We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
A family of oracles.
Rubia’s ancestors apparently came to this land hundreds of years ago.
They were originally a traveling clan, and their arrival here was also by chance.
But then, a revelation came.
“Serve the shrine deep within the forest.”
The then head of the family, who was a clergyman, seems to have taken it as a divine revelation from the Goddess.
Since then, Rubia’s family has lived in this land.
“But. Besides you, Rubia, isn’t there no one else living around here? I have a question: how did you continue your lineage?”
To my question, Rubia blushes, and her younger brother, Wizel, looks embarrassed.
Why!?
My question was answered by the bedridden grandfather, Odoll.
“Even with a noble revelation, we couldn’t survive in this harsh land with our own strength. Like me, and these two parents, once the children grow up to a certain extent, the parents go out to earn a living far away. And if they find someone suitable in the land they visit, they bring them back as a spouse for their child.”
“So, you got married that way too, Grandfather? And Rubia’s parents too… So, you two will also marry someone brought back by your parents eventually, right?”
This is something we don’t hear about in the society where we live.
One day, suddenly, parents bring back someone unknown. The children marry that person and continue to have descendants.
How do the parents find a spouse for their child?
How are the chosen spouses persuaded to come to this land?
This is a method only possible for a clan with beautiful features, and would be absolutely impossible for someone with below-average looks.
I have many other questions, but it seems endless if I ask.
So, yes.
Why is Rubia blushing when she looks at me?
Why is Wizel embarrassed in front of Charlotte?
Don’t think about it.
I can’t take responsibility for it!
“Are your parents always away?”
“That’s not true. They come back sometimes. Let’s see, it’s been about two years this time since they last returned, so I think they’ll be back soon.”
Considering Rubia and Wizel’s age, it seems likely they’ll bring back a spouse this time around.
I listen to their story while eating the stew Rubia made.
Charlotte is also eating with gusto.
But, to be honest, it’s not very delicious.
Of course, it’s natural.
Rubia and her family are living in poverty. There would be no way to have enough seasonings or spices to be satisfied.
They must be living while cherishing what their parents bring back from their work trips.
When I offered them some spices, though I only had a little, Rubia was so happy she almost cried.
Wizel actually cried.
“So, now I want you to tell me about yourselves.”
Rubia said this while caring for her bedridden grandfather.
I omitted unnecessary information and fumbled when I couldn’t say things.
“There’s a threat from the demon race in our country too. Ah, this person isn’t an evil demon! Anyway, there’s a rumor that a demon who caused trouble in the past is coming back. That shrine seems to be related to it.”
I didn’t mention the name “Nine-tailed Fox Shrine.” It seems Rubia and her family don’t know what is enshrined there.
I casually asked about Oz, but there were no stories of fox-like magic beasts in their legends.
In other words, Rubia’s clan arrived long after Oz had served there.
Still, I think while explaining our situation here.
What is this “revelation,” anyway?
Rubia and her family believe it without question as a divine revelation from the Goddess, but I find it questionable.
Of course, the Golden One enshrined in the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine did pose a threat to the world, but would the Goddess really bother to monitor it?
I believe the Goddess is impartial to the world.
Even if terrifying magic beasts like the Shōjō try to corrode the world, she doesn’t personally intervene to defeat them. Even if demons or divine races oppress other races, she doesn’t inflict heavenly punishment.
On our journey to find the Full Moon Flower, we understood something.
Everything in this world is a child born of the Goddess.
Therefore, she doesn’t watch over anything with favoritism. Because she cherishes all her children equally, she doesn’t interfere unnecessarily in the world.
Well, I suppose there are rare instances of a Saintess appearing, so it’s not entirely true that she never interferes.
And because of that, I can’t help but think this.
If the seal of the Golden One is broken. The world might indeed face a great upheaval like it did thousands of years ago. But I believe it is us, living desperately in the present, who should deal with that problem, not the Goddess.
After all, if the Goddess had intended to interfere, she would have done so thousands of years ago.
Therefore, I don’t believe the revelation that came to Rubia’s family was from the Goddess.
So, who gave the revelation? And why are they trying to protect the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine?
Speaking of which, Oz did say he received a revelation from the Golden One.
The difference between Rubia’s family and Oz.
I think the root of the problem surrounding the Golden One lies around here.
Thousands of years ago. Charlotte, who actually fought the Golden One, might know something.
However, Charlotte did not reveal “that something” in our conversation last night.
The next day.
We resume our investigation of the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine.
“A shard of a mirror? Indeed, there was something like a mirror enshrined in the shrine.”
Today too, Rubia accompanied us.
From what we heard last night, Rubia takes care of the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine, while Wizel gathers nuts and takes care of Odoll.
In the early morning, Wizel looked disappointed as Charlotte saw her off.
It was probably his first love, and perhaps his first heartbreak.
I apologize to myself.
If I had known about Rubia’s family’s situation, I would have avoided doing anything that might needlessly trouble them.
Charlotte, with her mysterious sideways rolled blonde hair and narrow eyes, is undoubtedly an extremely beautiful woman.
With that in mind, feeling sorry for Wizel, we returned to the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine.
Revalia was curled up with her eyes closed, just as she was when we parted yesterday.
“She’s a large and splendid dragon.”
“Come to think of it, Rubia, why aren’t you afraid of Revalia?”
“They say dragons are wise beings, right? So, I’m not afraid. If they are wise, they won’t use unnecessary violence. Besides, humans like us are insignificant beings and won’t even be noticed by them, right?”
“That’s right. You’re lucky, Revalia. You were praised as a wise being.”
“Shut up and be quiet.”
