We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Ares-chan safely brought back the axe.
It was a quiet night, with no sounds of night birds or distant wolf howls.
Ruiseine’s clear congratulatory words echoed pleasantly in our ears.
The beat of Rubia-san’s drum and the melody of Marine-san’s flute.
Madrine-sama and Latea-san performed Kagura dances, harmonizing perfectly with the mystical atmosphere.
A special stage was set up in front of the repaired Nine-tailed Fox Shrine, where the Miko performed the ritual solemnly.
The men, in turn, toasted and nibbled on food while watching the beautiful sight.
“But, is it really okay? With our sisters working so hard, and us just relaxing like this?”
Then, Wisel-san, who possessed a pure heart, voiced such a question.
I moistened my lips with sweetened water instead of alcohol and answered the question.
“It’s fine. Our role is to enjoy and appreciate the Miko’s Kagura dances, and to spend time together. What’s important is to watch over Ruiseine and the others as they earnestly dedicate themselves.”
Even now, Ruiseine and Madrine-sama perform rituals all night on nights with a full moon.
However, they’ve never complained about needing help, nor have they grumbled that we’re having too much fun while they work.
This is because, as Ruiseine once explained to Mistral, “It is only when both those who perform the ritual and those who watch over it, in whatever form, exist that it gains meaning.”
However, that was for the ritual dedicated to the Goddess of Creation.
But tonight’s ritual is not for the Goddess.
It is for the one enshrined in the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine and the sacred mirror being offered.
Therefore, I pondered a different question than Wisel-san.
“Is the master of the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine satisfied with this ritual? Since it’s a shrine related to sealing, aren’t rituals being offered to the enshrined master in a place they would find abhorrent?”
Furthermore, although the content of the congratulatory words differs, the format is the same as a Temple Religion ritual, and the Kagura dance being performed now, though modified, is of the same lineage as the dances dedicated to the Goddess.
Charlotte, who is enshrined in the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine, apparently dislikes sacred things due to various circumstances, so I wonder if she’ll be alright?
Then, Charlotte, sensing my unspoken questions and thoughts, said with a small smile while gazing at the Kagura dance with narrowed eyes.
“I’m sure it will be alright. I believe the one enshrined here is also satisfied with the beautiful Kagura dances and the heartfelt rituals of the Miko.”
Hmm. If she says so herself, there’s no mistake.
Charlotte happily offered fine-looking sake, brought from who-knows-where, to the men while enjoying the Kagura dance.
“However, after this is over, you Young Masters will be returning, won’t you?”
Yuguri-san, his face flushed perhaps from the campfire or the alcohol, took Grave-sama’s hand.
“I’m entrusting my daughter to you?”
“Yuguri-dono, what are you talking about!?”
As expected of a prince. He shows no signs of intoxication from the potent sake Charlotte is offering. However, his insensitivity to others’ affections has been apparent from the start.
What if Grave-sama were good at romance? Wouldn’t Yufilia and Nina have also been in danger!?
No, that’s unlikely.
But if Grave-sama had been more interested in romance, he would surely have married a wonderful woman by now and had many successors.
Putting my fantasies aside.
“Regarding Rubia-dono, Madrine-dono will surely take responsibility for her. She is, well, a bit, no, quite spirited, but as Head Miko, she is competent and fulfills her role splendidly. Just recently, she retrieved an important ceremonial staff that had been destroyed by an evil Demon Lord.”
Ah, but it was returned as a reward from that Demon Lord, and the large jewel embedded in the staff is a mass of Charlotte’s magic beside me. I would never say that, even if my mouth were torn open.
“Rubia is capable. She will undoubtedly live a splendid life wherever she goes. However, Wisel. I am more worried about you.”
“Grandfather…”
“Latea-san has taken a liking to you. You should be a little more proactive.”
Normally, Odoll-san would be lying in his cave or resting in the shade just outside, but he had come to witness tonight’s ritual.
Well, Wisel-san carried him on his back to bring him here.
Odoll-san seemed to be in high spirits after seeing the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine for the first time in years. And once he started drinking, he began to lecture.
“Listen, Wisel. Being gentle alone isn’t enough for a man. Sometimes you need to push your way forward with a woman. That’s the part you’re lacking.”
