SHC34_C34_CHAPTER 34. The One You Mustn’t Disobey, Again

34. The One You Mustn’t Disobey, Again

 

“Since you’ve come all the way to the capital, why don’t we enjoy it a little more?”

“Yeah, A-tan, stay and have some fun. Playing is part of a child’s job, too.”

“Huh? But I’m already having tons of fun!”

“Well, as long as you’re enjoying yourself.”

…They’re totally misunderstanding me, aren’t they?

I mean, I just want to eat curry rice. If Kikunoi profits from it, great—but that’s just a bonus.

Oh well. It’s not like it’s a big deal.

Trying to shake off the misunderstanding, I let the two of them lead me back through the marché for some more sightseeing.

Now, I wanted to buy souvenirs for everyone back home.

So I figured I’d ask Viktor-san, since he lives here in the capital.

“Viktor-san, is there a this-is-the-Capital! kind of souvenir?”

“Hmm, to be honest, not really. The capital is packed with people from all over the Empire, working or sending money home. There aren’t many true locals.”

“There’s a saying: ‘Three generations in the capital makes you a local,’” Romanov-sensei added.

“But most people just earn money here and head back to the countryside to live a more comfortable life.”

“So, like, people come here and sell sweets from their hometowns, and if those become popular, they get branded as Capital specialties?”

“Exactly.”

Which means, something labeled a Capital souvenir might actually come from somewhere else entirely.

I frowned a bit at that idea, and Viktor-san suddenly clapped his hands as if remembering something.

“Oh! There is something called ‘Capital Cookies.’”

“Capital Cookies?”

“Yeah. They’re just regular cookies, but stamped with the word ‘Capital.’ Still, they’re genuinely tasty.”

“They’re a safe bet. Not too pricey, either—perfect to hand out to everyone at the estate.”

“Then I’ll go with those!”

With that settled, we made our way toward the Capital’s main boulevard.

The shop that sold the cookies was located on the main avenue, so we stopped along the way to buy scraps of silk resembling kimono fabric and some rare braided cords.

The cookie shop looked more like a palace from the outside, but the prices were surprisingly reasonable—just as Viktor had said, it was easy enough to buy a box for each of the estate’s staff.

As we strolled, discussing where to go next, we arrived at the heart of the city.

It was a large plaza filled with bronze statues of various people. One statue, in particular, looked familiar.

I walked up and peered closely. The folds of the dress… the fan in hand…

“That’s the statue of Princess Hyakka.”

“Ah, I thought so.”

“Yes. Up there on the hill is the Joint Shrine of the Gods.”

“The Joint Shrine…!”

“Long ago, an artist who had seen the gods gathered those who had glimpsed their divine faces and sculpted statues based on their testimonies. The shrine was built to honor that feat. But if you look closely… you’ll notice something odd.”

Viktor-san grinned mischievously. Romanov-sensei had the same look, so clearly they knew what the “odd” thing was.

I studied the statues again—majestic men with beards, youthful heroes like something from a David sculpture, graceful women, children both tall and small—but one statue stood out.

This one wore a robe that hid everything but the mouth, and was seated, making it impossible to gauge height or build.

“There’s one whose face and body are completely concealed. Is that what’s strange?”

“Bingo. That’s the statue of Princess Hyourin. No one has ever seen her face.”

“Really…?”

“Princess Hyourin governs over night and sleep, death and rebirth. She doesn’t appear in public. It’s said the only time she does is at the moment of one’s passing.”

“Ahh…”

So that’s why the only visible part is the gentle curve of her lips, hinting at femininity.

“Since we’re here, shall we offer our prayers?”

“Yes, let’s.”

“Of course. I’m always in their care, after all.”

Romanov-sensei led us up the gentle slope toward the shrine. We greeted people as we passed, and soon reached a building that looked like the Parthenon from my previous life—Doric columns and masterful sculptures all around.

Inside the shrine, the gods’ statues stood at equal intervals. In front of each one was a basin filled with iron and copper coins.

“What are those?”

“Offerings. People present money to the deity they wish to honor.”

“Most people offer around five copper coins.”

Visitors stepped up one by one, offering coins to their chosen gods.

I, always grateful to the Princess, offered a silver coin. Then I turned toward another statue.

“Um, Sensei…”

“Yes?”

“Which one is Lord Igor?”

I’ve never met him, but I’ve clearly received his blessing. I should give my thanks.

Romanov-sensei seemed to understand right away. He glanced around, then took my hand and led me to the statue of a boy with curly hair.

I still had plenty of allowance left, so I reached into my pouch to pull out five copper coins—when suddenly the shrine went completely dark.

Then, shimmering light like an aurora spilled down from the ceiling.

“That’s money you earned yourself for the first time. You should hang onto it.”

“Wha—!? Who said that!?”

I looked up and saw a boy—late teens, probably—floating gently in the air, dressed in a white coat like a doctor.

