The Last Wish

Hey, Myunfa.

Yes, Lord Aldo?

I'm not trying to rush you, but... You should be just about ready to be freed from your kettle now.

......

Woh there Myunfa?!

What's the deal? If you're not ready, then it's totally fine!

......

I'm sorry Lord Aldo. You'd be surprised how often I locked myself away in my kettle...

I-I didn't know that...

For some reason... You remind me of a turtle hiding away in its shell.

So...what did you say in there?

You see... Before I grant your final wish there is a ritual that I just can't ignore. Until it's done, I can't fulfill your wish.

So, what's the ritual?

Well...

The master must grant a wish of the kettle spirit!

What?!

I do?

Yes! You, Lord Aldo...

I have to grant your wish?

Indeed! You have to grant my wish...

Really?

Yes! You've got to!

But Myunfa... Why didn't you mention this until now?

Because! Because I just came up with the idea!

Huh? What do you mean you just came up with it?

Abababah! I-I misspoke to you just now! I meant to say that I just remembered it!

......

D-Don't look at me like that! It's the truth!

......

Alright... I believe you.

Just like always, Lord Aldo!

But I don't have magical powers or anything like that. There's only so much I can do, right?

That's fine! The wish is something that only Lord Aldo can grant♪

That right? And what would that be?

It's as easy as pie! Or should I say easy as manju! I want to go eat some beef manju with you.

Really?!

There's a shop called Garden of Peace in this land so let's not waste a second and go!

Hey! Wait, Myunfa!

Om nom nom! Mmmm!

Nom nom nom...

This shop serves amazing beef manju like no other♪ We had beef manju back when I was human too, but this shop takes it to a whole new level!

That's high praise considering how long you've lived.

I've granted wishes for beef manju dates for many masters over the generations but... I've always wanted to experience one myself!

You're right about the beef manju here. It's otherworldly. I can see why you wanted to eat something as good as this.

Y-You don't get my feelings at all... You big dummy!

Something up?

I wanted to experience a date! Not just eating some beef manju!

Oh! My bad...

You get it now, don't you?

Ohhhhh... I think I got it now! It's part of the ritual to have a meal with your master, that right?

......

Unbelievable!

How can a human be so dense as this?! Or could it be... Could it be that his extreme density also carries the trait of lack of desire?

What's gotten into you, Myunfa?

It's nothing. I was just a little amazed. How can I explain this... I believe I've just witnessed the abyss of the human species.

Huh? I'm not sure what you mean... But I did manage to grant your wish, right?

Well, yeah... Technically but...

Well then the ritual is done and you must be ready to grant my final wish.

No, not quite!

What else is there?!

My master has to grant three wishes for me!

I-Is that right?

Yes! I thought one wish would be enough at first, but... Since you only granted half my wish, I'm still not satisfied!

I'm starting to understand why all my masters before complained that three wishes wasn't enough♪

......

Here's my second wish... I want to have a date on the Vermilion Road eating dumplings!

Mmmm... This dumpling is so... *nom nom*... Delicious!

Yeah... *nom nom*... It's so good...

I really like the tea here in Izana! It has a very different taste to the tea found in Nagsham! Since becoming a kettle spirit, I've become picky about my teas!

That right? Is that some kind of rule about being a kettle spirit?

Mmmm... This dumpling is so... *nom nom*... Delicious!

Hmm... Really? I think I'm not feeling too well...

I really like the tea here in Izana! It has a very different taste to the tea found in Nagsham! Since becoming a kettle spirit, I've become picky about my teas!

Oh... Is that some kind of rule about being a kettle spirit? (It seems like she can't tell the taste of anything except for tea.)

*sip sip* It could be... *sip*... But I don't know for sure. Right now, this is the life.

So, Myunfa. Have I successfully granted your second wish?

You did♪ I figured I should lower my expectations for you.

Alright... Well, what do you want to eat for your final wish?

What I...want to eat?

......

Clearly you have no idea what this is about!

Come on. If there's anything else that you want to eat, just tell me.

We already ate food for the last two dates, so let's do something different for the last!

Okay then... What's your final wish?

My final wish... Ummm... It might be a little more complicated than the other two.

I-Is that right? Is it something I can even grant?

I don't know yet. But it's a wish that only you can grant, Lord Aldo.

Got it. You can ask me for anything.

Lord Aldo...

I want you to like me!

......

Umm...

Wait a sec! That wish was granted a long time ago.

Huh?

Since the time I met you and we've been traveling on our journey together... I've always liked you!

I-I don't think we mean the same thing. I mean like... "like" you know...

Muahahahaha!

Huh?

We've been looking for you, girl. You must be the kettle spirit.

Who are you guys?!

Who's that? Oh, I remember you.

Have we met before?

Indeed, but we have no business with you today. We were looking for that kettle spirit.

How did you know that I'm a kettle spirit?

Heh heh heh... Our people have our ways.

Do it! Now's our chance!

Here it is, My Lord.

That's...my tea kettle!

Good work. You will be rewarded for your service.

Well, kettle spirit. What would happen if I smashed this kettle to pieces?

