The journey to the Shaman nation has been decided.
It won’t take long this time either.
With summer vacation almost over, the period is roughly set at about a week.
This period depends on whether we receive full cooperation from the Shaman Kingdom; if problems arise, it could take longer.
Given the recent issues, we’ve prepared thoroughly.
“Looking forward to working with you.”
“I’m looking forward to it too.”
A man with a height and build matching mine.
Temur, the Sky King of the Plains, arrived at the royal palace last night.
“It took quite a while.”
“It couldn’t be helped. I couldn’t just ignore the sudden appearance of those religious zealots making strange proposals to other tribes.”
“I heard there was quite a lot of Evergreen on your side.”
“There was, but since the goal was reconnaissance, we didn’t capture anyone.”
Just as I thought.
Epherna’s safety significantly declines in my absence. If preparations are thorough, we might even aim for capturing rather than just assassination.
In contrast, Temur himself is a hero-level strongman.
Even with substantial preparation, there is a risk of being overwhelmed.
“What are those guys? There’s no useful information in the plains.”
“If we promise to cooperate in exterminating Evergreen, they’ll share information.”
“No need to think too much. I’ll exterminate those parasitic zealots by any means. They’re nothing but parasites.”
I can almost see his expression hidden behind his mask and cloak.
The murderous intent he unconsciously reveals shows that he is deeply angered.
Indeed, it’s understandable that he has negative feelings toward Evergreen, which forced him to delay his contract with the wind, his very life and symbol.
I don’t know the exact details, but it’s a good thing for Epherna.
Now, such incidents as a few days ago won’t happen again.
“Prepare yourself. We’re going to the Shaman Kingdom.”
“Immediately?”
“Yes. I’ll explain the identity you’ll use shortly in the carriage.”
*****
Is it because they couldn’t take the Summer Sun?
Evergreen increased the frequency of t*rrorism and crime, almost as if staging a protest.
Previously, they had disguised themselves as a benevolent religious organization while secretly committing brutal acts.
Now, it seems their intent has become excessive, as if they aim to handle matters without anyone watching.
“Why are they committing crimes in the first place? They say their goal is the essence of the Divine Kings.”
Inside the carriage heading to the Shaman Kingdom.
The space has become cramped with Temur’s addition, so Temur and I are sitting on the driver’s seat to share information.
“What else? To diminish the Empire’s prestige, of course.”
“What does that have to do with acquiring the essences of the Divine Kings?”
If the essence were the sole objective, there would be no need to waste manpower and resources on terrorism and crime.
“It’s because of the Force Shamans.”
They hold more hatred for the empire and the Shaman Kingdom than anyone else.
Evergreen has enlisted them, those who would be the happiest to see the imperial family’s prestige fall.
“…So those crazy zealots have taken in the Force Shamans. That’s a significant issue.”
The Force Shamans, who have shattered their own symbols and lives, are powerful.
Even an ordinary child has the strength to face five adults.
Temur is a warrior from the plains who has faced numerous battles against enslaved Force Shamans.
The thought of what they might do if they have backing against the empire is terrifying.
“By the way, how did they get the Winter Blizzard?”
“I don’t know. Only the Second Prince knows where the Winter Blizzard is stored.”
“Suspicions fall on the Second Prince.”
“That’s right.”
Although not directly asked, I am carefully avoiding being caught off guard.
Epherna never fully trusted him in the first place.
“Astra. Do you trust the Second Prince?”
“Well…”
It might be half and half.
Epherna’s thoughts are probably similar to mine.
“He’s a man whose true intentions are impossible to read.”
I don’t think the Second Prince supported Evergreen in secret.
It’s not due to any emotional reason like affection.
“If the Second Prince were to take the Summer Sun, he could have done it a long time ago.”
Elius Grandeum remains unchanged.
Although his true intentions are unknown, his methods and mindset have never wavered.
His goal is solely fixed.
What exactly that goal is remains unknown to anyone.
“No one knows how the Second Prince grew up or what happened during his development.”
Currently, only a few within the royal palace know about him.
Among them is only Schneider, who had a history as a bodyguard.
Most of the others who were close to him are dead, killed by Gerard, the First Prince and one of the Seven Heroes.
