Chapter 480 - Second Episode: Blessing for Glory
Gnome, carried on a bandit's back, finally arrived, and everyone was finally gathered.
Flora was in front of the hut where Glory's pot was, and beside her sat the triplets, myself, and Lyudmila, who had given blood with me while she was pregnant. Several Alraunes and Goblins were around. Beastmen were also mixed in there. Behind Flora were Serena and Renata. On Serena's lap was Little Serena. To her left were Alex, Dune, and Mel. To her right were the Elf Prince, Salamander, and Gnome carried on the back of one of the bandits. The bandit who took the special seat got a lucky break. When I glanced, it was Lewis-san. As expected of the captain, he's quick-eyed.
Humans, including Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama, surrounded them. The members of the Class of 175, Miana, and Violet were also there. The members of the Marcelo Company participated as usual.
I could hear them whispering to each other. Everyone must be nervous.
"It's starting."
When Flora said that, everyone fell silent at once. The sound of leaves rustling in the wind and the chirping of small birds could be heard.
From the center of the opened flower, a small face peeked out.
She was looking around restlessly.
"Are you okay? Can you come out?"
When Flora called out, she gave a small nod.
Someone behind me swallowed hard.
In front of the pot, a square stone to be used as a step was placed.
Glory looked down as if to check the step, then let out a breath, and as if pushing her body up with both hands, she brought her upper body out of the flower all at once.
"Well done. Just a little more."
At Flora's words, she smiled and gradually emerged while moving her upper body from side to side.
Just as I thought she had come out to about her waist, her right leg slipped out. Then her left leg.
Sitting on the edge of the flower as if crouching, she hopped onto the step.
She raised both hands, put her feet together, and landed with a thud. She straightened her knees, which had been bent during the landing.
Success!
They probably wanted to cheer, but everyone was covering their mouths with their hands. It sounded like a groan, and just by listening, you wouldn't think they were happy.
"Well done, Glory. You're a good girl."
Flora was stroking her head.
Everyone must have been clapping with just their fingertips. A pitter-patter sound echoed.
We dressed Glory in clothes Miana had made. Since she could stand on her own feet, she was no longer an infant, but since Flora and the triplets had told her the size, they fit her body well. It was a dark red one-piece dress, and the white line embroidery matching the slits in the hem looked like the edges of petals, so she looked like a downward-blooming flower.
Each time the Four Great Spirits gave their blessing in turn, her height grew to a barely discernible degree. Especially being a flower spirit, she seemed to have a good affinity with water and earth. During Dune's and Gnome's turns, she seemed to grow slightly larger than with the other two. Anticipating her future growth, the clothes that had been baggy now fit her reasonably well. Gnome, who had been drunk and asleep, seemed to have woken up after being blasted with fire by Salamander. When it came to the task, he was sharp. During Dune's turn, Glory shook her body, and her skin became glossy as if it were glowing.
"Thank you. My daughter is truly a lucky person to be able to receive the blessings of the Four Great Spirits."
Flora, who was crying with joy, clung to me, so I gently put my arm around her shoulder.
"This child might perhaps become a Flower Queen."
"It is a wonderful thing."
It was Renata and Serena.
A stir arose from the Alraunes who heard the words of those two.
"N-No way, my daughter a Flower Queen..."
Perhaps finding Flora's flustered gesture of waving her hands in front of her face amusing, Glory on her lap was laughing happily.
"What kind of existence is a Flower Queen, exactly?"
The one to bite at such times is Eleanor-sama. Beside her, Miana was listening as if leaning forward. I thought Miana was a character more like the serious and calm King, but it seems blood will tell.
"The strongest and most beautiful Alraune. They have magic control ability equivalent to us ordinary Dryads and possess their own inviolable flower garden."
According to Renata, they have long lifespans and live more than twice as long as normal Alraunes. Since normal Alraunes live for about three hundred years, that's over six hundred years.
"It's unknown when, where, or how they gain power. It's said they are born once every thousand or even two thousand years. It's also said they need to inherit the abilities of various races."
When Renata said that, Lyudmila's body gave a start.
"What's wrong?"
"N-No, it's nothing. Just thinking how amazing it is."
"That's true."
