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~Chapter 20~
I can’t wait any longer.
It’s time to escape this life as an exile, this miserable, beggar-like existence.
Since I’ve awakened as a spiritist, I have to go to Spirit Castle and have the marquis recognize me as his true child.
I wish I could cut ties with that wretched marquis family forever and live as a stranger… but this is the only way to clear my status as an exile.
“If only I was at least a mid-level, I could become a state mage.”
I sighed as I carefully packed my clothes and things into my suitcase.
Since the spirits never told me their real names or true nature, I had no idea how powerful they actually were.
The biggest problem was, I couldn’t write out proper spells, so I had to directly ask the spirits to lend me their power—almost like a Pok*mon trainer.
The chick spirit, Dusik, flapped its wings and came over to ask,
“Do you want to be a state mage?”
“That’s just another way to escape exile.”
“Then you should go straight to the imperial palace in the capital! You’ve awakened, haven’t you?”
I asked Dusik, who was showing off his tiny matchstick flame with pride,
“Are you at least a mid-level spirit?”
Hoping—just maybe.
“By human standards, I’m low-level, but my strength is beyond anything humans could measure…!”
Small body, big ego—a king of spirits in his own mind.
I closed my suitcase, lost in thought.
“There’s an order to things. I’ll clear my exile status first and clear my mother’s name too—she was falsely accused.”
“Nya.”
At some point, Kkami had curled up inside my suitcase.
Even spirits act like real cats.
“Irelia? She was a good human.”
Dusik crossed his wings and sat down. I stared at him in surprise.
“That’s my mother’s name. You knew her?”
“Of course. The Spirit King liked her a lot. The other spirits liked her too.”
“Then why…”
Why did they let her suffer under such ugly rumors?
Sensing my unspoken question, Dusik let out a sigh.
“The master spirit in Spirit Castle—your father’s contracted spirit—is the spirit of jealousy. It’s not possible to clear away jealousy and doubt from the depths. That’s a different domain.”
So that’s why my father hated me so stubbornly?
Lost in thought, I heard Dusik ask,
“Is Isaac Belmour still alive? He must be over a hundred by now.”
Isaac Belmour, the grand duke, was my great-grandfather.
He was chosen by the Spirit King a hundred years ago, then passed on the title and retired to the provinces.
Since him, no Spirit King has chosen anyone new, so my grandfather and father inherited the domain by being the most powerful spiritists.
“He’s still healthy. I’ve never met him, though. Why?”
“Just curious.”
Dusik answered blandly, smoothing his feathers.
Once my packing was done, I flopped onto my bed and let out a heavy sigh.
Just thinking of the cold eyes and harsh treatment from the people who were once my family made me shiver.
It hurt, and I felt resentment, but I was determined to stay strong.
They gave up on me first, so it’s over now.
Focus only on clearing my status as an exile.
After that, maybe I’ll take Edell and run away to a foreign country where the original story’s main characters will never find us.
“I’m ready.”
All Edell packed was a single book tucked under his arm.
Well, what else would a kid have? I had to take care of everything.
“Edell, don’t cause trouble, okay?”
“Okay.”
He nodded half-heartedly.
Before leaving, I organized the shop and put up a sign saying, “Closed due to personal reasons.”
Ding–
With the bell, old Monsieur Jean de Pantsu walked in, wearing his newspaper suit and rope tie.
He looked at the sign in my hand.
“Are you going on vacation?”
“Ah, I just have something to take care of.”
I handed him the candy bag he always bought, smiling.
He gave me some rusty coins he’d picked up from the fountain and said,
“I heard the bandits that used to roam around here have gone quiet.”
He must be talking about Philip and his men.
I swallowed nervously and pretended I knew nothing.
“That’s good news.”
“An artist saw the bandits last, apparently.”
He was staring at the broken barrier.
I’d told Keia the story about thieves breaking in and stealing what little money we had…
The beggar network is faster than any group in the empire. Maybe they already guessed about Edell?
