31 - Chapter 27: That Which Lurks in the Sacred Peak
Serious-san "Yeah, yeah, this is just a setup, right?"
"Onee-sama♡ Onee-sama♡"
"Why did it turn out like this... Why did it turn out like this! Desu no!"
As the group proceeded west through the Feresque Great Forest, Lilitia was clinging to Marianne's right arm like a burr. In contrast to Lilitia's cheerful mood, the one being clung to was walking with steps that looked like she was stomping her feet in frustration. If anything, even the way she was being used as a punchline felt desperate.
"You're being treated as a joke, yet your character doesn't waver, does it?"
"If I don't treat it as a joke, I can't stand it!!"
Marianne glared at Geoglyph with a screech, but he merely shrugged his shoulders at the situation he had created.
"Still, for it to end up like this... As expected of Sensei. I was already thinking of nothing but killing her."
"Well, it's an old skill of mine. People tend to focus on strong leadership or popularity-seeking because they're flashy, but essentially, the ability to coordinate with voters and relevant departments is the most important part of that job, the politician. That's why big-mouths who were elected based solely on name recognition and popularity, or second-generation politicians who only inherited a support base from their parents, struggle because they lack the connections and ability."
Since you can grab the helm of a country just by gathering votes and winning an election, isn't democracy just ochlocracy? As Geoglyph let a glimpse of the darkness show, Later, a mere truck driver, gave a vague, awkward smile.
"Just you wait... Geo...!"
"It's the reward for offering people up in the name of some 'Evil Friend Barrier'. Only those prepared to be sacrifices should be made into sacrifices. Some great person from the past said something similar, didn't they? Besides, I left the harem route open for you, so if anything, you should be grateful."
"Gunu nu...!"
That was the reason why Marianne, while resentful, quietly accepted Lilitia.
The contents of the contract Geoglyph presented to Lilitia were, simply put, as follows.
One, in exchange for being recognized as a member of the Serious Breakers, she shall not harm other members. One, in exchange for supporting her relationship with Marianne, she shall cooperate regarding the romantic affairs of other members. One, as long as she remains the first wife, she shall tolerate the love that Marianne distributes. One, if any of the above are intentionally broken without unavoidable circumstances, Lilitia's sexual preferences will be reported to the Church.
The reason Marianne remained quiet was the third point, and the reason Lilitia accepted was the fourth.
As Geoglyph said, as long as Marianne recognized Lilitia's position as the first wife, the harem route remained. In this world, life is cheap and strength is justice, so it is naturally a polygynous society. The plan was that if they could win her over while her yandere progression was relatively shallow, and if they could solidify her position and educate her, Lilitia could be rounded out... or so it was hoped.
While it was an extremely optimistic and hopeful observation, there would be no accepting such terms after the yandere meter maxed out, and a total annihilation end would be inevitable. Therefore, he judged that it would be slightly better to set things up now, while it was still possible to align their respective desires.
And Lilitia's brake was the fourth point. The report, or snitching, to the Refill Church.
In modern Earth, diversity is recognized, but even on that Earth, such diversity was a target of oppression in the Middle Ages. It could be said that Japan, which was pointed at as intolerant, was still better because it had the culture of shudo (T/N: a tradition of pederasty/homosexuality between samurai).
Since the civilization levels are the same, homosexuality is naturally a target of oppression in this world as well. Well, in reality, people with such tastes exist, and at a civilian level, the worst that happens if found out is being looked at coldly. However, the cultural level of this world is the Middle Ages. In a situation where a religion that forbids homosexuality holds power, it would be a scandal itself if a Saint belonging to the Church were known to be such. It is not hard to imagine that at best it would be assassination, and at worst, she would be turned from a Saint into a witch and burned at the stake, like cutting off a lizard's tail.
A friendship between beautiful women that does not cross the line... it was a contract to guarantee that falsehood to third parties.
If she broke it, she would be handed over to the Church with the words, "Your Saint has jumped past soft-yuri and is a full-on lesbian, and we're troubled by it." Being able to avoid the report for now, and while other women might approach, she could be the number one in her beloved Onee-sama's heart. For Lilitia, who still had some rationality left, it was not a bad deal.
