On a breezy early summer day in the skies of Ricard, the head of the orphanage, Hannah, donned her customary black attire. Her usually serene face now wore a veil of melancholy. Her eyes, often lifted to the horizon, were gently cast down. Yet, even with this sorrowful air, she walked with her back straight, prompting the townsfolk to step aside instinctively, whispering amongst themselves.
“Hey…! You idiot, bow your head and don’t make eye contact! You standing there like a fool while she’s walking by? Are you nuts?”
“Huh? I just drifted into this town three days ago. What’s the big deal about a little old lady?”
“Shh! You fool! That’s Hannah, the head of the orphanage. They say she can take down a bear with a single strike! You’re risking your life, man!”
To the average person, Hannah’s orphanage seemed like a well-regulated, modest institution. But to the denizens of the underworld and the roughnecks of the lower town, it was a formidable presence, boasting the might of Bruno, who could easily dismantle an organization, and the economic prowess of Leo, who could generate unimaginable wealth.
And at the helm was Hannah, a seemingly gentle old woman who could, when necessary, stand toe-to-toe with the roughest characters with her piercing threats or iron-fisted resolve. Tales of her negotiating protection fees with just a hidden dagger and her legendary drinking contests were numerous.
“Especially when Hannah’s in those dark clothes… She’s not to be messed with. They say anyone who speaks lightly to her disappears from town…”
“What is she, a bear just out of hibernation?”
“Not far off. They say the dark clothes are to hide the blood of her opponents…”
“No way…”
Whispering in fear, the roughnecks swallowed hard. But one man, watching Hannah hasten away without sparing a glance at her surroundings, tilted his head slightly.
“—But usually when she’s in black, she looks more melancholic… Today she seems unusually hurried. Is she planning a raid?”
Regardless of whether his words about Hannah were exaggerated, the fact that she was in a hurry was undeniable. Today, she had a very important task. She was to welcome back a fool of a girl who was returning to the chapel behind the orphanage.
***
“Oh! How splendid! The golden scent, the golden glow—this chapel is the promised land!”
Last autumn, Leo, who had disappeared from in front of Hannah, exclaimed in Elrandic as he stepped into the “Chapel of Light.” The chapel, adorned with the same gold as the eyes of the Light Spirit, was bright and radiant. Walking across the white floor illuminated by stained glass, his figure in a pure white dress looked every bit like a spirit bride.
But his true nature was that of a money-grubber. Bruno and Lena, who followed him from the carriage, grumbled, “The difference between appearance and reality is staggering…”
Leo, dressed as Lady Leonora von Harkenberg, Bruno, and the tawny-haired Lena, had just arrived from the academy in a carriage to the newly built “Chapel of Light.” As Leo, grinning and looking around, noticed Hannah standing under a hanging spirit cloth, he exclaimed, “Ah!” and ran towards her, gracefully managing his long dress.
“Principal! You came!”
“Hmph, it’s a significant ‘departure of the saint.’ As the one assigned to protect and care for ‘Lady Leonora’ in the lower town, I couldn’t miss it. Really, you had to come back on such a busy day.”
Apologizing, Leo replied in fluent Elandic, “Sorry! It was the best day for those seeing me off, so this day it was.”
The two, skilled in languages, continued their conversation in Elandic. Not only because they were in the chapel, but because it was easier for Leo to speak naturally in Elandic.
“…Why do you still look like that? Shouldn’t you revert back soon?”
Hannah, expecting Leo to be back in his boyish form by now, tilted her head in confusion.
“Well, you see…”
And with his explanation, Hannah was left speechless.
“The Gold Spirit’s blessing is too strong to revert?”
“Exactly! To Al, I’m this appearance with this personality. Forcing a change—that is, giving up the blessing and reverting—felt too sad. So, after discussing it with Al in the carriage, we decided on this.”
In short, they planned to temporarily lift the blessing so Leo and Lena could return to their bodies. Al, primarily connected to the soul, would generally watch over Leo as a boy. However, once a year, Leo would swap with Lena again, and during that period, Al would bestow her full blessing.
“In other words, to Al, my time as Leonora is a reward. For me, it’s a period of great luck, and Lena gets to walk freely in my form. It’s a win-win-win!”
Hannah, who had silently listened, held her head. As Leo’s guardian, she had known about their return plans but hadn’t expected such a bold change during the short carriage ride.
“…You’re going to keep getting into trouble…”
While annual exchanges might be fine, Hannah couldn’t shake the feeling that it would lead to some incident with this boy.
“And what kind of hobby does your beloved Gold Spirit have…”
The reason for continuing the exchange being “Al prefers me as a girl” seemed rather questionable.
As she muttered, Leo’s eyes sparkled, and he exclaimed, “Principal! Are you interested!? Do you want to meet Al!? Do you want to experience his greatness!? Sure, I’ll introduce you! Oh, I haven’t greeted her properly yet, sorry!”
“Ah? What are you saying—”
Before she could finish her protest, light filled the chapel in response to Leo’s raised hand.
“Introducing! Here is Al! The pinnacle of precious metals and the guardian of market peace, the graceful and fragrant, supremely charming Gold Spirit!”
