Volume 11 Chapter 27 A Quiet Standoff Over Life Force
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It had been about ninety days since that Designated Request took us to the lake, and my Spirit Magic (Water) skill had finally reached level ten.
I was finally ready to welcome the Great Water Spirit.
Well, to be honest, I had been ready for a while. You only need Level 7 to make a contract with a Great Spirit1, but one thing after another had happened, so I had kept putting it off. I am not exactly a “Spirit Master,” someone whose main strength depends on spirits, so there was no urgent need to hurry.
A Great Spirit is a high-ranking spirit you can contract with using Spirit Magic. Usually, you need Level 7. Apparently, above them there are Spirit Kings and Spirit Gods. I had checked in the library and asked Sylvie, who knows a lot about that sort of thing.
”Usually, high-ranking spirits give some kind of trial to the contractor, but since you saved her, I suppose that counted as passing it,” Sylvie said thoughtfully.
”Guess so.”
The Great Spirit in question had been captured by a Water Element—a monster that had appeared in the lake. It was strangely strong for an Element. It had pinned down two B-Rankers, Captain Emily and Cassandra, and they had been in serious danger. Normally, Elements are C- or D-Rank, but that one was almost A-Rank. Most likely, it was one effect of monsters all over the country becoming restless as the Demon King’s emergence drew near in about a year and a half.
Part of the reason that Element was so strong was because it had absorbed the Great Spirit. I learned later that it had not raised the monster’s ability scores or skill levels. It was basically using the Great Spirit as an MP tank. The spirit herself (?) had said she was being “drained of power,” though it did not seem to have lowered her rank as a spirit.
I had heard that spirits grow and rank up over time. It is the kind of growth you would expect from immortal beings. Micro-spirits (Level 1) become Lesser Spirits (Level 2), and then Lesser Spirits become Minor Spirits. If a low-level spirit has no ego, they sometimes merge with others.
There are other ways for spirits to grow, too. For example, having the contractor transfer MP to them. I thought that might be a shortcut to rapid leveling, but it was not that simple. It is terribly inefficient. Only about one-tenth of the transferred MP is actually used for growth. It is fine if you are dumping leftover MP before bed, but it is not really worth the effort. Since the MP required increases as they rank up, almost no one bothers. I had learned other elemental magics and experimented with low-ranking spirits, but raising one to a high rank that way was brutal. Which is why, normally, if you want a high-ranking spirit, you have to go to where they live.
Spirits are everywhere, but high-ranking ones usually stay in places far from civilization. It is simple. Human settlements are not exactly good environments for them. Water spirits like pure, water-rich places like oceans or lakes. Fire spirits prefer volcanoes. Do earth spirits like fault lines? I really do not want to go there…
Speaking of that, Ralph the Dwarf blacksmith has a fire spirit he contracted with. That spirit even came to me once, like, “Want to contract with me?” But I turned him down. Contracts seem to sync with your highest Spirit Magic level, and I did not want it interfering with my smithing. Spirits have different ways of thinking, sure, but I wish they would not casually suggest things that would ruin my life.
”Anyway, I’m going to the lake. You coming, Sylvie?”
”Are you sure? I can’t contract with her, but I would love to see it.”
”Just meeting her sounds fun,” Camilla said.
”True. If you live in town, you hardly ever get to see high-ranking spirits.”
So Sylvie the Spirit Mage decided to come with me. Even if she could not contract with the “Lady of the Lake,” visiting her domain might give her some hints for later. As we were talking about spirits and planning to leave the next morning, Camilla trotted over.
”Master, may I come too?”
”Well…”
Unlike our last trip, this one had some flexibility. There were no reports of large monster outbreaks, so we had plenty of safety margin. I planned to make it a day trip, but if some trouble came up, we might be gone for a few days. Maybe that was a problem for Camilla.
”I’ve left the housework to Liese, so if she says it’s okay, then sure.”
”Understood! I’ll ask Liese-san right now!”
Before I could even finish thinking about it, Camilla ran off. She was at a level where she would not be hurt by anything minor, but I still worried.
”She said yes!”
”That was fast.”
It had been, what, ten seconds? She must have cleared that permission at full speed. I did not think she was lying. If she got caught lying about that, it would damage her standing. So I gave in.
”All right, then. Let’s go, Camilla.”
