Compensation θ ~ I might be late for reincarnation, but since I was born as the talented eldest son of a prestigious noble, I might be on the winning side.

The demon extermination ended successfully.

The opponent was a monster specialized in defense, and it also specialized in sealing spirits. So, we attacked relentlessly to defeat it, but it took a series of advanced magic to finally bring it down.

It couldn’t be helped, but the water basin we had painstakingly restored, and its surroundings, were in a terrible state. However, considering the circumstances, it was a minor issue.

With this, one of the schemes to suppress the power of the Kilyam family has been thwarted.

From the circumstantial evidence, the Belfast royal family is the most suspicious as the enemy who set up the demon. Looking back at Kilyam’s history, they are greedy, selfish, and persistent, not hesitating to use any means to get what they want.

Frankly, dealing with them is unpleasant. But in the current situation, they are a nobles of the country ruled by the Belfast royal family, and furthermore, there are blood relations between us. It’s a troublesome situation, to say the least.

—You did great this time. Well done. And congratulations on your first time!

What do you mean by “first time”, Lord Lucas?

—Of course, “first spirit summoning” and “first advanced magic.” It was wonderful. Especially that Garou(Wolf Fang) series, isn’t it the epitome of a boy’s romance?

Honestly, heavy machinery from my previous world inspired those spells.

You’ve exposed my love for heavy machinery.

—And your spirit also played a big role. It has grown in this battle. His  “existence” as a spirit has become significantly larger.

My spirit…? ah, Faein, right!

The wind spirits, who played a crucial role, dispersed after the battle, but in the center of it all, Faein had grown beyond the category of wind spirits. However, his essence remained the same. Friendly, a bit proud, and his feelings of wanting to be praised were clearly conveyed.

He played a very important and dangerous role this time, voluntarily taking on the role to contain the monster. I’m truly grateful.

—But you found an interesting one. Despite being small, he’s very passionate and says he loves you.

Faein and I have become friends. For me, he’s a likable companion as we are on the same wavelength.

—Covenant holder and spirits are mutually attracted to each other. I was a bit surprised that it was a wind spirit, but with my spirit, I can handle most things related to water elemental magic.

I welcome the fact that I have formed a bond with him.

I’m glad that he’s recognized by Lord First. Well done, Faein.

The difference in rank as a spirit is so great that he can’t respond, but it’s clear that Faein is happy.

—When wind spirits grow enough, their range of activity expands dramatically, making them suitable for scouting. And by deepening the relationship with you, the beloved child of the spirit, he will become stronger. In turn, he will become more useful to you. Cherish this good connection.

Now then, this is not the end of the matter. In fact, the main event begins now.

The liberation of Lord Hugo’s spirit, sealed by the monster. That event is still pending.

In the revival that is about to unfold, the lapis lazuli-colored jewel will become a key item. I had entrusted it to Moriss-jii before starting the battle, so I need to retrieve it.

So, I arrived at the location of the branch family heads who had evacuated.

“Ah! What a wonderful experience. To witness the descent of the Spirit King with my own eyes.”

“Lord Lucas — The miracle of our great ancestor still exists in this land.”

“A new history for Kilyam is about to begin.”

They shed tears of emotion, trembling with excitement, repeating similar lines. It’s like the ending of a role-playing game. Since the aftermath of this time involves a lot of responsibilities for them rather than us, I need to make sure they handle it properly.

“The monster nesting in the water basin has been eradicated. Now, we’re going to offer the gem to the spirit sleeping in that place… everyone, let’s calm down a bit.”

It has become much quieter now, but with expectant eyes, the branch family heads, Moriss-jii, and the guards followed me back to the water basin.

Upon observing the water basin again, the pedestal that the monster had firmly clamped onto was now gone as if gouged out. The supporting pillars for the pedestal were in a semi-ruined state.

At the bottom of the pillars and the waterbed surrounded by the pillars, there was a faint phosphorescence emanating from a sphere — what had long been thought to be a purification device. It was enveloped in countless bubbles, protected by the wind spirits commanded by Faein, and it was safe.

They had been watching all along. Although they had entered a sleep to heal themselves, they were worried about the spirits possessed by the monsters. They were angry. Angry at the malice that imprisoned the spirits, which should have been free-spirited, in detestable shackles.

Even though they were restrained by such a monster, the spirits heard the voices of the lower world and came to complain that promises were being broken. It might be thanks to them constantly trying to contact the spirits.

“I’m going to throw it now. Something might happen. Don’t worry about my safety because the Spirit King’s can protect me.”

With a plop, the gem fell onto the water surface, sinking quietly into the water. Will Lord Hugo’s oath of love reach the spirit?

—Hugo!!

A voice of jubilation from the excited spirit. After a hundred years, or maybe more. I heard the joyous voice of spirits, like a scream, but clearly different from that time, and cold air blew out from the basin.

A column of thin ice rising. A lapis lazuli jewel is floating in the diamond dust that sparkles in the sunlight. However, the breath he exhaled was pure white, and the surrounding temperature was below freezing.

――It’s a bit unpleasant. Let me regulate your body temperature.

“Thank you very much. This is incredibly helpful.”

With the words of Lord Lucas, a warm force flowed from the center of my body, preventing the coldness that seeping through.

—I heard you, I’ve been waiting, I’m happy, Hugo, Hugo?

Her voice is full of excitement. It’s been a hundred years, or maybe more. A reunion of long-lost lovers.

However, one of them is just a presence of thoughts, and a testament to Lord Hugo’s love. It’s fresh and newly picked, but he can only convey his feelings one-sidedly, and they can’t have a conversation.

Yet it was necessary. The spirits are still bound by her covenant with him.

Lord Hugo passed away a long time ago. Since there were graves and remains, the spirits should know, right? That part worries me a bit.

“Glacier… Ah, my beloved spirit.”

“… But I’m just a human, and my life has already reached its limit.”

“My spirit. My only one.”

“I love you. Past, present, future, only you… I love you. Eternally, the everlasting love… for you, my irreplaceable… beloved… you…”

—Hugo! No! Don’t go!!

–Glacier. That gem is not only Lord Hugo’s feelings for you but also a sign of the end of the covenant. His last words are filled with certain affection for you, but at that point, his time stopped, and he ascended to heaven. You must acknowledge Lord Hugo’s death and end the covenant with him.

Lord Lucas informs the distraught Lord Hugo’s spirit.

—But! His soul is here!

Huh?! Where is it? Lord Hugo has definitely passed, as Lord First said. Therefore, he shouldn’t be staying on this earth.

–Glacier, look closely. This child is not Hugo. The shape of the soul is exactly the same, but the color is different. Hugo’s soul was more clear and brightly colored. But this child’s soul is still unsettled and has various colors mixed in. He’s a different person.

—Now that you mention it… The color look different from what I remember…?

–Yes. This child is ‘Lyon,’ who is also a descendant of Hugo. The gem is prepared for you by Lyon.

—Is it okay? I don’t have any reason to oppose, but…

–Lyon, Glacier wants to thank you for the gem. Please accept it.

—Lyon, thank you. We are Glacier, the spirit of frost and purification.

–Yeah. It seems she received it well. Leave it to us to take care of these two. We’ll take them to the spirit realm. Well then, we’ll return, so please take care of the rest.

With the gem in hand, the greater ice spirit, Glacier, along with Lord Lucas, crossed over to the spirit realm. The real resurrection is likely to be some time away.