393 - Cody's Perspective - Quebia's Divine Domain 1
"Well... all right, you can pass."
Even though the Saenard Kingdom is my own country, when crossing fortresses and borders, they still stop the wagon to check the cargo and verify identity. Usually, unless you slip them a bribe under the table, they put off inspecting a mere traveling merchant, so it is a place where you can get held up for quite a while. But today was different. When I handed over the envelope Leonardo had given me along with my identification and cargo manifest, a man who was clearly someone important came rushing out of the building, took a quick look inside the wagon, and gave me permission to pass through the fortress. They hardly checked the cargo at all.
...What was in that envelope Leonardo-sama gave me?
From the feel of it, it was not paper. I could imagine it was a wooden tag of some sort with a bit of thickness, but since the gatekeepers and soldiers who normally nitpick to try and squeeze a little bribe out of me were working briskly, it was a frighteningly effective envelope. It was not so much that they worked briskly, but rather that they acted like there was no need to inspect my wagon at all. Being let through the gate without any inspection was practically like being treated as a noble, I thought, and then it hit me. Leonardo is the brother of Christina, who has ties with the acting king of the Divine Kingdom of Quebia. It would not be strange if he had connections with people I could not even begin to imagine. He probably used those connections to arrange things for this trip.
...I will just think of it as "glad they processed me quickly" and leave it at that.
The thought of who might have pulled strings for me was frightening, so I stopped thinking about it. I will just sincerely thank them for the efficient handling. He is Christina's big brother, so it would not be strange if he had one or two acquaintances among Saenard royalty.
...No, that is not right, is it? We were at war with each other until recently, you know!?
After safely getting through the Saenard Kingdom side of the border, I next entered the Divine Kingdom of Quebia side. Just as I started preparing to present my identification and the cargo manifest to the warrior monk guarding the gate, the monk came running toward me.
...Huh?
I had a bad feeling about this. I remember being greeted like this before, when I arrived at the border gate.
...No way, is Remihio-sama here again...? No, right?
Yeah, no way, I thought as I gathered my documents and handed them to the warrior monk who had rushed over. The monk quickly checked the papers and started telling me to head for a different gate than usual.
"Was not the North Gate the one heading deeper into Quebia?"
"Normally we do not let foreign merchants through, but we have received instructions from Remihio-sama to have you use the North Gate when you arrive, Cody-san."
"From Remihio-sama?"
If it was an order from Remihio, the king of the Divine Kingdom of Quebia, then it should be fine for me to use the North Gate. It felt a little strange that a foreigner like me would be allowed to proceed deeper into Quebia, but when I thought about it, it was actually stranger that the acting king himself had come to greet me at the border. Considering that, the fact that Remihio apparently said to come see him through the North Gate was probably a relief - he was finally summoning me in a way befitting his station.
"You do not need to guide the reins toward the Divine Domain. The horses know the way. They will proceed on their own."
"Huh?"
While waiting for the gate to open, the warrior monk taught me how to behave once through the gate. I had assumed I would just drive the wagon normally using the reins, but the road ahead seemed different somehow.
The meaning of "the horses will proceed on their own" became clear as soon as I passed through the North Gate. From inside the fortress, the other side of the North Gate had just looked like a forest stretching out, but once I actually entered the forest, I was surrounded by fog and could not see anything. It should not have been the kind of weather for fog, I thought anxiously, looking back behind me. Through the white fog-obscured view, I could see the bright rectangular shape of the gate closing. The North Gate must have been shut. It was a gate leading deeper into Quebia, so it probably was not usually opened much. When the North Gate closed completely, the area around me grew even darker.
...Huh? Was Quebia always this kind of place?
I normally cross the border through the West Gate, and the atmosphere was completely different between the North and West Gates. Past the West Gate, bright groves and plains continued, but past the North Gate was a deep, densely overgrown forest. It was dim, and with the fog on top of that, it was faintly chilly despite being summer.
