The Ultimate Sage Who Faked Incompetence and Was Disinherited Just Wants to Enjoy His New Life! - Episode 72: The Present Danger

Episode 72: The Present Danger

You want to merge with me? Does that mean I’ll become the Fire Spirit? 

“What are you planning to do by merging with me? Are you trying to take over my body?” 

“Wait a minute, I’m not giving up Fel! He’s mine!” 

Lilia stood between me and the Fire Spirit with both arms spread out to block it. Looks like, before I realized it, I became Lilia’s possession. I didn’t know that. But it doesn’t feel bad. 

[No. I want to become a part of Fel.] 

“What happens to you if that happens?” 

[I’ll disappear. But that’s okay.] 

I don’t really understand why the Fire Spirit would do such a thing. I should hear more. It’s important for the future too. 

“Can you tell me what happened?” 

[This planet is angry. It stole my consciousness and tried to destroy the world.] 

“Then, was that magic stone arrow created by ‘this planet’?” 

[Yes.] 

I see. So “this planet” can create magic stones. That means the one creating monsters is “this planet”. Then the Big Fire Turtle wasn’t created by the Fire Spirit, but by “this planet”. ……………Wait, this planet has a consciousness? 

“Lilia, did you know?” 

“I didn’t. This is the first time I’ve heard of it.” 

“Right? Same here.” 

The planet has a consciousness, and it’s angry. The reason must be us who live on the surface. We wage wars, develop mines, and pollute the sky, the land, and the sea. I guess it’s understandable if it’s angry. 

“Maybe… did it try to destroy the world in the past too?” 

[Yes. Back then, Fel saved it too.] 

“Fel did?” 

[Yes. Fel did.] 

Hmm… it looks like a past Fel, not me, saved the world before. I didn’t know how to react, so I looked at Lilia. 

“Lilia!?” 

“It’s fine. It’s nothing.” 

“No way that’s true! Are you hurt somewhere!?” 

“It’s nothing.” 

I hugged Lilia as she started crying in quiet little drops. I really don’t get what’s going on anymore. While I was flustered, the Fire Spirit continued talking at its own pace. 

[That’s why I want to merge with Fel. I want to thank you for back then.] 

“Um… maybe you’ve got the wrong Fel?” 

[No. Same Fel.] 

…So that means I’m the reincarnation of the person who once saved the Fire Spirit? It’s true my magic ability is beyond the norm. Lilia said it too, so I have to accept it. I didn’t think I inherited it from a previous life though. 

“You’re okay with that?” 

[I’m okay.] 

It looks like the Fire Spirit’s resolve is solid. Either way, we can’t just leave things as they are. “This planet” might try to mess with the Fire Spirit again. 

“Alright. Let’s merge.” 

[Thank you. Now, eat me.] 

“Ehhhh!? I have to eat you!?” 

[Yes.] 

I really don’t like this. Even if it’s a small flame, it’s about the size of a fist. And eating something with a will of its own feels kind of gross. Maybe sensing my hesitation, the Fire Spirit suddenly flew into my mouth with force. 

“Gweh.” 

I made a croaking sound like a frog and swallowed what entered my mouth. I still felt guilty, but I guess the merge is done now. I could feel warm magic power filling my body. The pain in my joints was fading. 

“Fel, are you okay?” 

“Yeah. I’m okay. The pain is gone.” 

“Your magic power came back. Geez, don’t ever use up all your magic again. You could actually die, you know.” 

“You’re right. I’ll be careful from now on.” 

I said that while hugging Lilia. She clung tightly to me. Then she looked up at me in that state. In her eyes, I could see a hint of worry. 

“Did that kid fall asleep?” 

By “that kid”, she must mean the Fire Spirit. 

“They’re awake. Look.” 

I said that and created a Firebird the size of a small bird in my right hand. Both Lilia and the Firebird widened their eyes looking at each other. Their faces were so funny, I burst out laughing. 

“Hey! This isn’t funny, you know!” 

