We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Sacrifice
The buffer zone, ruled by the winged tribe, spreads across the southeastern foothills of the Heavenly Mountain Range, which stretches long from north to south.
The mountainous region, which continues endlessly, is mostly uncultivated land, although not as steep as the Heavenly Mountain Range, and the winged tribe lives in villages and towns built in valleys, on mountainsides, and sometimes on mountaintops.
For the winged tribe, who possess wings, the roads connecting their villages and towns are not very meaningful. However, there is a need for roads where carts used for the slave trade pass, and post stations where they can rest their wings. Perhaps because of this, even on mountain paths with little traffic, roads wide enough for carts to pass were secured, and villages and settlements were scattered sporadically.
Nevertheless, the reason for the abundance of uncultivated land is probably that the winged tribe lacks the surplus to develop their culture.
Even if they sell slaves to the demon race or the divine race, obtaining guarantees of their race and money, they cannot invest in prosperity. The precious assets they acquire are consumed for their next survival.
Speaking of which, I recall the mansion I borrowed from Seol.
It was a magnificent residence for entertaining guests, and the furnishings were elegantly arranged. However, compared to the culture of the demon race we had seen so far, it was too meager and incomparably inferior.
The cultural prosperity of the winged tribe might be the same as that of our hometown, the human race, or even lower, if we were to be blunt.
Even in Seol’s territory, a relatively large city that I heard had a population of several thousand people, it seemed that only about that many people lived there. Moreover, more than half of them were slaves and servants other than the winged tribe.
The winged tribe doesn’t seem to have a large population either.
Or perhaps the capital of the winged tribe is more magnificent?
The capital, where the Council Hall is said to be located, appears to be situated in the center of the buffer zone.
It’s a placement that truly suits the winged tribe, being equidistant from the demon race to the north and the divine race to the south.
Unfortunately, we did not have the opportunity to go to that capital.
The day after Esneed gave us orders. We left Seol’s territory along with Esneed’s Imperial Honored Mansion and Slustal and other winged tribe members.
The road, prepared for the passage of carts carrying slaves, ironically leads us on a smooth journey.
Slustal’s territory seems to be southwest of Seol’s city, near the foothills of the Heavenly Mountain Range.
We are busy moving away from and approaching the Heavenly Mountain Range.
Speaking of busy, Seol, who holds the position of Council Chairman, should also be busy. It was surprising that Seol, who leans towards the divine race, accompanied Slustal when asked.
I thought Seol, who is biased towards the divine race, would wait for further developments in his own city once the plan to unseal the Gate of Underworld Prison was decided.
But, come to think of it. He also went to the northern village specifically. Although we humans have our reservations about Seol’s actions, which are uncharacteristic of a neutral faction, he himself seems to be surprisingly caring, looking after Slustal, a candidate for the council.
The medium-sized city, said to be Slustal’s territory, was located on a mountainside amidst a deep mountain range, like other settlements built by the winged tribe.
If you descend the mountainside, you will find a gentle valley, and if you climb the gently sloping mountain path to the summit, you will find Slustal’s mansion.
Even from the city on the mountainside, Slustal’s magnificent mansion was clearly visible.
However, we did not stop by Slustal’s mansion, nor did we even pass through the city, but entered deep into the forest.
“This forest is my private property. Normally, no one, not even the villagers, would be allowed to enter, not even the sky.”
Slustal told us this before entering the forest.
There is no doubt that the “Gate of Underworld Prison” is somewhere in this forest. That’s why Slustal prohibits people from entering.
The winged tribe should be able to fly over the forest, but Slustal prohibits even that. Isn’t his mansion on the mountaintop to monitor if anyone is illegally trespassing into the forest?
Slustal’s family is very careful about the “Gate of Underworld Prison.” Yet, Seol leaked the secret to Esneed.
I can understand Seol’s concern for the future of the winged tribe.
But, couldn’t there have been a better way to do it? Or is it just my own selfish thought?
The Gate of Underworld Prison is said to be a place where tens of thousands of the demon race army went and none returned.
However, seeing Slustal’s completely haggard appearance since the talk of unsealing the Gate of Underworld Prison began, I suspect there is a bigger secret hidden there.
After all, even if everyone who entered the Gate of Underworld Prison perished, Slustal shouldn’t be in trouble, right?
Yet, the fact that he is so distressed just by the talk of unsealing it means that there is definitely another problem hidden.
Perhaps to support my speculation. When passing through the city in his territory, Slustal brought ten Miko-sama from the temple.