“…It seems that even Grandeum’s children aren’t all good.”
“That’s right. Each of them must have lived a difficult life.”
The eldest son is dead, the second son is terminally ill, and the daughter only found her own family after 15 years.
“You’re not the only ones wounded by war. Some say the empire is iron-blooded and invincible, but internally, it’s corroded and on the verge of collapse.”
“Is it alright to say that to someone from the Urgan tribe in the plains?”
“Knowing doesn’t change anything.”
If the empire is on the brink of collapse, other nations have literally already fallen once.
Internally and externally, only the pillars remain, and a new house needs to be built.
Compared to that, the empire could be remodeled and still be okay.
It’s a matter of comparison.
*****
I’ve become quite accustomed to long journeys by carriage.
Just thinking of the long trips to the Katia Duchy, Lemea Duchy, and Eastern Principality—three places—all within a year, makes sitting and sleeping in the carriage seem comfortable now.
But this time…
“Mister, you’re not here…”
Ern, who always protected the front or sides, is now sitting in the driver’s seat.
[But I’m here instead.]
“…”
Epherna looked at Shir with a calm expression.
“You’ve become quite bold lately.”
[…]
Shir averted his eyes.
“At first, you seemed a bit more solemn. What happened?”
[Humph. What have I done?]
Feigning ignorance.
Unaware that all his feelings are clearly visible.
“Is your price so hurt by not being able to protect me?”
[…]
Shir remains silent, seemingly pierced by the point.
“Again, it’s not your fault. It’s because I didn’t manage my condition well.”
If Shir’s power could be fully realized, it would rival that of a hero.
Shir is a spirit beast who has accumulated as much experience, wisdom, and time as any hero.
“I am the one lacking. I am not yet worthy of being your master.”
Though recognized for her potential, Epherna still falls short of even half of Bergamot’s abilities.
While she has long surpassed her in terms of firepower, she is still severely lacking in other areas.
“So don’t blame yourself. As I grow stronger, so will you.”
Epherna reached out and patted Shir’s head.
The sensation of soft fur felt at her fingertips. Shir, who usually disliked this, responded differently today.
[Contractor.]
“Hmm?”
[Let me tell you a story.]
“A story?”
[It won’t be boring on the way. Depending on your perspective, it might be quite important.]
[I once told you that there was only one truly pure dragon.]
[Let me tell you about that.]
Shir began to speak.
*****
The four Divine Kings who ruled the Mythical Era.
The Time and Space God, whose records are faint.
And the Primordial Dragon, whose existence is unknown.
In the time when Shir was struggling as a lowly spirit beast, they were truly gods in the purest sense.
The Divine Kings created the world of the continent and fashioned all living things.
The Time and Space God burned their own existence to create the concepts of time and space.
The Primordial Dragon ruled and governed everything that was created.
The Divine Kings had desires that should not belong to those above, so the Time and Space God burned their existence because they lacked power, and the Primordial Dragon took it upon itself to be the guardian of the continent.
He erased all records of himself, warned the Divine Kings, and left the aftermath to the Time and Space Gods.
Ultimately, to maintain balance, he even erased his own existence, but his soul, which was dissolving, inexplicably longed for survival.
Some of the fragmented pieces of his soul were shaped into a form similar to his own and came to be known as the Dragon Clan.
Thus, after thousands of years, even boundaries between pureblood and mixed-blood dragons emerged.
[The Dragon Clan was a variable that even the most pure dragon could not have foreseen.]
Shir, who had been speaking for a long time, finished his story.
“…”
Epherna, surprised by the Mythical Era tale she had just heard, was mentally digesting every word of Shir’s narrative.
This was valuable information that could never be found in history books.
It might prove useful someday.
“By the way, what do you mean by ‘depending on the perspective, it might be important’?”
[That’s all for my story.]
“Tsk.”
Leaving Epherna, who clicked her tongue, Shir transformed into golden dust and returned to the spirit realm.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
In the spirit realm, Shir murmured words he could not say to Epherna.
[Contractor.]
[A variable that even gods could not anticipate.]
[It means beings so anomalous that it wouldn’t be strange if they disappeared at any moment.]
