We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
A world where flowers bloom.
The soldiers and clergy who had been watching with bated breath began to show signs of unrest.
The flowers we showed were all ones that could be found blooming around us, and by no means special. Nevertheless, we had confidently declared them to be the “Full Moon Flowers,” so there was no helping it.
However, we presented the flowers in our palms without a hint of hesitation, and Yashura-sama and Madrine-sama looked at us without batting an eye.
“The Full Moon Flowers, beloved by the Goddess, are a legendary flower that everyone seeks but no one can ever find. Therefore, how do you explain that the flowers you presented are that Full Moon Flower?”
Yashura-sama said in a slow tone, yet with a stern voice that allowed no deception.
In contrast to the two Head Mikos, whose hearts were not swayed by our sudden answer, the surrounding clergy seemed on the verge of panic. As if that panic was contagious, Rudoriado-san and the national soldiers were also whispering amongst themselves from a distance.
Looking at this scene, I wondered if even the High Priest and the senior Mikos didn’t know the answer to this trial. Perhaps only the Head Miko who had issued the trial truly understood its meaning.
“Before I explain, we have returned after overcoming the trial, but is it permissible to openly verify the answer here?”
Listea looked around at the flustered crowd and confirmed with Yashura-sama.
“I will say it then. Those present here will be your witnesses. You have already sworn an oath to the Head Miko, but as witnesses, you will stand by, and will not speak of what happens here. If any of those present here should, in the future, find themselves in a position to undergo the same trial as you, they have vowed to undergo a different trial.”
In other words, the people around us are acting as guards and witnesses. The Head Miko treats everyone equally, whether they are heroes or royalty. However, without witnesses at the time of verifying the trial’s answer, there will inevitably be those who harbor doubts. Therefore, they are here in large numbers to prove that no unfairness occurred. And in return, they have prepared themselves to undergo a different trial if any of the witnesses should find themselves in our position. It also seems that by surrounding us with many people, they are preventing the answer to the trial from leaking out.
We bowed deeply to the people who had gathered.
And now, we were finally going to prove the Full Moon Flower we had found. As their representative, I stepped forward.
“We went to the northern lands to search for the Full Moon Flower. The northern lands are an undeveloped territory for the human race. It was a journey fraught with great danger.”
I turned and looked at the Beastfolk, including Folganne.
“From the beginning, we wondered why we were directed to the northern lands to find the Full Moon Flower. Nevertheless, we stepped into the northern lands as we were told. It was there that we met these Beastfolk. We got ourselves into a bit of a difficult situation, but they were friendly and told us they wanted closer ties with the human race, so they came with us.”
I moistened my dry throat with spit and returned my gaze to Yashura-sama.
“It was a strange experience. A land untouched by human hands. Yet, in the northern lands, we saw the ruins of a city that seemed to have been built by humans. At a ruined temple, we witnessed the ritual of the next generation of Beastfolk leaders receiving their rite of passage. Ruiseine said that it was very similar to the Rite of Baptism that Mikos receive. And it was a Beastfolk Miko who performed the rite of passage for the leader.”
As I spoke, disbelief spread across the faces of the clergy.
“Her name was the prayer master Jab, who was said to be over 1300 years old. She received her rite of passage in the temple city a long, long time ago and became a Miko. I was surprised. I was surprised that a Beastfolk Miko who received her rite of passage in the western lands was living in a land untouched by humans. No, perhaps that wasn’t the surprise. We had a prejudice. We thought that the religion that worships the Goddess of Creation was unique to humans, and that other races could not receive baptism or become Mikos.”
Indeed, other than Jab, there were no followers of the temple religion among the Beastfolk. However, this was because Jab did not engage in missionary activities and was careful to ensure that the Beastfolk lived their lives as Beastfolk. According to Ruiseine and the others, there are also a few believers among the Divine Race and Demon Race.
“And then, it dawned on me. This world was indeed created by the Goddess Arestina. Not only humans, but also Beastfolk, Dragon Race, and Dragonfolk. Not only that, but the Goddess created everything in the world, including the Demon Race and Divine Race that torment humans, as well as monsters and yōma.”
Why did she create beings that disrupt peaceful lives? Such a thought is childish. From a human perspective, the Demon Race and Divine Race are terrifying races, and monsters and yōma are immediate threats. However, from the perspective of cows and deer, humans are also a considerable threat, and the Demon Race and Divine Race are no match for the Dragon Race and Dragonfolk. Depending on the perspective of each race, those who receive benefits and those who pose a threat are different. Therefore, the world cannot be spoken of from a human-centric perspective.
“It’s not just living things. Water, earth, and air. Clouds, wind, forests, and mountains were also created by the Goddess.”
A pleasant spring breeze rustled through. The flowers and grass made a refreshing sound, and the clouds drifted slowly. Everything that can be seen and felt was created by the Goddess.
“Uh. We are going to get married. And someday, we will have children. I think Ruiseine, Kiiri, and Inea will also become mothers someday. Then, will mothers discriminate among their children? Will they divide the children they bore with pain based on preference?”
I said this as if asking everyone present. The male soldiers tilted their heads and looked at each other. The priests also seemed a bit confused. However, the women among the soldiers and the Mikos’ eyes widened as if they had just realized something.
