Chapter 57
"Heok, you came-nimikka? Elder, and Grandpa."
Iri tried to bow her head politely but failed.
Because a palm-sized dragon was dangling from her body.
Seeing that, Declan drew his sword and said chillingly.
"If a monster pup got you, you should've said something......!"
But Iri shook her head vigorously, eyes wide.
"Not a monster-nimida! Just a dragon, but it won't let go of me-nimida!"
At that moment, Milligan, who had followed behind, firmly gripped Declan's sword hand and muttered.
"It's a spirit beast."
"Pardon?"
"A baby dragon spirit beast!"
And finally, Iri kicked her legs and said.
"Yes! The baby dragon came to repay the favor-nimida! So I'm super super strong-nimida!"
He dry-washed his face watching Iri beam innocently.
She was just like her mother, always causing trouble if he took his eyes off her even for a day.
"So, I need an explanation of exactly what happened."
"Y-yeah. Hurry and tell us, what on earth happened?"
For his father, Milligan, whose eyes sparkled excitedly at the appearance of a dragon spirit beast, if nothing else.
* * *
The situation went back an hour prior.
The 'great purification sorcerer' Iri observed the tanuki spirit beast while facing Duke Bechen.
With her belly proudly thrust out before Duke Bechen.
"Don't worry-nimida! I can fix it-nimida!"
"Hm? You know how to cure the tanuki?"
"Yes!"
"You even know what's wrong with it?"
"Yes!"
Duke Bechen looked skeptical.
But at Iri's confident expression, he asked as if figuring nothing to lose.
"Alright, take a look. What do you think is wrong with the tanuki?"
"The tanuki is timid-nimida!"
"......?"
"Something, something scary made it super scared sick-nimida! So. I have something-nimida!"
As Duke Bechen eyed her suspiciously, Iri pulled a small herb from her pocket.
"Feed it this herb and tanuki will get better-nimida! For real-nimida!"
"Th-that's Life Spirit Grass, isn't it? Where'd you get it? Only grows in the South."
"Picked it up in the kitchen-nimida!"
"The head chef must've stocked it. Alright, then go ahead and give it to the tanuki."
Iri slowly waved the Life Spirit Grass in front of the tanuki.
The tanuki perked its tail at the herb's scent and crept closer to Iri.
Cookie, observing serenely from her pocket, sent telepathy.
[Iri. I have a great idea. Follow my words. You're my avatar from now on!]
Iri nodded inwardly, unsure what 'avatar' meant.
[But before giving the Life Spirit Grass, there's something important. Would you like to see? Say that.]
"But before giving the Life Spirit Grass, there's something important-nimida. Would you like to see-nimikka?"
"What is it?"
Soon, Cookie placed an envelope atop her pocket.
Iri pulled out the protruding envelope and handed it to Bechen.
Bechen blinked at the writing on the envelope.
[Pocket Money Envelope –For Duke Bechen-nim-]
"P-pocket money?"
But Cookie's words weren't over.
[Specially, first pocket money gets 1% discount. Say that.]
"Sp-special-ly, fi-first pocket money gets 1% discount-nimida......?"
The summon Cookie, who believed scoundrels must be punished, grinned satisfactorily.
[Well done. That duke's a total money-grubber! Tell him to pay up!]
Meanwhile, at the strangely familiar words, Bechen reflected on the past.
*'Th-this, this is what I said to Milligan when renting the purification magic tool?'*
Had this child overheard?
He had grandly declared there's no such thing as free in the world.
He could've gotten angry or given candy to fool her. She was just a kid, after all.
"Fine, here."
[Eh, what? What's going on?]
But Duke Bechen silently put money into the envelope.
The reason was simple.
*'To know worldly affairs so well at her age, so clever and bold! This is how kids succeed!'*
Duke Bechen had a weakness.
No grandchildren, so he was ridiculously weak to kids, especially shrewd ones.
He favored those savvy in reason and wealth like himself.
To such Bechen, the current Iri perfectly struck his weak spot.
Iri tucked the thick envelope into her pocket.
Then treated the tanuki with the Life Spirit Grass.
The tanuki straightened its tail and sprang up.
Duke Bechen nodded contentedly at Iri.
"Thanks."
"Knew it, timid after all-nimida!"
"Yeah, thanks."
Bechen grinned, hugging the tanuki.
Then said in a wistful tone.
"Wish I had such a cute grandchild too!"
He was jealous of Milligan, stomach aching.
That guy had a spirit beast now, and such a cute, shrewd granddaughter who even secured her own meals.
Totally unfair, wasn't it?
* * *
After the sighing Duke Bechen left, Cookie said.
"But why do I feel weird?"
"Huh? Why?"
"Why'd the tanuki suddenly come to our room, and why'd it get scared right away?"
"Right answer! 'Cause Hero Iri is scary!"
"......Doesn't seem like it. Pretty impressive spirit beast."
"Hm......"
"Maybe drawn by a stronger power, then overwhelmed?"
Right as Cookie keenly deduced.
Iri sinisterly eyed the shadow on her rug.
*'Wh-what is this?!'
At that moment, a cloth doll crept out from under the bed.
And grabbed her ankle with a thud.
"Wh-wh-what! Why're you here again? You definitely disappeared!"
[Mine...... !#$@#$%!#$]
Iri's eyes widened hugely.
"Cookie! It's weird! Said 'mine' or something?"
Iri lifted the cloth doll and said.
"You, you. Stay here?"
[Certain. Found you, benefactor.]
