Chapter 236 - Chapter 4 Aira
And so, it was decided that we would go to the lake on the third day after our arrival.
Today, the second day, the dignitaries will have a meeting in the morning, and the heroes will apparently perform a martial demonstration in the afternoon.
We have half a day free.
Since we were here, the King of Finis told us to go to the church, so we went to the Grand Cathedral of the Finis Royal Capital. Harris-sama, Phillips-sama, and Harrison-san were with us.
Roberts-sama and Gladys-sama also joined, saying it sounded interesting.
The church in the Finis Royal Capital was a large one built by stacking white stones, standing on the same plateau as the palace, and from the stone stairs on the cliff next to the main entrance, one could see the port at a glance.
A priest guided us. The Chief Priest had apparently been at the palace since morning. Surely, right now, he is discussing politics with James-sama and Evans-sama, along with the King of Finis, Crown Prince Gwyn-sama, and the nobles.
At the breakfast table, Evans-sama and James-sama told us they would handle the trade somehow, so we should look for things that would sell.
We offered a prayer to the Goddess statue at the front of the sanctuary.
The background was colored glass, and the image of the Goddess handing a sword to the kneeling God of War shone against the background of the rising morning sun.
After finishing the prayer, we were guided to the right. A stone statue of the God of War stood there.
"As you all know, the God of War is the eldest son of the Goddess. It is a tradition for the King of this country to pray for victory to the Goddess statue and this statue of the God of War before departing for battle. This time, I heard you are going to calm the Water Dragon. Therefore, I do not think a prayer to the God of War is necessary. However, since you have come all this way, please let me pray that your journey will be safe under the protection of the God of War."
He said that and prayed for the safety of our journey as we knelt before the stone statue.
"By the way, there is someone I would like to introduce to you."
Pointed out by his right hand was a woman dressed in white, accompanied by a young priest.
She was painted blue. She looked to be about twenty years old. A little older than us.
She had long hair with several blue strings twisted into it, hanging over her shoulders. Her eyes were downcast, but she had long eyelashes and almond-shaped eyes.
"This person will guide you to the lake."
Her name is Aira.
She is apparently a priestess who also communicates with the temple on the shore of the lake where the Water Dragon lives.
When the priest pointed to us, she silently bowed her head.
"Since she has been deaf from birth, there may be times when it is inconvenient, but she is accustomed to travel and will surely be of help to you."
In that case, I used [Thought Communication]. For some reason, the first King's series of magic had variations even after becoming intermediate, with some spells powering up and others not. Two types powered up: the light of [Light] became powerful without amplification, and [Thought Communication] became capable of communication even without touching the other person. The range is about two steps around the caster. Unfortunately, the fact that the target is limited to humans remains unchanged. However, the difference in language doesn't matter. In a way, it's more convenient than an interpreter.
"Nice to meet you, Aira. I'm Jeanne."
"I'm Beatrix. Nice to meet you!"
"I'm Mary. That hair ornament is lovely. Teach me how to put it on later."
The others introduced themselves in order. Everyone had been used as practice partners during the journey. Among them, Harris-sama had experience reading chronicles aloud, so it was easier to get the hang of it here as well. The convenient thing about this magic is that what I say aloud is transmitted to the other person. It's easier that way for conveying things.
Aira's eyes widened.
She looked at us, tilting her head and touching her ear.
"I'm sorry, Aira. This is a conversation inside the head using magic. It doesn't mean your ears are cured, but we can talk. Just think in your head what you want to convey to the other person."
(Magic?)
"Yes, that's it."
(I... can talk?)
"It's a spell called [Thought Communication]. It's fine as long as you stay within about two large steps of me. Once cast, we can talk for two hours."
(I can talk too?)
Aira tilted her head, and just as she was about to smile, a single tear flowed from her eye.
I gently hugged her.
"Priestess Jeanne. This is... indeed... how should I say... you are..."
I don't know what he was saying, but the priest also seemed happy.
The people around us started introducing themselves selfishly, with a lot of noise. It was like being talked to by many people at the same time. I had no idea who wanted to say what.
"Don't all talk at once! It's noisy!"
When Beatrix glared at them, everyone fell silent at once.
With Aira, who was wiping away tears with her fingertips, the two of us looked at each other and laughed.
Aira said, "Come here," so we went to a certain facility surrounded by stone walls near the church.
It was apparently a facility run by the church. In the room we were guided to, there were about five women. Everyone was intently weaving.
The space was large enough for more than ten people to work, and bright sunlight peeked through the window. Things were properly organized, and there wasn't a speck of dust. It must be cleaned properly. In the corner of the room was a large table, and it seemed everyone could take a break if they sat on the pews.
(The people here are all deaf like me. In Finis, we gather people who are blind or deaf and have them support themselves through weaving, crafts, and pottery.)
It's a wonderful facility. In Sertoria, families take care of them. In Finis, the state supports them and has the church run it. It's the same as an orphanage, but everyone is an adult and independent.
"Roberts. Let's tell the East Plains... no, Chancellor Evans, and introduce this in Sertoria as well."
