Chapter 109 - Chapter 12: What the First King Left Behind
Henry-sama conveyed the message to the King, and they all came rushing to where we were, interrupting their meeting with the dignitaries.
I feel somewhat apologetic.
"Hmm. Is that person truly the Water Spirit?"
General Victor, who had said something perfectly natural for a dignitary, was suddenly crushed by a mass of water that flew from the pond. Seeing this, everyone seemed to accept her as the real thing.
"So 'Fuwafuwa' can be used like that too."
"This is how it was originally meant to be used. Your way of using it is what's strange."
Lyudmila was jumping around on top of the Fuwafuwa, completely ignoring Sir Victor, who had crawled out after being given some space and saying, "I surrender."
"Let's see, let us try it as well."
Immediately, the former King and Queen started jumping.
They seemed to like it, as they held hands with Lyudmila and kept jumping indefinitely.
"Father, Mother, is that enough?"
The King, unable to watch any longer, finally spoke up.
"You have it rough, don't you?"
"Haa..."
He probably never expected to be pitied by a spirit.
The items left by the First King were kept in the King's room in the old wing.
We were made to wait in a separate room while the King went to get them, and only Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama were allowed in the same room.
The dignitaries who had tagged along were waiting in the adjacent room.
"It might be incredible treasure, what should we do?"
Beatrix said with a smirk.
"It's just a reward for a message. I don't think it'll be something that valuable. It's probably just a memento."
"Well, yeah. But it's something from over a hundred years ago, right? That alone makes it valuable."
"I'd be happy with something I can casually display in my room."
If I receive something expensive, it'll be a problem if it gets stolen. On the other hand, I can't exactly sell it either.
"If it's something difficult to handle, we wouldn't mind looking after it or buying it from you."
Henry-sama showed us consideration.
"Thank you very much. Depending on the situation, I may take you up on that."
"There is no need for reserve. To us, anything belonging to the First King is a relic of the founder and the Royal Family. Besides, the First King's long-cherished wish has been fulfilled. We must reward you for that."
"Oh, no, a reward..."
I can't accept a reward from the previous generation on top of receiving one from the First King. I understood the feelings of the First King that Dune was concerned about, and being able to share a feast together is more than enough.
While we were talking, the King entered the room.
He was holding a box about the size of a person's embrace.
"It should be inside this box. However, it is sealed with magic and the box will not open."
I was handed a single letter.
"It seems the instructions on how to open it are written in this letter. Priest Jeanne, what do you think?"
I broke the wax seal of the letter I was given and opened it. It said to hold it up to the light.
I see. It's designed so that someone who can't use Light cannot open it.
Saying "I'll try," I chanted Light and directed the glow toward it, and it opened easily.
Inside were two bundles and two sheets of parchment.
"Priest Jeanne. That light just now...?"
The King looked surprised.
"Heh heh heh. You didn't know, did you?"
For some reason, the former King looked pleased.
"Mother. Do you know something?"
"It is the holy magic of light that the First King used. Seeing Jeanne use it was my first experience with it as well."
"Which means, Bishop Catherine and Priest Jennifer..."
"Yes, neither of them could use it."
"How about that? Isn't it amazing?"
For some reason, the former King was bragging.
He's a mysterious person.
The first parchment stated that the large bundle should be given to the Water Spirit... that is, to Dune.
When the larger bundle was opened, a blue dress appeared. The design was a bit old-fashioned, but it was perfectly wearable.
"Ufufu. He's quite dutiful, isn't he?"
She smiled, holding the clothes in her hands.
"Did something happen?"
"I told you that when we last met, he said he was going to war, right?"
Now that she mentioned it, I did hear that.
"After that, you see, we agreed that if we could meet again alive, he would show me around outside the lake. He said he would have a new outfit made for me to wear then. A lot of time has passed, hasn't it?"
So that's why she told me to show her the outside world.
However, Sir First King. Choosing blue shows he really understood Dune's tastes.
It seemed I was to receive the second bundle.
When I opened it, a green stone with a hole in it appeared. According to Eleanor-sama, it's an amulet passed down from ancient times that protects the wearer from curses and magic—for example, sleep magic. It's meant to be worn around the neck or wrist by passing a string through the hole.
I decided to accept it gratefully.
Dune asked to see it, so when I handed it over, she said, "This is an Amulet of the Wood Spirit."
"Can it call forth a wood spirit or something?"
"Unfortunately, that's impossible. Only those like us have that much power. But if you go to a forest, you might meet a wood spirit."
By wood spirit, does she mean a Dryad?
I recall hearing stories about them seducing beautiful youths and dragging them into trees...
"What do you humans think spirits are? Come to think of it, when you first met me, you were saying something about needing a handsome human sacrifice, weren't you?"
