I’m truly at a loss.
Yesterday, I helped a group being attacked by thieves, and then we all searched the area and annihilated the thieves, which was fine. But I never expected that the person the group was escorting was a priestess who received a divine revelation, and that she would end up coming to marry me…
“So, the divine revelation means that you are to serve by his side as a shrine maiden to support Yamato in saving the Helios Orb?”
“And ‘both publicly and privately’ means you’ve completely come to marry him, doesn’t it?”
“I’m surprised too. But it seems the divine revelation was given on the day I arrived in Alka.”
“That day, huh? Then, Alka must be…”
“That’s likely the case…”
It was thought that the gods created Alka, but now it’s confirmed. Perhaps the divine revelation from the gods, which led Aria to come marry me, means that if there’s anything they want to convey, they’ll do so through Aria.
“This is truly something to ponder.”
“Since a divine revelation has been given, I suppose we have no choice…”
“That’s true. But even so, whether we can easily accept it is another matter…”
My wife and fiancées are also looking deeply troubled. While the circumstances of my marriage or engagement to each of them vary, what they all have in common is that they fell in love with me. It sounds boastful, like I’m conceited, but that’s actually how it is. However, in Aria’s case, she came to marry me because she received a divine revelation, which is far removed from such emotions. So, it’s natural that everyone is troubled.
“Aria, I want to ask you, you’re going to marry Yamato because of the divine revelation, but is that alright with you?”
“No, while it is true that I received a divine revelation to serve Lord Yamato both publicly and privately, I was not forced to marry him?”
What?
“R-really?”
“Yes. Of course, I think it would be acceptable, but to decide whether to spend my life with him, I must first get to know Lord Yamato. And although I do wish to have children someday, I believe I should get to know the man before I do that, including such matters.”
Hmm, I’m relieved that she’s more sensible than I thought. It seems that while she did receive a divine revelation to serve Yamato both publicly and privately, it didn’t necessarily mean she had to marry him.
“I’m relieved to hear that, but it’s still decided that you will serve Yamato both publicly and privately, right?”
“Yes. Lord Yamato is not from the Helios Orb, so he cannot issue divine revelations. Therefore, if any situation arises that requires a divine revelation, it will be through me.”
This is also a headache. Sayuri later told me that since the guest is not from the Helios Orb, they can use Inn magic, but their wavelength apparently doesn’t match at all, so they cannot issue divine revelations. Sayuri has only heard about it, but the reason Shinichi married a shrine maiden was precisely this. Initially, he found the shrine maiden’s devoted work bothersome, but he eventually softened and they confessed their feelings and married.
“If that’s the case, we can’t prevent Aria from being close to you.”
“Indeed. Of course, we have no intention of doing so, but the anecdote of Shinichi and the first Pope is famous, and that’s what’s frightening.”
“Fortunately, there are still empty seats, so if something were to happen, it would be best to do it quickly.”
It seems everyone else is also bothered by that. The anecdote of Kazushi and Lady Elie is famous, but the one about Shinichi and the first Pope is equally so. Of course, polygamy is common in the Helios Orb, so the co-wives of Lady Elie, Yukari, and the co-wives of the first Pope are also famous.
“For now, Aria will join the Wing Crest, but can a Priest join a Union?”
“It is possible. She will be treated as a shrine maiden serving Lord Yamato by divine revelation, so in such cases, it is customary to join the Union to which the person being served belongs, rather than the Priests’ Guild.”
I see. Furthermore, it seems that the promotion of shrine maidens by divine revelation is determined by the revelation itself, so it falls slightly outside the jurisdiction of the Priests’ Guild.
“That might be a headache for the Priests’ Guild as well.”
“Not entirely. Normally, Priests are promoted through the trials of their affiliated branch, but by becoming Lord Yamato’s shrine maiden, I will not belong to any branch, let alone the headquarters. Therefore, no branch will accept me for promotion.”
“There’s that problem, then. Does that mean that for Aria, the gods themselves will directly judge and decide her promotion?”
“That is correct.”
Shrine maidens who receive divine revelations to serve guests are, despite being Priests, not affiliated with the Priests’ Guild. Still, there have only been a few such individuals in the past, and it seems that not all guests were served by shrine maidens, as there were none for Kazushi, who was a guest during the same period as the first Pope who married Shinichi.
“Well, it doesn’t seem like something I can refuse, so I guess it can’t be helped.”
“Then?”
“As a condition, I will have you learn some combat techniques, alright? After all, I’m a Hunter.”
“Understood. Thank you very much!”
Saying that, Aria bowed her head, her rabbit ears swaying. It’s certainly an unexpected addition, but considering Alka, and more importantly, the Demon Race and Abaricia, this much is probably unavoidable.
Although it was already evening, I took Aria to the Priests’ Guild and had High Priestess Milia, the Priest Master, handle the paperwork. Aria also joined the Wing Crest. As always, I need to ask Ed and the others to craft her a coat and weapon.