”Yes!”
When I petted her, she looked very happy, and her tail wagged at high speed.
”Now, how should we get there?”
”Isn’t it by carriage?” Sylvie asked.
”That would be too slow, wouldn’t it? Should we just run?”
”Walking or carriages are fine, but they take too long. I’m thinking…jumping or flying…”
Ilse, Vanessa, and Juliet immediately objected.
”No, no, that is not ‘fine’ at all,” Vanessa said sharply.
”What? Any decent Wind Mage can do it.”
”It’s not impossible, but the mana consumption is ridiculous. You can’t fly for a whole day.”
”A little self-restraint, please.”
It was not like I had suggested it without thinking, though.
”Well, if we go by carriage, I’ll be gone for about a week. Are you guys okay with that?”
”I don’t care, but I’m sure someone else would mind,” Vanessa said, glancing at Juliet.
”……I suppose it can’t be helped,” Juliet muttered, turning away with a huge pout.
”Want to come too, Juliet?”
”……No, I’ll pass this time. Sylvie and Camilla are basically just coming along anyway.”
”I’m not trying to be a burden,” I said with a laugh, “but the more people we have, the more limited our ways of moving become.”
”Exactly. I’ll stay here and watch the house.”
”Sorry about that.”
I petted her, trying to soothe her disappointment. I will make it up to her later. But honestly, I had not planned on walking or taking a carriage from the start.
”If I fly, we can make it a day trip. About the same as my usual dungeon run. If we stay high enough, no one will notice us. And I have Concealment Skills, so even if someone sees us, they won’t really register us.”
”In that case, there should be no problem,” Dietlinde added.
”See? Even Diet says it’s fine.”
”I think you will be fine, Daisuke-san, but please be careful.”
I hugged Clarissa-san to thank her. It is always nice to be spoiled. And yes, I properly enjoyed that softness. Fluffy and wonderful. I went through the line with the others too. Vanessa and Diet got light hugs, but Juliet’s was fierce. Everyone has their own style. I did not hug Franziska, of course. Asking a houseguest for a hug as “rent” would be wrong, right? Though I hear that in some trashy novels, they call it “paying the rent” with…questionable acts. No, no, that is just an urban legend!
The trip was easy. We flew at high speed with Concealment Skills active and arrived in a few hours. I remembered it taking three days when I traveled at normal speed, though I did get to become friends with Cassandra on that trip. Camilla spent the entire time clinging to me, while Sylvie was fascinated by the view from above the clouds and our high-speed movement.
When we landed at the lake, a cold wind struck us. It was definitely not the season to hang around here.
Let’s get this finished and go home.
”Hey! ‘Lady of the Lake’! We’re here!”
After a moment, the surface of the lake rippled and rose, forming a glamorous woman. Spirits do not have genders, but she certainly looked the part. Sylvie’s eyes were sparkling.
”Oh? What brings you back? It has not even been a year.”
”I know, but I’m here to make it official.”
”Oh? Isn’t it rather soon? …Are you here for that girl to contract with me instead?”
She looked at Sylvie. It was a reasonable guess, since Sylvie was an Elf and a Spirit Mage.
”Hmm…she lacks the power to contract with me.”
”I know. I’m the one making the contract. Sylvie and Camilla are just here to watch.”
”I’m Sylvie. I’m only accompanying him because I wanted to see a Great Spirit,” Sylvie said brightly.
”I’m Camilla. I just wanted to be wherever Master is,” Camilla added.
”I see. I understand the situation, but…oh? Surely you cannot mean…”
She looked at me suspiciously, then narrowed her eyes. She was probably sensing my Spirit Magic skill level or my aptitude for contracts. Then her expression changed to shock.
”Unbelievable. It seems you really are the anomaly people speak of.”
”I don’t know about that, but my skill level is high enough.”
”Very well. Let us proceed with the contract.”
There was no need to hesitate. I formed the pact, linking a path to the Great Spirit. Now I could summon her anytime. Normally, she would just stay somewhere nearby or drift around me without fully manifesting. Manifesting uses an enormous amount of MP, which would drain most contractors dry. It was fine for me, except when I was in the middle of a real battle.
”By the way, Daisuke, I sense that you have the aptitude to contract with spirits even higher than me. That is not just my imagination, is it?”
