“All right. Follow me, everyone.” Led by Sara and the others, the party headed toward the top floor of the town hall.
◇ ◇ ◇
Ten minutes later, on the top floor of the town hall in the council room, Aishia and Miharu’s group received a warm welcome from the elders of the village. The three head elders began with simple introductions.
“It is a pleasure to have you in our village, Lady Aishia. On behalf of all the spirit folk, we welcome you from the depths of our hearts.” One of the head elders, the high elf Syldora, stood up from his chair and addressed Aishia sitting in the guest seat with reverence. The other elders also stood and lowered their heads at Aishia out of respect.
“Thanks,” Aishia said shortly.
With a small smile, Syldora turned to greet Miharu, Aki, and Masato sitting beside Aishia. “Children from another world, you have done well coming this far. We welcome you, too.”
“Y-Yes! Umm, thank you very much for agreeing to look after us. We are truly so grateful... I’m not sure what to say.” In contrast to Aishia’s composed manner of gratitude, Miharu bowed her head nervously.
“T-Thank you very much!” Aki and Masato bowed awkwardly after Miharu.
“Hahaha, there’s no need to be so formal. This gathering is to merely exchange simple greetings and to see each other in person. I’m sure you have heard from Lord Rio already, but as long as you to agree to several of our conditions, we will guarantee you a peaceful life here in our village. We will leave formal arrangements for another day.” Syldora gave a good-natured smile as he spoke to the nervous group of humans.
“Hmm. We were told you would be otherworldly folk, but you look just like humans.” The head elder dwarf, Dominic, gazed at Miharu and the others with curious interest.
“Hey, don’t stare at them with your fierce mug. You’re scaring the guests,” Ursula scolded Dominic jokingly.
“W-What?” Shocked, Dominic was at a loss for words. The other elders in the room laughed in amusement, and Miharu and the others followed suit. The air the room became much lighter. Sensing that, Dominic let out a dramatic sigh to show that he wasn’t upset.
“Now, there’s no use in continuing this chatter with the boring elderly folk. Sara, you and the girls can guide them to their lodgings,” Syldora said, turning to address the group.
“Understood. Everyone, follow me.” Sara nodded respectfully before swiftly making her way over to Miharu.
“Huh? Is that all?” Miharu asked in surprise, expecting the meeting to go on for a little longer than that.
“Indeed. Tonight was merely a modest greeting of sorts. Perhaps you could tell us stories of your other world some other time? But first, you should get some rest.” Syldora nodded warmly.
Miharu bowed her head deeply. “Y-Yes. Thank you very much!”
“There’s something I’d like to ask Lord Rio and Lady Aishia. Could the two of you remain here a little longer?” Ursula asked.
Rio nodded immediately, before looking over at Sara and Latifa. “Of course. Everyone, I’m leaving Miharu and the other guests in your hands. You too, Latifa.”
“Sure. You can leave it to me, Onii-chan!” Latifa puffed out her chest proudly.
◇ ◇ ◇
After Sara and the spirit folk girls led Miharu, Aki, and Masato out of the room, Ursula spoke up.
“My apologies, Lord Rio. Lady Aishia. There are some more complicated matters we’d like to discuss with you, so please keep us old folk company a little longer.”
“Of course, it’s nothing to apologize for. If anything, we should be thanking you for your consideration,” Rio replied with a bow. He figured that the reason why Sara and the others were sent to lead Miharu’s group away was because the topic of the discussion to come was highly confidential.
Right now, the only ones remaining in the room were Rio, Aishia, the council of elders, and Dryas, the spirit of the giant tree. All were more than qualified to know what was being discussed, and to keep the information to themselves.
“So, what did you wish to discuss?”
“Hm. While there’s a lot to cover, we’ll start with Lady Aishia first. Great Dryas, if you’d do the honors?” Syldora immediately cut to the chase, seeking further instructions from Dryas, who sat next to Aishia.
