Chapter 145 - Introducing Shade

As soon as I uttered those words, everyone looked at me with puzzled expressions, clearly wondering what I was talking about. The first person to break the silence that followed my words was Aoi.

"Ummm... What do you mean by that, Makoto?" 

Aoi asked, visibly perplexed. Upon hearing her words, a sigh escaped my lips. It would be quite tiresome to explain the whole process of what happened last night, especially since it also involved Aurora-sama.

"I think it will be simpler for me to show rather than tell"

As I said that, I snapped my fingers, and immediately beside me, a dark vortex appeared, leaving the girls visibly confused. In a matter of seconds, a beautiful girl emerged from the vortex, kneeling.

"You called me, my king?"

Before Shade left last night, I had asked her how I could call her again if I needed her help. All she told me was that, as we were now connected, Shade would know immediately if she was called. Although I didn't fully understand at that moment, it seems what she said was true.

"Makoto... who is she?" 

Saemi asked, with a confused and irritated look on her face.

"Oh, when we weren't looking, you went after another woman? You really have no shame, Makoto" 

Fujiwara said while letting out small laughs. I honestly wondered why this was Fujiwara's first thought. On the other hand, Aoi and Ana remained silent as they looked at the girl. To be honest, Ana and Shade were almost the same size, although Shade was a bit taller than Ana, in more than one sense.

While I thought about this, Ana, for some reason, turned her gaze towards me and started staring at me.

"W-What's wrong?" 

I asked, and Ana, who was staring at me, turned her gaze to the side and pouted.

"Ma-kun thought something really rude just now" 

She replied. Hearing Ana's words made me wonder how the heck she could know that. I mean, can Ana read minds now? Putting that thought aside, I turned my gaze to Sylvia and Rena and found them staring at Shade with wide-eyed disbelief. Speaking of which, Shade had been kneeling silently all this time. She really takes this king thing seriously.

"Makoto... could she be a spirit?" 

Sylvia asked, looking at Shade with a perplexed expression on her face. Although I was somewhat surprised that she deduced that so quickly, I was actually really confused about something else now. Why were Sylvia and Rena looking at Shade as if they were seeing something they shouldn't? I mean, Sylvia's mother has a phoenix, so I don't know why she's so surprised.

"Can you tell? Well, I guess it would be easier for you than for us" 

I said these words while letting out a small amused laugh. However, as soon as Sylvia heard what I said, both she and Rena abruptly stood up from their chairs and, without further ado, knelt down.

"Hmm... what exactly is happening here?"

I asked, puzzled by Sylvia and Rena's reaction. Discreetly, I glanced at Shade, trying to find some kind of information since Shade clearly seemed to be the one responsible for this. Seeing my gaze on her, Shade looked at me with an even more confused expression than mine.

"I'm sorry, my king, I also have no idea why these two humans are kneeling" 

Shade said, with a perplexed expression on her face. Since she also seemed to have no clue about Sylvia's strange behavior, I thought maybe I could seek help from Aurora-sama. However, before trying to contact her, Sylvia's voice drew everyone's attention in the room.

"Spirits in human form are called imperial spirits. These spirits, though below the gods, are almost considered deities of their elements. It was through the spirits that we managed to create the magical systems that allow us to use magic nowadays. Of course, having the blessing of a god helps a lot in this regard, as you practically skip many steps" 

Sylvia explained. But honestly, the fact that she continued to kneel, even as a princess, was making me quite uncomfortable.

"Alright, I understand, Sylvia, but could you please stand up? I really can't concentrate with you kneeling on the floor" 

I asked her, trying to ease the awkward situation, and then looked at Shade.

"You don't mind either, right, Shade?"

As soon as she heard my question, Shade nodded in agreement.

"The king's wishes are my wishes" 

Shade affirmed with devotion. After her words, Sylvia and Rena exchanged a glance for a few seconds before addressing me.

"If that's what you and Shade-sama desire"

After these words, Sylvia stood up along with Rena. Then, Sylvia sat down again, while Rena continued to stand behind her. After letting out a small sigh, I turned my gaze to Shade and found her looking at me with eyes filled with admiration. Upon realizing my gaze, Shade blushed slightly and lowered her head.

"Hoho, it seems we have another lovestruck maiden here" 

Fujiwara said with a playful smile on her face, but seriously, what is she talking about? I already consider it a miracle that Aoi, Ana, Saemi, and Fujiwara like me. I doubt I would be lucky enough to win the heart of another beautiful girl like Shade, especially since I personally don't consider myself that handsome.

"Makoto... you know, spirits see beauty differently from humans. For them, external appearance is like a shell"

While I was in complete denial, Aurora-sama's voice suddenly came into my mind. Surprised and perplexed, I looked at Shade and found her blushing.

(Wait, are you suggesting that she might actually be in love with me?)

As soon as I asked that question, I received an unexpected response from Aurora-sama.

"Well... she probably sees you as someone similar to me, so from her perspective, you must be the most attractive man in the world" 

Explained Aurora-sama, although her response was somewhat narcissistic, unfortunately, there wasn't much I could say to dispute her words.