Our party member, Elise, requested that we go on our first expedition to the Southern Nations. We carefully selected our party members and traveled from the Espana Imperial Kingdom in the Western Nations.
After finishing our business at Portland Castle Ruins, we decided to make a stop at the Old Kingdom of Vandis, Freya’s homeland, which is also in the Southern Nations.
The Kingdom of Vandis, like the Old Kingdom of Portland where Elise was born, was a traditional country with a long history, though it was a small nation.
And in most historical countries, there are founding myths and legends of the Divine Right of Kings associated with their establishment.
In the case of the Old Kingdom of Portland, the founding myth was that Ensherry Portra, one of the ancient heroes and known as the “Hero of the Staff,” received the Divine Right of Kings from the Earth Mother Deity, Dentemetina.
The sacred artifact of the contract at this time was the “Holy Staff of Dawn and Dusk,” which was granted along with the quest to seal the “Great Calamity.”
The true “Holy Staff of Dawn and Dusk” was enshrined with her remains in a “secret small room” beneath Portland Castle after Ensherry Portra’s death, as the “God’s Yoke.”
Perhaps they used an elaborately crafted imitation for things like the king’s enthronement.
And this founding myth is probably true…
It is an undeniable fact that in this world where we live, there are indeed gods.
Although it is presumptuous, Swan Hilda, a member of the Lower God Clan and listed among the Valkyries, is part of our “Princess Harem.”
Swan Hilda remains in the position of my slave in accordance with the pact made when she changed her race from Demonkin to God Clan, but she is also in a position to abandon me at any time and return to the “Garden of the Gods.”
Furthermore, Elise’s troublesome condition of forming a Magic Reservoir within her body was to supply the magic needed to maintain the “God’s Yoke” as the “Sealing Priestess Princess.”
Moreover, the “God’s Yoke” is still active today.
The miasma that leaked from the seal was of the same nature as the evil magic that Demonkin wear, and it was even more purified and dangerous.
However, the seal itself remains strong even after a long time, and the thin concentration of miasma was a saving grace.
If I had not saved Elise with “Resurrection Magic,” the “God’s Yoke” would have run out of the magic needed to maintain it, likely breaking and allowing the “Great Calamity” to be unleashed upon the world.
While the true nature of the “Great Calamity” remains a mystery, it is easy to imagine that it would bring about devastation to the world far greater than the invasion of Demonkin.
Furthermore, according to the contents of classical English poetry (ballads) and the interpretation of self-proclaimed hero researcher Liliana, it seems to be related to Ly and Edele as well.
Regarding Edele, it should have originally been Swan Hilda’s responsibility, but since she underwent a Class Change from Princess Jumilande, the only daughter of Demon King Gandaro, it cannot be helped.
In other words, Azarii Desmon, who was granted the “Sacred Shield of the Heavens” as the “Hero of the Shield,” is possibly an ancestor of Swan Hilda and Edele, and a hero who founded the Desmonia Kingdom in the Southern Nations, now known as the lands of the Demonkin.
On the other hand, Saliand Wahl, who was granted the “Sacred Sword of Twilight” as the “Hero of the Sword,” is the founder of the Wahl Empire, the predecessor of the Wahl Imperial Kingdom, and an ancestor of Ly.
In conclusion, the descendants of the ancient heroes have gathered in “Princess Harem.”
It’s too much to dismiss this as mere coincidence…
I had believed that I was admitting members to “Princess Harem” based solely on my own judgment, but I could not dismiss the possibility that it was all orchestrated by high-ranking gods.
Meanwhile, the Old Kingdom of Vandis, Freya’s homeland, was a nation that prospered from fishing, centered around a bay or inlet.
In the case of the Old Kingdom of Vandis, the Water Deity, Aquaanar, was involved.
Aquaanar is a high-ranking goddess who oversees all water-related matters, including the oceans.
The first queen of the Old Kingdom of Vandis is said to have been the beautiful and melodious Queen Florence Diva Vandis.
Originally, Florence was the daughter of a simple fisherman born in this area.
As she grew, her beauty became known throughout the neighboring countries, though some embellishment may have occurred in the founding myth.
Unfortunately, Florence caught the eye of a lustful noble from a neighboring region, and just before she was to be taken as a concubine, she attempted to drown herself, lamenting the ephemeral nature of the world.
As she threw herself into the rough sea and lost consciousness, just before crossing the Sanzu River that separates the shore from the other shore, she encountered Aquaanar herself.
Aquaanar then requested a song praising her, and promised a reward if she was pleased.
When Florence next regained consciousness, she found herself washed ashore.
Despite being soaked from head to toe, Florence poured her heart and soul into singing a “Votive Song” to Aquaanar.
“Florence, I am satisfied. I grant you the title of ‘Diva,’ and I shall also allow you to rule this land.”
Originally, the sea in this area was rough and unsuitable for fishing, but when Aquaanar’s words reached the minds of Florence and the residents of the surrounding area, a good omen appeared.
The high, tumultuous waves subsided, and abundant seafood began to be caught.
