“Good evening, Yuusuke.”(Reifold)
“Oh, you came?”(Yuusuke)
As per their agreement the day before, Yuusuke entrusted Reifold with a [sacred treasure of Shalnar]. It was a silver circlet adorned with a lace-like ornament. The item bestowed enchantments befitting its name:
· Water arts amplification effect (buff);
· Physical strength amplification effect (buff);
· Stamina recovery amplification effect (buff);
· Healing effect (buff);
· Poison resistance effect (buff);
· Tranquility (沈静) effect (buff);
· Divine arts resistance amplification effect (buff);
· Physical resistance amplification effect (buff);
· Movement speed amplification effect (buff).
This item allowed it’s wearer to be able to fight for nearly twenty four hours per day with the exception of eating and pooping. Although Zeshald had stamina of an old person, with this tiara a few hours nap would be sufficient for him to regain his strength (as in mana). As for the physical strength, with the enchantments he would be fine with using weapons to his utmost abilities.
“I see, you gain these effects as long as you are wearing it.”(Reifold)
“It felt as if the effects weren’t that strong when I enchanted the rings or bracelets.”(Yuusuke)
As the supportive effects were standard for circlet type items in the games, Yuusuke attempted to recreate these items in this world with great success. Yuusuke explained the theory to Reifold leaving the unexplainable parts out.
“This means… that I, myself am not entirely sure whether the effect will apply or not.”(Yuusuke)
Yuusuke warned Reifold to keep the other trinket near him at all times as he passed him the ring.
“This is also made from the same metal as the circlet, yet you are not sure if it will work?”(Reifold)
“Well it is a bit too exceptional. It is impossible to try it out.”(Yuusuke)
Yuusuke avoided explaining the nature of the charm-like item in detail. The item that Yuusuke was not sure of was actually one of the top items in games. Yuusuke silently named it [sacrificial charm].
“Then I will certainly take it. Also, I have properly delivered the package and the letter.”(Reifold)
As Reifold said that he placed the [sacred treasure] into his bag and left, rushing as fast as he could towards Blue Garden’s first capital, Cofta. Having finished the task Yuusuke sighed as he headed back towards his bed. It was currently the sixteenth day of Shalnar’s month of wind. Soon the earth calendar would begin.
“Phew, holidays will start soon here, eh? That item should reach teacher at around the time the harvest festival begins.”(Yuusuke)
Although the period varied by country, in Fonclanc, the harvest festival was held between the first and third day of Zalnar’s month of fire. As Yuusuke was on holiday from the fifteenth of this month until the fifth of the upcoming month, he had borrowed a god corps carriage and was preparing the equipment needed to harness the horse while thinking of what souvenirs he should buy for the villagers.
Since he kept Zeshald’s carefree attitude towards the villagers in mind, he didn’t think too much of what he should buy for them, but there was no way he could be so carefree when it came to Sun. Yuusuke was deeply concerned with this subject as he thought of what clothes should he buy for the girl.
***
–Paula’s central command, council room–
Plausha was lost on what to do as she was overlooking the private room that she was allotted in the barrack’s section.
[“Is this really alright?”](Plausha)
She was thinking about the secret agreement that she had agreed on the other day with Volmes, leader of the fire troupe and confidant of the supreme commander Izapnar. Her orders were to stay close to head instructor Zeshald and report upon his movements. In exchange she would be allowed to join the water troupe as well as provided information about the person who killed her sister.
“– You? You are Plausha kun, right?”(??)
“– Eh? Y-Yes. I’m Plausha.”(Plausha)
She was studying at home as the head instructor had traveled to Cofta, when she was suddenly called to central command. Stupefied, Plausha rushed over to the institution where fire troupe leader Volmes had given her this secret mission and provided her with a letter of recommendation for the water troupe.
“To spy on the head instructor… why would you want to do that?”(Plausha)
“Zeshald shi, he might be deceiving us.”(Volmes) (TN: 氏 or shi is a honorific that is between san and sama in terms of politeness source: http://www.wa-pedia.com/language/japanese_suffixes.shtml)
“You mean, he’s a Fonclanc spy…?”(Plausha)
“Mhm, to be frank, that’s what I mean.”(Volmes)
Troupe leader Volmes mentioned the head instructor’s actions that had raised doubts about him. One of them was the audience with her majesty, queen Rishause, whom Zeshald sought on his own, without informing the central headquarters of Paula.
