Chapter 81

I instinctively realized that the wolf was Heishar’s true form.

Even with its body crouched, the wolf was so large that I had to crane my neck just to see it. The golden fur covering its entire body rippled like flames.

A sense of wonder that couldn’t simply be described as “impressive” shot through my mind as I gazed at the wolf.

The wolf’s voice was transmitted into my head not as sound but as vibrations.

[Even for a half-contract, procedures are necessary, so come here.]

“What if I don’t want to form a contract?”

[Why not? It’s an offer that won’t harm you at all.]

“Because I don’t understand.”

I couldn’t understand Heishar, who was trying to form a contract that would only benefit me in order to save my life. Especially if his true identity was the Spirit King.

I recalled some of Heishar’s memories that I had received.

“Heishar is the Spirit King, right?”

[…Yes.]

“Is it true that the Imperial Family killed Anastasia to steal her power?”

[That’s correct.]

His giving me the history book about the Imperial Family in the library must have been intentional. Based on the memories I glimpsed, it seemed he truly loved Anastasia.

The words the young Heishar spoke to Anastasia were filled with affection. A fresh emotion of valuing the other more than himself, and not knowing what to do with his overwhelming love.

“Lady Anastasia! When I grow up, I want to assist you.”

“I’ve told you not to sleep in places like this.”

“I cannot bear to see someone as noble as you being disrespected.”

“Don’t you know that even humans don’t practice picky eating?”

Of course, the grown-up Heishar had become somewhat nagging. But his feelings remained genuine.

‘She was someone precious to him.’

That’s why I couldn’t trust him for trying to save me. To him, the Imperial Family should be mortal enemies who killed the Divine Beast of Light.

Yet he, like the Grand Duke, mistook me for an imperial princess.

“Don’t you hate the Imperial Family? Why are you trying to save me?”

[Do I have to answer?]

“If you’re going to save me, then answer.”

[If you hear my answer, you’ll be even less willing to form a contract. Don’t you know that some truths are better left unknown?]

“Tell me.”

When I urged him firmly, Heishar’s ears folded back. His feelings of difficulty were transmitted to me.

[What if not telling you is a choice made out of consideration for you?]

Then I need to hear it even more.

Knowing that I wouldn’t back down through our half-formed temporary contract, he struck the ground with his tail. Thanks to the awkward connection between our emotions, not much conversation was needed.

[Fine. I’ll tell you.]

Wrinkles formed between the golden wolf’s brows, and a low growling sound was heard. The space seemed to tremble with that sound.

[I am saving you in order to kill you.]

“Is that possible?”

[To be more specific, you need to stay alive until the time I desire.]

“And when is that?”

[Until I find someone.]

The memories I received from Heishar were too few to deduce who he was looking for. If his purpose only involved me, then it wouldn’t matter.

‘I can’t just let this slide.’

He had gone so far as to infiltrate the Grand Duke’s residence as an etiquette teacher. Heishar, a character who didn’t even appear in the original story, surely wouldn’t change the future.

“Any other objectives?”

[Does it matter? I’m telling you I’m going to kill you?]

As the wolf rose, an illusion of golden waves rippled. Reflexively stepping back, I looked into Heishar’s eyes.

His fiercely burning eyes revealed explicit hatred for the first time.

I thought to myself how well he had hidden such emotions while teaching me.

[You should be afraid. Or do you think I can’t kill you?]

Whether I died by the Grand Duke’s hand or the Spirit King’s, there wasn’t much difference. But there was a major flaw in his words.

I spoke of what I had found in literature when I was a Grand Magician.

“You can’t kill me, can you? Because contracted spirits must follow the orders of the person they contracted with.”

[You seem to know quite a bit about spirits, but that’s not the whole story.]

He kindly corrected my misunderstanding.

[Strictly speaking, a contractor doesn’t absolutely have to obey orders. If they’re willing to accept the contract being broken, they can refuse orders as much as they want.]

The rules regarding contracts were established by the Divine Beasts who created the divine realm.

The moment a contract was broken, ordinary spirits were immediately sent back to the divine realm. However, as the Spirit King, he could endure in the human realm for several hours.

That was more than enough time for him.

[Within those few hours, I can kill you.]

“I suppose so.”

[Well? Do you now want to reconsider this contract?]

He seemed to hope that I would be frightened by his words.

I suppose he wouldn’t like it if his target for revenge acted too indifferently.

“Will you offer contracts to other members of the Imperial Family, too?”

[You are the only member of the Imperial Family I will kill personally. I don’t care what happens to the rest.]

If he kept that promise, I might not need to worry too much.

‘It probably won’t affect the original story either.’

As Heishar said, I had nothing to lose in terms of gaining power and a healthy body. Rather, it was a good opportunity to unexpectedly achieve the contract with a spirit that I had long desired.

‘And with the Spirit King, no less.’