Rubia’s values are both correct and incorrect.
Certainly, dragons possess intelligence far beyond human reach, but they are actually quite worldly.
Like humans, they have emotions, and there are foolish dragons and playful dragons.
Some, like Sleigsta (Old Man), are mischievous.
Rubia and Wizel only know this world. They may have heard various stories and knowledge from their parents and Odoll, but they perceive things too purely and don’t know how to doubt.
Ah, I’m relieved.
If Rubia had encountered Baltnowar or the Twin-headed Dragon, she might have been deceived or put in danger.
I ask Rubia, who is gazing at Revalia with pure eyes.
“Um. The mirror that was enshrined there is broken, right? Does that mean we shouldn’t touch it?”
Then, Rubia shakes her head, saying it’s fine.
“It’s fine. I just wanted to consult with my parents about what to do with the broken mirror when they return.”
“Then, is it okay for us to go inside the shrine and investigate?”
“You guys are fine. You don’t look like bad people, and everyone else says so too.”
“Everyone” refers to the trees, the wind, and the birds in the forest.
With Rubia’s permission, I approach the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine.
It’s an old building; there’s moss on the floor and walls, and some of the pillars are broken.
“It’s quite damaged, won’t it break down?”
“Of course, it will break. It seems it broke down about a hundred years ago. The current shrine was also damaged by a storm last summer.”
So, they plan to discuss rebuilding the shrine when their parents return.
It seems Rubia and her family don’t consider the building itself to be important. What’s important is what’s enshrined inside the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine, and the building is seen as something to protect those items from the elements.
I place my hand on the tilted and crooked door of the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine.
I try to push with all my might, but it only creaks and won’t open, likely due to the warped frame.
I concentrate my dragon energy and carefully pull the door, making sure not to collapse the building.
Then, with a grinding, unpleasant sound, the door opens.
“Wow, you’re stronger than you look.”
“Fufufufu. I have strength, you know.”
I grin at Rubia, who nods in admiration behind me.
Seeing my confident smile, Rubia gives a wry smile.
“That smug smile doesn’t suit you. You should smile more cutely.”
“Sob sob, I’ll keep that in mind.”
I want to be cool too!
While feeling dejected, I, Rubia, and Charlotte peer inside the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine.
“Unlike its exterior, the interior is still somewhat intact.”
From the outside, the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine had broken pillars and was tilting, but the interior seems to be unharmed.
There are no cracks in the walls that let in drafts, and no holes in the roof that allow sunlight to stream in.
The interior of the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine is much smaller than the Dragon Shrine in Mistral’s village.
It’s so small that even three people can’t fit inside.
So, I step inside as the representative.
The wooden floor creaks as if it might give way.
After carefully taking two steps forward, I hit the back wall.
“Is this the mirror? It’s indeed broken.”
And on the altar in front of me, a polished-looking stone is placed in a pathetic state.
Upon closer inspection, there are even a few stone fragments scattered around the altar. It’s possible that when it was initially broken, it shattered everywhere, and Rubia gathered them up and placed them back on the altar.
Also enshrined are a pot of sake of unknown origin, and a taiko drum and flute that look like they were used in rituals.
“Elnea-kun, please pick up and gather the mirror shards.”
Charlotte instructs me from behind, and I collect the broken stone pieces.
Then, with my palms full of stones, I come out.
Since I couldn’t collect them all by myself, Rubia followed and began collecting the remaining fragments inside the shrine.
“Elnea-kun, please try to assemble the broken pieces. A rough assembly is fine.”
“Okay. …By the way, help me out!”
I’m doing as I’m told, but when I think about it, Charlotte hasn’t done anything.
Not since yesterday!
However, Charlotte shows a troubled expression at my complaint.
Her narrow eyes droop at the corners – a sophisticated expression.
“Elnea-kun. I am a demon, you see?”
“That’s right?”
“Do you think a demon can touch sacred objects?”
“Oh, I see…?”
The mirror enshrined in the evil Nine-tailed Fox Shrine is undoubtedly sacred.
Oz also said that he takes meticulous steps to create sacred objects. He also mentioned that in the end, purification by a Miko is necessary.
“But I’ve never heard of demons being unable to touch sacred things? Besides, your boss was swinging around the Miko head’s staff.”
As I try to assemble the mirror fragments, asking Charlotte this and that, she watches me working and Rubia, who brought the remaining fragments.
“For me, well, it’s special. It’s a matter of compatibility…”
“Perhaps you’re weak against Miko or sorcery?! Kukuku, I’ve learned something good. That’s why you ran away from Rubia yesterday, because you thought she was a Miko you’re not good with, right?”
“Elnea-kun.”
Charlotte smiles, saying “Ohoho.”
“It’s not that I’m not good at it, it’s a matter of compatibility. Besides, if it were truly dangerous, without question…”
Charlotte cracks her whip with a “Pishiin!”
R-right…
Someone who would be held back by weaknesses or things they’re not good at wouldn’t reach a position like a demon’s Grand Marshal.
I continue assembling the mirror, my face twitching as Charlotte playfully touches the whip.
Once I restore it to a certain shape, Charlotte peeks in and says, “Thank you for your hard work.”
“As expected. The power it contained is gone.”
“The power it contained? Is that what you meant by sacred power earlier?”
“Yes. I was almost certain of it from when Elnea-kun first brought out the fragments, but it has indeed become just a stone.”
“You were certain from the beginning… Does that mean you knew it wasn’t sacred anymore and made me work on it!”
“Ohohohoho!”
Charlotte laughs with genuine amusement.
Rubia and I, having been thoroughly deceived by an evil demon, look at each other and let out a big sigh.
