Chapter 241 - Ninth Story: Ghost Conference
=== CHAPTER 241 ===
After carrying Mary to her sleeping quarters in the temple, I was shown the Purification Orb.
A deep blue vortex swirled inside the blue orb, and Fiona was at the center of that vortex. Whether she was praying or sleeping, she had her arms lightly crossed in front of her chest, her knees slightly bent, and her eyes closed.
"It will take a little more time for her to acclimate to the orb, but we should be able to call her out by the time the sun sets. Once we call her out and she is able to return to the orb of her own accord, we can rest easy. Until then, she will be enshrined in this temple, so please do not worry."
"It's a beautiful color."
"Truly, I have never seen an orb so magnificent."
Which means...
"Um, have you made several of these before now?"
For every one made, a person has died.
"Of course we have. The priests and the Priestesses of this region exist to be contained within these orbs. Once I age a bit more, I too shall become an orb to protect this land. When that time comes, one of the apprentice Priestesses who assisted me this time will succeed me and contain me within the orb."
"That's..."
She looked to be in her forties. Certainly, it wouldn't be strange for her to step down for a successor in another ten years. However, if it's in exchange for her life, that's a different story.
"Why would you do such a thing..."
The Priestess told me, after making me swear never to speak of it to anyone else.
This land is cold and has little flat terrain. There isn't enough food to support many people. Of course, fishing and hunting are flourishing, but without powerful magic, they aren't stable. Everyone is uniformly poor, and for example, there is none of the bustle found in Nakanohara. This is apparently common in northern Finis, where high mountains occupy most of the national territory, especially in the cold and rugged northwest. Because the population is small, there are few powerful mages. They compensate for this with the orbs. Having a unique culture different from other countries was a means of survival.
"The royal capital of Finis is on the east coast, but originally, the royal family was from this side. Even though it has become such a large nation, the reason they do not act forcefully toward us in the northwest is out of consideration for that history."
The reason they reject the capital's intentions by saying the divination results are bad is, in short, because they have no surplus energy.
I can understand that. However, just because I understand doesn't mean it's okay for people to die.
"Doesn't the Kingdom of Finis prohibit human sacrifice?"
"Of course. However, the royal family likely knows. What we are doing. The reason Priest Jeanne was sent to this land this time was likely because the Water Spirit and Fiona were here. They surely thought that a Purification Orb could be made without taking a human life."
I've heard that people who live in harsh nature have a stronger sense of reverence for spirits. Surely, as a symbol that brings various natural blessings, they worship them without forgetting their gratitude.
Wait? Hold on a second. Doesn't that mean people don't have to go out of their way to die?
"Um. Fiona can come out once the sun sets, right?"
"Yes. It's for two hours at most, but you should be able to meet her again. Furthermore, as long as it's once every day and night, her coming out of the orb does not affect its purification ability."
In that case. We should just have Fiona demonstrate her power.
"Priestess. If Fiona is here, she can talk even with ghosts who don't usually show themselves. If it's the ghost of someone who was born in this land, protected this land, and died in this land, wouldn't they surely be willing to enter the orb? Why don't you have Fiona negotiate with them once?"
The Priestess was dumbfounded, but it's worth a try. I'm prepared for failure. Let's just do what we can.
"However, most of those who have become ghosts cannot even speak satisfactorily with their close relatives. Even if they could, I wonder if they would truly agree to enter the orb."
"The reason they can't talk is because they lack experience. Even Fiona took fifty years. Besides, I know of cases where they could converse normally with relatives in about ten years. There are even those who are ghosts as a hobby to protect the land and buildings they love. You and the priests can see ghosts, right? The heroes will surely help too. Fiona can talk with ghosts. It'll be fine. Please rest easy. Why don't we try doing what we can?"
The Priestess's confusion was only natural. They have spent many years doing things this way. She likely knows it's not that simple. Fiona's proposal also went through easily. This is because there are past examples of containing ghosts in orbs. There must have been many failures as well.
Of course, if you want stability, a certain method is better. However, that's from a human perspective. What would it be from a ghost's perspective?
It's better to have many methodologies. Dune agreed with me. It was also a big help that Obaba-sama believed in us and joined in the persuasion.
"You have likely extracted many souls until now. Each time, you must have told yourself that eventually, you too would surely enter an orb to protect this land. But if a new method is found, perhaps human lives will no longer have to be the trade-off in the future. Surely, that will repay the debt of gratitude to the souls who have protected this land until now."
The Priestess broke down in tears at Obaba-sama's words, but after she calmed down, she said, "Let us cooperate."
The search for ghosts began, gathering the priest, the assistant priest, the Priestess, and the apprentice Priestesses, and also involving Bishop Phillips and Harrison-san.
Since we didn't want a commotion if there were frequent ghost sightings, we spoke to James-sama and the others, and had them hold a banquet on the beach with the Lord, who knew the circumstances. Dune, Beatrix, and Mary were sent to that side this time. I asked Flora to act as an interpreter on this side. It seems ghosts can understand each other without words, but that's impossible for the living.
