Chapter 173
The origin of the item called "Spirit's Blessing" comes from the idea that it improves one's beauty so much it's as if the spirits themselves blessed you.
Even if a player uses it on their game avatar, it only has the same effect as using a Class 4 recovery potion.
So from our perspective as players, it's undoubtedly just a sellable item.
But in the real world of this place—
"The Spirit's Blessing is made by processing a Class 5 potion ingredient along with Class 3 or higher earth, water, fire, and wind spirit stones, plus a Class 4 or higher light spirit stone in a special alchemy cauldron."
It must be something that noblewomen like the Duchess of Catheria would desperately crave, leaning forward in excitement.
Under the intense gaze of the duchess—who had until now maintained the composed demeanor of a dignified lady—I caved and honestly listed the materials.
"Class 5... Mass production would be difficult."
Potions are consumables, after all. And to enhance their effects, you need correspondingly high-grade materials.
The herbs obtained in Moti Dungeon can also be used as potion ingredients, but potions aren't so simple that you can make them with just those.
"As for spirit stones, we've recently acquired a large amount of earth, water, fire, and wind types, so those aren’t an issue. But—" "The problematic light spirit stones are hard to come by, aren’t they?"
The effects change depending on ingredient combinations, and the more materials you add, the more the maker's skill comes into play.
"Liberta." "Impossible." "I haven’t even asked anything yet!" "You’re about to tell me to go get light spirit stones, right? I’ve got too much on my plate right now to spare the effort for that." "But Esmeralda is in trouble!" "Not just for your own selfish desires, then?" "...Well, I did think I’d like to try using it myself, just a little."
The higher the class, the harder it is to obtain materials—that’s a universal truth in games.
This world is no different. The duchess’s desire clashes with reality, and she tries to use her daughter as leverage to get what she wants. I shake my head.
Her evasive gaze makes it blatantly obvious. At this point, it feels almost deliberate.
"I’ll tell you the materials and leave the recipe, so the rest is up to—" "Do you really think we can do it? Until just recently, even obtaining Class 3 earth, water, fire, and wind spirit stones was a struggle! And you expect us to get our hands on light spirit stones, which are higher-tier?"
But I won’t touch on that. If I do, I’ll be stuck handling the Spirit’s Blessing creation event.
I need to catch up to Nel and the others in level, and there are skills I still have to acquire.
"Good luck." "I’ll increase the reward!" "Unfortunately, I’m not short on money." "I’ll have my husband open the treasure vault—" "I’ll obtain what I need on my own."
The real leveling starts after reaching Class 5. From there, level progression slows dramatically.
The EXP table spikes, and taking on stronger enemies becomes more time-consuming and dangerous. Fighting opponents of the same level drastically reduces EXP efficiency.
And factoring in EXBP acquisition conditions, you’re forced to accept lower EXP gains.
So, while still at Class 4, I want to face Class 5 enemies and fully develop my skills.
Fortunately, Class 4 doesn’t have job or title unlocks.
It’s purely about leveling, securing EXBP, and focusing on acquiring job skills.
"I’m too busy, so I’ll have to decline." My firm refusal makes the duchess’s brow twitch. An ordinary commoner wouldn’t dare refuse a duchess’s request, but I’m the exception among exceptions.
In terms of favors, I’m the one owed by the Duke, and I’ve already supplied a vast amount of rare materials.
By status alone, the Duke undoubtedly outranks me, but in terms of debts, I’m the one on top.
And considering the ongoing trouble the royal family is causing me, it’s no surprise the duchess is at a loss for words.
She could scream about rudeness and disrespect, but she knows I wouldn’t bat an eye.
Perhaps realizing it’s pointless, the duchess lets out a deep sigh.
"What would it take for you to help?"
She surrenders, pulling out a fan to hide her mouth as she glances at me with half-lidded eyes.
"At the very least, my schedule is packed for the next two months. If I have time after that, maybe?" "Two months...?"
Even this is a tight schedule. If things go smoothly, it’ll take about that long—but it could easily stretch further.
The information alone should be valuable enough. If she backs off here, that’d be ideal.
"Lady Catheria."
Just as I think that, another maid enters the room.
"Yes?" "A report regarding Lady Esmeralda." "...Understood. Liberta, we’ll continue this discussion another time."
After a brief glance at me, the maid relays the bare minimum of details. The duchess’s eyes sharpen for just a moment before she nods.
It’s not something I need to hear. That must be her judgment.
A reasonable response. I nod and stand.
"Then, I’ll take my leave."
I’ve given them what they can work with.
The rest is up to the ducal house.
The same maid who guided me here leads me back, and I safely return to the annex—only to find...
"Amina, what’s going on?" "Hm?" "What’s up with that kid?"
As soon as I step inside, I see Amina sitting on the sofa, groaning as she desperately reads a letter.
That alone wouldn’t be a problem—but the pure white bird perched on her shoulder is.
About the size of a dove, it radiates light.
