The “body check” was over, and with Solange and Mariel left in the bedroom, utterly exhausted, the party members of “Princess Harem” resumed their meeting in a separate room.
“Good work, everyone. Let’s review the results from today. I’ll report first. The results of the ‘body check’ showed no abnormalities for Solange and Mariel other than the ‘simple slave band (stigma)’ attached to their right ankles.”
“I really wanted to be Hal-sama’s assistant…”
As I, leading the meeting, reported the results of the “body check,” Elise, who couldn’t participate, expressed her disappointment.
Mai, Swan Hilda, Kirika, and Freya, who had been with me for quite some time, gave wry smiles. Liliana and Shera, who joined us on this journey, looked at me with frightened eyes, trying to back away.
“Huh, Elise… N-noooo~”
“As expected, Shera’s tail is so soothing!”
“Elise-sama, it’s unfair to hog all the attention!”
Without missing a beat, Elise embraced the fleeing Shera and began to stroke her tail – *shuko, shuko*. Shera’s pure white, well-groomed tail was Elise’s favorite.
Then, Freya, who shared the same preference, complained.
“That’s enough enjoying her tail. Can you continue your report, Elise?”
“My apologies, Hal-sama. Shera’s tail just caught my eye… First, regarding the ‘votive song’ score that we received at the temple, this is the parchment with the lyrics.”
“It’s quite short. Freya, can you memorize it?”
“I have the lyrics memorized, but I don’t know the melody of the song.”
“You’ll just have to listen to the other contestants’ ‘votive songs’ and imitate them.”
“I am very uneasy.”
“I feel like just reading it out loud would be fine. In situations like this, the God Clan can be quite meddlesome.”
“Oh, is that so…?”
“Well, Freya, just think of it as being on a sinking ship and take it easy.”
I instructed Freya to memorize the “votive song.” She responded with a confident reply, saying she already had. However, she had only memorized the lyrics and didn’t know the melody or anything else. Since time was short, they would have to go with it as it is.
Next, the Lower God Clan member, Swan Hilda, attempted to offer encouragement but failed.
“As my final report for today, there are six contestants, including Freya, for this ‘Thanksgiving Concert.’ Freya will likely be the last performer.”
“Do you have information about the other contestants?”
“The first three are daughters from a fishing village, and it seems they are like an opening act. The fourth is the renowned bard Blanche Noir, and the fifth is the Saintess, Lunamaria Lurd.”
“Speaking of Blanche Noir, she is a famous bard known by the epithet ‘Singer of Conflict.'”
“Wow, Liliana knows a lot.”
“She was famous even when I was in high society.”
“Thank you for the information, Liliana. I know about the fifth contestant, Lunamaria Lurd. She’s the Saintess with the epithet ‘Saintess of the Never-Ending Spring,’ who grants healing magic and divine protection through sacred songs. It seems the Asgard Holy Church is sending a heavyweight to wish for the recovery of lost territory.”
As Elise’s final report, it was revealed that famous bards and even a Saintess would be participating in the “Thanksgiving Concert.” Personally, I wouldn’t mind if they calmed the rough seas.
“Next, how was Kirika’s preparation?”
“These are the costumes and props I prepared.”
“A shabby fisher-girl’s costume, a silver-haired wig, and Aquaanar’s mask… The props are good, but isn’t the costume a bit plain?”
“I considered many options, but this is a replica of the costume worn by the first Queen, Florence Diva Vanadis, when she offered her ‘votive song’ after being bestowed the name ‘Diva’ by a goddess.”
“Kirika has also put a lot of thought into it. Understood.”
I thought Kirika’s costume was plain, but her explanation made me understand. Indeed, the gods tend to favor this kind of situation. It could be considered the best choice.
“Finally, how did Mai’s task turn out?”
“Mmm… This.”
“Wh-what is this!! … A copy of Mathias Moreau’s hidden ledger. Well done, Mai. If Freya fails, this will be useful as collateral to prevent Solange and Mariel from being resold to the Bashle Company and to extend their repayment deadline. If we scrutinize the contents, we might even be able to have the debt nullified.”
“Thank you, Mai. That’s a weight off my shoulders.”
“Mmm.”
Thus, the preparations for the “Thanksgiving Concert,” scheduled to begin tomorrow afternoon, were provisionally complete. Freya, who was to sing the “votive song,” was pale and nervous, but the other party members, led by Elise, seemed to be on a pleasure trip.
Time passed in an instant, and we gathered at the temple on the cape where the “Thanksgiving Concert” was to be held. Looking around, it was clear this festival was attracting attention, as many spectators had gathered around the temple. However, most of them seemed to have given up on the idea of the rough seas calming down. The majority seemed to be here to catch a glimpse of famous figures like Blanche Noir and Lunamaria Lurd, who were participating in this “Thanksgiving Concert.”
“Ho ho, it is indeed commendable that you have come without fleeing. The Bashle Company’s carriage is scheduled to arrive just as this ‘Thanksgiving Concert’ concludes. You had best wash your necks and wait.”
“Mathias-san, can you possibly wait for the repayment of the debt?”
“What outlandish talk is this!! The promissory note clearly states the terms, so it is an unreasonable request.”
“Big sister, I… I’m scared~!!”
Solange and Mariel, who were accompanying us, the party members of “Princess Harem,” were captured by a greasy middle-aged man. It appeared this man was the “Usurious Lender” named Mathias Moreau. He had a truly vile aura. Even the usually assertive Mariel seemed frightened when facing Mathias, hiding behind Solange. Mathias, with men who seemed to be his bodyguards, leisurely walked towards the temple.
