It seems it doesn’t even know what you mean by dungeon. It looks like it doesn’t even know why it’s there, let alone the dungeon.》

Feeling ignored by Albedo’s explanation, the Light Spirit sent a murderous glare as if it would peck Albedo at any moment, but it didn’t shake its head twice.

Hmm, if it doesn’t even know the reason itself, is it the system’s arrangement?

Spirits are beings of the unknown.

The most well-known fact was that the Hero’s Holy Sword was inhabited by a Light Spirit, and the Hero of the Holy Sword received the spirit’s blessing.

“The dungeon is the place where you were staying.”

“Peee, pee! Peep peep!!”

It’s inconvenient not being able to communicate.

Help me, Albedo! I sent a look to Albedo.

《It says it only remembers being told to wait for a master who would one day come.》

“Peep, peeee, pee!”

《That the master who would one day come would have a ring of the most brilliant light on their hand, so it would recognize them right away. Could that be….》

“Could the ring you’re talking about be this one?”

I held up my left hand to show the spirit, and it nodded its head repeatedly as if that was correct.

Albedo let out a groan at the spirit’s words. He had helped me obtain the ring, but the fact that the ring had played a part in leading a spirit he disliked seemed to be quite despairing for him.

“Peep, pee!”

The Light Spirit, which had latched onto the ring, chirped happily.

《Now that the long-awaited master has finally come, break the contract with the evil demon… Who gave you permission to break the contract!!》

Albedo once again became enraged, as if he would breathe fire from his mouth.

It wasn’t that I couldn’t understand how he felt.

From Albedo’s perspective, a rolling stone was trying to dislodge the embedded one, so it was natural for him to be angry.

At the same time, he would be anxious. He would have known full well that I was reluctant to make a contract with a demon.

“Peee, peeee!!”

It felt like it was saying it would take responsibility for the aftermath of breaking the contract with the demon.

It was obvious just by looking at how Albedo wasn’t translating the Light Spirit’s words.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can break the contract.”

“Peep peep?!”

The flustered Light Spirit, as if it had not expected to be rejected, shed tears sorrowfully once again.

Is this really a Light Spirit? I shouldn’t be thinking such bad thoughts, right…?

“Still, we’ve spent nearly two months together, and I’ve received a lot of help in one way or another, so I don’t think it’s right to break the contract.”

《Haha! Did you hear that? This is the bond between Theo and me, you foolish Light Spirit!!》

I was on the verge of letting out a hollow laugh at Albedo’s instantly triumphant appearance.

“I’m sorry.”

“Peee….”

《Young spirit! Give up!!》

“I have no intention of breaking my contract with Albedo, but if you’re okay with it, how about a dual contract?”

However, what followed was something even Albedo had not expected.

Kehek! The flustered Albedo seemed to have inhaled wrongly, as he was busy gasping for breath several times.

Oh my, should I ask him if he was very surprised?

“Peeee?”

Is such a thing possible? A sense of wonder bloomed in its green eyes that resembled Lucian’s.

《Theo, you seem to not understand, but the light of this young thing that can’t even utter human words will be swallowed by my darkness.》

“Peeeeek?!”

Is this perhaps an assassination attempt?! A faint laugh escaped me at the feeling of hearing such a cry.

If nothing else, it was a spirit whose emotions were very transparent.

“Doesn’t darkness fail to overcome light?”

It’s not for nothing that the Holy Sword has an absolute advantage against demons.

《That story only applies to mediocre demons, not to me.》

Hmm, so he’s not an ancient demon for nothing.

“So that’s why you tried to pull Lucian out by the roots.”

《Is that what’s important right now?!

I am the purest darkness.

You, who have a form, will not be tainted by my darkness, but do you think a bratty spirit that has not even acquired a proper language can resist my darkness?!》

This wasn’t just a reaction out of annoyance at me making a contract with the Light Spirit.

《I have no intention of favoring a mere spirit! But be aware that what you are about to do is to corrupt the purest Light Spirit with darkness!》

“Sorry, but I have something to fall back on too.”

Was it a preparation for a situation like this? I have a way too.

A method that is certain and requires no risk.

+++

▷Special Skill : Light Spirit

The Light Spirit has recognized your existence.

As long as it is with you, the Light Spirit can remain as eternal light—hope.

※Affinity with Light Spirit increased by 500%

※Penalty of the Ring of Solomon decreased by 200%

※All effects increase or decrease according to the spirit’s emotions and trust

+++

With this, even if I make a contract with the Light Spirit, I can protect both Albedo and the Light Spirit.

It feels like everything was prepared in advance, but for now, it’s a skill that I couldn’t be more happy to have.

“Anyway, I have something to fall back on, but I don’t want to force a contract. If you wish, I’ll try to find another contractor for you.”

Zephyros has the power of wind, so it might be difficult, but wouldn’t Senior Lerwon be possible?

Besides, Senior Lerwon getting stronger was something I would welcome.

After all, if the senior becomes even a little stronger, he’ll be safer from Iris Viden’s schemes.

“Peee….”

It seemed to be contemplating.

“Want to think about it a little more?”

Since it’s a risky endeavor, it’s natural to think it over.

I have no intention of rushing it.

I do want to become stronger, but the Light Spirit isn’t the only means of doing so.

“Peep peep!!”

《It says… it will make the contract.》

Albedo’s expression soured.

Oh, that’s the look of someone who wants to bite their tongue and die.

《Is it because it’s still young, or is it that birds of a feather flock together. It must be crazy!》

“So says Theo Lisitoel’s first contractor.”

If I tease him any more, Albedo might really try to kill me.

So, do I make a contract now like I did with Albedo? First, before that—

“Can I give you a name?”

“Peep, peep!”

Even if we couldn’t communicate, its emotions were so clear that it wasn’t hard to guess.

It was definitely shouting, “By all means!”

I felt sorry for making it take a risk, but it was so compliant that I felt even more sorry.

“Can I call you ‘Lou’ from now on?”

“Peep peep!”

That means yes, right? I glanced at Albedo out of anxiety, and he had a look of utter frustration.

Seeing Lou dancing around, it seemed he really liked his new name.

So, is the contract next?

I waited for the ensuing contract with a slightly nervous expression.

However, Lou did nothing and instead looked at me as if asking what I was waiting for.

“Aren’t we making a contract?”

《Did you perhaps think we would make a special contract like the one you and I did?》

“It’s not like that?”

《That is only necessary for a contract between a demon and a human, not for a contract between a human and a spirit.》

“Then what is needed for a contract between a spirit and a human?”

Flap flap, Lou flew up into the air and charged straight at me? Wait, charged?

I hurriedly tried to dodge Lou’s headbutt, but Lou rammed his forehead into mine first.

Clang! As head and head collided, a pain as if my forehead was splitting open washed over me.

“Kkeueuk!!”

Ah, I’m going to bleed from my forehead! Swallowing a scream, I flailed my feet.

“Contract established!”

Those words echoed faintly in my ears. At the same time, my mind became muddled.

《That’s why I told you not to make a contract.》

Tsk tsk, with the sound of Albedo clicking his tongue as the last thing I heard, I lost consciousness.

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