Chapter 666: A Troubling Story
Two carriages travelled towards the royal capital: one for us and another for the servants. Our escort consisted of carefully selected knights, all on horseback. It demonstrated that the Heine Margraviate was steadily becoming famous for its horses.
“The gramophone you made is truly marvellous, Julius. I never imagined travelling by carriage could be this enjoyable.”
“Once we reach the main road, the scenery will remain largely the same. We could read, but this swaying would probably make us sleepy.”
“That’s certainly true.”
Sister-in-law Daniela and I laughed. Mira was already sleeping comfortably on her lap.
Brother Alex had improved this carriage to reduce its shaking. We were also travelling along a reasonably well-maintained road, so the journey felt like being rocked in a cradle. Naturally, it made us sleepy.
“I wonder what everyone thought of the gramophone we sent to the royal capital.”
“Ah, that’s right. I haven’t told you yet. Apparently, it has caused a sensation. They use it whenever they dine and boast about it to the nobles.”
“I see.”
It must have become extraordinarily popular. If the royal family favoured a magic tool, every noble would want one.
Still, we could not teach the royal capital’s magic-tool artisans how to make it. The gramophone was meant to become one of the Heine Trading Company’s principal products, and Sister-in-law Daniela surely intended the same.
Besides, the issue of music rights remained unresolved. It would be a serious problem if gramophones reduced orchestras’ income. Musical culture itself might decline.
“By the time we reach the royal capital, they should have sampled the chocolate too. That might cause another uproar.”
“Perhaps. Everyone loves chocolate.”
“Kyuu?”
Mira reacted to the word “chocolate”, making everyone laugh.
Our journey proceeded without incident. Unlike before, no monsters blocked the road. I urged Sister-in-law Daniela onward despite her slightly dissatisfied expression, and we reached the hot-spring town.
“We shall spend tonight here.”
One of the knights guarding our carriage informed us. The town was evidently functioning properly as a stop for travellers heading to the royal capital. Visitors could soak in the hot springs and recover from the exhaustion of their journeys.
“The spring hasn’t dried up. What a relief.”
“Since we’ve come all this way, let’s bathe together.”
Sister-in-law Daniela smiled. I was glad I had brought my swimming costume for precisely this possibility—and even more glad I had invented swimming costumes. Without one, visiting the spring with her would have been extremely difficult.
The escort knights took shifts so each could enjoy the hot spring. When we walked through town, we found many intriguing products, including hot-spring buns and eggs cooked in the spring.
The town seemed livelier than during my last visit and was apparently being promoted as a place visited by spirits.
Images of spirits had been branded onto the hot-spring buns, and some foods included “Spirit” in their names. Was that safe? Would the spirits become angry?
When we returned to the inn with those concerns, we found a visitor: the Spirit of the Lake, whose home was the lake near the hot-spring town.
“It has been a long time, Julius.”
“It has indeed, Spirit of the Lake.”
“I have something to discuss. Will you listen?”
“Of course.”
After obtaining permission from the unsettled inn staff, we brought the Spirit of the Lake to our room. It offered a reasonable degree of privacy.
Sister-in-law Daniela was naturally present as well. Since the Spirit of the Lake did not object, the matter must not need to be concealed from her.
“First, thank you for saving our comrade, the Green One. You have my deepest gratitude.”
The Spirit of the Lake bowed, and Sister-in-law Daniela and I hurriedly stopped the spirit.
“Please don’t concern yourself. It happened through a series of coincidences.”
“Julius is right. I believe the Goddess guided us. You have no reason to bow.”
We somehow prevented the Spirit of the Lake from prostrating completely, then listened. The spirit was a good person—or spirit—but seemed to swing too dramatically whenever overcome by emotion. Perhaps a little restraint would be helpful.
“There is another matter besides the Green One. Your arrival here was perfectly timed.”
“Has something happened?”
“Yes. We have a small concern.”
The voice sounded troubled. The mask concealed the Spirit of the Lake’s expression, but the situation felt serious. Sister-in-law Daniela and I exchanged glances.
“On the neighbouring continent, our blessings are gradually disappearing.”
“That sounds extremely serious.”
“Yes. We are not standing idly by. We have tried to protect that continent, but faith in us appears to be vanishing rapidly.”
Faith in the spirits was essential for them to exercise their power fully. As that faith weakened, they could no longer protect the neighbouring continent.
What was happening there? Without the spirits’ blessings, the continent should experience harmful effects such as unstable weather, increasing monster populations and poorer harvests. Surely its people could not be unaware.