056
That much?
But since it was Naiad saying it, I didn’t just brush it off.
Naiad never says things without reason.
“I heard they even set up a separate company just for that claw machine business.”
“……….?”
“So basically, they’re running a claw machine business, with Leviwood in charge.”
I never heard about this!
But that’s incredible. My idea actually turned into a business?!
“With the admiral keeping a close eye, and since they already promised you your share, there’s no reason for them to take anything away. Your account should be steadily filling up with money even as we speak.”
I was genuinely touched by Ilyad’s detailed explanation.
It all made perfect sense.
“Aah, while I just spend my allowance the moment I get it, our family’s youngest is already earning money. That’s amazing!”
Ilyad scratched the back of his head and spoke loudly.
Brother Mikard also gave me a big thumbs-up.
With everyone clapping for me, I couldn’t help but puff up my chest proudly.
“Yeah, I really am amazing!”
“Of course! Our Shupetty is the best!”
“Yeah!”
“Our Shu is the greatest!”
My lips curled into a big smile.
Being praised like this feels so good!
“Now then… we need to decide who’s going with Shupetty to town.”
For some reason, tension flared up between my older brothers.
“Ahem, as the eldest, it makes the most sense for me to go. Besides, I’m the strongest here.”
Brother Mikard made his case—
“But you’re busy, aren’t you? You’re in charge of security for Father’s birthday banquet. Shouldn’t you leave this to your younger sibling, who has nothing to do?”
Brother Elzen immediately countered.
“What? You’re still recovering! How can you even suggest that? Clearly, this is a job for Ilyad!”
“…Haah.”
As Ilyad jumped to his feet, Naiad sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead.
“Guys, are you all forgetting what happened last time we went out?”
Hmm.
He had a point.
Last time, we went to a festival and ended up getting kidnapped.
Then, on our next trip, we happily went on a picnic… only to run into an army of golems.
But still… I don’t want to just stay cooped up inside the house forever.
“I have the King of Air Spirits with me now, so I’ll be fine.”
Right?
When I asked in my heart, Shaparsi let out a hearty laugh.
[The King of Air Spirits, ‘Shaparsi,’ breathes upon you.]
[How could I not help when you’re trying to be filial? I’ll send the lower air spirit ‘Pui’ to stay by your side. Just for a while, I’ll also make it visible to everyone.]
Whooosh.
A sudden gust of wind blew from somewhere.
But it had been raining, and all the windows were closed!
“Huh?”
“What’s that?”
A bright light appeared above my head.
A gentle breeze spread throughout the entire library, ruffling everyone’s hair. Even the pages of open books fluttered in the wind.
And then—
Pop!
“…Pop?”
A small, pure-white bird landed softly in my hands.
“Piyek!”
“Oh my gosh, it’s so cute!”
“Piyek, piyek!”
The lower air spirit looked exactly like a winter sparrow, all fluffy and round.
Anyone who saw it would think it was just a snowball with eyes!
“Piyek!”
The only thing different from a real sparrow was its deep sapphire-blue eyes.
Its translucent body had short wings and a tiny tail, all shimmering in the same blue hue.
And that little tail just kept twitching nonstop.
“What the heck, this is adorable.”
“I… I can’t breathe… It’s too cute…!”
“Where did something like this even come from?”
That was brother Mikard, Ilyad, and brother Elzen speaking in turn.
Grinning, I placed the lower air spirit on top of my head.
“This little thing is a lower air spirit. The Spirit King made it visible to everyone for a short time.”
“Whaaaat?!”
“And it’s going to protect me!”
[The King of Air Spirits, ‘Shaparsi,’ gives you a warning.]
[I’ve already used a lot of power before, so I can’t help much anymore. But a lower spirit won’t disrupt the flow of causality too much, so I’ll allow it. Just remember—this little one can only protect you once.]
‘Thank you! Then, can I give it a name? Since ‘Pui’ is more of a rank than a real name.
