Sally and Blizia
Sally and Blizia.
“I greet you, Mother.”
The tone was utterly dry and icy, yet it clearly carried deep respect and reverence. A spirit with light-blue bobbed hair, wearing a white dress adorned with beautiful snowflake-like patterns, she exhaled white vapor around her and possessed eyes shaped like crystalline snowflakes. She was the newly born Spirit King of Frost, created by Spia after the birth of the Spirit King of Condemnation, Sally.
“Indeed, Blizia.”
Her name was Blizia. Spia, delighted by the birth of both Spirit Kings, had guided them to the formal first rite that every new Spirit King must undergo.
“Since both of you were born today, let us summon the other Spirit Kings and introduce you.”
The birth of new Spirit Kings was an event that had not occurred in a very long time, and it had happened so suddenly that no preparations had been made. Naturally, the other Spirit Kings were not exactly idle either.
“I will call them when the time comes, so stay here and talk for a while.”
With that, Spia left the two still-awkward girls behind.
For a long moment, they maintained a heavy silence. Eventually, it was Sally—who had existed as a spirit longer—who spoke first.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Sally, the Spirit of Condemnation.”
Sally had become far more mature than she had been as Seleana. Her appearance had changed completely, her voice was similar to before, but now it carried an added layer of maturity.
Not wanting to ignore Sally’s sincere attempt at conversation, Blizia opened her mouth as well.
“I am Blizia, newly appointed as the Spirit King of Frost.”
Perhaps because she was still unfamiliar with her role, Blizia seemed unaware that there was no hierarchy among Spirit Kings. Since Sally had existed as a spirit first, she thought it best to inform the newly born Blizia.
Once they settled on a topic, the two talked nonstop, as if the earlier awkwardness had never existed. Blizia, determined to faithfully carry out her duties, listened carefully to Sally, who was essentially her senior.
“So, there’s no ranking among Spirit Kings. It’s best to get close if you can. It might help you later, and without a contractor, life in Harmonia can get pretty boring.”
“I see. Then… does that mean we’re friends from now on?”
Her expression looked like someone who had forgotten how to smile. Having just been born, Blizia forced an awkward smile while speaking in that cold voice. Sally nearly burst out laughing at the sight.
“Blizia, you look prettier when you don’t smile.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Just that your natural self is beautiful.”
Sally gave immediate feedback because she knew that if Blizia showed that awkward smile in front of the other Spirit Kings, she would be teased for the rest of her existence.
“When we greet them later, stay as cold as possible and show your true nature. I’ll do the same.”
“Understood.”
Since they were both newly born Spirit Kings, they devised a strategy to avoid being looked down upon. And it seemed like a solid plan—Blizia was the Spirit King of Frost, so showing coldness was only natural, and Sally, as the Spirit King of Condemnation, could display firm resolve without issue. None of the other Spirit Kings would dare criticize such behavior.
Just then—
“Children, come out.”
Spia’s voice came from outside the door. The two quickly ended their conversation and hurried out.
Spia waited for them with calm composure. As soon as Sally and Blizia emerged, she began walking. Seeing that she was heading outside the palace, they guessed the other Spirit Kings were probably waiting at the bottom of the stairs beyond the palace gates.
Following Spia, Sally and Blizia arrived at the palace entrance. There, between two massive pillars at the very bottom of the stairs, every Spirit King in Harmonia had gathered—except for those who simply could not attend.
In Sally’s eyes, the first to stand out were Ifrit, whom she had once served, and Elion, whom Frost had loved. Ifrit wore an unusually serious expression, while Elion appeared calm but kept darting her gaze between the newly born Spirit King of Frost, Blizia, and Sally.
“Introduce yourselves.”
At Spia’s command, Blizia stepped forward first, following the prearranged order.
“Greetings, predecessors. I am the new Spirit King of Frost, born to replace the one who once brilliantly upheld this position. I command all that freezes and the power of cold itself, and I shall serve Mother. My name is Blizia. I look forward to working with you.”
Blizia’s cold introduction was a success. She had properly conveyed that she was taking the place of her predecessor, and her crisp words made it clear she was no soft-hearted spirit. Most importantly, by declaring she would serve Spia, she had appealed to the audience. Her icy voice and serious expression only added credibility. After all, nothing was more irritating than someone who didn’t belong in their position.
