Chapter 209 - 209. The Second Four Noble Family Conference, and Dancing at the Conference
Their rough breathing had gradually calmed. "I want to bury myself in Elisha's chest like this and fall asleep." I thought, pulling her closer.
"Lord Mash…"
Elisha stirred, as if trying to move away.
"The 'Lord' is unnecessary. You can call me Mash. And a more natural way of speaking is fine."
"That would be inappropriate. I am Racshell-sama's messenger, so I must treat Lord Mash with the utmost respect."
"Elisha, the only thing that should be stiff is your nipples."
"…Lord Mash?"
She tilted her head, her face blank. It seemed my joke had completely flopped. I regretted saying such pointless things, the kind I usually only said to Fam. Feeling embarrassed, I buried my face between her breasts.
"Lord Mash, do you intend to fall asleep like this?"
Her question pulled me back to reality. I sat up to get dressed but realized my whole body was sticky with our fluids. I used laundry magic to wash myself and cleaned Elisha as well. She gasped, her hands caressing her skin in wonder.
"So that's how the dog-eared woman had such a beautiful coat of fur…" she murmured.
After dressing, as I was about to leave the room, she grabbed me from behind and hugged me.
"Lord Mash, may I be held again?"
"Elisha, you're already mine."
I lightly brushed my lips against hers.
As she had said, the heads of the four noble families were waiting in the antechamber of the church. The dog-eared Marianne Wanland. The human Ishutvan Airarai. The dwarf Katarzina Skynorth. And the elf Augustus Starunion. They sat around a square table. The moment Elisha and I entered, Marianne stood, approaching aggressively—until Augustus raised a hand to stop her. Then he cast a gentle glance at Elisha.
"This is a church. I will act as I please. If you dislike that, you may leave. However, Lord Mash will be protected here.NoSuchInstitution. But you should understand that provocations in the city are unacceptable. If such incidents happen again, you will not be welcome in Migul, Racshell-sama's messenger or no."
Elisha nodded. Then she sat on a chair that had been placed alone, indicating she was separate from the discussion. I was left standing, only marginally better than being shackled, as before. Augustus looked at Ishutvan and Katarzina, and they nodded without expression. Seeing that, he lowered his hand, stopping Marianne.
"Wait. You intend to end this matter with that?"
It was Ishutvan who spoke, who had remained silent since the previous meeting. An elderly man with thinning hair and deep wrinkles, yet his face remained firm, and his back was straight.
"This is to say what?"
"Are you implying you don't understand the situation? The Starunion family has offered their daughter, the Wanland family has offered their head herself, and the Skynorth family has offered their granddaughter."
My brow twitched at his words. Just as Petra had said, Katarzina had intended to offer her granddaughter to me. Aside from her being over fifty, how could she possibly captivate me with that appearance and demeanor? It was impossible. She thought she could appeal to me by being unpretentious and casual, unlike other nobles, but that was too much to ask.
"So… they caused an incident in my domain while under the surveillance of the three families' guards? What were you thinking? And what makes you think you can dismiss this matter without my consent?"
Ishutvan's question was directed not at me, but at the other houses.
"…"
No one answered, and silence fell.
"Lord Ishutvan, are you alright?"
Elisha raised her hand.
"You have no speaking rights here, as you consented to by sitting there."
Augustus reprimanded her.
"Then I shall soliloquize until someone speaks."
She cleared her throat delicately, placing a lightly clenched fist to her mouth.
"The church believes anything that benefits Lord Mash is what Racshell-sama desires. We will cooperate to allow Lord Mash to act as he wishes, regardless of city or border."
"What of the imperial capital's intentions? What about the Demon Kingdom's invasion?"
Ishutvan frowned.
"Magic Kingdom? Demon Kingdom? Gods have no borders. It matters not which house rules which place. But this city is different. It cannot survive without submitting to the empire. And, under its influence, there was a family that continued the position of governor for generations, wasn't there? Such titles mean nothing before the gods."
Elisha stared at Ishutvan, her tone authoritative. I thought, She's dangerous. Compared to her faith, Maira's beliefs were still childish and innocent. And I couldn't see where she was trying to lead this conference.
"That is living in a dream. It is not a single community. We live in a complex balance of power. We must guarantee the city's prosperity and the safety of its citizens."
Ishutvan cast a look of open contempt toward her. Elisha met it head-on, a serene smile gracing her lips.
"The very boundary of the city is creating disputes."
"Foolish. Even if you eliminate that boundary, another concept will inevitably be born. That is how people are."
Their debate seemed destined to continue in parallel forever.
"Wait!" I exclaimed. "I regret my rashness in this matter. I will strive not to cause disputes in the city again. Please forgive me."
I lowered my head. Again, silence fell. I looked up slightly to gauge their reactions and saw that Elisha and Marianne wore uncomfortable expressions. I somewhat understood Elisha's meaning—a divine messenger should not bow their head so casually. Marianne's expression was harder to decipher. Augustus sighed, and I lifted my head.
"Lord Mash, please share your thoughts."
Elisha showed no signs of relenting.
"There's no right answer. It's wrong to be dogmatic or overbearing. But the world of man should have its rules set by those who live in that region. Governance by the gods is too heavy-handed, and there are few who can hear their voice directly."
"Mash, you must not say more."
Ishutvan interrupted me before I could continue, my enthusiasm growing. Marianne looked crestfallen, while Ishutvan momentarily wore a surprised expression.
"Originally, what mission have you received to come to this world? What is the mission of the gods? What do you intend to bring to this city?"
Ishutvan asked the most difficult question.
"Racshell told me to defeat the Demon King. There should be others summoned by the five goddesses of this world who have the same mission. I'm searching for them."
"The same as previous heroes, then? But the Demon King was defeated by the last hero."
"I need to confirm what the Demon King is."
"Confirm? You are different from previous heroes. You can manifest the goddesses and hear them directly to ask."
"Unfortunately, they won't answer those kinds of questions. I have to find out myself."
"Hmm. Is it just the gods' indulgence, then?"
It seemed my answer displeased him.
"And what are you looking for in this city?"
"Ah, I'm searching for a way to lift the curse from my companions, but the church and the elven nation were unable to help."
I glanced at Katarzina. Maira had said that the dwarves were exceptional with magical techniques.
"Unfortunately, it is beyond our capabilities. The field of inscribing magic into people belonged to the one who fought you last night…"
So the House of Leafclout was involved here too. Last night's battle was probably premature. Was it possible to repair the relationship?
"Preferably, I would like to stay in this city. And I'd like to reconcile with them."
"Not just a temporary stay? Are you speaking in earnest?"
At Ishutvan's murmured question, I nodded.
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