"You're right. Should we tell James and Harrison too?"
At Gladys-sama's words, Roberts-sama also agreed. Both of them, as well as the King and Queen, are kind, so they will likely go along with the idea. It would be good if such facilities increased in Sertoria and Medioland as well.
Finished checkered fabrics were hanging on the wall. Beatrix and Mary immediately picked them up and let out sighs.
"It's so beautiful. It's not inferior even compared to what I saw at the palace."
Suddenly, a woman who was very close to me stopped weaving and looked back. Beatrix's words had reached her.
"It's lovely. If we could import this, it would surely sell for a high price. Hey, Gladys-sama. What do you think?"
"I think it's a wonderful piece of work. It will surely sell for a good price."
Mary and Gladys-sama also went along with it.
(U-Um, um, thank you very much. I-I wove this.)
She tilted her head and touched her temple.
"I am Gladys of Sertoria. Nice to meet you. You are truly a skilled artisan."
When she held out her right hand, the woman hurriedly stood up and gave a first-meeting greeting.
Her confusion seemed great, but the other person was royalty and a hero. She was about to step back.
"It's fine. Let's talk for a bit."
(U-Um, um, my ears are...)
She held her ears, and while looking at Gladys-sama's face, she sank to both knees as if collapsing.
The impact was a bit too strong. Overdoing it is not good. I explained the secret, had everyone gather, brought some mats, and had Aira and all the artisans sit down to talk.
Since the space was small, I'm sorry, but I asked the men to refrain.
Everyone was confused. Some started crying. The priest brought some wine and had everyone drink it. We were going to talk, after all. I waited for everyone to calm down.
I had them start with self-introductions in order. At first, the confusion must have been greater. It didn't become words, but as we talked about not only names but also ages, the houses they lived in, and what they did on their days off, everyone gradually got used to it. When I said there were ghosts and spirits, everyone was surprised.
After all, there is a pushy mage. As she poked and asked various things, it seemed there were discoveries among those working in the same place, and the conversation became lively.
To my surprise, they came not only from the Finis Royal Capital but also from various surrounding villages. Aira apparently visits various places with a priest, consults with families, and brings them if an agreement is reached. Everyone calls Aira 'Aira-sama.'
"Then, haven't you been home for a long time?"
(No. Not only on regular days off, but once a year, in accordance with the village festival, I get about two weeks off. Fortunately, I receive a good salary, so when I bring back things I bought in the capital as souvenirs, everyone is happy.)
(That's because you're skilled.)
When Aira spoke, after she smiled bashfully, she hurriedly sent the thought, "Thank you very much."
"Hey. Is there anyone who can draw magic circles?"
When Beatrix asked after we had talked for a while, it seemed Aira could draw them.
"We'll draw a large, stationary magic circle that can activate and stop effects, and then we'll release Jeanne's magic scrolls toward the magic circle. That's how we'll complete the magic circle. If we do that, as long as you're on top of it and someone just speaks, we can talk like this. Sometimes you need time to talk for a change of pace, right? This is a workplace, so you'll concentrate on work, but let's see, we'll decide on a place to eat lunch and set it up there. That way, you can use it twenty times with one scroll."
At this proposal, everyone hugged each other and rejoiced. It must be because they thought it was a one-time thing.
(But how much is one of those scrolls?)
At Aira's words, everyone fell silent in unison. It seems that holy magic-related items being expensive is the same in Finis. In Sertoria, one intermediate holy magic scroll costs one gold coin. Shipping costs are added to that. Since it's far, it'll be about three times as much. Normally speaking, it's not something that can be used on a daily basis.
However, because it's a rare magic, it's actually cheap. Since the first King's series is currently my exclusive, I can set the price freely. After all, no church priest can use it.
Actually, I consulted with Adolf-san and the Archbishop of Nakanohara, and we prototyped scrolls and magic circles for deaf people at the Marcelo Company. Beatrix's proposal has already been tested.
"If it's the budget scrolls handled by the Marcelo Company, it's one silver coin for two. It's not clear yet, but if things go well, the goods we handle will be tax-free and the shipping will be free. Assuming one scroll can activate the magic circle twenty times, if you buy twenty scrolls for ten silver coins, you'll have change left over for a year's worth even at once a day."
If packed in a barrel, one barrel will be enough. Including shipping, it's thirty silver coins for a year even at three times a day. If we felt like it, we could make it even cheaper, but since it's a commercial product, the price is a bit high. In exchange, we didn't skimp on materials. We reduced labor costs. We made it half the price of beginner attribute magic.
"Is that story true?"
Suddenly, a voice broke in. She had apparently been standing behind us before we knew it.
The artisans all knelt on one knee and bowed their heads low.
When I looked back, the Queen of Finis was there. She wasn't painted blue today.
It seems the priest who saw the exchange with Aira had sent a messenger. When our eyes met, she lightly bowed her head.
(Mother. Jeanne is a priestess. It wouldn't be a lie.)
Mother?
"Oh! Aira! So I can have a conversation with you."
