* * *

Luctoria, her heart burning with hatred, but cautiously... advanced through the Spirit Forest.

Along the way, she spotted several floating lesser spirits, but they were all exterminated with magic.

Therefore, her secret advance through this forest had not yet been discovered by the powerful spirits.

Until she... came face to face with a medium spirit, peeking out from a hollow in a large tree.

◇ ◇ ◇

"Ah, guh...!"

From outside her awareness... a 【Wind Bullet】 from the side attacks Luctoria.

A 【Wind Bullet】 is a cannonball of wind, created with magical power.

Its force is strong, and Luctoria, with her light body... was helplessly blown away.

DON, GOK... GAK!

And her body, blown away by the force, bounced on the shining moss, and was slammed hard against the trunk of a tree shining blue like a sapphire.

She must have hit her head at that time, and from her forehead to her cheek... a single, bright red streak of blood dripped down her white skin.

"Tch..."

However, she is the 'Mad Dog Princess', who, despite her young age, has defeated her political enemies with her inherent violence and intellect!

She is not a weak, sheltered young lady whose ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) heart would break from such a small wound!

Luctoria wiped away the blood, stood up slowly, clicked her tongue... and glared at the "enemy" who had attacked her with the power of the wind, her eyes filled with murderous intent!

<<<Oh, how scary! As expected of the Mad Dog Princess... her presence alone is perfect. But in that filthy prisoner's uniform, your dignity is ruined... Kikikikiki!>>>

But the enemy... a small, green-furred weasel floating haughtily in the air... a Weasel Medium Spirit, paid no heed to Luctoria's murderous intent, looked down on her from a high position, and laughed mockingly.

This spirit appears to look like an adorable little animal, but... its heart doesn’t seem to be all that cute.

He seems to be enjoying tormenting Luctoria from the bottom of his heart.

While glaring straight at that Weasel Medium Spirit... Luctoria.

"...You, on the other hand, should fix that disgusting way you laugh. It's ruining your adorable face... with your filthy nature seeping out..."

She retorted, and scoffed at him.

<<<...【Wind Bullet】!!>>>

Spirits look down on humans.

They are utterly convinced that they are insignificant, inferior creatures.

Therefore, the Weasel Medium Spirit... was truly displeased by Luctoria's "counterattack".

After a moment of surprise, his face turned bright red, and he immediately unleashed his next attack!

However, Luctoria is a genius child who has even undergone combat training, unbefitting a noble lady.

She intuitively sensed the attack from the movement of the magical power, and dodged the wind cannonball by jumping sideways.

DOON!!

...The spirit's 【Wind Bullet】, released in anger, hit the blue-shining tree with even more force than the previous one, and broke its trunk!

MIKI MIKI, MISHI MISHI, DOOON!!

Without even looking at the falling large tree, losing its light, Luctoria immediately regained her posture and ran towards the Weasel Medium Spirit!

And...!

"‘Flames, become an unbreakable chain and bind the enemy! 【Fire Chain】!’"

With magic, she generated a "chain of flames" in her hand... and after swinging it around, she threw it with all her might at the Weasel Medium Spirit!

This is Luctoria's specialty magic, which binds the enemy, stops their movement, and damages them with heat!

However...!

<<<Gigi! 【Great Wind Wall】!!>>>

The next moment, a strong gust of wind was released, with the Weasel Medium Spirit at its center!

An unavoidable, area-of-effect attack!

"Kyah!?"

Luctoria was blown away again by the gust of wind and rolled on the shining moss.

The chain of flames she created with magic has completely dissipated...!

<<<GIIII!! GIIII!! A mere human, getting carried away!>>>

DON! DON!

Several small 【Wind Bullets】 were released from the Weasel Medium Spirit and directly hit Luctoria's body!

Luctoria, creating bruises and groaning from the impact, was rolled on the moss.

Even after seeing Luctoria's pathetic state, the Weasel Medium Spirit's anger doesn't seem to have subsided.

