“Do you know the story of how the Great Sage sealed the 〖Calamity Beast〗 a thousand years ago? The key point of this story is that it was sealed, not defeated. Even with the Great Sage and the six Calamity-Class Pseudo-Golem Machines, they could not completely extinguish the 〖Calamity Beast’s〗 life force.”
『…………』
“And the seal was not permanent either. The Great Sage used an Artifact that burned his soul, explosively enhancing his magical power to cast a great spell, but its effectiveness was waning day by day. If left unattended, the 〖Calamity Beast〗 would eventually be released.”
And if that happened, not only this country but also many people on the surface would inevitably be sacrificed.
Thanasis added in a flat tone.
“That is why it was necessary to reinforce the seal. And fortunately, the Great Sage had also prepared a means for that. Soul replenishment. By offering a Shrine Maiden alive to the Artifact that maintains the seal, her soul can be extracted and used to repair the seal. The first time a Shrine Maiden was offered in this way was more than nine hundred years ago.”
『……!』
It’s been going on since that long ago?
I had wondered why, with this level of civilization, the Underground people hadn’t aimed for the surface. Jewel Moles haven’t been alive for a thousand years either.
I feel like I understand the answer to my question now. It’s because of this seal.
If there was an escape route to the surface, there was a risk that those chosen as Shrine Maidens would run away.
That’s why the leaders of this country probably gave up on returning to the surface, which could cause chaos, and chose to prosper underground.
“Since then, every five years, a Shrine Maiden selected by the Sage has been offered to reinforce the seal. Yes, the Earth God Festival is, in fact, a sacrificial ritual. It is considered taboo to say that directly, so it is nominally called the Earth God’s summoning.”
『…So, the Shrine Maiden, huh? …Has there never been any dissatisfaction? No matter what the name is, it doesn’t change the fact that you’ll never see them again, right?』
“Being chosen as a Shrine Maiden is considered a great honor. Of course, not many people are truly happy about it. However, in this country, the Sage is absolute. If anyone tries to oppose him, the entire country will turn against them. You could say that there is no one who can loudly voice their opposition.”
『It’s difficult to leave the country, huh…』
Also, the fact that it’s only one person every five years is probably a factor.
The population of this city is tens of thousands. The chance of an acquaintance being sacrificed is relatively low, and even if a stranger is offered, people wouldn’t think of helping them rebel.
『So, this year’s Shrine Maiden was Klyssa, huh?』
“Indeed. She should have been invited to the Sage Tower this morning.”
『I have a question, wouldn’t it be okay to use criminals as Shrine Maidens (sacrifices)?』
I know it’s a cruel idea. But if it means sacrificing innocent people… I can’t help but think that selfishly.
“That would be difficult. Although the Sage has not stated it explicitly, the soul offered must have a certain level of freshness and quality. All the Shrine Maidens chosen so far have been between fifteen and twenty years old and possess a unique 〖Attribute〗.”
『Freshness and quality, huh? I see…』
While learning about Artifacts, I also learned to some extent about souls and 〖Mana〗.
As can be seen from the existence of Artifacts that can transmit thoughts, 〖Mana〗 also has the property of mediating emotions and thoughts.
These properties are because the source of 〖Mana〗 is the soul, that is, it springs from the spiritual body, and the reason why 〖Mana〗 can be moved by will is the same.
〖Mana〗, souls, and emotions are all closely related.
Therefore, if you are going to use souls as a resource, it makes sense to use those with a valuable unique 〖Attribute〗 and who are in their sensitive years.
I can’t accept it just because it’s logical.
“That is all I have to say.”
『I see. Thanks for telling me.』
“…What are you going to do?”
Thanasis asked, seeing me start to move after thanking him.
Before I could even gauge the emotion behind his somewhat prayerful words, I had already answered.
『It’s obvious, I’m going to negotiate directly.』
◆ ◆ ◆
“Welcome, Klyssa Sideros. It’s good to see you in such good health.”