To inherit the abilities of various races is truly amazing. It might be because she was born on this farm. If so, that's truly a happy thing.
She was happily holding with both hands the hand that Little Serena, who was saying "Nice to meet you," had held out. When Little Serena blew a breath, she shuddered and then smiled brightly.
"I wonder if Jeanne can bless her too?"
Flora said it out of consideration, but I can only offer words. But since I was asked, it is a priest's duty to give a blessing; I shuffled closer on my knees and tried to give the Goddess's blessing.
"Jeanne. Give the blessing with both hands while illuminating with Light. As if wrapping her in soft light."
It was Gnome. However, I have never done a blessing with both hands.
"Like this."
Saying so, he brought his palms close to the ground. The space between them was probably to tell me to wrap Glory with both hands.
Just in case, I deployed Magic Reflection around my body so that the light wouldn't go toward Wilson-san or Violet.
It was when I imitated Gnome and formed a shape as if scooping up Glory with both hands. Gnome came to my side.
"Keep it like that, the output can be beginner level."
"A-Ah, yes."
Gnome was holding a Black Stone in his right hand.
"That is..."
"Yes, it will be the fifth."
"Y-Yes."
"Now, chant."
"Yes. Light!"
Since it was beginner level, it was a weak light and not very warm. However, I tried doing as Gnome said.
"Glory. To you, the Goddess's blessing."
At the same time, Gnome pressed the Black Stone he held in his hand against me.
Thump.
The shock transmitted from my arm reached my shoulder. For a moment, the light grew stronger.
"Waa!"
Glory, who had been looking at the Light curiously at first, put both hands to her mouth and hopped up and down.
"What was that just now?"
Even though I should have been controlling it accurately, the light grew stronger for a moment when I spoke the words of blessing. And truly warm light wrapped Glory. The Black Stone Gnome holds is the last... the fifth Black Stone. However, the affected magic should be Sight.
"Did it change?"
"Yes. It was only for a moment, but when that stone touched me, I felt the light grow stronger and the temperature rise."
In fact, Glory's reaction changed.
"Jeanne. Your rank should have risen with this."
Which means, super-advanced...
"Eh? But..."
I understand the effect of the Black Stones, but it shouldn't be manifested unless I'm wearing them. Even if I became able to cast super-advanced magic the moment Gnome pressed it against my arm, it should return to normal once the Black Stone leaves my body.
"This stone is merely a trigger."
"A trigger..."
According to Gnome, every human has magic control ability to a greater or lesser extent and should be able to use magic. However, the reality is different. As is the case with Henry-sama, there are people who cannot use it. In fact, the majority of people cannot.
"Because they do not use it. Those who run well every day will be faster and have better stamina compared to those who do not run at all. Of course, there are individual differences in talent."
I recall being told something similar by the Wildcat Sister. If the monkey beastmen eventually became humans, it might be because they prioritized using tools they devised over magic or their own bodies.
"In other races, magic power affects physical ability. Skills such as running, jumping, punching, biting, and mowing down developed. Even more so for magic beasts. But humans were different. As a result of always thinking of ways to beat magic beasts, their physical abilities didn't change much while their intelligence developed."
I thought so. It also tallies with the Elf Prince's story. Humans survived because they thought of ways to overcome their individual inferiority. That led to the development of various tools and group tactics, and eventually to the tactics for winning the war against the Demon Lord's army.
Furthermore, if the monkey beastmen prioritized ingenuity too much and became humans...
"Ah, Jeanne. I'll tell you now, there were no monkeys or monkey beastmen on this island from the start."
Ah, is that so? My apologies.
In short, if there is a trigger to draw out the power one originally possesses, one will become able to use magic and their rank will rise.
However, it wouldn't be that simple.
"Of course. For thousands, no, even longer than that, they haven't used the abilities they should have been able to use. It's not something that can be done so suddenly. Not without doing something like what we just did."
Does that mean, in other words, it's already impossible with human power alone?
The Black Stones were made by the Priestesses of five thousand years ago... in other words, those who obtained power beyond current heroes due to the dense magic power that occurs once every two thousand years. Probably, there were many more secret arts, but most have likely been lost by now.
"Can we humans regain our original abilities?"
This time, Eleanor-sama asked.