“What is this!?” 

The Firebird flapped its wings and checked its own body. 

“You can talk!?” 

“Looks like I can!” 

Hmm… we’ve gained another lively one. Well, it’s better than the mood being gloomy. Oh, but I guess it needs a name. 

“What’s the Fire Spirit’s name?” 

“I don’t have a name.” 

“Really? Then I’ll give you a lovely name. How about Gonzalez?” 

Ah, it’s making a face like it really hates it. But maybe it can’t go against her, so it’s not saying “no.” 

“Lilia, maybe a cuter name would be better?”

“Huh? Then, how about Goliath?” 

“Do you hate me or something, Boss lady?” 

“Pffft!” 

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing at the sad-sounding “boss lady” comment. Lilia quickly pulled away. 

“Geez, Fel, that’s gross!” 

“Sorry, sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it. Let’s see…..… how about *Pii-chan*?” 

“Huh? Pii—” 

“That’s a good one. Starting today, you’re Pii-chan!” 

Lilia pointed firmly with her finger. Completely defeated, Pii-chan hung its head. Ah, maybe it didn’t like it? Even though it’s a cute name. 

“What happened to everyone after that?” 

“After you passed out and Pii-chan disappeared, Ardan rushed back with you on his back and returned to the airship.” 

“Boss lady’s face looked even worse though.” 

“Silence.” 

Lilia snapped at Pii-chan. They seem to make quite the pair. That’s reassuring. If they didn’t get along, I’d have to avoid bringing Pii-chan out. 

“The airship went straight back to the royal capital. After that, they laid you in this room, and everyone went to report. Elise said she’d stay here, but they needed detailed testimony. So in the end, she went to the castle too.” 

“Boss lady kicked her out. Said, ‘I’ll take care of Fel, so it’s fine.’” 

“Silence.” 

Again, Lilia snapped at Pii-chan. But her face was red. 

Next time, she might get physical. You better be careful, Pii-chan. 

“So that’s what happened. Thank you, Lilia.” 

“Y-you don’t have to thank me. I just did what was natural. Of course I did, of course.” 

Lilia turned away, her ears bright red. I grabbed her and patted her all over. Not in a creepy way. Just normal patting. 

“Then, I guess Ardan and the others will be back soon?” 

“Yeah. Once they’re done reporting, they’ll probably come back. Don’t know when though. So let’s go eat something before that.” 

“Sounds good. Now that you mention it, I’m feeling kinda hungry.” 

Now that I think about it, I’d been asleep for several days. No wonder I was hungry. I changed clothes and used Clean Up to freshen myself. I really wanted to take a bath, but I didn’t have the energy for that yet. 

“Fel, everyone’s back!” 

Just as Lilia said that, the room’s door opened. Without a knock. And apparently, it hadn’t been locked either. 

“Fel! You’re awake?” 

“Yeah. I just woke up a little while ago. I heard most of it from Lilia. Sorry for making you worry.” 

“No need to apologize. We only won thanks to you.” 

“Exactly. We’re comrades, right? No need to apologize. …By the way, what’s that firebird on your shoulder?” 

Elise pointed at Pii-chan sitting on my shoulder. Judging by the three of their not-so-surprised expressions, they must’ve had some idea of what it was. 

“Let me introduce you. This is the Fire Spirit, Pii-chan.” 

“I’m Pii-chan.” 

““I-it talked!?”” 

Jill and Elise said in unison. They’d expected the Fire Spirit, but not that it could talk, apparently. Ardan held his head in his hands. 

“Things got weird again. We reported to the castle that the Fire Spirit was ‘completely destroyed’……..” 

“That’s fine. It was destroyed. It’s no longer here.” 

“I died. The me right now is not the same as the me back then. I’m a different me!” 

“Don’t really get it, but sure, let’s go with that. You’re going to eat now? Then let’s all go together to celebrate Fel’s recovery.” 

We walked shoulder to shoulder as we left the inn.