The next day, Haru spoke up. "Meena! I heard there is a sale today in the market, so I have to go. Do you mind taking care of the home for me? I will come back as quickly as possible, okay?"

  From the bed, Meena simply replied, "Okay!"

  Haru blinked. What? She agreed so easily... He got ready, grabbed his sword, and ran toward the market. Meanwhile, back at the house, Meena was pacing. What is wrong with me? Why can't I even look at him? At this rate, I will never be able to walk beside him. Wait! Walk beside him while holding hands... Her face turned bright red again. She dove under the blanket, hugging a cushion tightly while whispering, "My hus—no, no, no!"

  She sat up abruptly and clenched her fists. "Focus, Meena. It’s not the time for that. Master is alone; I need to protect him." With a mischievous laugh, she added, "It’s the perfect time to use my test subject."

  She entered her domain.

  "Your Highness," Count Dracula bowed. "At your service. How can I help you?"

  "I want you to track Master," Meena commanded. She began sharing her vision with Dracula’s bats; now she could monitor and even control the actions of those near Haru. "Let’s focus on today’s mission. De, search for Haru."

  "Yes, Ma'am," Dracula replied, "but are you perhaps referring to me?"

  "Yes. I don’t like your name, so from now on, you are 'De'."

  "Yes, Ma'am," De said with a bow.

  "Hahaha! You deserve that!" Blade shouted, laughing and dancing in front of him.

  De gave a charming smile. "Of course I deserve it."

  "Humph!" Blade looked grumpy. "Have you finally gone nuts?"

  "Don’t you get it?" De said, running a hand through his hair. "She gave me my own nickname!"

  Blade froze. "What?! Master, this isn’t fair! Waaaa!" Tears streamed down his face. "Master, I want a nickname too! This is unfair!"

  "Stop bothering me, you fool!" Meena snapped. "Let me concentrate unless you want to die."

  Blade’s voice dropped instantly. "Sorry, Master..."

  "Finally, I found him," Meena muttered. "Looks like you are useful, De."

  De practically sparkled with pride, while Blade gnashed his teeth in the background. (In this world, receiving a nickname from a higher being drastically raises your status. For example, a servant of Ishtar with a nickname could access heaven just like other gods.)

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Haru was walking down the road when he suddenly glanced up at a bat. It was the one Meena was using to watch him. Panicked, Meena made the bat disappear.

  "Huh," Haru muttered. "I felt like someone was watching me."

  "Master, you don’t have to panic," De whispered within the domain. "He can't see you."

  Meena wiped sweat from her forehead. "I know."

  De watched her concentrate. I can't believe how much she changes when she thinks of Haru, he thought. I doubt even the Heavens would believe this sight. (The Heavens: Stop dragging us into every chapter!)

  "Found him," Meena said. "He is in a long line at a store. De, give me control for a second."

  "Hmm..." De took temporary control of the bat to hypnotize a person at the front of the line.

  The person turned around and looked at Haru. "Sir! Are you the adventurer who went to the newest dungeon and shared the information about Dracula with the Guild Master?"

  Nervous and unsure of what was happening, Haru replied, "Yes?"

  "Everyone, look!" the person shouted. "He is the one who saved many lives by sharing that information! Everyone, clap!"

  The crowd began to cheer. "Sir, because of you, we are safe! We thank you! Here, take my place in line!"

  Another person added, "He is our hero; he should go first!"

  Haru was ushered to the front of the line and entered the shop.

  "Wow! That was perfect," Meena cheered. De began sparkling again. "Now, give me back control."

  "Oh! Yes," De replied. She sure looks excited. I wonder what she is going to do now.

  Meena used her power on the person again.

  "Here, kind sir," the person said to Haru. "Take this. It's for you."

  "But that’s your money!" Haru protested. "How can I take it?"

  "You are my savior! Please take it. I am with my family today because of you."

  "Okay... I guess," Haru said, taking the money. Everyone else in the shop looked confused, wondering what that weirdo was doing giving his money away.

  After taking the money, Haruto went to another shop.

  "Did you see how much of a help I am to Master?" Meena asked with sparkling eyes.

  Master, I think you just robbed a person, De thought, but I can't possibly say that.

  "Yes!" Blade chimed in. "De is nothing compared to you! I am sure if Sir Haruto hears about this, he will be very grateful!"

  De listened with grief as Meena’s eyes turned dark. "What did you say? If he ever finds out, you will be the first one to die."

  Blade shrank back. "Okay, Master..."

  Meanwhile, back at the market, the person snapped out of it. "Huh? Where is my money? I can't find it! Someone just robbed me!"

  Meena ignored the chaos and took control of a customer near Haru in the next shop.

  "Sir, take those blue apples," the customer said. "They are fresh in stock."

  "Yeah, those look nice!" Haru agreed.

  "And I am sure Meena will also like them."

  Haru paused. "Huh? How do you know Meena?"

  The customer (Meena) panicked. "Oh! I saw you the other day with her buying those blue apples!"

  "Oh... okay." Haru bought the apples and hurried out of the shop. Maybe that person is a stalker, he thought. I need to be careful from now on.

  "Master," De sighed, putting his hand to his head, "we need to be careful. You must never say your name or he will get suspicious."

  Later, Haru came home and prepared dinner. "Meena, come for dinner! Today is special; I made blue apple salad just for you."

  Meena, eyes sparkling, sat at the table and began eating.

  "By the way, Meena," Haru asked, "did anyone come to the house while I was gone?"

  Meena shook her head. No. "But why, Master? Was someone supposed to come?"

  "Oh, okay. Don't worry about it," Haru said. Good thing the stalker doesn't know our address.

  They finished their dinner and...