The household that Vishi was born into was noble, but it wasn’t a household that wielded great power alongside its noble status.
When Vishi was a child, she didn’t even realize she was a noble and played with the peasant children in the area.
Even later, when she entered the social circles and recognized her status as a noble, Vishi’s attitude did not change.
As she conversed with other nobles, the smallness of her family became more apparent, and from her standpoint, she couldn’t afford to be proud.
Still, Vishi didn’t hate her hometown. Despite its small size, she had her friends there, parents who cherished her, and happy memories of her younger sibling.
“When will I see my sibling again?”
She muttered while sitting in a desolate field, but Adri didn’t answer. He knew it was impossible to call back a soul that had already left.
The magic of commanding spirits could only summon those who had not crossed over to the other side.
One couldn’t forcibly call back someone who was content with their life and had moved on.
That was something only those who remained in the world of the living could do.
“Should I ask Lady Alrn for help? Maybe I can grow like the others,” Vishi muttered, trying to find an answer.
“But...”
“...I see.”
Someday, Vishi would need to know the truth.
But not now. She wasn’t ready to accept it yet.
“Vishi! Vishi, where are you!?”
“What’s happened?”
Hearing the urgent voice from far off, Vishi stood up, brushed the dirt off herself, and raised her voice.
“Why?!”
“Why? Hurry up and come here!”
“I’m asking what happened!”
Grumbling, Vishi headed toward where her mother was calling. She stopped when she saw Lucy Alrn, arms crossed, and Joy Patran, who was glaring around as if assessing the situation.
Why are these two here? There’s nothing fun to do in this village, even if they do come!
Ah. Ahhh! Right!
I’m already familiar with these two from the academy, but my mother isn’t!
From an outside perspective, if she’s caught between the vicious Lady Patran and the infamous Lady Alrn, she’ll probably faint from shock!
Panicking, Vishi ran up, took a breath, and made an effort to act with the dignity of a noble as she greeted them.
“Lady Patran. Lady Alrn. What brings such esteemed guests to this humble place?”
“Exactly. Courtesan lady. Why should I know that your musty scent smells like village air?”
Her words, clearly meant as a form of bullying, made Vishi’s mother’s pupils tremble.
“Wait! Mother! No! Mom! I didn’t mean it like that!”
“Oh my! Courtesan...”
“Lucy. Don’t say anything more. It’ll just cause misunderstandings.”
Trying to stop Lucy with a single word, Joy bowed politely and then spoke.
“As I mentioned earlier, the reason we’re here is because there’s something only your daughter can do. Your daughter has helped us several times at the academy and has proven to be very capable. I can assure you, as a representative of the Patran family, that you have nothing to worry about.”
The only daughter of the Patran family spoke with such confidence, and though Vishi’s mother didn’t fully believe her, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief.
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“We need to speak privately for a moment.”
“Understood! I had things to do outside anyway!”
Once Vishi’s mother left, Vishi could tell, just like last time, this situation was likely going to be dangerous.
“Are you here to ask Adri something?”
“Yes. Is he here?”
“He’s next to me.”
Adri, who appeared suddenly, lowered his head, and Joy flinched slightly, but then steadied herself.
“That’s right.”
“Be glad. This is old Granny’s specialty.”
The two were curious about soul transplantation.
Can a soul be transferred into another person’s body?
And if so, how should they deal with it to prevent it?
Possession is one of the basic concepts of spirit magic. It’s not just about placing a soul into a corpse; it’s also about using tools or objects to bring the battlefield under one’s control, which is a battle tactic that spirit magicians often specialize in.
Listening to Adri’s explanation, Joy furrowed her brow.
Adri is assuming that they want to take over a body. If they’re trying to forcibly insert an unwanted soul, possession would be much harder.
Especially since they’re trying to possess the 1st and 3rd princes. Possession like that is impossible.
Then why did the 1st Queen let those two go so easily?
One side should be doing everything they can to keep them.
Why hasn’t anything been done until now?
“Granny. Is it possible to possess someone if the traces of the soul are completely erased?”
“I see.”