He screeched, making an intimidating noise, and shouted!

<<<Besides, Luctoria! I've never liked you!>>>

...and!

"...My, what a coincidence, Falweasel. I hate you too."

How about Luctoria, on the other hand?

Her entire body must be in pain... but as she stood up unsteadily... she smiled fearlessly, as if she didn't feel the pain at all, and said that!

<<<Unlike Count Brutom, you've never had any cuteness! A mere human brat, pretending to be smart!>>>

"Excuse me? I had no idea that the former contracted spirit of my father... that man, thought of me that way. Certainly, you, on the other hand, have 'cuteness' and nothing else."

<<<MUGIIII!!>>>

Yes... the Weasel Medium Spirit, Falweasel.

He was the contracted spirit of Luctoria's father, Count Brutom.

Therefore, they knew each other well.

<<<Your mouth runs on and on! That's what I'm talking about! That's what pisses me off, you mere human! If you had just been a puppet... like the Count!>>>

"...'Puppet'?"

However, even if they know each other well, there are things Luctoria doesn't know.

That is, the secret story of the Hyupuet Spirit Kingdom's spirit contracts.

Falweasel, in his rage... carelessly began to leak a part of it. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

<<<That's right! The Count... was a really good contractor! A few sweet words, and he'd easily fall into the easier path! He grew into a soul to my liking!>>>

"............"

<<<It was almost time! I thought he was going to die soon from his unhealthy lifestyle! I was so close to harvesting that soul! ...AAAH, damn it! What's with the contract termination! What's with the Spirit King's beloved child! Give me back my time!>>>

Falweasel held his head, and made a stomping motion while floating in the air.

As if reflecting his emotional turmoil, a chaotic wind raged around him, rustling the branches of the trees!

Luctoria saw that as an opening.

She had many things she wanted to question that weasel about, but... her combat senses immediately urged her body to attack!

"‘Flames, become gravel...’"

<<<【Wind Bullet】!!>>>

But, however.

Even if she's a genius, Luctoria, a human who can't use magic without chanting, can't take advantage of that opening.

She was blown away again... by Falweasel's 【Wind Bullet】, which he can activate just by thinking!

This is one of the reasons why spirits look down on humans!

The overwhelming difference in species... in manipulating magical power!

<<<That's why, you, Luctoria! You take responsibility!>>>

"Geho... responsibility...?"

<<<That's right, that's a great idea! You, in place of that Count, give me your soul! You're his daughter, right? Take responsibility for your parent's screw-up!>>>

"Respon...sibility..."

<<<It must have been fate that you and I met here! Kikikikiki!>>>

Falweasel said whatever he wanted, spun around in the air, and laughed cheerfully.

As for Luctoria... she was trembling.

Trembling with uncontrollable anger.

Responsibility.

It's something that young Luctoria has been burdened with so much.

As the future Crown Princess, she carried it.

As the daughter of a sinful Count's family, she carried it.

And now, this, in front of her, this weasel.

Is he going to force it on her again?

"DON'T... SCREW WITH ME, YOU IDIOT!!!"

The next moment!

Luctoria abandoned her reason and charged at Falweasel in anger!

And she released her right fist!

The spirit's body is made of magical power.

Therefore, normal physical attacks are ineffective.

That's why Falweasel was surprised by Luctoria's rage and flinched a little... but he didn't even try to dodge that fist.

A human's fist passes through a spirit's body.

It shouldn't work.

However!

Luctoria's fist... unconsciously!

Was imbued with magical power!

Magical power, filled with an overflowing, intense anger, was imbued in it!

In other words, miraculously... a 【Magic Strike】, albeit weak in power, was reproduced!

<<<GIKYEEEEEEE!?>>>

And 【Magic Strike】 can damage a spirit's body!

Luctoria's right fist brilliantly punched Falweasel's face from the front!

Falweasel let out a pathetic scream and was blown away, spinning... and crashed into a large tree with ruby-like bark!