Led by a Pseudo-Golem Machine, I arrived at the Sage Tower and was guided to the audience chamber on the eighth floor.
Sitting on the throne at the end of the long carpet was a woman with waist-length blonde hair, ivory-white skin, and chilling ice-blue eyes.
She is the Sage who has ruled this country for a thousand years.
I moved my parched mouth and somehow managed to utter words.
“…It is all thanks to the Sage’s reign.”
“Is that so?”
A dry response, as if she had no interest in flattery.
She immediately moved on to the next topic.
“You spent the last month in the city, do you have any regrets?”
“…………”
“…That was a cruel question, please forget it.”
Did she apologize because she realized that a person about to die would inevitably have regrets?
Or did she apologize for the fact that she ordered my father to monitor Kouya and the others, which meant that I couldn’t even go home properly for the last month?
I couldn’t tell from her frozen, iron-like face.
“If you have any requests, tell me. I will fulfill them as much as possible.”
“…No, there is nothing in particular.”
“Then, that concludes the audience. Please wait in the designated room until the Earth God Festival. I will assign a guard, so if you need anything, just tell them.”
It ended rather quickly, I thought nonchalantly, but there’s no time to be thinking that. I have to leave quickly.
I desperately moved my trembling body in accordance with etiquette and was about to turn my back when suddenly, the Sage’s face turned towards the window.
“It seems we have a new visitor. But to come alone, how careless.”
“Wh-what, Kouya-san!?”
Following her gaze, I saw a cube flying in the sky.
It landed on the balcony right next to the audience chamber. And then, it forcefully opened the window and came inside.
“What, did you come here for…?”
『I came to negotiate with the Sage. I figured she’d be up here, but it’s lucky I ran into Klyssa. Guide me to the Sage.』
“I am the Sage, Kouya.”
Despite this unusual situation, the Sage spoke calmly.
However, her voice seemed to have a hint of exasperation.
『Self-introductions aren’t necessary… It seems they aren’t necessary.』
“Indeed. I have been paying attention to your movements, visitor from the surface. And there is no need for honorifics. There is no need for you, who are not my people, to respect me.”
『I see. Then I’ll get straight to the point, stop the Earth God Festival. I’ll defeat the 〖Calamity Beast〗.』
“Of course, such a request is unacceptable. You do not understand the terror of the 〖Calamity Beast〗. The lives at stake with this seal are not just a thousand or two.”
I felt my breath catch at the cold yet powerful tone and content.
That’s right. The fate of all the people in the world rests on my life.
Not just the people in the town who were kind to me after my mother died early,
Kouya, Fiss, Paula, they were all good people. There must be many kind and good people on the surface too.
That’s why I have to fulfill my role as a sacrifice.
Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to face my father, who is more righteous than anyone, more strict than anyone, and more devoted to the people than anyone.
Reaffirming the weight of my responsibility, my breathing inevitably became shallow.
I couldn’t interject in the conversation unfolding before my eyes.
『That doesn’t mean you can disregard a single person’s life.』
“That is true. Every life is precious and invaluable. Therefore, Klyssa Sideros’ life may no longer be necessary. Isn’t that wonderful?”
“…………Huh?”
『? What do you mean?』
“It’s as I said. If there is another sacrifice (・・・・・・・・・・), there is no need for it to be Klyssa. No, until now, I have stubbornly refused to change the Shrine Maiden to avoid unnecessary conflict, but… if someone with the position and power of the Warden Chief were to carry a fainted girl and force their way into the sealing chamber, it would be possible.”
『…What are you saying?』
“Xanthos Sideros is a model Warden, a man who prioritizes the protection of the people over his own desires… but I wonder if the people he should protect include those on the surface?”
◆ ◆ ◆
A little while after Kouya left the mansion.
Xanthos, who had a stern expression in the living room, got up heavily.
He climbed the stairs step by step to the second floor, stopping in front of a certain room and knocking twice.
“It’s Xanthos, may I come in for a moment?”
The girl, the owner of the room, opened the door without any caution.