Chapter 27

Liliana looked down at Chuchu, who was sitting quietly in her hand. Despite seeming scared, Chuchu listened intently to Vail’s words, likely because she strongly desired to remove the shackles. Liliana decided to hear Vail out, at least for Chuchu’s sake.

“What do you sense?”

“May I and my spirit touch the shackles?”

Liliana glanced at Chuchu. When Chuchu nodded, Liliana did as well and extended her hand, holding Chuchu.

Sasha flew over and latched onto the metal orb, only to recoil in disgust almost immediately.

“Ew! Disgusting smell!”

Sasha scrunched her face in displeasure and flew back to Vail, clinging to his cheek. Vail let her be and gently touched the metal orb with his thumb and forefinger. Liliana felt strange seeing someone else handle the orb, which no one had been able to touch or see properly before.

Vail pressed his fingers against the orb and rolled it in his palm before lightly patting Sasha’s back.

“It’s the power of darkness.”

The ominous tone worried Liliana.

“…Is that bad?”

Vail shook his head with a reassuring smile.

“Not necessarily. It just means it has one of the six attributes of spirits—darkness. Many associate darkness with evil, but that’s not true. The power of darkness is simply an attribute, like how night follows day.“

“But didn’t your spirit say it smelled terrible?”

Sasha, still clinging to Vail’s cheek, looked thoroughly displeased.

“It’s rare for spirits of different attributes to get along, but this reaction is unusual. I think the power of darkness in the orb is extremely potent.”

“…I see.”

Liliana tilted her head, not entirely understanding. Chuchu, who was always near the orb, never reacted this way. She couldn’t tell if Sasha was overreacting or if Chuchu had become accustomed to it. If it were the latter, it was indeed a pity.

She looked at Chuchu with a sad expression, but Chuchu was poking the orb nonchalantly.

“I don’t smell anything weird.“

“Really?“

“But I wish this orb would disappear! It’s so frustrating!“

Chuchu’s negative feelings toward the orb were more rational than instinctual. Vail, observing Chuchu, spoke in a low voice.

“How peculiar.“

“What is?“

“This spirit is a wind spirit, right? Only light spirits are close to the attribute of darkness. Most other spirits dislike the power of darkness. Yet this spirit seems unaffected…”

Liliana, who knew little about spirits, asked,

“Is it very strange?“

“Yes. Can this spirit use the power of wind freely? As a wind spirit, I mean.“

“Ch-Chuchu is definitely a wind spirit! It’s just that her power has weakened!”

Though Vail hadn’t accused her of anything, Chuchu seemed startled and protested, then looked at Liliana pleadingly.

“Chuchu will be able to use wind power properly once freed from these shackles!“

“Chuchu…”

Liliana looked at him with a pitiful expression. Vail alternated his gaze between the two before apologizing.

“I think I might have been misunderstood. My point was that Chuchu’s wind power is suppressed by the orb’s darkness power.

“He’s not a spirit but a bug!“

Sasha’s teasing made Chuchu turn pale. Vail gently detached Sasha from his cheek and gave her a stern look.

“Sasha, that’s not nice.“

“Che.”

Sasha made a hissing sound and flew into Vail’s open palm. Vail sighed and then explained as he waved his hand, making Sasha disappear in a small flame.

“Once a spirit summoner contracts with a spirit, the spirit resides within the summoner’s body.“

“Oh… I didn’t know that.”

Vail cautiously asked,

“Is this your first time dealing with spirits? I’ve heard the Kingdom of Nieta has many spirits due to its abundance of magic stones.“

“I’ve only stayed in my palace. There wasn’t anyone to teach me about spirits. I came to the library today to learn the basics.“

“I see. But choosing a good book among so many is no easy task.“

“That’s true.”

Liliana nodded as if it were the most obvious thing. Vail looked at her with a continued smile, which puzzled Liliana.

Vail then awkwardly let out a sigh.

“It would help if you asked me for recommendations. That way, I could help without showing off.“

“Oh, are you talking about the three forms of assistance?”

Vail burst into laughter but quickly composed himself, realizing it wasn’t appropriate in front of the Empress Consort.

“This is just a simple help I can provide.”

Liliana hesitated, playing with the end of her hair. She wasn’t used to anyone offering help so willingly.