I asked in my heart, and Shaparsi granted permission.
“Your name will be…”
I carefully opened my mouth to speak, but—
“Let’s call it Podong.”
“………?!”
“Podong suits it well. Tosil (Chubby) and Podong.”
Wait, hold on a second!
But before I could protest—
“Piyek!”
“You like it?!”
“Piyek!”
The little spirit—no, the lower air spirit—sparkled its eyes and nodded its whole body enthusiastically.
Its tiny tail feathers even fluttered excitedly.
“Oh no… it really likes the name.”
I had been planning to give it a much cooler name!
“Like Charlotte Wiandre Londragon Mellarius III!”
Thud.
I collapsed onto the carpet in despair.
Podong climbed down from my head, stretched out its tiny wings, and flopped down beside me—mimicking my posture exactly.
“Where on earth is that name from?”
At Naiad’s question, I pretended to wipe away fake tears and answered.
“It’s from a story where a noble princess defeats villains and marries a poor but kind-hearted princess…”
“…….…”
“It’s the name of my favorite main character. Sniff…”
But since Podong liked being Podong, I had no choice.
[The King of Air Spirits, ‘Shaparsi,’ is shaking from laughter.]
[Haha! Tosil (Chubby) and Podong. Hahaha!]
[The King of Water Spirits, ‘■■■■,’ says it’s absolutely adorable.]
[The King of Earth Spirits, ‘■,’ claps, saying the name is excellent.]
[The King of Fire Spirits, ‘■■■■■,’ grumbles that they actually preferred Charlotte Wiandre Londragon Mellarius III.]
For the first time in a while, glowing words rapidly scrolled before my eyes, making me feel dizzy.
As I blankly stared into space, I suddenly felt a cool sensation against me—Podong had nestled into my arms before I even noticed.
“Piyek?”
“No, Podong. I like you just the way you are.”
“Piyek!”
…But I guess I can’t talk to lower spirits.
Am I only able to communicate with Spirit Kings?
[The King of Emotions, ‘■■■,’ explains.]
[You can’t communicate with lower or mid-tier spirits. Only high-ranking ones.]
Oh, I see!
The ranks of air spirits are:
Lower: Pui
Middle: Wind
High: Uracan
And the King of Air Spirits is Shaparsi.
I quietly recalled everything I had studied so far.
‘Pui’ means air, ‘Wind’ means breeze, and ‘Uracan’ means storm in an ancient language. Spirits don’t have individual names—only general classifications.
For Spirit Kings, their name is their designation. That’s why knowing their name allows you to form a contract with them!
‘Then, Lord Shaparsi, how long will this little one stay with me?’
[The King of Air Spirits, ‘Shaparsi,’ answers.]
[Until its purpose is fulfilled, and it is forced to return to the Spirit Realm.]
So as long as nothing serious happens to me, Podong can stay with me for a long time!
“Take care of me, Podong!”
Since it was an air spirit, its cool touch felt incredibly nice.
***
In the end, we decided who would go shopping with me for the Admiral’s birthday present with a game of rock-paper-scissors.
And the winner was… brother Mikard!
“Do you already have an idea of what to buy?”
“Not yet!”
The rain clouds had cleared, leaving a bright, sunny day.
We arrived at the bustling plaza, filled with people.
“If we head north from here, we’ll find the weapons shops and blacksmiths. There’s also a large store for magical tools, which could be a good choice.”
“Hmm…”
“Or we could go south, where the banks, jewelry stores, and clothing boutiques are. That’s where they sell high-end items.”
To buy a present, I had to choose between these two directions.
To the east were restaurants, cafes, and pubs.
To the west, there weren’t many stores—mostly houses of wealthy commoners. The only shops there were bookstores and flower shops.
“Let’s go south first!”
“We have to go to the bank anyway, so that works.”
My heart pounded with excitement.
I finally had a chance to see just how much money I had!
