62 In the carriage (1/2)

The royal carriage was more luxurious than any carriage Diana had ever seen, and the procession carrying the king and the Red Rose was more spectacular than any procession Diana had ever known.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

You can find a lot more than just a few things that you can do with your money. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

Rita was looking out the window with indescribable eyes. She probably thinks it's a waste of taxpayers' money. To be honest, Deanna agrees with Rita.

Deanna was secretly worried that such a procession would be a nuisance to the people of the city who enjoy the festival every year, but as it turned out, her fears were completely unfounded. The festival in the capital was planned to include a procession from the royal palace, and there were crowds of people watching the procession on the streets, divided into sections at both ends of the road. As the people watched, the carriages passed slowly, and the people shouted with joy. Deanna sneaks a peek out the window, but she's a little taken aback by the enthusiasm.

I don't know why they're so happy. ......

It's only natural. It's because His Majesty the King and his family have come all the way to Amenos to pray for prosperity in the coming year and bring back blessings.

”Bring back blessings?

I've never heard that story before. This is the first time I've ever heard of such a thing. When I tilted my head, Lurie, who explained it to me, and Yuri, who was standing beside me listening to the conversation, both looked at me in astonishment.

I'm not sure if you know why we go to the Temple of the Mist to worship or not,......?

”Well, because it's the main temple, right?　Is there any other reason?

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I've been doing this. But it's too late now (the festival has just begun, but whatever).

”Dear Diana!　You have to know about this!

I'm sorry. ......

I checked the customs and climates of the Mist Temple and the surrounding area by flipping through books, but I didn't study the origins and origins of the rituals. This is not so noticeable because Diana has a wide range of interests, but in fact, her motivation to study things she is not interested in is extremely low. She is a typical selective learner.

”Dear Deanna, you can't possibly know such basic things as .......

I'm sure you've got some misconceptions, but Diana has no knowledge of anything related to God, right?　I'm sure you're not the only one.

What? Rita is no different.

Unfortunately, after Mrs. Magnum spoke to me the day before yesterday, I read a few books and acquired what is called 'common sense' knowledge.

...... Come to think of it, unlike Deanna, Rita didn't bring her likes and dislikes into her learning when the need arose. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

...... Rita's Enemies.

I'm sure you'll agree with me.

It's not that I didn't do anything. It's not that I didn't do anything. I've done my research on the Mist Temple.

”So, Deanna, what can you tell us about the Mist Temple?

The maidservant in front of me seemed to have made up her mind to become a temporary tutor in the carriage. With a look in her eyes that said she had no intention of letting her go, Diana finally had to make up her mind.

The Temple of Mist ...... is the oldest Armenian temple and also the main temple standing on the shore of Mist Lake, the most northern of the six great lakes. The area around Mist Lake, including the temple, was once called the Langshan region and is now the territory of the king.

...... Is that all?

No, that's .......

If I confessed that the other information I had acquired was something that could be found in a tourist guide, such as that the stained glass windows of the Mist Temple were worth seeing or that the specialty of the Langshan region was a stew made with lots of goat butter, I would be immediately thrown out of the carriage. Deanna fumbled with her words.

Deanna knew everything about the gods. Armenianism, centered on the god Amenos, is now somewhat like the national religion of the Kingdom of Ergeland, but if you trace its roots back, it is a religion that originated from a different source than this country.

--A long time ago. This peninsula was divided into four major countries. The predecessor of the Kingdom of Ergeland was a group of city-states located in the south of the Mamia River, which runs north-south through the middle of the peninsula.

On the other hand, the Armenian-majority country was a military-oriented country that had expanded its power to the north of the city-states. Looking at the results of history alone, it could be said that the city-states, renamed the Kingdom of Ergeland, overthrew and merged with the military power in the north, but in reality, it seems to have been very peaceful. The Kingdom of Ergeland expanded its territory in a way that both sides could agree on.