“Let’s see. First, it’s clear that Aishia isn’t any spirit that I know of. From what I’ve heard through the elders, Rio’s mentioned a few odd points here and there, too... Aishia, is it true you don’t have any memory of what kind of spirit you are?”
Aishia nodded. “Yup.”
“That’s what I found odd. Normally, a spirit would retain their memories from before they ranked up to a humanoid state, but she doesn’t have any memories, not even of her name. It seems she has the awareness and intellect of a humanoid spirit, but her sense of self seems strangely weak... I suppose that’s because of the amnesia?” Dryas contemplated out loud.
“...I’d like to ask you something about that. Are all spirits capable of climbing the ranks up to a humanoid state, all while keeping their memories from the lower and middle ranks?” Rio asked.
“That’s a difficult question. I can only tell you based on what I’ve seen myself, so this may not be the correct answer, but not every spirit can climb to a rank higher than they’re already at. There are many components and conditions required,” Dryas replied. “I’m not entirely certain with regard to the memories, either, but I know I can’t remember anything from when I was a low-ranked spirit myself. Spirits are normally said to be mana that hold a clear sense of self, but low-ranked spirits are basically the equivalent of a human baby in terms of cognizance. I only have memories from after I became a middle-ranked spirit. Although, I couldn’t wander very far from the tree I resided in at the time, so I basically spent every day sunbasking,” she added, looking wistful as she spoke.
“Thank you for your answer. In other words, Aishia should have had a stage before she became a humanoid spirit, and she should have memories of that period.”
“That’s right. I should add that once a spirit reaches the upper-middle ranks, it takes many long years to strengthen their sense of self and gain individuality. Just like me,” Dryas said, smiling proudly.
“I see...” Rio nodded in understanding, then looked at Aishia. She indeed had a personality that was quite different compared to Dryas’. Unlike Dryas, who freely expressed her emotions, Aishia didn’t show many of her emotions outwardly.
“That’s why... How should I put this? Aishia... She almost seems like a young spirit that just ranked up from being a low ranking spirit to a middle ranked one. Her rank as a spirit is high, but her sense of self seems weak and irregular. Unless she’s actually a really eccentric girl beneath that exterior... but she isn’t, is she?” Dryas said thoughtfully, looking at Aishia with an incline of her head.
“Am I?” Aishia tilted her head, too, looking at Rio.
“Who knows. But, I think you’re already very charming as you are.” Rio laughed in amusement.
“Thank you, Haruto.” Aishia smiled faintly; Dryas watched their exchange.
“Fufu, it seems like your contract relationship is going well. That’s a good thing. I don’t have anyone I’m contracted to, so it makes me a little jealous,” she said pleasantly.
“Indeed, she does seem to have opened to Lord Rio a fair amount,” Ursula agreed. “However... Does she mean Lord Rio when she says ‘Haruto’?”
“Yes. Due to certain circumstances, I’ve been calling myself Haruto while in the Strahl region. I informed Sara and the others earlier, but this is a good chance to inform everyone here, too.” Rio said, then repeated everything he had told the girls earlier. The elders listened to him in silence, only speaking up once he had finished his explanation.
“I see. So Lord Rio had that kind of past...” Ursula murmured with a conflicted expression. The other elders wore similar looks on their faces.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep it
a secret all this time, but I didn’t think it was a good story to spread around, so I kept quiet about it. With the circumstances as they are right now, you deserved an explanation... but it isn’t a very positive story, I admit. Please do not let it weigh down on you,” Rio apologized with a guilty expression. “There’s one more thing I need to explain to everyone that might not be very pleasant... It’s the reason why I was able to communicate with Miharu. I’d like to ask you to keep what I’m about to say as confidential as possible — is that all right?”
The three head elders looked at each other with wide eyes. “...Are you sure? There’s no need to force yourself to explain anything.” Syldora asked, watching Rio’s expression.
“I’m not forcing myself into anything. However, it isn’t the type of explanation I expect to be taken seriously, so you may find what I’m about to say to be rather strange. If Miharu, Aki, and Masato hadn’t appeared, I would have never told anyone about this,” Rio said with a troubled expression.