I kept silent, waiting for what he’d say next.
“It was this shop, right? I was worried about you.”
His voice and face were full of genuine concern.
“Yes, but there wasn’t much to steal… They only took the candy money you left that day. It’s not a big deal.”
“Breaking that barrier means it wasn’t just any thief.”
He glanced at me, half-smiling.
“I’m just glad you and the boy are safe.”
Thank goodness, it didn’t seem like he knew Edell’s secret. I let out a relieved breath and asked,
“Do you know anything about the thieves?”
“I suspect they’re from the underground information guild. If they broke that barrier, they’re good. But it’s strange they’re robbing shops in Udes. Maybe they’re looking for a black mage.”
That’s dangerous—maybe we’ll be found out soon.
For Edell’s sake, I needed to change the topic. I met Monsieur Jean’s eyes.
“Monsieur, there’s something I need to confess.”
“What is it?”
I hesitated, but finally forced the words out.
“The daughter of the lord, who was exiled for bringing disaster to Spirit Castle… That’s me. I’m going back to restore my status. I’m sorry for hiding it.”
Monsieur Jean looked at me quietly, then smiled kindly.
“I already knew. Don’t underestimate the beggar network.”
So he knew all along, but still helped and gave me information?
“Just from the way you act and carry yourself, it’s obvious you grew up in a noble family.”
I relaxed, letting go of the tension.
“The thieves—my family probably hired them to kill me, disguised as a robbery.”
There was a pause.
He didn’t say anything, just dug in his paper coat and handed me something.
“About time I gave you this.”
Instead of words of comfort, he handed me a golden “Honorary Beggar Certificate.”
[Honorary Beggar Certificate]
Name: Ciella
Position: President’s Direct Assistant
This certifies the holder is an honorary beggar, appointed by the president of the Beggar Guild.
“You’ll find it useful. Beggars are everywhere and nowhere at the same time.”
It was like a free pass to beg anywhere in the empire—so I wouldn’t starve on the street.
I felt a lump in my throat at his kindness. I bit my lip, holding the certificate, and asked,
“Did you ask the head of the beggars just for me?”
“You’re someone who knows how to be grateful and pays back what you get.”
He held out his hand to shake.
“If you ever need my help, just ask. Someday, I might ask you for help too.”
An information network that reaches all across the empire.
I needed information. Lifting my head, I rubbed my cheek and said,
“I have a favor, Monsieur. Can you find out where Philip Kilosikos is?”
I wanted to find him and trade for Edell’s secret—and because he seemed to know something about my mother’s death.
“Of course, Ciella. I’ll contact you. Stay healthy, wherever you go. You’re always welcome back.”
Monsieur Jean smiled kindly.
We took the luggage wagon Keia had prepared and headed to Belmour Spirit Castle.
The ride was bumpy, but Edell was able to read his book with incredible focus, even while shaking around.
Edell is smart—if only he could go to a proper school.
“Edell, I’ll make sure you get into a good academy.”
Edell glanced at me, exasperated.
“All of a sudden?”
“It’s not sudden! I regret never graduating from an academy myself. I’ll sell the house if I have to so you can follow the elite course—”
“We don’t have a house.”
He was right.
But if I work hard with my little spirits, I can save enough for tuition.
Then, when Edell becomes a successful, productive adult, he’ll take care of me in my old age… right?
I was busy daydreaming about that when, suddenly, I spotted Spirit Castle rising in the distance.
Keia turned to us from the driver’s seat.
“We’re here.”
“Already? It should take days to get here!”
“We used a warp hole.”
Warp holes are luxury transportation—they cost a fortune to register and to use!
“Where’d you get the money? Don’t tell me you deducted it from my salary?”
“How did you know?”
Keia winked as she drove the wagon toward Spirit Castle.
Damn. I barely had time to prepare myself!
I wanted to rehearse my comebacks and practice my facts on the way, but it was already too late.
Before I could even process it, we were standing in front of the Belmour estate.
