35 Episode 35 "Legend of the Sea Dragon and the Spirit Link".txt (2/2)

The air is starting to loosen up, and if it's an interview, it's probably going to be, ”Is there anything you want to ask me?

I'll be gathering information from here on out.

Iris hasn't felt this happy in a long time. I can't thank that 'Living Mail' enough.

Who was that guy, I wonder?

Are you interested?

Even though it's going to happen, we've thwarted the enemy, so it's possible that they hate us, right?

I make eye contact with Iris and nod lightly.

”'If you're a stranger, but you're in the same boat, help each other' - as the proverb in the port city of Ilgafa says.

Iris opened her fist, which had been clenched on the table. It seemed to release the tension.

'But there are too many things that come to mind, I don't know.

...... Yes?

Ilgafa is a port town. My father is the lord of it. Shipping, trade, everything comes into play. Kidnapping for ransom, simply to damage my father. I'm sure there are many such people.

So, Iris is like the daughter of a trader.

The child of a wealthy man in the former world was kidnapped by the bad guys when she went to visit her mother's grave.

'Iris personally has no value. At best, though, she's a priestess at a 'festival'.

A festival maiden, huh?

Every year Irgapha holds a festival to honor the Kerkator, the Sea Dragon. Iris is the priestess.

Sea Dragon Kerkator. ...... This is the first time I've heard the term.

According to Iris, the sea dragon Kerkator is a type of dragon that lives in the sea and is said to be the guardian deity of Irgafa.

Its appearance is just like the picture behind Iris.

It looks like an oriental dragon from my world. It has a long snake-like body and a rugged head. It has no wings and clawed limbs.

It is said that Kerkator made a ”contract” with the people of the port city of Irgapha a long time ago.

Because of the protection of that 'contract', the ships of Irgafa are rarely attacked by demons.

That's why Ilgafa's trade has flourished and Iris's house has developed.

'If the festival is lost, does that mean we lose the blessings of the sea dragon Kerkator?

'Yes. With the festival, the people of Irgafa are renewing their 'covenant' with the sea dragon.

It all began as a love story between the daughter of the sea dragon Kerkator and a human boy. ......

Iris closes her eyes and begins to speak as she sings.

In ancient times, a human boy fell in love with the daughter of Kerkator, the blood of the sea dragon.

The boy 'engaged' the sea dragon's daughter and awakened to his new strength and abilities.

The sea dragon put the boy to the test and the boy was able to defeat the sea dragon's natural enemy.

The sea dragon recognizes the boy's power and makes a ”contract” with him to continue to protect Ilgafa's ship.

The girl and the boy formally form a 'spirit link' and become the foundation of the port city's prosperity.

'Engage' and 'Spirit Link', huh? It's a romantic story.

Next to me, Rita's enthralled.

Huh?　Is that a real life story?　I thought it was a fairy tale.

''What's the difference between a 'soul engagement' and a 'united soul' and a normal marriage and engagement?''

No. Marriage is a promise to be together as long as we live, right?　'Yujin' is a higher-end version of .......

Rita pursed her lips to my ear and said, ”'Conjoining souls' is the act of joining our souls together and vowing to be together in the next life and the next.

A 'soul engagement' is when souls are united and vow to be together in the next life and the life to come,” she said. A ”soul promise” is a promise to make to each other to stay together in the next life as well as the next. We go through a lot of rituals to connect with each other deeply and profoundly. By making our souls resonate with each other, we can regain our physical strength and awaken our new skills.

Does Rita know how to do this?

No. It's an old ritual. And I think different races do it differently.

A ritual that resonates and connects the souls of each other to awaken their abilities through a great recovery ......?

...... Yeah. That's interesting.

”Are you interested in the 'unity of souls' ritual?

Iris holds her mouth and the maid smiles with just her lips.

'I've lived on an island nation in the east and I'm a stranger to things. It's an interesting ritual. A ...... skill awakening for a great recovery effect, is it ......?

It's an old ritual. Even the human 'spirit link' ceremony is now the realm of legend.

'It's possible between different species, isn't it?　Can you 'unite' with a slave, for example?

'Huh, you think oddly. I suppose it's possible, but that doesn't mean the master-servant 'contract' will continue after reincarnation, does it?

Yeah. I don't care about that.

If you'd like to know more, I can lend you some information later, okay?

Iris looked pouty for a moment, but then she quickly turned her face into a straight face.

I clear my throat and return it, ”Please.

'Thank you, Iris-sama. I understand the story of the legend of the sea dragon and its enemies.

At my words, Iris sighed with a sigh of relief.

She seems relieved to have finished speaking, and she relaxes her shoulders. Iris is 12 years old. In her former world, she would have been in the sixth grade.

After being attacked by black armor and undead, talking to a new person like this... it's amazing when you think about it.

I also relax my shoulders. The interview is over. The interview is over. The rest is just small talk.

For now, we can't identify who Iris's ”enemy” is.

Even with a quick thought, it's a port city that has a rivalry with Ilgafa, or a servant of a demon king who wants to annoy humans. If that black armor was made with cheat skills, then even the visitors are candidates.

I'm not sure if ...... is likely to get to us either way.

'I just sent out a quick horse to Ilgafa.

Matilda, the maid who was waiting next to me, opened her mouth.

''In two days' time at the earliest, a corps of soldiers will arrive to protect Iris-sama. Waiting for their arrival, we will be on our way to Irgafa.

In the meantime, we will also hire some adventurers who are staying in the town to help defend the mansion. We have also arranged for swordsmen, wizards, and priests to counter the undead. There will be more than 30 of them in total.

...... It's a completely and absolutely invincible defensive posture: ......

That's a lot of money. The Ilgafa lordship family.

I think I learned in world history that trade in the Middle Ages was extremely profitable.

What a relief. We don't have to do anything.

We'll be traveling to Ilgafa right after you, Mr. Iris.

I sip my teacup. It's long gone cold.

I don't think I'll need to get a new one brewed. Let's get out of here.

We've exchanged all the necessary information and I think we're done with the interview.

'I hope the 'Festival of the Sea Dragon' goes well.

Wait!

Iris stood up in her chair with a thump.

'Iris would like to ask you to be her bodyguard as well. Will you please be the heart of the adventurers and protect Iris?

Clutching the hem of her dress, Iris looked at me and Rita.