“Haa…”
Wisel-san is even worse at romance than Grave-sama.
Latea-san, the Shooting Star Miko, came here at the request of Yuguri-san and Marine-san.
And it seems she has taken a considerable liking to Wisel-san, who has a pure heart and a handsome appearance.
However, Wisel-san is too passive.
Or rather, can he not even respond properly?
For the past few days, we have hardly seen Wisel-san and Latea-san together.
Apparently, Wisel-san is extremely shy.
Well, he’s only ever interacted with women like his sister Rubia or his mother Marine.
Perhaps the idea of becoming intimate with a woman he just met, getting married, and having children in the future is too sudden for him.
However, Latea-san seems to be drawn to Wisel-san’s purity.
I overheard Latea-san, who had been traveling various places as a Shooting Star, telling Madrine-sama, “It seems I have encountered my destined mission in this land.”
“Elnea-kun, you have so many wives, right? Please teach me how to interact well with women.”
“Uuuuhm, when you ask me so formally, it’s difficult.”
In my case, Old Man Sleigsta made arrangements, and they often approached me proactively.
However, it’s not entirely untrue to say that I was the one who ultimately took everyone’s hand.
After all, a man has to make his move when the moment calls for it.
“The prerequisite is that it’s important to understand and get along with each other, but after that, it really comes down to courage and character as a man!”
Prompted by Wisel-san, I began to speak volubly about romance.
Wisel-san listened to my talk earnestly. And for some reason, Grave-sama also lent an ear.
Huh? I haven’t had any alcohol, so why am I talking so passionately?
By the time I realized it, it was already too late.
When I checked Charlotte beside me, she gave me a sly, amused smile.
Ah, this demon. She secretly mixed alcohol into my drink!
“Well then, Elnea-kun, have another cup.”
“No, no, that’s definitely alcohol!”
Since she’d been found out, Charlotte made no attempt to hide it and tried to pour sake into my cup. I tried to stop her. But I couldn’t escape the grasp of the extremely evil demon.
“If you show any hesitation now, the master of the shrine will surely be displeased. And if the seal breaks and they go on a rampage, it will be Elnea-kun’s fault!”
“You devil! You’re shameless!”
While we were making a scene at the viewing area, the Miko’s ritual continued.
Thus, we spent the night in front of the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine and offered the sacred mirror with the early morning sunrise.
And then, having completed our series of duties, we moved on to our next actions.
“Is it alright? I can dispatch engineers if needed?”
“We would like to handle matters concerning the shrine ourselves. Don’t worry, we can rebuild it even if it takes time. More importantly, you delivered a mirror that we couldn’t restore. We are already sufficiently grateful for that alone.”
“It was Elnea and the others who delivered the mirror. But well, if Yuguri-dono says so, we won’t force it upon you.”
“More importantly, please take good care of Rubia.”
“Leave it to me. I promise to keep her in mind even after returning to Yorttenitos.”
“I can safely entrust my daughter to you, Grave-kun. However, I might want you to come back here sometimes. I’d love to see grandchildren too, if possible.”
“No problem. Rubia-dono is capable. She’ll likely be able to marry right away when she goes there.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful.”
“We will invite Yuguri-dono and the others to the wedding ceremony.”
“We will be waiting with great anticipation.”
“My, my,” we said, looking at each other and smiling.
Does Grave-sama realize?
Yuguri-san wishes for his daughter Rubia-san and Grave-sama to marry. And Grave-sama’s reply unintentionally went along with that.
“Hey, hey, Madrine-sama, can the future Head Miko and the future King get married?”
“Yes, there’s no problem. Even those who dedicate themselves to the priesthood are free to love. If the other party is the King, their character shouldn’t be an issue. However, they wouldn’t be able to perform official duties as a couple. Clergy cannot be involved in politics or wield power.”
“So, they can become husband and wife, but she can’t stand beside the King as his Queen?”
“Strictly speaking, there are various rules and some leniency, but generally, that’s how it is.”
“Then, it’s ultimately up to Grave-sama’s self-awareness.”
“Fufufu, I’m looking forward to it.”
“Yeah!”
Actually, we haven’t told them that Grave-sama is a prince yet.
Since Grave-sama himself doesn’t flaunt his status, it would be wrong for us around him to say it.
