Yesterday felt quite chaotic, but a relaxing bath, a delicious dinner, and an early night allowed me to wake up feeling perfectly refreshed.
If only today were a holiday, it would be absolute bliss. But life doesn’t work that way, and unfortunately, I’m here for work this time.
So, I’ll consider it a win that I can face this presentation feeling completely prepared, both mentally and physically.
“Are you ready?”
“Yeah.”
Waking up, having breakfast, and preparing with plenty of time so as not to be rushed is a habit for any working adult.
Evia greeted me as I checked my suit for wrinkles, adjusted my tie, and tidied my appearance. She quickly scanned me, deemed me acceptable, and nodded. For a salaryman, a suit is his battle attire. Any disarray there is like a knight mishandling his armor or sword.
“They’ll be here in about ten minutes. I don’t have enough time to review the presentation’s content or even have some tea.”
“You’re already ready. While caution is good, don’t let excessive caution make you falter.”
“I know, I know. I’d say that, but to be honest, I don’t get many opportunities to meet with important people from my home country, so I’m a little nervous.”
Without dwelling on how to fill the small amount of free time, Evia and I naturally fall into casual conversation. The topic naturally turns to the meeting ahead. The Association is mediating a discussion with a Japanese diplomatic delegation, primarily from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We are two people against their multiple representatives. They say it’s a preliminary meeting, but I still feign nervousness.
“More than fighting Nōraifu and Raidou?”
“…I feel like that’s a different kind of battle, but compared to fighting those two, it’s nothing.”
“Probably.”
Evia lets out a sigh, as if exasperated, and points out that I must be experiencing more nervousness for the upcoming dialogue than for fighting them. It’s true, as Evia says, that nervousness about this meeting is strange compared to the training and mock battles with the instructors. The battles that flood my mind, the ones where survival instincts are in full force, the exchanges with those instructors—those are rife with the danger of death. Every exchange is potentially fatal, a scene no beginner would ever want to imitate, even without the explicit warning. While those situations are undeniably nerve-wracking in an indescribable way, there’s no room to feel it. Honestly, during combat, adrenaline and other neurotransmitters flood my brain, and I’m solely focused on surviving and defeating the opponent. It’s a state of tension, but there’s no time to be conscious of feeling it. Recently, I’ve started to recall the experience after the fact and say, “Wow, that was tense,” only to be laughed at by the instructors for my immaturity. Frankly, I feel like the tension of this meeting is a different genre than the tension of trying to read each other’s intentions, but I understand what Evia means. Comparing them might be comparing apples and oranges, but it’s not something I need to deny.
“Are you alright, Evia?”
“Yes, I’ve got new gear that stores magic much better. Including spares.”
In addition, my tension has eased somewhat. With that in mind, I’d like to change the subject for a bit of a change of pace. For this job, I’m wearing a luxurious black business suit, different from yesterday’s. It’s a custom suit made by a Giant craftsman. Naturally, the gray single-button jacket and pantsuit Evia is wearing is also from them. Not as a token of affection, but each suit was made by different Giants, and they’re anything but ordinary. Despite being suits, they’re light, excellent at retaining warmth without being too hot or cold, keeping me comfortable. The fabric is carefully selected, the design is exquisite, and the tailoring is suitable for intergovernmental meetings, showcasing true craftsmanship. However, both Evia and I are more interested in the hidden functions than the appearance. In terms of defense, they are equipped with cut-proof, bullet-proof, fire-resistant, water-resistant, electricity-resistant, and magic-resistant treatments, providing top-class defensive capabilities that would be sufficient even in a dungeon. Furthermore, by weaving finely processed mithril threads into the lining, a magic circuit is formed. This allows magic to be supplied to our bodies from the magic stones placed in various parts of the suit and any magic stones we wear as accessories. They are undoubtedly magnificent pieces of armor. Moreover, they are excellent as clothing. They don’t wrinkle, they don’t lose their shape, they repel dirt, and they even have built-in climate control, showing consideration for comfort. While they are perfect in every way, their only flaw is that they are completely custom-made, making the price anything but affordable. I heard that one suit costs as much as a new luxury car. When a familiar Giant handed me this suit, I remember thinking with a wry smile, “Am I really going to a job that requires wearing something like this?”
