I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit

After finishing their meal, the two paper dolls Chika had named Tarou and Jirou were busy washing dishes in the kitchen.

Even though Kiichi and Kujou Sara weren't at Kiichi's residence, Sara hadn't let up on her fundamental training and was diligently practicing sword swings outside.

Such basics, while simple in theory, required immense perseverance to master.

Because of Chika's earlier request, Kiichi had taught her a few songs.

However, some of the words in the songs left Chika confused, leading her to bombard Kiichi with curious questions from time to time.

For example, she had asked what a "monk" was, simply because Kiichi had taught her the theme song of The Legend of Crazy Monk.

Kiichi wasn't sure if monks existed in Teyvat but explained it to the best of her understanding.

After spending some time teaching Chika, Kiichi headed over to where Sara was practicing.

After all, Sara was her true disciple, and naturally, she needed to dedicate more attention to her training.

"Sara, did you sleep well last night?"

"Ah, Master."

Adjusting her breathing, Sara straightened up in front of Kiichi and replied seriously, "No problems at all, thank you for asking, Master. The bed here is very comfortable, and I slept soundly."

"Oh, that's good to hear."

Kiichi nodded approvingly.

Sara gazed at her master for a long moment, her brows furrowing tightly as if wrestling with whether to speak her mind.

"What's on your mind? If there's something you want to say, go ahead."

Kiichi's question prompted Sara to break her silence.

"Master…" Sara's gaze wavered slightly. "How did last night's investigation go?"

"Hmm… I'd say it went fairly well. At the very least, I've gained a general understanding of this sealed space and have outlined a plan of action going forward."

Kiichi then explained to Sara the existence of the three auxiliary array points and the primary array point.

"So, as long as you dismantle the auxiliary array points at the east and west mountains and at Chika's house, the primary array point of this sealed space will reveal itself. It will then pull all of the monsters and us into a different dimension, and once you deal with the monsters and the primary array point, we'll be able to leave this space and return to the outside world, correct?"

"Exactly."

Kiichi placed her hands on her hips and nodded, but then her tone shifted.

"But that's not the question that's really bothering you, is it, little Sara?"

"..."

Sara suddenly fell silent.

Kiichi didn't press her, patiently waiting for her disciple to speak.

"If we can all leave… then… what about Chika?" Sara asked quietly, her tone heavy with emotions she herself couldn't fully understand. "What will happen to her?"

"Hmm, already forming an emotional bond after such a short time? Trusting others so easily can be a liability, little Sara."

"That's not true! Chika isn't a bad person," Sara protested loudly. "I can feel it."

"Just because you're convinced doesn't mean you're right. Human hearts are the most complicated things in existence," Kiichi said, shaking her head. "Besides, Chika is the first human you've ever met, isn't she? You've lived alone in the forest without any contact with humans. What makes you so sure your judgment is accurate?"

"..."

Being young and inexperienced, Sara lacked the verbal skills to counter her master's arguments. Though she felt something was amiss, she couldn't articulate her thoughts.

"But you are correct about one thing—Chika is not a bad person."

"…Huh?"

Kiichi reached out and ruffled Sara's hair as she stood there, momentarily stunned.

"Still, Sara…" Kiichi's tone grew tinged with melancholy. "Even if the one who stirs your emotions isn't a bad person, you can still end up hurt. Because the end of any bond often holds regret and sorrow."

Though Kiichi spoke plainly, Sara's eyes filled with confusion and incomprehension.

"You may not understand now, but one day you will. It's something everyone must face on the path of growing up. Perhaps in the near future, you'll look back and remember these words from your master."

---

Having identified the locations of the auxiliary array points, Kiichi's next logical step was to dismantle them.

However, she wasn't in any rush.

First, she visited the room where Sara had slept the previous night.

Technically, the room was meant for both of them, but since Kiichi had been out investigating, Sara had the room to herself.

Kiichi had considered setting up a spell for peaceful sleep and pleasant dreams in the room but, seeing how refreshed Sara looked, decided it might not be necessary after all.

…Still, better safe than sorry.

She placed a dream-enhancing spell at the head of the bed. Strictly speaking, this kind of spell was Merlin's specialty—after all, nightmares were his domain.

Too bad her Chaldea didn't have Merlin. They did have Melly, though, or Lady Avalon, as she was called.

Wonder if she'll ever become Melly in the future…

Since Kiichi wasn't a nightmare mage, she naturally relied on onmyodo for her spellcraft.

As she began drawing the spell, something in the room stirred—a faint reaction, like the flutter of a butterfly's wings.

Kiichi noticed immediately. Her gaze shifted to the source, landing on a small table in the corner.

The table was unremarkable—old and worn, yet kept rather than replaced.

This room belonged to Chika's parents, so the table likely did as well.

Kiichi glanced toward the door, her thoughts seemingly piercing through the aged wood to where the two paper dolls were busy outside.

According to Chika, those paper dolls had been left by her father to care for her in her parents' absence.

Kiichi didn't know where Chika's parents had gone or why they left her behind with the dolls, but their presence strongly suggested that her father was also an onmyoji.

Whoever had created this sealed space was a formidable onmyoji, likely one of Chika's ancestors. That would explain why her father had inherited such abilities.

Examining the small table closely, Kiichi detected traces of onmyodo—a concealment spell.

Something important was hidden there; otherwise, there'd be no need for such precautions.

The question was, who had hidden it—Chika's father or her ancestor?

Unlocking the concealment spell would be child's play for Kiichi, but…

"If someone went to the trouble of hiding it, they clearly didn't want it found. Would it be improper to uncover it?"

She stroked her chin thoughtfully. Abruptly, she remembered Chika mentioning something peculiar about her father—how he often knelt before her mother.

A powerful onmyoji who was also utterly henpecked—there was something oddly amusing about it.

Wait a second… Could this be… his secret stash of money?

---

Hello! Thank you so much for reading this chapter. WiseTL has worked hard to bring these wonderful stories to you, and I'm so happy we could share this moment together! Don't you think stories are a little like dreams? Each one has its own colors and shapes, and they grow even brighter when shared with others.

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