Thus, recognized by the goddess, Florence was enthroned as the queen ruling this area and founded the Old Kingdom of Vandis.
Incidentally, the blue gem necklace that Freya wears around her neck as a symbol of her status as heir is said to be a divine artifact bestowed by Aquaanar, which appeared on her neck after Florence sang the “Votive Song.”
Based on these historical events, the next queen to inherit the Old Kingdom of Vandis was presented with the national treasure necklace during the “Ceremony of Establishing the Crown Prince” and was bestowed the title of “Diva.”
The heir apparent princess, the Crown Prince, would offer a “Votive Song” to Aquaanar at the “Enthronement Ceremony” held at the temple built on the tip of the cape, thereby proclaiming her legitimacy.
This “Votive Song” ritual was considered a secret rite, and even the priests could not be present.
With the fall of the royal family of the Old Kingdom of Vandis, there is no one who can accurately convey its contents.
However, fortunately, the musical score of the “Votive Song” itself seems to have been left in the temple.
For the Kingdom of Sazania, which invaded the Old Kingdom of Vandis, the founding myths of that country would have had virtually no value.
The Kingdom of Sazania merely coveted the abundant seafood resources of the Old Kingdom of Vandis.
However, after annexing the Old Kingdom of Vandis and publicly executing all the captured royal family members, the sea began to rage without any prior warning and has remained so to this day.
The King of Sazania was enraged and pressured the temple of the Asgard Holy Church, whose main deity was Aquaanar and was built on the tip of the cape, ordering them to pacify the rough seas.
The Asgard Holy Church could have refused the request of the secular power, the King of Sazania, but they have repeatedly performed rituals for the distressed populace, but they could not appease Aquaanar’s anger.
This ritual has continued even after the Kingdom of Sazania was destroyed by the Espana Imperial Kingdom.
And by chance, tomorrow is the day for the “Thanksgiving Concert.”
It was fortunate that the old fisherman we met in the desolate fishing village was the headman and well-informed about the area.
Afterward, we headed towards the coast, where we barely managed to rescue two girls who were about to throw themselves off a cliff, and returned to our inn here, “Melody of the Diva Inn.”
“Hal, the older of the girls has woken up. Could you come here please?”
“Understood, I’ll be right there.”
While I was contemplating what had happened in the Old Kingdom of Portland and my experiences in the Old Kingdom of Vandis, Elise came to fetch me.
“Where is this?! I didn’t die… Wait, who are you?!”
The awakened girl glared protectively at the “Princess Harem” members who were observing her with interest and asked.
Her speech was polite and refined, unlike what one would expect from a mere fisherman’s daughter.
Freya, when we first met her, spoke in a flippant, downtown dialect.
“My name is Hal Raymond. I am the representative of the adventurer party ‘Princess Harem,’ and the women behind me are party members.”
I, who had been summoned by Elise, entered the room where the rescued girls were and introduced myself to the elder girl who had woken up.
The members of “Princess Harem” were accustomed to this situation and stood by the wall, listening to the conversation between me and the girl.
“Why, why didn’t you let us die?! We—”
“Now, calm down.”
“Why, why—”
The awakened girl began to cry, hugging her knees.
The crying girl had glossy black hair cut sharply at her shoulders.
Her eyes were also black, similar in color to the people from the Eastern Nations like Mai.
However, unlike the people from the Eastern Nations, she had deep-set features and was a beautiful girl with a passionate demeanor.
Her exposed skin was tanned brown, but the skin revealed from her relaxed décolletage was white, suggesting she was naturally fair-skinned.
She appeared to be around our age, but she had dark circles under her eyes.
Her attire was somewhat worn, but she was wearing a long-sleeved top and trousers, primarily navy blue.
There was nothing particularly unusual about the trousers, but the collar of the top was very large, and a tie was fastened at the chest.
Currently, the tie had been removed and placed on the nightstand beside the bed, and two of the chest hooks were undone, allowing her to relax and revealing her white chest.
Incidentally, the other girl, who had not yet woken up, was wearing the same clothes, suggesting these might be uniforms.
“That’s an unusual outfit.”
“Hal, you don’t know? This is a ‘sailor uniform’ worn by sailors. It’s my first time seeing it in person, but it’s quite interesting—”
When I commented on the clothes the girl was wearing, Kirika chimed in.
According to Kirika, this outfit is a uniform worn by sailors on warships, called a “sailor uniform.”
Kirika explained that the large collar is called a “sailor collar.”
The “sailor collar” was designed to prevent hair stains from getting on the uniform during long voyages when fresh water was scarce and hair washing was not possible.
Also, the tie that adorned the chest was originally a hand towel used for wiping dirt, which evolved over time.
“Kirika, you’re surprisingly knowledgeable about strange things.”
“Hal, don’t you understand… this outfit holds great potential—”
It seemed Kirika already knew about “sailor uniforms” but seeing this one in person struck a chord with her.
Kirika’s hobby is sewing unusual costumes, so she might show us some interesting outfits in the future.
Thank you for reading.
Episode 20-2: The Temporarily Secured Sisters
was pre-scheduled to be posted at 0:00 on July 31st.