With Leo’s enthusiastic words, the gathered light formed a shape, eventually revealing a beautiful woman in golden robes before Hannah. With flowing golden hair, a bewitching beauty mark, and enticing lips, she exuded a dangerous allure.
“Hello.”
The voice resonated, stirring one’s heart.
Hannah was completely overwhelmed by the sight of the spirit she was encountering for the first time. She stood there, speechless, something very rare for her.
Spirits really do exist, she thought. And even if they aren’t officially recognized spirits, they are so beautiful, so divine.
As Hannah stood frozen, Leo continued to excitedly introduce the spirit. “Oh, Lord Al might look all glamorous and fabulous, but inside, they are the epitome of modesty and purity! I’m sure you’ll love them, Director.”
“…………”
No, even if you introduce a spirit like, “My girlfriend looks like a punk, but she’s really a good person inside,” it’s like bringing a lover home to meet the family.
“……I see,” Hannah replied, trying to sound neutral while staring at the spirit, who blushed modestly.
“As I mentioned in my previous letter, I’ll skip the details of how we met. Lord Al might not be well-known yet, but their abilities as a spirit are extraordinary. In their hands, even a roadside stone can be turned into a gold ingot. I’d love to show you that someday, Director.”
“…………”
No, it’s like saying, “She’s still an up-and-coming culinary researcher, but her skills are amazing. In her hands, even leftovers become a luxurious dinner.”
“Well, putting skills aside, I just think Lord Al is wonderful just the way they are, their entire existence is magnificent!”
“…………”
In the end, Leo was bragging shamelessly. Though he usually seemed oblivious to romance, Hannah thought that Leo might actually be the type to gush endlessly about a lover if he had one.
“Oh, Leo. You’re making me blush.”
With a slightly displeased expression, Al, the golden spirit, smiled wryly and gently chided Leo. Then, floating gracefully, Al descended and stood before Hannah.
“Nice to meet you, Director Hannah. Please, don’t be alarmed. I’ve always wanted to meet you.”
“…Me?”
She felt she should speak formally, but the spirit’s unexpectedly humble demeanor made her slip into the tone she used with the children.
Before Hannah could catch herself, the beautiful golden spirit deepened their smile.
“Yes. You are very dear to me. You raised my Leo so wonderfully, and brought us together. You’re my benefactor.”
“…………”
Why does this feel like I’m a mother-in-law being thanked by an exceptionally capable daughter-in-law?
“…Thank you,” Hannah managed to reply.
“You might be worried about Leo being guarded by an unfamiliar spirit like me all of a sudden. But please, rest assured. I will ensure his happiness. This is just a small token of my gratitude”.
As Al spoke, they extended a delicate hand toward Hannah. The old pendant hanging from her neck began to glow with a golden light, turning into pure gold.
“……………………”
Hannah was astonished. She had things she wanted to say, but all she could focus on was the overwhelming “perfect daughter-in-law” vibe of the spirit.
“So, please, as Leo’s guardian spirit, I ask for your continued support.”
“……………………”
Hannah had seen children leave the orphanage after marrying, and had received similar greetings from their spouses. She usually respected their decisions and swallowed any objections with a simple “I see.”
But she never imagined she’d be saying the same to a spirit.
“…I see,” she said.
Bruno and Lena, nearby, widened their eyes in surprise at Hannah’s casual response to a spirit.
“…As expected of the Director, she’s unshaken.”
“I can’t believe she accepted a spirit with just a simple ‘I see.’ Director, are you really an ordinary person? Maybe you have a hidden past as a crime boss or a demon lord’s mother?”
Though whispered, Hannah could hear them. She felt like protesting.
What else was I supposed to say?
“Humph, I can hear you. Who are you calling a demon lord’s mother? I’m just from a humble merchant family.”
She snorted and replied in Elrandic, causing Lena to exclaim in surprise.
“Director, you’re from a merchant family? I can see now why you’re literate and know foreign languages, but why did someone from such a background become the director of an orphanage?”
“…Merchants have their ups and downs. I was on the downside.”
Her voice only lowered slightly, but Lena, sensing it was best not to pry further, shrugged after a moment of silence.
Hannah thought this perceptiveness was one of Lena’s few, but rapidly growing, good qualities.
“I see.”
When Hannah looked up, she found the golden spirit gazing at her intently with eyes that seemed to see right through her.
“At first, I thought it was because you’re Leo’s foster parent. But now I understand why I find you so endearing, even though it’s our first meeting.”
“…Do I smell like money or something?”
Hannah asked with an unconscious, wry smile, but the spirit gently shook their head.
No, that’s not it. Yet, they didn’t explain further. They simply smiled softly, then faded away, brushing Leo’s and Hannah’s cheeks as they disappeared.
“I wish my blessings upon you, whom I love dearly. …Now, Leo, let’s meet again in your boyish form.”
As Al disappeared, Leo’s golden-tinged eyes reverted to their original pure purple. It seemed the spirit’s blessing had been lifted.
Leo looked a bit forlorn but then slapped his cheeks and faced Lena.
Just five minutes later, using the prepared magic circle, Leo and Lena finally regained their original bodies.
Just as Leo had been swept into this incident so suddenly, its end was similarly abrupt and uneventful.
Beginnings and endings always seem that way, Hannah mused quietly.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.
Whoa is he gonna bang a spirit? Not an ending I expected