Chapter 296 - Eleventh Story: The Canyon Where Evil Spirits Dwell
Before my eyes were two evil spirits. Both were emitting pale blue flames twice the size of the fake evil spirit we faced in the rehearsal the other day.
"Now, Jeanne, put your heart into it."
"Yes."
One extra-large Firefly. I held it above my head and let it drift between my hands.
Everyone spread out their scrolls.
"Harris, keep going until you collapse. I'll pick up your bones for you."
"Understood. I leave the rest to you."
What a terrible thing to say.
I don't understand why Harris-sama is so fired up.
One after another, I fired full-powered [Holy Lance]s toward the Firefly. Fire. Fire. Fire.
During the rehearsal, I was firing five at a time, but this time I fired them in quick succession.
Not to be outdone, I also stepped forward with my right foot and fired light toward the ghost.
At the same time, everyone spread out their scrolls and fired the [Holy] that Harris-sama had imbued. Fire. Fire. Fire. It's the Sertorian Royal Family's treat. There's no restraint.
"Uooooooooo!"
The ill-natured ghost extended his right hand and charged. If he touches my body, I lose.
"Eyaaaaaaaa!"
I put my spirit into it so as not to lose to the pressure. I've already chanted [Calm]. I won't be intimidated by the roar of a mere evil spirit. I'll shower him with light all at once.
With a howling sound, the pale blue flames clinging to the ill-natured ghost were blown backward.
Even so, his expression with wide-open eyes was terrifying, and he approached step by step.
"Not yet!"
Harris-sama continued to fire, fire, fire. The scroll team of three used up all five they each had, yet he still fired. Harris-sama alone must have exceeded twenty shots. All were at full power. He was firing in succession without rest, equivalent to forty normal shots.
Both hands held toward the Firefly were trembling, and my knees were shaking. I felt like I was about to collapse.
"Gununuuuuu!"
The ill-natured lord was dragged backward. The ground beneath his feet was being gouged out. Just like that, he was pushed back about ten steps.
"I shall assist!"
The main target, the Queen's evil spirit, came!
The ill-natured lord spread his arms wide and leaned forward. The Queen began to push his back.
The pressure doubled. The Queen fired her own flames toward the front of the ill-natured lord, as if to block our pressure.
Once again, they advanced step, by step.
"Je-Jeanne, s-sorry. I-I leave the rest..."
Harris-sama fired one shot and collapsed.
Seeing that, the two ghosts smirked.
"See, if the two of us combine our strength, we shall not lose."
"That is right. We shall absolutely not lose to such a flat and unappealing girl!"
"What!"
How rude to call me flat and unappealing! I'm eighth place, you know!
"Ngaaaaaaaaaaa!"
I went down on one knee, and as I became stable, I increased the output. Stars were flying before my eyes, but I didn't care!
"Th-This girl!"
"To try and tear the two of us apart! You demon!"
"Shut up! That's rude to a priest!"
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It's all Eleanor-sama's fault.
In the original plan, Dune and Mel were supposed to tighten up the ill-natured lord and make him apologize to the Queen before I faced the Queen.
Despite that, of all things, I ended up having to face two of them at the same time.
The story goes back to the point when we heard the truth of the ghost story from the villagers.
"What do you think? Aira. The two of them are currently separated."
(Yes. And for a very long time... while being treated as evil spirits to protect their own village. It is the pride of the northern people.)
Aira had completely become an ally of the ill-natured lord.
"Let us somehow bury the two of them in the same place. For that, your cooperation is necessary."
(If there is anything I can do, please tell me anything.)
Henry-sama put his hand in his pocket. He must be preparing a document with the King's signature.
This will become a diplomatic issue.
"Aira's idea earlier to make this canyon passage a symbol of friendship between the two countries is wonderful. If we can achieve coexistence and co-prosperity and work together to exterminate monsters, the Goddess and the War God will surely be pleased."
(It is as you say.)
"Let us speak with Northern Gram, build a shrine at the midpoint of this canyon—the border between the two countries—and move the graves of the two there. The management will be the labor service of this village. Of course, the expenses will be split between the Royal Families of both countries."
Here, Aira tilted her head.
(Will the Northern Gram Royal Family accept it?)
It has nothing to do with the Northern Gram Royal Family. Or rather, it will become public that they have been deceived by the local lord until now. Even if they are doing light smuggling everywhere, the Royal Family cannot officially recognize it. It wouldn't set a good example for other nobles. Other nobles would surely start imitating it, and national law and everything else would be gone.
"Let's involve Eowyn-dono. If we bring up Jeanne's name, he'll surely take the bait."
Um, bringing up my name, and taking the bait...
Gwyn-sama came in a hurry.
"What happened?"
(Brother. Actually...)
After a whispered conversation, Gwyn-sama completely became one of the conspirators. A letter was sent immediately.
