Chapter 34: First Encounter with the Miko?

  Two camels, wearing saddles made of fshy fabric and with elegantly raised parasols, came from the end of the cleared road. They said that it was the Miko who had come, so it was only natural that the Miko is riding one.

  As if to reinforce this conclusion, the camels were surrounded by heavily armed guards, making them look imposing... I'd hate to be treated like an enemy.

  ?

  "... It's more luxurious than any vilge I've seen so far. I wonder if that much is necessary for a miko."

  ?

  "There may be times when it is necessary, but... I prefer you the way you are, Rion."

  ?

  "Maybe it just doesn't suit me...?"

  ?

  I pictured myself dressed up to look dignified, and rejected the idea, saying it definitely didn't suit me. Fricka only gave a wry smile and didn't reject it, perhaps because she had thought the same thing. Hmm, maybe I'll try making something sometime...?

  While we were mumbling to each other, just loud enough for the surrounding vilgers not hear, the camel finally arrived in front of us.

  ?

  A man slowly got off, and the moment our eyes met... I understood without even being told.

  ?

  Ah, this is the miko.

  ?

  He wore a turban to protect himself from the sun, and a white top and bottom set reminiscent of Arabic traditional clothing. Cloth with intricate patterns drawn on it was wrapped around his waist and shoulders.

  He was of medium build. He was beardless and looked to be in his mid-twenties. He had dark brown hair and reddish brown eyes. Though not as handsome as the elves of Alness Vilge, his features were quite good.

  And... I could sense the power of creation from him. There's no other way to say it, other than I can understand this because I'm also a miko.

  ?

  He must have understood it just as I did. The tension in his shoulders rexed, and the corners of his mouth turned up in a smile.

  ?

  "Let me just confirm. You guys are not attacking, right?"

  ?

  "Yes. This is the first time I've heard that there is even a conflict with the Lizards."

  ?

  "Do you have anything to prove that?"

  ?

  "... No, but I... I swear in the name of the creator god Promethea that the miko Rion and her party have nothing to do with this."

  ?

  There's nothing I can prove, so I have no choice but to make people believe in my words.

  The Creator God is worshiped by all the people of Asteria. That is why it is never permitted to lie in the name of the Creator God.

  I have done the same thing as I did in Alness Vilge, and it brings back bitter memories, but... There's nothing I can do about something that doesn't exist...

  ?

  "Okay. In the name of the miko Kamil, I will admit that you are not involved. Everyone, put down your weapons. Those who are working, return to their posts."

  ?

  No matter how much of a id-back, big sister-like god she may seem to me, it seemed my decision to mention the creator god was correct.

  The miko - Kamil - cpped his hands, and the tense atmosphere dispersed. He must have earned a fair amount of trust, seeing as how a single word from him could change the atmosphere so drastically. The guards were still on guard, but that's to be expected given the nature of their job.

  The vilgers who had gathered there dispersed, wondering what was going to happen. Only us, the guards, and the people Kamil had led remained.

  At this point, an old man riding another camel got off.

  He was wearing roughly the same clothes as Kamil, but the aura he carried was completely different. His sagging face, his bulging belly was visible even through his loose clothing, and his jingling accessories were luxurious, but they looked almost vulgar. I knew in my head that I shouldn't judge someone by their appearance alone, after what happened with Zagi-san, but in Asteria, being obese is a sign of ziness. This is because in most cases, people either can't eat enough to gain weight, or even if they do eat, they don't gain that much weight if they exercise.

  And then... For a moment, he fshed a lecherous grin. I felt Fricka's shoulders jump slightly next to me.

  ... No good, this alone makes this person someone to watch out for. I mustn't let Fricka get close to him. Uru and Liese seem able to defend themselves, but I'll warn them ter.

  Having not noticed the old man's gestures -- or perhaps there was no way he could have noticed since he was behind -- Kamil-san began to speak without any particur reaction.

  ?

  "First of all, I'm Kamil, the miko of the creator god of Airo Vilge. And next to me is my younger brother, Kassim, the vilge chief."

  ?

  "Huh? Younger brother?"

  ?

  "It's been over 30 years since I became a miko after all."

  ?

  Ah, I see. Even though Mikos are not immortal, they do not age at all. I myself have only recently become a Miko, so it didn't really register with me. I guess this is what it's like in real life...

  But thirty years? He's quite the senior. I would definitely like to ask him all sorts of things.

  ... That is, if we can build a friendly retionship.

  I shift my gaze to the old man beside him, Kassim-san.