“Does this mean you’ve told the otherworlders this, too?”
“Yes. The need for an explanation was unavoidable due to the course of events. That is why I think it would only be right if I gave everyone here the same explanation, since they will be under the care of your village from now on. I omitted my reasons from our talks the other day, but I am willing to explain everything today, if everyone so wishes.”
“I see... Everyone, it is as you have just heard. If Lord Rio discusses this with us, it will be strictly forbidden to speak of this outside of this room. Those who cannot vow their silence should leave this room immediately,” Syldora said. Once he confirmed that not a single person had left their seat, he spoke up again, smiling at the elders. “Then it is assumed that everyone present has sworn to strictly adhere to the aforementioned conditions. Those who break their word... Well, you all know what happens. Great Dryas, you are fine with this, too?”
“I don’t mind. I have neither the interest nor gossip partner to do so,” Dryas agreed with a nod.
“It seems we are all in compliance, Lord Rio. Now, would you please tell us what you have to say?” Syldora asked, looking at Rio.
“Of course. I am greatly obliged for your consideration.”
Rio bowed deeply, then began to explain the reason why he could communicate with Miharu in Japanese — because he had memories of his own previous life — but only to the extent of what he already told Miharu and the other Japanese visitors. Specifically, he told the elders how he had awoken to memories that weren’t his own when he was a young child, and that those memories were set in a world that was coincidentally the same as the world that Miharu had been living in. He hid the fact that he had a connection to Miharu in his previous life.
“That’s all,” Rio said, wrapping up his explanation. The elders had remained silent for the entire duration of Rio’s speech, but the moment he was done, they all inhaled at once — as though just remembering to breathe.
Syldora was the first to open his mouth. “Hmm. That is indeed an unexpected tale to believe... but it is the truth, no?” After a heavy moment of thought, he accepted Rio’s words as truth.
“...You believe me?” Rio’s asked in amazement, having not expected anyone to believe him so easily.
“It’s because you’re the one saying this, Lord Rio — that is enough for us to believe you. Not to mention, it seems to be true that you were able to communicate in their language. Even if you were to lie about it, there would be no need to make up a story this nonsensical to cover it up.” Syldora nodded with a wry smile.
“However, it is indeed nonsensical. I can understand why Lord Rio wants us to keep this truth confidential... Being reborn with your memories is something I have never heard of before in my long years of life.” Ursula said, also with a wry smile.
“Right...” Rio acknowledged how impossible it sounded.
Dominic placed a hand by his chin. “Hmm. Great Dryas, have you ever encountered anyone in a similar situation as this before?” he asked her, since she was the oldest living being in the village.
Dryas shook her head bluntly. “I haven’t. As far as I know, no one like that has ever appeared in this village before.”
“Is that so... Sorry, Rio. I was hoping there’d be a precedent that could provide you with hints, but alas.” Dominic shrugged his shoulders at the hopeless situation.
Rio shook his head with a smile. “No, it’s still of great use to me to know that no one like this has openly appeared throughout the long history of the world. I wondered if it was possible my memories of my previous life had something to do with how I suddenly found myself contractually bound to Aishia without realizing it, but I’ll set that thought aside for now.”
He already knew of someone who had memories of their previous life, and another that he highly suspected to be the case, but he decided not to reveal that right now.
“Hmm... If only we at least knew what kind of spirit Aishia was... All I can say for certain is that she isn’t a part of the only high rank spirit network I know. By the way, what kind of element do you specialize in, Aishia?” Dryas suddenly asked.
“All of them,” Aishia replied calmly. At that, the elders all stirred noisily. Even Dryas, the one who asked the question, widened her eyes in astonishment. Rio was the only one who was confused, wondering why everyone was reacting with such surprise.
Dryas repeated her question nervously. “...Umm, I’m not sure I heard you correctly. Did you just say you specialize in all types of spirit arts?”