Next, Eowyn-sama came in a high-speed bowl, together with Gwyn-sama who went to pick him up.
"Illegal entry is a first for me. As expected of the renowned great mage Eleanor-sama. I am honored to have such a good experience."
The virtuous prince was excited about breaking the law.
Apparently, he hasn't told the King either.
I don't care what happens.
The great mage, who is good at plotting, and the three royals secretly formed a pact.
"In short, it's fine as long as Jeanne challenges the two ghosts and wins. It will surely be a monumental battle."
"It is as Eleanor-sama says. Yes, if it is Jeanne-sama, it is surely possible."
Gwyn-sama was desperately suppressing his laughter.
Eowyn-sama. Please stop with the '-sama.' Eleanor-sama is also exaggerating to try and hook Eowyn-sama, isn't she?
The first talk was about challenging the Queen. Before I knew it, the opponent had doubled!
Eleanor-sama first began negotiations with the ill-natured ghost.
"I heard the whole story from the villagers."
Behind Eleanor-sama, the village head, who is a descendant, and the village priest were kneeling. They had been secretly making offerings and cleaning a room in the ruins to look after him.
"What are you talking about?"
As expected, he was feigning ignorance.
"I am the Crown Prince of the Finis Royal Family, Gwyn. If it becomes public that this village has been conducting secret trade with Northern Gram since the distant past, it will be a bit problematic. Smuggling is a serious crime. It doesn't matter whether you were involved in it or not."
When the ill-natured ghost was alive, it wouldn't have been such a conversation. Finis and Northern Gram were founded after he died.
"However, if you accept our proposal, we are thinking of building a shrine at the border, moving the graves of you two there, and enshrining you as a symbol of friendship between the two countries. Of course, the villagers who built the foundation of friendship will also be rewarded. But if you do not accept, we will have to take appropriate measures."
When Eleanor-sama looked at Gwyn-sama, he was tapping the neck of the village head descendant with a hand-sword.
"To not die in battle but to be punished for breaking the law. War God, please forgive my irreverence toward you."
The village head, who had already been briefed, clasped his hands before him, closed his eyes, and chanted a prayer to the War God.
"Nuu!"
The ill-natured lord groaned. He fell right into Eleanor-sama's trap.
"Ghosts can move locations by possessing objects with a history. How about it? Why don't you meet the Queen once and discuss it just the two of you for a night? We will arrange the transport."
The finishing blow landed perfectly, and the ill-natured ghost accepted the meeting with the Queen.
The Queen's ghost was even easier. Eowyn-sama went to the mound from the south and spoke to her.
Stopping the blue-painting, he went to the mound in the bowl at night, and the village head explained the situation.
She was a person with beautiful, sharp eyes and long black hair reaching her knees, wearing a thin blue robe and a ring for fulfilling love from Finis on her left wrist.
The Queen, her face flushed with anticipation of reuniting with the ill-natured ghost, became just a woman once she released the ill-natured ghost who had possessed an antique ornament.
"I have longed to see you."
"Umu. We have fulfilled our duty of protecting our descendants for a long time, but I never thought we could reunite like this."
They embraced tightly, and after that, it was nothing but tears.
"We will discuss our proposal tomorrow night at the same time. First, please discuss it leisurely between the two of you."
Eleanor-sama said, and then flew back to the village in the bowl.
"Well, that's how it is. First stage successful."
Tears were falling from her sharp profile.
(As expected of Eleanor-sama. I am moved.)
Aira was also crying.
What comes after this is scary, but for now, I suppose it's okay to celebrate the united tragic love. Sniff...
The next night, the full extent of Eleanor-sama's plot became clear.
I want back the beautiful tears everyone shed the night before.
"It's a duel with the two of you."
"A duel?"
The Queen and the ill-natured lord were dumbfounded by the sudden challenge to a duel.
"Did you deceive us?"
"No, if I had lied to deceive you, I would know. Besides, I wouldn't leave the ornament you possessed here."
While saying so, the Queen hugged the ornament at her feet with both hands. Her gaze was sharp.
"I want to raise the rank of Jeanne here. If possible, without half a year of training."
"It is not something that rises so easily. You must be at least strong enough to win against me. And even if you win, it is not guaranteed to rise. From what I see, that person is an intermediate mage. I do not think she can possibly win against me."
"Only one person has challenged you head-on and won. And apparently, that person later defeated the Demon Lord and became a legendary warrior."
"You are well-informed. That person came here saying they wanted to train to challenge the Demon Lord. They were already an ultra-high-level mage when they challenged me."
"Umu. That fellow was truly strong. I was almost subdued myself."
See, the levels are different.
"Do you two know light magic?"
"Light magic... you mean the magic used by the Ancient Priestess to subdue monsters... surely, that young priest is..."
The Queen gasped.
"That's right. Jeanne uses light magic. That is exactly why training is necessary."