“…”
“Don’t look like that, you fool. Are you still bothered by what was said yesterday?”
“How can I not be? How could anyone ignore words like that?”
If I don’t wear this kind of gear, Evia can’t survive in this land. Moreover, this is a hidden village, separated from the outside world. It’s not a place you can easily escape from. While I wouldn’t mind being told I can bet my life on it, as Evia says, it does make one a little more nervous.
“You know I’ll do anything to protect you, right?”
“Yes, and that’s why it’s cheating.”
It’s truly devilish how she can gently admonish and calm my nervousness like that.
“Scary, scary.”
“But it’s not so bad, is it? To be relied upon by such a beautiful woman.”
Her smile, not a grin or a full smile, but a slight softening of her lips, combined with the kindness in her eyes, stirs and fulfills a man’s heart.
“Including the parts I can’t deny, your words are cheating, Evia.”
So, I naturally throw my hands up in surrender to Evia. I smile inwardly, thinking, “Evia is truly a good woman, in so many ways.”
“It’s time.”
“Yeah.”
Evia and I turn our gaze towards the entrance simultaneously. We can see a shrine maiden approaching us, though she hasn’t reached the entrance yet. As if on cue, the intercom in the room chimes.
“Yes?”
When I answer, a voice announces, “Your escorts have arrived.”
Our ride has come, right on schedule.
“Understood, we’ll be right there.”
“Yes, we’ll be waiting.”
From this point on, it’s strictly business mode. Evia’s expression, which had been smiling moments ago, sharpens, and her usual keen gaze returns. I also deliberately compose my expression.
“Let’s go.”
“Yeah.”
I follow her.
“We have arrived to escort you.”
Led by the shrine maiden, we are guided to the place where two escort shrine maidens, who were with Kirie-san yesterday, are waiting. And instead of a car, what’s prepared is… a *ox-drawn carriage*.
I almost wanted to comment on how the scenery is as archaic as the mode of transport, but seeing Evia’s silence, I recall that horse-drawn carriages also existed, and decide it must be common here.
“Please, get in here.”
With that, the girl with twin braids, whose name I believe was Tomoe, lifts the curtain of the ox-drawn carriage. Inside, there are seats arranged like three individual cushions. The thought of traveling through the town like this fills me with a phantom sense of embarrassment, but Evia, showing no concern, follows the girl’s words and takes a seat. Without delay, I take my seat as well, and Tomoe gets in and lowers the curtain.
“Now then, it will be a little bumpy, so please be careful.”
She says this with a resolute tone, facing us, and then rings a nearby bell. I feel a slight sense of weightlessness.
“…Are we perhaps flying?”
“Yes, we are heading towards the main temple by Cloud Ox. It will take about ten minutes to arrive.”
I feel a growing sense of unease as the characteristic movement of a vehicle doesn’t come, and we are ascending higher and higher. I wonder if this ox-drawn carriage is flying, and I ask, to which Tomoe calmly affirms. I see. If this is the case, there’s no need to invite us to their “main temple.”
“Did you notice?”
“Of course.”
I casually check with Evia, and she gives me a look of mild annoyance, as if asking if I’m stating the obvious. Calm down, me. This isn’t modern Japan. This is a different world, I tell myself, reconfirming. I tell myself to discard my preconceived notions and, since there’s time to kill, perhaps I should ask a question. I look towards Tomoe, but she has closed her eyes and is silently still, as if unwilling to converse.
