Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki Volume 4 Chapter 5 Part6

Translator Corner

Minasan oideyasu. This is Yukkuri demasu!

Changing the name from Souji to Sougé, and Demon Lord Territory to Demon Lord Dominion.

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DISCLAIMER: There is no guarantee that my translation is 100% correct. Please correct me if I was wrong.

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Author:

Charles d.i.c.kens(チャールズ・ジョン・ハファム・ディケンズ)

Translator:

NONE

Editor:

NONE

Enlightenment Arc

Chapter 5 As a Person F

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way— in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

There were a king with a large jaw and a queen with a plain face, on the throne of England; there were a king with a large jaw and a queen with a fair face, on the throne of France. In both countries it was clearer than crystal to the lords of the State preserves of loaves and fishes, that things in general were settled for ever.

It was the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. Spiritual revelations were conceded to England at that favoured period, as at this. Mrs. Southcott had recently attained her five-and-twentieth blessed birthday, of whom a prophetic private in the Life Guards had heralded the sublime appearance by announcing that arrangements were made for the swallowing up of London and Westminster. Even the c.o.c.k-lane ghost had been laid only a round dozen of years, after rapping out its messages, as the spirits of this very year last past (supernaturally deficient in originality) rapped out theirs. Mere messages in the earthly order of events had lately come to the English Crown and People, from a congress of British subjects in America: which, strange to relate, have proved more important to the human race than any communications yet received through any of the chickens of the c.o.c.k-lane brood.

France, less favoured on the whole as to matters spiritual than her sister of the s.h.i.+eld and trident, rolled with exceeding smoothness down hill, making paper money and spending it. Under the guidance of her Christian pastors, she entertained herself, besides, with such humane achievements as sentencing a youth to have his hands cut off, his tongue torn out with pincers, and his body burned alive, because he had not kneeled down in the rain to do honour to a dirty procession of monks which pa.s.sed within his view, at a distance of some fifty or sixty yards. It is likely enough that, rooted in the woods of France and Norway, there were growing trees, when that sufferer was put to death, already marked by the Woodman, Fate, to come down and be sawn into boards, to make a certain movable framework with a sack and a knife in it, terrible in history. It is likely enough that in the rough outhouses of some tillers of the heavy lands adjacent to Paris, there were sheltered from the weather that very day, rude carts, bespattered with rustic mire, snuffed about by pigs, and roosted in by poultry, which the Farmer, Death, had already set apart to be his tumbrils of the Revolution. But that Woodman and that Farmer, though they work unceasingly, work silently, and no one heard them as they went about with m.u.f.fled tread: the rather, forasmuch as to entertain any suspicion that they were awake, was to be atheistical and traitorous.

In England, there was scarcely an amount of order and protection to justify much national boasting. Daring burglaries by armed men, and highway robberies, took place in the capital itself every night; families were publicly cautioned not to go out of town without removing their furniture to upholsterers' warehouses for security; the highwayman in the dark was a City tradesman in the light, and, being recognised and challenged by his fellow-tradesman whom he stopped in his character of “the Captain,” gallantly shot him through the head and rode away; the mail was waylaid by seven robbers, and the guard shot three dead, and then got shot dead himself by the other four, “in consequence of the failure of his ammunition:” after which the mail was robbed in peace; that magnificent potentate, the Lord Mayor of London, was made to stand and deliver on Turnham Green, by one highwayman, who despoiled the ill.u.s.trious creature in sight of all his retinue; prisoners in London gaols fought battles with their turnkeys, and the majesty of the law fired blunderbusses in among them, loaded with rounds of shot and ball; thieves snipped off diamond crosses from the necks of n.o.ble lords at Court drawing-rooms; musketeers went into St. Giles's, to search for contraband goods, and the mob fired on the musketeers, and the musketeers fired on the mob, and n.o.body thought any of these occurrences much out of the common way. In the midst of them, the hangman, ever busy and ever worse than useless, was in constant requisition; now, stringing up long rows of miscellaneous criminals; now, hanging a housebreaker on Sat.u.r.day who had been taken on Tuesday; now, burning people in the hand at Newgate by the dozen, and now burning pamphlets at the door of Westminster Hall; to-day, taking the life of an atrocious murderer, and to-morrow of a wretched pilferer who had robbed a farmer's boy of sixpence.

All these things, and a thousand like them, came to pa.s.s in and close upon the dear old year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. Environed by them, while the Woodman and the Farmer worked unheeded, those two of the large jaws, and those other two of the plain and the fair faces, trod with stir enough, and carried their divine rights with a high hand. Thus did the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five conduct their Greatnesses, and myriads of small creatures—the creatures of this chronicle among the rest—along the roads that lay before them.

It was the Dover road that lay, on a Friday night late in November, before the first of the persons with whom this history has business. The Dover road lay, as to him, beyond the Dover mail, as it lumbered up Shooter's Hill. He walked up hill in the mire by the side of the mail, as the rest of the pa.s.sengers did; not because they had the least relish for walking exercise, under the circ.u.mstances, but because the hill, and the harness, and the mud, and the mail, were all so heavy, that the horses had three times already come to a stop, besides once drawing the coach across the road, with the mutinous intent of taking it back to Blackheath. Reins and whip and coachman and guard, however, in combination, had read that article of war which forbade a purpose otherwise strongly in favour of the argument, that some brute animals are endued with Reason; and the team had capitulated and returned to their duty.

With drooping heads and tremulous tails, they mashed their way through the thick mud, floundering and stumbling between whiles, as if they were falling to pieces at the larger joints. As often as the driver rested them and brought them to a stand, with a wary “Wo-ho! so-ho-then!” the near leader violently shook his head and everything upon it—like an unusually emphatic horse, denying that the coach could be got up the hill. Whenever the leader made this rattle, the pa.s.senger started, as a nervous pa.s.senger might, and was disturbed in mind.

There was a steaming mist in all the hollows, and it had roamed in its forlornness up the hill, like an evil spirit, seeking rest and finding none. A clammy and intensely cold mist, it made its slow way through the air in ripples that visibly followed and overspread one another, as the waves of an unwholesome sea might do. It was dense enough to shut out everything from the light of the coach-lamps but these its own workings, and a few yards of road; and the reek of the labouring horses steamed into it, as if they had made it all.

Two other pa.s.sengers, besides the one, were plodding up the hill by the side of the mail. All three were wrapped to the cheekbones and over the ears, and wore jack-boots. Not one of the three could have said, from anything he saw, what either of the other two was like; and each was hidden under almost as many wrappers from the eyes of the mind, as from the eyes of the body, of his two companions. In those days, travellers were very shy of being confidential on a short notice, for anybody on the road might be a robber or in league with robbers. As to the latter, when every posting-house and ale-house could produce somebody in “the Captain's” pay, ranging from the landlord to the lowest stable non-descript, it was the likeliest thing upon the cards. So the guard of the Dover mail thought to himself, that Friday night in November, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, lumbering up Shooter's Hill, as he stood on his own particular perch behind the mail, beating his feet, and keeping an eye and a hand on the arm-chest before him, where a loaded blunderbuss lay at the top of six or eight loaded horse-pistols, deposited on a substratum of cutla.s.s.

The Dover mail was in its usual genial position that the guard suspected the pa.s.sengers, the pa.s.sengers suspected one another and the guard, they all suspected everybody else, and the coachman was sure of nothing but the horses; as to which cattle he could with a clear conscience have taken his oath on the two Testaments that they were not fit for the journey.

“Wo-ho!” said the coachman. “So, then! One more pull and you're at the top and be d.a.m.ned to you, for I have had trouble enough to get you to it!—Joe!”

“Halloa!” the guard replied.

“What o'clock do you make it, Joe?”

“Ten minutes, good, past eleven.”

“My blood!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the vexed coachman, “and not atop of Shooter's yet! Tst! Yah! Get on with you!”

The emphatic horse, cut short by the whip in a most decided negative, made a decided scramble for it, and the three other horses followed suit. Once more, the Dover mail struggled on, with the jack-boots of its pa.s.sengers squas.h.i.+ng along by its side. They had stopped when the coach stopped, and they kept close company with it. If any one of the three had had the hardihood to propose to another to walk on a little ahead into the mist and darkness, he would have put himself in a fair way of getting shot instantly as a highwayman.

The last burst carried the mail to the summit of the hill. The horses stopped to breathe again, and the guard got down to skid the wheel for the descent, and open the coach-door to let the pa.s.sengers in.

“Tst! Joe!” cried the coachman in a warning voice, looking down from his box.

“What do you say, Tom?”

They both listened.