...So the horses really do know the way, huh.
I could not even see the road a little ahead, but the horses did not seem nervous at all. They were proceeding through the fog at the same speed as walking on a bright road. At this point, I figured it was best to trust the warrior monk's words and follow along. I left the reins alone and let the horses do their thing, but I did not let go completely, just in case. This was the mystical country of Quebia. It was possible that the horses would choose their own path and proceed on their own.
...Oh, birdsong.
With nothing else to do but sit, I relaxed and gazed at the horses' backs. As I did, I heard birds singing in the distance. Once I noticed one bird's song, my ears picked up other birds' calls one after another. I had thought it was a quiet forest, but it seemed it was actually quite lively - it was like waking up, and as I turned my face toward the direction of the calls, I suddenly found myself out of the forest. The fog had cleared, without me noticing. Really, without any notice at all. I could not have been asleep, but I had not felt anything - when the fog cleared, or any sign that we were about to leave the forest. I just suddenly realized I was out of the forest, and in front of me was the enormous Lake Montpere, and a cluster of white buildings that seemed to float half-submerged in the lake.
"White buildings floating on a lake... huh? Wait, could that be the Divine Domain I have heard rumors about? I heard even royalty from other countries can barely get in there...?"
I had thought the horses were heading for the capital after passing through the North Gate, but it seemed I had ended up somewhere completely unexpected. I tried pulling the reins to stop the horses and change direction, but they would not listen to commands. Far from stopping, they were heading straight for the Divine Domain.
"Please, just stop. Getting close to the Divine Domain... even if Remihio-sama might put in a good word for me in a pinch, this is seriously bad."
The Divine Domain was said to be a place even foreign dignitaries could not enter. A traveling merchant like me could be charged with disrespect just for approaching it, and thrown in prison, and it would not be surprising.
"And seriously, why is Lake Montpere here after leaving the forest? The distance does not make sense."
I did not know the detailed geography of the Divine Kingdom of Quebia, but I at least knew the major place names. Lake Montpere, the largest lake in Quebia, was definitely not close enough to reach right after leaving the border forest.
"The fog? Was it that fog? Is it the same as the fog in Waiyakku Valley!?"
The Waiyakku Valley also had a forest that was always shrouded in fog whenever you went. That fog was also mysterious - I had heard rumors like "if someone with ill intent enters while the fog protects those under its care, they will wander the fog forever," but I did not know whether it was true or not.
Rumors were just rumors. I had passed through the forest before the Waiyakku Valley many times, and I had never gotten lost even once.
Of course, Aurelia, who was protected by the Waiyakku Valley forest, was a pharmacist and a wise woman who had saved many lives. She was someone I could only respect, never harbor ill will toward. Since I had no malice toward Aurelia, even if the Waiyakku Valley fog really did have mysterious powers, I probably would never have experienced it myself.
"...Um, hello."
The horses finally stopped in front of a gate that seemed to be the entrance to the Divine Domain, and unsure what to do, I put on a friendly smile for the gatekeeper. At this point, turning back without saying anything would look more suspicious. Since the horses had brought me here, if I got scolded, I would just have to honestly explain what happened and beg for forgiveness.
"I was told the horses would know the way, so I came here, but..."
"Oh, we have received word. Go right on through."
"Eh?"
The warrior monk guarding the gate did not seem particularly wary of a traveling merchant who had come to the Divine Domain. The border warrior monks wore at least simple armor, but the Divine Domain's warrior monk wore no armor at all. He was just carrying a wooden forked pike with vines wound around it - not the kind of elite guarding a divine domain.
"I have a delivery for the Acting King. Who should I confirm that with?"
Of course you will inspect the cargo before I enter the Divine Domain, right? I asked, putting that implied question into my words, but the gatekeeper's demeanor did not change. There was no change from his earlier statement to just go on through.
