The Time When I was Reincarnated as a Spirit

II "Lutar the Gate of Wrath!!"

Casper (POV)

I awaken groggily, rubbing my eyes and surveying my surroundings. I open the door and find Lutar standing guard beside it.

He rises and bows respectfully. "Good morning, milord," he greets me.

I notice a group of women lining up nearby, their chatter catching my attention.

"Today, milord, you will choose one of these women to be your personal maiden. They will be known as spirit maidens," Lutar explains.

"Lutar?" I inquire.

"Yes, milord. I am at your service," he confirms.

"Take me to Mabelle. I want her as my personal assistant," I declare.

"Assistant, milord?" Lutar asks, clearly puzzled.

I smile and pat his shoulder. "Yes, Lutar. Lead the way."

With a nod, Lutar announces the end of the selection process to the waiting women and accompanies me out of the palace. We travel in a carriage through the capital until we reach Mabelle's residence, a place that triggers memories of my summoning.

Lutar informs me that Mabelle is the 122nd shrine maiden who took over when I was just spirit particles forming over a thousand years.

Upon entering the shrine, I find Mabelle engrossed in spiritual prayers and offering some bread, wine, and meat. I step back and wait for her to finish.

"What is it, milord? Shall I call her for you?" Lutar asks, breaking the silence.

I sit beside him, opting to wait and discuss the world with him while we await Mabelle's completion of her duties.

Lutar shares that our world is currently embroiled in war, with the capital enjoying relative peace due to its strong defenses. However, other regions suffer attacks from monsters and warring factions. Additionally, various guardians and divine beings fight each other, taking lands and making their own territory, while spirit guardians are hunted by unknown groups.

Curious, I inquire about Lutar's background. He reveals himself as one of the Seven Gates, specifically the Gate of Wrath, among other gates like Envy, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony, l**t, and Pride.

As we converse, Mabelle finishes her prayers.

"Milord? Sir Lutar?" she calls out in surprise.

I rise to my feet. "Mabelle, I have chosen you to be my personal maiden. Will you accept?"

"Milord, it would be my honor to serve you, but..." she begins, before Lutar intervenes.

"I'll handle it, milady. You are now our lord's official spirit maiden," he declares, bowing to Mabelle.

With Mabelle in tow, we depart from the shrine, leaving Lutar to appoint other maidens to maintain it. As we journey back to the palace, my attention is drawn to a commotion near a*****e. A child is fleeing from the scene, pursued by the store owner. I halt the carriage and step out, commanding attention with my presence. Approaching the store owner, I offer to take custody of the child. Suddenly Lutar swiftly steps forward, brandishing his gleaming sword. With a deft movement, he strikes something in the air, producing a sharp sound. Peering down, I see a steel arrow lying on the ground. Lutar escorts both the child and me back to the carriage, while guards secure our surroundings, ensuring our safety.

I ensure the child is cared for before retiring to my room, accompanied by samurai warriors. Concerned for Lutar's safety, Mabelle reassures me of his prowess.

Lost in thought, I receive a vision of Lutar confronting the assailant. Empowered, I create a wormhole to his location, with Mabelle accompanying me.

"Don't worry, milord. Lutar will be fine; he's one of the fierce warriors of the seven gates," Mabelle reassures me.

As I continue contemplating Lutar, a vivid vision unfolds before me. I witness Lutar within the palace chamber, opening a colossal door to reveal a majestic red dragon. With a gentle touch, he calms the dragon before mounting it, and together they ascend into the sky. They soared swiftly, Lutar's gaze fixed on the forest below where the arrow was fired. Amidst the dense fog conjured by the fleeing figure in black, Lutar's pursuit is hindered. Undeterred, he plunges from the sky to the earth below, creating a resounding impact. With unwavering resolve, he proclaims, "I am Lutar, one of the Seven Gates, the Gate of Wrath. You should be grateful; I am the one who will execute you!" The air trembles with fear as the fog dissipates, revealing the assailant before him.

Shaken from my vision, I exclaim, "Lutar is fighting the culprit!"

Empowered by resolve, I feel energy coursing through me as I contemplate the possibility of creating a wormhole. With a focused mind, I manifest a passage leading to Lutar's battleground, linking it to my earlier vision. Accompanied by Mabelle, I step through the wormhole, momentarily dazed, until we find ourselves standing a short distance from where Lutar confronts the assailant.