But afterwards, a piece of information was brought to me by Ciry, the Homunculus Supervisor in charge of Alka. It seems that by accepting Aria, one of the conditions had been met. According to Ciry, Abarician technology had been put to practical use somewhere on the Philia Continent. Ciry didn’t have any further details, but it struck me and Sayuri. The technology is likely cannons, and the location is probably Solumne. I don’t know how they acquired the knowledge for such things, but this gives me yet another reason why Solumne cannot be left unchecked.
Also, there was indeed a shrine maiden who served Sayuri. What surprised me was that she even became a single mother by pleading with Sayuri’s husband, who was the King at the time. Sayuri mentioned that she had encouraged her to marry, but she refused. She said that initially she found it bothersome, but they eventually became like sisters. As for me, I could only tremble in fear.
Side: Hildegard
On the fifth day of our stay in Alka, we descended near Feel and headed for Torencia in a Beast Carriage drawn by Eos. I was surprised that Aria joined the Wing Crest as a shrine maiden by divine revelation, but I was relieved to learn that she didn’t come to marry Yamato.
“Eos is truly fast, isn’t she?”
“She’s said to be the fastest Dragonian. She became even faster after forming a Dragon Resonance Contract with Mana.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, it is.”
The fastest Dragonian, huh? Not only the sound of the wind rushing past, but also the scenery blurring by at an incredible speed, it all makes sense. This Beast Carriage is also said to use Tenma Stones for its barrier, and while the barrier is active, no one can intrude uninvited. The temperature is also kept constant, so even if Eos flies at full speed, we don’t feel the wind and have no fear of falling from the carriage. That’s why Prim, Mana, and I can talk in the observation deck, but to be able to block such strong winds… there must have been a very skilled Barrier Magic user.
“Ah, this Tenma Stone for the barrier uses Prim’s Barrier Magic.”
“I-is that so?”
“Yes. You know I evolved into an Ancient Foxy, right?”
“Yes, of course.”
“At that time, the Bestowed Magic I received was Barrier Magic. So, I used my Barrier Magic to process the Magic Stone of the Moonlight Dragoon.”
Moonlight Dragoon, you say… Come to think of it, they also conquered the Solpre Labyrinth, so there’s an opportunity to obtain Dragoons.
“Speaking of which, the Tenma Stone is in the Driver’s Seat, wasn’t it?”
“That’s right. But I think the cabin would be more convenient to use, so I plan to have the finished product made that way from now on.”
“And the cabin would also be safer in terms of security.”
That’s certainly true. They are taking all possible security measures, but the Driver’s Seat is visible from the outside, so their reasoning that the cabin is safer is understandable.
“Regarding that Tenma Stone, how many are you preparing?”
“How many was it again?”
“Hmm, let’s see, Telekinesis, then Barrier. Bestowed Magic is these two, but there’s also Storage, Mirroring, Cleaning, and Deodorizing, I think.”
“Huh? Wasn’t there also a Tenma Stone of the Heavenly Tree?”
“Was there? Ah, sorry, yes there is.”
I… I thought there would be fewer. Normally, it’s hard enough to prepare one or two types of Tenma Stones, but to have prepared so many…
“I don’t think the Beast Carriages planned for the Order’s Guild or the Hunter’s Guild would have this much.”
“It’s partly because we’re using it, but we’re also earning quite a bit. Furthermore, this is the first Multi-functional Beast Carriage in the Helios Orb, so I thought we might as well equip it with everything we can think of.”
Is that so? As for money, they have enough to live comfortably without working for the rest of their lives, but Yamato and Prim are Ancient Class, so in times of emergency, they will certainly participate in the Alliance. Mana will also participate. No, all Hunters of the Wing Crest are High Class, so the Wing Crest will be the main force. Mana is also the princess of Amister, so it might be difficult, but she is also on the verge of evolving into an Ancient Elf, so we should assume she will participate. The fact that this Beast Carriage is designed for use in the Alliance is proof of this. If only one vehicle is used, it eliminates delays in movement; by providing an observation deck, it reduces the need for lookouts; and by using the deck, it allows for immediate deployment of combat power. Considering its use in an Alliance, this Beast Carriage is invaluable. Of course, its utility is not limited to the Alliance; the Order’s Guild can also transport numerous orders with less effort. Due to the issue with the Mirroring enchantment, Solumne cannot replicate this Beast Carriage even if they obtain information about it, but the possibility of acquiring it through illegal means cannot be dismissed. In fact, unscrupulous merchants in Libertà are trading with Solumne for money.
“Mana-sama, excuse me for interrupting your conversation. Please look down below.”
“Eos? Huh? Down below? What is that!”
Eos suddenly reported through Mana. I followed her words and looked down. She mentioned passing over Solumne earlier and heading out to sea, but we can’t even see sea ice yet, so we’re in the waters near Solumne. However, in that seascape, I saw something unbelievable.
“A fleet? No way, is that—!”
“Solumne? Could it be… the sea is already frozen…”