From what I could see, there didn’t seem to be any special conditions for the contract. But was it okay not to tell him that he was mistaken about me being part of the Imperial Family?

Though like the Grand Duke, he probably wouldn’t believe me even if I said I wasn’t.

“If I’m not part of the Imperial Family, would you nullify this contract?”

Heishar spoke with a gentle tone filled with mockery.

[With evidence remaining in your body, how could you not be of the Imperial Family?]

“Evidence?”

After a brief silence, he said.

[I’m talking about the power of the Imperial Family flowing within you. It could be called the power of the Divine Beast Anastasia.]

At those words, I recalled what Juno had said before she died.

“Someday, I’ll give you my power.”

So, it was really possible.

It didn’t matter that I didn’t know what that power was. Juno had really left something for me.

‘I wasn’t alone.’

I felt as happy as someone who had unexpectedly found a treasure. Sensing my emotions, Heishar made a face that showed he didn’t know how to react.

[I thought I understood humans well, but I don’t understand at all. What do you think about the contract?]

“I’ll do it.”

Looking at me with incomprehensible eyes, he lowered his head. The tip of the wolf’s nose touched my forehead.

His voice, like a melody, penetrated my entire body.

[I, Heishar, take you as my temporary contractor and swear to be with you until the end of your life.]

Our magical powers intertwined and bound tightly together. After the entire process, the pattern drawn on my forehead disappeared from sight.

I thought I could hear a heartbeat that wasn’t mine in my ears.

***

It seemed I had been asleep for quite a long time after forming the contract.

Perhaps Heishar had moved me, as when I woke up, I was in the room where I had stayed before going out with Michael. Fortunately, it wasn’t the mountain where I had been fleeing.

The results of forming the contract could be felt immediately in my body.

‘I’ve become incredibly healthy.’

My body, which had nearly died just from holding a little magic power, had changed. It was full of vitality, as if each cell had been reconstructed.

‘The Spirit King is different.’

Even when I was a Grand Magician, I wasn’t born with this much magical power. And afterward, it had been difficult to use magic without training my body.

I experimentally clenched and unclenched my fist, examining my muscles.

“I might be able to use a sword now.”

I was startled by my own clear pronunciation. Just as I was about to try moving my magic to cast a few spells, I felt a soft sensation on the top of my foot.

A golden dog had placed its front paw on my foot.

[You’d better stop. Your body is still being reconstructed.]

“…A dog?”

[Not a dog, a wolf.]

“So, Heishar?”

[Do I have to answer that too?]

The majestic wolf had become a puppy no bigger than the palm of my hand. Heishar yawned with his head resting on his crossed paws.

He looked like he was about to fall asleep, barely keeping his eyes open.

[Now that we’ve formed a contract, there’s no need for me to stay by your side in human form.]

I could sense his annoyance with me in his voice. Feeling a bit dumbfounded, I asked him.

“Is this your real personality?”

[Well, yes.]

“Since you’ve started talking, would you mind explaining a bit more?”

[I’m tired.]

Heishar closed his eyelids completely. His small belly rose and fell in rhythm with his slowed breathing.

He couldn’t have brought me to the room in that form. I was also curious about where Michael might be.

‘I hope he’s okay.’

Right on cue, there was a knock at the door. Without thinking, I ran to the door in anticipation.

Just as I was about to open it, I stopped at the voices I heard. Standing outside were not Michael but Lucas and Tristan.

Their voices carried through the door.

“Kid. Are you still sleeping?”

“Liat. Father said he’ll be leaving soon, so we should gather.”

“Wait a moment.”

At this rate, they would discover that I had snuck out.

I tried to remove the robe Michael had given me and burn it with magic. Though I felt abundant magical power, the spell wouldn’t activate.

Heishar, whom I thought was asleep, spoke in my mind.

[Your body won’t be fully constructed until you’re an adult. Did you think it would be easy to save someone who was dying?]

“I can’t use magic until then?”

[Originally, young children aren’t supposed to handle magic anyway.]

As if I didn’t know that!

Heishar, whose attitude had noticeably deteriorated, rubbed the bridge of his nose with his front paw and closed his eyes again.

Growing anxious, I paced around the room with the robe in hand.

“Kid, why are you taking so long to open the door? I told you we’re in a hurry.”

“I’m worried. If something’s wrong, please tell us.”

Lucas’s words were followed by consecutive knocks.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I gave up on getting rid of the robe. If only there were a place where the robe wouldn’t be discovered.

“Heishar, can you burn this robe for me?”

[……]

He didn’t respond at all.

In my haste, I rolled up the robe and stuffed it under the bed.

‘I hope they don’t find out.’

I carefully dusted off the dirt and dust on my dress. I could probably explain my disheveled hair by saying I had just woken up.

If I delayed any longer, it might raise unnecessary suspicion.