The Queen drifted behind a tree with the ill-natured ghost and they had a whispered conversation.
After a while, they came out before everyone.
"Very well. However, if it is a duel, both sides must have conditions. Surely, those conditions are..."
In the end, if the two won, Eleanor-sama's proposal—building a shrine and the graves of the two at the border as approved by the royals of Finis and Northern Gram, making it a symbol of friendship between the two countries—would be carried out. If I won, building the graves of the two at the border was off. The two ghosts would be separated and allowed to meet only once a year for a single day. As for me, if I lost, I would be forced to undergo training by living as a servant under each of them for one year, meaning a two-year servant life. Before I knew it, the number of days had quadrupled. On top of that, she started saying that if I didn't become an advanced mage after that, I would have to become a Church-affiliated priest and train until I became an advanced mage. The odds are beyond bad, but it's all the ghosts' intention. They said they wouldn't do it unless I was treated that way. The renowned evil spirits were love-struck.
I called the two spirits to assist me, but as a result of Eleanor-sama calling the two and negotiating, I was able to get three days off once a month. Neither Dune nor Mel objected. During the time off, Finis and Northern Gram would apparently take turns holding banquets.
"In short, it's fine as long as Jeanne wins."
"That's right. But if you just endure for four years, you can drink as much Finis alcohol as you want once a month."
They're saying whatever they want. Four years of my time must be like the blink of an eye for spirits.
"Jeanne. You have no choice but to win. I feel bad for the two ghosts, but let's win."
Harris-sama. You are my only ally.
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"Uoooooo!"
The output of the two ghosts increased. The light I fired toward them clashed and became a contest of pushing.
From here on, it's a battle of willpower.
I could hear voices cheering me on to do my best, but I could no longer even tell whose voices they were. They were lost in a roaring sound like a ringing in my ears and I couldn't hear them well.
"Jeanne! Remember Catherine!"
The one calling the Headmistress by name without honorifics here must be Eleanor-sama.
But Headmistress? The Headmistress is... magic from her mouth? No, absolutely not. Remember the Headmistress's figure! The Headmistress... whether she was holding her staff or using magic, she always stood calmly... I see, the training I did as a child!
I stared at the two ghosts and took a slow, deep breath. I tried not to think of anything, and just focused on the image of firing magic.
The stars that had been scattering before my eyes vanished. The ringing in my ears also vanished. I could clearly hear the voices cheering me on. I can manage one more push.
"Drat, she is still increasing her output. It cannot be helped. Let's do it!"
"Y-Yes!"
The ghosts glared into my eyes.
It doesn't matter, just fire the magic.
"Go!"
"Yes!"
In an instant, the ill-natured lord was blown backward. He lost to the pressure of the light strengthened by dozens of [Holy]s.
However, I won't be caught by such a feint.
Surely, because the Queen disappeared, the ill-natured ghost, who lost his support, was blown away.
Where will the Queen appear? From behind, or from above?
Believe she is there! I will surely see her!
After turning around, I crouched and illuminated my surroundings... I saw her!
Directly above in front, she was reaching out with her head down. She must not have expected me to crouch.
With her long hair disheveled and a desperate expression, she reached out her hand, but I was a split second faster in showering her with the converged [Light]. Before her fingertips could touch me, she was blown away.
"Match decided!"
The voice of the judge, Eleanor-sama, echoed in the midnight canyon.
I won...
I feel bad for the two of them, but I have things to do. I can't spend all my time just training.
"It's Jeanne's loss!"
Yes, it's my loss... wait, what!
"No, where were you looking! It's clearly my win! Has your vision become blurred with age!"
"How rude! Despite how I look, I am still active! The Queen touched you a split second before you crouched."
"The Queen's fingertips did not touch me!"
I'm glaring at her, but I have the Cat's Stone. There's no way I'd lose easily in a split second of speed!
"Indeed, the fingertips did not touch. You crouched faster."
"Then..."
"Jeanne crouched as she turned around, or more precisely, after she turned around. In that instant, the Queen's hair brushed against Jeanne's head. You probably didn't notice because you were wearing a hood. You should have reversed the order. If you had crouched before turning around, the tips of her hair would not have touched you."
The tips of her hair... That's... if touching means that...
"I may be of an age where you think my vision is blurred, but I remember at least saying 'if the Queen touches you.'"
No way...
"Kyaaaaaaaa! We won!"
"Oh! We won! Now we can finally have a household! No, it has been long!"
The ghosts I blew away came back.
No way... if you say 'touch,' it usually means the hand...
I lost...
My servant life is beginning...
While the ghosts were celebrating, I crouched down next to Harris-sama, who was foaming at the mouth and collapsed.
Suddenly, sleepiness washed over me.
I'm sleepy. I don't care anymore. Anyway, I'll be worked hard starting tomorrow. I'll just sleep.