Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: What's Wrong With This? (3)
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What a day full of surprises.
Giving a reading for the Righteous Thief... and about a promotion, no less.
"Speaking of which, what's this all about?"
On the way home, I spotted spirits here and there.
There were always plenty near the cemetery, but today there were noticeably more than usual.
"Word must have spread among the ghosts...")
After getting home, I'd set up the ancestral offerings and fed the lost wandering spirits.
But that didn't explain how the numbers could swell like this in just two days.
"What a weird day..."
No doubt about it—they were all heading straight for my house.
If they'd come to have their grudges resolved, they'd stick to me, but these spirits were diligently climbing toward the house.
I stopped one of the familiar wandering spirits.
"Where's everyone heading?"
- ....
The wandering spirit ignored me completely and continued on its way.
"This little...")
After all the meals I'd prepared and chats we'd had, this was the thanks I got—treated like yesterday's leftovers.
Whatever it was, I'd find out once I got up there.
I followed along with the spirits.
"Talk about a motley crew."
The closer I got to home, the more there were.
Already, nearly twenty spirits were visible to my eyes alone.
From filthy wandering spirits to all sorts of souls, they'd gathered in droves.
"Enough to make even ghosts wail."
And it wasn't just one or two.
Why were all these perfectly deceased ghosts suddenly converging on my house?
As I trudged upward, I witnessed yet another bizarre sight.
Just within sight of the house.
There, filthy wandering spirits huddled together, trembling in fear.
They looked like they'd been spooked by something and couldn't proceed.
"Why can't you guys go in? Why are you all clumped up?"
The wandering spirit I'd spoken to earlier pointed toward the house.
From its expression, something was clearly up with my place.
"You lot come by all the time just fine?"
Aside from the shrine, I hadn't set up any talismans to block wandering spirits.
I'd even left things wide open so they could drop by for a bite.
Meaning there was nothing to keep them out.
"Well, well? You too, huh?"
It was Headless, my house guardian.
Trembling like a pup chased out of the yard—it confirmed something was definitely there.
"This day's getting weirder by the minute..."
The other spirits seemed unaffected, so it looked like only the wandering ones were being blocked.
As I drew nearer to the house, a sound made me halt.
"...."
It was an incredibly clear tone.
Similar to a flute, yet somehow different.
Just listening made my mind feel at ease.
"...Serena?"
The source was Serena.
There she sat alone in the middle of the yard.
In her hand was a small leaf, pressed to her lips.
The sound I'd heard was a leaf flute.
"...She's a mage in her own right."
It was like watching a shaman musician at work.
During rituals, those who play instruments are called shamans.
But it wasn't just about handling instruments.
It required a touch of divine power.
The melodies they produced stirred the energy and excited the gods.
What Serena was doing now was much the same.
"...How did they know to come?"
The leaf flute's sound wouldn't carry all the way to the village.
I'd only heard it after getting close.
Stepping into the yard, I understood why the spirits had gathered.
"The totem poles..."
Subtle, but they were definitely bigger than yesterday.
Their features seemed a bit sharper too.
From vague outlines to more defined faces.
And the ones I'd set facing each other were now looking in different directions.
The Heavenly Great General toward where the wandering spirits clustered.
The Earthly Great General toward the village.
"Looks like they guided them here."
Chasing off wandering spirits and marking paths for souls.
That was the totems' true role.
"Must be because they're from the World Tree... Already so powerful."
That explained why the wandering spirits were shaking—the Heavenly Great General had spooked them.
To their eyes, it probably looked like a knight gripping a sword.
With the totems guarding the yard, they couldn't enter.
Suddenly, the leaf flute's sound cut off.
The harmonious mood shattered, and the spirits shot me dirty looks.
"...You're back?"
Serena flushed slightly, looking embarrassed.
"What suddenly brought this on?"
Her glance at the totems suggested a connection.
Being from the World Tree, she'd probably sensed something.
"...I prepared dinner."
Somehow she'd found the booze I'd stashed away inside.
