Ch.293293. Welcome Greeting

When Soho left, her presence had been quite significant, but her absence didn’t change daily life.

Originally, she had little presence in daily routines since she was always cooped up in her room acting like a monster.

Of course, there were exceptions.

“Bokshiraaaa.”

The Dark Spiritmaster longed for Soho from the floor where she used to crouch during her monster days. Soho probably wouldn’t miss being called Bokshil or the Dark Spiritmaster, but I’ll let it slide.

“Among first-time pet owners, there are people like this. They filled their emptiness through the animal, and now they’re experiencing withdrawal since it’s gone.”

Stella explained like a psychologist from the side. She seemed to have witnessed such cases before.

“What happens when pets die? It’s been quite a conundrum in religious circles.”

“Indeed. I’ve heard about that.”

I remembered hearing debates on this topic in passing in my previous world.

“So what answer did you give?”

To my question, Stella answered with a smile.

“There’s no mention of pets anywhere in scripture.”

Cruel as it might seem, that was the answer. I don’t know about my previous world, but in this continent, there isn’t even an afterlife prepared for humans.

There was no way a resting place for pets would exist.

“Should we bring in a cat from somewhere?”

To Stella’s uncharacteristically playful suggestion, I answered rather seriously.

“The souls of dead animals are difficult to find. For a soul to awaken after death, it needs sufficient desire or wish.”

They usually don’t have such things. Or rather, they can’t reach that point.

After all, their thinking and memory are inferior to humans.

“So that’s why animal souls aren’t visible?”

I left Stella nodding as she learned something new and approached the Dark Spiritmaster.

“That’s enough. Get up. Shouldn’t we celebrate Soho’s growth and departure?”

“…I’m not unhappy about her growth. I even congratulated her! But loneliness is loneliness.”

“Sigh.”

As I sighed, the Dark Spiritmaster glanced at me and muttered.

“If you’re not going to comfort me, go away. I’m going to mourn my separation from Bokshil.”

“Call her Soho. What will it take to end this drama?”

Did I take the bait?

The Dark Spiritmaster jumped up and approached me.

“Hug me.”

“…”

“I feel empty because I used to hold Bokshil every day.”

“Sigh.”

After absorbing Luanes’s power and becoming an earth-bound spirit, I could occasionally make physical contact feel tangible.

“Hmph!”

Seeing me standing still, the Dark Spiritmaster seized the opportunity and hugged me, rubbing her cheek against my chest.

Her body felt cold rather than warm. I didn’t feel much strength or pressure, but there was definitely a sensation.

About half that of a human, I’d say.

‘What exactly is the Dark Spiritmaster’s state?’

I wondered as I looked down at her clinging to my chest. Come to think of it, Luanes was already past the age where she should have died, yet she lived with a physical body.

The fact that Luanes’s power transferred to the Dark Spiritmaster…

‘Strange.’

I needed to observe the situation for now.

As I continued pondering, time passed, but the Dark Spiritmaster showed no intention of letting go.

“Move aside now.”

A satisfied smile formed on her lips. Somehow her skin seemed to have become more supple.

“Ah, that feels good. Loneliness overcome!”

If it could be overcome this easily, perhaps she wasn’t lonely to begin with.

Clicking my tongue, I turned back toward the desk where Stella stood with a sullen expression.

“I’m a bit lonely too.”

“Talk to Vellica.”

“…”

The former Saintess’s cheeks puffed up like balloons, but I pretended not to notice.

With perfect timing, Deia entered.

“The carriage is ready. We can depart immediately.”

“Thanks.”

I’d been in Norsweden longer than expected after returning. By the time we arrive, Robern Academy will probably be just before summer vacation.

But it wasn’t bad.

Norsweden now truly felt like my homeland.

As I followed Deia outside the mansion, she began sharing the information she had gathered.

“About Goven. He wasn’t originally a coachman for the Republic of Clark. He hadn’t even accumulated enough years of service to handle such an important job.”

Goven and drugs.

As I swore, everyone involved in this matter won’t escape my hands.

“The personnel suddenly changed, and he was assigned here. Wellington Trading Company deliberately reassigned Goven to the Republic of Clark.”

“…”

“And I’ve traced Goven’s drug trade route in the republic. The kid confessed everything. If we search there, we might find something.”

There were two places that needed attention.

Those who cultivate and sell Golden Flowers in the Republic of Clark.

And those who distribute, sell, and purchase them within the Griffin Kingdom.

“Even if we set aside the republic, I find Wellington Trading Company extremely suspicious.”

I agreed with Deia, who spoke with a grin.

“From what I see, they’re bad guys. They knew Goven’s past association with the drug dealer Colton’s gang and deliberately connected him with the Republic of Clark.”

“So we can assume that while Goven thought he stumbled upon a good deal by chance, it was actually intentionally created by Wellington Trading Company.”

“That way it’s easier to cut the tail. If you dangle a tasty bait in front of a fish, how can it resist?”

Since Goven had already dealt with drugs in Colton’s gang.

He naturally couldn’t resist the tempting deal.

Goven thought he was acting behind the company’s back, but in reality, the company was playing him.

That was Deia’s theory.

“Highly possible.”

I had similar thoughts as I listened to the information. Seeing that we were on the same page, Deia smiled pleasantly but expressed her regret.

“I wish we knew who was trying to buy it. The dealer Goven mentioned has already cut ties and spilled everything.”