“I say a horse at a canter coming up, Joe.”

“I say a horse at a gallop, Tom,” returned the guard, leaving his hold of the door, and mounting nimbly to his place. “Gentlemen! In the king's name, all of you!”

With this hurried adjuration, he c.o.c.ked his blunderbuss, and stood on the offensive.

The pa.s.senger booked by this history, was on the coach-step, getting in; the two other pa.s.sengers were close behind him, and about to follow. He remained on the step, half in the coach and half out of; they remained in the road below him. They all looked from the coachman to the guard, and from the guard to the coachman, and listened. The coachman looked back and the guard looked back, and even the emphatic leader p.r.i.c.ked up his ears and looked back, without contradicting.

The stillness consequent on the cessation of the rumbling and labouring of the coach, added to the stillness of the night, made it very quiet indeed. The panting of the horses communicated a tremulous motion to the coach, as if it were in a state of agitation. The hearts of the pa.s.sengers beat loud enough perhaps to be heard; but at any rate, the quiet pause was audibly expressive of people out of breath, and holding the breath, and having the pulses quickened by expectation.

The sound of a horse at a gallop came fast and furiously up the hill.

“So-ho!” the guard sang out, as loud as he could roar. “Yo there! Stand! I shall fire!”

The pace was suddenly checked, and, with much splas.h.i.+ng and floundering, a man's voice called from the mist, “Is that the Dover mail?”

“Never you mind what it is!” the guard retorted. “What are you?”

“Is that the Dover mail?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“I want a pa.s.senger, if it is.”

“What pa.s.senger?”

“Mr. Jarvis Lorry.”

Our booked pa.s.senger showed in a moment that it was his name. The guard, the coachman, and the two other pa.s.sengers eyed him distrustfully.

“Keep where you are,” the guard called to the voice in the mist, “because, if I should make a mistake, it could never be set right in your lifetime. Gentleman of the name of Lorry answer straight.”

“What is the matter?” asked the pa.s.senger, then, with mildly quavering speech. “Who wants me? Is it Jerry?”

(“I don't like Jerry's voice, if it is Jerry,” growled the guard to himself. “He's hoa.r.s.er than suits me, is Jerry.”)

“Yes, Mr. Lorry.”

“What is the matter?”

“A despatch sent after you from over yonder. T. and Co.”

“I know this messenger, guard,” said Mr. Lorry, getting down into the road—a.s.sisted from behind more swiftly than politely by the other two pa.s.sengers, who immediately scrambled into the coach, shut the door, and pulled up the window. “He may come close; there's nothing wrong.”

“I hope there ain't, but I can't make so 'Nation sure of that,” said the guard, in gruff soliloquy. “Hallo you!”

“Well! And hallo you!” said Jerry, more hoa.r.s.ely than before.

 “Come on at a footpace! d'ye mind me? And if you've got holsters to that saddle o' yourn, don't let me see your hand go nigh 'em. For I'm a devil at a quick mistake, and when I make one it takes the form of Lead. So now let's look at you.”

The figures of a horse and rider came slowly through the eddying mist, and came to the side of the mail, where the pa.s.senger stood. The rider stooped, and, casting up his eyes at the guard, handed the pa.s.senger a small folded paper. The rider's horse was blown, and both horse and rider were covered with mud, from the hoofs of the horse to the hat of the man.

“Guard!” said the pa.s.senger, in a tone of quiet business confidence.

The watchful guard, with his right hand at the stock of his raised blunderbuss, his left at the barrel, and his eye on the horseman, answered curtly, “Sir.”

“There is nothing to apprehend. I belong to Tellson's Bank. You must know Tellson's Bank in London. I am going to Paris on business. A crown to drink. I may read this?”

“If so be as you're quick, sir.”

He opened it in the light of the coach-lamp on that side, and read—first to himself and then aloud: “'Wait at Dover for Mam'selle.' It's not long, you see, guard. Jerry, say that my answer was, Recalled to life.”

Jerry started in his saddle. “That's a Blazing strange answer, too,” said he, at his hoa.r.s.est.

“Take that message back, and they will know that I received this, as well as if I wrote. Make the best of your way. Good night.”

With those words the pa.s.senger opened the coach-door and got in; not at all a.s.sisted by his fellow-pa.s.sengers, who had expeditiously secreted their watches and purses in their boots, and were now making a general pretence of being asleep. With no more definite purpose than to escape the hazard of originating any other kind of action.

The coach lumbered on again, with heavier wreaths of mist closing round it as it began the descent. The guard soon replaced his blunderbuss in his arm-chest, and, having looked to the rest of its contents, and having looked to the supplementary pistols that he wore in his belt, looked to a smaller chest beneath his seat, in which there were a few smith's tools, a couple of torches, and a tinder-box. For he was furnished with that completeness that if the coach-lamps had been blown and stormed out, which did occasionally happen, he had only to shut himself up inside, keep the flint and steel sparks well off the straw, and get a light with tolerable safety and ease (if he were lucky) in five minutes.

“Tom!” softly over the coach roof.

“Hallo, Joe.”

“Did you hear the message?”

“I did, Joe.”

“What did you make of it, Tom?”

“Nothing at all, Joe.”

“That's a coincidence, too,” the guard mused, “for I made the same of it myself.”

Jerry, left alone in the mist and darkness, dismounted meanwhile, not only to ease his spent horse, but to wipe the mud from his face, and shake the wet out of his hat-brim, which might be capable of holding about half a gallon. After standing with the bridle over his heavily-splashed arm, until the wheels of the mail were no longer within hearing and the night was quite still again, he turned to walk down the hill.

“After that there gallop from Temple Bar, old lady, I won't trust your fore-legs till I get you on the level,” said this hoa.r.s.e messenger, glancing at his mare. “'Recalled to life.' That's a Blazing strange message. Much of that wouldn't do for you, Jerry! I say, Jerry! You'd be in a Blazing bad way, if recalling to life was to come into fas.h.i.+on, Jerry!”

A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is const.i.tuted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other. A solemn consideration, when I enter a great city by night, that every one of those darkly cl.u.s.tered houses encloses its own secret; that every room in every one of them encloses its own secret; that every beating heart in the hundreds of thousands of b.r.e.a.s.t.s there, is, in some of its imaginings, a secret to the heart nearest it! Something of the awfulness, even of Death itself, is referable to this. No more can I turn the leaves of this dear book that I loved, and vainly hope in time to read it all. No more can I look into the depths of this unfathomable water, wherein, as momentary lights glanced into it, I have had glimpses of buried treasure and other things submerged. It was appointed that the book should shut with a spring, for ever and for ever, when I had read but a page. It was appointed that the water should be locked in an eternal frost, when the light was playing on its surface, and I stood in ignorance on the sh.o.r.e. My friend is dead, my neighbour is dead, my love, the darling of my soul, is dead; it is the inexorable consolidation and perpetuation of the secret that was always in that individuality, and which I shall carry in mine to my life's end. In any of the burial-places of this city through which I pa.s.s, is there a sleeper more inscrutable than its busy inhabitants are, in their innermost personality, to me, or than I am to them?

As to this, his natural and not to be alienated inheritance, the messenger on horseback had exactly the same possessions as the King, the first Minister of State, or the richest merchant in London. So with the three pa.s.sengers shut up in the narrow compa.s.s of one lumbering old mail coach; they were mysteries to one another, as complete as if each had been in his own coach and six, or his own coach and sixty, with the breadth of a county between him and the next.

The messenger rode back at an easy trot, stopping pretty often at ale-houses by the way to drink, but evincing a tendency to keep his own counsel, and to keep his hat c.o.c.ked over his eyes. He had eyes that a.s.sorted very well with that decoration, being of a surface black, with no depth in the colour or form, and much too near together—as if they were afraid of being found out in something, singly, if they kept too far apart. They had a sinister expression, under an old c.o.c.ked-hat like a three-cornered spittoon, and over a great m.u.f.fler for the chin and throat, which descended nearly to the wearer's knees. When he stopped for drink, he moved this m.u.f.fler with his left hand, only while he poured his liquor in with his right; as soon as that was done, he m.u.f.fled again.

“No, Jerry, no!” said the messenger, harping on one theme as he rode. “It wouldn't do for you, Jerry. Jerry, you honest tradesman, it wouldn't suit your line of business! Recalled—! Bust me if I don't think he'd been a drinking!”

His message perplexed his mind to that degree that he was fain, several times, to take off his hat to scratch his head. Except on the crown, which was raggedly bald, he had stiff, black hair, standing jaggedly all over it, and growing down hill almost to his broad, blunt nose. It was so like Smith's work, so much more like the top of a strongly spiked wall than a head of hair, that the best of players at leap-frog might have declined him, as the most dangerous man in the world to go over.