”…You noticed.”
”So, you were simply neglecting me?”
”…My bad.”
”I will not press you, since I know humans have their own complications, but I would have preferred that you come sooner.”
”Sorry, really. It was my fault.”
She stated her feelings very plainly. She was clearly aware that my Skill level was far above what was required for a Great Spirit contract. Look, I had that whole false accusation mess and plenty of other things going on!
”Since this is a rare contract, I would like to manifest when possible.”
”That’s fine, but do me one favor. When you’re just hanging around, stay in a smaller form, okay?”
”Why?” the Great Spirit asked, tilting her head. “I am quite comfortable in this form, you know.”
”It’s just…seeing someone contracted to a Great Spirit is pretty rare,” I said, scratching the back of my neck. “Actually, even seeing a human contracted to any spirit is rare.”
”…Very well,” she said with a small sigh, looking a little resigned. “If that is what you desire, I shall make myself smaller.”
She looked slightly displeased, but she accepted it. The small-sized Great Spirit was certainly cute, though if you looked carefully, it was obvious she was not some ordinary spirit.
”Since we’re talking about it, why don’t you give yourself a name?” I said.
”Huh!?” she cried.
”What’s wrong?”
”N-nothing,” she replied, turning her face away. “We shall speak of that another time.”
”Really? But you already have the title ‘Lady of the Lake,’ don’t you?”
”That is merely a title, not a name,” she said, her usual pride returning to her voice. “Besides, it is much too long to be practical, is it not?”
”That’s true. But I’m really bad at naming things…”
”You think too much about it, which is why it becomes strange,” she scolded. “A simple name is enough.”
”Alright, then how about ‘Aqua’?”
”…Well,” she muttered while looking down at her own hands, “I suppose it is acceptable.”
(See? I told you I’m terrible at naming things! If you’re going to complain, then come up with one yourself! …Not that I’d ever actually say that.)
After that, I asked the confused Sylvie about it. Apparently, for a contractor to give a spirit a name is proof of deep trust and friendship. It is something that almost never happens with a Great Spirit.
”Hm? What is it, Slajiro?” I asked when I noticed movement inside my cloak.
”Oh,” Aqua said, narrowing her eyes. “Is that a Slime?”
”Yeah, that’s my pet, Slajiro. I’m raising him right now.”
Drawn out by the dense water mana around the lake inhabited by a Great Spirit, Slajiro poked his head out. Since Slajiro can move around without me carrying him, he stays with me whenever he can. Or rather, he just sticks to me on his own. Thankfully, he has enough consideration to move away whenever I’m hugging my Lovers. Otherwise, it would be a huge hassle.
Slajiro seemed to have caught her attention. Maybe it was because Slimes resemble water-based creatures. Their affinity with water is certainly very high.
”Not every Slime is like this,” Aqua said, “but this species is very close to a spirit.”
”Really? But their Elements are completely different, aren’t they?”
”They are different,” she replied flatly.
She still seemed deeply humiliated about having been captured and clearly did not want to hear their name. Slimes and Water Spirits are not exactly related, but they are not enemies either.
And so, I ended up bringing Aqua home with me. The Great Spirit had shrunk herself down, so having another roommate was not really a problem. Most of the time she sat on my shoulder or my head, or simply floated nearby, but I made it clear that she was not allowed in the bedroom at night. Even if I had formed a contract with a high-ranking spirit, she was not exactly going to become my main combat strength, so I figured my daily life would not change very much.
At least, that was what I thought.
Then a completely unexpected problem appeared.
After the deed, the bedroom is usually left a mess. Recently, Slajiro had been handling the cleanup, but Aqua suddenly declared that she would do it herself.
”Daisuke’s s**men is a liquid infused with dense magical power,” she stated matter-of-factly; “there is no reason for me to let it go to waste.”2
”No, no, that’s honestly a bit too much,” I said, feeling my face getting hot.
”Why? Slajiro is allowed to do it. There is no reason I should not be allowed as well, is there?”
”Because it’s embarrassing having a beautiful woman—someone I can actually talk to—cleaning up that kind of thing in my room!”
So it wasn’t my imagination after all. The reason Slajiro always seemed strangely happy while cleaning was because he genuinely enjoyed it. Slimes develop differently from spirits, so he does not gain any sort of experience from it, but he apparently treats it as a luxury food. That’s one thing, but having an adult woman I barely know doing the cleaning is another matter entirely.
