The existence of ghosts was not touched upon in the magic book Qualia read.
In fact, there were many concepts of magic and magic energy that were not explained completely.
“The existence of ghosts really was only talked about in dubious tales. But recently, through magic energy research, their existence is being proven.”
According to it, very rarely, when people died while carrying strong emotions, in places with strong magic energy, those emotions turned into magic energy.
The result was a mass of magic energy not much different from magic stones. But unlike magic stones, that were just one singular thing, this mass of magic energy was a dark matter that was like a vague wave, and took the form of the person’s body as it was before death.
These bodies were feared, and known as ghosts.
Ghosts followed the emotions they had before death, and rampaged without being aware of their deaths.
“There are many mysteries in regards to how to defeat a ghost. This is unofficial, but it is said one finally died for good after being brought down hundreds of times. On the other hand, there are legends of one long, long ago that came back no matter how many times it was brought down, and eventually turned into a powerful monster that destroyed a small country. Oh dear, how scary.”
Kernel then added that this was all lacking in evidence.
“It would make sense for Stealth to be the skill of a ghost. Neither magic dolls or humans can replicate that.”
“Understanding situation. Inputting ghost.”
“As I said before, there is no template about how to defeat ghosts. Maybe they have to be beaten hundreds of times, maybe they regenerate indefinitely. Or maybe the strong emotions that are at the root of the problem have to be cut off. What nagging things.”
“Strong emotions at the root.”
Qualia surmised that the words he repeated contained a hint.
The strong emotions Liebe left behind were regret. He wished for revenge on the world that killed Ina…
“And what is also troubling is that the location where he manifests himself is too random. If he appears right in the center of the upper area, he could clear it in a second with the ancient magic stone Black Hole. We have to do something quickly…”
“To activate the ancient magic stone Black Hole, it has to be exposed. We will retrieve or destroy it when it happens.”
“Oh my, Ace. You have a way with words. So you want to turn a problem into an opportunity?”
As Ace and Kernel talked, Qualia continued to formulate hypotheses. If the anger over losing Ina was the source, seeing Ina might weaken it.
But Qualia quickly threw that hypothesis in the trash.
“…Hypothesis rejected. It carries too big of a risk to Ina.”
He had not completely learned about ghosts yet. There was a chance that it would simply make him rampage harder.
He would have to look for another way to suppress the ancient magic stone, and Liebe.
And right there, he saw a reaction with his left eye.
“Detecting ancient magic stone Black Hole…!”
Once Qualia learned the location, an error popped up in his thoughts.
It was a worry that felt like a pulsating heart. He felt he could not stand still, and reflexively took off running.
“Oh, this location is pretty bad.”
Kernel smiled awkwardly, and rushed with the knights of Clearance.
The radar system detected the ancient magic stone right in the middle of Lobelia’s mansion.
■ ■
Meanwhile, Spirito was leaving the room of Lobelia, who was exhausted and slept like a log.
She pushed her already tired body to work through various channels to look for Ddos’ misdeeds, and identified a knight who was bribed by him to unlawfully release beast people.
Lobelia said she was only going to nap for an hour, but Spirito thought she might as well sleep for a full day. Her big sister was more important to her than the world.
And she also looked out the window with worry, to Ina, as she hung the laundry out to dry.
“You need to rest too.”
“Fue?”
Ina looked up at Spirito on the second floor, sounding confused.
“You’ve been looking really unwell since before. I heard what Kernel said.”
“I’m fine… Moving my body keeps my mind busy.”
What Spirito saw was a balloon about to burst.
She could not leave her be. It didn’t matter if she was a beast person or a maid. She could not ignore someone who appeared to be pushing herself even more than her sister.
“Oops.”
“Princess Spirito!? You jumped from the second…”
It was a height that would normally cause injury, but Spirito’s skirt danced lightly as she descended.
Her small body then landed quietly, like a feather.
“Do you want to see me jump from a mountain?”
“Please no, I don’t think my heart could take it…”
“Give me that! I did the laundry when I was in the mountain too you know?”
Spirito took a sheet from the laundry basket, and briskly hung it on the clothesline. But she just could not get it right, and the wrinkles were very visible. There was a clear difference compared to the one next to it, that Ina hung out to dry before.
Spirito crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks.
“…I’m just not feeling it today.”
“Thank you.”
“Go rest when you’re done… I think losing a family member is something you don’t forget no matter how many years pass.”
“Princess Spirito…”
If she lost her sister… The thought alone caused Spirito pain.
But for Spirito, who had not lost her sister, all she could do was empathize. And so, she was about to pick up another sheet from the basket, when…
Dark particles that received no light whatsoever gathered in the yard.
“…What’s that?”
The particles concentrated, and took the form of a beast person.
It did not take long for his features to be recognizable.
When they were done, the sheet Ina let go without thinking was blown away by the wind.
But Ina paid no attention to it, and whispered as if her heart had been taken.
“Big, brother…”
The beast person in the shape of her brother looked at Ina, and whispered.
“Ina…”
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