In the end, Fiona is the key. I had everyone draw the locations where they had seen ghosts on a map, and once Fiona safely emerged from the orb, the operation would begin.
Fortunately, there were several ghosts of former Lords inside the fortress. They were all painted blue. Their clothes varied, but that's likely due to the difference in eras. With Fiona's guidance, we first had the former Lords gather in the conference room. All the Priestesses wore two or three silver rings like the one Mary wears. I made it a condition that if they tried to take over a Priestess's consciousness, they would be sent to the afterlife without question, but according to Fiona, there didn't seem to be any dangerous ones like that. In any case, we only had two hours at most. We had to persuade them in that time. We had to use the time effectively.
"Former Lords. Thank you for gathering. First, I would like to express my gratitude. And I believe that you all remain in this fortress out of a desire to protect this land."
The priest acted as the moderator for the ghost conference. The inexperienced assistant priest was desperately forcing a smile while his face twitched as he distributed drinks.
"Umu. Since we are the former Lords of this land, our souls have gathered like this in our desire to protect it."
"That's right. I'm a former Lord. That's right, that's right. That's how it was."
"L-Lord..."
"............"
"@:●▽!◻"
Flora said, "Untranslatable."
This is bad. They have little experience interacting with humans as ghosts. On top of that, these are all first-time meetings. Most of it isn't making sense as a conversation.
I had no choice but to have Fiona talk to them. As for us, we wouldn't be able to participate, but it couldn't be helped.
A period of time passed that felt like a stir had occurred, or perhaps it was just my imagination.
"Um, everyone seems to know about the orbs, being former Lords and all. They are in agreement, but they say that there are no close Priestesses currently living."
Well, that's likely true. They all died decades, centuries, or if even further back, even longer ago. It would be strange if a Priestess from their time were still alive.
However, I have a plan for that.
"Fiona. If they can come to speak normally with the Priestesses here now, they can become close, right? I wonder if there's anyone you'd like to talk to? Not in a strange way, but someone you'd want to talk to about once a week. Not just one person, it could be multiple."
Ghosts want to talk to someone. I learned that through my interactions with King Griffith. In that case, there just needs to be someone to talk to. By taking time to become friends like that, they should be able to become close. That's how it is with Fiona and Mary.
Normally, Priestesses don't go in and out of the fortress. The servants attached to the fortress are afraid of ghosts. In that case, the Priestesses should come to the fortress regularly and talk with the ghosts.
As expected, there was a flood of applicants. It seems popularity concentrated on a certain particularly beautiful apprentice Priestess, but that can't be helped. Eventually, as they talk with various Priestesses, their preferences will likely diversify, or they could draw lots to decide who to talk to. Among them, there were apparently some who specifically asked for a night's conversation with a beautiful young assistant priest, but to each their own.
The point is to have the former Lords possess something and go out of the fortress with the priest to screen the ghosts of this land and gather those who are safe and motivated. The former Lords are, so to speak, the catalyst.
This proposal was accepted by the former Lords. Of course, they will enter the orbs themselves, but it's best to have them do the scouting. After all, because the population is small, there are no high-ranking priests like Phillips-sama or Harrison-san. If the priests were to handle it alone and a stray ghost went on a rampage, it would be a problem. Ghosts might be able to manage other ghosts. They are former Lords. They should at least be able to suppress the dangerous ones.
We managed to wrap up the discussion within two hours, and Fiona returned to the orb for the time being. When the Priestess explained the situation to the ghosts, they were either impressed or relieved, and everyone decided to cooperate actively.
After that, it was time for conversation with the Priestesses and priests. With the cooperation of Bishop Phillips and Harrison-san, we decided to have them talk thoroughly until dawn to gain experience. By gradually getting used to it like this, they will become friends and the conversation will flow.
For some reason, one ghost came to my side. He was the most composed person, and according to the priest, he's a famous ghost of the fortress who is avoided because he does nothing but lecture the successive Lords.
"You. You said your name was Jeanne."
"Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you."
I gave a first-meeting greeting.
"I heard about this matter from the priest. I was told you were the one who mediated it."
"It just happened to occur to me. I only conveyed that to everyone."
"Is that so? Well, fine. However, for you, this matter might not result in a single cent of profit."
"Since I am a priest, I only fulfilled my original duty. Besides, I usually work as a monster hunter and calculate money daily."
"Is that so? How interesting. However, it is a strange thing. Talking with you, it feels as if I might forget the passage of time."
After that, he started getting angry, forgetting the time, about complaints regarding the current Lord, complaints regarding the King of Finis, and even that recent ghosts don't know manners. He seemed to have a lot of pent-up frustration, and he would occasionally glow.
"For example! There is one ghost haunting a house visible from this fortress recently, and that fellow is outrageous!"