A light-attribute spirit.
Unlike earth, water, fire, and wind spirits, light, dark, thunder, and ice spirits don’t appear until mid-game.
That’s because these four are far more powerful. But the moment I hear it’s here to request a live performance, my shoulders slump.
"Let me guess—it bragged to every other spirit it met, didn’t it?"
I ask the spirit on her shoulder, since Amina’s live performances are the only plausible reason. But it remains silent, ignoring me.
"Is that true?" "...*nod*"
Yet it answers Amina’s question.
Light spirits are notoriously temperamental.
They’re among the strongest forces a spirit user can command, but managing their favor is far harder than other attributes.
You’d think a light spirit would be sociable and outgoing, but they’re actually shy, socially awkward, and prideful to a fault.
It’s like—they’ll glance over longingly if you’re having fun, radiating "I want to join!" vibes, but they’ll never approach unless invited. And even then, they hit you with the "I’ll grace you with my presence, peasant!" attitude.
For a second, I mentally compare it to Esmeralda, but she’s honest and not overbearing.
And she’d never rudely ignore someone like this.
The fact it only responds to Amina must mean she’s its target.
"Hmm..."
A request from a spirit—and a rare light spirit at that.
Amina probably thinks it’d be fun to do another live show.
"No!" "Eh?" "...!?"
I was about to adjust our plans to accommodate it, but Amina’s flat refusal leaves me stunned. The light spirit’s eyes widen in disbelief.
"You’ve been rude this whole time! You chased off Nel and Ingrid, glared at Claudia, and ignored Liberta!"
She glares at the spirit on her shoulder. It’s rare to see usually gentle Amina this angry.
I assumed spirits would naturally get along with her, but apparently not.
Amina has her own standards. She won’t tolerate anyone mistreating her friends.
"..."
Even a bird can make a disgusted face, huh?
Being outright rejected—and refusing to acknowledge its own faults.
No, more like it *can’t* admit them. Its pride is completely in the way.
*Sigh. At this point, that stubbornness is pathological, Light.* "That voice—"
Just as I’m about to dismiss the spirit, a familiar voice speaks up.
*Over here, Liberta.*
I look around but don’t see anyone—until a beautiful green bird taps at the window.
I open it, and the bird flies in, transforming into a human figure.
"Been a while since the festival, Liberta. Glad to see you’re well." "You look healthy too." "Hahaha! Spirits rarely fall ill."
The towering figure of a high-ranking wind spirit. His unexpected appearance surprises me, but a quick handshake tells me why he’s here.
"That’s good. So, the matter at hand is—" "Right. Light, enough with that form. We’re here to ask a favor—no need for such rudeness."
Whether to stop or retrieve the light spirit, the wind spirit’s words make it reluctantly take flight, glowing as it shifts forms.
A cold-faced boy with long platinum hair.
When it arrived, it was a small bird—but this form explains a lot.
"Hmph." "Apologies. This one’s powerful but lacks worldly experience."
Arms crossed, looking away—the epitome of a brat.
For a being far older than me, that attitude is infuriating, but since it *is* a spirit, I bite my tongue.
"No, I’m just surprised a high-ranking spirit would come to such a crowded place." "Ah, the festival fever hasn’t cooled among us. Hearing about it, this one must’ve thought it could just demand a performance." "It’s been three months since then. The spirits are still that—" "Yes. Many are saying they want monthly events, not just next year’s. Of course, we understand you have your own circumstances. Our lifespans are long—we can wait. Or so I’d like to say, but..."
The root cause? Spirits who missed the festival are jealous.
"Some aren’t so patient." "How did they even find you? If they didn’t attend, they wouldn’t know what you look like." "Paintings from the festival. After seeing those, they tracked Amina down. Once they knew she was in the royal capital, finding her wasn’t hard." "Ah, those."
But why now, three months later? At first, they resisted.
Basically, the whole "I’m not jealous! Not at all!!" act.
In truth, most regretted their initial scoffing, thinking they should’ve swallowed their pride and attended.
"And so, Light here personally came to request—no, *order* the singer to perform." "Request?" "No, let me correct that. Its approach wasn’t a request—more like ‘I’m granting you the honor of performing for me.’ *Sigh.*"
This cold-faced boy is the representative of those regretful spirits.
"Wind, what’s the issue? I, in my magnanimity, have come personally to command this. As a human, she should obey insta—" "Fool!! What if she refuses to perform ever again because of this?! If that happens, Light, *you* will answer to me—and every spirit who attended that festival!"
The boy seems annoyed by the wind spirit’s polite explanations to me, wanting to rush things its way.
Sigh. This is why contracting high-ranking spirits is such a pain.
Spirits are fundamentally good-natured.
But that doesn’t mean their common sense aligns with humans’.
The wind spirit understands human norms and interacts amiably, but the light spirit—with little contact over decades, if not centuries—just bulldozes ahead with demands.
Now then, how to handle this...?