𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟕: 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞’𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲
On a fine early summer day with clear skies.
Kami-sama and I were heading towards the Margrave Mosey territory in a reasonably good carriage.
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What I was wearing was a pure white one-piece dress, lavishly decorated with pintucks and picot lace. A straw hat with a light blue checkered ribbon wrapped around it. My long fluffy hair was also tied into two pigtails, making me look like a low-ranking noble daughter who chooses clothes according to the trend, or a rich merchant’s daughter who isn’t constrained by formalities.
Robertson, the head of the merchant association, had prepared this travel outfit for me, even though I had told him that it wasn’t necessary.
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After rescuing the runaway priest, Trias.
I, who had connected him with the chairman of the merchant association, decided in the end that it was more convenient not to erase Trias’ memory. I asked for their support as “Charlene-sama’s envoy”.
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“I am about to embark on a journey to investigate and provisionally restore the depletion of spiritual springs throughout the country. I would greatly appreciate any advice or assistance you could offer.”
“Please, Charlene-sama is so sad. . . . . .!”
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When I conveyed the earnest attitude of Kami-sama (though it was me who said it), and repeatedly made a serious and sincere plea like an 8-year-old, the two of them happily and readily agreed to provide support.
After that, the head of the merchant association arranged our travel preparations and coordinated with his associates in various places. Trias, the priest, handled travel arrangements and various procedures on behalf of us, who are not accustomed to travel. We are grateful.
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While processing the procedures, Trias said with excitement, “I used to be a pilgrimage priest!”
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“Um, can I come with you, if you don’t mind?”
“No.”
“Eh? Please do something about that.”
“Do you intend to go against the will of the gods?”
“Oh, I see! It is the will of the Land God Kai for the two of you to go! I understand!”
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Well, indeed, it is undoubtedly the will of Land God Kai.
I’m scared of Kami-sama’s jealousy.
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By the way, we are using a [horse spirit] for our carriage. It doesn’t shake or poop. As long as we feed it coal, it can handle food and rest. This horse is convenient as it can camp in the carriage even without an inn, and because it’s a special spirit, thieves are afraid to mess with it, making us less likely to encounter trouble. Plus, it’s a translucent white horse that’s cute. It’s a convenient horse (said twice).
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“Charlene, it’s lunchtime.”
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Kami-sama hands me a bagged sandwich that he bought in the inn town in the morning.
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“Thank you.”
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I accept it, say my thanks, and eat. My small 8-year-old mouth struggles to eat it, so I firmly hold the baguette and nibble from the edge. Kami-sama watches with a fond look.
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“. . . . . .If I had the power of Kami-sama, would I not need to eat?”
“You might be able to once you’re used to using the power. But I want Charlene to eat. Your face while eating is cute.”
“. . . . . .Don’t stare too much. It’s embarrassing.”
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Why are we heading for the Margrave territory? It’s because it’s the territory of the real family of Queen Isyria-sama, where the Queen has been taking a long rest.
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In order to return as a saint, Charte-chan needs a strong backer.
I had set my sights on Queen Isyria-sama.
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Queen Isyria-sama and her family, the Margrave, have an independent power that is detached from the Lulumia-Prime Minister faction, the high priest faction, and the King faction. Because they are in a militarily important location and have a rich territory, they do not need to worry about the other factions. And Isyria-sama has a noble and obliging heart (which is why she had the worst relationship with the king, who is ambitious and only sees people for their benefits).
If we can make Isyria-sama think that “This girl is a saint who should be protected,” we can make her and the Margrave family powerful backers. The best path for Charte-chan to return as a saint is this one.
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Also, according to Trias’ information, the Crown Prince seems to be ill due to being caught between the Lulumia-Prime Minister faction, the church faction, and the King faction. With parental love, Queen Isyria-sama might think, “I should help my son,” and there is a good chance that she will send Charte-chan.
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“But, Charlene. Isn’t the queen unwell? Will it be okay?”
“It’s fine. She’s ‘resting’ in name only, she’s simply estranged from the king due to their poor relationship.”
“They’re not getting along. Even though they’re a married couple.”
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Kami-sama showed a slightly saddened expression.
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“Oh, I haven’t explained the details to you yet, Kami-sama. Uh. . . . . .The king gives his elder son, Crown Prince Lewis, the cold shoulder and dotes on his second son, Prince Keizen, who resembles him. Queen Isyria seems to have argued that both should be educated appropriately. . . . . .well, convincing him proved impossible. The queen was sent home under the pretext of resting.”
Divorcing a member of the royal family is incredibly troublesome under the current monarchical laws. They already have two princes, and the king thinks that if he wants a princess for a political marriage, he can get one from a powerful noble. For the king, it’s best to expel the disagreeable queen.
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“Humans are complicated, they can’t love each other even though they’re married.”
“Well, not everything can be settled by just beautiful words.”
“I’m happy. Because Charlene is my wife.”
“. . . . . .Is, is that so?”
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With a hard expression slightly softening, Kami-sama gazes at me adoringly.
