Akatsuki Translations

After that, Ur and his companions provided several pieces of information about Uuga on the spot.

Echelle, Ur, and Shizuku, who were present at the scene, each explained the details of Uuga. Having practiced the explanation repeatedly, they delivered it without hesitation. Although the Wise Heavenly King seemed to show little interest, a scribe standing beside the 【Heavenly Prayer】 was furiously writing down their explanation, so it likely had some meaning.

“If you have spoken all that needs to be said, withdraw. Call the next person,” the Wise Heavenly King said.

At the Wise Heavenly King’s words, Lacretia subtly glanced at Ur for confirmation. Ur nodded as if to say there was no problem. At least regarding Uuga, everything that needed to be said had been spoken, and everything that needed to be heard had been heard.

However, there was still someone who needed to speak up about a separate matter.

“If I may, one more thing,” Shizuku spoke up. Ur and the others, who had been informed of her plea beforehand, were not surprised. They had somehow managed to get Lacretia to agree to this during their prior meeting.

Yuri’s expression changed as she glared at Shizuku.

“You…”

“Very well. Speak,” the Wise Heavenly King said, restraining Yuri and encouraging Shizuku to continue. Shizuku raised her face.

“You said you were Shizuku of【The Walkers】. What is your purpose?”

“From this point on, I wish to speak from a different position than before.”

“And what would that be?”

“Please allow me to speak as Shizuku, the priestess of the 【Evil Spirit, the Spirit of Winter, Wintour】.”

At the mention of “evil spirit,” the atmosphere became somewhat uneasy. The sound of Sun Knights gripping their weapons echoed from here and there. Yuri’s gaze grew even sharper. Amidst the chaos, Shizuku remained extremely calm.

And the 【Wise Heavenly King】, facing her, also showed an extremely calm reaction.

“【Spirit of Winter, Wintour】. The concept spirit representing the time when the Sun’s grace is shortest. While considered sacred like the other three seasons, it is the only one worshipped as an evil spirit that shortens the cycle of the Sun God.”

He spoke matter-of-factly, then looked at the girl before him, examining her closely.

“But you have no connection to spirits whatsoever. Are you Nameless?”

“Yes. I do not have the power to receive Wintour-sama’s blessing. From the beginning, all priestesses of the Spirit of Winter are Nameless. To prevent the nurturing of power as an evil spirit.”

“Then why do you believe, and moreover, why do you seek to make a plea here, even revealing your sin of serving an evil spirit?”

The pressure from the Sun Knights intensified. All of it was directed at Shizuku.

The existence of evil spirits is fundamentally taboo. It is not permitted to even point a finger at evil beings. For doing so itself strengthens and distorts the spirits. To say that one worships such a being before the Wise Heavenly King, one could be cut down on the spot without complaint.

In the carriage earlier, when the 【Heavenly Sword】 threatened her with their blade, it wasn’t out of malice. It was because speaking of this before the Wise Heavenly King would lead to more than just threats.

Against the approaching pressure and clear hostility, Shizuku clasped her hands together and, with a posture befitting a saint, answered straightforwardly.

“If one has awe and gratitude for the very providence of this great world, profit and loss are unnecessary.”

The hostility in the room diminished slightly.

This wasn’t because of her beauty or anything so superficial. The Sun Knights here were hand-picked knights entrusted with the direct protection of the Wise Heavenly King, and they were also priests. It was inconceivable that they would show mercy to a priestess of an evil spirit out of worldly emotions.

The hostility subsided because her words were “correct.”

“You’re saying the 【Spirit’s Blessing】 is unnecessary?”

“The 【Spirit’s Blessing】 is one of the most understandable powers of spirits for us who struggle to grasp reason. But I believe that is merely one aspect. Even without the opportunity to directly touch and receive that power, reason should not disappear.”

“The worship of the Spirit of Winter has been sealed, and winter barely exists in the seasons of this current world. Even so?”

“I believe that the number or length of time does not measure greatness.”