◇ ◇ ◇
While Rio met with the village elders and the Great Dryas, Miharu’s group was being led outside the town hall by the spirit folk girls. In front of the town hall was a wide and spacious square that doubled as a playground for the children. They had missed them earlier, when they had first arrived, but there were young boys and girls running all over, now.
“The scenery was amazing to see from above, but it’s just as amazing from below, too. The spirit folk really are incredible... They even made a tree house that looks like this. It’s almost like a skyscraper,” Masato said in awe as he looked up at the tree house that was used as the town hall.
He had spoken in Japanese on the spur of the moment, but Orphia was able to pick up on the general gist of Masato’s statement through his reaction. She smiled pleasantly.
“Fufu, the giant tree of Great Dryas is several times the size of this one, you know?” she said in the Strahl tongue.
“Huh? W-Wow, even more... than this? Umm, I would love to see it, if that’s not too much trouble.” Sensing that he was the one being spoken to, Masato blushed, his reply awkward.
“Wipe that sloppy look off your face... Speaking like you’re someone you’re not.” Aki said, looking at Masato with disgust in her eyes.
“W-What’s your problem, Aki? This is my normal way of speaking,” Masato objected in a high-pitched voice, making Aki sneer with a laugh.
“You say that, but your true colors are showing already.”
Meanwhile, Sara and the others hadn’t quite picked up on what was happening yet, so they looked curiously to Miharu for an explanation.
“Ah, umm. Masato is actually quite shy around strangers. I believe he was a little nervous when talking to Orphia...” Miharu explained.
“M-Miharu, you don’t have to tell them that!” Masato yelled in embarrassment.
“It’s not quite shyness around strangers... Masato’s weak to cute and beautiful women older than him — even more so when they’re strangers he’s meeting for the first time,” Aki explained bluntly.
Taken aback, Masato tried to drown out Aki’s voice. “Wah! Stop it, Aki!”
However, it seemed that the spirit folk girls were able to hear her anyway, as they started giggling.
“Ahaha, I see. Should I be saying ‘thank you,’ then?” Orphia smiled bashfully.
“Ah, geez! I’ll never be able to show my face again!” Masato covered his face and squatted down where
he stood; he wanted to dig a hole in the ground and hide in it, but the gesture only made Sara and the other girls giggle even harder.
“What a funny child,” Alma murmured, smiling as she looked at Masato.
“You’ll be fine if you can make jokes like that. No one here will be bothered if they never see your face again anyway, so don’t worry about it. Come on, you’re blocking the way, so stand up already,” Aki cracked a merciless verbal whip at Masato, who was still groaning with shame.
“Ugh, I know that. ...Wait, why are all of those people looking at us?” Masato put on a bold front and stood up, before noticing the village children staring at them from afar; their ages appeared to span from five years old to the early teens.
“They’re probably curious about you, since we rarely have visitors from outside the village,” Sara commented.
“Looks like their morning classes ended and they’re using their time for training and exercise. Vera and Arslan are there too,” Alma said, pointing at the children.
The silver werewolf Vera and werelion boy Arslan stepped out from the crowd and approached the group. “Sister! Are these three people the guests Rio brought along?” Vera asked Sara with a friendly smile.
Out of consideration for Miharu and the others, she was speaking in the common language of Strahl instead of the language of the spirit folk.
“That’s right. We’re giving them a tour of the village.” Latifa nodded with a smile.
“I knew it! They have black hair just like Rio, so I could tell right away. It’s nice to meet you! I’m Sara’s little sister, Vera.” Vera faced the humans and bowed politely as she introduced herself.
“Hello there. My name is Miharu, from the same hometown as Haru... as Rio. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Miharu returned without missing a beat.
For the record, the truth as to how Miharu and the others had come from another world was information that was known only by the council of elders and certain individuals. Because of that, Miharu had to explain that she and the siblings were all humans from Rio’s hometown. In addition to that, she decided against calling Rio “Haruto” in this situation, since the explanation would be complex.
The Silver Bride Page 2
