The Shaman Nation does not have a specific name that defines their country.
They follow a tribal system similar to that of the nomads of the plains.
Forest, Ocean, Clearie.
In a land where the three races live in harmony and coexist without any intrusion, this is the nature and way of life of the Shaman race.
“Have we arrived?”
“Yes. Technically, it’s the Forest territory.”
Upon disembarking from the carriage, a vast forest comes into view.
Trees much larger than ordinary ones are lined up in rows.
“The trees are unbelievably huge. One could build a large house from a single tree.”
“Actually, the Forest Shamans use these trees as their homes.”
These trees, imbued with magical energy, grow at speeds and strengths incomparable to ordinary trees.
Forest Shamans, having lived in an environment where thousands of such trees grow, have even developed special techniques for efficiently climbing them.
“Since the Elders of Forest and Ocean are supposed to come here, let’s wait a bit.”
It hasn’t been long since the Princess Epherna Grandeum promised to come here.
In fact, we set off before the acceptance letter reached the Elders of the Shamans, so our arrival was earlier than expected.
However, the Shamans here were not unprepared for our arrival. A high-ranking Shaman, who seemed to be of a noble status, was guiding us to the guest room.
The Grandeum Empire and the Shaman Nation clearly maintain a mutually supportive relationship.
Even though the relationship is neither deep nor close, there is no animosity.
In other words, there is no reason to dislike each other.
It has been seven years since the war ended.
It has been over ten years since we established friendly relations and continued exchanges, so showing dislike or hostility towards each other due to different races, especially in front of royalty, would lead to severe consequences.
In other words, Princess Epherna is a guest with both justified reasons and status.
“Rest for a while until the Elders arrive.”
“Is that alright?”
“I’ll be next to the princess, so there shouldn’t be any danger for now. And when you are needed, I’ll definitely be available.”
“…Then I’ll leave it to you.”
Temur said this and disappeared with the breeze that greeted us.
“…Seems like you want to see a lot of things.”
Since arriving here, Temur had been unable to take his eyes off the surrounding environment.
Though his expression was hidden by a mask, his emotions were visible through his eyes peeking between the mask and his faint nods.
It must have been a shock.
For someone who has lived their entire life on the vast plains, such an environment would be beyond what he has seen in books.
He must be stormed with thoughts on how to cultivate and change the plains with what he has just seen. As the de facto ruler of the plains, he has a duty to sustain it. Feeling particularly burdened by the current exploitation by the Empire.
Since a small allowance was tucked into the corner of his cloak, he could buy various souvenirs if discovered.
After Temur left, Epherna and I arrived at our accommodation where we would stay for a few days.
As expected from the Forest Shamans, a truly natural green landscape unfolds.
“It would have been nice if we had brought Merien.”
“But she said she didn’t want to come. There’s nothing we can do.”
Originally, we would have brought Merien with us.
As someone who lived in the Forest Shaman’s territory in the past, she would know a lot about the place, and as the royal chamberlain, she might have been of help.
However, Merien refused to come.
She had a rather serious expression, so I didn’t ask about the reason.
“Since we were supposed to arrive around tomorrow morning, let’s rest today.”
Anyway, the day has already passed, and there’s nothing to do, so let’s rest for now.
I’ve been tired recently, perhaps due to all the recent events.
I won’t let my guard down, but resting is still better than constantly moving.
Just then.
Bang!
A loud noise as if kicked.
And with that.
“Big sister! Are you here!”
*****
A teenage girl with braided hair.
Her face resembles Merien’s very much.
“…Huh? Who are you guys?”
Who?
Is she really asking that?
“Strange… I could definitely smell my sister here?”
The girl sniffed and approached.
The girl approaches, sniffing the air.
She comes up to Epherna, sniffs, and then opens her eyes wide.
“It’s you! The human who took my sister away!”
“…?”
Epherna looks puzzled. Exhausted from the long carriage journey and nearing sleep, she struggles to stay awake and asks.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Meriel! I’ve come to get our sister back from you!”