The moment Blizia finished, Sally observed Elion’s reaction. She showed no strong emotion, but she looked somewhat haggard. It might have been Sally’s imagination, but she resembled a prisoner who had been wrongly accused, then finally proven innocent and released. It seemed she still carried the guilt of Frost’s disappearance on her conscience.
“Next.”
At Spia’s word, Sally finally stepped forward.
Click. Click. Click.
In the silence, only the sound of Sally’s heels echoed. She walked to the front, swept her gaze over the Spirit Kings who were watching her with curiosity, and spoke.
“I am the scale that judges sin, Spia’s sword that will condemn the foolish, and the future history that shall protect Harmonia. I hope none of you grow complacent. After all, even your closest comrade might strike you down at any moment.”
The Spirit Kings reacted in various ways to Sally’s words. Some criticized her for trying too hard to sound like the main character, while those who knew the full story appreciated the new spirit’s strong spirit. Ifrit, in particular, looked deeply moved, knowing that his former subordinate Seleana had become Sally.
“To prevent such things, I will step forward without hesitation and punish all sin. I will uproot evil at its core and chew it to pieces. From now on, Harmonia shall know peace under the Spirit King of Condemnation. If you understand, nod your heads.”
This was the first time any of them had heard such a shocking introduction. The Spirit Kings were captivated by Sally’s overwhelming presence and her words. A few even nodded in agreement. Even though some were seeing her for the first time, Sally had fearlessly declared her ambitions and future actions. Spia smiled faintly and stepped forward once more.
“These two children will each fulfill their roles as the Spirit King of Frost and the Spirit King of Condemnation. They will devote themselves to the well-being of all spirits. Keep that in mind.”
With the introductions of the newly born Spirit Kings complete, Spia turned to Blizia.
“Blizia, create a land of frost in an appropriate location. Remembering the previous case, simply infuse your power without creating a medium, and it shall become your domain.”
“Understood.”
Blizia gave a light bow and departed. Spia, without another word, returned inside the palace. The Spirit Kings who had come to witness the birth and greeting of the new kings also began to disperse, returning to their own places one by one.
Left with nowhere to go, Sally asked, “Lady Spia. Where should I…”
“What are you doing, not coming along? Where else would my sword be if not in its sheath?”
Startled, Sally’s eyes widened. She stared at Spia with a dumbfounded expression.
“You already have a contractor, so you won’t be spending much time in Harmonia. However, as one who investigates and condemns sin, you must report all outcomes to me.”
Although Sally had already understood her role, Spia’s words made her duty even clearer. She followed Spia into the palace.
The palace was impossibly vast. Even for a goddess, it was far too large for one person to live in alone. It would surely be lonely. Sally wondered if the real reason Spia had allowed her to stay here was to alleviate that boredom.
Spia stopped at an appropriate spot and introduced it to her.
“This shall be your room. It is only a few meters from mine, so keep that in mind.”
Sally had already noticed how close it was to Spia’s bedroom, but the deliberate reminder clearly meant she was welcome to visit often.
Watching Spia enter her own chambers, Sally stepped into her room as well.
“Living with Mother probably won’t earn me the resentment of the other Spirit Kings.”
Every spirit wished to live with their Mother. But circumstances prevented it, as they had to guard their own domains. In contrast, Sally had been allowed to stay by Spia’s side from the moment of her birth, and would continue to do so. This was what it meant to become Spia’s true child.
“Yes. I am Mother’s sword. I simply rest in the sheath.”
After looking around the neatly arranged room, Sally stood up. She decided she should visit Elion. Since Elion would be in the underwater city within the vast, tranquil sea that occupied a large part of Harmonia, she set off immediately.
Fortunately, Spia’s temple and the tranquil sea were not far apart. She soon arrived and spoke to the low-ranking water spirits, the Undines, who were playing on the calm surface.
“I’ve come to see Elion. Please call her for me.”
“Condemnation! Spirit King!”
Their clumsy speech was a trait shared by all low-ranking spirits. Whether out of fear or shock, they caused ripples across the water before frantically swimming down into the depths.
“Why are they acting like that?”
Sally couldn’t understand it. It was good that news of the new Spirit King’s birth had already spread, but she didn’t want lower spirits to fear her.
A few minutes later, the once-calm sea churned violently as Elion appeared.