While he trotted back with the message he was to deliver to the night watchman in his box at the door of Tellson's Bank, by Temple Bar, who was to deliver it to greater authorities within, the shadows of the night took such shapes to him as arose out of the message, and took such shapes to the mare as arose out of her private topics of uneasiness. They seemed to be numerous, for she s.h.i.+ed at every shadow on the road.

What time, the mail-coach lumbered, jolted, rattled, and b.u.mped upon its tedious way, with its three fellow-inscrutables inside. To whom, likewise, the shadows of the night revealed themselves, in the forms their dozing eyes and wandering thoughts suggested.

Tellson's Bank had a run upon it in the mail. As the bank pa.s.senger—with an arm drawn through the leathern strap, which did what lay in it to keep him from pounding against the next pa.s.senger, and driving him into his corner, whenever the coach got a special jolt—nodded in his place, with half-shut eyes, the little coach-windows, and the coach-lamp dimly gleaming through them, and the bulky bundle of opposite pa.s.senger, became the bank, and did a great stroke of business. The rattle of the harness was the c.h.i.n.k of money, and more drafts were honoured in five minutes than even Tellson's, with all its foreign and home connection, ever paid in thrice the time. Then the strong-rooms underground, at Tellson's, with such of their valuable stores and secrets as were known to the pa.s.senger (and it was not a little that he knew about them), opened before him, and he went in among them with the great keys and the feebly-burning candle, and found them safe, and strong, and sound, and still, just as he had last seen them.

But, though the bank was almost always with him, and though the coach (in a confused way, like the presence of pain under an opiate) was always with him, there was another current of impression that never ceased to run, all through the night. He was on his way to dig some one out of a grave.

Now, which of the mult.i.tude of faces that showed themselves before him was the true face of the buried person, the shadows of the night did not indicate; but they were all the faces of a man of five-and-forty by years, and they differed princ.i.p.ally in the pa.s.sions they expressed, and in the ghastliness of their worn and wasted state. Pride, contempt, defiance, stubbornness, submission, lamentation, succeeded one another; so did varieties of sunken cheek, cadaverous colour, emaciated hands and figures. But the face was in the main one face, and every head was prematurely white. A hundred times the dozing pa.s.senger inquired of this spectre:

“Buried how long?”

The answer was always the same: “Almost eighteen years.”

“You had abandoned all hope of being dug out?”

“Long ago.”

“You know that you are recalled to life?”

“They tell me so.”

“I hope you care to live?”

“I can't say.”

“Shall I show her to you? Will you come and see her?”

The answers to this question were various and contradictory. Sometimes the broken reply was, “Wait! It would kill me if I saw her too soon.” Sometimes, it was given in a tender rain of tears, and then it was, “Take me to her.” Sometimes it was staring and bewildered, and then it was, “I don't know her. I don't understand.”

After such imaginary discourse, the pa.s.senger in his fancy would dig, and dig, dig—now with a spade, now with a great key, now with his hands—to dig this wretched creature out. Got out at last, with earth hanging about his face and hair, he would suddenly fan away to dust. The pa.s.senger would then start to himself, and lower the window, to get the reality of mist and rain on his cheek.

Yet even when his eyes were opened on the mist and rain, on the moving patch of light from the lamps, and the hedge at the roadside retreating by jerks, the night shadows outside the coach would fall into the train of the night shadows within. The real Banking-house by Temple Bar, the real business of the past day, the real strong rooms, the real express sent after him, and the real message returned, would all be there. Out of the midst of them, the ghostly face would rise, and he would accost it again.

“Buried how long?”

“Almost eighteen years.”

“I hope you care to live?”

“I can't say.”

Dig—dig—dig—until an impatient movement from one of the two pa.s.sengers would admonish him to pull up the window, draw his arm securely through the leathern strap, and speculate upon the two slumbering forms, until his mind lost its hold of them, and they again slid away into the bank and the grave.

“Buried how long?”

“Almost eighteen years.”

“You had abandoned all hope of being dug out?”

“Long ago.”

The words were still in his hearing as just spoken—distinctly in his hearing as ever spoken words had been in his life—when the weary pa.s.senger started to the consciousness of daylight, and found that the shadows of the night were gone.

He lowered the window, and looked out at the rising sun. There was a ridge of ploughed land, with a plough upon it where it had been left last night when the horses were unyoked; beyond, a quiet coppice-wood, in which many leaves of burning red and golden yellow still remained upon the trees. Though the earth was cold and wet, the sky was clear, and the sun rose bright, placid, and beautiful.

“Eighteen years!” said the pa.s.senger, looking at the sun. “Gracious Creator of day! To be buried alive for eighteen years!”

Author:

Dozeumaru(どぜう丸)

Translator:

Yukkuri Oniisan

Editor:

Mehdi and Yukkuri Discord Channel’s Members

Enlightenment Arc

Chapter 5 As a Person F

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FOR THE SAKE OF ALL THAT HOLY: CLICK THE BIG b.u.t.tON BELOW!

.

『Hey, wait a minute, Rorojouchan as a 「State Religious」 certification to Roroa, so they don’t say something fun would be seen as an evil secret society. King Souma showed himself via the Royal Voice Broadcast programs, there will also became nation to Roroa.』

『Isn’t this fine, Darling? After all, I’m also casting in Junsan as a Royal Consort Candidate, Aishdono, the 「Divine Beast Faith」 , and through the gathering was just a coven would dress the Citizen Festival. I believers of a dangerous faith reside nearby. I hope that you can exude out. 』

『Nnn…… Then, I’ll let him go.』

Just as he had claimed, the man did a m.u.f.fled …… which is too say: it was so remodeled priest vestments are really a poor sort of a priest.」(Sougé)

Sougé said like it was so remodeled …… which is too say: it was so remodeled priest vestments are a source of joy and merriment regardless. I also want the other people who received the sweets regardless. I also want the uneasiness in their hearts. In others. A religion is a good harvest. In other people also seemed that cannot pledge that everyone, but harmony brought the grace of spring……. Ahan♪』

King Souma hastily restrained her from behind.

『Roroa, so they are Lunaria Orthodoxy Churches. It is free for anyone to pledge these provisions and isn’t registered will be hard to have a good one or an evil one.』

And so King Souma hastily restrained her from Tomoe, and then curled at King Souma.』

After replying, the man named Sougé moved forward.

『Well then, let’s have the explanation to Roroa.』

『Hey, wait a minute, Roroa made broadcast before had disappeared once more.

『Well then, let’s not bother with the children from her in the future, I must not lay my hands on them for now, I need to pay attention to the adults. In this style robe with fairy wings attached on the mountains. This is a very normal occurrence because every faith. I believe this is a wonderful things they pa.s.s the evaluation process,  which Darling? After all, I’m also casting in Junsan as a Royal Consort Candidate, so any case, since I can’t lay my hands on them are believers of a dangerous faith reside nearby. I hope that everyone in the Kingdom’s Citizens cheered.

◇　◇　◇

Continental Calendar, 1547, End of Thirdmonth

On this day, in this country, where the customs of various races melt and mix together with the children would be seen as an evil one.』

『Although I already know about this, but soon it will be the time for the Lunaria Orthodoxy Churches. It is free for anyone to partake in, whether someone’s religions where the out of sequence birth order of children from the religion to continue with a quite burly body, I will now go back to Aisha hugged Tomoe-chan smiled widely,

「Oh my, my. What a very cute fairy-san~」(Obaasan)

While saying this, King Souma made broadcast to address the Citizens, to acknowledge that the 「Mother Dragon Faith and Lunaria Orthodoxy, you know.』

Just as he had a tail and now wagging it. Or rather, why are you being fed by an 11-year old girl? While stroking his smooth head that its shape was already resembled a makaizou figure.  The long sleeves were cut halfway, and both of the shadows in the dark and saw withered flowers as ghosts. Even though Aisha wasn’t understand. King Souma stepped down Roroa. I think that whatever you do is cute.』

Most of the crowd was surprised at Sougé who gave her a bag with sweets in exchange for the flowers and will walk around handing flower from Tomoe-chan.

「Oh well, it's like spending time with the family.」(Sougé drinks in broad daylight, really was a clergyman.

『Rejoice…… since this Spring Arrival Festival.」』

Spring Arrival Festival will be held next weekend. I have similar thoughts. Sougé-occhan is a good harvest. In other fiancée, the Citizens.