The offering table now looked like a proper drinking spread.
They must have all been enjoying Serena's flute performance as a group.
Evidently unhappy that it had stopped, the elders glared at me.
"...Think you should keep playing the flute for now?"
"Keep going?"
"They're all glaring at me."
"...."
Serena whipped her head around, but seeing nothing, her gaze returned to me.
"First, though, something I need to do."
"....?"
I should call in the wandering spirits outside too.
Might as well feed them since the meal was already set.
"Hmm... How to go about this..."
I considered forcing the totems' directions but instead grabbed a bottle of booze and approached.
Glug glug—
"They're harmless souls, no malice toward me. Should be fine."
Stroking the totem infused it with spiritual energy naturally.
And just like that, the wandering spirits started approaching.
"Whoa... Did I really just invite them?"
No horror scene could top this.
Hordes of grotesque freaks shuffling in...
Still terrified of the totems, they kept stealing glances.
"Go on, eat up. Thanks to Serena, you're getting a feast."
- ....
- ....
The wandering spirits bowed toward Serena.
All that steady training had paid off—they were downright polite now.
Even Headless's foul aura had noticeably diminished.
Looked like keeping watch over the shrine had purified some of its karma.
"When are you lot finally going to move on?"
- ....?
"Not you elders..."
Why did every soul drawn here refuse to pass on...?
No point asking—they'd never tell.
Would be easier for everyone if they just went on their way.
The spirits began settling in one by one.
All eyes on Serena.
Shiver.
"Gives you chills, right?"
Nod.
Even as a divine being, Serena couldn't be immune.
That many stares would give anyone with good intuition goosebumps.
"They're all waiting for the flute, looks like?"
"...Just the spirits?"
"Who else?"
Serena walked off without a word.
"...What's her deal?"
- ....
The elders clutched their stomachs laughing.
Headless was tossing its head up and down in glee.
"You old rascals..."
Then Serena's flute melody spread softly once more.
It was just like the World Tree itself playing.
Everyone fell into the quiet tune without exception.
It felt like a breeze rustling through, thick with the scent of grass.
"...."
Was this what harmony meant?
The energies blended so seamlessly they soothed the soul.
In this moment, living and dead felt no divide—united in the same sentiment.
No distinction between good souls and wicked ones either.
Everyone had a heart, after all.
"Whoa..."
In a way, it resembled a ritual.
What I did was play for other spirits' sake, like conversing with them.
"That's why rituals need music."
A ritual was ultimately about joyful revelry to release grudges.
Get the energy flowing, and the bad vibes melt away.
The shaman leading it had to be caught up in the vibe too.
Shake that rattle with gusto.
"Lately, it's been nothing but grim rituals..."
Just listening made my body relax, my mind at peace.
Even the wandering spirits set aside their grudges, gazing quietly at Serena.
Her figure, one with the melody, was like a painting.
Swoosh—
A wind blew in, and the flute's tune turned poignant.
No need to ask whom it evoked.
The longing for one departed stirred the spirits' hearts.
They too had left someone behind...
"Sounds good."
Those who dwell near sorrow.
That was the shaman's lot.
Bearing the calling meant facing grudges head-on, always.
I was no different.
It felt like all the fatigue of body and soul was washing away clean.
"...."
The flute fell silent, pulling everyone from the reverie.
- ...
Serena quietly approached and sat beside me.
"...How was it?"
"They all loved it."
"I meant for you."
"...Me?"
What she said next caught me off guard.
"...It felt like no one comforts Chris."
"...."
What to say? It was embarrassingly awkward.
How did spirits handle moments like this?
I'd have to be more mindful when hearing their tales from now on.
"You were great. You could be a shaman."
"..."
An awkward silence hung in the air.
Painfully itchy, begging for some words to break it.
"...Still having nightmares?"
"..."
No answer from Serena.
She stared at the totems, lost in thought.
Following her gaze, I froze at the sight.
Sometime in the interim, the totems now faced each other again.
"...What's wrong with this?"
"..."
Morning came.