"Hmm. A masterful soft landing. I could only do a crash landing."
It was not a bad deal for Lilitia, nor for Marianne, and of course, not for the Serious Breakers. It could be called a masterful judgment that held the center of gravity of their mutual compromises.
Honestly, Later had been thinking short-sightedly, wondering, "Wouldn't it be better to just kill her before we're killed?" to protect himself, so he was impressed by Geoglyph, who had handled such negotiations smoothly.
It was a case of a former politician showing his true colors.
"Everyone. Please stop."
"What is it, Kazuha?"
Thus, as the group that had welcomed Lilitia proceeded along the river through the Feresque Great Forest, Kazuha suddenly stopped. Latia asked, but Kazuha placed her index finger to her lips and closed her eyes, staying alert to the surroundings.
"Oh, the ears, the fluffy ears...!"
Later became excited with heavy nasal breathing at the sight of her twitching fox ears, but the two idiots held his shoulders down, not allowing him to run wild.
"Further ahead, the sound of the river has changed."
After a short while, Kazuha informed them of this, and the group decided to proceed forward cautiously.
"This is..."
And further ahead, several pieces of driftwood had piled up and blocked a small waterfall about five meters high. Perhaps because the drifting wood had caught and naturally interlaced, it was not a complete block, and water was overflowing from gaps and the top of the dam. This was likely the reason for the change in the river's water volume.
"These aren't ordinary pieces of driftwood. It looks like they were torn apart by some strong force."
Even if the piling was natural, the creation of the driftwood did not seem ordinary. Latia judged this after examining the piled wood.
"Hmm... Ray, please look at this."
"These are claw marks... which means some kind of bird? It's way too big for that."
When Marie also examined it, she indeed found marks where sharp claws had hooked into the tree trunks. Judging from those spots, it was four claws. And it was large enough to grip a tree trunk.
"Everyone, this."
"Quite a white feather. I feel some kind of sacred aura."
Next, Kazuha found a large feather. The feather, which was about the size of a fan palm, was white and sparkling, and Lilitia, being a Saint, expressed that impression.
Hmm, Geoglyph considered a few things.
"Latia, what should we do for now? I could destroy this dam, but would it affect the downstream?"
"There's a reservoir before the village, so it'll be fine. I've consulted them in advance, so I think they'll open the sluice gates and let the water flow if it looks like it'll overflow."
Since the problem in front of them seemed solvable for now, he deployed a blade of water with a single Decode. He sliced through the natural dam and restored the water flow.
"For now, the problem itself is solved, but what do we do?"
"If we leave the cause alone, the same thing will happen again, won't it?"
"If you don't mind, could you stay with me a bit longer? It would be difficult to gather this much combat power again..."
Geoglyph nodded at Latia's request.
"Well then, let's go as far as we can."
At the leader's lead, the group proceeded further inward.
They were about to emerge at the foot of Niyakando.
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Sensing intruders in its territory from the scent carried by the wind, THAT felt a bubbling rage.
(Curse you... humans again...)
A short while ago, THAT had been summoned to this land by the selfishness of humans. In a land it had never seen, perhaps if it were only THAT, it might have been able to return. It might have been able to set out on such a journey.
However, there was a herd that had to be protected. Among the herd, there were women and children. It was difficult to take them on a journey that might be long and harsh.
Therefore, THAT, the leader of the herd, decided to settle in this land.
It had built a shelter, hunted monsters, and taken every possible measure to ensure the survival of the herd.
Even though it had finally grown accustomed to the place over the past week or so and the herd had settled down... humans had come again.
What is it this time.
The shelter.
The herd.
Or THAT itself.
(I will not forgive you... I will not forgive you...!)
No, it doesn't matter anymore.
Humans are enemies.
Enemies that bring threats to the herd, enemies that must be defeated.
(I will not let you steal our peace a second time!!)
As THAT let a roar echo in the heavens, its kin responded.
Their war cries melted into the sacred peak of Niyakando.
The time for battle is near.
To be continued tomorrow.