Regardless of practical benefits, God and the spirits should be revered, respected, and be the objects of prayer and service.

The words Shizuku spoke were the truth and foundation for those who serve gods and spirits. At the same time, they represented the most difficult way of being to actually practice.

After all, priests actually receive blessings.

The higher the rank, the more overwhelming power they gain. It would seem somewhat disingenuous to say “the blessings bestowed upon us are irrelevant” after receiving spirit blessings that could shake heaven and earth.

In this respect, Shizuku’s attitude of maintaining sincere respect for the spirits, even from a position unable to receive blessings, was correct and strong. Because they understood how difficult such a way of being was, the hostility of the Sun Knights diminished slightly.

The highest-ranking knights protecting the most exalted king had a deep understanding of her way of being.

“…Even if that’s correct, worshipping an evil spirit cannot be permitted. Besides, anyone can say anything with just words,” Yuri, the 【Heavenly Sword】, was no exception. However, the fact that she didn’t stop speaking was likely due to her loyalty to the Wise Heavenly King. Empty noble words were also possible. The words Shizuku spoke were among the most basic tenets for priests.

All priests claim to do so. Whether they truly can is another matter.

“Stand down, 【Heavenly Sword】,”【Heavenly Prayer】 admonished Yuri’s objection. Yuri looked at the 【Heavenly Prayer】 in surprise.

“Sua-sama, are you allowing the evil spirit’s priestess to make her plea?”

“【Judgment】【Truth and Lies】【Fairness】【Sin and Punishment】 All of these recognize her. Stand down.”

Yuri’s eyes widened, but she stepped back as told. The Sun Knights likewise further withdrew their hostility.

Indeed, at this time and place, vanity would not prevail. Present here were the 【Wise Heavenly King】, the greatest in the world, and【Heavenly Prayer】, who could commune with all spirits and freely bestow their power. All these powers should reveal the truth of those facing the Wise Heavenly King.

“Priestess of the 【Spirit of Winter】. What do you desire? The removal of the evil spirit designation?” the Wise Heavenly King further inquired. Naturally, everyone thought that would be her wish, but Shizuku simply shook her head.

“It would be too presumptuous to have wishes for the great Wise Heavenly King. I merely wish for you to know…”

“And what is that?”

“That we who believe in the 【Spirit of Winter】 still do not lack loyalty to the Sun God. That we will continue to strive to be a small help in weaving together God, spirits, and the world.”

Shizuku declared this strongly and clearly, in a beautifully resonant voice.

There was enough power in her words to overturn the initial bad impression of being a priestess of an evil spirit harmful to humans, and to silence everyone. While there were those who cast puzzled glances at her, there was no one in this place who directed feelings of contempt or displeasure towards her.

Someone called her a saint.

“I simply wish for you to know this.”

“…Very well,” the Wise Heavenly King nodded briefly and clearly.

Acknowledging her existence as a priestess of an evil spirit. Despite the brevity of the words, it shook the place with a very great impact.

“I am grateful for your generous heart, Wise Heavenly King.”

Shizuku shed a single tear and smiled. This time, everyone present was truly taken aback by her beauty itself. In the audience chamber bathed in sunlight, a silver saint receiving the mercy of the Wise Heavenly King.

It was a fantastical scene that could be mistaken for a masterpiece by an exceptional painter.

　　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

At the Main Gate of【True Babel】

“Everyone, thank you very much,” Shizuku said, bowing deeply before all of them. Originally, her plea had not been part of the plan, so that scene was, in a way, nothing more than an extra burden. Knowing this, Shizuku thanked everyone for accommodating her.

“I especially imposed on you, Lacretia-sama.”

“As long as everything went well and you achieved your goal, it’s fine,” Lacretia replied.

“Yes, I truly am grateful.”

Shizuku expressed her gratitude repeatedly. Even Lacretia seemed a bit embarrassed.

“But is this really okay? Just… being acknowledged?” Echelle asked Shizuku this time.