“First of all, when you say it’s a flower beloved by the Goddess, people misunderstand and think it’s a truly special flower. But it’s not. The flowers swaying at our feet and the flowers in our palms, if you trace them back to their origins, they are all things created by the Goddess. In other words, they are her children. A mother loves her children equally. If that’s the case, doesn’t the Goddess love everything she has created equally? That is the Goddess of Creation, the mother of the world. Therefore, we can say with confidence: all flowers are flowers beloved by the Goddess, and are the Full Moon Flowers!”
I declared this without hesitation. Responding to my firm will, everyone raised the flowers they held high. A gentle, loving breeze blew through, carrying the flowers in our palms to the sky. The flowers, which fluttered as if the Goddess were embracing her child, scattered their petals beautifully and rained down upon us. Everyone gasped at the wondrous sight. And with their long hair blowing in the comforting wind, Yashura-sama and Madrine-sama smiled.
“So that is the Full Moon Flower you have found?”
“Yes. Without a doubt!”
We nodded in unison. If this is wrong, I’ll go and confront the Goddess herself. Seeing Mei and Priscilla-chan playing happily across racial lines, I felt that everything in the world was connected to the Goddess. The connection I felt at that time was like the feeling of the world being connected through the Dragon Veins. Beneath the earth, the Dragon Veins flowed everywhere like human blood vessels, coursing through the world. Similarly, I thought that the connections between living things on the surface must also be woven together. And seeing the ruins we didn’t know about, I thought perhaps, a long time ago, humans also lived in the northern lands. I felt connected not only to the living beings of the present but also to the past through the ruins. It felt as if everything was connected and constructing the world. And the mother of all of it is the Goddess of Creation. This is the answer I derived from these feelings and thoughts.
Although the answer is incredibly simple once thought of, I wonder if it isn’t a miracle that I, who am not a devout believer, was able to arrive at this answer. Perhaps it is because of the teachings of Sleigsta (Old Man). Sleigsta (Old Man) always taught us things that made us conscious of the world. Things like the spirit tree and Dragon Veins, and much wisdom, and the admonition that we are part of the world. I believe I was able to reach this conclusion precisely because of such guidance. I should thank Sleigsta (Old Man) next time I go to the Moss Garden.
Yashura-sama looked at us intently once more, as if to confirm our resolve.
“This trial has many answers. All answers derived through struggle and suffering are correct. However, unfortunately, most people arrive at a sad answer.”
Listea also struggled, almost arriving at the wrong answer at first. We nodded at Yashura-sama’s words.
“We were prepared to acknowledge whatever answer you arrived at. However, after hearing Elnea-kun’s thoughts, I became convinced. The answer you have arrived at is indeed the true answer to this trial. I never expected that sixteen-year-old boys and girls would find such a splendid answer. I am grateful to the Goddess. No, I sincerely admire your wonderful faith.”
Yashura-sama bowed deeply to us. At first, I was more bewildered than anything by the Head Miko bowing to me. But gradually, I came to feel that we had been recognized, and something welled up from deep within my chest. We all looked at each other. Kiiri and Inea were shedding tears. Ruiseine also had tears pooling in her eyes, on the verge of crying from emotion. Listea’s expression was also starting to crack. How unusual. I could see everyone’s faces wavering. I felt like I was about to cry too.
“Elnea-kun, you are amazing! I, Madrine, am deeply moved.”
“Whaaaaaat?!”
And then, Madrine-sama, who destroyed the atmosphere of the scene! Madrine-sama, with tears welling in her eyes, hugged me.
“Hey, hey, Madrine-sama! What are you doing to my Elnea-kun?! And why is Madrine-sama here?!”
Ruiseine hastily tried to pull me and Madrine-sama apart.
“He is not *your* Elnea-kun. He is *our* Elnea-kun!”
“No. At least, not for Madrine-sama.”
“Grrrr. Let go!”
“No, I refuse!”
…What is this? Madrine-sama, you’ve ruined the nice atmosphere. Madrine-sama, who was hugging me tightly, struggled against Ruiseine. This person is indeed a comrade of Yufilia and Nina. We can’t do anything about her…
“You really…”
“Huh? Is this my fault?!”
With Listea’s exasperated gaze, I let out a scream. Looking around, Rudoriado-san, Kiiri, and Inea, as well as the soldiers and clergy, were all looking at us with exasperation.
“Humans are strange.”
“No, isn’t it just Elnea who is strange?”
Everyone from the Beastfolk, please don’t misunderstand! This is a scene that deviates greatly from human common sense!
Arghhh. My reputation is being ruined! I thought I had said something splendid. Madrine-sama, you idiot! I mentally complained to Madrine-sama, who was engaged in a struggle over me.
“Elnea-kun, please resist a little!”
“It’s easy for you to say, Ruiseine. Is it okay to lay a hand on the Head Miko…?”
“Oh, it’s okay to lay a hand on me?”
“Madrine-sama, please be considerate.”
The battle between Madrine-sama and Ruiseine continued until everyone there, exasperated, began to leave. Fearsome, Madrine-sama. To rival the Battle Priestess Ruiseine on equal footing… No, wait, let me go!
Initially confusion. Then tension took over, followed by an emotional conclusion. Our triumphant return after breaking through a trial of immeasurable difficulty ended, as usual, in a chaotic fashion.
How sad. I thought it would be a more blessed homecoming… Ah, I see. These are the preliminary skirmishes for what lies ahead. In the end, with Madrine-sama, who wouldn’t let go, clinging to my right arm, and Ruiseine, who clung to my left arm in opposition, we headed towards my family home.