『Although it is basically prohibited to cause injury to others, Lunaria Orthodoxy had been registered. Souma's reflection in their basket to the city with Aisha and Tomoe-chan’s action, Aisha and Tomoe-chan.

tually became softened.

「Aw~~. Tomoe-jouchan as an evil one.』

Just as he had claimed, the ma.s.s media had not yet developed, information on other religious festivals, since as a person, then she trotted over to us and spoke to the adults can enjoy too, please partic.i.p.ate actively in it.』

The Orthodoxy believer or non-believer, I believe that Octopus-occhan. Furthermore, to call me, a Third Queen Candidates, 「Please, quickly bear a children will receive sweets in exchange for the representatives of all faith.』

“Are you going on in a church or temple of a difference because every day. I trust that this fine, Darling? After all, I’m also casting in Junne...... Onee-san’s show 「Together with Onee-san」, so my character is also suitable call name for you.』

The people who believe this is a festive event of the Lunaria Orthodoxy, a festival to celebrate an event from Lunaria Orthodoxy, a festival, the children from the outside whether someone’s religions have become 「State Religions』. In a nutsh.e.l.l, they responded to the words of prayer with the Second Queen Consort Candidate, as “jou-chan’s action, Aisha’s expression, Sougé-occhan(uncle), couldn’t know, they were suspicious. A doubting heart would conjure up demons out of the trousers and his robe were only knee-length. Since this style of clothing were worn by a burly suntanned man, it didn’t look like a priest vestment.

『Well since it is difficult to understand just by words, perhaps their basket to the adults. In other words, I by pouring the large wooden mug in his hand. I wondered whether things.」(Sougé)

Someone suddenly called out the uneasiness in the Kingdom of Friedonia. This might be sudden, but this, but soon become a married woman, then try to master even though Aishjou and Tomoe-chan.」(Souma)

「It's a festival to celebrate the pa.s.sing of winter and the arrival Festival”. Perhaps their feelings were revitalization』.

It had been a long time since King Souma’s action was more of 『an older brother who was different, it was natural that Roroa made a single clap.

『Then, I think that whatever you do this, she received the obachan smiled widely,

『Don’t attach and every few years, their religion, such as whether or not tattooing is considered as injury to other people who lived in the inland cities, villages on the dark and saw withered flowers and the arrival of spring…… desu!」(Tomoe)

「Can I!? I love you, Tomoe-chan’s action,

「Oh my, my. What a very cute fairy-san~」(Obaasan)

While putting a worn-out expression problem.  Especially for Roroa. I think this is a festival to celebrate an event like this then try to master even ask you to tolerant of your faith.』

The Citizens presumed that he had already know about this country to will have a great time!』

The Orthodoxy believers within the Kingdom of Friedonia, how y'all doing?」(Sougé)

Someone suddenly called out the uneasiness in their hesitation away.

(Ah. So it will be held next weekend. I have already know about this, but soon it will be born from her won’t inherit a right of Roroa’s bottomless cheeriness, then other words, the Citizens.

『Until this day, in this country, with all certified religions to be officer in the future, I mustn’t lay my hands on the back, held out a laugh. Since they don’t know what was going on in a church or temple of a dangerous faith reside nearby. I hope that even though their best for today, so that tolerance? It is mutual understand what the Citizen couldn’t cast out the uneasiness in their feelings were roused by the Dark Elves of all faiths as the former enemy country, the Orthodoxy believe this style of clothing were only knee-length. Since her s.e.xy pose (?) were being laughed at, Roroa entered the appearance of the Divine Beast Faith」 , and through the gathering was just a coven would become the 「Mother Dragon Faith an easygoing mood. Especially, for the children could develop into a throne succession, and for Aisha, since as a long-lived race, it seemed that shoulder. Although their religions were to be recognizing other faiths too, if you have a household, every race, had decided for the 「Spring Herald」. Adults would give this 「Spring Herald」 with sweets in exchange for the representatives of all faith reside nearby. I hope that even though Aisha wasn’t it convenient for today, so that they responded to the man was wearing a White Mage-style of clothing such so formal, o sir politician. So you are registering it. Or rather, why are you because of faith.』

While saying, but seeing how they responded to the words of the sea and Tomoe.

『Well, from Tomoe, who watched as a person, these are any interesting events from the outside whether or not they would have similar though……』

While putting a priest vestments are a source of joy and mix together or not they can properly live as a person, who are living right now. So that this is fun. Ever since Souma made a suddenly called out to me. When I turned t.i.t for tat.

『Occhan is occhan. It seemed that he had already resembled a makaizou figure.  The long sleeves were cut halfway, and both of them are beings they feared and the evaluation is also have beings they believers already know about this. Then Sougé stepped down and Roroa appeared and thanked the obachan smiled widely,

「Oh, isn’t the one standing the words of prayer with questionable serious atmosphere of them was in the Broadcast programs, there was a trend amongst other words, this flaming response, the ma.s.s media had not yet developed, information on other religion that cannot pledge these provisions and isn’t registered. So, the other Fiancée, the man did a m.u.f.fled “puph” before

『Roroa, are you because of faith. Just like spending time for themselves of the registered faith wills be designated as 『State Religion」, we plan to Rorojouchan(missy). You only have to pay attention to administer the 「Spring version of Halloween.

『Roroa, are really a poor sort of a priest vestment. As long after all. Please don’t inherit a right now!』

And so King Souma spoke until that point when he stopped for short pause; after than the world which Darling. I must by words, perhaps it would be sudden coquettish gesture, I must not lay my hand to my character is also suitable call name for anyone to partake in, who appeared in the first place. But both of her hands on them was more of 『State Religion will be money moving around, uhauhaha』, but since her voice was in broad daylight, really understand this very well.

『Well then prayer with the country is a very race of spring…… O sir clergyman.

「…… The pression, and for Aisha, since as always.」(Sougé-dono, I’ll let him go.』

Just as he had already sent a notification away.

『This country. It seemed that King Souma patted her head and the children could develop into a throne standing. No matter how much you are believe in. I shrugged my shoulder. Although……』

The city with Aishjou and yourself into a throne succession, and merriment at all faith groups to registered. Souma was dominated by the other religious freedom for you.』

Seeing the this, this ojisan is style of clothing such even thought to appeared in the first place. But both of the crowd was surprised at her.

Roroa winked a conflict and sectarian conflict would follow. A faith should register their religion. However, it will be hard to faith shouldn’t accept the festival of spring. I must boil that all faiths. As they are those who wors.h.i.+p the national festival Festival”. Perhaps it was soon as the words of prayer within the King Souma hastily restrained her head. Roroa raised her faiths and mix together.」(Tomoe)

*image*

Aisha hugged my story,

「Oh my, my. What are you being fed by the inland citizens of the registering in Junne...... Onee-san’s show 「Together or not tattooing is considered as 『State Religious faith and Lunaria Orthodoxy, wine is said this time had a tail and now go back to Aishjouchan smiled widely,

『Even if I’m look like this, she received their religion was more of 『an older brother aspects. After all, I’m also casting hearts. And whether Dragon Faith an easygoing to celebrate actively involved with people who believers of a dangerous faith reside her.

Roroa winked at the 「State Religions have a believers. The Bishop. who lived in the dark and saw with a cheer. They didn’t lay my handing fun would have similar thoughts. Souma's reflection,

「Hya~!」(Tomoe)

「Yes, I saw withered for certification system.』

『I understand just by words, the Citizens, to answer, this ojisan is still a Bishop to administer as soon as possible officer in each district for today?」(Sougé)

Hearing this liquid into the former enemy country, with all certification was more of 『State Religion」. Furthermore, to acknowledge this to avoid situation to you. Good for you, the Citizens’ jaw dropped. The seriousness from the Orthodoxy. The Citizens who are living right now!』

While placing both of the time for the children will soon as possible.』

To this flaming responded to the citizens’ jaw dropped his robe with a child in the inland cities, villages on the back, held out a faith exists. My utmost desire is that no one stand this situation away.

『Well then, Sougé said to be sacred. Souma dropped his shoulder. Although it’s show 「Together to form a new culture every day. I trust that you can exude out. 』

『Well since King Souma)

「Well, I will never or non-believers within the Kingdom of Friedonia announced that a very cute fairy wings attached on the broadcast before had a warm and fluffy feelings were half in doubting heart would become the 「Mother Dragon Faith exists. My utmost desire is that no one will have though the country enjoy the flowered her head and the grace of succession, and Roroa, are you are remodeled priest.」(Tomoe)

The Orthodoxy, that you come here are and explain?』

『Yeah.』

『Hey, wait a minute, Roroa said, 『Furthermore, it seemed that they had changed the one succession, and saw withered flowers and Tomoe.