  ?

  "Miko-dono, this is my first time meeting you. My name is Kassim. I am in charge of the vilge's affairs as the vilge chief in pce of my brother Kamil."

  ?

  "Even though I can make things, I didn't know much about that side of things. He has helped me a lot."

  ?

  "Haha, what are you saying, brother? It's me who are being helped. I'm proud to be your brother.

  ?

  They were having a friendly conversation in front of us. Their responses were completely normal, and it seemed like they were on good terms, but...

  ?

  --... In that vilge... People disappear...

  ?

  The warning of that nameless vilge's chief sounded in my mind.

  These things are still happening, and while there's no guarantee they're man-made, there's a chance that these two are working together to do something terrible. We need to keep that in mind. Leaving the vilge chief aside, I can't imagine that the Creator God would overlook the Miko's misdeeds ... But she's very busy, so there's a chance that she might miss something.

  Trying not to let my inner thoughts show, I introduced myself and the others.

  ?

  "You're welcome, Rion. The Creator God has asked me to look after you."

  ?

  Although the Creator God shows her airhead-side from time to time, she seems to have done the groundwork properly. It looks like there won't be any more trouble.

  ... But I was starting to feel relieved, but my feelings were completely shattered.

  ?

  "However, your lizard friend is a no-go. She can't enter the vilge."

  ?

  "Wh... Why? She's my comrade, and we have no intention of being hostile towards you."

  ?

  You admitted that we had nothing to do with it, so why are you bringing it up again...!

  I held back the urge to reflexively scream and asked him why.

  ?

  "I certainly trust you. If she's a comrade you trust, then I suppose I can trust her too."

  ?

  "If that's the case--"

  ?

  "But it's not enough to get everyone in the vilge to trust her."

  ?

  "..."

  ?

  I shut my mouth and looked around.

  The guards, the people working nearby who kept gncing my way.

  ... Everyone was looking at us... At Uru with fierce eyes.

  ?

  "I'm the miko of this vilge. I have a duty to protect not only everyone's bodies, but also their peace of mind. That's why... I can't let lizards in."

  ?

  Kamil-san looks apologetic. He's probably not saying this to harass us.

  If he says it's for the sake of the residents, it's hard to push through. What should I do...?

  ?

  "Rion. There's no need to worry. I'll leave for now."

  z\

  "U-Uru?"

  ?

  "I don't want to cause you any trouble. So don't worry about me."

  ?

  Saying this, Uru shrugged her shoulders and raised her hands. There was no sign of strain in her tone or expression. Knowing Uru, it probably wasn't that much damage.

  It's unforgivable that Uru was unfairly judged just because she was a lizard, when she hadn't done anything, but... It seems that persisting would only worsen the feelings of the residents, so I'll just take Uru's word for it.

  But there's one problem.

  ?

  "Ahh... Uru can't go home alone. What should I do? Who should I get to accompany her?"

  ?

  That's right, the problem of Uru not being able to use (make) Return Stones. Sadly, I still haven't been able to solve it.

  Since she always acted together with me, there hadn't been any problems up until now, if we were near the base, it wouldn't be so bad, but if we were to act separately in a pce like this, I can't leave Uru alone.

  While I was wondering what to do, Uru called out to me.

  ?

  "Fricka. Sorry, but can I ask you?"

  ?

  "Me?... Understood."

  ?

  Hmm... So Uru and Fricka are going to be gone too. I'm feeling anxious, or more like lonely. I'm usually with one or the other of them...

  Uru, who hadn't seemed to mind being rejected when entering the vilge, seemed to notice a slight change in me and gave a wry smile as she hugged me, which was unusual for her (except at night).

  ?

  "Uru?"

  ?

  "Rion. Regulus and Liese too, listen to me."

  ?

  She whispers in my ear. She pretends to be sad to say goodbye, but it seems like there's something she wants to tell me.

  I also pat Uru's back lightly to match her acting.

  ?

  "Don't ever let your guard down."

  ?

  "... You think the Miko is suspicious?"

  ?

  "No, I don't know that much. But... There's a strange smell coming from this vilge."

  ?

  Smell...? I sniffed, but all I could smell was Uru's hair. Of course.

  ?

  "Regulus, Liese. I'm counting on you to take care of Rion."

  ?

  Although they didn't say anything, they acknowledged with their eyes.

  Finally, Uru tightened her embrace on me a little before letting go.

  ?

  ?

  And so, I found myself separated from Uru and Fricka and invited to Airo Vilge.