With its suspicions in mind, the Higher Evil Spirit looked at the contractor polishing off the last few plates of food.
"Don't you think you should pay more attention to the problem we're facing right now?"
The Higher Evil Spirit folded its arms and leaned against the dining table.
"The problem we're facing right now?"
"Haven't you figured it out yet?"
"It's painfully obvious."
"So obvious that I'd rather add more cumin and herb sauce to my grilled lamb chops than think about it. He... is just a poor fool someone pushed into the spotlight."
Qin Ran swallowed the lamb in his mouth, pausing noticeably as he spoke.
Seeing its contractor like this, the Higher Evil Spirit couldn't help asking, "He's a poor fool, sure, but aren't you even the slightest bit surprised?"
The Higher Evil Spirit refused to give up.
It desperately wanted to see its contractor look surprised.
But the result left it utterly disappointed.
This time, Qin Ran didn't even have any interest in answering.
Watching Qin Ran wolf down his food with his knife and fork flying, the Higher Evil Spirit took several deep breaths and began telling itself to stay calm.
Calm.
Calm... my ass!
How could I give up such a perfect opportunity?
With that thought, the Higher Evil Spirit spoke again.
"Why aren't you surprised?"
"A human became the patriarch of the Bloodkin."
"And of the branch most hostile to humans, at that."
"It makes no sense, whether emotionally or logically... uh!"
The Higher Evil Spirit's stream of words stopped abruptly.
It stared at Qin Ran's raised right hand.
Or, more precisely, at [Mesli's Ring] on his right index finger.
Qin Ran's answer was clear enough.
[Mesli's Ring] could control others.
Then why couldn't there be items or secret arts similar to [Mesli's