Only then did Joy realize the 1st Queen’s intentions.
If she obtains the power of the evil god Agra, the other variables won’t matter.
With Agra’s power, she could issue a death sentence to the soul remaining in the body!
After all, the power of Agra is far-reaching!
It’s difficult to even guess how far this power could extend!
In theory, we could even erase all memories, making us forget everything!
The more she thought about it, the more she felt like she was sinking into a bottomless pit.
The despair contained in the name of the god was so vast.
The reason we could win against the evil gods was because Erginus blocked their powers.
If we had to face all the divine powers, victory would have been impossible.
“...Maybe the 1st Queen is waiting for us to arrive.”
“Probably? She’s a lunatic who can’t escape her delusions. She’ll never think she’s going to fail.”
“So what should we do?”
If we delay and the 1st Queen gains full control over the evil god’s powers, we’ll lose.
Even if we try to fight, the chances of winning are slim. Quietly dealing with her is out of the question. Blood will inevitably flow.
“May I ask something? Why are we talking about the 1st Queen?”
Joy hesitated for a moment, wondering whether she should tell Vishi about this.
She was just a girl who had a powerful spirit as a friend.
There was so much she was lacking to be called a hero.
If she got involved in this, she’d end up in the same situation as her friend.
“The delusional Queen got a new job,” Joy finally said.
At that moment, Lucy spoke up.
“Lucy!? Who is this?”
“She’s the same age as us, you know? Even if she’s a failure, she has to do something.”
Trying to stop her, Joy looked at Lucy’s serious eyes and then fell silent.
Up until now, Lucy had always cared more for others than for herself. If she wasn’t prepared to protect someone, she wouldn’t even bring it up.
“Can I at least explain?”
“If you want attention, go ahead.”
With a long sigh, Joy briefly explained the current situation.
Vishi and Adri occasionally questioned whether it made sense, but Joy calmly convinced them.
It didn’t take long for the two of them to realize how horrible the current situation in the kingdom was.
Unlike before, Adri’s voice now had a wary tone. However, Lucy just laughed nonchalantly.
“Granny. Next question.”
“Is it possible to take control of the soul?”
Of course, the 1st Queen must have prepared for purification or exorcism.
There are two people on our side who can handle the divine power of the gods.
But interference from other dark magicians is comparatively weak.
Adri, who is a spirit magician, can easily take control of the soul and even return its consciousness to its original self.
“Isn’t it obvious that you’re lying? Do you actually think you can fool us?”
“Are you just scared and backing down?”
Adri’s hesitation was because she was worried about Vishi.
No matter how much she pushed, no matter how much she brought up past events, or even suggested better ideas, it didn’t matter.
As long as Adri wanted to protect Vishi, convincing her was impossible. Adri...
“Even the lonely old granny can’t keep living off the entourage forever, right?”
“I can give you an exquisite doll, though.”
If Vishi’s quests in the game were completed, Adri would be able to handle a body.
It would require going through several annoying steps, but in the current country, it would be difficult to obtain that.
Adri, too, was a spirit. More than anyone, she would yearn for a body.
She was trying to ignore it, but this regret must be very deep.
Yet she still refused.
Why?
Because she feared for Vishi’s safety.
Her precious friend was more important than her own desires.
“No. I need it.”
But this friendship is the same in reverse.
Vishi, too, values her friends’ dreams more than her own danger.
“I know. But you see... this is an important offer for you.”
“Maybe if that moment comes, Lucy will die first.”
In response to Adri’s almost screaming shout, Joy forced a smile and turned her head toward me.
“Right?”
“Pffhahaha! Of course! There’s no way I’d let you insignificant guys outshine me!”
I’ll never let you die.
Even if I die, I’ll die first.
To stand before everyone, with the shield raised, that’s what it means.
“Adri, Vishi, please help us. Lucy chose you because we need you to make everyone laugh.”
As Joy bowed politely, Vishi asked for some time to talk.
After some time, Vishi and Adri emerged from a private conversation. It was clear they had argued, but in the end, it was Vishi’s decision.
“What should we do?”
The first step for taking down the 1st Queen had been prepared.