The Miko of the temple means Miko-sama who holds a position in the temple religion. But why were the Miko called?
Moreover, all the Miko chosen and brought by Slustal had stern expressions.
They didn’t openly defy Slustal, the ruler, but still, considerable dissatisfaction and criticism could be read from their expressions.
Also, I recall when Slustal stopped by the temple to summon the Miko.
We were surprised that a magnificent temple was built in Slustal’s city.
After all, while the northern village was one thing, even Seol’s city didn’t have a stone temple.
The religion of the human race, which worships the goddess of creation, is called the temple religion. This is because they build temples made of stone for worship and various ceremonies.
However, the winged tribe, who seem to view humans merely as commodities for slave trading, did not seem to pay much attention to the temple religion.
Of course, to maintain appearances, they prepare what looks like a temple and provide minimal protection for the clergy. Nevertheless, the winged tribe, whose architecture is primarily wooden, does not treat them in a way that would warrant the trouble of building a stone temple solely for humans.
Yet, in Slustal’s city, there was a magnificent stone temple, the clergy were well protected, and slaves could freely worship there.
Is Slustal perhaps competent and treats even slaves with care?
No, that’s unlikely.
Like other winged tribes, Slustal also views humans only as commodities for slaves. In fact, he initially intended to sell us as slaves after hearing our circumstances.
It’s strange that Slustal’s city, with its typical winged tribe mentality, has such a magnificent stone temple, isn’t it?
While Slustal’s ancestors may have built it, it’s still questionable that slaves are allowed to worship freely.
What does Slustal intend to do by bringing many Miko to the private forest?
Deep in the forest, there is undoubtedly the “Gate of Underworld Prison.”
Could it be that Miko are needed to unseal the Gate of Underworld Prison?
My guess was correct.
Deep in the forest, there was a small lake.
The water was deep, and the bottom was not visible from the surface, which reflected the blue sky.
Upon arriving at the lake, Slustal summoned the Miko.
“I want you to recite the incantation written on that stone monument with Hōryoku,”
Slustal indicated. Beside the lake, a single ancient stone monument was placed alone.
The stone monument was covered in moss, as if it had never been maintained, and I wondered if it would crumble into stone dust within a few generations.
Perhaps there were ruins nearby, but they collapsed without a trace long ago, and only this stone monument remained.
Looking around, there were no other traces of ruins resembling anything other than the stone monument. Of course, there was no “gate” structure that could be called the Gate of Underworld Prison.
What on earth is that single, ancient stone monument?
Luiseine and Madrine, who are Miko, became interested in the incantation carved on the stone monument and approached it along with the Miko brought from the city.
Then, upon seeing the incantation carved on the stone monument, Madrine gasped.
“Elnea-kun. Everyone!”
Called by Madrine, we rushed over.
The many members of the Imperial Honored Mansion and Slustal and other winged tribe members waited by the lake without reprimanding us for moving on our own.
Perhaps they know what is about to happen here. Since they know it won’t be a hindrance, they are leaving us alone?
Of course, the winged tribe fully understands our abilities, so they won’t interfere unnecessarily, which is likely another reason. However, it is unnatural that the divine race, especially Esneed, says nothing.
Anyway, we gathered around the stone monument.
“Please look here.”
At Madrine’s direction, we skipped the difficult wording of the incantation and focused on the last line.
‘May eternal peace continue in this land. Yushida. Auria. Varutyie.’
“…This, this is!?”
Reading the last sentence on the stone monument, we looked back at Madrine in surprise.
“Yes. Perhaps… no, it is certain. I don’t know if it’s the same branch family, but I believe one of my ancestors left their name on this stone monument in this land.”
At Madrine’s words, the Miko brought from the city were surprised.
“M-might it be possible…”
“We deduced from the Hōi you are wearing that you are of noble birth…”
“Could you please tell us your name?”
Asked by the Miko, Madrine proudly puffed out her chest. Then, she declared with confidence.
“I am Madrine Rafal Varutyie.”
“Ooooh!” The Miko cried out in admiration.
As expected, a Miko of the Varutyie surname is a special presence for the clergy.
As the Miko began to excitedly commotion, Slustal, who had been observing, became curious. He came over to see what was happening.
“My Lord. This person is someone very venerable to us humans.”
“Therefore, please, please… We don’t care what happens to us. However, please protect these people.”
For some reason, the Miko began to earnestly implore Slustal.
We tilted our heads, not understanding why.