”I do not care about such things,” she said as she stepped closer. “It may be considered part of our contract. Should it not even be encouraged?”
”You’re being way too aggressive about this…”
”I shall regard it as compensation for being neglected.”
”Ah, fine, fine, I get it,” I groaned, raising my hands in surrender. “Slajiro wants in too, so just get along and work together.”
”Understood,” she replied with a firm nod. “We shall handle it.”
Never would I have imagined that a Great Spirit would beg me for permission to clean my room. And the thing she wanted was semen.
(A spirit evolving through s**men would be a complete joke, right?)
Later, she even learned about my Private Power Generation (m**urbation) and asked for that as well. She even requested that I do it in front of her. Naturally, I refused. I have no intention of doing that every day while someone is watching….
—
Summary:
Daisuke reaches the required Skill Level 10 for his Spirit Magic (Water) and decides to travel to the lake to finalize a contract with the Great Water Spirit. He brings Sylvie and Camilla along for the journey, opting to fly to maintain efficiency and privacy. After arriving and interacting with the Great Spirit, he successfully establishes the contract, though the spirit expresses mild annoyance at the delay.
Daisuke struggles to navigate his new contract with the shrunk-down Great Spirit, Aqua, who unexpectedly demands to clean his bedroom to consume his magical fluids. Despite Daisuke’s embarrassment and reluctance, Aqua insists on the arrangement as part of their contract and a form of compensation. The situation remains unresolved as Aqua further encroaches on his personal boundaries, including his private m**urbation habits.
—
Trivia:
The Great Spirit was previously captured by a Water Element that used her as an MP tank.
High-ranking spirits require specific environments (lakes for water, volcanoes for fire) and are rarely found near human settlements.
Spirit contracts sync with the contractor’s highest Spirit Magic level, which can influence other skills like blacksmithing.
Transferring MP to spirits for growth is inefficient, with only about 10% of the transferred amount being utilized.
Aqua considers her “Lady of the Lake” title to be a mere moniker rather than a name.
Contracting with a Great Spirit is rare enough that it carries significant social weight.
Slajiro appears to gain nourishment or satisfaction from consuming magical remnants.
Aqua claims she does not mind the task of cleaning, viewing it as a contractual entitlement.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Great Water Spirit – Also known as the Lady of the Lake, she is a high-ranking intellectual spirit made entirely of water, currently residing in a lake after being imprisoned by an Elemental. She manifests in a glamorous female form, featuring long hair and a body that shimmers with soft ripples—especially her chest.
• Sylvie – A cheerful, curious Elf and Spirit Mage with long wavy blonde hair and a petite frame. Always smiling and eager to help, her lively, inquisitive nature sometimes pushes boundaries, but she genuinely desires to be useful. Possessing deep knowledge of spirits and contracts, she serves as a vital information source and friendly acquaintance to others while balancing her innocence with a supportive spirit.
• Cassandra – Human female Knight-Vice-Captain in her late 20s (170cm), with short brown hair, a muscular build, and a large bust. Known as the “Ogress,” this B-Rank spear-and-shield counter-specialist hides deep trauma under a cold aura. Günther’s niece and Emily’s second-in-command, she fought beside Emily at the lake. She hates Otto and traitors, loves cheese, and is a fatigued slave to Daisuke.
• Emily – The 30-year-old Captain of the Knights’ Order’s Third Unit is a married, B-Rank leader with a powerful aura, a wicked older-sister smile, and wavy purple wolf-cut hair. Playful yet disciplined, she teases Daisuke, chaperones high-schoolers, and cares for subordinates. She wields a segmented great scythe, recently fighting a Water Element before being found unconscious and carried by Cassandra.
• Ralph – Ralph-san is a heavily bearded dwarf blacksmith, Captain, and proud owner of a Royal Capital workshop who possesses a contracted fire spirit. Though rough-mannered and prone to loud laughter, he is surprisingly caring. He deeply values rest days, balancing his dual roles as Milliam’s dedicated father and Miryam’s supportive employer and associate.