“Her majesty, did you know that she gives special treatment to the [artless]?”(Volmes)
“Y-yes… I have been in Cofta before.”(Plausha)
Equal treatment of the [artless], which was an unimaginable sight here in Paula, was actually a common sight in Cofta. It was a political decision that the queen made on her own discretion as she was the sole ruler on the first capital.
“Her majesty was of an ill mind since long ago.”(Volmes)
“Wha…”(Plausha)
Plausha let out a surprised shout as she heard her majesty being treated with such disrespect at the central command. Volmes explained in detail with a pained and sad expression on his face about Cofta’s present condition and the queen’s mental deprive.
— Since her father’s, the late king’s, death, her highness has been slowly losing her mind from the sadness. She declared that the equal treatment of the [artless] was [her father’s dream], although the late king had did that just for his own entertainment. She had left all the tasks related to the management of the country to her guardian, sir Izapnar, and had confided herself within the temple.
“Have you heard that Zeshald shi has been living in the village of the [artless]?”)(Volmes)
“Yes… I have seen him heal an injury on an artless that was owned by someone else. I have asked him about it at that time.”(Plausha)
“Hmm, these actions might have been done in order to test his plan.”(Volmes) TN: (wrote plan, but the kanji reads 訓練 (training, practice))
“… his plan?”(Plausha)
Zeshald could have interacted with the [artless] as his equals so that he could get her majesties attention by showing his concerns towards them. Volmes explained that he could have been living in an [artless] village for this very reason.
“I fear, that there is no doubt that it was all part of his plan to gain a position from her majesty and throw the country into confusion by using his new gained authority.”(Volmes)
“Ple-please wait! Such serious implications, to me…”(Plausha)
“…regarding your sister. The incident in the fortress was really regrettable.”(Volmes)
“!…?”(Plausha)
Izapnar, suddenly changed the topic from telling her about the confusion that could be created behind the scenes to the matter of her sister, who was recently killed in action. Having made sure to have startled her and seeing her slender, shaking shoulders, Volmes finally used his “bait”.
“The one responsible for it was an elite knight of Fonclanc, hailed as a hero of the Gearhawk, but… he also appears to have a close relationship with Zeshald san.”(Volmes)
“With head instructor…?”(Plausha)
“Your sister was a communication type wind arts user, right? I have heard that she was a valuable member of the wind troupe.”(Volmes)
“…yes.”(Plausha)
Plausha’s was clearly shaken. By doing that, Volmes had given her a reason to spy on Zeshald. Every body of the wind troupe returned by Fonclanc was damaged in some way. By telling her only the part of the truth, Volmes had left the rest of the story for Plausha’s imagination and bore even deeper into her heart.
— In the despicable caste system that Fonclanc used, the wind art users were unreasonably treated to be of lower status compared to other divine arts users and were often looked down upon.
“How a female wind arts user with no offensive capabilities would be treated there… I think you can easily imagine that.”(Volmes)
“…”(Plausha)
“My subordinates are already trailing him, however they can only do it from afar. That’s why I have a lot of expectations from you who are his student.”(Volmes)
“I-I can’t do such…”(Plausha)
Volmes quickly returned to the main topic while Plausha was still thinking about her sister. She was still confused and overcome by various emotions, thus the girl was pushed further into the corner. By doing that he directed her thoughts the way he wanted. [The head instructor of the divine arts had a connection with the hero of Gearhawk. Her sister’s enemy.]
“I…”(Plausha)
— As a member of the water troupe you will be on an equal standing with them. They will probably also attempt to use you.
— It will be sufficient if you would only participate in their meetings and report about them as you get back to your barracks.
Having said that, Volmes presented her with the letter of recommendation for the water troupe and the entrance permit to the central command. Thus now Plausha was inspecting a room in the barracks section of the central command, which was given to every member of the elite troupes.
“This revenge for my sister. I… what should I do?”(Plausha)
Muttering if this is really alright, Plausha closed the door of her private room.