Chapter 9
Water, flame, earth, air.
“These four are called the elemental spirits.”
Fate, chaos, emotion, luck.
“These four are the primordial spirits.”
Oh? I know this!
Just as I thought that, glowing text appeared.
[The Emotion Elemental King ‘■■■’ clears their throat proudly.]
[That’s right, it’s me! Me!]
[The ◇◇ Elemental King ‘■■■■■■’ shyly waves.]
[Currently, in <My Precious Child Who Wouldn’t Hurt Even If Placed in My Eyes>, the ones present are Water, Flame, Earth, Emotion, and also ◇◇ and ○○.]
[Which Elemental Kings are still hiding without revealing their attributes? Let’s find out!]
Ah! That must be one of the hidden Elemental Kings!
I was curious who it was, peeking out shyly—but I also had to look at the board and the glowing text…
My eyes started spinning.
Still, the teacher’s lesson was interesting.
“The first Elemental Kings were Chaos and Fate. When they joined hands, Emotion was born. Then, when life was created in the world, the Elemental King of Luck was born.”
“….”
Before I knew it, I was completely focused on the class.
“To form a contract with an Elemental King, you must learn their true name. According to records, each Elemental King has a place where their true name is hidden.”
True name?
I tilted my head and looked at the blank boxes in the glowing text.
Ah! That must be their names!
But I’m not good at riddles.
Can’t you just tell me?
[The Water Elemental King ‘■■■■’ sighs, saying that’s not allowed.]
[The Flame Elemental King ‘■■■■■’ cheers you on, saying there are many hints.]
[The ◇◇ Elemental King ‘■■■■■■’ carefully recommends reading books.]
That’s right—books have lots of stories.
I can read even difficult words, so I should read books!
But where do I find books?
I didn’t have any in my room.
Thinking about that, the class ended quickly.
The other kids left while complaining, but I stayed behind because I had a question.
“Teacher…”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Where are books?”
“Books? Of course, in the library.”
Library?
At daycare, there was just a small bookshelf.
I’ll ask Rina later where the library is.
Ah! I forgot to ask what a Bijou is!
But looking at the teacher’s mood, it seemed like a good time not to ask, so I quietly sighed in relief.
Then suddenly—
The teacher grabbed my shoulders.
“My lady… could you make that cookie again?”
“Cookie…?”
“Please. Think of it as saving a life. I beg you.”
Well…
I want to make it too…
As I left the classroom, I held my head with my small hands.
I used all the sugar!
How do I get more orca sugar?
* * *
Around the time class ended—inside Diegon’s office.
Karmine took out a small box from his arms.
“Ahem.”
He made a strange sound and slowly showed the box to Diegon.
“Ahem, ahem.”
More weird sounds.
Finally, Diegon frowned and put down his scissors.
“Take it away. It’s too sweet.”
Inside the box were ugly-looking cookies.
They looked so sweet that even smelling them felt unpleasant.
As Diegon waved his hand, Karmine quickly closed the lid and hid it in his pocket.
Then he smirked.
“Oh? Don’t tell me… you didn’t get a cookie?”
“Cookie?”
“The young lady gave them out before class. Seems like you didn’t get one.”
Diegon’s hand stopped.
He replayed the moment in his head for three seconds—
And realized…
He had never seen that cookie before.
A wrinkle formed between his brows.
“…Why didn’t I get one?”
“Who knows? Maybe she likes me more.”
“….”
Crack.
The pen in his hand snapped.
But Diegon didn’t understand.
Why?
It wasn’t like he felt bad.
It didn’t matter at all.
“Ah, you couldn’t even get called ‘father.’ That’s what happens when you scare her at the first meeting. That’s why she won’t open her heart to you, ‘Admiral.’”
Karmine grinned.
Diegon quietly stood up.
“…Your Excellency?”
Karmine called him nervously.
But Diegon simply drew his sword.
“It’s been a while since I trained.”
“…What?”
“Training ground. Five minutes.”
“T-that’s unfair! You’re narrow-minded!”
“Three minutes.”
“Aaaah!”
As he walked out, Diegon glanced at the desk.
A crab-shaped paper he had been cutting fluttered slightly.
* * *
Back in my room, I was playing with blocks.
Then I noticed—it had become dark.
Is it already night?
That means dinner time!
No wonder I was hungry.
I looked up—
And got surprised.
“Admiral?!”
“Yes. It’s me. What are you making?”
“A house!”
The colorful wooden blocks were from Rina.
I had been sitting on the carpet building it, so my arms and legs were tired.
As I wobbled, the Admiral quickly reached out and caught me.
“You asked me to take you to class.”
“Hehe. Today teacher held my hand and took me!”
“…Did you listen well in class?”
“Yes!”
But why did the Admiral come?
Could it be…
Snacks?!
I looked at his hands eagerly—
Then became sad.
Nothing.
My legs tingled, so I sat back down.
The Admiral stared at me and said—
“Do I not have a cookie?”
“Ah! Umm…”
I blinked at him.
Then I took out a cookie wrapped in a handkerchief.
“I have one… only one left.”
I forgot about it.
I’m hungry… should I eat it?
But the Admiral stared at the cookie intensely.
Like really staring.
It felt like it would break just from his gaze.
“Do you… want it?”
But he said he didn’t like sweets…
Still, I asked—and surprisingly, he nodded.
“Why didn’t I get one?”
“Because you said you hate sweets.”
“I said that—… ah.”
“And you said if I don’t listen, you’ll go ‘waang!’”
I looked at the cookie.
I really want to eat it!
But the Admiral always gives me lots of food, pretty clothes, and shoes.
So I should share.
I took a deep breath.
Then—
“If you give me that cookie…”
“If I give it?”
“I will give you a new name in return.”
A new name?
My hand loosened slightly.
At the same time, glowing text appeared.
[The Water Elemental King ‘■■■■’ sighs deeply.]
[The Flame Elemental King ‘■■■■■’ says that’s unfair.]
[The Emotion Elemental King ‘■■■’ whispers to you.]
[Give him the cookie and take the name, child. If you refuse, Diegon might cry.]
…What?!
I imagined the big Admiral crying loudly.
I turned pale.
The whole house might flood…
He’s big, so he would cry longer than daycare kids!
After hesitating, I held out the cookie.
The bear-shaped cookie was slightly broken, crumbs falling, and one ear missing.
“It’s ugly though…”
“It’s beautiful.”
“I saved the ugliest one for myself…”
“If it’s yours, you should pick the prettiest one. Why choose the worst?”
