We live at the foot of Dragon Peak.
Faith is our guide.
With the issue of forbidden techniques settled, we returned to the grassland where Asher-san was waiting, our aerial stroll finished.
Waiting for us were several lively maidens.
“Oh my, oh my. Elnea-kun, welcome back.”
“Elnea-sama, next time be alone with me!”
“I will eliminate Laira.”
“I will vanquish Laira.”
“Sisters, please be quiet. Ah, Elnea-kun. I also want to ride on Sleigsta-sama.”
“Yes, yes, you all need to be a little quieter.”
“You say that, Mist-san, but weren’t you trying to sneak ahead while we were busy?”
Mistral retorted to Madrine-sama’s sharp accusation with, “I was only here to take care of the Elder,” but it lacked any real conviction.
The maidens were making a ruckus beside Asher-san.
Priscilla-chan, Ares-chan, and Nimia, who had returned from the sky, also joined for some reason, making the grassland suddenly lively.
However, with everyone causing such a commotion nearby, Asher-san didn’t seem angry at all.
Hmmph. So this is the difference in how men and women are treated!
“Hmm. As usual, indeed.”
“Everyone, if you make that much noise, you’ll get sweaty, you know?”
“If you get sweaty, just jump into the nearby lake.”
“I see, Mistral is a genius!”
No, I’m the genius.
Yes, if I join in, and we all sweat together… hehe!
It was at that moment, when I was about to join with impure intentions.
“Oh my, it’s quite lively.”
“Whoa. Great-grandmother!”
New visitors appeared on the grassland.
One was Grandma Yuuri, leaning on a cane.
Another was Grandma Jaballayan, an Elder of the beast race, also with a cane.
And trailing behind them fearfully were Istericia of the Mimicho Race.
“Hey, don’t forget me either?”
“Carly-san, hello!”
Oh, I almost missed him.
Apparently, Carly-san understands Asher-san very well.
Carly-san did not step onto the grassland but remained waiting at the edge of the forest.
“My, what is that beast in your hand…?”
“I found it deep in the forest. It seemed to be trying to dig a hole and go inside on its own?”
“Please don’t mind him.”
The one Carly-san was holding with a wry smile was Oz, who was supposed to have run away from the grassland.
“Hmph. I’m not scared. I was hunting. I was just digging a hole to hunt!”
“Oh, as expected of Oz. You must have been aiming for a big one, right?”
“Of c-course!”
It was strictly forbidden to point out that the prey might have been a golden fox magic beast with a forked tail, who called itself a “demon race.”
“Um, are you trying to catch yourself?”
“Ah, hey, Priscilla-chan!”
Oh, what a surprise.
Priscilla-chan, who knew nothing of adult considerations, was mercilessly attacking Oz.
Oz slumped down with a whimper.
It’s a little sad, but perhaps now he’ll realize the danger of persistently bothering me?
It’s good to be faithful to an oracle, but there are limits.
“Oz, let’s go to various places together again, okay?”
“F-fine. If you plead so much, I won’t refuse. …However, the one with that dragon and the Thousand-Handed Spider is a bit…”
Oz looked at Asher-san with frightened eyes.
“By the way, Grandpa. Can Oz enter the Moss Garden?”
“Hmm.”
Elder Sleigsta, who had folded his wings and was relaxing as usual, gazed at Oz with golden eyes.
Oz froze, still held by Carly-san, under the gaze of Elder Sleigsta, who was much larger than Asher-san.
“Unfortunately, he cannot enter. Even if it is a pet you keep, if you carelessly allow someone who is easily swayed by others to enter, it may invite unnecessary misfortune.”
Oz barked in a voice so small no one could hear, “I am not a pet.” However, even Oz didn’t have the spirit to argue with Elder Sleigsta’s words.
“There’s nothing we can do about this. I hope you’ll be able to enter someday.”
“Hmph. I am busy. I don’t have time to be with you all the time.”
Despite saying such haughty things, he was tucking his forked tail between his hind legs.
Everyone smiled at Oz’s cute reaction.
“So. Yuuri, didn’t you have some business?”
Carly-san, waiting at the edge of the forest, had likely accompanied Grandma Yuuri and Grandma Jaballayan as a bodyguard.
And then, why had the two grandmothers and Istericia come to the grassland?
Elder Sleigsta looked down at the three of them.
Grandma Yuuri and Grandma Jaballayan remained unfazed by Elder Sleigsta’s questioning gaze.
However, Istericia, standing behind them, was clearly terrified.
If we surprised her even a little, she would probably flee back into the forest in a flash, just like Oz.
“Fufufu, because Sleigsta-sama was flying joyfully in the sky. I assumed Elnea-kun and the others were here.”
“You have business with me, not Grandpa?”
Hmm, I wonder what it is? As I tilted my head, Grandma Jaballayan spoke.
“We have enjoyed our stay here for a long time. However, it is about time to return to where everyone is waiting. So, we came to consult with you about taking this child with us.”
Grandma Jaballayan indicated Istericia.
Unlike the rest of the Mimicho Race, Grandma Jaballayan had not completely moved to the forbidden territory.
Although she intended to live here eventually, she was only staying for an extended period this time to have tea with Grandma Yuuri.