(Yes, Mother. I am sorry for everything until now.)
Both shed tears and hugged each other tightly.
One was apologizing for giving birth to a deaf child, and the other was apologizing for being born that way.
I don't think it's like that.
It just happened to be that way, and no one is to blame.
"Priestess Jeanne. I thank you for your consideration."
Oh no, oh no. It seems what I thought was leaking out completely.
The Queen and the Princess were having a conversation in their heads while in tears. It's not something others should listen to much, so we decided to step away and wait.
Finally, their conversation ended, and Aira placed a hand on my shoulder.
(Priestess Jeanne. I'm sorry for keeping it a secret. I am the Princess of Finis. Because I am deaf like this, I do not appear in official venues as royalty.)
So that's why she was able to set up such a facility. Being able to visit various places and bring back young girls who are deaf must be possible because of her status as a Princess. Otherwise, she would surely be mistaken for a slave trader.
"Priestess Jeanne. I am sorry for barging in so suddenly. I was so surprised. However, do you all not think about profit?"
"I am a priestess, and the chairman of the Marcelo Company mentioned earlier is also a former priest, although he returned to secular life for a reason. I feel that making money from such things would be an act of betraying the Goddess who granted me this magic. Besides, we are no match for the two of you who have created such a facility and are making arrangements so that everyone can live."
"That is humble. However, do you think you can trade with our country even though you are a priestess? In the first place, what kind of goods do you intend to handle?"
I looked at Beatrix and Mary. I called them over and explained the situation.
"I guess we have no choice," the two of them said, exchanging smirks.
"Your Majesty. That string twisted into your hair? Even that alone would sell. The checkered fabric is also stylish."
"That's right, Your Majesty. The smoked cod? was also delicious. And that snack that melts in your mouth. If we could handle them at the Class of 175 Shop, I'm sure they would sell."
"For now, what we handle are marble-dyed goods, accessories, and Regnentes cow cheese and smoked meat, but even if we add scrolls to that, it'll be well worth it. Even if large transactions that make a lot of profit are handled between countries, I think we can do things modestly on our own."
"If it's okay, I wonder if there could be various types of colors for those strings..."
They were piling it on as if this were the moment. The Queen also seemed taken aback.
Aira was laughing as if it were amusing.
"Hey, Aira. Since we've met here, why don't we do a business tie-up? Not just artistic pieces like the ones hanging over there, but let's exchange things more common through equivalent exchange. We're planning to open a shop in the Sertoria capital. It was going to be a magic tool shop and an herb shop, but there are various things we want to sell now. Aira, if you're a Princess, can't you open a shop here?"
Aira jumped at Beatrix.
We called the other artisans too, and everyone told each other the prices of their goods and discussed what ratio of exchange would make it equivalent.
The conversation developed into Aira opening a shop in the port town where we first landed and exchanging goods there. If we connect the Royal Capital and Aira's shop with a teleportation circle, the transportation cost between the port and the Royal Capital will also be zero. According to James-sama's story, the ship fare is also zero. There's no transit tax, and cheap things can be sold as cheap things. As for sales, it'll be fine if we choose things that can be sold in large numbers. The story kept expanding.
"I now well understand the reason why His Majesty the King invited you all."
The Queen spoke up again.
"The beginning was a letter from Crown Prince James of Medioland."
James-sama's letter must have been the one mentioning that I received the Black Stone from King Griffith. Just as Eleanor-sama knew, James-sama and the King of Finis likely also knew about the five magics that had been lost since the first King of Sertoria. As for [Thought Communication], a report should have gone up to the Medioland Royal Capital Grand Cathedral. In other words, it has been conveyed from the King to James-sama.
"I had heard that lost magic had been resurrected, but I never thought such a thing would happen; it can only be called a miracle. Priestess Jeanne. And your companions, could you continue to interact with my daughter forever?"
"It was originally granted by the Goddess. If it's okay with you all, we would also like to ask for your kind acquaintance."
With this, it became officially recognized by Her Majesty the Queen. It's not quite a trade, but once Beatrix opens a shop in the Royal Capital, she'll be able to handle goods from Finis.
"Hey, Your Majesty. We've been told by the King to calm the Water Dragon, but do you know anything? If things go well, we can get free passage and free commercial rights at the checkpoints, so we can participate in Finis trade in earnest."
"You should ask the Priestess about the Water Dragon. There is a Temple of Oracle on the shore of the lake where the dragon lives, and Priestesses serve there. They worship the Water Dragon as the guardian deity of the lake, so they likely know something."
It's the first time I've heard that the Temple of Oracle and the Water Dragon are related. As far as I know, there is no relationship between the Priestess and the Water Dragon. When I asked Mary, she said she had never heard of it.
"You. Is your name Mary? Do you inherit the blood of the Priestess?"
"Yes. My mother was a Priestess."
"She was a Priestess with a reputation for being excellent."
At Beatrix's words, the Queen thought for a moment.
"I do not know in detail, but your mother's blood might tell you something."
"Hmm," Mary thought to herself.
It seems it's going to be a difficult story.