Read Novel Full Chapter 357
Chapter 357
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Chapter 357 – Marker for the Shrine Maiden
After storing the hovercraft in the inner bay, Myrril and I were led to the side of the fort.
“This is much more comfortable, thanks to you.”
“…O-oh.”
I gaped in amazement at the transformation. Although it was winter outside the island, the warm forest was bathed in gentle sunlight, and the flowers and plants were in full bloom, making it a picture-perfect elven paradise.
“What in the world is this?”
At the base of the sacred tree―or rather, the roots had grown so large that they spanned the entire plain―an archway had formed, like the entrance to an atoll, and a magical circle had been carved into the stone placed beneath it.
“Ecla-san has opened the Transfer Gate to Solbesia. Now, it is possible to travel back and forth by injecting an appropriate amount of magic power.”
As he said this, several adults were mixed in with the children. There seemed to be about thirty of them. There were some familiar faces, but the adult elves were all mass-produced beauties, so they didn’t make much of an impression.
“…Well, I’m glad you’re happy.”
A girl came running over.
“Maou-heika, Hiheika.”
“Oh, Milian!”
Myrril takes Milian in her arms and starts to pat her all over. She’s changed from the shrine maiden outfit to normal clothes, so she looks completely different.
“Are the other shrine maidens here?”
“Yes, they’re here in order.”
That’s good. Well, that’s just as well. I take a small wooden box out of my storage.
“Milian, this is for you.”
“…Huh?”
I smile and nod at Milian, who tilts her head to ask if she can open it. I was nervous the first time it was presented on Tinian, but this time it’s all right. Inside Master Lukemon’s wooden box, which was as plain as ever, was a necklace of small magic orbs attached to a thin chain.
The tiny, milky-white orbs were sparkling, but when she touched them, the sparkle faded, and they turned a pale orange. Milian looked at me and Myrril with a confused expression.
“It’s beautiful, but…?”
If being a shrine maiden means living a pure life, then maybe she’s not used to wearing ornaments. But this is something she… they need it. I took the necklace and walked behind Milian, placing it around her slender neck. I felt a sensation of magic being absorbed from my fingertips as the necklace attached itself naturally.
“…Um.”
“You should be able to hear the voices of the other shrine maidens now. I want each of you to have one of these so that you can work for the people of Solbesia and the prince no matter where you are.”
“Your Majesty the Demon King, Your Majesty the Queen.”
That’s right. That’s how it is, isn’t it? The childishness in Milian’s tone suddenly disappeared. The lisping feeling disappeared, and the atmosphere changed from that of a little girl to that of a young girl, just like what happened to Tinian in the past. In a way, I feel bad that I’m taking away their innocent and pure time for my own convenience.
“If possible, it would be great if the other shrine maidens could also come here.”
“It will consume magic power.”
“Of course, that will be provided by the Demon King. After all, we’re the ones who asked for it.”
I touch the magic orb next to the teleportation magic circle used to supply magic power. After a while, the pattern on the magic circle glows, and five girls appear.
“Milian?”
“The Demon King has something for you.”
“””””?”””””
They’re all wearing civilian clothes, or rather, clothes that are a bit more practical than the shrine maiden outfits. They’re not flashy, but they still look like girls their age. Maybe it’s because they’re no longer tied to temples and palaces.
“Sorry to bother you if you’re busy. It’ll only take a moment, so can I have a moment of your time?”
Milian looked around restlessly, listening to something. She nodded immediately and turned to me.
“Tinian and Caiel are taking care of the children at the fort. Shall I call them over?”
“Please do. Fel and Eyal, come here for a moment as well.”
“”…What are you going to do?””
The twin guards who are always at the prince’s side, Fel and Eyal, look at us… or rather at Milian, who has suddenly become more mature in her speech, with suspicion.
“…Milian, too.”
“That’s right. It’s the same magic tool as Tinian’s. Yoshua, you have it for them, too, right?”
“Of course. The prince should put it on both of them.”
Fel and Eyal hand the prince two wooden boxes.
“It’s disrespectful to make the prince do something like that.”
“It’s okay. Now turn around.”
“…Ahh.”
What is it with these Tsundere twins? I wait for Tinian and Caiel to arrive and give them the wooden box. I’ve already given one to Tinian, so I asked her to teach the other shrine maidens how to use it.
“You have supported the prince and contributed greatly to the friendly relations between the Kingdom of Solbesia, the Demon King’s territory of Casemaian, and the Republic of Hagwai. I hope that you will continue to play an active role as an ambassador of goodwill, maintaining peace and relations between the three countries. I believe that this necklace, which is a gift from Casemaian, is something that you will need to make use of your abilities.
When I put it around the necks of the shrine maidens, the necklace absorbed the magic power in the same way, and the milky-white magic balls changed color.
Good. I was secretly relieved, and next to me, Myrril-san tapped her foot and said,
“I see. So this is how you’re going to solve the problem of not being able to tell the shrine maidens apart, right?”
Oh, she figured it out. Of course, the main function is as a communication tool between the shrine maidens. I asked Master Lukemon to imbue the magic orbs with magic power so that they would change color to different image colors depending on who was wearing them. The plan was to casually give the necklaces as gifts and have the shrine maidens, who looked exactly the same, wear them as markers.
“Hahaha…! Your Majesty the Queen, this is the deep and far-reaching wisdom of the Demon King. I call it the ‘Jewel Marker Strategy’!”
“Well, I think you have it figured out in your mind, don’t you?”
“””””””Thank you, Your Majesty Demon King, Your Majesty the Queen♪.”””””””
“”Well, I’m grateful too.””
While we and the prince were in the southern continent, I gave the necklace to Tinian, who was taking care of the small children and keeping watch at the pirate stronghold. Her magic orb became transparent, but the other shrine maidens changed to their respective colors as I had instructed Lukemon-san.
Milian, who was rescued on the walls of Solbesia, is orange. Mashian, who was on the gun platform, is pink. Lucian, who was rescued outside the castle, is purple. Shariel, who was on the watchtower, is blue. Caiel, who was rescued in the Imperial Army carriage, is yellow. Melian, who was in the Imperial Army headquarters, is green. Oriquel, who was in the last tent, is brown. The twin guards, Fel and Eyal, have changed to gold and silver. The twin guards are a bit conspicuous.
“…Wait, what is that?”
This time, I think I can tell them apart… Maybe. They put the magic jewels into their chests as if they were precious. I thought, “Oh, no,” but I didn’t want to stop them. They’d notice.
“Yoshua, do you have to look in their chests every time you see them?”
“Of course not! That’s something that would get the guards called.”
It’s fine, but… it’s not what I thought.
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