Chapter 17: The Long Road to the Imperial Capital – Part 25
“I see, so it was under such circumstances that my daughter was saved by you, Soushi-dono. I have just heard from her about the events surrounding ‘Supreme Radiance,’ but I find myself at a loss for words of gratitude towards you.”
I am currently engaged in a conversation with Marquis Zanzagil in the reception room.
Present here are the Marquis and his wife, Sakurahime, myself, and for some reason, the designated Shizuna, along with two servants of the Marquis’ household.
The others are taking a break in their respective rooms. Mariane and Lady Dorozitte have yet to join us.
“The fact that I was able to assist Sakurahime-sama was largely due to chance. In that moment, we may have inadvertently stripped ‘Supreme Radiance’ of its normal judgment, so please consider my actions as stemming from that sense of obligation.”
“The actions of adventurers are always based on their own responsibility and judgment, so the responsibility for ‘Supreme Radiance’s’ actions, including my daughter’s, ultimately lies with themselves. I understand what you are trying to convey, but it does not diminish the debt of gratitude we owe.”
Sakurahime nods in agreement with the Marquis’ words.
In truth, I have already heard from Sakurahime that the Marquis himself is an adventurer. It seems that the Zanzagil family has a tradition of having those who awaken their special abilities and become adventurers inherit the family name. They are indeed a family of martial prowess, both in name and reality.
“Indeed, you may be right, Marquis. If that is the case, I have a request to make in return for your kindness.”
“Hmm? Are you perhaps asking for Sakurahime?”
“Eh…? N-no, not at all! Such a thing is out of the question…”
The Marquis spoke without a hint of emotion, leaving me momentarily bewildered by his words.
I hurriedly shook my head, but at that moment, I caught sight of Sakurahime blushing and looking down, as well as Lady Kaedenoha smiling and saying, “What a delightful proposition.”
“Word has it that Soushi-dono is a peerless warrior with titles in multiple nations. If my daughter could forge a bond with such a formidable individual, it would be an unparalleled blessing for her.”
The Marquis maintained his impassive expression, making it difficult to discern whether he was joking or not.
Given the lady’s reaction, I could only conclude that it was indeed a jest…
“Regarding that matter, I believe the feelings of the individual in question should be taken into account, and considering the age difference…”
As I spoke vaguely, the Marquis chuckled softly, and Lady Kaedenoha let out a knowing laugh.
So it was indeed a joke, I suppose? There’s no way to confirm it…
“Returning to the topic at hand, my request is to ask for your assistance in contacting the dwarven village. We are considering acquiring some new weapons, and we have a considerable amount of Orichalcum that we would like to entrust to the dwarves.”
“I see. If that is the case, I shall personally speak to the Village Chief. If we bring Orichalcum for the request, they will likely prioritize it.”
“Thank you very much.”
“However, for someone of your caliber, I imagine the dwarves would be clamoring to take on your request even without my endorsement. Still, the Village Chief is a man who cares about his reputation, so my words may carry some weight. Now then, Soushi-dono, how about I cover the costs for this order? I believe it will require a significant amount of funds to work with Orichalcum.”
“Yes, that arrangement would be perfectly acceptable.”
With my response, the matter regarding the Elixir reached a conclusion.
The Marquis’s expression softened slightly. It must have been a heavy topic for him as well.
After a brief silence, the Marquis turned his gaze towards Shizuna.
“By the way, if I may change the subject, is it correct to say that you, Shizuna-dono, hail from the Oz Country?”
“Indeed, I am from the Oz Country.”
“I have also heard that you are the daughter of the current High Priestess and serve as a priestess yourself…”
“Indeed, I am the eldest daughter of High Priestess Miona, and while I hold the title of priestess, I am currently merely a member of ‘Soul’s Guidance.'”
“Ah, so it is true. To think that a priestess from Oz would come to my territory. This is indeed a significant event for the Zanzagil family.”
Before Shizuna could finish her sentence, the Marquis leaned forward with excitement.
The intensity of his reaction surprised not only Sakurahime but also his wife.
With everyone’s attention on him, the Marquis suddenly straightened up, cleared his throat, and began to speak quietly.
“I apologize for my rudeness. As you may have noticed, Shizuna-dono, we have historically had a deep connection with the Oz Country. After all, this land was originally settled by people from Oz.”
Thus, I was able to hear about the relationship between the Zanzagil territory and the Oz Country from the Marquis.
As the Marquis mentioned, this land was developed by a group of people from Oz about 500 years ago. As the land expanded and the population grew, those with strength became leaders, eventually leading to the establishment of the current Zanzagil family. However, over the centuries, the blood of the Oni Race has thinned, and for the past hundred years, no one in the Zanzagil territory has been born with horns.
“According to the scant records that remain, it seems that the people who came here at that time claimed to be of the legitimate priestess bloodline. They likely fled here due to political strife or similar reasons.”
That was the Marquis’s interpretation, and it seems quite plausible.
“However, that does not mean we have any particular feelings towards the current Oz Country. We merely harbor a faint sense of nostalgia for our origins. But I suspect that this feeling will end with me. In fact, I have not shared this with Sakurahime or my eldest son, Kunugimaru.”
The Marquis spoke quietly, but it was clear that there were emotional chords within him that others could not perceive. Given that the Oz Country has long closed its borders, the arrival of a princess from Oz, as in this case, is nearly miraculous. It must weigh heavily on him that this occurred during his time.
Even the usually vibrant Shizuna listened intently to the Marquis’s words this time.
“That being said, I may have gotten a bit carried away, but I would like to treat Shizuna-dono as a princess from the Oz Country.”
“While it is indeed surprising, I have developed a special sentiment for this territory through my conversations with Sakurahime-sama, so I shall accept your offer.”
“Thank you very much.”
With that exchange, the atmosphere settled.
However, it was a fascinating tale of strange connections and the intricacies of history. Such experiences are likely possible because adventurers are not bound by national borders.
I too will eventually lose this freedom, but until that time comes, I wish to broaden my horizons as much as possible.