It was at this time that the royal family of Elgrande was ”given the kingdom” by the god Amenos, and it seems that there was some kind of agreement at the time of the merger, but Deanna does not know the details. But Deanna doesn't know the details, though Alford of the Swoon family, a great historical researcher, might know something.

--In summary, Deanna knows that the Mist Temple dates back to long before the founding of the Kingdom of Ergeland, and that it is a place of great prestige that has remained the main temple of the Armenian religion despite changes in the country. The problem is that the knowledge she has just ruminated on in her brain is one that she herself recognizes as ”common knowledge,” but fortunately there was no one in this carriage who could read Deanna's thoughts accurately.

Yuri sighs and opens his mouth in the manner of an incompetent child.

”May I, Master Diana? It is said that the royal family of this country was entrusted with this land by the god Amenos and established a kingdom.

I wanted to say that I knew that, but I knew that I would get into trouble if I interrupted him, so I just nodded cautiously.

Therefore, it is customary for the royal family to go to the place where they made the pact with the gods every year on the day they made the pact with the gods, to tell the gods that the kingdom has been peaceful this year, to give thanks for their protection, and to pray for further prosperity in the coming year.

”...... is the Lord's Day of Pentecost, by any chance?

We in the royal court have been taught that it is based on that.

This is a shocking fact revealed only now. Which of the two actually came first is a chicken or an egg, so it's useless to discuss it.

It is said that the god Amenos, who hears the prayers of the royal family, will bestow upon them the blessings of the coming year. The king and his family would give the blessings they received to the people. The king and his family give the blessings they receive to the people, and so the kingdom has prospered, according to legend.

...... Wow.

It's a ”legend” with a strong sense of complication. This is the first time I've ever seen such a thing.

”First of all, at the beginning of the New Year's Eve party, you chant with His Majesty the King every year. I never imagined until now that the people who are there do not know about this legend.

...... Indeed, the New Year's Eve Party is a celebration of His Majesty the King's words, ”I now share with you the blessings bestowed upon me by the god Amenos. Let us welcome together the coming year of prosperity! In response to the king's words, the nobles all recited in unison, ”May the coming year be prosperous! at the same time. Deanna had been there last year and the year before, but she had only thought that it was an exaggerated beginning. She hadn't realized that there was a deeper meaning behind it.

I see. ...... was a pretty important role.

Of course it was.

I'm sure you'll understand what I'm talking about. Deanna laughed and left the capital during the impromptu lecture and looked out from the carriage that was now driving through the forest.

I don't believe in blessings from the gods, and I don't believe in the convenience of a country that has prospered thanks to those blessings. Still, the people's belief in it and the support it gave them was painfully evident in the way they looked away from the carriage. If it's ......, we can't afford to cut corners.

Thank you for telling me, Yuri. I'll do my best.

It's not that difficult, so don't get overwhelmed.

Yes, Master Diana. Besides, the ceremony is in five days. Until then, enjoy your journey.

Nodding to Yuri and Lurie, Diana leaned her body against the back of the carriage.

The carriage continued on its merry way, making several stops along the way before arriving at a slightly larger town where the first night's lodging was located. As is the case every year, there seemed to be a number of royal residences along the route to the Mist Temple.

Here, too, we received an enthusiastic welcome from the people, and the carriage passed through the gates of a truly magnificent mansion (we can call it a castle). The door was opened from the outside, and Diana, with Yuri's hand in hers, got out of the carriage with the gesture of a lady without a moment's hesitation. Yuri took her by the hand and she got out of the carriage with the gesture of a lady without a moment's hesitation. He led her into the castle and to the room where she would stay today. When the attendant who had led her away finally left, Diana stretched.

”Are you tired after all, Master Diana?

”What?　Yes, I am. ......

”No wonder you've been riding in a carriage all day.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. She knows what Deanna is really tired of.

(Tired: .......) (I didn't realize how tiring it would be to travel when you can't move freely on your own.

Even through the small window, I could see what was going on outside. I wondered what rare bird had just crossed my path, what fruit was growing on that tree that I'd never seen before, what that man on the side of the road was doing: .......