Why are the Miko worried about Madrine’s safety?
Madrine has had many adventures with us. However, the Miko do not know about Madrine’s adventures, and they only met us a little while ago.
Nevertheless, their excessive pleas for Madrine’s safety are concerning.
Furthermore, if they are worried about Madrine’s safety, they should be asking us, who are acting together with her, not Slustal, the lord.
Yet, the Miko implore Slustal.
Ah, I see. Perhaps the Miko are relying on Slustal, who is of the winged tribe, rather than us humans, because they don’t know us.
If I think of it that way, it’s not entirely unconvincing. But our thoughts were too optimistic.
“Elnea-kun. This incantation contains dangerous content.”
Luiseine’s warning came, and we asked for the details.
“This incantation uses very advanced wording. Probably… To activate the Hōjutsu contained in this incantation, a considerable number of Miko will be necessary.”
“There are ten Miko brought from the city, but…?”
“I believe it’s nowhere near enough.”
Then, will reciting the incantation with Hōryoku not produce the intended Hōjutsu?
If that’s the case, then Slustal’s scheme to bring the Miko will end in vain, won’t it?
Considering the current situation, the incantation carved on this old stone monument must have some connection to the Gate of Underworld Prison. However, if the Hōjutsu does not activate even when the incantation is recited, the future plan will be ruined.
From our perspective, the fact that the seal of the Gate of Underworld Prison was not broken is not a problem.
But Slustal and Esneed will not be satisfied.
In fact, after hearing Luiseine’s interpretation, Slustal ordered the Miko, who continued to plead with him.
“I know that much. According to legend, dozens of ordinary Miko are needed to read the incantation on the stone monument. However, there are no ‘ordinary’ Miko in this land.”
This is a region where the temple religion is protected only minimally. The abilities of the Miko residing there are likely lower compared to other regions.
“However, I brought them here knowing this. These individuals also came here understanding their roles.”
“Then…!”
“What are you trying to make them do?!”
The expressions of Luiseine and Madrine suddenly became stern.
“If you two are also high-ranking Miko, then you know.”
When I asked what, Luiseine, still looking sternly at Slustal, told me.
“Hōryoku is not a unique skill of a race such as Jutsuryoku or Divine Arts. It is a fragment of the Goddess’s power, bestowed by the Goddess through baptism to those who have trained as Miko.”
Therefore, Luiseine explained that “Hōjutsu” is a miracle manifested by the Goddess through the Hōryoku residing in a Miko.
“In other words, if the Hōryoku needed to activate Hōjutsu is insufficient, it means that faith in the Goddess is insufficient… So, please consider this. If, despite lacking Hōryoku, that is, faith in the Goddess, you were to recite an incantation with an unseemly wish?”
“The incantation will not be completed, and Hōjutsu will not activate?”
“Normally, yes. However, what happens if, in such a case, you forcibly use Hōryoku?”
“Hōjutsu still won’t activate, but the Miko will be severely weakened from using up their Hōryoku?”
There have been times in the past when Luiseine became weak from overuse of Hōryoku.
However, my answer was wrong.
“No, that’s not correct. The Goddess is a merciful being. Therefore, if you wish from the bottom of your heart, the spell will activate.”
However, Luiseine’s expression clouded over.
“In any case, excessive actions come at a price. If you were to activate Hōjutsu with an unseemly wish… a Miko would be severely punished and lose their Hōryoku. That would be fortunate; in the worst case, their soul would be offered to the Goddess.”
“Th-then!”
Do the ten Miko brought here have to offer not only their precious Hōryoku, earned through rigorous training, but also their lives to carry out Slustal’s orders?!
“That’s not allowed!”
To sacrifice their valuable power, or even their lives, for an event that has no value for many people is absurd!
I raised my voice in opposition. And then I realized.
Right. The Miko misunderstand that not only they themselves, but also Luiseine and Madrine were brought as sacrifices. That’s why they were desperately pleading to protect Madrine, who inherited the Varutyie bloodline!
We would never think of achieving something by sacrificing Luiseine or Madrine. Furthermore, we don’t want the Miko who were brought here to lose anything either!
As we moved to protect the Miko.
Madrine was the first to move.
Madrine said with resolve.
Towards us.
“Very well. If I and Luiseine add our Hōryoku, reciting this incantation should be no problem.”
“M-Madrine-sama!?”
“Elnea-kun, everyone, please believe me. Luiseine and I will surely save the Miko.”
Madrine’s unexpected declaration surprised not only us but also Slustal.
