Chapter 32: The Exchange Diary Arrived

The exchange diary locked with a mithril chain was floating in front of me.

I really thought that this was no longer a grimoire, but rather a living being.

Anyway, I will read it after dinner..

When I was on my way to exit the room, the exchange diary followed me and prevented that from happening.

Do I really have to read now?

I started to talk to the exchange diary without thinking.

What the hell is this? I look like a person whos gone mad, dont I?Theres no way a book would understand and formulate an answer..

(Yes, Master. Please read.)

It talked! It answered me in a voice that seemed to be young ladys? when she was a child.

Ah, tears appeared at the corner of my eyes.

These are tears of joy, Im sure of it..Theyre by no means tears of despair, theyre by no means tears of hopelessness.

I persuaded myself to believe that.

You.Can you talk?

(It is possible. To be accurate, this is telepathic communication, Master.)

II see.

In this world even books can talk.

Since there is magic in this world, it should be possible for books to talk at least. No problems here.

I desperately tried to calm myself down and clear my chaotic thoughts.

Well then, what to do now?

For the time being, is it all right to read it after dinner? If I dont eat, my mind wont work properly. It is also necessary in order to be composed and read Beas notes in the diary. You might be safe without eating food, but living beings are different.

These were the words that came out after I considered the situation a bit.

Putting it simply, this was it.

However, the exchange diary seemed to consent.

(I see. I do not wish for Master to collapse due to malnutrition.)

You understand then. Well, Ill get going now. Its too bad you cant eat, otherwise we couldve went together to have dinner. Wait for me here.

I felt relieved. Yet, when I tried to leave the room, the exchange diary started to shake heavily and the sound of chains reverberated throughout the room.

Oi oi, you also want to eat dinner?Or you hate being left behind?

(I am coming too, Master.)

Is it typical in this world for books to accompany people when eating, and float around the dining table?

(Hmmm)

What hmmm! As I thought, this is definitely not normal.

I didnt say that just to be mean to you.Theres nothing to be done since youre a book, right?

(I understand. If thats the case..)

It started to shake again and a bright light emanated out of the exchange diary.

Eh! What is it doing? Is it gonna detonate itself?

So, the exchange diary explodes when you refuse something it wants? This world is more than scary.

While I was consumed by confusion and irrational panic, the exchange diarys light emission was fading away.

Thats good, it seems it wont explode.

(I came to the conclusion that a human model wont be a problem. I am coming too, Master.)

What was unfolding in front of my eyes was a 30 cm tall, extremely adorable distortion of the young lady.

Zest, youre so late. Besides, for an afternoon nap youve slept too

The smile on my masters face froze.

Thats obvious. A middle-aged guy showed up carrying on his shoulder a puppet looking exactly like his daughter.

If I wouldve been in his place, I wouldve punched the guy If he only stays frozen, itll be easier for me too.

Ive made you wait, father-in-law.

I greeted nimbly and took a sit.

Hm? They arent preparing any food for me..What wrong? What are they doing?

The maids were frozen in place, staring at my shoulder.

I honestly understand you.

However, I dont want to admit it. I will persistently keep my calm until I know Ive passed the crisis.

Zest, what is that?

My master asked with a smile, which made him look rather scary on the contrary.

Theres no way I can go through this safely.

I already knew that! But I didnt want to admit it!

The exchange diary.

For me, it looked like a stupid answer. There shouldve been another way to explain this properly.

If I were in Japan, I wouldve been hospitalized for sure.

Master was looking blankly, but gradually a smile appeared on his face.

I see, this isspiritification! Zest, this is amazing! There was no case of successfulspiritificationin this world for 300 years, you know? This calls for a grand celebration!

This is wonderful! It wasnt just a fairy-tale! Everyone, this isspiritification! Itsspiritification!!

Spiritification? What the hell is that

The maids who were looking with a discerning eye at the poor living thing on my shoulder changed their expressions completely. They were looking at us with glittering eyes now.

My master started to explain, his face fully covered in smiles.

There is a legend saying that a powerful mages personal belongings can gain consciousness and change into spirits. This is a fairy-tale often told to children.If you treat your belongings with great care, they could turn into spirits and come to your aid, so you must not handle them roughlyits said.

I see. They used to have cases ofspiritificationin the past.

Its all right, it seems Im not the first one whos done it.

The maids held the exchange diary in their arms, continuously making cheerful noises.

They watched the mini young lady contently eat her meal and started to make merry noises again.

Indeed, this thing sure is cute.

It reminds me of her childhood. She really looks exactly like the young lady. Spirit-sama, please try this as well.

Shes been thoroughly turned into a mascot.

I never thought I would be able to see a case ofspiritificationwith my own eyes. Zest, you truly are incomparably exceptional.

Master was in a great mood.

It was such an accomplishment, an auspicious event that must be celebrated.

The last recordedspiritificationwas 300 years ago, accomplished by a healer mage who assisted the plague countering measures.

He had a spirit companion and saved countless people, but after that no other case ofspiritificationtook place.

When aspiritificationoccurs, it signifies the birth of a great mage, the rebirth of a legend, and it would cause a huge commotion.

This was what master enthusiastically explained.

Somehow, it was different than I expected and even I started to feel delighted. I felt so relieved to see that they didnt treat me like a pervert who fell in love with a doll

My whole body started to completely relax and I enjoyed the banquet.

She really is charming; I should give her a name.

I thought about it a bit while drinking some wine.

I took a bite of the cheesy side-dish.

At which point, my slightly drunk master said:

Zest, make sure to bring this child too for the audience!

RightI completely forgot I have an audience with the Emperor.

Do I really have to enter the palace looking like a pervert in love with dolls?..This will be exactly what those people will think of me.

The cheese seemed saltier than ever.

I can taste my tears.