Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 6] Chapter 26

[Vol. 6] Chapter 26: The Mole Spirit

Bai’er whispered without hesitation, her tone certain.

“That’s right, Senior Violet. Don’t underestimate me, though I seem like this, I grew up in the mountains. I’ve seen more mountain spirits and ghosts than most people. This is a [Mole Spirit].”

“Mole Spirit?”

Before the priestess could ask for more details, the black, fuzzy mass hiding in the bush at the corner of the courtyard, its rear end still sticking out, suddenly began to stir.

The Mole Spirit unearthed something from the bushes.

“Oh…”

Violet quickly realized what the creature was up to.

It was common knowledge that many wild animals, when encountering food they couldn’t finish or take with them, would instinctively bury it for safekeeping, intending to dig it up later when the time was right.

This behavior was almost a primal instinct. Even when they gained intelligence and transformed into spirits, such habits wouldn’t simply vanish.

Clearly, this Mole Spirit was engaging in a similar activity.

The faint scent of blood became more pronounced as the unearthed object was brought to light.

Violet and Bai’er exchanged glances.

Bai’er nodded, then suddenly sprang out from behind the tree. With a burst of speed too fast for the naked eye, she crossed over ten meters in an instant, stopping with her sword tip pointed at…the exposed half of the creature’s backside!

“Don’t move!”

“Eep!”

As though it could sense the razor-sharp energy directed at it, a soft, pitiful whimper came from the other side of the bush. The Mole Spirit, which had foolishly only hidden its front half, trembled all over. It froze on the spot, not daring to move even an inch.

Then, almost as if practiced, it began to plead for mercy.

“Mercy, great warrior!”

Bai’er, clearly experienced in similar situations, kept her sword poised but didn’t strike. She lowered her voice and commanded,

“Turn around and bring out whatever you’re hiding there. Don’t play any tricks, or I’ll end this with one strike!”

For context, this was merely a bluff.

Though Bai’er was a combat-oriented person who preferred solving problems with action, she had always exercised restraint. Unless dealing with truly heinous evil spirits, she rarely took lives, especially without clear instructions from Lady Ling Feng.

Violet had already observed this during their travels together.

However, the Mole Spirit had no way of knowing this. It was already trembling uncontrollably, completely terrified.

“G-g-great warrior, immortal one! I haven’t done anything bad! I’m a good spirit, harmless! Please, have mercy on me!”

“Stop rambling! Do as I said!”

Hearing Bai’er’s feigned impatience, the Mole Spirit hurriedly pulled its head out of the bush, turned around, and crouched submissively in a duck-like position under her blade, trembling.

It cautiously raised its gaze toward the short-haired girl, who was staring back with an expressionless face. In its hands was a bundle wrapped in canvas, roughly the size of a human head, emanating a faint scent of blood.

“Harmless? A harmless spirit sneaks into a government building in the dead of night? And what’s that in your hands? Such a strong stench of blood. Could it be part of an innocent victim’s remains?”

Bai’er deliberately kept her tone stern and serious, even giving the sword resting on the Mole Spirit’s neck a slight shake. This caused the poor creature to let out another pitiful whimper.

“Immortal one, please understand! I just accidentally dug my tunnel in the wrong direction! This… this piece of meat, I just found it! And it’s not human meat, I swear!”

The priestess, Violet, who had been keeping watch, walked up from behind and gently patted Bai’er on the shoulder.

“Alright, stop scaring her.”

Otherwise, this little creature might truly have a stress-induced breakdown and create an unnecessary commotion.

Violet shifted her gaze to the Mole Spirit, who was sitting on the ground, trembling with fear.

To be honest, this was her first time seeing a [Yokai] from the [Ancient Spirit Realm] in person. Although this one seemed to be a small spirit, its appearance was certainly intriguing.

In the [Ancient Spirit Realm], the only primary sentient species were humans. However, [Yokai] that had gained intelligence could assume humanoid forms. It was said that the more powerful their cultivation, the closer their appearance resembled humans, to the point where they could be indistinguishable to the naked eye.

These were referred to as “Big Spirits.”

In this respect, they bore a striking resemblance to magical beings like demons.

This Mole Spirit, however, looked more like a small child, similar to Eudora. Sitting on the ground, she barely reached Violet’s waist despite Violet herself being quite petite.

While her overall form was mostly humanoid, her brown-black hair sported a pair of round ears that were difficult to notice at first glance. Her face was smudged with black dirt, and her clothing appeared to be either a fur pelt or something closer to soft fur growing naturally on her body. This explained the dark, fuzzy appearance Violet had noticed earlier.

Her long, dirt-caked claws were clear evidence of digging, and combined with her unkempt face, she resembled a wild, scruffy girl straight out of the slums. Most likely an underaged one.

“The patrol guards are about to pass by. Let’s take her back to the room for now.”

Of course, Violet could have chosen to hand the small Mole Spirit over to the guards immediately. But doing so would likely seal its fate.

After all, a [Yokai] was still a [Yokai]. As the saying went, “Those not of our kin are bound to have different intentions.” While most [Yokai] tended to keep their distance from humans, when conflicts did arise, the brutality they displayed toward each other often exceeded that shown between members of the same species.

Moreover, as natural-born spirits of the world, parts of a [Yokai]’s body are often highly valuable materials. Their inner cores are particularly prized as potent treasures for alchemy.

Bai’er clearly shared this mindset, or more likely, it was under the orders of Miss Ling Feng. Without hesitation, she nodded and tapped the small Mole Spirit on the shoulder with the back of her sword. Her tone became almost coercive.

“Bring that thing and come with us. Don’t try anything funny. You don’t need me to remind you what happens if you’re exposed in a place like this, right?”

“W-W… I-I understand, honored immortals…”

With the dejected and dirt-streaked Mole Spirit in tow, they carefully avoided the patrolling guards of the courtyard and returned to the room that the Prefect had arranged for Ling Feng and her companions.

The distinguished young lady, Miss Ling Feng, was unsurprisingly not asleep. Instead, she was already seated at the desk, seemingly waiting for their return.

“My lady,” Bai’er greeted.

“You’re back. Hm? Violet is with you too?”

“What’s the matter? You’re still hiding something from me?” Violet teased lightly.

Under the soft, flickering orange glow of the lantern, Ling Feng set down the wooden brush-like tool in her hand and turned toward the group. She gave them a quick glance, slightly surprised, before shaking her head with a faint smile.

“What are you saying… never mind. It doesn’t matter. I had planned to investigate thoroughly before discussing matters tomorrow. But it seems your sense of smell rivals Bai’er’s. Have a seat.”

The young lady gestured subtly to her bodyguard. Bai’er immediately understood, closed the door, and hung a strange small white bell on the wall. Then, returning to Ling Feng’s side, she joined her and the priestess.

Now seated together, Ling Feng, Bai’er, and Violet, who had already flopped onto the bed. They all focused their gaze on the timid Mole Spirit, still clutching its bundle nervously.

“There’s no need to be so terrified,” Ling Feng began, her tone calm yet reassuring. “We have no intention of harming you or taking your inner core for alchemy. Answer a few questions truthfully, and you’ll be free to leave.”

Miss Ling Feng smiled faintly, her demeanor unchanged even when dealing with a [Yokai].

“Little spirit, where did the item in your hands come from?”