"I'm sorry. There are many such stories in fairy tales."
I got scolded.
"Humans fear that their husbands or sons will be abducted by beautiful female spirits, or their wives or daughters by handsome male spirits. After all, your forms are beautiful. They spread such fabrications to prevent their families from losing their hearts. It seems the First King's Okugata-sama took such stories at face value."
Eleanor-sama came to my rescue. As expected of a mage called a hero. She is very knowledgeable.
"I'm appalled. Spirits cannot consort with humans."
"Yes. I am aware of that. However, there are those who create stories for amusement."
"Then shouldn't you just crack down on those?"
"The thing is, everyone enjoys those stories."
"Then what? Would it be... better if a spirit fell in love with a human?"
Wait? What's wrong?
"However, being treated like a lecher is a problem. At least... let's see. Make it a momentary interaction with a beautiful spirit. One where they can never be together."
"That is a wonderful idea. I shall speak to the royal playwright immediately. Let's see, we'll dramatize it heavily... a tragic love would be good. A story of a handsome prince and a beautiful spirit, a sad spirit who could never meet him again because of the prince who betrayed her, mired in worldly greed. Something that women of later generations will speak of with tears... it's even better if the prince dies and the spirit survives."
I feel like I've heard this somewhere before...
"Um, is it a rule that the human is a man and the spirit is a woman?"
"Yes, because in every age, women shed tears because of men drowned in greed."
"That's good. But don't make it too realistic, like the remaining spirit reading a letter filled with complaints about the jealous human wife."
The two of them were laughing loudly.
The former and current Kings looked uncomfortable.
The First King might be sneezing at the Goddess's side.
The second parchment recorded that the Hand-holding Song was created by the First King.
It seems he left the method to meet Dune in the Hand-holding Song.
What I had heard from Dune—that holding hands and singing the song could break through the first stage of the barrier—was recorded here.
"So, Priest Jeanne and her companions found the way to meet the Water Spirit... Dune, from the Hand-holding Song."
Surprisingly, the current King was the first to bite.
"I just happened to think of it..."
"Hmm. Is there anything else you've understood from the Hand-holding Song?"
"Uh, I think Paul-san would know more."
I'll leave this to the knowledgeable Paul-san.
"Your Majesty. Are you aware of the rumor that the method to reach the Primal Ruins is hidden in the Hand-holding Song?"
We changed rooms and had Paul-san explain.
"Yes, I have heard of it."
"Then, what about the fact that there are four Primal Ruins in total?"
"Yes. I know. However, since they are called 'Primal,' there should originally be only one."
"Indeed. However, the guardian of the Primal Ruins we reached was Dune, the Water Spirit. If so, wouldn't the remaining three be the Fire, Wind, and Earth of the Four Great Spirits?"
"In other words, the Primal Ruins are the places where the Goddess sent the Four Great Spirits?"
"I do not know that. However, if the First King thought so, I can understand his reason for creating such a song."
He's unusually serious. He's speaking calmly without any gestures.
"I have confirmed with the two former Majesties that this Royal Palace is surrounded by things related to the Four Great Spirits."
Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama nodded. They had actually flown around together.
"And, as the Marcelo Company considers it, if we apply that arrangement to actual geography, if Nakanohara Lake is the Northern Water Gate, then to the east are the mountains of Medioland, to the west is the mining region of Regnentes, and to the south is the hot spring area in Engrio where warm water gushes from the earth's flames. And in the center of those four locations lies the Ruined Town."
At this point, the three members of the royalty fell silent. The matter must be too large. After all, everywhere except Nakanohara Lake is a foreign country.
"Father, Mother, from here on, may I proceed with the discussion with Paul and the others next door... including Roberts?"
The "others next door" must be the dignitaries. Finally, it has become a national topic. Fortunately, it seems we don't have to go, but something might be said to us later.
"I don't mind."
"We shall keep Dune company."
"I am very sorry."
With that, the current King left, taking Paul-san with him.
While the former Majesties were telling Dune stories about the First King, the current King and Paul-san returned along with Roberts-sama and Gladys-sama.
"Priest Jeanne. The Marcelo Company will be going to Medioland with Roberts, correct?"
We are supposed to deal with the rats at the fortress.
And it's the debut of the Paul-style Flight Magic. We should be able to go to the castle once we finish the rat extermination.
"I would also like to ask this of you. I want you to go to Medioland with Roberts."
What does this mean? It was supposed to be a light invitation from Roberts-sama at first.
"We're going mountain climbing. You were talking with Marcelo too, weren't you? We're going to climb the mountain where the Wind Spirit might be."
Paul-san looked lively. It seems it has become a formal request.
"Wait a minute."
"What is it?"
"Am I going in order to take Dune to Medioland and mountain climbing?"
