Right after departing Milrose, we teleported straight to the Carbuncle village. After a quick greeting, we headed directly to the shrine of the successive village chiefs.
「Yuuki-san, please.」
「Got it. Here we go, haaah!」
Together with Selene, I poured magic power into the shrine to summon the ancestors.
『Oh, the 【Child of the Rainbow】 and her partner. Is something the matter?』
『You’re still getting dragged into trouble as usual, aren’t you?』
「「Ahaha…」」
『So what brings you here today?』
『And… there’s something different about it…』
「Well… while we were traveling, we received this. We were wondering if it could be used for something. Do you have any good ideas?」
Selene took out the gem from the pouch hanging around her neck.
『That is… a kin’s treasure jewel…』
「Treasure jewel?」
『Yes, son-in-law. When a Carbuncle dies, it leaves behind its gem. We call those treasure jewels. A fragment of the soul remains inside, enduring forever.』
『Exactly. The younger generation doesn’t use the term anymore, but it’s also called 【The Jewel of Eternal Love】. It symbolizes that even after death, the love between spouses or lovers remains eternal.』
「Heeeh… so that’s why there was such a shamelessly lovey-dovey letter inside.」
『Indeed. Could you bring that jewel closer?』
「Yes, here.」
『Excuse me… hah!』
The ancestor sent a pulse of magic power into it. The previously silent jewel began to glow softly and floated gently into the air.
『Um… where am I…?』
『This is the Carbuncle village, inside the shrine.』
『But I was in that town…』
『Yes. You burned your life away outside the village. After a long time, you’ve finally returned to this land.』
『I see… But why am I here now?』
『Because those two brought you back.』
The owner of the treasure jewel turned toward us.
(I couldn’t see her form, but…)
『Heeeh～ So you fell in love with a human too, just like me. And wow, he’s quite the catch, almost on par with my own husband.』
「No way! Yuuki-san belongs to me!!」
Selene immediately clung to my arm, pressing her soft body tightly against my side. The warm, plush sensation against my right arm made my heart skip a beat.
『Relax, relax! I’m already dead, and besides, I only have eyes for my husband!』
She laughed brightly as the glowing jewel orbited playfully around us. This ancestor had quite the strong personality.
『Well, since we’re here… I’ll give you my power.』
「Huh?」
『I said, I’m giving my power to you. You’re heading into a big battle, right? You’ll need it.』
「U-um… yes.」
『Besides… watching you and your husband reminds me so much of our younger days. So stop hesitating and just take it.』
「Thank you so much…」
『Hmm… Do you have any weapon that can hold magic power?』
「Um…」
『Ah, how about the weapons we crafted?』
The former village chiefs, who had been watching quietly, stepped forward.
『Those can definitely hold magic power. Go on, bring one out.』
「Y-yes!」
I pulled a weapon from my item box. The jewel floated closer, inspecting it like an appraiser.
『Incredible… I’ve never seen a weapon this magnificent.』
『We poured our hearts into making them.』
『Yes, yes, this will do perfectly. Here we go!』
『We’ll help too.』
The jewel sank into Selene’s sword. Its shape shifted, shrinking into a smaller treasure jewel that embedded itself into the pommel, extending slightly like a delicate arm guard.
『There. Now your jewel magic should be much easier to use.』
「Thank you so much!」
Selene bowed deeply. The light orb that was the jewel’s owner drifted closer to her.
『Do your best～ You won’t find another man like him again, you know.』
「Fweh!? Y-yes, that’s true!」
『Good girl. I love honest children like you. Come visit again, okay?』
「I will! Um… Mareel-san!」
『Fufu, thank you for calling my name, Selene-chan.』
She lingered for a moment, as if savoring the memory, then floated away to join the other former chiefs in cheerful conversation.
◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆
After that, I quickly greeted Sere-san and the others, handed over the souvenirs, then called out to Liliana, who had been encouraging the stationed soldiers, and rounded up Amilia and Lopple-san, who were fishing with the children using some ridiculously mechanical-looking rod. With everyone gathered, we set off.
「Alright… once we’re back, I’ll have to head to the other capital with Shia…」
「The capital, right? You mentioned research earlier.」
「Do I not have to go?」
「Probably not the best idea… Amilia’s face is pretty well-known there.」
「True… I’ll stay behind and train with Liliana.」
「Eh!? I can’t come either!?」
「Hmm… it’s not that you can’t, but this time it’s pure infiltration. Liliana is just so stunningly beautiful, she’d stand out too much.」
At my words, Liliana’s cheeks flushed deep pink. She turned her face away with a tiny huff.
「Mou… your tongue is too smooth… Fine. I’ll stay behind with Amilia-san and the others this time.」
「I think it’s better if I don’t go either, so I’ll train with Liliana-sama.」
「Yeah, thanks, Selene.」
「Hey hey, Holy Knight-sama! Holy Knight-sama! What about me?」
Lopple-san leaned forward eagerly.
「No way. Your appearance stands out way too much, and beastkin are treated as actual slaves there. I really don’t recommend it.」
「Muu… When you put it like that, it does make me hesitate…」
「Exactly. So please be patient this time too. In return, I’ll sell a bunch more jewelry.」
「Yay! Then I’ll make tons before you leave!」
Lopple-san bounced with joy. Everyone watched her with fond exasperation as we urged the carriage toward the Demon King’s capital.
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