He had silver curls and wore winged sandals.

“Hello, Agaha of House Kikunoi. I am Igor, god of the skies, of medicine and engineering, of wind and commerce. Pleased to meet you.”

“Ah…! It is an honor to meet you for the first time, sir!”

I dropped to my knees instantly.

Meeting Princess Hyakka so often must have trained my body—whenever I’m in the presence of someone I shouldn’t disobey, I just reflexively drop into formal posture. Good job, me.

Igor-sama waved gently, his feet still swinging in midair.

“You can raise your head. I don’t like all that stiff formality. Your knees must hurt.”

“Th-thank you. Then… please excuse me.”

I stood up, suddenly much closer to him.

His eyes were the color of spring saplings, his lips soft like cherry petals, and his cheeks full and glowing. He looked like a painting by Raphael.

Gods are so beautiful it’s terrifying.

As I marveled at him, Igor-sama chuckled.

“Beautiful but scary, huh? Should I take that as a compliment?”

“I meant it in the most sincere, admiring way!”

“Heh, I figured.”

Since he was still laughing, I hadn’t offended him—thank goodness. Still, it’s embarrassing having my thoughts read like that.

I cleared my throat.

“Um… there’s something I’ve been wondering…”

“About the blessing I gave you, right?”

“Yes. With all due respect, we had never met before… so why…?”

Igor-sama smiled gently and pulled a familiar piece of paper from his coat pocket.

It looked just like the one I’d used to make a butterfly for the Princess.

“One day, Hyakka came to me and asked me to make beautiful paper. When I asked why, she said, ‘Because a child can make wonderful paper crafts if given beautiful paper.’ Then, not long after, she barged in again and demanded to know how to cure a condition where the soul slips from the body. I thought, ‘What’s going on now?’”

“Ah…”

“Then she started asking things like, ‘How do you best educate a human?’ And when I pressed her for answers, your name came up.”

“So that’s how you learned about me…”

“Exactly.”

Igor-sama gently floated down and set his feet on the stone floor.

Then he reached out and patted my head softly.

“I’m grateful to you. Hyakka was never that interested in humans before. But after meeting you, she started noticing disparities in education. That’s huge, in my eyes.”

I tilted my head.

I mean, sure, it’s good for gods to take an interest in people… but is that really so important?

Seeing my doubt, Igor-sama grew serious.

“Faith is what gives us gods power. Not just from humans, but from elves, dwarves, spirits, demons, beasts—any and all living things. Their belief fuels us. Do you understand?”

“Y-yes.”

“Hyakka and some of the others are like forces of nature—they’re inherently powerful. But me? I only gain power through people. My domains—medicine, technology, and commerce—don’t mean anything without human society.”

Elves and dwarves might need medicine and technology as well, but do they really require commerce? Not so much. They often just barter, apparently. So humans are essential to that domain.

“If Hyakka starts giving blessings to humans, and commerce blooms as a result, then I grow stronger.”

“I see…”

“But I don’t just stop there. With that strength, I bless humanity in return. That energizes the economy. And that money flows—to a fisherman, say. The fisherman gives thanks to the sea god, and the sea god grows stronger too. Then they bless the people. See the cycle?”

“So… when faith fuels power, and that power returns to people, it creates a positive loop?”

“Exactly. The more kindness flows, the more faith spreads. Then more blessings follow. And so on.”

That’s… basically my dream for Kikunoi. A thriving, self-sustaining economy where Regulus-kun can be a wise, beloved ruler.

Igor-sama nodded.

“That’s why I blessed you. Our visions align. And I’ve blessed others who think like you too. So don’t worry.”

He stood straight, posture so perfect it felt like a steel rod ran from his crown to his toes. He radiated dignity.

But deep down… I’m doing this all for my little brother. It’s selfish, really.

Fidgeting with my blouse hem in embarrassment, I felt his soft hand pat my head again.

“Everyone starts selfish. Some want to protect their sister, or save a brother, or help a lover or friend. But eventually, like you, they realize, “A world kind to just your loved ones isn’t truly kind to them either, not if the rest of the world suffers.”

“I… realized that too?”

Apparently whether or not you change is unpredictable—even for a god. But those who do often start something. And when they do, Igor lends a hand, hoping to make the world just a bit kinder.

That’s all his blessing really was—an investment in a hopeful future.

“Think of it like a seed I planted. If it grows, great. If not, oh well. Just live how you want. Besides, you’ve already been given a mission from Hyakka, haven’t you?”

“Wh-what mission!?”

“Didn’t she tell you? Something about… training performers who can do musicals?”

Wait—WHAT!? First time I’ve heard of it!!

 

 Eun: IGOR~ He's a gonna be a frequent visitor of Ageha. >u< AND it was really a pleasant surprised that his VA/Voice actor is MURASE AYUMU~ the VA for Hinata, Iruma etc.

Here's another extra chapter!! ENJOY~

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