One of the main reasons Echelle had dragged Ur and the others to Uuga during the last commotion was the existence of evil spirits, like her own 【Mirror Spirit】. She likely had many concerns.

In response to the question, Shizuku shook her head.

“I don’t wish for anything more. Even if I did, it wouldn’t be granted.”

“The matter of evil spirits is serious. Echelle, you shouldn’t use your power carelessly either,” Diz warned.

“I-I know,” Echelle nodded repeatedly, then, as if making up her mind, took Shizuku’s hand. Shizuku was a bit surprised, then broke into a full smile.

“Shizuku, let’s do our best.”

“Yes, Echelle-sama, let’s go forward together.”

The two smiled at each other, and everyone else smiled watching them. It was a beautiful scene, different from the earlier encounter with the Wise Heavenly King.

“……”

Ur, standing a bit apart from the group, watched this scene with slightly furrowed brows.

　　　　　　　　◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

In the Audience Chamber of【True Babel】

As midday approached, a short break was inserted into the audience time. While the 【Wise Heavenly King】, who directly received the blessing of the One True God Zerudia, had no need for rest, the personnel guarding him required breaks and shifts.

Of course, these personnel were first-rate servants of the king, capable of working for days without food if necessary. But in these peaceful times, there was no reason to purposely lower their performance.

During this brief respite, they were each carrying out resupply and shift change operations. Amidst this,

“Sua-sama, if I may?”

“What is it, 【Heavenly Sword】?”

【Heavenly Sword】 Yuri was addressing 【Heavenly Prayer】 Sua, who was likely on her way to the office where the Wise Heavenly King was now. Yuri stood before Sua and knelt, bowing her head.

Though both were of the Seven Heavens, their manner of interaction was clearly different because Sua was undeniably a blood relative of the Wise Heavenly King. Yuri asked Sua, who also served as the Wise Heavenly King’s assistant and was most adept at handling the power of spirits:

“I’d like to confirm something. About that evil spirit’s priestess, Shizuku.”

“Ah, her? What about her?”

Today’s audience with the 【Wise Heavenly King】 wasn’t just about that, of course.

As the leader of the continental alliance, the king of Proudia naturally received various matters. While it was certainly a memorable incident, it shouldn’t have been something to dig up again—and yet, 【Heavenly Sword】 Yuri asked Sua once more:

“Did all the spirit powers you govern judge her to be without issue?”

“Yes, they all said so.”

“All of them, without any hesitation?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

“…No.”

With that, Sua said “I see” and left. She didn’t dig into Yuri’s question itself. That’s just how Sua was. She showed little interest in anything besides the Wise Heavenly King and the spirits.

Yuri, too, paid no mind to Sua’s departure, instead repeating Sua’s words in her head.

“Completely without issue…?”

The spirit blessings controlled by 【Heavenly Prayer】 Sua were vast. One could even say inexhaustible.

She could communicate with all spirits and freely manipulate their power. Thus, Sua’s role in the audience chamber was to expose the vanity of those seeking audience and reveal all deceptions. Her power was so strong that some even feared the audience itself.

In fact, those who move suspiciously within the temple learn ways to escape her gaze. They never set foot in the audience chamber.

Yet, standing in that audience chamber, that woman Shizuku completely overcame Sua’s scrutiny.

Normally, this would be considered wonderful. It’s proof that her plea was from the heart, without any pretense. During the break, some knights were even heard whispering about her, calling her the 【Silver Saint】.

But Yuri had doubts.

Because in reality, it’s impossible. A truly perfect saint without even a shadow of darkness? Even she, who offered absolute loyalty to the Wise Heavenly King, couldn’t achieve that.

“…【Spirit of Winter, Wintour】. Perhaps I should have it investigated a bit.”

Information about spirits designated as evil becomes extremely scarce.

To suppress the worship itself, those who know about it and those who speak of it are severely restricted. Yuri decided to move to investigate this evil spirit.