Chapter 9: 9

on Monday, August 14, 2017ein zwei

16-9 . Sera's Resolution

--Faith or love, which one should I pick .

The kind and gentle Satou-san cannot approve of the gods' undiscriminating divine punishment .

To the point that it even prompted him to shelter Weasel Empire, who was the culprit, into another world using a power that was no difference than that of god .

If Satou-san were to really come into conflict with gods, I wonder what I should do . . . .

◇

"--To the Duchy capital?"

"I'd like to consult something with Tenion Temple's head miko--Lily-dono you see . "

As I was worrying endlessly and stuck in the maze of my mind at the Solitary Island Palace, Satou-san invited me along to the Duchy Capital for a change of pace .

Of course I didn't say no .

"Are we going on an airship today?"

--That's unusual .

Satou-san could have gone back to our Duchy Capital in an instant with his space magic and Unique Skill .

"Yes, sometimes traveling in the air is nice for a change . "

"You're right, it is . "

This time, I'm the only one among the Solitary Island Palace members who's going with Satou-san .

A journey of only two, though imprudence, it's a bit exciting .

Yet-- .

"Satou-sama, so this is Satou-sama's personal airship . "

"Sorry about this, Satou . "

Why am I seeing two third wheels here .

"If you really feel sorry then you can just fly there with that Flying Wooden Horse . "

I threw some sarcastic words to ane-sama who unreservedly made use of Satou-san while also peeling the touchy feely Ane-sama off Satou-san

I don't want to show dark emotions in front of Satou-san, but I can't control it well when I'm dealing with ane-sama .

I'm sure that the inferiority complex I had in my childhood still remains in the depth of my heart even now .

--Ah!

"Ririna-san, hugging a gentleman's arm who is not your fiance is shameless for a lady . "

Good grief, I really cannot let my guard down .

I peeled off Ririna who promptly clung on Satou-san's arm .

"Ara? Sera, are you being jealous of a kid?"

"I'm not jealous! I'm just guiding her how to act like a lady . "

"Hmmm, guiding huh--"

I calmly brushed off ane-sama who chided me while looking happy .

"--Ey!"

Ane-sama suddenly embraced Satou-san's head .

"Onee-sama! You're shameless!"

I cannot believe it .

It's another matter with Ririna who's still a child, but it isn't something an adult woman like ane-sama should act like .

"Ara? Grandfather-sama told me to marry Satou you know? That means we're like fiance and fiancee now right?"

Grandfather-sama . . . .

Please stop with such jokes, it will only serve to stimulate ane-sama .

I endured myself to deal with ane-sama until we arrived at the duchy capital in order to prevent her from troubling Satou-san .

Yes, I was relieved from the bottom of my heart the moment I saw the duchy castle's spire from the window .

◇

"It has been awhile Satou-san . "

"Nice to meet you again, Head Miko--No, Miko Lily . "

The morning after the day we arrived at the duchy capital, I accompanied Satou-san to visit Tenion Temple .

Satou-san wishes to meet the gods .

"Since that's what you wish for, I'd love to have it granted it, but--"

Lily-sama paused .

"If you want to talk with a god yourself, then there is no choice but to use 『Invoke Deity』 to let a god advent into my body . "

--Invoke Deity .

It's the ultimate holy magic to let one part of god descend unto your own Soul Vessel .

In the history books of Tenion temple, there were records of miko and priests utilizing Invoke Deity in order to fights against demon lords and greater demons' invasions .

However, every one of them required a great compensation .

Worse than even losing their life, they apparently had their Soul Vessel broken .

It probably is not possible for the tiny vessel of man to bring into themselves a huge existence that is god .

"No, the compensation for that magic is much too big . "

"If it's for you and this world's sake, I don't mind giving up this soul of mine you know?"

Lily-sama jokingly said that to Satou-san who was shaking his head .

However, Lily-sama is being serious .

I'm scared that she would really do it were Satou-san nodded .

Lily-san suggested the method an ancient king used to have a dialog with gods to Satou-san who asked for another mean .

We asked for the current head-miko's permission to enter Tenion Temple's banned archive and looked for the document we sought .

"Here it is--looks like it needs quite a difficult ceremony . "

Lily-sama muttered while looking over a banned book .

The ceremony needed some rare items, but Satou-san arranged them up in a line with a calm face as usual .

Please stop treating the philosopher's stone like taking a pebble out of your pocket .

Look, Lily-sama is gettng dumbfounded there .

"Ufufu, you really are amazing . "

The childish looking Lily-sama smiles at Satou-san .

Her maiden in love air is making my heart ache, I wonder if I'm imagining things .

"The ceremony needs Prayer magic you see . If Sera can recite it, can I leave it to you?"