...Huh? Is it really this easy? This is the Divine Domain, you know!?
As I grew increasingly uneasy, the warrior monk gave a wry smile. Apparently, people bewildered by being let through too easily were not actually that rare.
"Someone with wicked intentions could not possibly get through the Misty Forest, and even if they went further from here, they would never reach the Acting King's side."
So the gatekeepers hardly have any work, the warrior monk told me with a laugh. The judgment was already complete the moment you emerged from the Misty Forest, he said. Still, the gatekeepers stood there apparently for communication between inside and outside.
...Is this really okay?
Despite my unease, I passed through the castle gate and entered the Divine Domain. The roads in the Divine Domain of the Divine Kingdom of Quebia were paved with white cobblestones. Everywhere I looked, the stone temples that could be called the headquarters of churches from various regions had various patterns painted on their walls, colorful and pleasing to the eye. The exteriors were all the same, but since symbols and crests representing each god were painted on the walls and the cobblestones of the front courtyards, it was very easy to tell which temple enshrined which god.
...Leonardo-sama's letter is to be delivered to the Temple of Herkeles.
I never dreamed I would actually be allowed inside the Divine Domain, so I repeated it in my mind so I would not forget. I had thought I would have to ask the Perseashi Church around the capital Restone to deliver the letter, or ask a warrior monk to pass along a message, but it looked like I could deliver it myself. While confirming the location of the Temple of the War God Herkeles, I thought I would just leave the rest to the horses again and let them proceed.
"We have been waiting for you, Cody-san."
When I got off the wagon in front of the building where the horses had stopped, a black-haired woman accompanied by two warrior monks approached. Since she was someone who lived in the Divine Domain, her clothing was completely different from what was worn outside. She was a mysterious woman wearing an old-fashioned long robe like the costumes in the Recollection Festival plays, along with two warrior monks in the same light gear as the Divine Domain gatekeeper.
"Um...?"
I could somehow tell she was a woman of rank. I could tell, but since she did not introduce herself, I did not know what to call her. Still, I could not stay silent just because I did not know, so I forced a smile even as I felt my cheek twitching. For a merchant, trust and a smile are everything.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Cody, a traveling merchant. I have been entrusted by Prince Alfred of the Kingdom of Ivizia to deliver a gift to Acting King Remihio-sama."
"We were informed of your visit, Cody-san, by Remihio-sama. My name is Tiaret, and I serve Remihio-sama."
Tiaret urged me to go see Remihio right away, so I entrusted the wagon to one of the warrior monks. After lowering the box containing the bobbin lace from the loading platform, I followed Tiaret's guidance and stepped inside the building.
"Hello, Cody-san. It has been a while."
Remihio offered me a seat, but seeing him looking clearly unwell made me feel like my own life was being shortened. The acting king Remihio and a mere traveling merchant like me were far too different in status. I could not let Remihio, who was clearly in poor health, push himself just to meet with a merchant like me. My visit had come at the worst possible timing.
"Um... should I come back another time? Are you all right? Your complexion does not look very good."
"Thank you for your concern. It is not an illness, even though I am unwell... so I am fine."
Saying "look," Remihio rolled up his sleeve. Under the white garment, on Remihio's arm, there was a black thorn-like bruise stretching upward from the wrist. According to Remihio's explanation, the black bruise that extended from the wrist upward continued all the way to around the shoulder and collarbone.
"I incurred the spirits' displeasure a little. They played a prank on me... but it is a cute enough prank that you would not notice if I was wearing clothes, so it is nothing serious."
"Even the Acting King can incur the spirits' displeasure?"
"The highest authority among the spirits is still the Divine King, and the Acting King is below that."
