Ch.193193. Naming (1)

Using Friel’s spirit power, I formed a contract with my third spirit.

The thought of naming this cotton ball had been on my mind since I first contracted with this tiny spirit.

A fair amount of time had passed since I contracted with the cotton ball, and we’d spent many leisurely hours together during our carriage travels.

The reason I hadn’t named the cotton ball yet was because I wanted to use the spirit stone that Siabel Sianella had secretly stolen and given to me in the Great Forest, the most spirit-friendly environment on the continent, while simultaneously giving it a name.

But now—

‘I’ve already used the spirit stone.’

The gift from Siabel, who by now has probably been severely scolded by Ainel for stealing treasure from the storehouse.

Through a fateful encounter with Edelin, the High Elf of this place, I ended up using that spirit stone not to raise the cotton ball’s rank as a spirit, but to reconnect with another spirit I had previously contracted with.

I used it to reconnect with Tania, and what’s more—

‘I even made a promise when using the spirit stone.’

As if pleased with the spirit stone—

—Hiee…!

It made a strange crying sound while hugging the gem tightly.

Just like catnip that drives cats crazy, the cotton ball didn’t want to part with the highest quality spirit stone that drives spirits wild.

To somehow separate them, I promised to use the spirit stone for the cotton ball if it would just be patient, but I broke that promise.

As compensation, I promised to definitely give it a name.

‘I should name it as Tania said.’

It would be best not to delay any longer.

—Myung myung myung.

I took the spirit that was rolling its tiny front paws on Tania’s hands while continuously chattering about something.

After matching eye level with the cotton ball.

I spoke words that could meet the expectations in the spirit’s brightly shining eyes.

“I’ll give you a name.”

Before entering the eastern forest, rolling in the dirt, deflecting arrows and swords, and facing days of blood storms.

Before those harsh days arrive, in what little peace and leisure remains.

At least this afternoon would be the cotton ball’s time.

—Hieeee…!!

“Ah, it’s broken.”

The cotton ball, drunk with joy, began to bounce around wildly on my hand.

* * *

An emergency gathering was called under the pretext of naming the cotton ball.

Though calling it an emergency gathering… since the only person I could casually call was Sione.

All I had to do was go to Sione’s nearby room and knock on the door.

“Lady Sione. Are you in there?”

“Huh?”

“I’ve come to discuss something… excuse me for intruding.”

The moment I grabbed the doorknob and turned it.

“W-wait…!”

Bang!

At first, there was a sound of something heavy hitting the floor.

Thump thump!

Then came the sound of Sione’s presence and hurried footsteps approaching.

Suddenly at the door, Sione firmly grabbed the doorknob, preventing me from entering.

‘…What’s with her all of a sudden?’

Usually, she never cared when I came in. No, rather, it was as if she wanted me to come quickly.

Even if I burst in without knocking, our Sione would come running with cookies in hand.

“…What’s wrong?”

“I-I’m just changing clothes right now…! Wait a little bit!”

“Ah… you haven’t changed yet.”

“No, I was just taking a short break before changing…! Anyway, just wait a moment!”

During the brief commotion while Sione changed her clothes.

Tania, who had been staring blankly through the door, asked.

“Park Shinwoo. Didn’t you say your master is a high noble from a count’s family?”

“That’s right. She’s the second daughter of a margrave.”

“Hmm… the noble I know and this Sione noble seem a bit different.”

“Different how?”

“The nobles I know are people with dignity and discipline. Not people who come running in a panic because they’re not dressed.”

“Ah…”

Well, Sione does show somewhat disorderly behavior from time to time.

And not all nobles maintain such dignified appearances.

“Nobles are people too, just people.”

“But the nobles I’ve seen weren’t like that.”

“The nobles you’ve seen were all nobles in dramas. It’s all acting.”

“Tch.”

While chatting with Tania, the door opened and Sione appeared.

From her disheveled silver hair to the drooping corners of her eyes revealing her exhaustion.