What?!

Will you, the spirit of this kettle, disappear from this world without a trace?

What are you saying?!

How did you know about that? The kettle spirits weakness is our most closely guarded secret...

Muahaha! Were you not listening? We have our ways...

Listen up! If you want me to return this unharmed... Then you must come to the audience chamber in Kurosagi Castle!

The audience chamber? Could it be that you are...

No, wait! We wouldn't want Ageha to get involved in this!

......

Come to the top of Kurosagi Castle! I'll be waiting there!

Muahahahaha!

Ababah! This looks bad, Lord Aldo!

Looks that way, but I won't allow them to destroy your kettle!

It's more than just that... My tea kettle and body are...

Ahh!

Hey! Cut that out!

Huh? I didn't do anything...

N-No, not you! Someone just rubbed my tea kettle! You see, the kettle and my body are linked to each other...

Ewww! Did someone just lick my kettle?!

What the heck is that guy doing?!

Let's hurry up and get it back before something really weird happens!

Yes, please! But before that...

This is just a normal kettle, but it'll work as a weapon for now!

All right! Let's make our way to the top of Kurosagi Castle!

Heheheh! What should I wish for? Perhaps I should just be myself and ask for something real nasty! Do this to Garneli... Do that to Shion...

Muahahahaha! There's no limit to the number of scummy ideas I can come up with!

Give me back my tea kettle!

Ah... You're here!

You... You're Lord Genshin, aren't you?! Why are you doing this?!

No way! Wrong! I'm not Lord Genshin. Just the infamous lord of the castle.

Which means... you're Lord Genshin!

I shall leave that to your imagination!

Listen here! If you want me to release the hostage... You better grant the final wish of that swordsman from the west!

Then, you'll be able to serve me as your next master... Heheh!

Don't be ridiculous! My final wish will be to release Myunfa from being a kettle spirit!

Just as he said! After his wish is granted, I'll be unable to serve any master!

Muahaha! Fools! I've my own way of becoming a tea kettle master!

What are you saying?!

What do you mean?

You're...a kettle spirit!

Heeheehee! I've decided to lend a helping hand to this man... The Lord of Mi.

Surprise surprise... It was Lord Genshin all along.

You... Why are you disobeying me? I'm your master!

Huh? Does that mean that kettle spirit is the one who granted your wish, Myunfa?

Correct. Just as you probably saw, I carry around two kettles. One is the kettle I'm sealed to...

The other is the kettle that this spirit is sealed to!

Okay, I think I got it.

It's against the rules to disobey your master!

Bwahahhah! Are you not a kettle spirit right now? Only humans can be masters of kettle spirits. Which means, you are no longer my master!

B-But...

Unfortunately, I was only able to grant two of your wishes. This is why I am still bound to you and cannot seek another master! I've been bound to you for thousands of years, waiting...

Bound to me? I-I had no idea! I thought you just wanted to follow me around all this time.

Of course not! I am a wish granting kettle spirit!

Listen carefully... My tea kettle was made by a craftsman in ancient times. He wanted it to bring joy to the people joining the tea ceremonies. It was his strong will and desire that led to my creation, the kettle spirit.

I didn't know about this either.

That is why I grant wishes for humans. However, ever since I turned you into a kettle spirit I have not been able to grant new wishes... My existence became meaningless...

That's terrible to think about...

Are you done yet? I'm waiting for my wish to be granted here!

Silence, scum! This is why I hate humans so much... I was created for tea ceremonies... But instead I am here granting the wishes of greedy scum!

I get it... I feel the same way too. I'm honestly sick of those selfish masters and their disgusting desires too.

It was not that I wanted to become a kettle spirit...

Myunfa...

That's why you should grant that man's wish. Then you will no longer have to be a kettle spirit.

A-Actually I... I wouldn't mind it if Lord Aldo was my master...

I really wouldn't mind being a kettle spirit forever... Even if it means living a hard existence...

......

What?! How can that be?! Ugh! Looks like we'll have to do things my way!

Do it!

Lord Aldo!

Muahahahah! Now make your final wish! You can either wish to turn the girl into a human... Or wish to save yourself!

Urgh! Lord Genshin...

It doesn't matter what you wish for. Either way the kettle spirit will survive. I'll become its master and all my scummy wishes will be granted!

Please, Lord Aldo! Use your last wish to save yourself!

Don't worry, Myunfa... I'm...fine. So here goes...

My final wish is to free Myunfa from her tea kettle. That's it. Now please grant my wish! Ugh...

Hold on, Lord Aldo!

No...! I can't grant that wish!

Your master gave his life for a wish that came from the bottom of his heart. The wish must be granted whether you like it or not, kettle spirit!

No, it can't be!

This form... Did I really turn back into a human?!

Lord Aldo!

...... Is that you, Myunfa? You're human again, aren't you?

Hold on, Lord Aldo!

Haha... Seems like my second wish came true after all. I haven't forgotten you...

Don't talk! Save your strength...

Sorry... Myunfa... I'm so...tired...

But... I'm happy...for you.

Noooooo!