“Hmm.”

“They’re quick-witted. This might catch something big.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

We arrived at the carriage.

Many people had come to see me off.

Starting with Darius, then Illuania and Sevia, and even the junkyard members.

They had gathered in quite a number, even though it wasn’t a permanent farewell.

“Travel safely.”

Darius patted my shoulder as he bid me farewell. I passed by without answering, just briefly meeting his eyes.

“Thank you. I’m indebted to you again.”

Kyaa!

Seeing Illuania and Sevia welcome me brought a faint smile to my face.

“If anything happens, contact me immediately. Or ask Darius for help.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Illuania had returned to work as a maid in our mansion. The wounds Goven left might still remain, but with Soho’s help, she would surely overcome them.

“Let’s go!”

Findenai was about to board the carriage first, seemingly waiting for me, but.

“You stay behind.”

“Huh?”

Findenai stopped at my words. To her expression that asked what I meant, I glanced at Deia and answered.

“Sorry, but there’s something you need to do.”

“You’re entrusting it to Findenai? I was thinking the same thing.”

Deia smiled with satisfaction, apparently also wanting Findenai’s help.

“What is it? What kind of job?”

Sensing the unfavorable flow, she had already sat in the carriage with her arms crossed.

Her whole body radiated the determination not to leave the carriage unless it was something important, but.

The moment I mentioned that she needed to find and burn down the drug production site in the Republic of Clark.

“Great! I’ll go and kill them all. I’ll make them think the great demon has returned.”

She immediately jumped out of the carriage and waved her hands excitedly. She wouldn’t have let those guys off easily, especially because of what happened to Illuania and Sevia.

“…But can’t the master come with me? I don’t want to go alone.”

Her boisterous demeanor suddenly changed. She grumbled to me, but she probably knew what answer was coming.

“I’ll be looking for those causing trouble in Griffin.”

“Tsk.”

She must have expected this answer.

“Spend some time reminiscing with the junkyard members in the republic.”

“Not exactly good memories, but alright.”

Thanks to Findenai accepting more easily than expected, I was about to board the carriage comfortably when she stepped forward.

“Since we won’t see each other for a while, let’s have a deep kiss.”

“…”

“Geez, this idiot.”

Deia shot a remark from the side, suggesting I wouldn’t do that, but Findenai proudly retorted.

“We did it a few days ago, didn’t we? He even initiated it.”

“…”

“You don’t know? The master’s lips were sweet. Maybe because of the alcohol?”

Immediately, Deia’s gaze fell on me. Not only hers, but also the sharp eyes of the Dark Spiritmaster and Stella, invisible to others, pierced me.

“Is that true?”

“…”

I avoided their gaze without answering. Nothing I say here would save me from criticism.

“Get lost.”

Thwack!

Taking my silence as confirmation, Deia’s fist already started hitting my back.

“Get lost! Get lost!”

Thwack! Thwack!

“I said get lost! Don’t come to Norsweden! Making out while others work?! How are you any different from Deus, you bastard!”

Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!

Being pushed by Deia’s punches, I naturally boarded the carriage.

Slam!

Deia roughly closed the carriage door without trying to hide her flushed face.

“Let’s go!”

The wheels of the carriage began to roll as I departed from Norsweden.

* * *

Summer vacation was approaching at Robern Academy.

Of course, students had to overcome the big hurdle of midterm exams first, so they were preparing for exams while eyeing the paradise of summer vacation.

“Phew.”

When students are busy, professors are busy too. Especially when it comes to creating exam questions, they were even working overtime.

“I’m tired.”

Naturally.

Erika Bright was no exception.

The light magic she taught was a particularly popular course, requiring careful question creation.

Erika arrived early this morning to create and review exam questions.

She walked alone down the corridor, holding a thermos of coffee.

Walking through the empty academy while breathing the fresh morning air wasn’t bad, but the fatigue was unavoidable.

She could only endure with coffee.

Creak.

She opened the research lab door.

It was natural that no one would be there, but Deus Verdi was standing by the entrance.

“Ah…”

Erika sighed and hit her forehead with a “thud” upon seeing Deus.

“These people, I told them not to come in.”

Professor Per Petra had created a life-sized Deus doll, and Erika and Elenoa would sometimes secretly visit the lab.

Each time, the Deus doll would be lying around in strange places, and today it was at the entrance.

“I clearly warned them not to come in during exam period.”

Boundaries should be respected.

“Sigh.”

Erika sighed and grumbled. She couldn’t throw away the Deus doll, so she kept it in the lab, but.

Honestly, it was just a nuisance.

“…”

But occasionally.

Thud.

When no one was around.

In a secret moment no one knew about.

Erika would sometimes surrender herself to the Deus doll.

Because otherwise, it was hard to bear the anxiety of his absence.

‘They made it well.’

Erika gently pressed her forehead against the doll’s chest and slowly extended her hands to its waist.

As she buried her nose and hugged it tightly.

“…”

Erika sensed something strange.

The thought that something that absolutely shouldn’t happen was occurring in her research lab made her shiver.

She felt warmth.

The scent was strong.

It was breathing.

She slowly opened her eyes and slightly turned her head to see the Deus doll in the corner of the lab.

Then.

“Quite.”

What she was hugging now was…

“A surprising welcome.”

As Erika slowly raised her head.

There was Deus looking down at her, and.

“E-eh?”

Erika’s mouth opened like a broken toy as her face turned bright red.