That ghost apparently died in an accident, but he's a nasty fellow who enjoys appearing in the dreams of people he disliked while alive to scare them.
"If I weren't bound to this fortress, I would go to that place and scold him, teaching him what it means to be a ghost!"
He was making snapping and cracking sounds and glowing excessively, so everyone was startled, ruining the hard-won conversation time.
I can't say I don't understand his feelings.
However.
I think it's precisely those kinds of people we should utilize.
"Wouldn't they actually be a valuable presence? That person will remain a ghost until the other party dies. How about having them appear in dreams only about once every two or three months, and enter an orb the rest of the time?"
He actually went, "Humu," and thought about it.
"I see. It's all in how you think about it."
"Yes. As long as it's just scaring them, there shouldn't be a problem."
An orb is, so to speak, like a scroll that can be used any number of times and for a long period. Generally, they apparently finish their duty and are released after a year, but if a ghost can perform multiple short-term duties by their own wish, there's no problem. Of course, ghosts who are purely worried about this land are better, but we can't be that picky. If they gain some kind of sense of accomplishment, they might be able to pass on peacefully. The former Lords also had requests for the magic to be used since they would be contained, and their preferences varied, but for everyone's sake, they were made to compromise to some extent.
The conversation time continued until late at night. Several inexperienced assistants and apprentice Priestesses were unable to endure it and were foaming at the mouth, but human lives are at stake. They'll just have to be trained from now on.
Priestesses have the issue of sensitivity. We decided to ensure the safety of the living by first having the former Lords and the priest assess them, then having conversation sessions with the assistants, and then gradually including the apprentice Priestesses.
In this way, various things were considered, including the former Lords.
We will likely come once before the end of the year to pick up Fiona. We'll see how things are then.
Dawn broke, and the ghosts vanished for the time being. Among the living left behind, there weren't many who maintained proper consciousness, but it seems there's no problem as they're just unconscious. Deciding to let them sleep, I joined up with Beatrix and Mary.
"How was it? Did it go well?"
Beatrix asked immediately.
"Yeah. As expected of the former Lords. It seems everyone will cooperate. How about on your end?"
"This. This."
"Wow! Isn't it pretty!"
What the two of them showed me were small, polished, beautiful stones and such with holes drilled in them, threaded through a string and made into a loop to be worn on the wrist or ankle.
"This is a charm for safe childbirth, this one is for good health, and this one is for romantic fulfillment. It seems you'll meet someone wonderful."
The two of them were wearing the romantic fulfillment charms on their right arms.
"They're cheap because they use pretty stones and shells instead of actual gemstones. There's a set way to arrange them, and you have to follow it. It's like a local spell from around here."
There are apparently various others, like prevention of maritime accidents, prayer for victory in battle, and increasing financial luck. Regardless of the effect, they're spells you wear like accessories. These look like they'll sell. Since the base cost is low, even people who aren't rich will be able to buy them. Once it gets on track, we can ask the Lord to encourage it.
"After that, there's smoked fish. And, of course, the local alcohol. But the alcohol is expensive, so it'll be handled by Evans-sama."
"Does it look promising?"
"Yeah. Both the Lord and Evans-sama said it's fine. Although, the Lord seemed to doubt whether they would actually sell."
The two of them with good taste judged that they would sell. It'll surely be fine.
"And you know. We have to fill the hole left by Fiona."
Now that you mention it, that's true. We've left the shopkeeping on weekdays almost entirely to her.
"It'll be temporary, so it'll cost labor, but I was thinking of asking the mother from the bento service. She doesn't open very early in the morning, so she can make it after she finishes making the bentos. She uses our bread oven normally anyway."
"Isn't that fine? Matilda is the manager, so why don't you check with her?"
"Got it. Also, there's one thing I have to tell you and the other companions."
Beatrix somehow took on a serious atmosphere. On the other hand, Mary was smiling. Did something happen?
"What? Did something happen?"
"About the third shop of the Class of 175. We're going to open it in the Royal Capital once we return to Sertoria, and I'm thinking of having Mary move to the Royal Capital and manage it. Look, we're starting trade with Finis, so we can't just leave it to someone else. There's also the matter of Fiona. Mary was introduced at the royal palace of Finis, too. We're not good with ships, but Mary is fine with them."
"It's okay. I have an apprentice, so I'll return to Nakanohara once every two or three months. I'll also come to Finis once a month to see Fiona. Ah, Jeanne. Don't cry. We can meet anytime."
Mary hugged me as if in a panic.
Originally, Mary had longed to live in the Royal Capital. Despite having the ability to succeed her mother, the reason she wasn't made to succeed her was because her mother knew Mary's feelings. If you become a Priestess, you have to live near the temple. Mary's mother wished for her daughter to see the wide world. That's why she entrusted her to the Headmistress.
I was prepared for it to some extent. In Mary's case, I should be happy, but it's still lonely when a companion departs like this.