Therefore, Rubia-san and the others still seem to perceive Grave-sama as merely the son of a wealthy family or something similar.
“Madrine-sama, if you are to become Rubia-san’s guardian at the Great Shrine, please fulfill your responsibilities with conviction.”
“Fufufu, there’s no need for me to be told by Ruiseine. I will dedicate myself wholeheartedly to raising Rubia-san to become a worthy successor to the Head Miko.”
“My, my, that is a concern. We’ll need others to keep an eye on them, to make sure they don’t end up with the same attribute as Yufi-san, Nina-san, or Madrine-sama.”
“Muki! Why do you say that!”
Our preparations are complete.
Well, we have another destination, and we only packed the bare minimum.
However, Rubia-san is different. She is about to start her life in a completely unknown land. It’s understandable that it takes time to decide what to bring and what to leave behind.
Besides, she’s being separated from her cherished family.
“Rubia, study diligently under Madrine-sama.”
“Yes, Mother. I will become a great Miko too!”
“Fufufu, first, let’s learn refined speech.”
“Ugh, you don’t have to say that. When we meet next time, I’ll have learned makeup too.”
Madrine-sama suddenly invited Rubia-san to become a Miko. She was bewildered at first, but in the end, she decided to embark on her journey of her own will.
“Rubia-san will become a splendid Miko. If she receives her baptism at the Great Shrine of the country of Yorttenitos, she will surely become a skilled practitioner of magic arts.”
“Rubia. The Shooting Star and the current Head Miko have acknowledged you. You must not disappoint their expectations.”
“Leave it to me. By the time I return, I’ll be a Miko that will surprise both Mother and Latea-san.”
“Fufufu, and at that time, please show us a grandchild too?”
“Oh, Mother!”
Rubia-san blushed deeply in embarrassment. And she briefly glanced at Grave-sama from the corner of her eye.
Oh, may a happy future befall these two.
“Sister, I’ll do my best too.”
“You shouldn’t say that in front of Latea-san, should you?”
“Ah.”
“Yes, Wisel-san, please do your best?”
“La-, Latea-san!?”
Wisel-san also turned red.
As expected of siblings, they are very alike.
“Then, when we visit next time, we’ll see you two being even more affectionate, won’t we?”
“Elnea-kun too.”
Wisel-san showed a shyness that didn’t suit his gentle appearance.
But that seemed to appeal to women’s hearts.
Latea-san looked at Wisel-san with affection.
Grave-sama and Yuguri-san chatted, and Rubia-san exchanged preparations for her departure and farewell greetings.
It’s nearly time to depart.
But the important individuals were not there.
“They’re late, aren’t they?”
“I wonder how far they flew away?”
We looked up at the sky.
Yes, there was no sign of the Wyvern, nor any presence of it, in front of the Nine-tailed Fox Shrine.
And of course, Revalia was not there either.
Grave-sama, who had been chatting, also looked up at the sky with a slight unease, mirroring our concern. It’s natural to be worried when your own riding dragon is missing.
Revalia had been sent to search for the blue-scaled Wyvern that hadn’t returned even as it was time to leave.
Then, a Wyvern’s roar echoed from afar.
“Kts, I get it. I get it, so stop chasing me!”
“It’s only because you’re slow that I feel like I’m chasing you. Fly quickly. I’m just flying normally, you coward!”
“Hiiiii!”
Poor thing. It came back while being chased by Revalia.
“However, it was Elnea-kun who sent that tyrant to fetch them.”
“I-, I couldn’t help it. Lily didn’t respond, so I had no choice but to rely on Revalia.”
If only Nimia were here… No, that would probably cause a major commotion too, and I’m scared. With the accompanying young girl who would inevitably show up, it seems like an unprecedented disturbance would occur.
“That’s right, Oz. It’s fine if you want to stay here for now.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I have another mission!”
“A mission, you say…”
‘I, Ruiseine, and Madrine-sama couldn’t help but look at Charlotte.
But Charlotte just tilted her head with narrowed eyes as if asking what we were talking about.
At that moment, I suddenly thought.
Speaking of which, Rubia-san’s ancestors also received oracles, didn’t they? Does that perhaps mean…?
“It is said that those with pure hearts are easily deceived. Elnea-kun, please be careful too.”
“Uwaah,” I winced.
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