Chapter 14

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When the bandits attacked, the spirits trembled in fear.

Spirits, unable to directly intervene in the physical world, could do nothing to help.

Before falling asleep, Luria unconsciously activated a healing spell. Without realizing it herself, she completely healed the injuries of both the puppy and the nanny in an instant.

Exhausted from casting magic despite being a baby, Luria quickly drifted off to sleep.

“Kyuuun.”
The puppy, its wounds miraculously healed, licked Luria’s cheek as she slept.

“That was so scary!” “Waaah!” “Lady Luriaaa!”

The spirits clung to the sleeping Luria, sobbing. Even though some of the spirits had matured enough to speak, they were still like toddlers on the inside.

Spirits, who love humans, detest conflict among them. To them, watching humans fight is akin to being tied up and gagged, forced to witness their beloved cat and dog fighting to the death.

It’s terrifying, heartbreaking, and, above all, agonizing to be powerless.

Whenever they witness human conflict, spirits weep.

“You did well. You protected Lady Luria splendidly.”

Though the Spirit King also felt fear and sorrow, he mustered his courage and praised the puppy.

“Kyuuun.”
“You are remarkable. Darw, you are a splendid guardian beast.”
“So brave!” “Thank you, Darw!”

The spirits called the puppy “Darw” because the puppy identified itself as such.

When Luria first saw the puppy, she had said, “Daaww.” From that moment on, the puppy was known as Darw. As for “Leonardo,” Darw didn’t really understand what that was.

“Sniff sniff. Huff huff.”

Darw sniffed Luria. She smelled wonderfully comforting.

Feeling reassured, Darw grew very sleepy.

After all, he had moved intensely and been slashed by a knife.

Though Luria had healed his wounds, his body still felt fatigued.

“Rest now, Darw,” said the Spirit King.
“…Kuuun.”
“When you wake, we’ll count on you to protect Lady Luria again.”
“Auu.”
“Please take care of Lady Luria.” “You were amazing, Darw!”

Praised by the spirits and enveloped in Luria’s soothing scent, Darw drifted off to sleep.

Watching the sleeping faces of Luria and Darw, the Spirit King muttered to himself.

“…Even so…”

Luria had canceled the spell the bandits attempted to cast.

“She commanded spirits without self-awareness… with a single word, ‘Daah!’ (‘No!’).”

Ordinary mages use the power of spirits without self-awareness to cast their spells.

Spirits without self-awareness have no will, no concept of right or wrong, and no preferences.
Thus, they lend their power merely as they are asked.

Yet, with a single “Daah!” from Luria, those unthinking spirits obeyed her command.

“Moreover… she blew away the bandits with wind magic and healed their injuries in succession…”

And she did all of this unconsciously.

Though she was both human and spirit, Luria’s power was overwhelmingly strong.

“Now then, all of you.”

“Yes?” “Are you mad?”

After what had happened, it was natural that the spirits were less lively than usual.

“I am not angry,” the Spirit King said gently.

“Previously, Lady Luria asked you not to lend her your power because she is still a baby.”
“Yes, we remember! It makes her tired, right?”

The spirits nodded eagerly.

“Indeed. Lending power to a baby should generally be avoided.”

Borrowing magical power from spirits to cast spells is akin to eating to gain the energy needed for running.

Though one might eat while running, it doesn’t mean one can run indefinitely. Digesting food to convert it into energy also consumes energy.

Spiritual power from the spirits is like the food, and the act of casting a spell is like running.

Even if spirits continuously supply power, the caster will still grow fatigued if they keep using magic.

“However, Lady Luria can cast magic even without our help.”
“Hmm?” “What?”
“Therefore, you may assist her minimally. You, you, and you. Only those who have matured enough to understand moderation may lend their power.”
“Why just them?” “We want to give her magic too!”
“You must not give without limit. Only matured spirits who can exercise restraint may do so.”
“Aww.”
“Understood?”

After explaining to the spirits, the Spirit King said,
“Grow up healthy.”

With those words, he placed a blessing kiss on Luria’s forehead.