I swallowed my baguette sandwich, cleared my throat with a cough.
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“Well, the Margrave’s territory is also adjacent to one of the territories owned by Duke Horsewood. We should have some gossip about Lulumia and the royal family when we are away from the royal capital.”
“I look forward to it. It’s thrilling.”
“You’re in good spirits.”
“It’s my first time since becoming a god. Leaving the spiritual spring. . . . . .so everything is new and interesting.”
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Kami-sama squints while looking out the window.
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(I see. . . . . .Kami-samawas originally a free and strong land god. . . . . .but he became a weak god who only protects the country, limiting his powers. . . . . .for the happiness of his previous life with me. . . . . .now, has he even abandoned being the god of the country for me)
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“Hey, Kami-sama.”
“Hmm.”
“. . . . . .You’ve been saying that you’ll make me happy, right?”
“Of course, I am your husband.”
“Then, from now on, I’ll think about making Kami-sama happy too.”
“Charlene. . . . . .”
“After all, I’m also a wife, right? A couple is supposed to become happy together.”
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Kami-sama’s black eyes open wide. I braced myself to be hugged, but Kami-sama just bashfully looked happy, nothing more intense happened. That’s embarrassing in its own way.
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My parents were a happily married couple. That’s where my ideal image of a couple comes from.
I want to make Kami-sama happy. That might be. . . . . .the first dream I have since I became free.
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After that, I was silent for a while, directing my gaze outside the carriage.
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――After two weeks from our departure, the carriage arrived at the Margrave’s territory.
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🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸
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The heart of Margrave Mosey’s territory, Keinigaunis.
Unlike the commercial Makeido, the city was surrounded by a fortress, composed of a castle built atop a hill and the city at the foot of the hill. It was a typical defensive city.
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Thanks to the introduction by the chairman of the Robertson Trading Company, we were able to smoothly check into the city’s luxury hotel. Waiting for us in the lobby, after we had lightened our load by dropping off our luggage, was the city priest who had been referred by Priest Trias.
The young Priest Heath Samaya, with his black, short hair, bowed straight-backed.
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“I’ve heard from Priest Trias. We’ve been expecting you, Envoy Kainz-sama, Charte-sama. I will guide you to the main spiritual spring of Keinigaunis.”
“Thank you very much!”
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First impressions are essential. I gave him a big smile and a bow. Heath Samaya covered his face with his hand.
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“. . . . . .Oh, just as cute as the rumors said. . . . . .Oops, I apologize for that. Nice to meet you, Charte-sama. Onii-san is not scary.”
“Thank you for the compliment! But be careful, if you praise me too much, my husband might make a scary face.”
“Hu. . . . . .husband.”
“Yes, husband.”
“Husband♡.”
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While making a scary face, Kami-sama pulled me closer by the shoulder.
Heath Samaya, with various conflicting emotions on his face, was stunned and frozen, but after a while, he came back to his senses, cleared his throat with a cough, and stood up.
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After that.
Under the guidance of Heath Samaya, we headed towards the church in the center of the city. The city’s spiritual spring was managed by the church. It was common for the spiritual spring that gushed from the church to be supplied to various bathhouses around the city through the laid out spiritual spring water pipes.
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Before opening the door of the church, Heath Samaya grimaced and spoke.
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“The Head Priest Zain is a bit difficult, I apologize if he upsets you. I have managed to negotiate as far as getting him to meet with you, so the rest is. . . . . .”
“We’ll do our best. Thank you, Heath Samaya-sama.”
“Uh. . . . . .cute. . . . . .a married woman. . . . . .a little girl. . . . . .what a situation. . .”
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Heath Samaya muttered and clutched his chest as he opened the door. I hope the church’s priest is alright.
Upon opening the door, the one who turned around from the altar with a stern look, just like the difficult man we were told about, was an old priest with a stern face.
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“. . . . . .The envoy of Charlene-sama, is it that little girl and the man?”
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Looking us up and down as if assessing us, the old priest approached.
I wore an elegant smile, subtly tilted my face, and half-covered my eyes with my bangs.
Then in a slightly lower, mature voice, I said to the old man.
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“[It’s been a long time, Elder Zain. Is the leg I treated still causing you trouble?]”
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The moment I murmured, the old priest – Zain, a familiar face from the past, fell from the high position of the altar with a loud noise.
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“Ch, Charlene-sama?!?!?!?!?!!!”
“Oh my. . . . . .Did I [manifest again]?”
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I made a show of looking at Kami-sama and brought my fist to my mouth to act cute.
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“Ah, ah, ah. . .Charlene-sama. . . . . .Charlene-sama came to my place. . . . . .gah.”
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The old priest Zain fainted, foaming at the mouth.
He regained consciousness after being dragged to his bedroom by Heath Samaya, about a half-hour later.
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“Wow, that was surprising. I didn’t expect the envoy who can manifest Charlene-sama to come.”
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The initial caution was gone.
Old Priest Zain eagerly guided Kami-sama and me to the back where the main spiritual spring gushed.
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