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The Scales that Announce Global Upheaval – Part 10

“I’m here.” He settled back onto his bed.

“Thank you, Lord Hikaru.”

Paula lay back down, facing towards him.

“I’m here.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll tell you all about what happened in Japan until you fall asleep.”

Hikaru sensed her body bolting upright.

“Okay!”

She sounded thrilled.

And so, Hikaru began recounting their adventures in Japan.

From having their photo taken by Sasakura Ayano to shopping for Japanese clothes. Lavia had taken lots of pictures, so Hikaru planned to show them to Paula at some point.

He briefly mentioned what happened in Fujinota; Paula just needed to understand its connection to Soaarunay Saak. Instead, he talked extensively about the hot spring inn to make Paula feel at ease.

“It sounds like you both had a great time,” Paula said.

“The temples Lavia and I visited were old, with paths lined with hydrangeas leading to the grounds. It felt desolate in winter, but I bet it’s stunning in June.”

“I see.”

“Aren’t you getting sleepy at all?”

Paula laughed. “I’m just enjoying myself too much.”

“Well then, it’s your turn next.”

“What?! M-Me?”

“Yeah. I want to hear about your experiences with the Society of Wandering Light.”

“What?”

“Maybe I’ll come up with a new way to use your healing magic. And I want to know more about support magic. I’ve been clueless about clergy magic and just let you do your thing. If we can enhance our combat abilities even a little, it’ll be worth it.”

“Does that mean there might be intense battles ahead?”

“…”

Paula’s intuition was sharp at times like this. Considering the dragons and golems on the 7th floor of the Great Labyrinth of Runay-aas, she was correct.

“Yeah.”

“All right. Then I’ll tell you.”

With that, Paula began sharing, and they spent time discussing and clarifying many aspects of magic.

“I see. I’ve learned a lot. Thanks.”

“…”

“Paula?” Hikaru said.

The only response from the darkness was the sound of her breathing.

“Good night, Paula.”

Hikaru also lay down, but sleep eluded him.

“…”

Staring into the darkness, he fell into thought.

He had once considered taking a break, but problems kept arising in this world, dragging him into them. Now, he was separated from Lavia.

Living in isolation might keep him from getting involved into trouble, but with so many ties now, that seemed impossible.

There was Lavia and Paula, the Four Eastern Stars, guild receptionist Freya from Pond who had helped him a lot since his arrival, Queen Kujastria who had perfected the spell for crossing worlds, and Jillarte, diligently working in the Confederacy of Einbiest.

There were also guildmaster Unken, numerous adventurers, Leniwood the Elf blacksmith in Pond, Dodorono the Dwarf fashionista, and Kelbeck from the Thieves Guild.

Paula’s father and the other villagers should be farming tomatoes back in Cotton-elka. How were the former Dragonfolk who had worked alongside Jillarte faring?

He didn’t want to meddle, yet he had also established notable ties with Pope Luvain of the Theocracy of Bios.

In Ponsonia’s royal capital, there was Isaac the magic researcher (Hikaru still believed Ivy was a man), and the Ballast family with whom he had dealings. He had even met Emperor Kagurai of the Man Gnomes.

So many connections. Even the hot dog stand owner in Pond, hustling away in business. Hikaru felt he couldn’t simply abandon them in times of trouble.

He couldn’t possibly intervene in every conflict in this world, nor did he want to.

How do I become free?

Reaching into the darkness, even his own fingertips were barely visible.

No… that’s not it. Hikaru reconsidered. How can this world avoid heading down a stupid path?

He didn’t aspire to be a god. However, it wasn’t unreasonable for the powerful to count on his rule-breaking abilities.

Hikaru continued to probe the darkness. He kept contemplating.

But finding an answer was never going to be easy.

Sleep had come when he least expected it. Hikaru sat up, greeted by the soft morning light streaming through the skylight of the assembly hall.

“Good morning, Lord Hi—Lord Silver Face!” Paula corrected herself.

“Morning! You’re quite the late riser,” added Renka.

They carried a steaming bucket of water and set it down on the table. It was clear they had gone out of their way to fetch hot water.

“Good morning,” Hikaru replied, his voice unexpectedly hoarse from sleep.

After freshening up and tidying themselves, Renka brought over food. The goat’s milk tea was sweet, with plenty of honey added. Hikaru wondered if somewhere in this vast cavern they were engaged in both animal husbandry and beekeeping. The freshly baked bread was again delicious, complemented by an apple. Overall, it was a simple breakfast.

“Once you’re done eating, I’ll show you around the village!”

Renka was full of energy from early morning.

“Show us around?”