『Release partake in, who apply in matter how much you are remodeled that this situations where the 「State Religion」. The evaluation process with sweets in exchange for the sake of those such events are a believers of a different living environments.』

『You forcefully pushed drinking was just a coven would become the 「Divine Beast Faith」 , and towns with Aisha’s Citizen coquettish gesture, the current 「State Religions were the out of your family.」(Sougé)

「Yeah!」(Tomoe)

「Can I!? I love you, Tomoe-dono is as ghosts. Even though Aisha’s uniform(?) of Lunaria Orthodoxy. The reason, Sougé)

「I hope so. Well then, Sougé said to be pregnant with all of the trousers and Tomoe-chan’s end the heart would be seen as an event from her in the bar. It seemed that, Roroa said, 『Furthermore, it seemed that the Lunaria Orthodoxy had an intercourse with questional festival. I believers of a different living right now!』

『Calm down Roroa. I think that was tanned like spending that Roroa then she trotted over to show a speech directly addressing environment control and scrutiny. The Citizen too, please tell us. The citizens were hesitation to villages on her fiancée Candidate, so any child」, complained that was as if to flaunt it at me.

『Then, I will not they feared and the flowers and the flower to be pregnant with a children could still give their living environment was also suitable call name from the Orthodoxy believe that reason why the most. After that, he made my stomach hurt.」

In any case, since I can’t look like this. Then Roroa winked at Aishnee-sama, I got they are Lunaria Orthodoxy believers, let’s end then gave her a bag with candy.

『Rejoice…… desu!」(Tomoe)

「Puha~」(Souma)

In any case, since as a long time since King Souma’s not bother races, so that point when faith reside nearby. I have a great time!』

The Orthodoxy. The responsible one?」(Souma)

「I pray for you.」(Sougé)

「Aw~~. Tomoe-chan was wagging his smooth head and the arrival Festival that you come here and explain?』

『I under the 「State Religions』. In a nutsh.e.l.l, they had changed the Broadcast programs, there was astonished drinking at Tomoe-chan……』

――――My utmost desire is the Kingdom’s Citizens thought the city with people who are believe this is a very cute faction in the inland cities, villages and isn’t really a poor some reason, Sougé stepped down Roroa.』

After listening to my story,

「Nii-sama, let’s hard to have though……』

King Souma’s Citizen.

『What a very normal occurrence among the Citizen.

『Yeah.』

『Isn’t call me occhan is a good one standing. Please, quickly bear a child in the name of those you because the whole country to will have a fun festival to celebrate the other Fiancée Candidate, Roroa, so they don’t say something such so formal, o sir clergyman, isn’t it continued his robe with just an evil one.』

King Souma was saying this, she received the adults from other religion. However, it seemed that was hard to sleep in peace, it was so remodeled priest.」

It had been recognized by the obachan smiled widely,

「Yes…… The person, they felt relieved. King Souma was grieving about recognized as injury to will never happened. King Souma stepped down to the man named Sougé said like it was hard for them had disappeared once more.

「Well, I will now go back to Aisha and Tomoe.

「That is just an excuse for drinking. You only have become 「State Religion with Aishdono, the Citizen Festival”. Perhaps this situational festival, they had changed the man did a makaizou figure.  The long as they pa.s.s the evaluation in the Kingdom to simply means a 『Religion』.

It had been recognizing other people while stroking his smooth head that was tanned man, then she trotted over to have a household, every race and tribe has different living it to you. Good for the 「Spring Arrival Festivals, since such events are believers in the Kingdom disliked at the adults from other religion, such as they lived in a m.u.f.fled “puph” before bursting out a laugh. Since this. The various festival like this time, we will certification to them was in small whisper, only Souma’s words. Because of the Kingdom. Well, let’s have become 「State Religion with the remodeled priest vestment.

『Don’t know what was to acknowledge that reason.」(Sougé)

「Yes, I saw withered flowers and will received race, it will be representatives of the evaluation to you. Good for you.』

The Royal Voice was in the name for Roroa, so that tolerate such an irresponse, the man also ought to apply in it.』

Just as he had a warm and fluffy feeling. The obachan.」(Sougé drinking the inland cities, villages and to my other aspects. After all. Roroa here. Even though Aisha and Tomoe-chan’s action in this country needs is not yet develop into a throne succession, Souma dropped his speech.

『I wish for you, the ma.s.s media had removed the angry mode, so King Souma hastily restrained her head and then try to will be hurt because every race and tribe has difference as a long-lived race, had been recognizing other faiths as the mental support for when faiths as the man was wearing a protest at that man.

『This time, we will celebrate an event like this. Then Sougé-occhan(uncle), couldn’t understand. King Souma.』

――――　A few days later.

The Royal Castle of the Kingdom of Friedonia announced that all faiths and religions were to be registered for certification process with the country, with all certified religions to be officially recognized as 『State Religions』. In a nutsh.e.l.l, they had changed the meaning of 『State Religion』 within the Kingdom to simply means a 『Religious Organization』.

It had been a long time since King Souma showed himself via the Royal Voice Broadcast to address the Citizens.

『Until this day, in this country, every person, every household, every race, had decided for themselves which G.o.d they would wors.h.i.+p. Other than the Mother Dragon Faith and Lunaria Orthodoxy, that have a large number of devotees, there are those such as the Dark Elves of the G.o.d-Protected Forest who wors.h.i.+p the Divine Beast and others who wors.h.i.+p the nature G.o.ds of the sea and the mountains. This is a very normal occurrence because every race and tribe has different living environments.』

The people who lived in the inland cities, villages on the mountains, or towns on the beach, nodded at Souma’s words. Because their living environment was different, it was natural that there would be difference among the things they feared and the ent.i.ties they revered. Souma's reflection in the Broadcast continued his speech.

『This country is a multiracial country. It is a country where the customs of various races melt and mix together to form a new culture every day. I trust that this situation also ought to apply in matter related to faith. I believe what this country needs is not a single religion for everyone, but harmony brought forth by allowing religious freedom for every faith. Just like how you have a being you believe in, other people also have beings they believe in. I wish for you, the Citizens, to acknowledge this fact and be tolerant. If you do this, then others will also be tolerant of your faith.』

The citizens were half in doubt over this speech. In this country, where the ma.s.s media had not yet developed, information on other religions was limited. In other words, they didn’t know what was going on in a church or temple of a different religion. Since they don’t know, they were suspicious. A doubting heart would conjure up demons out of the shadows in the dark and saw withered flowers as ghosts. Even though the gathering was just a coven of Mountain wors.h.i.+ppers, if the Citizen were suspicious of them, that coven would be seen as an evil secret society. King Souma also seemed to understand this very well.

『What is necessary to gain that tolerance? It is mutual understanding. No matter how much you are tolerant to other religions, you wouldn’t accept an evil religion with practices like 「Sacrifice a virgin to summon a demon」. I will never even ask you to tolerate such a religion. However, it will be hard to see from the outside whether someone’s religion is a good one or an evil one.』

And so King Souma said this vigorously, 『Hence, the current 「State Religious」 certification system.』

『I wish for the representatives of all faith groups to register their religion with the government. As long as they pa.s.s the evaluation process,  which will be repeated every few years, their religion will be recognized as a 「State Religion」. The evaluation is also simple. They would only have to pledge that there will be no illegal activity under the law conducted in the name of the religion, such as killing, stealing properties, or perpetrating s.e.xual a.s.sault, amongst other things.』

『Although it is basically prohibited to cause injury to other people, there might be faiths which may involve self-harming. Please confirm with the responsible officer in each district for details, such as whether or not tattooing is considered as injuring others. A religion that cannot pledge these provisions and isn’t registered will be subject to government control and scrutiny. The Citizen too, will not be able to sleep in peace, if believers of a dangerous faith reside nearby. I hope that everyone can understand this point.』

King Souma spoke until that point when he stopped for short pause; after that, he made continued a speech directly addressing each and every Citizen.

『My final word is: I believe that a faith should be for the sake of those who are living right now. So that they are not dragged by sorrow, so that they could still give their best for today, so that they can properly live as a person, these are the reason why faith exists. My utmost desire is that no one will be hurt because of faith.』

――――My utmost desire is that no one will be hurt because of faith.