Remihio said this with a soft smile, so perhaps it was not as concerning as it looked. I started to think that, but then I felt something was off. Our relationship was only that I would stop by the Divine Kingdom of Quebia each time and chat a little, but I felt that Remihio would smile to avoid worrying me even if he was seriously ill. Just because Remihio was smiling now did not mean I could tell whether he truly needed no concern. The only thing I knew was that since spirits were involved, even if I worried, there was nothing I could do about it. That was probably why Remihio smiled and said "do not worry." Remihio's "do not worry" probably meant exactly that, but reading between the lines, it was "even if you worry, there is nothing you can do about it."
"Oh, right. You are going back to the Kingdom of Ivizia after you finish your business in Quebia, are you not? Could I ask you to deliver a message?"
Tell them that the 'Spirit's Throne' that remained in Quebia has indeed been destroyed. He asked me to convey that, so I committed it to memory.
I did not know what the 'Spirit's Throne' was, but that was probably something a merchant like me had no need to know.
If I was asked to deliver a message, I would just pass it on exactly as told.
"You brought something today, did you not?"
"Yes. It is a gift from Prince Alfred of the Kingdom of Ivizia."
This time, to avoid making the same mistake, I did not hand it directly to Remihio but passed it through the lady's maid. After the maid confirmed the contents of the box, the box containing the bobbin lace was handed to Remihio.
"It is a lace woven using bobbins. The official name seems to be bobbin lace, but in the Kingdom of Ivizia, it has started to be called 'Aurelian lace.'"
"What a beautiful lace. And... surprisingly delicate to the touch. It seems more suited for women to use, though...?"
"I hear it was used for the wedding dress of the Sixth Princess in the Kingdom of Ivizia. Young Lady Christina also used it for ribbons and detachable collars... so yes, it does give the impression of being used by women."
Still, I did not think it would feel strange for Remihio to use it. In terms of appearance, Remihio had androgynous features that could be mistaken for a woman. When I actually tried to imagine Remihio wearing the veil he was holding, there was no sense of dissonance at all.
"...Saint Tina uses it daily, and it was used for a princess's wedding dress. And then the Third Prince sends it to me."
When he asked what scheme might be behind this, I straightened my back. Remihio might have a gentle aura, but he was still a king, even if only an acting one. Schemes of this level were probably an everyday affair for him. He seemed to have immediately noticed there was something hidden beneath the surface.
"Young Lady Christina was kidnapped by someone, and during the search for her, they want to create a foothold for infiltrating the Zugarri Empire."
By raising the profile of bobbin lace and creating demand, then using guidebooks as merchandise, they could enter the Zugarri Empire. Alfred was trying to use Remihio to advertise bobbin lace. Even a mere merchant like me, just delivering the bobbin lace, could understand that much.
"...It feels a bit too flashy for me to wear, but if it is for Saint Tina, that is fine. I will be happy to cooperate."
Remihio said he wanted me to stay in Quebia for a few days and wait a bit before returning to the Kingdom of Ivizia. I had thought my work in Quebia was done once I delivered the cargo and letter, but it seemed I had new work. Since he was apparently going to take action for Christina's sake right away, I happily agreed to wait.
"Oh, um. I also have a letter for someone named Claudine in the Kingdom of Ivizia..."
If I was going to be staying in Quebia, maybe I could deliver the letter directly. I figured it could not hurt to ask, and when I did, Remihio readily gave me permission to move about within the Temple of Herkeles in the Divine Domain.
When I thought about the Divine Domain of the Divine Kingdom of Quebia, I had a strong impression of it being an inviolable territory, but once you entered, it seemed there were not any restrictions on movement. Or rather, it was not a place you could come to just because you wanted to - it was a special place you could only enter if the spirits allowed it after being recognized by the acting king. Once the spirits had permitted someone, their subsequent actions apparently were not monitored. The absolute trust in the spirits probably existed because this was Quebia, a country where mystery still remained.
Time is up. A glimpse inside Quebia. Tina incurred the spirits' wrath and was sliced to pieces, but Remihio seems to have just been scribbled on with pranks.
Will fix typos and errors at a later date.