"What do you think?"
"I suspect we can no longer turn back."
Eleanor-sama, answering Gnome's question, looked somewhat tense. In a sense, it was an answer given with that much resolve. Probably, humans will continue to lose power in the future, and instead, scientific technology will advance. In other words, even if someone who possesses power by being exposed to dense magic power appears, the result can only be shown in the form of progress in scientific technology...
"It seems you understand. Or rather, I should say you can read the future."
At Gnome's words, Eleanor-sama hung her head.
Born into a family that had held successive key positions in the Magic Corps, she was obligated to become one herself. Like Beatrice and me, she continued her training from a young age and devoted an enormous amount of time to learning magic. At the same time, she knows that humans living today do not have the same abilities as in the past. Her efforts to train those who can use magic in cooperation with allied countries, using the village where Beatrice is the landlord as a starting point, might be a last-ditch resistance to regain the magic control ability of humans that continues to decline. And it was clearly stated by a spirit as great as Gnome that it would continue to decline in the future.
"Is it truly impossible for humans to regain their original magic control ability?"
Gnome looked at Eleanor, who was hanging her head, and then turned his eyes toward the direction where cheers could be heard.
Glory, who had safely received her blessing and was released from those lined up as if for some ceremony, was frolicking and playing tag with Little Serena and the Goblins.
The adults had returned to the banquet as before. The Class of 175 excluding me, the Associate Class of 175, Violet, Dune, and Mel were gathered and talking just as they were at the start. On the other hand, Salamander, Alex, and the Elf Prince were present at the gathering of bandits, laughing happily together and occasionally looking at Glory and the others while sharing drinks.
"I can understand your feelings, but does your own ability really matter? The point is for the various races living on this island to coexist harmoniously like that."
Gnome, narrowing his eyes as he watched the banquet, looked like a benevolent old man watching the prosperity of his clan.
"Eleanor. You were likely a representative mage of this era. And probably, someone equal to you already exists as a successor."
"Yes."
"Then, is that not fine?"
"However, Gnome. As one who has pursued the study of magic, it is not something I can easily give up on. Furthermore, if the number of humans with high magic control ability decreases significantly, this island may be overrun by various forces from the continent."
"Do not worry, the influence of magic power will not disappear so easily. At least, not until your human faith in the Goddess decreases significantly."
"What exactly does that mean?"
"I just said it, didn't I? Your human magic is granted by the Goddess, is it not? Then, what happens if the feeling of believing in that Goddess fades?"
"T-That means, in other words, they will stop believing in magic..."
"Exactly."
At Gnome's answer, Eleanor-sama's eyes widened. Henry-sama, who had been listening to their exchange with a slightly downward gaze, looked up at Gnome.
As I thought, that was it. I had heard from before that faith influences magic control ability. Mainly from church priests.
"Then, should we switch to other methods?"
"Wait, Eleanor-sama, that's a bit too much..."
I hurriedly pulled her sleeve.
Eleanor-sama's words, depending on how they were heard, could be certified as apostasy. It's like saying magic can be learned even if one believes in something other than faith in the Goddess.
"It shouldn't matter. However, do you think you can prepare something that the people of this island believe in more than the Goddess?"
"I do not think so. However, I believe it is possible to increase the level of mastery by adding something new."
Ah, so that's what you meant. I'm relieved.
"If one were to add to faith, perhaps conviction. Greedily trying to master the handling of magic."
"Yes. And I believe, confidence."
"Hmm. I wonder if humans can acquire confidence so easily? Let me tell you, confidence and overconfidence are different. Faith in the Goddess is a giant thing for those who believe in it. It is something absolute. On the other hand, confidence inevitably becomes a comparison with others. Can they be considered equal? And strong conviction sometimes strays from the path of humanity."
Straying from the path of humanity probably refers to falling into darkness or becoming a Lich. Falling into darkness is one thing, but a Lich is certainly not human.
"I am hoping to manage that somehow."
"Decline is unavoidable. However, even if it is modest, if you resist, there will be an effect corresponding to that resistance."
"Thank you. I will devote myself, relying on your words."
"Umu. Also, make Jeanne devote herself."
"Yes. Of course."
"Umu."
Um, why did it turn out like that?