Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 52: The Meaning of Ivy
Lionel had ordered us to remain in the wagon, so we went to bed early. In the morning, he explained what had come to light overnight.
“As soon as preparations are complete, we travel south along the Ureri River, inspecting its banks on the way to the royal capital. If the duke regains consciousness before we depart, I want to hear his account.”
Lionel looked grave over the map. I worried whether he and the others had rested, but the Undead Mud we saw could spread throughout the kingdom. This was a critical moment, and Dolph nodded grimly.
The clergy had begun making holy water. After preparing breakfast with Barbara, I would repair armor.
“Flora… are you all right?”
Gilbert asked quietly when we returned to the wagon.
“Of course. If I can help in any way, please tell me!”
I clenched a fist, and Gilbert laughed awkwardly, still worried.
“…If it no longer troubles you, perhaps I shouldn’t ask. I only thought the royal capital must hold many painful memories for you.”
So that was his concern.
“I’m fine! Traveling with all of you has made me much stronger.”
I tried to flex an arm to demonstrate. Unfortunately, no muscle appeared, but the feeling was sincere.
“Besides, someone important to me lives in the capital.”
“Someone important to you…?”
“My dear friend Chelsea lives there. Without her, I might not be here today.”
The safety of irreplaceable loved ones mattered more than the painful past, now distant. When I explained, Gilbert relaxed into a calm smile.
A little later, he stood beside me and whispered as if sharing a secret.
“Flora, there’s something I want to discuss… It concerns the tanned-leather cover on my battle-axe.”
He shifted the cover aside, revealing an elaborate ivy relief along the crescent blade. The sight startled me because…
“…I found one too.”
A small ivy pattern had appeared along the rim of Barbara’s pot.
“It wasn’t there before, right…?”
“No. Even if Dolph and Barbara carved them secretly, they’re too elaborate to have appeared so suddenly.”
We studied the beautiful patterns, far too intricate to be handmade.
“…Perhaps they’re proof that the Goddess lent us her strength.”
I had thought the same. Rumor said the holy sword carried a similar pattern, and ivy had appeared in the air when the clergy raised the great barrier.
The previous day, acting instinctively to protect Barbara, I had destroyed one undead beast with the pot. Everyone in Kelvim had poured prayers into it while making holy water, and the residue of those prayers surely protected me. Yet I felt something more had occurred.
Outside the villa window stood an old church. Many residents entered early that morning—elderly couples, people with disabilities, and pregnant women. They appeared to be those unable to flee the city, arriving to pray.
“A priest told me that blessings draw power from the prayers of countless voiceless people. An old teaching likewise says that the people’s humble prayers gather to form the foundation of the Goddess’s blessing. Perhaps these ivy reliefs show that many people’s prayers have been entrusted to the objects.”
At my conjecture, Gilbert nodded gravely.
“Exactly! I’m glad you reached the answer yourselves.”
We turned at the sudden voice. Sydney stood behind us, looking delighted.
“Flora is correct. Gilbert, until recently you fought with the blessings of the people around you. Now countless more blessings have been entrusted to you. The ivy proves it.”
Gilbert straightened and readjusted his grip on the axe. I took a deep breath and did the same.
“You need not look so intimidated. Blessings strengthen one another, as I told you. Without misusing what has been entrusted to you, you can amplify it into still greater power, then return those blessings to powerless innocents in the form of peace.”
Sydney departed, humming happily.
His words sounded almost prophetic.
What if my prayers could amplify the blessing further? Could I protect both what mattered to me and what mattered to others?
“I’m grateful, but that’s an enormous responsibility…”
Gilbert laughed awkwardly, and I found myself wearing the same expression.
“Why so nervous? Everyone prays for what they treasure. This merely combines those prayers. Continue as you always have.”
Barbara, who had worked silently while listening, spoke in her usual tone.
“Ivy symbolizes the bonds connecting people.”
She smiled.