Helio’s kindness always had clear intentions behind it.

Liliana was practically Helio’s possession, and she seemed to have a peculiar sense of responsibility toward him. Therefore, it was understandable that Helio treated her well.

However, this was not the case with Vail. There must be a reason why Vail treated Liliana well.

Before Liliana could respond, Vail had already picked out three introductory books on spiritology and handed them to her. Liliana awkwardly accepted them, holding them in her arms, and opened the first page.

The six attributes of spirits were illustrated with beautiful sentences. When she turned another page, a noticeable sentence caught her eye.

“Light and darkness are often thought to be incompatible, but they are the only attributes that are blindly drawn to each other.”

After contemplating, Liliana finally looked up and asked Vail.

“You said you felt the power of darkness from this iron ball, right?“

“Yes, Your Highness. Since you also have the talent, you should be able to distinguish attributes with practice.“

“More than that… According to this sentence, wouldn’t a spirit of light or darkness be able to break this shackle?”

Vail, resting his chin on his hand, thought momentarily before nodding.

“It’s more likely than with wind or fire.“

“Then maybe I should contract with a spirit of light or darkness instead…“

“No!”

To free Chuchu, it seemed there was a way to contract with a spirit of light and harness its power. However, Chuchu vehemently opposed the idea, flaring up.

“Who are you trying to contract with other than me? Absolutely not!“

“But how long can we continue like this…“

“Just find a spirit summoner who has contracted with a light or dark spirit!”

“Would that be faster…“

“That would definitely be faster.”

Vail affirmed.

“As it happens, I know a light spirit summoner. How about I help you connect with them as my first assistance?“

Vail’s eyes sparkled. He appeared like a negotiator who never missed an opportunity. Instead of nodding immediately, Liliana asked cautiously.

“Who is this person?“

“My younger sister, Agrina Gabriel.”

Gabriel again.

Liliana’s wariness deepened, and Vail seemed to notice this. He stepped back respectfully, bowing slightly, and spoke clearly.

“As I mentioned, I do not share the same intentions as the current head of the Gabriel duchy. The same goes for my sister. Of course, you don’t have to trust us right away. After receiving the three types of help, I promised, you can choose whether to join hands with me or go your own way.”

Vail was not asking Liliana anything at this moment.

Liliana looked at Chuchu, who was helplessly bound by the shackle, and then back at Vail’s bowed redhead. She slowly exhaled.

“Fine. I will meet Lady Gabriel.“

“Then set a date and let me know. I will make the arrangements.“

“Understood… that’s all for now.”

Liliana handed the books to Sophia and hurried away. Vail, having achieved his goal, did not follow her further.

As they left the library and walked down a quiet path, Sophia asked worriedly.

“Are you sure it’s okay to ally with the Gabriel family?“

“I don’t know yet. But Her Highness did tell me to make allies. She specifically mentioned the Gabriel family, too. Even if I’m not good at making allies, I should at least try to evaluate those who approach me.”

Liliana smiled awkwardly, showing her fear of the unfamiliar task.

Having lived in the small palace of the Nieta Kingdom, she knew how to manage small amounts of money. However, she knew nothing about politics.

Her strength was surviving without drawing attention. But Vail’s proposal was different from that.

“If I could have an ally within the Gabriel family… If that’s truly possible, it would benefit me, right?”

Liliana asked uncertainly, and after a moment of contemplation, Sophia nodded briefly.

“But, Your Highness, do you have a spirit in your hand?“

“Of course! I’m right here!”

Chuchu confidently declared, hands on her hips. Liliana laughed at the sight and teasingly tapped Chuchu’s head with her finger.

“You’re invisible, you know.“

“Really, is there a spirit there?”

Sophia reached out, groping near Liliana’s hand. But since she wasn’t a spirit summoner, she couldn’t touch the spirit, and her hand waved through the air.

As the two and the spirit played around, they neared the Emerald Palace. Sophia suddenly looked puzzled.

“Whose carriage is that?”

Liliana also noticed a carriage parked in front of the Emerald Palace. She recognized its owner faster and more keenly than Sophia.

“…Beatty Gabriel.”

The person Liliana feared the most had arrived at the Emerald Palace.