If that's the case, I can't give an easy answer. I need Dune's permission.
"Priest. That is a misunderstanding. I am not thinking of anything so audacious as to manipulate the Water Spirit for our convenience."
"Then, what does this mean?"
The current King looked at Paul-san.
"We were planning to go on our own anyway, weren't we? Regardless, I have to go to Medioland with Roberts-sama to show them the Flight Magic. You guys have to do the rat extermination. While we're at it, we'll do the mountain climbing and report the results to Roberts-sama. What we're doing hasn't changed at all. The only difference is that the schedule has moved up a bit and there's a reward."
"A reward!"
Another troublesome person raised her voice.
"How much do we get?"
"Five gold coins. This is the reward for the mountain climbing alone. For the rat extermination and Flight Magic, please ask the King of Medioland. The Royal Family will cover all necessary expenses."
The current King answered Beatrix, who had bitten at the offer.
When I looked at Dune, she asked, "Where is Medioland?"
The current King brought a map and showed it to her.
"This is the castle of Medioland, and this is the mountain we would like Priest Jeanne to climb."
"The castle is fine. But the mountain is a no-go."
"Is it a wind barrier?"
"Yes. As you say, if the Wind Spirit is here, I can't call it out. But if you show the ring, there might be some reaction from the wind."
"Is it okay to show it?"
"It's no problem. I don't feel anything even if I see something made by the wind. However, if it realizes you are a human protected by the wind, it won't be needlessly wary. After all, you're a human chosen by a spirit."
Does that mean I can become friends with the Wind Spirit? But wait, isn't there any territorial dispute between the Four Great Spirits?
"There's no such thing. Because we live in different places. But even if the wind chooses Jeanne for something, my relationship with Jeanne won't change."
"Thank you."
I reflexively hugged her, and she stroked my head.
"Then, it is decided. I shall send a formal letter to Medioland, so Roberts, you speak to them as well. I shall also send a formal letter to Adolf-dono. Chancellor, could you send a letter to the head of the Marcelo Company?"
He proceeded with the discussion briskly. As expected of someone who was entrusted with government affairs while the previous generation was playing around.
"Can we go together too?"
"First, do your best with the rat extermination. It depends on the results. That was the deal from the start, wasn't it?"
Roberts-sama answered when Beatrix asked.
It means we can all go together if things go well.
Lyudmila and Mary also nodded with serious faces.
"Then, it's settled. Let's do our best to reach the highest point of Flight Magic."
Just as Paul-san was about to wrap it up...
"May we go along as well?"
Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama were looking at the current King.
"If I told you not to go, would you stop?"
"That would be difficult. I've already completely set my mind on going."
"Indeed. We'd like to go on a long trip once in a while."
They are outrageous people. If they were stopped, they would surely sneak out. They have already mastered Flight Magic. After all, they are two heroes. No one will be able to stop them.
"Are you not going on long trips once every three months? Besides, if Father and Mother go to Medioland, it will take quite a bit of effort for the other party..."
"No need to worry. We are going mountain climbing. We won't go to the castle."
"Roberts. We will be imposing on you in Higashinohara for a while. When Jeanne starts the mountain climbing, we will join in secret, so please keep quiet about it."
Keep quiet or not, Gladys-sama is right in front of them. It must be difficult for her position. She was flustered, looking back and forth between Roberts-sama and the current King.
"Then, Brother. Shall I bow my head to Medioland and tell them that two delinquent old people are planning to climb the mountain in secret, so please just leave them be?"
The two delinquent old people were overjoyed.
"Would you do that? We won't cause any trouble."
"A person to be cherished is a filial son. I'm glad I gave birth to you."
She was staring at the current King. Eleanor-sama's words were half a threat. There's no telling what she would say if he opposed.
His Majesty also gave up and reluctantly agreed.
"From the First King to the previous generation, you really have it rough."
"It is the height of honor to be understood by the Great Water Spirit..."
The current King, comforted by Dune, shook his head from side to side and let out a sigh.
That night, as expected, it turned into a boisterous party. The current King was about the only one sitting quietly. Even the Queen and Gladys-sama were joining Lyudmila and Mary, jumping around on the Fuwafuwa and making a fuss.
While listening to Chancellor Evans providing impromptu narration for a skit started by Paul-san and Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama and Beatrix were rolling around laughing.
Roberts-sama was challenging Dune to avenge Victor-sama, who was already passed out drunk and snoring, and he was becoming completely wasted.
"Thank you for your hard work. Is it always like this?"
I brought a cup of wine to Sir Hughes, who was the only one sitting in a chair in front of the door without losing his posture.
"Tonight is special," he said, taking a sip.
And then, "It is quite a handful," he added, taking another sip and smiling.