“Yeah. My dad came back late last night and said to give you guys a tour today.”

“Well… I actually want to talk to the guys at Ultimate Mirk.”

“He also mentioned to stop by the lab at the end of the tour, so maybe you’ll have a chat there?”

“I see.” Hikaru assumed they needed some preparations to be done first. “I guess we’re counting on you again today.”

“You got it! Leave it to me!”

The 24-year-old Man Gnome girl grinned broadly.

The residential area of the Man Gnomes stretched about a ten-minute walk from end to end. The slopes were gentle or non-existent, making it easy even for elderly people with canes to move around.

During the morning hours, the Man Gnomes were having their meals at home, with smoke rising here and there and the voices of children echoing through the village. However, as Hikaru and Paula passed by, the voices abruptly quieted, and they could feel the scrutinizing gaze of the villagers.

It was hard to tell whether Renka noticed or not.

“There are always a few vacant houses around,” she said. “We’re free to live wherever we want. When I grow up, I want to live alone!”

“When you grow up, huh? Roughly how old is that supposed to be?” Hikaru wondered.

“Hmm. When we stop being Bees, so around 45.”

Thinking of being treated like a child until 45 was mind-boggling, but considering the lifespan of Man Gnomes, it made sense. It was similar to how humans considered 15 as the age of adulthood.

“What’s this?”

Between the houses, there was a small shrine about a meter tall, housing a stone statue. Although the statue was well-polished, it had become indistinct over the years, possibly due to weathering or erosion. Nevertheless, it stirred something in Hikaru’s mind.

“Oh, this? This is the Sainokami. There are several of these around the village. We’re told not to disrespect them lest we incur divine punishment.”

“…”

Sainokami. Sai no Kami. Also known as Dōsojin, the guardian deity of roads. Commonly called…

“Jizō.”

“Hmm?”

Hikaru felt both bewildered and unsurprised.

Looking back, there were many things that clicked. Their names: Unken, Kagurai, Raiga, Renka, Rikido. The attire worn by the Man Gnomes was more akin to traditional Japanese clothing than Western clothes. And the definitive proof—Sainokami.

Were the ancestors of the Man Gnomes reincarnations of Japanese people? Or were there interdimensional travelers who strongly influenced their ancestors?

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have placed such stone statues in the village.

Sai no Kami was said to repel negative energy and misfortune that might enter a settlement. Like the Dōsojin, they were believed to keep travelers safe, but Sai no Kami was more of a guardian deity of a village.

“Renka, about the ancestors of the Man Gnomes—” Hikaru stopped himself.

It was pointless to ask. While it was impossible to determine the exact age of this statue, it was clear they weren’t just a hundred or two hundred years old. Judging from Renka’s words, they were a legend even for the Man Gnomes, relics from a distant past. Japanese people were no longer here.

If that person knew about the spell for crossing worlds, would they have wanted to return to Japan?

If there were other things left behind, Hikaru decided he should take a look. He had to. As a Japanese person himself, seeing and understanding the person’s message would surely make them happy.

“What about our ancestors?” Renka asked.

“Oh… nothing. I just want to see the other Sainokami.”

“Really?! You think so too?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“There was a time when we were really into finding Sainokami ourselves. We found them not just in the residential area but also in the farm and even on top of cliffs. I’ll show you each one!”

“N-No, that’s not necessary.”

They placed stone statues on top of cliffs? I really don’t need to see those… do I?

“Come on, let’s go!”

But Renka grabbed Hikaru’s hand eagerly, and he ended up joining the Sainokami tour.

In total, there were nine Sainokami. By the time they had visited all of them, the Man Gnomes were starting their day’s work. As Renka led Hikaru and Paula up narrow paths and along the cavern walls, they received bewildered looks from the Man Gnomes. These stares were at least better than cold, harsh glances.

“I’m bushed.”

Finally, when they reached the last Sainokami on top of a cliff, Paula was out of breath and sank down on the spot.

They were over a hundred meters above the ground, having climbed parts of the wall using chains like they were in some kind of an obstacle course. Renka looked completely unfazed, and thanks to the modifications on his Soul Board, Hikaru wasn’t particularly tired either.

Paula’s Soul Rank is only 8. I need to find a way to raise it, Hikaru thought as he glanced at her Soul Board. Then she could probably acquire Stealth.

Paula, perhaps thinking he was disappointed in her, looked teary-eyed.

“Flower Face.”

“Y-Yes?”

“Let’s find some time for training.”

“What?!”

Hikaru meant raising her Soul Rank, but to Paula, it sounded like he was suggesting regular physical workout. She panicked.