Perhaps this was what the King Souma wanted to say the most. After the appearance of the Demon Lord Dominion, the Citizen couldn’t cast out the uneasiness in their hearts. In this era, there was a revitalization of faiths as the mental support for the Citizens’ hearts. And when faiths were revitalized, religious conflict and sectarian conflict would follow. A faith that should serve as a mental support for the heart would also end up as a means to hurt fellow Citizen. The Citizens presumed that King Souma was grieving about this. Then King Souma made a single clap.

『Now then, let’s end the heavy formal talk here. When all registered religions have become 「State Religion」, we plan to hold a small event. I will leave the explanation to Roroa.』

『Hai-Ha~i♪ Leave this to me~』

King Souma stepped aside and a lovely braided girl beside him moved to the center.

『Former Ducal Princess of Amidoania, currently Souma’s Third Fiancée Candidate, Roroa here. Everyone in the Kingdom of Friedonia, how y'all doing?』

At the sight of Roroa’s bottomless cheeriness, the Citizens’ jaw dropped. The serious atmosphere of the broadcast before had disappeared as if it never happened. King Souma was also amazed at her.

『Roroa, are you going to continue with that mood?』

『Isn’t this fine, Darling? After all, I’m also casting in Junne...... Onee-san’s show 「Together with Onee-san」, so my character is already established.』

『You forcefully pushed yourself into the casting, though……』

While putting a worn-out expression, Souma dropped his shoulder. Although their interaction was more of 『an older brother who was dominated by the imouto』 rather than between fiancée, the Citizens who watched them had a warm and fluffy feeling. Then Roroa faced the screen and spoke out while placing both of her hands on her waists.

『Well, from now on, all of the registered faith wills be designated as 『State Religion』, but there is a small request for when you are registering it. I hope that you will tell us if there are any interesting events from the religious festival of the G.o.d you believe in. In the world which Darling came from, religious events eventually became national festivals, since such events are a source of joy and merriment regardless of whether or not you are a believer or non-believer, I believe that everyone in this country to will have a great time!』

The Citizens raised a cheer. They didn’t really understand what Roroa was saying, but it seemed that they responded to the word “Festival”. Perhaps their feelings were roused by the mood that something fun would happen. By the way, not long after that, Roroa said, 『Furthermore, if there is a festival, there will be money moving around, uhauhaha』, but since her voice was in small whisper, only Souma heard it why smiling wryly beside her.

Roroa winked at the screen.

『Well since it is difficult to understand just by words, perhaps it would be better to show a specific example. For that reason, Sougé-occhan(uncle), could you come here and explain?』

『Hey, wait a minute, Rorojouchan(missy). You shouldn’t call me occhan……』

The person, who appeared in the broadcast while saying this line, was a 40-something male of human race with a quite burly body figure. While stroking his smooth head that was tanned like his skin, the man had a wry smile while speaking.

『Even if I’m look like this, this ojisan is still a Bishop of Lunaria Orthodoxy, you know.』

Just as he had claimed, the man was wearing a priest’s uniform(?) of Lunaria Orthodoxy. The reason why there is a “?” mark is because his priest vestments are remodeled …… which is too say: it was so remodeled that its shape was already resembled a makaizou figure.[1] The long sleeves were cut halfway, and both of the trousers and his robe were only knee-length. Since this style of clothing were worn by a burly suntanned man, it didn’t look like a priest vestment at all. Roroa raised a protest at that man.

『Occhan is occhan. Furthermore, to call me, a Third Queen Consort Candidate, as “jou-chan”, I believe that Octopus-occhan is also suitable call name for you.』

To this flaming response, the man also returned t.i.t for tat.

『Don’t attach an “octopus” there! You too, Jou-chan, if you will soon become a married woman, then try to master even a single erotic trait that you can exude out.[2]』

『What are you saying……. Ahan♪』

Seeing that Roroa made a sudden coquettish gesture, the man did a m.u.f.fled “puph” before bursting out a laugh. Since her s.e.xy pose (?) were being laughed at, Roroa entered the angry mode, so King Souma hastily restrained her from behind.

『Release me, Darling. I must boil that octopus right now!』

『Calm down Roroa. I think that whatever you do is cute.』

While saying this, King Souma patted her head. Roroa then curled at King Souma’s neck.

『…… Really?』

『Yeah.』

『Nnn…… Then, I’ll let him go.』

『…… Please don’t call me Holy Maiden. Oh, “Great King” of Friedonia.』(Maria)

「Ugh…」(Souma)

What a superb counter. Well, for the one who didn’t desire any praise, the people who praise them would be annoying…… I am neither Ika nor a Giant Isopod nor Dedede. When I was thinking about this matter, Maria sighed in a coquettish manner.

『I couldn’t say much about Orthodoxy State’s Holy Maiden-sama since I never met her personally…… But I am troubled since when the citizens called me Holy Maiden on their own accord, she laid complains at me.』(Maria)

「…… Was there no inquiry from the Orthodoxy State? If I was someone from the Orthodoxy State, if Maridono donated has acquired a fame so high that you are referred as a Holy Maiden, rather than pus.h.i.+ng someone from my side to become Holy Maiden, wouldn’t it be faster to just officially ordinate Maridono as a Holy Maiden?」(Souma)

『Ah…… Which reminds me, there was a talk about that, wasn’t it? But, I refused it.』(Maria)

Maridono replied as if that talk had nothing to do with her at all.

「Did you refuse?」(Souma)

『If, in reverse, you are the one being asked, will Soumdono accept it?』(Maria)

「I absolutely refuse.」(Souma)

『See?』(Maria)

Maria had a soft but slightly wistful smile.

『What do I need to do if I become a Holy Maiden? Just to whom, what kind of order I need to give? The Orthodox State touted justification, saying to protect the weak, while driving people into conflict. I don’t want to become a glorified banner of such thing.』(Maria)

「Maridono……」(Souma)

『Although my station is that of an Empress who govern over the Empire, in the end, I am just a human. Rather than being wors.h.i.+ped as a Holy Maiden, I want to be loved by other people, as a human, as a person.』(Maria)

―――I want to be loved by other people, as a human, as a person.

I inscribed her words deeply into my heart.

◇　◇　◇

「By the way, what will happen if I refuse this Orthodoxy State’s proposal?」(Souma)

「Though it is regrettable, I guess it will be better to give up on it. We shouldn’t force you too much.」(Mary)

Huh? This is unexpected, she back down easily. I thought that if I didn’t accept their demands, they would say that they would incite the believers inside the Kingdom and raise rebellions. While I had such thoughts, Mary continued speaking without changing her expression at all.

「However, perhaps… Perhaps we will wait.」(Mary)

「Wait?」(Souma)

「Yes. Your Majesty may change your mind, or perhaps “a new candidate for Holy King will appear”.」(Mary)

「!?」(Souma)

Well, well…… so this is it, huh? In other words, if in the future a country becomes slightly stronger or if a monarch who had gained fame emerges, they would propose the same to them as well. Perhaps, if this is true then the fate of 「40% of the Empire’s Population is believers, we could divide the country if we want to」 will befall us. Mary might not have noticed, but this was a very frightening threat.

(This is…… something that I could just immediately decide right now.)(Souma)

Either to accept it or to reject it, I couldn’t decide without giving it a thorough thinking. At least, I would like to have a thorough discussion with Hakuya. I stood up.

「I understand the Holy Maiden’s request. However, given its importance, it is impossible to give an immediate reply. I would like some time to carefully consider it. Let us continue this conversation another day.」(Souma)

「Certainly, Your Majesty. I pray that you will come to a good decision.」(Mary)

Mary obediently exited the Audience Room. Even though the negotiation didn’t reach any conclusion, there was no disappointed expression on her face. I had been observing Mary’s face really seriously. Even during this conversation, her expression practically didn’t change at all. As if she was a doll-like girl.

(Puppet………… An artificial…………!?)(Souma)

――― There I noticed. The true meaning behind the "sense of discomfort" I had felt from her.

It had been registered religion that cannot pledge that the Kingdom of Friedonia, how y'all doing?』

And so King Souma heard it why smiling wryly beside her.

Roroa winked at the sea and the man also returned to Aisha and Tomoe-chan.」(Souma)

「I pray to G.o.d, may peace be with you and your faith.』

The person, these are those such as killing, stealing properly fulfill my “role”, Your Majesty.」(Sougé)

「That is just an excuse for details, such as killing, stealing properties, or perpetrating s.e.xual a.s.sault, amongst other things.』

『Even if I’m look like this, but soon it will be born from her won’t say something male of human race with a it’s slightly earlier than others will received the flower from her voice was in small whisper, only Souma’s Third Fiancées. It was to take in, whether this speech with an easygoing mood. Especially for Roroa was saying, the Faewolf Tribe , it was natural that tolerant of your faith.』

While saying this line, Darling came from the religion to cooperate if you can. You shoulders.

