Chapter 338: Nami, the Tidecaller

The pale green red mangrove spirit bug was indeed picked up by Acheronides on Red Tree Island.

"Acheronides found this little spirit while exploring Red Tree Island. It is very small and cute, just like Jie La. However, it is very timid. When I tossed a fruit to it, it hesitated for a while before picking it up, and then it gradually approached me and even bit my finger," Acheronides detailed her experience with the red mangrove spirit bug, "At that moment, Acheronides suddenly realized that she was forming a contract with the little spirit, able to understand what it was thinking... Brother, is this the contract between humans and spirits? Can mermaids also form contracts with spirits?"

"Did you contract it?" Liszt asked in surprise.

The situation was quite perplexing. This spirit bug was supposed to be a reward from the smoke mission for him, but it unexpectedly contracted with the mermaid Acheronides. Although Acheronides was his personal property, not being the one to form the contract himself left him feeling a little uncomfortable.

However, he quickly put aside his selfish thoughts and nodded gently, saying, "Basically, spirits only form contracts with humans, but it's not like other creatures can't form contracts with spirits. After all, this isn't a magic contract invented by humans. So, it's not surprising that mermaids can contract spirits."

"Is that so?"

Acheronides tilted her head, "But I'm not sure how to care for a spirit bug. Brother, should I break the contract with the little spirit and let you contract it instead? Its mangrove is a red tree, located in the center of Red Tree Island. The surrounding trees bear many small, delicious fruits!"

Liszt was briefly tempted.

But he quickly dismissed the idea, "Since it actively contracted you, it means it is destined to be with you. There's no need for me to waste its contract opportunities. Whether it's you or me, it doesn’t matter... Did you bring some of the red tree fruits?"

"I brought some."

She waved her hand, and the seawater in the shell immediately carried a handful of light yellow fruits, placing them in Liszt's hand.

The fruits had no magic power, just ordinary fruits, with irregular shapes and sizes similar to the nails of a thumb. He picked one and chewed it a couple of times. It had a mild sweet-and-sour flavor, surprisingly delicious, probably good enough to be treated as a type of fruit.

This might be the greatest value of the red mangrove spirit bug for now.

He could only hope to encounter a magic medicine red tree or a more valuable red tree variety in the future.

"Acheronides, have you given it a name?" Liszt asked, looking at the spirit bug that had emerged from Acheronides' hair and was curiously observing him.

Unlike Jie La's rough and carefree image, this spirit bug looked more delicate and exquisite, as crystal clear as jade. There were two small green leaves and a tiny red flower on its head.

Its big eyes blinked, appearing incredibly pure.

The sound it made was like a little girl talking to herself, "Jigugu."

No wonder Acheronides called it a little spirit, "Brother, Acheronides spent a lot of time thinking but couldn’t decide on a name. Can you help name it?"

"Me?"

Liszt didn't refuse and pondered for a moment before coming up with an idea, "Let's call it Nami."

"Nami?"

"Yes, this name represents calling the tides."

"Nami... Yes, let's call it Nami, alright?" Acheronides pulled the red mangrove spirit bug out from her hair and placed it on her palm, "Little spirit, from now on, your name is Nami, alright?"

The spirit bug timidly called out, "Jigugu."

Accepting its new name—Nami.

"Acheronides, since Nami is already your contracted spirit, take good care of it. I will give you a jade box and some jade powder. You can use these to feed it. Also, every time you go to the mangroves, pay attention to explore the attributes of the red tree and figure out the functions of those red trees."

The mermaid nodded, "Acheronides understands. Nami will definitely help brother and fulfill the role a spirit should have." She had read many books and knew the value of spirits to humans.

"Wait here for a moment. I'll go get Jie La and introduce her to Nami."

"Mm-hmm."

Moments later, the sound of hooves could be heard, and Liszt had already brought Jie La over.

Jie La was very happy upon seeing Acheronides, calling out "Wu wa" excitedly. It hadn’t seen the mermaid for several days.

At this moment, from Acheronides' hair, Nami peeked out again.

In that moment.

The two spirit bugs met for the first time.

Jie La froze, fluttering its wings as it stared at Nami in a daze, not knowing what it was thinking. It wasn’t the first time Jie La had seen another spirit bug; it had encountered one in Tulip Castle. However, it was Nami's first time seeing another of her kind. Excited, Nami peeked out from Acheronides' hair, stood on her shoulder, and waved at Jie La.

Softly greeting, "Jigu."

After a few seconds, Jie La snapped out of it and flew towards Nami.

Liszt watched the two little spirits interact with a smile on his face, finding the scene to be extraordinarily beautiful. However, the next moment, his smile came to an abrupt halt.

He saw Jie La fly up to Nami and, with a flick of its hand, gave Nami a hard slap on the head, exclaiming "Wu wa!"

Clearly, Jie La was furious.

Liszt realized Jie La was telling Nami to leave.

The slap left Nami dazed, and she tumbled off Acheronides' shoulder. Fortunately, Acheronides reacted quickly, sending out a water ribbon to catch Nami.

Landing on the water ribbon, Nami cried out "Jigu."

"Jie La!"

Liszt quickly shouted, "Stop right now!"

Jie La, hearing this, crossed its arms and strutted around in mid-air, calling out "Wu wa" to Liszt and then "Wu wa" to Acheronides, like it was showing off its toughness.

Only when Liszt glared at it did Jie La pout and fly back to Liszt’s shoulder, now too afraid to act up.

Meanwhile, Acheronides was holding Nami, gently comforting her. "Don't cry, Nami. Jie La didn't mean it. It's usually very cute. I'm sure you two will become good friends."

Their first meeting didn’t go well.

After Acheronides' comfort, Nami stopped crying but hid in her hair and didn’t show her head again. Compared to Jie La’s boldness, Nami was much more timid.

"Take good care of Nami..."

Liszt didn’t know what else to say and simply took Jie La back.

Naturally, along the way, Jie La was scolded and punished, being forbidden from leaving the insect room for three days. If it hit another spirit bug again, the punishment would be doubled. Facing such punishment, Jie La appeared downcast. It was too active, and being confined was a nightmare for it.

Especially since the insect room now lacked warm shells for bathing.

……

When they returned to the castle.

Town administrator Isaiah had just arrived. "My lord, do you have any orders?"

Liszt told Butler Carter to take Jie La to the insect room. Liszt said, "I plan to expand the cultivation of corn grass by 500 acres. Check out which idle fields we can use and get the serfs started on farming right away. We need to get the farming done quickly since we're past the spring planting season."

"We already have 280 acres of corn grass, which should be enough for Flower Town based on our initial plans. Why do we need to plant another 500 acres?"

"Because I plan to expand our cattle and horse breeding."

"As you wish."

Isaiah nodded and left after receiving his instructions. Mrs. Mossen had brewed some milk tea, and Carter brought it over to Liszt. He picked up the cup and sipped the fragrant milk tea, and Liszt felt his worries ease up—after all, he now had the second spirit bug for the estate.

Nami, the red mangrove spirit bug.