"I wonder where you disappeared to, little spirit," Erica murmured.
"My name is Ave, remember that human and I'll help you bathe! So let's go!!" the tiny blue spirit declared, zipping excitedly to Erica's side and tugging at her sleeve like a child guiding a parent.
"Ehh? She has a spirit?" Derek said, blinking in surprise.
"I've seen that spirit around Mother for a while now," Juko replied softly. "But it seemed like she was always too busy to notice."
"Well, she's even busier now that she's King," Derek said with a wry smile. "But… are you doing okay without her?"
"I'll try," Juko whispered.
---
"After exploring the kingdom…There are too many flaws," Erica said bluntly, sitting on the couch across from Derek with a stack of notes in her lap.
Derek raised a brow. "Like what?"
"The entrance to the kingdom is weak. It wouldn't survive a proper siege. The knights' weapons are dull and of poor craftsmanship. Most of them fight like they've never held a sword in their lives," Erica said as she scribbled notes. "The food quality is terrible—our farmers clearly lack proper training or tools. The streets are dusty, unsanitary. Injuries, disease… it's a miracle people even survive."
She continued in a mutter, mostly to herself now. "People defecate in the same river others drink from. Robbers and gangs move about freely. There's barely any livestock or magical beasts bred for use. Everyone smells like sweat and grime—there's barely any access to soap. It's like no one here knows how to wash properly."
She paused, gripping her pen tightly. "And the nobles… somehow they live in luxury while the poor suffer like animals."
"Soap is a luxury item," she wrote. "Toothpaste? Only the elite can afford it. No toilets—that explains the stench in the streets…"
Erica sighed and finally handed the parchment to Derek, who read through it slowly. His face tightened at each line, brows furrowing.
"I didn't know half of this," he admitted quietly.
"I need to fix this kingdom," Erica said firmly.
Derek looked up at her, eyes filled with something between awe and concern. "I look forward to seeing what you do, sister."
"Brother Derek," Erica said suddenly, her tone sharper.
"Yes, sister?" he answered, a bit wary.
"I need a favor this month."
"Anything," Derek replied with a small smile.
Erica's gaze hardened. "I'm not naïve. I know this kingdom isn't peaceful. I've been reviewing our financial records…" She tapped the thick pile of ledgers beside her. "There's corruption—embezzlement. Money is disappearing from places it shouldn't."
She leaned in. "I need you to secretly investigate every noble house, regardless of rank. Use only Father's most trusted allies. As King, I will not tolerate rot festering in my kingdom. Can you do this?"
Derek hesitated, then nodded. "Yes. I can."
'Can I really trust him?' Erica wondered, eyes narrowing just slightly.
"I'll summon a spirit to aid you," she added, standing.
"Wait, Master, another spirit?!" Ave gasped, floating upward in alarm.
"Of course. I'll need several to help me change this place. Can you help me, Ave? I promise—I won't abandon you." Erica reached out and gently patted the small spirit's head.
Ave blinked, her blue eyes shimmering. "Hmph… fine. Just don't forget me."
'My sister has a spirit—and she wants to summon more?' Derek thought, tension crawling up his spine.
"Now then," Erica said, turning to Ave. "Explain the types of spirits."
"You don't know?" Derek asked, shocked.
Erica shook her head. "Only the basic four—fire, water, wind, and earth."
"There are more," Ave chimed in. "There's lightning, mist, knowledge, truth, crystals, plants, animals, sunlight, weapons, darkness, light… and a few even rarer ones that don't have names."
'This is starting to feel like one of those magical shows from back home,' Erica thought as she absorbed the information.
"So once I choose the type of spirit I want, I can summon them?" she asked.
"Yes, but… you need to offer a proper sacrifice," Ave said seriously.
"A sacrifice, huh…" Erica whispered. She reached for the dagger on her desk, stood, and walked to the center of the room. Without hesitation, she slashed her palm. Blood dripped to the floor, glowing faintly.
"Human! If you don't want to die, back off!" Ave snapped, pushing Derek aside with a gust of wind.
Erica raised her bleeding hand. "Oh spirits, hear my call! I seek your power—not for destruction, but to change my kingdom! I don't know the proper rites, but my desire is true. If you answer me, I swear I will fulfill any wish within my power!"
The room glowed white as a massive summoning circle burst beneath her feet. The air grew heavy with magic.
'That's not how spirit summoning works!' Derek thought in panic.
A booming voice filled the chamber. "You summoned us, human?"
Erica opened her eyes, stunned to find fourteen humanoid spirits floating before her—one of them far larger and more imposing than the rest.
"She… she summoned middle-tier spirits?!" Ave gasped in disbelief. "This human is insane!"
"She summoned fifteen spirits at once. This is just insane, ut had never happened in our kingdom," Derek blurted out trembling. "Damm my sister is truly a genius."