So... We finally meet again after thousands of years, Master. Your first wish was to bring back your brother, and the second was to turn yourself into a kettle spirit.

Now it is time to make your final wish. You may wish to save the boy... Or wish him back to life.

Exactly! Make a wish, girl! Then this kettle spirit may serve me as its master!

......

My final wish is...

I wish to become a kettle spirit again!

Wh-What?! I thought you were tired about being a kettle spirit!

That's true... I never wanted to become a kettle spirit again...

But even if Lord Aldo was saved, I couldn't allow that piece of scum over there bring disaster to the world. That's why I must become a kettle spirit again!

If Lord Aldo is my master, then I don't mind being a kettle spirit!

Guh! Unfortunately, I have no option but to grant your wish!

I'm back to being a kettle spirit again! And without a master to serve... There's nothing stopping me from healing him!

Lord Aldo!

Huh? What happened?

I see... How clever you are. You were always such a clever girl.

And now it's time to take care of you and that scum over there...

I choose to serve Lord Aldo as my master!

Hmph... It is forbidden for a human to summon a kettle spirit twice. However, there is no such prohibition against a kettle spirit choosing the same master more than once.

Hey you! We don't have time to waste listening to you lecture! Hurry up and make me your master!

Hmph... I had nearly forgotten our deal...

Master! That kettle spirit's power is incredible! We can't allow that scum to get his hands on it!

No kidding... That guy'll make all sorts of weird wishes!

If we can knock out that kettle spirit, then that'll buy us some time!

Got it! Let's take it out!

Exactly! I'm at your side!

I never thought I'd encounter someone as strong as you...

What's going on?! You got smaller!

Hey, Kettle Spirit! It's time you start serving me as your master! My first wish is to make these two disappear from this world!

Then, my second one is to wish for 10,000 more wishes! Bwahaha!

Asking for more wishes is against the rules.

Tch!

Fine! First, I'll wish to make them disappear, and with the other two wishes I'll...

This is bad! In that case, I'll use my first wish to stop the kettle spirit from choosing Genshin as his master...

Yes, Master! That's a great idea!

Here goes. My first wish is...

That won't be necessary...

What?

He's a scummy human... I would never serve such a fool in the first place!

......

Whaaaaat?!

You had best be on your way, scum!

Mommmmmmy, !

Finally... That trouble-make is out of the way.

I, too, shall choose a new master.

Huh? Oh no...

Oh yes... As my master, I have chosen... You, Aldo!

M-Me?!

No you can't! Master is my master!

Hehehe... There is no restriction on how many kettle spirit one master can have!

It is a done deal. As of now, I serve you, Master.

Just exactly what are your intentions?

......

Well... I would like to be freed from my existence as a kettle spirit. I want to become human.

What?!

The one who made me only wanted to bring joy to people at tea ceremonies. He did not expect my powers to be used for the greed of humanity.

That is why I wish to break free of this cycle and live far from human desire...

I know how you feel...

I would have never imagined that there was someone who would grant a kettle spirit's wish. However, it looks as though Master is the exception.

That's why you chose to serve me...

All right. My wish is to grant your wish! Free yourself from your existence as a kettle spirit!

Finally! I am now human!

What the, ?

She... She's cuter than I expected.

Hee-hee! I was always jealous of you, Myunfa.

When I grow up, I want to meet someone special just like you, Myunfa!

Thank you, Master! Myunfa, I wish you a lifetime of happiness with Master! Best of luck to you both!

Umm... We should get out of the castle about now.

Right. Let's go back to Izana.

We made quite a scene in the castle. Let's avoid the soldiers as much as possible. Let's go somewhere a bit away from here.

Yes, Master!

A lot has happened, but nothing's changed.

I don't think so at all. Our relationship has changed a lot during these events! Nothing like the first time we met, Master!

But... you're calling me "Master" again.

Well, yes... But still, things are different.

We're a lot closer now even though I call you "Master."

That's true...

So everything's different from when we met♪

Hmm...

But it still makes me kind of uncomfortable. Can I use my first wish then? I wish for you to not...

Wait! I want you to call me Aldo without the "Lord."

......

That's not going to happen!

What?! Do you really need to call me "Lord Aldo?"

That's not it! I forbid you from using your first wish!

Wh-Why?

Because you still haven't granted my third and final wish! Until that time, I'm not going to grant any wishes for you!

The third and final wish you say... Something about liking you, right? But that wish was already...

That's where you're wrong, Master! What you mean by "like" is very different from what I mean...

Huh?

Forget it. It's too difficult for you to understand, Master.

And maybe that's what keeps us so close anyway.

I'm not sure if I catch your drift... So does that mean you're going to call me "Master" after all?

Exactly! Because...

Look! I'm a kettle spirit after all! I feel uncomfortable if I can't call Lord Aldo, Master!

Oh I get it... That must be in the kettle spirit rulebook or something.

Huh?

Wait a minute, Myunfa! Did you just naturally call me by my name?

Did I? I don't believe you!

By the way... I'm looking forward to the day that you can grant my third wish, Master♪