How long does it take to change clothes? Even her hastily put-on outfit was in disarray.

The doorknob turning and the door about to open must have been quite shocking to her.

‘Her armor is rolling on the floor too.’

Seeing the plated armor she had been wearing until recently lying pitifully on the floor.

That initial bang must have been the sound of that armor falling.

Recently, she’s been trying to appear cool, or perhaps composed.

It was nice to see her characteristic clumsy side after a long time.

“Hehe…”

Sione laughed emptily while fixing her hair and said.

“Sorry for the wait. I told you it was okay to come a little later after resting…”

Sione took another step out of the room and glanced around the corridor.

Quickly confirming whether anyone else was wandering around besides us.

After confirming that no one else was nearby, Sione suddenly cleared her throat with a fake cough and said.

“Ahem… did you come quickly because you missed me?”

“…”

“…”

“…”

So this is what Sione is really like, Tania nodded with a somewhat solemn expression.

The cotton ball yawned indifferently, as if already accustomed to my master’s behavior.

And Sione, embarrassed by her own words.

To hide her reddening cheeks, she unnecessarily messed up her hair again, perfectly concealing her cheeks.

“S-so what did you want to talk about?”

“I’m trying to name our cotton ball here. Since you said before that you’d help with naming.”

“Ah. That’s right.”

“So I thought it would be good to think about it together, and came a bit early.”

“Then shall we go inside and talk?”

“I’ll be intruding then.”

With Sione’s permission, I finally entered the room and was about to close the door when.

Thump.

Someone’s hand wedged into the gap, preventing the door from closing.

‘…!’

There had been no presence at all. Who could it be…?

I too was quite startled by this unexpected visitor’s action and reflexively tried to close the door harder.

But the visitor, refusing to yield, applied more force to widen the gap.

And revealed their eyes to those inside the room.

Sione, looking somewhat frightened at this strange person, quietly murmured.

“…Sir Diolia?”

What? Diolia?

Surely Diolia would knock if she wanted to knock. She wouldn’t force the door open by wedging her hand in the gap—

“Umm… Ray. Could you open the door?”

Wow, damn. It really is Diolia.

“…Understood.”

I released my grip on the doorknob as Diolia requested.

What appeared through the opened door was indeed.

Not just the familiar voice but Diolia, one of the proud knights of the Count’s family.

The knight looked down at the cotton ball that had climbed onto my hand and was looking up at her with somewhat intimidated eyes.

“Phew… I was just mingling with the Count’s soldiers who came with us and was on my way back. Somehow I overheard your conversation.”

“Sir, w-what conversation…?”

“I heard Ray talking about naming the contracted spirit…”

“…”

“Perhaps… could I join in as well?”

“Ah… it might be better to ask Ray about that rather than me?”

“Ah.”

Diolia’s eyes swiveled to focus on me.

In her serious eyes, I could somehow sense Diolia’s inner feelings, wondering why I hadn’t invited her and feeling left out.

“…Ray. Would it be alright if I joined in naming your spirit?”

Well, what…

They say two heads are better than one. Naming shouldn’t be any different.

After staring at her awkwardly for a moment, I straightened my posture and answered.

“Of course. If you would think with us, Sir Diolia, we could probably come up with an even better name.”

“Hmm.”

Only then did a satisfied curve appear at the corners of Diolia’s lips.

As she quietly entered the room and closed the door, I said to her.

“Sir Diolia, could you hold out your hand for a moment?”

“My hand? Here—”

I carefully placed the cotton ball on her outstretched hand.

“Ah.”

—Myung…!

The knight with the tiny spirit on her hand, and the cotton ball caught in the knight’s hand.

In that moment where their joy and annoyance intersected.

—Mya.

The cotton ball glared at me with a prim voice.

—Hey, Park Shinwoo.

‘Yes?’

—I’ll let it slide this time. Just hurry up and give me a name already.

Unlike with Diolia, it seems the cotton ball doesn’t particularly like her.