“Is that Mathias Moreau… A perfect example of an usurious lender.”
“Hal-sama, the analysis of the hidden ledger Mai obtained yesterday is complete. If that document gets out, that man will be ruined.”
“I lent a hand too, but I felt like I saw a rope for hanging around his neck!”
As I expressed my disgust towards Mathias, Liliana and Kirika, who had helped analyze the hidden ledger, agreed. Behind them, Shera bristled her tail, bristling with intimidation. From the moment they met him, Mathias seemed to have been marked as an enemy by the “Princess Harem” party members.
“Hal-sama, isn’t it more exciting when there are villains?”
“Isn’t he already finished?”
Next, Elise chimed in with a defiant smile, while Swan Hilda wore an expression of pity.
“Today, we welcome you all to this ‘Thanksgiving Concert’ hosted by us, the Asgard Holy Church. We are truly—”
After we arrived and a short wait, the “Thanksgiving Concert” began solemnly. A old priest, seemingly in charge of the temple, ascended the “Thanksgiving Stage” and began the opening declaration for the “Thanksgiving Concert,” delivering a lengthy speech and sermon that was almost enough to bore one to tears. Normally, I would yawn, but the content was quite interesting. Since we had only arrived yesterday, it was meaningful in terms of supplementing our lack of information.
“At the ‘Thanksgiving Concert,’ participants will offer their ‘votive songs’ to the goddess in the registered order. There are six participants this time. Upon reaching the ‘Thanksgiving Stage,’ please state your name and a brief remark about your aspirations, then offer your ‘votive song.’ Please note that you are to face the open sea while singing—”
As the old priest descended from the “Thanksgiving Stage,” a young priest took his place. It seemed he was the master of ceremonies. A simple tent was set up where the priests had descended from the “Thanksgiving Stage,” and temple officials and participants were waiting. Freya, who had registered under the alias “Frey,” was presumably waiting there as well. The initial greetings were directed towards the audience, but since they would be facing the open sea when singing the “votive song,” we would only be able to see their backs. Well, as it was a divine ritual to calm the rough seas, that was to be expected.
And then, the first person took the stage.
“I am Barbara… I am from a nearby fishing village, and I came today because I earnestly wished for the goddess to calm the sea. I have attended.”
After bowing to the audience, Barbara faced the open sea.
“In the begiiiiinning… when the laaaaand—”
The first performer, Barbara, a fisherman’s daughter, wore her best clothes and sang haltingly. However, there was no change in the rough sea. The second performer, Debora, had a good vocal range, but there was no change in the sea. The third performer, Aurelia, sang in a monotone, but still, there was no change in the sea. And so, the opening acts concluded.
“It felt like a school arts festival for children attending a school affiliated with the temple.”
“Well, at least it was a song.”
“Swan Hilda is surprisingly lenient, isn’t she?”
“They aren’t dedicating it to us, after all.”
“Well, they’re amateurs, so it can’t be helped.”
Liliana commented that the first three performers were like a school arts festival, but it couldn’t be helped. As Swan Hilda defended the contestants with a wry smile, Kirika immediately interjected. Swan Hilda then let slip her true feelings. Meanwhile, Mai looked sleepy. Elise was contentedly touching Shera’s fox ears and tail, which were next to her. Solange and Mariel, who had secured seats a little distance away, were intently watching the “Thanksgiving Stage.” It was understandable, as their fate would be decided by the outcome of this “Thanksgiving Concert.”
The fourth performer, Blanche Noir, and the fifth performer, Lunamaria Lurd, were individuals specially invited by the Asgard Holy Church, which was hosting the “Thanksgiving Concert,” so there was hope. Ideally, the decision would be made before Freya’s turn.
“It is an honor to be invited to this esteemed ‘Thanksgiving Concert.’ Although I am but a humble bard, I will sing my ‘votive song’ with all my might. Please give me your cheers so that my voice may reach the goddess.”
” ” ” “Woooooooooh!!” ” ” ”
“Blanche-sama, you’re amazing~!!”
“Blanche-samaaa!! Do your best—!!”
With great anticipation, the fourth performer, Blanche, took the “Thanksgiving Stage.” The audience offered fervent cheers, and some were apparently her ardent fans. They might even be groupies.Incidentally, Liliana explained to me yesterday that Blanche’s epithet, “Singer of Conflict,” originated from her heterochromia, her eyes being black and silver, which appeared black and white depending on the light, and her skill in singing all genres of songs, even being able to sing songs of tragedy as songs of comedy, which are contradictory. She humbly called herself a mere bard, but she had apparently been invited to soirées hosted by high nobles. Today, her stage costume was a presence of solemnity and purity that seemed to have been inspired by Aquaanar. After a slight bow to the audience, Blanche turned towards the open sea and began to sing softly.
“In the beginning, the land—”
As expected of a renowned bard, Blanche sang lyrically, unlike the first three performers. However, the sea did not respond. Blanche descended from the “Thanksgiving Stage,” her shoulders slumped. She had been full of confidence before offering her “votive song,” and this abrupt change gave off an air of melancholy.
“Even singing this ‘votive song’ doesn’t work…!? Looking at the tent, Freya looks distressed.”
Even Elise, who was usually a rival, watched Freya with concern. However, she was still firmly clutching Shera’s tail with both hands, typical of Elise.
Thank you for reading.
Episode 20-6, “Diva of Calm Seas,” has been scheduled for release at 0:00 on August 4th.