“…”
“…”
“…”
Perhaps she would respond if I spoke to her, but her posture is completely dismissive. There’s no hope for a cheerful, tourist-guide-like conversation. Therefore, without further ado, I decide to spend the remaining time in silence. And after my initial question, no atmosphere for conversation arises. The interior of the ox-drawn carriage remains quiet. Furthermore, despite being a flight, the outside scenery is hidden by the curtain, so there’s no enjoying the view. Tomoe, sitting opposite me, remains silent with her eyes closed. Evia and I also spend the time in silence, not conversing.
“…”
“…”
“…”
In the end, there was zero conversation during the journey. And zero information gained. The quiet aerial journey continues, and with a gentle sensation of descent, the flying ox-drawn carriage arrives at its destination. Wishing to escape the slightly awkward atmosphere as soon as possible, Tomoe is the first to move. She smoothly stands up and lifts the curtain.
“Please, you may disembark.”
Evia and I disembark in that order. Stepping off the ox-drawn carriage, which has landed on a white sandy ground, we can see the building. Is this what they call the Great Imperial Palace? Personally, the only similar-looking building I know is the Byodo-in Phoenix Hall depicted on the ten-yen coin, but this imposing structure could certainly be called a palace.
“…Do you notice?”
“Yeah, it seems we’re being welcomed.”
Naturally, I expected there to be security in such a facility. Not quite piercing, but as soon as we stepped off the ox-drawn carriage, numerous gazes were fixed upon us. There’s no hostility, but we are being watched with caution. Birds circling unnaturally overhead and small animals scattered throughout the garden. We discreetly confirm the presence of surveillance to each other and position ourselves to cover each other’s blind spots.
“Then, please, allow us to guide you.”
The shrine maiden who held the reins of the ox-drawn carriage and Tomoe lead the way into the Great Imperial Palace. The four of us walk down a corridor devoid of people. We walk with the garden scenery reflected to our right, but there are still no people. Despite this, the sensation of being watched is strangely unsettling. Is it always like this, or have they cleared the area? Either way, it’s not a comfortable feeling. However, it’s better than encountering people unnecessarily, so I resign myself and proceed in silence.
“This way, please.”
And when we are led into a room, there are finally people. However, wearing face coverings like stagehands and dressed in loose ceremonial robes, it’s impossible to tell if they are young or old. One person standing by the door knocks.
“The guests have arrived.”
“Please enter.”
A voice calls from inside.
“Then, our duty ends here. Please enter.”
Tomoe and the other shrine maiden part to the sides, open the door, and usher us inside. As the door slowly opens, we see a connecting corridor. The person whose voice we heard should be there, but there’s no one. Puzzled, Evia and I step through the door, which then slowly closes behind us, leaving us no choice but to proceed.
“Shall we?”
“Yeah.”
Evia and I proceed together, and at the top of the stairs, we see a larger building resembling a hermitage. It has a dry landscape garden, and the building, clearly designed with attention to scenery, has Kirie-san standing at its entrance, waiting.
“We’ve been waiting for you. Everyone is assembled.”
“Were we the last ones?”
“Yes.”
And passing through this door will begin our exchange in this otherworld. While I expected a sense of tension to descend, I find myself surprisingly unfazed, feeling a touch of anticlimax. I give Evia a subtle nod as she looks to me for confirmation, asking if I’m alright with a glance.
“Understood. Let’s go inside.”
“Yes.”
I wonder what kind of conversation will unfold.
A word for today: Tension can sometimes dissipate with a slight turn of events.
Thank you for your continued feedback and for pointing out any typos. If you are enjoying this novel, please consider leaving reviews, ratings, and bookmarking it.
*The first volume of this novel is published by Hayakawa Bunko JA. It was released on October 18, 2018, with an e-book version following on October 31st of the same year. The second volume was released on December 19th, and the third volume was released on February 20, 2019. The content has been revised and expanded from the version posted on “Shōsetsuka ni Narō,” including the addition of unpublished intermissions. We hope you will also consider purchasing the new releases!
We appreciate your continued support for this work.
