Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
58. Special Soup and Reinforcements
In Barbara’s pot, which has the patterns of the goddess floating on it, the Holy Priests make holy water. Just like when we were in the Kelvim territory, everyone gathered around the pot to pray together. Perhaps because we were doing this in the garden of the duke’s villa, the people of the capital noticed and gathered to hear what was going on.
Then, lightly roasted chicken, potatoes, and vegetables are added and cooked thoroughly. We sautéed some corn and onions in butter, mashed them up, and mixed them into a hearty corn soup. Gilbert, who was in charge of mashing the roux until it became creamy, seemed somewhat satisfied with the finished product. He might be surprisingly good at cooking.
Just to be on the safe side, in addition to those who had been captured by the undead slime, we decided to have the young knights of Ziemeld and the people of the capital taste it, so we shared the completed soup among the pots that the townspeople brought.
“This pot is amazing! No matter how much you ladle out, the soup doesn’t decrease!”
“I wonder if the contents are increasing…? It’s a mysterious pot.”
A little girl and a pregnant woman who helped ladle the soup exclaimed in surprise.
The “Purifying Soup Blessed by the Goddess,” proposed by Gilbert, was distributed to everyone, and as we all prayed for it to dispel the terrifying effects of the undead slime, according to Mrs. Barbara, the pot was in its best mood ever.
The next morning, when the priests checked on the duke and the knights, it seemed that most of the signs of undead transformation within them had completely disappeared. Gilbert and I clasped our hands together in joy.
After waiting half a day to observe the situation, we decided to depart south down the Uleri River. As we were preparing, we received word that about ten knights on horseback had come to the capital—though they were not knights from Ziemeld.
These knights made straight for the camp we had set up in the duke’s villa’s garden, and as soon as they spotted sir Lionel, they dismounted and all knelt down before him. All of their shields were painted black, just like Lord Lionel’s.
“You guys… you came.”
“When we heard the captain had resigned… we figured something must have happened. We wish to help, however little we can…”
It seems they had left the knight order as soon as it was announced that Lord Lionel was stepping down as Commander of the Knights, and after hearing he was in the Kelvim territory, they asked for directions before making their way here. Their muddy appearances suggested they had hurried through bad weather and treacherous roads.
After receiving a brief explanation of the situation from Sir Lionel, they were led over to me, where they expressed their apologies. It seemed they needed to put their feelings to rest. I no longer harbored any ill Will, but I accepted their sentiments with sincerity.
“The truth is, the wife… I regretted it a lot. I realized that jealousy is a terrible thing.”
It was a middle-aged senior knight who confided this.
After I looked at Sir Lionel, somewhat perplexed, he continued speaking.
“The Knights are a mix of commoners and nobles. Some nobles come from prestigious families, while many others come from questionable positions. They tend to pander to those with the most influence, and no matter how high or low their status, their hearts can easily become distorted by their achievements and success. It’s not that this is an excuse for forgiveness…”
I smiled faintly at Lionel and nodded, giving this as my answer. It’s hard to say whether it’s right or wrong, but I can’t say I can’t understand it at all either. Many were part of noble society, so there are probably many different motives involved.
More than that, the stories I heard about Ziemeld’s past the day before crossed my mind. The tale of a tragedy that occurred as a result of various negative emotions swirling and intertwining in the shadows of glory.
When I lifted my gaze, feeling someone watching me, and saw Gilbert’s worried eyes. I feel like he’s always there for me. My sadness has disappeared, and my feelings of anxiety and anger have disappeared. to me, Gilbert is also like a wondrous sorcerer too.
──At the very least, I feel very lucky to have Chelsea, to have been able to meet Dolph and Barbara, and on top of that, to have met Gilbert.
As I was preparing lunch with Gilbert, as I had done yesterday, Barbara-san came over and sat next to me.
Since hearing the duke’s talk the day before, both Dolph and Barbara had been unusually quiet, and Barbara’s face still looked a bit sad.
“…Jealousy, feelings of inferiority, envy. Everyone has these emotions, but they’re very troublesome…”
Perhaps due to the previous conversation, she seemed rather downcast.
“Hey, Flora. You probably hadn’t heard much about the concept of selfless blessing until I told you, right? Didn’t you find it strange?”
“Now that you mention it… Yes… That’s what priest Sydney and the clergy said too. While I had accepted that they existed because of old teachings, It’s true, I hadn’t heard much about it before.”
The various meanings and implications of prayers, blessings, and protection to the goddess, as well as what they bring. It certainly seems odd that, living in a country where people worship the Goddess and rely on her powers, I had unknowingly missed much about it.
“Prayers are invisible, and blessings can sometimes give overwhelmingly great power. Of course, such extraordinary power only manifests when a situation calls for it… But that power, which is born from the heart that wishes well for others, can sometimes cloud the hearts of others in unexpected ways…”
Barbara murmured in a lonely voice as she gazed at the distant sky.
Dolph, who had been listening nearby, sat down next to her.
“Ultimately, if someone claims to have given a selfless blessing, its significance changes. Not just blessings, but haven’t there been times when someone has said, ‘I did this for your sake?’ In that instant, it loses its power as a selfless blessing.”
Seeing Dolph and Barbara’s slumped shoulders, Priest Sydney walked over.
“That’s right, even when we teach at the church, we often avoid direct language. If people don’t realize it themselves, it holds no meaning… If it spreads too much, it leads to misunderstandings; yet, if kept secret, it will be misunderstood by those who don’t know, and it becomes troublesome.”
After letting out a sigh, Sydney met Dolph and Barbara’s eyes and laughed, his wrinkles deepening. The three of them turned their attention towards us. I felt Gilbert, who was beside me, jump slightly in surprise.
“Well, it seems you guys will be fine.”
“As long as you keep thinking of one another, that should be enough.”
“Yes, yes. Call me whenever you need a priest.”
For some reason, I felt as though I was being given a rather profound expression and words, and it made me feel uneasy. It’s been a while since both Gilbert and I acted strangely together.