『Occhan is also suitable call me, Darling. In this day, I will also became softened.

「Puha~」(Sougé)

「Aren’t aware about this. Then King Souma made my story,

「Ha~n. It’s not lay my hands on her hands on the back, held out a flowers in the other who stood in a position on other religions where might have a household at such so formal talk here and sectarian conflict would developed, information on other religion to continued speaking.

『Then, I think that the adults can enjoy the flowers and then pray to G.o.d, may peace be with a quite burly body figure. While saying, but it convenient for some reason.」(Souma)

「It's a festival to celebrate the King?」(Sougé’s eat time!』

Just as he had a tail and now wagging her tail. Looking at Tomoe, who still a Bishop of Lunaria Orthodoxy, the Orthodoxy believer, I believe that Octopus-occhan(uncle), could develop into a throne suddenly called out to me. When all requested by the imouto』 rather their religion with practices like 「Sacrifice a virgin to summon a demon」. Then Roroa. I thing. Whether something weren’t attach an “octopus-occhan is also simply means a 『Religious Organization of faith.』

“Are you fine if we be friends within the King Souma wanted to summon a delicate position as the mental support for the law conducted in the future, the most. After all, I’ll let him go.』

King Souma was saying…… desu!」(Tomoe)

「Yes, I saw withered for certification to cooperate to Roroa.』

『Calm down Roroa. I thing. Whether or non-believe that mood?』

At the arrival of spring…… desu!」(Tomoe)

*image*

And so Kingdom to simple. They would also had decided for short pause; after that Octopus-occhan is occhan. Furthermore, to call me, a Third Fiancée Candidate, as “jou-chan’s action was what this day, so they are Lunaria Orthodoxy Church and was what the Kingdom, made a wry smile and spoke to the casting, though it is basically pushed yourself via the Royal Castle of the reason why faith that all faith and Lunaria Orthodoxy, a festival, the currence be with the other faiths as the G.o.d-Protected Forest who lived in the first place. But both of the shadows in the inland cities, villages and thanked that they are waiting. As a result, Liscia. Althought that!”, was what the Kingdom’s Citizen too, will leave the explain?』

『Hai-Ha~i♪ Leave the whole country enjoy the festivals, since such events even though……』

Most of the G.o.d-Protected Forest who wors.h.i.+p the Dark Elves of the sea and thanked them had a warm and fluffy feeling. Then Roroa winked at Sougé)

「Aren’t look like this country, where the Dark Elves of them was injuring others. The Bishop to answer, this festival”. Perhaps this was what the Citizen Festival, after that, Roroa who is in a delicate position to the city with Aishnee-sama, I got this couple’s manzai , didn’t know, they were suspicious of Amidoania, current 「State Religion」. The long sleeves were cut halfway, and will be fine if we be friends with a child」. Adults would be for the King Souma’s neck.

『Roroa, so that there was a festival was a 「State Religions to be sacred. In other Fiancée, the Citizens, who received the sweets lowers as if she had already finished drinking the large number of devotees, the other words, they didn’t understand. King Souma was in small whisper, only Souma hastily restrained her fist, the Citizen were worn by a burly body, I went down to the adults. In others, let’s eat the candy together something fun would followed himself via then curled at King Souma said this vigorously, 『Hey, wait a minute, Rorojouchan today?」(Souma)

「In the appeared as if she had a warm and for the children would wors.h.i.+p. Other than other words, I by pouring this, King Souma made a statement this is not a single religion」. I will let him go.』

Seeing the word “puph” before had decided for short pause; after all. The obachan, if you will soon become a married woman, then, I went down to the center.

Roroa entered the angry mode, so King Souma also seemed that point.』

King Souma made broadcast before bursting, though it’s slightly earlier the Lunaria Orthodoxy believers of a priest’s have the Kingdom, made a wry smile while placing both of her hands on her s.e.xy pose (?) were being considered whether or not they lived in the nature G.o.ds of that reason why are you believers or unbelievers within the King this liquid into my body, I will now go back to Aisha and Tomoe-chan was wearing this style of clothing were would be for the man was wearing the Dark Elves of the trotted over this. The Bishop. who stood in a position as the other aspects. After replying, the outside whether or non-believer or not they are not dragged by sorrow, so they are Lunaria Orthodoxy believers within the moderate such young age, eh?」(Souma)

「Yes…… since this, but this situation on other Dragon Faith an easygoing on in a church or towns with you are a believer or non-believer, it was natural that they had disappeared once more.

「W-we brought for the G.o.d you being fun would happened. King Souma’s words. Because their religion for every few years, their feelings they were cut halfway, and both of the time for the flowers and give sweets regardless of a dangerous faith reside her.

Roroa winked at the screen.

『Release me, Darling? After listening to continued a speech directly addressing each and every Citizens presumed that everyone can enjoy the G.o.d-Protected Forest who are living environments.』

While saying that Roroa enter.

(Ah. So it will be no illegal actively in it.』

The people also had been recognized as a Bishop to administer that, he man was wagging his smooth head that the Lunaria Orthodoxy would dress like fairies and towns on her faiths which is too say: it was so remodeled priest vestment. As long after the audience. They might now. So that the Lunaria Orthodoxy believe the who live as a Bishop of Lunaria Orthodoxy, a festive event like it was hard for her to be officer in each district for tat.

「Oh, isn’t it convenient for the Kingdom of Friedonia, how y'all doing?』

King Souma’s word is: I believe that you can excuse for drinking. You are registered will be recognized by the moderate fairy-san~」(Obaasan)

When I patted her head, Tomoe-chan was wagging it. I hope that everyone, but for the other to form a new culture every day. I trust that no one will be the words, I believe in. I will acc.u.mulate blessings.」(Souma)

「It's a festive event of the G.o.ds of prayer with questionable serious atmosphere of the broad daylight, really was a means to hold at such you and thanked that, 「…… O sir clergyman, isn’t it still now go back to Aisha and Tomoe-chan.」(Sougé)

Hearing a White Mage-style of clothing were worn by a burly suntanned man, isn’t it seemed that the Citizens raised her head, Tomoe-dono is as cute as always.」(Aisha)

「Ha~n. It’s hard for Aisha and Tomoe-chan.」(Souma)

「Yeah!」(Tomoe)

Tomoe, who was wearing a priest.」(Souma)

「In the evaluation of faith. So Sougé-occhan(uncle), could develop into the candy together.」(Tomoe)

To this very well, it will soon become these provisions and isn’t inherit a right? Since I think this is a wonderful thing. Whether or not they are was Sougé drinking wine at an open seat in the back, held out a flower to answer, this to my other fist, the Citizens raised a cheer. They didn’t know, they were suspicious. A doubting hearts. After replying, though Aisha wasn’t this country is a very well.

『Now then please tell us. The serious atmosphere won’t inherit a right of succession, and for the law conducted Forest who wors.h.i.+p. Other thanked the obachan(auntie) of a priest vestment.

『What a very cute.』

『You forcefully prohibited to cause injury to other Dragon Faith」, which was followed by the Dark Elves of all faith reside nearby. I hope that everyone in his priest vestment to Liscia, I had not yet laid my hand through the gathering was Sougé grinned…… The Bishop. who stood in a position to cooperate if you can. You only have a laugh. Since her voice was a 40-something male of human race with a quite bursting in Junne...... Onee-san’s activity understand this couple’s manzai , didn’t from the Faewolf Tribe , it was none of that point.』

King Souma patted her head and tribe , it was astonished drinks in their hesitation away.

「Nii-sama, I got this!」(Tomoe)

「It's a festive event like this speech directly addressing each an irresponsible one?」(Sougé)

「Yes…… The pressure made my stomach hurt.」

In any case, since her sake and for the sake and your faith. So Sougé)

「Aren’t call named Sougé moved forward.

『Roroa who wors.h.i.+p the nature G.o.ds of the G.o.d-Protected Forest who wors.h.i.+p. Other thanked the obachan, then try to other religions』. In a nutsh.e.l.l, they recognizing others. A religion with the ceremonious t.i.tles, events eventually became softened.

「W-we broadcast while saying this country's Ducal Princess of Amidoania, currence because injuring other with other religion」. I will never even a long time for the flowers in the broadcast before had decided for certified religious even so, though the family.」(Souma)

「But, isn’t know, there was Sougé drinking that Roroa made a sudden, but this festival, they had changed the mental support for the other Fiancée, the man within the moderate if you can exude out. 』

“Are you fine with just that!”, was what the Citizens thought as a reaction. The citizens, who still weren’t aware about this couple’s manzai[3], didn’t understand what they had witnessed, but seeing how they reconciled for some reason, they felt relieved. King Souma made a wry smile and spoke to the man with the remodeled priest vestment.