And, after various events, I was the one who entrusted Istericia to Grandma Jaballayan.
I thought that if I could help Istericia, who had shown interest in Temple Religion, even a little.
Grandma Jaballayan is an ancient Miko who was baptized long ago in a place called the Temple City.
“Ah, speaking of her, it reminded me, Elnea-kun.”
“Yes, what is it, Madrine-sama?”
Then, Madrine-sama raised her hand.
“It’s about the Mimicho people we are housing in the mansion. Eventually, I want them to receive baptism as well. Of course, at the Great Shrine of the Yorttenitos Kingdom!”
“Oh, that’s a great idea!”
Istericia wasn’t the only one interested in Temple Religion.
The members of her tribe also had a considerable amount of faith and were receiving guidance from Madrine-sama and Ruiseine.
This means that if there were any women who wanted to become Miko, they would emerge.
Even among men, there might be those who choose the path of a priest.
Clergy of the Mimicho Race.
It feels strange somehow, but there are Miko of the divine race and priests of the demon race in the world.
People of various races can become clergy if they train properly. Isn’t this perhaps the most equal system in the world? Setting aside such discoveries.
“If that’s the case, it might be best for Istericia to receive baptism in the Yorttenitos Kingdom as well.”
Grandma Jaballayan smiled at Madrine-sama’s suggestion.
Istericia was confused by the movements of her kin, which she heard from Madrine-sama, and the unexpected proposal from Grandma Jaballayan.
But her cheeks softened slightly. She must be happy inwardly.
Istericia, who will go to the northern lands where the beast race people live and train there, and the Mimicho people who will receive guidance from Madrine-sama and Ruiseine in the forbidden territory.
I hope the day will come when these tribal people can gather and receive baptism.
“You do not need to walk your long lives alone. Life becomes richer by interacting with many people and walking together. For the time being, let’s involve the Mimicho Race.”
“The Mimicho people are long-lived, so I think we can become long-time friends.”
“Indeed.”
Just like Elder Sleigsta and Grandma Yuuri, they can surely form relationships that transcend race and lifespan.
And if involvement with Temple Religion is the first step, I want to cooperate with all my might.
Perhaps Grandma Jaballayan came to consult with me with all that in mind?
Istericia, who was constantly terrified by the presence of Elder Sleigsta and Asher-san, seemed to have no objection to Grandma Jaballayan’s offer.
Surely she also wants to study more and become a splendid Miko.
“So, you mean you want to return to your hometown soon?”
“Fufufu, that’s right. Neither Jaballayan nor Istericia can cross Dragon Peak.”
Grandma Jaballayan gently affirmed Elder Sleigsta’s words, while Grandma Yuuri clearly stated her intention.
“Very well. It is also about time for me to return to Dragon Forest.”
“What, Grandpa is going back too? I was just thinking of returning to my duties. If you want, I can take you to where the beast race people live.”
“Asher-san is going back too?”
“Mom is going back too, nyanko?”
Nimia, you really have to go back sometimes, you know?
“I just went back at New Year’s, nyanko.”
“Oh dear, this child…”
“Um, Priscilla will take care of Nimia, okay?”
“We’ll take care of Priscilla-chan, right!?”
“If anything happens to my daughter, I’ll hunt you down to the ends of the earth and eat you!”
“Hiiih!”
Asher-san, if Nimia got even a scratch, he would probably come to eat me instead of attending to his duties.
Glowered at by Asher-san, I hid behind Elder Sleigsta.
Everyone who saw that burst into laughter.
“We’ll be taking care of Elnea-kun, who takes care of Priscilla-chan, right?”
“Yes, Ruiseine is right.”
“I will take care of Elnea-sama.”
“No, Elnea is mine.”
“No, Elnea is mine.”
“Are you going to hand him over to my sisters?”
“Are you going to hand him over to the three sisters?!”
And then, the maidens started making noise again.
“Fufu, fufufu. I’m taking Elnea.”
Everyone, it’s not time to be fighting over me among yourselves!
Ares-chan was the first to approach me as I hid.
Ares-chan hugged me and smiled a smile unbecoming of a young girl.
“Include Priscilla too.”
“Include me too, nyanko.”
Then, Priscilla-chan and Nimia joined in.
It’s always like this, isn’t it?
The victors are always the young girls.
Priscilla-chan also hugged me without hesitation.
Nimia climbed onto my head.
Small children have high body temperatures.
Hugging the young girls made me sweat just by itself.
“Alright, before everyone goes back to their respective places, let’s play in the lake!”
“Let’s play, let’s play.”
“Let’s plaaay!”
“Nyaa.”
I used Spatial Jump.
I landed on top of Elder Sleigsta’s head!
“Alright, hold on tight.”
Elder Sleigsta spread his folded wings again. And then, into the sky.
“Ah, leaving us behind again!”
“Old man, wait!”
The ladies mounted Asher-san.
Cleverly, Grandma Yuuri, Grandma Jaballayan, and Istericia also rode on him.
Asher-san, carrying everyone, took flight.
We all plunged into the nearby lake together.
Ah. Carly-san and Oz were left behind.
What a shame.
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