“Spirit King of Condemnation, Sally. What brings you here? The lower spirits are so terrified they refuse to come up to the surface.”
Elion’s less-than-welcoming reaction put Sally on edge as well.
“It’s not my fault. I didn’t do anything, and I properly concealed my aura.”
“After giving an introduction like that, if you thought you wouldn’t inspire fear, you were mistaken.”
The two did not particularly welcome each other. For a moment, Sally regretted coming to greet her—until Elion asked for her true purpose.
“So, what is your real reason for coming?”
“I came to greet you. And there’s something I absolutely must tell you.”
At Sally’s words, Elion’s expression turned indifferent.
“What, that you received all of Frost’s power intact? As you know, Sally, I was the first to hear about your birth.”
“Then you already know.”
“However, I do not see you as Frost. If you came here intending to apologize on his behalf, you may leave. I am fine.”
Elion spoke with surprising detachment, as if trying to shake off the trauma of the past.
“If that’s how you feel, then I won’t push it. But at least remember how Frost felt about you.”
The meeting had not been pleasant, but after finishing her greeting, Sally left feeling strangely dazed.
Is she really okay?
Sally moved away from the tranquil sea.
Meanwhile, once Elion returned to her domain within the underwater city, she thought to herself:
“The moment I acknowledge you will be when you use the power Mother gave you to resolve Frost’s grudge and condemn Shade.”
Frost’s wish had not yet been fulfilled. When she thought of how the innocent Frost had been framed by Shade and suffered, Sally had no choice but to carry out revenge on his behalf. If she truly wished to claim she carried his heart, she had to return with results. Sally was clearly aware of this fact, so the first act of condemnation she must carry out was obvious.
Sally returned to the palace, entered her room, thought briefly about Shade, and spoke.
“It’s time to return to Bagan.”
A blue flame, empowered by the Spirit King of Condemnation, formed an arched portal.
It was a portal leading back to her contractor’s embrace.
Bagan and Elizabeth had resolved the incident, returned the Holy Grail of Elion to the Blue Wave Village, and were now on their way back to De Meca.
“Elestra, you really haven’t seen Sally?”
(I greeted Lord Ifrit and the other Spirit Kings, but they said they didn’t know.)
Elestra had returned to Elizabeth’s embrace before Sally’s birth and thus hadn’t heard the news.
“I’m worried.”
Bagan was concerned that Seleana had not returned because of his reckless Absorption.
“Bagan, she’ll be fine. She’s a proud spirit of fire. Fire spirits have a resilient nature, like a blazing flame.”
Elizabeth, practically a scholar when it came to spirits, tried to comfort him by citing the characteristics of fire spirits. Still, the worry refused to leave him.
Just then—
Whoosh!
Blue flames erupted from the damp, muddy ground. They blocked the path of Bagan and Elizabeth, who had been heading toward De Meca.
A figure stepped out from the flames, which gave off no heat at all. It was a woman of breathtaking beauty. In her right hand, she held a familiar set of scales made from wooden branches, and in her left, she carried a strange book covered in writing that was impossible to decipher.
(Bagan, I’m back.)
For a moment, Bagan was stunned. He couldn’t process what she meant by “back.”
“Is that you, Sally?”
(Yes. I’ve become a Spirit King.)
“Are you hurt anywhere? Any discomfort?”
The way Bagan immediately expressed concern without hesitation made Sally’s expression soften with amusement. Still, she felt happy that he had worried about her.
“What kind of Spirit King did you become?”
Elizabeth, who had been congratulating Sally on her return, asked the question.
(I have become the Spirit King of Condemnation—the sword of Mother, who is the Goddess of Space and of Spirits. I was born from Frost’s sense of injustice and desire for revenge, combined with Seleana’s upright heart.)
(Then you truly have become a Spirit King.)
Although Elestra and Seleana had once been equals, the situation was different now. Elestra’s attitude had changed. She wasn’t using extreme honorifics, but her tone had clearly shifted. However, Sally would not allow it.
(Are you really going to act like that? I’m Sally. Bagan’s contracted spirit, Sally.)
(In that case…)
(We should stay close, just like before.)
(Understood, Sally.)
Leaving behind Elestra—who felt awkward now that Seleana was no longer the same, yet had gained the friendship of a Spirit King—Sally explained everything that had happened in Harmonia as they continued their journey toward De Meca together.