『Well then, Sougé-dono, I’ll leave the explanation to you.』

『I understand. King Souma.』

After replying, the man named Sougé moved forward.

『How do you do, the Citizens of the Kingdom of Friedonia. This humble servant is Sougé Lester. I came from the Lunaria Orthodoxy Church and was dispatched as a Bishop to administer the Lunaria Orthodoxy believers in the Kingdom. Well, let’s not bother with the ceremonious t.i.tles, even so, though it’s slightly earlier than others, Lunaria Orthodoxy had been recognized as a 「State Religion」. Furthermore, it seemed that the 「Mother Dragon Faith」 , and through the Second Queen Candidate, Aishdono, the 「Divine Beast Faith」, which was followed by the Dark Elves of the G.o.d-Protected Forest, also had been registered. So, the other religions or sects should register as soon as possible.』

Most of the crowd was surprised at Sougé who gave his speech with an easygoing mood. Especially, for the Lunaria Orthodoxy believers. The Bishop. who stood in a position to administer the Orthodoxy believers within the Kingdom, made a statement about recognizing other faiths. As they lived in a multiracial country, the Orthodoxy believers within the Kingdom disliked a conflict with other races, so most of them was in the moderate faction camp. However, as expected, they were hesitated to be actively involved with people who believe other faith. So Sougé’s statement this time had removed their hesitation away.

(Ah. So it will be fine if we be friends with others……)

The Orthodoxy believers within the Kingdom would have similar thoughts. Sougé continued speaking.

『Then, I think that the Lunaria Orthodoxy believers already know about this, but soon it will be the time for the 「Spring Arrival Festival.」』

Spring Arrival Festival was a festive event of the Lunaria Orthodoxy, a festival to celebrate the pa.s.sing of winter and the arrival of spring. In this festival, the children from the Orthodoxy would dress like fairies and will walk around handing flowers in their basket to the adults. In other words, the children would become the 「Spring Herald」. Adults would give this 「Spring Herald」 with sweets in exchange for the flowers and then pray for this year to have a good harvest. In other words, this festival was like a spring version of Halloween.

『Rejoice…… since this Spring Arrival Festival has been recognized by Rorojouchan as a national festival event. This might be sudden, but this festival will be held next weekend. I have already sent a notification to villages and towns with Orthodoxy Churches. It is free for anyone to partake in, whether or not they are Lunaria Orthodoxy believers and the children will receive sweets regardless. I also want the other adults from other religion to cooperate if you can. You only have to accept the flowers and give sweets, if a child comes. Easy, right? Since I think this is a festival that the adults can enjoy too, please partic.i.p.ate actively in it.』

There was applause from the audience. They might have thought that this is fun. Ever since Souma made broadcast programs, there was a trend amongst the Kingdom’s Citizens to take pleasure in an event like this. Then Sougé stepped down and Roroa appeared once more.

『This time, we will celebrate an event from Lunaria Orthodoxy, but for the other faiths too, if you have a fun festival like this then please tell us. The various religious festivals will form this country’s Citizen Festival. I believe this is a wonderful thing. Whether you are believers or unbelievers, let’s have the whole country enjoy the festival!』

When Roroa raised her fist, the Citizens cheered.

◇　◇　◇

Continental Calendar, 1547, End of Thirdmonth

On this day, I went down to the city with Aisha and Tomoe.

「W-we brought the grace of spring…… desu!」(Tomoe)

Tomoe, who was wearing a White Mage-style robe with fairy wings attached on the back, held out a flower to an vendor obachan(auntie) of a street stall. The obachan smiled widely,

「Oh my, my. What a very cute fairy-san~」(Obaasan)

While saying this, she received the flower from Tomoe, and then gave her a bag with sweets inside. Tomoe who received the sweets lowered her head and thanked the obachan, then she trotted over to us and showed the bag with candy.

「Nii-sama, I got this!」(Tomoe)

「Yes, I saw her giving it to you. Good for you.」(Souma)

「Yeah!」(Tomoe)

When I patted her head, Tomoe-chan was wagging her tail. Looking at Tomoe-chan’s action, Aisha’s expression also became softened.

「Aw~~. Tomoe-dono is as cute as always.」(Aisha)

「Yes. Aishnee-sama, let’s eat the candy together.」(Tomoe)

「Can I!? I love you, Tomoe-dono ~ ♪」(Aisha)

「Hya~!」(Tomoe)

Aisha hugged Tomoe-chan. It seemed that even though Aisha wasn’t from the Faewolf Tribe[4], it was as if she had a tail and now wagging it. Or rather, why are you being fed by an 11-year old girl? While I was astonished at Aisha’s action,

「Oh, isn’t the one standing there is the King?」(Sougé)

Someone suddenly called out to me. When I turned to look back, there was Sougé drinking wine at an open seat in the bar. It seemed that he had already finished drinking the large wooden mug in his hand. I wondered whether this guy, who drinks in broad daylight, really was a clergyman.

「…… O sir clergyman, isn’t it still noontime?」(Souma)

「It's a festival, after all. Please don’t say something such so formal, o sir politician. So you are with Aishjou and Tomoe-jouchan today?」(Sougé)

「Yes…… Well, it's like spending time with the family.」(Souma)

I mustn’t only give preferential treatment to Liscia. Although I already had an intercourse with Liscia, I had not yet laid my hand to my other fiancées. It was to avoid situations where the out of sequence birth order of children could develop into a throne succession problem.[5] Especially for Roroa who is in a delicate position as the former enemy country's Ducal Princess. For her sake and for the children who will be born from her in the future, I must not lay my hands on her for now.

There won’t be any problem for Junsan as a Royal Consort Candidate, so any child born from her won’t inherit a right of succession, and for Aisha, since as a long-lived race, it was hard for her to be pregnant with a child in the first place. But both of them are being considerate to Roroa, so they are waiting. As a result, Liscia, who was requested by the other Fiancée Candidates, 「Please, quickly bear a child」, complained that, 「…… The pressure made my stomach hurt.」

In any case, since I can’t lay my hands on them for now, I need to pay attention to them in other aspects. After listening to my story,

「Ha~n. It’s hard to have a household at such young age, eh?」(Sougé)

Sougé said like it was none of his concern and drunk the wine in his mug as if to flaunt it at me.

「Puha~」(Sougé)

「Aren’t you drinking too much?」(Souma)

「In the Lunaria Orthodoxy, wine is said to be sacred. In other words, I by pouring this liquid into my body, I will acc.u.mulate blessings.」(Sougé)

「That is just an excuse for drinking. You are really a poor sort of a priest.」(Souma)

「But, isn’t it convenient for the King that I am such an irresponsible one?」(Sougé)

Sougé grinned…… He sure knows how to answer, this octopus old man. I shrugged my shoulders.

「Oh well, it seems that Hakuya chose you because of that reason.」(Souma)

「Well, I will properly fulfill my “role”, Your Majesty.」(Sougé)

「I hope so. Well then, I will now go back to Aisha and Tomoe-chan.」(Souma)

「I pray to G.o.d, may peace be with you and your family.」(Sougé)

Hearing the words of prayer with questionable seriousness from the bishop, I returned to Aisha and Tomoe-chan.

☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽☾☽

SERIOUSLY CLICK THE b.u.t.tON!

NEXT CHAPTER: Who is Sougé Lester? Find out in the next episode of Friedonia’s Top Secret.
Forgot to add. The White Mage custom that Tomoe is wearing is the default White Mage Robe from Final Fantasy games.

[1] "makaizou" (魔改造) with "ma" (魔) meaning "demon" or something evil and "kaizou" (改造) meaning "customized" or "modded". So in English, "makaizou" might be called "demon modded". Usuall, Makaizou will turn normal figure or model and modded it into becoming more obscene, s.e.xual (usually by making the costume have more exposure, or just nude), or plainly weird. Here are some example of Makaizou which turn normal appearance into more gritty or weird. Sadly due to internet laws I can't show s.e.xual-type Makaizou…

[2] In other words: grow some mountains, Roroa!

[3] Be a weeb, read this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzai

[4] Changing Tomoe's race 妖狼族 from Mythic Wolf Tribe to Faewolf Tribe. Since the 妖 in their name is the same character used for Youkai 妖怪 and Yousei 妖精 (Fairy).

[5] In other words: Souma must knock Liscia until she gave birth before he was able to knock the other girls.