"I have never tried using the magic, but I believe I can do it . "

"If you aren't sure, I don't mind using it myself, but--"

Lily-sama whispered into my ears with a mischievous look on her face .

"--The ceremony requires you two to stick together in bare . "

"B-bare?"

Shameless!

It's too shameless!

An unmarried maiden embracing with a gentleman naked!!

"But Sera, aren't you used to embracing Satou-san naked?"

Lily-sama said some unbelievable things .

"M-Me and Satou-san, doing such a thing!"

"Sera, he'll hear you if you're too loud you know?"

"Eh? U-umm, err--"

Lily-sama reproved me when I reflexively shouted out loud .

"So what would you do, Sera? I can do it for you if you're embarrassed you know?"

Lily-sama looks into my eyes with a teasing look .

The figures of Satou-san and Lily-sama embracing each other in nude flashed in my mind .

--I don't want that .

I resolved myself at the words that flashed for an instant .

I breathe deeply and put strength in my stomach .

"--I will do it . "

Lily-sama nodded satisfyingly at my limp teary sounding voice that was in contrast to my resolution .

<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka . com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel . >

◇

After parting with Satou-san who went back to the duchy castle, I was led by Lily-sama to a work room at a corner of the sanctuary .

"Well then Sera . Please work on this . "

She handed me a ceremonial white holy robe and two spools of jade silk thread .

Along with a handbook about ceremonial embroidery patterns .

--Don't tell me, I have to embroider the holy robe starting from now?

"U-umm, but the ceremony is in two days . . . . "

"It's alright, I'm sure Sera could do it . "

Lily-sama replied my question with a smile .

"You're good at embroidery right?"

"Yes . . . . "

It appears that there is no escaping this .

"I'll do my best . "

I quickly and carefully begin to embroider .

Of course, I'm doing it while putting my prayers to god Tenion .

I kept working until total exhaustion, and on midnight of the ceremony day--

"Oh no, I fell asleep . "

I raised up in a hurry and checked to see if the holy robe were dirtied .

--Eh?

Even though there should have been more than half of unfinished embroideries, everything is already done .

Having no idea what happened, I looked around and found nutritional supplements and snacks that would still taste good eaten cold at the corner of a table .

" . . . Satou-san . "

Warmth coming from the bottom of my heart warms me up .

<--O my dear human child>

A voice that isn't a voice .

<O young girl in love>

Neither it is a thought, the words fall from the sanctuary's ceiling .

<Speak of your feelings . >

I surrender myself to the sudden oracle .

I spoke to my heart's content just as god Tenion desired .

◇

--The next morning .

The embroidery pattern on the robes gets transcribed onto my body by Lily-sama and current head miko-sama's holy magic .

Everything is ready now .

"Sera, give it your all . "

"I'm sure you can do it . "

"Yes, Lily-sama, head miko-sama . "

Miko who have undergone purification ceremony are lined up along the ceremony place .

"King entering--"

Satou-san who was wearing ancient king-like clothing walked into the ceremony in the sanctuary .

Coupled with the classical king clothing, today Satou-san really looks like a king .

He looks more dignified than usual .

"O king, stand before miko . "

Satou-san followed the current head miko words and came walking here .

Satou-san whose eyes met mine lets out his usual gentle smile .

Even though he's going to communicate with god Tenion, he's acting like he always is .

"O king, discard your worldly garment . "

Two miko take off Satou-san's clothing .

It was over in an instant since there was only one piece .

The miko blushed to see Satou-san's symmetrical naked body .

I stared at Satou-san's calm eyes to keep my line of sight from going down .

"O miko of guidance, discard your worldly garment . "

The miko take off my robe .

When I think that Satou-san is watching, I feel so embarrassed it's enough to turn my whole body red .

Even though I'm feeling this embarrassed, Satou-san looks nonchalant as usual .

It's somehow--no, it's really frustrating .

But this isn't the time for that .

I have to continue with the ceremony for Satou-san's sake-- .

"O miko of guidance, show the king the way . "

I spread both my arms and embrace Satou-san's upper arms .

Even though Satou-san's body look as soft as that of a woman, it's covered with slightly hard muscles .

The serene light of the sanctuary, and the words of miko celebrating for god soothe my heart that's falling into disarray from that sensation .

--God .

I look up at the sanctuary's ceiling and calls for god Tenion .

--Great god who watches over us .

A light falls from the sky as if answering my call .

This warm light is god Tenion's holy light .

I surrender myself to god Tenion's holy light like I always did when receiving oracles .

<O my dear human children . O king who calls for me by way of maiden . State your wish-->

※ Next update is planned for 8/20

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