• Camilla – Fourteen-year-old fox beastman illusionist with short brown hair, a loli-like physique, and a wild gaze from her hunting past. Outwardly a rugged slave, she uses her wits to survive, staying calculatedly distant from others based on utility. Deeply attached to Daisuke as his clingy, affectionate lover, she balances a spoiled, hardcore fan mentality with a shy nature and ruthless tracking skills.
• Lady of the Lake – A Great Water Spirit who lacks gender and reproduces by elevating its existence over eons. She seeks to follow Daisuke.
• Liese – Liese is a serious 16-year-old, 170cm grey-scaled dragonewt lancer with long silver-blue braided hair, thick horns, and violet eyes. Wearing an arcane cloak and rune circlet, this Level 21 spear-fighter leads the ‘Lovers’ party, loves meat, and manages household cleaning. Daisuke’s devoted first slave, born to red/blue dragonewts and raised by Dietlinde, she bonds with Ursula and cares for Daisuke.
• Vanessa – A 21-year-old human Magic Bludgeoneer, this 170cm wild, muscular, and busty beauty with a red ponytail acts as a sensual older sister figure. Wielding a fire mace in revealing gear, she cautiously slays Twelfth Floor Wyverns while remaining skeptical of reckless travel plans. Straightforward and grounded, she is Daisuke’s sixth Lover, mentors Nicola, aligns with Sylvie, and manages disputes.
• Juliet – Juliet is an 18-year-old, 150cm cat-beastwoman Gale Party instructor and tsundere two-handed warrior wielding a greatsword with rocket gear. She has a blue bob-cut, grumpy face, and a voluptuous, toned build with a large chest and exposed thighs. As Daisuke’s deeply attached third lover who craves cuddles, she masks embarrassment with spite, gets jealous when excluded from trips, and suspects Meta.
• Ilse – Ilse is a 17-year-old tiger beastman archer with medium-short gold-and-black hair and a petite, boyish frame. A level-18 Beunemünde Guild member in Daisuke’s party, this fickle former slave-bandit masks deep devotion to her found family with blunt humor. Owned by Elmer, she loves erotic activities and crab, faints easily, and provides practical advice regarding magical exhaustion.
• Dietlinde – Dietlinde (Diet) is a 22-year-old, 170cm sheep beastwoman Guild receptionist with porcelain skin and curly white hair. She has a cool, composed demeanor and validates travel plan safety. Despite her “cool big sister” vibe, she hides low self-esteem. Now Daisuke’s tenth lover, she lives with him and is undergoing a process managed by Regina and Meta following a recent crisis.
• Diet – Dietlinde (Diet) is a 22-year-old, 170cm sheep beastwoman with porcelain skin and curly platinum hair who recently became Daisuke’s tenth lover and moved in with him. An efficient, serious Guild receptionist with a “cool big sister” vibe, she hides low self-esteem beneath a rigid core. Following a crisis, she is currently undergoing a process managed by Regina and Meta.
• Daisuke – Daisuke is a 19-year-old, lean, muscular Japanese reincarnate, B-Rank solo adventurer (Lv.93) with tousled dark hair and amber eyes. Pragmatic, blunt, and analytical, he uses wind/healing magic, a spear, and an Item Box. He recently contracted a Great Spirit and acts as a provider for a growing household, keeping a pet Slime and managing equal bonds with a slave party and lovers like Regina.
• Franziska – Tall, dignified leopard-kin Beastman with short blonde hair, a sharp appearance, and a serious, reliable personality. As the dependable former leader of the Wyvern Slayers, she exudes an elder-sister aura. Now a First Blood party member and houseguest, she is inexperienced in romance and harbors a secret habit. Currently, she is focused on escaping Irene’s growing suspicion.
• Clarissa – Clarissa is a gentle, soft-spoken 26-year-old human librarian and D-rank adventurer. Standing 160cm with a soft, curvy build, large hips, and long blonde hair, she uses fire and illusion magic. While projecting a warm, protective presence, she secretly masks stress and age insecurities. An acquaintance of the protagonist, she provides communication support and is Daisuke’s devoted ninth lover.
• Aqua – A Great Spirit who has taken the form of a beautiful woman. She is pragmatic, intellectual, and has a strong interest in magical fluids.
• Slajiro – A level 15 pet Slime owned and trained by Daisuke. It is capable of independent movement, can stretch its arms to attack, and has a natural affinity for water.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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