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Volume 6 Chapter 2 Part 7

Translation: Kurehashi Aiko
Editing: Team Foxsunes

Azure Desert. I finally realized after what phenomenon this area takes its name.

I was so fascinated and mesmerized by the beautiful sight that was spreading in front of me that it was only after that man placed his hand on my shoulder that I was brought back from this strange trance into reality. Oh no! To space out right in front of the Princess like that! What a blunder! I was so embarrassed right about now that I wanted to just go under a rock and never get back out. While I was feeling depressed beyond belief, the Princess only laughed happily at my embarrassment, Heinrich just smiled at me gently in an attempt at consoling me and that man’s face was as stoic as usual with little trace of emotions on it. Just like that we could all march on towards the mansion, to which the road led through a small room which got us into an even larger room. Then we could finally rest, while the boy told us that we shall wait here until the preparations for the upcoming banquet would be everything but complete.

Now, let us get back to the thing that we were discussing earlier. Yes, the fact that this official visit was for the sole purpose of bettering the image and warming up relations. While we were waiting here we got delivered that liquor to try out, and right about now Heinrich was pouring it into cups for everyone present, starting with the Princess who almost immediately carried it to her mouth. Seeing that the Princess was content with her drink, Heinrich nodded his head and looked towards that man who was silently meditating with his staff in his hands. Even though he had his eyes closed, the man must have felt that Heinrich was approaching him, so he slowly opened up his eyes, lifting his long and beautiful eyelashes.

The man looks at the cup that Heinrich was handling to him, and after a while he took it from his hand while still holding onto his staff. His expression was still devoid of any trace of emotion. Then that man puts his staff on the ground and takes a sip of the liquor. As for me, after having a taste of this liquor I can feel that the atmosphere suddenly became warmer, and that I was wrapped around in something fuzzy.

Watching that man slowly sipping his liquor just like that, I could not stop wondering what was going on through his head right about now. He then opened his mouth and turned towards Heinrich 

「Now we can talk freely in here without having to worry about someone unwanted listening in on us. I assume that you are fine with that, Heinrich-dono?」

「…… Of course. Thank you for your hard work, Agedilus-dono.」

…… Fumu. So judging from that short exchange right about now, the fuzzy feeling that I have felt just about now was because of the magical barrier that that man erected around this room in order to prevent anyone from eavesdropping on us. I wanted to ask him why he would think that anyone would like to do such a thing in here, but as soon as he reported to Heinrich, that man closed his mouth and remained silent from that point forward. Come on now, a little bit more explanation surely would not hurt you now, would it?

 Seeing that the man was not at all willing to explain anything to me, Heinrich turned his green eye towards me. The light that was shining in his eye was making me feel as though it would be something serious. I wonder what he is going to say? I don’t want to think that way, but there was something seriously worrying in his gaze just about now. I did not like that look at all.

Heinrich warms his hands with the cup, while I wonder if maybe I’m not trying to read too much into this situation. But before I could think any further, he once more flashes a gentle smile at me.

「I must say, I am quite glad that we have all managed to get out of that situation safe and sound. About the group that attacked us, the raiders sent after them have lost their trail, but the mayor of this town assured me that a group of vigilantes had already been sent after them. We should have some peace and quiet for now, but I would not really count on it lasting for too long though.」

「Is that how it is?」

I ask and then Heinrich responds with a somewhat sad smile. I don’t know why, but seeing him smile like that has made me feel more calm and composed for some bizarre reason.

「Did you notice how well dressed and well equipped our attackers were? If you were to ask me, I would say that no mere bandits or raiders could ever afford to look like that.」

I feel that the part ‘mere bandits’ was especially emphasized here. So it might as well be said that the whole raid on our carriage on our way here was not a ‘mere’ coincidence. So if the words of the natives are to be trusted, then what was the reason for the attack? Did they know who they were attacking? Or did they just happen to attack us purely by chance, hoping to fill their own pockets with money and treasure? However, I am fairly sure that if we were to ask the cute boy or the village’s mayor about it , they would surely deny everything or simply feign ignorance.

Certainly, even I thought that attributing the bandit attack to a mere coincidence was too far-fetched of a story to believe in. It would be one thing if they attacked some random people or travelling merchants, but the fact that the Princess got involved made this matter a whole lot more complicated. It may be a place that if far away from the capital city, but surely they would not hope for us to believe that they did not know anything about the Princess who was born with the protection of the Goddess, as well as one of the great heroes who saved the world from the threat that was the Demon Lord. That story just would not add up.

Maybe it really is that I am simply overthinking matters way too much. However, since no one in here seemed to notice the anxieties that were eating at me, everyone just kept on smiling and doing what they were doing. Even Heinrich, who I thought to be rather perceptive of a man. But he was staring at me all this time. Not at the Princess. Not at that man. But only at me. As if he was not able to believe that I could not come up with the same conclusions that he did. However, he did not voice his concerns out loud.

「Getting back to the matters at hand. The official reason for us being here is not all that difficult of a story to explain, but I’ll present it in greater details anyway.」

Saying that, Heinrich puts a pile of papers on top of the table, each and every single one filled to the brim with dates and various kinds of information.

「This is what the department of Public Affairs has come up with…… The official purpose of our visit here is for the Princess to take part in the annual ritual that takes place in this land. Namely: begging the water spirits for their blessings and protection. It is also hoped that if the Princess, the one who has received the divine protection of the Goddess, prays to the water spirits, other blessings and possible fertility might grace this land. It is imperative for the people of the desert to receive the blessings of the water spirits, otherwise they would not be able to live here. In the lands where water is scarce and the rains are a fairly rare occurrence, natural springs and wells are the only ways for people to keep on going and cultivate crops. So a secure source of water is equal to life itself in here.」

I honestly think that it would be far more accurate to actually say that the people of this land believe that if the Princess, the one blessed by the Goddess takes part in the ritual, then the blessing of the water spirits will be even greater and their infertile land will start being more generous to their efforts.

That’s our Princess for you. Always putting the well-being of other people before her own. That is why I can stand right next to her with my head held high, knowing that it is the highest honor possible to be of use to her. But that fact alone makes me want to believe that it is highly unreasonable to list the participation in the ritual as the official reason for a visit. I mean, what if someone starts doubting if the blessings of the Princess are really necessary here?

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