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Chapter 346: Confirming Matters Regarding X-Stick

I munched on the fish burger that had lots of pickles and tartar sauce drizzled in heaps on it.

Yeah, just like I expected, I can’t make a perfect circle bite mark just like X-Stick’s on mine. His method of eating is way too mysterious. Although he’s not too picky compared to the other spirits, I still worry about his health because he simply loves junk food.

Oh well, I guess he’s still a lot healthier compared to Ish, who gobbles salt, but what should I compare him to?

「Your dishes are as tasty as ever. 」
「We won’t mind that everything is freshly made! 」
Dinosso and Chris.

Oh well, they’re all piping hot, so it would be weirder if they didn’t notice. They don’t really warn me when it comes to food as long as it’s presented in a way that’s normal for other people if ever they saw it.

Zabuton probably thought since there’s somebody here who is already floating on air, we could also do that, so he carried me as I sat on him. Chris and Retze probably saw me as simply sitting on air.

Seems like they could still provide an excuse for whatever I did as long as Hauron was here, so the meal was peaceful.

「Freshly made is best! Particularly this potato! 」
X-Stick gulped the fries.

「Really, how on earth is he doing it? He’s absolutely eating double the capacity of his stomach — no, his entire body, isn’t he? 」
「There’s also one thing bothering me, but — 」
Hauron said.I stared at X-Stick.

「What? 」
Hauron narrowed his eyes as smoked his hookah.

「X-Stick’s body. Where does it start and where does it end? 」
「Bft!! 」
Dinosso spat out — fortunately it was just air as he managed to push down his food.

「I mean, is the spirit body limited to that part sticking out of this bough? Or is the bough also part of his body? 」
I knew the stick is X-Stick’s main body, but as a spirit, where does his body end?

「Hmm, let’s see, his real form is the stick, while the human part is his spirit body. That stick is actually a fusion of matter and spirit, and as it ages, the spirit body should be able to gradually become a separate entity superimposed on matter. When that time comes, the spirit body will be able to separate completely from the stick for short periods of time. 」

「I see. 」
Come to think of it, I was surprised when the spirits moved away from Ash’s bracelet back when I gave it to her. It actually fits my theory about X-Stick’s real form.

「Spirits that possess a true form are usually visible to humans, and many of them are quite powerful. Still, you have to handle him with care, because spirits that left their true forms are very vulnerable.」

「…It’s too late, Shiva-sama already slashed at it. With a spirit sword. 」
Butler was distributing the tea, but he stopped on his tracks and turned around as he said that.

「Oh yeah, that was bad for the heart, alright. 」
Dinosso averted his gaze.

「…I see, yes, King’s Boughs are extremely durable and no one can break them when they’re granting wishes and ideals, huh…」
Hauron gasped, before letting it all out in one go with those words.

「Ou! We caught plenty of red lizards today too, so I’m extremely satisfied!! 」
X-stick chuckled jovially.

「I see, good for you, that’s great… Argh, I already said you should handle him with more care!! Please, I beg you!!!! 」
Hauron suddenly snapped and was on the verge of tears.

「Just give up. In the first place, that’s the purpose for which X-Stick had been created. His function as the King’s Bough is just a bonus, actually. ]
Retze replied while sipping his tea.

「Uwuwuwu, the King’s Bough, the King’s Bough is… 」
Hauron was sprawled over his carpet as he bawled his eyes out. A burly, muscled old man was crying so pitifully, what a sight.

「I think you’ve been imposing your dreams onto the King’s Bough too much, Hauron. 」
「Jean, humans are beings that aspire to get their hands on the King’s Bough at some point in their life, no matter who it is. The passion varies though, from a little kid’s spark of a dream to an adventurer’s ardent wish! 」
Chris fervently declared.

「Wahahah, you’re making me blush! I’m already full, so I’m gonna take a nap! 」
X-Stick vanished after leaving those words

「Get a hold of yourself. Jean, is that the only thing you wanted to ask? 」
Dinosso waved the chicken he just bit as he redirected the conversation back on track.

「Ah, I was curious about that, but there’s something else I wanna learn too. If you know a way to hide or suppress mana, please teach me. 」
「Of course there is. Besides, when we first met, didn’t you perfectly conceal your mana until we started talking? 」
Hauron confirmed the existence of such magic easily as he looked at me dubiously.

「It’s not like I did something back then, I just didn’t realize I was doing that. 」
「I don’t get what you’re talking about. Is that also an effect of the protection of Ludere, the deity of Earth and Silence? 」
「I guess so. 」

「You are once again too casual about this, Jean-sama. 」Butler.
「What a sloppy way to explain, as always. 」Dinosso.
「But it’s not like he’s wrong. 」Retze.
「It’s hard to understand if you put it that way, you see. 」 Chris.
Hauron’s face was getting stormier by the second as the ‘outsiders’ started raising their opinions.

It’s just my imagination, yes, it’s just my imagination!

「Alright, I get it. If you can, can you show me the strongest spirit that you rely on? 」
Hauron sighed.

「The strongest… 」

Oh spirit-san that claims to be the number one, come on!