Meriel, not backing down, places her hands on her waist and speaks.
With her face illuminated by the light, Epherna realizes something.
“Merien’s sister…?”
“Yes! If you know, then give our sister back!”
“…What are you talking about?”
Suddenly appearing and demanding to hand over Merien without any preliminaries.
Isn’t it basic courtesy to apologize first if you barge into someone’s accommodation and kick their door?
“You. Don’t you know who I am?”
“Should I? Just tell me where our sister is!”
At this point, it’s giving me a headache.
Who is this kid, acting so thoughtlessly?
“Meriel!! What are you doing!!”
Fortunately, an elderly man, who seems to be the girl’s grandfather, ran over with slippered feet to stop her.
The elderly man, having brought someone to subdue Meriel, bowed deeply to us and apologized.
“I’m very sorry, esteemed guests! The child’s intelligence is somewhat below average for her age! I am aware she has made a serious mistake. Please, I ask for your leniency…!!”
“Grandpa, why are you apologizing! It’s those guys who stole my sister who are at fault… Mmmph!!”
Meriel is being dragged away by the man the elder brought, with her mouth covered.
Tired, Epherna waves her hand dismissively.
“It’s alright, I’d prefer if you just left.”
“Yes!!”
*****
The next morning.
The following morning, as if continuing from the previous day’s incident, Meriel came to Epherna during breakfast.
“Hey you. Do you know where our sister is? Tell me.”
Her tone and manner have slightly changed. She seems to have understood some of the situation, but it’s still not an appropriate way to speak in front of an imperial princess.
I said.
“Hey, kid. Watch your words. Do you know who is in front of you right now?”
“Aren’t you the princess of the Empire? That’s what Grandpa said.”
“So you know that…?”
“But what is a princess?”
“…”
What is this kid? It’s an even bigger shock than when I first saw Epherna.
I remember the old man’s words.
– The child’s intelligence is somewhat below average for her age!
So that was taken literally.
I thought he was just defending her…
“Hah…”
It seems explaining from the beginning would take a considerable amount of time.
Therefore, I decided it would be better to tell Meriel what she wants to know first to cut down on the explanations.
I took Meriel outside so as not to disturb Epherna while she was having breakfast.
“Your sister is currently in the Empire. She can’t come here for a while.”
“But why does the princess smell like my sister? It’s the same scent as when we were together recently!”
“The princess you see in front of you is someone who has been by your sister’s side. They’ve been together for years and were together until a few days ago, so it’s only natural.”
“…Then when will my sister return?”
“I don’t know. Chamberlain Merien has a lot of leave days. Yet she hasn’t used them. The fact that she hasn’t come is her own decision.”
“…That can’t be.”
“That’s not my problem.”
Merien has never shared personal matters with me, nor with Epherna.
Except for her husband, Valtean, no one here knows her detailed circumstances.
“Don’t look for Chamberlain Merien from us. It wouldn’t be good for either side if such matters caused international issues.”
Meriel made a complex face and nodded.
By now, even an idiot would understand.
No matter how much she shouts, she won’t be able to find Merien.
“…Then you should help!”
“What?”
“You know my sister well! So you should be able to ask why she isn’t coming back!”
“Well, I could, but… wouldn’t it be better if you sent a letter to ask yourself?”
“…I did try, but I never received a reply.”
“…”
Meriel has never mentioned her personal stories.
How and why she married Valtean and came to the Empire is something no one knows.
So, perhaps this is overstepping, but.
“I’ll pass on your message.”
Since she’s family, it didn’t sit right with me to completely ignore her.
*****
After finishing the conversation with Meriel and returning to Epherna, I found her glaring at me with a dark expression.
“…What happened?”
Is the food not to her taste?
No. It might be that she’s uncomfortable with the new environment.
Now that I think about it, she’s been speaking less since yesterday…
As I was pondering this.
“Mister.”
“…Yes?”
Epherna said.
And then, at that moment.
“I think we should … use separate rooms for the next few days.”
Thud. My heart sank.
