80. Uta Akizuki and What She Left Behind
Just then, Cecily and Ira returned. A lot sooner than I'd expected.
"The guy I treated yesterday showed up at the church again today, so I asked him, and it's true—Izark's been spreading the word that he's the one doing the healing at the church."
Ira said.
"Izark's the one who stole the mirror. We need to track him down."
I nodded at Cecily's words. But how the hell were we supposed to track him? Should I put off taking Fam to Migurutto? If something happened to me, the church might not save her if she was left alone. I wanted to lift her curse first. And there was my promise to free Cecily and Ira from slavery. They'd become precious, special people to me. I was starting to feel real resistance to keeping them as slaves. I didn't want to keep putting it off.
"Lady Rakushel ordered us to find the mirror. Won't you leave it to us?"
Kalpana said to me as I hesitated.
"Got it. I took in Mii's two slaves. We might get some info from them. But there's probably other transferees behind him. Ones with special skills on my level. Be careful out there."
"Thank you for your concern, Mash-sama."
She bowed.
"Hey, can we tag along too?"
Momoka asked.
"Yes, please do."
Kalpana bowed again. I didn't know Momoka's group's strength, but they had more experience than us, so they had to be stronger. No problem if they went with her.
The priest's hands finally left Uta. He let out a deep breath.
"...She doesn't appear to have been suffering from any illness."
"What does that mean...?"
She'd known her time was near. So it wasn't murder or suicide or anything sudden like that. But not an illness either.
"Mash, I didn't think much of it before, but there are legends of other transferees besides Lady Uta. Okita Soji is one of them. But..."
Myra seemed to have an idea but trailed off.
"Spit it out."
"To my knowledge, none of the legends include stories from their later years."
"..."
Something clicked. Rakushel had given Mizuki and me adaptation to help us adjust to this world. Maybe that had an expiration date. If so, the gods could at least tell us the purpose more clearly. This setup didn't even make us disposable.
Was the goal just to throw us in? Nah, that didn't make sense either. No need for living people then.
"Do you know anything, priest?"
"No, I can't think of anything."
The priest shook his head and turned his gaze to Uta.
"Transferees possess special powers. Perhaps Lady Uta became the foundation of this city."
"What're you getting at?"
"To keep the Crystal Core from turning into a dungeon, Lady Uta is controlling this space."
"So she's a human sacrifice?"
The priest didn't nod, but I took that as confirmation. This was the miracle's true nature. Every city with a church had someone like her.
"Did Uta choose to die for this? No, the memo suggests she was chosen. And she was pregnant!"
"That's not it. She was placed here after she died."
At the priest's words, I looked at Myra.
"Before we fought Mii's group, you said you couldn't explain yet. Is this what happens if I die?"
Is that why she'd come with us? I barely swallowed the words.
"If that's what you want. But as long as I'm with you, I'll never let you die."
She placed a hand on her chest, eyes earnest. All that dreamy talk about myths, but deep down she'd resolved to follow me to the end? Like with Fam—why did they all think that way?
"Mash. Have you forgotten? We're lovers."
Myra's resolve was to stay by her lover's side until the end.
"Sorry, that came out accusatory. Forgive me, Myra."
First the weakness, now showing her my ugly side again. Maybe because she was closest to my age? Nah, she'd get mad. Blame it on those huge tits instead.
"Mash, I said we're in this together. You can vent any emotion on me. I'll take it. And I'll vent on you too."
"Got it. But it's a bit heavy for me, so just be ready to grab Fam and run if things get dicey."
"Understood. I will."
Myra smiled.
"We got sidetracked. To sum up: Uta didn't die of illness. She didn't choose it herself or get forced in here. We can't confirm long lives for other transferees either. But maybe there just aren't legends from their later years..."
"Thanks for the summary, but—"
Mizuki looked up from her smartphone screen, eyes on me.
"Look at this."
She showed me the screen.
I'd have preferred only Mizuki, Momoka, Chihiro, and me see this first. I needed time to sort my thoughts before everyone else did.
They all stared intently.
But no matter how long they looked, the words didn't change. This was the fate of the hero who kept his promise to the gods and defeated the Demon King.
My heart pounded wildly. I didn't want anyone hearing it. I clenched my fists tight.
"Alright, got the picture. We came here to figure out Mii's goal anyway. Let's seal the coffin and head back topside."
I tried to play it casual.
"Shu-sama. I'm with you."
Fam placed her hand over my fist. A tremor passed from her hand. Or maybe it was mine.
"Don't say scary shit. Don't throw your life away."
"But..."
"It's fine. I'm the real hero, right? We've got ten years. Momoka's group has nine, but we'll find a way out of this yoke before then. I will. You too, Mizuki. I'll get you back to our world for sure."
Did that land right? Fam looked anxious, like she wanted to say something. Same as me. Searching for words.
"Mash, it doesn't mean anything without you there."
"Mizuki, it'll be okay. Uta was alone, but we've got each other."
I touched her cheek. Color drained, skin like Uta's—cold porcelain.
"Mash, let's summon Lady Rakushel again. It'll be fine this time. Our levels are higher."
Myra sidled up too.
"She's a goddess. You don't need to carry it. Rakushel wants to help us too. She'll give us answers eventually."
As I replied to Myra, I noticed Cecily looking at me.
"Don't give me that look. Say something upbeat in your usual arrogant tone."
She forced a grin.
"I'll study more magic. And I'll save you."
I nodded.
"Ira, you worried about me?"
I glanced at her bowed head.
"Free me from slavery before you die."
I laughed.
"Yeah. Keeping you as a slave weighs on me too. But this city's gotten a bit awkward. Everyone does that weird dance when they see me. Don't wanna stand out anymore. No need to go to Migurutto. I'll free you in Fulft. Same for the two in the jail if Fam says okay. And Myra, send a letter to the church to free Lead too."
"And our next date's with me. Don't forget."
"Wait, it's big sis's turn next! Mash promised we'd ride a boat together in Fulft."
Myra reacted to Ira. She checked with me; I nodded. Myra smirked triumphantly. No trace of Rishel's gentle big sis.
"Hold on, I haven't heard about this. I haven't had a date yet either."
"Cecily rode a horse with him on an outing!"
Myra jumped in again. Such a stickler.
"...Fine. Majority vote," Ira said.
"Everyone just votes for themselves. Pointless."
No vote for me again, huh.
"Hands up for me!"
Ira raised hers; Fam and Mizuki followed reluctantly. Majority. The sisters' petty fight was settled.
"Nuna?!"
Myra and Cecily yelped in shock, clutching their heads in despair.
I knew it was my fault. But please, take it elsewhere.
I noticed Kalpana watching curiously.
"Embarrassing bunch, right?"
"Mash-sama really has values different from mine—no, from this world's."
They were the ones making a scene in a place like this, not me.
The priest stopped us from putting Uta's sword and smartphone back in the coffin.
"Please take them. They might aid your journey, Mash-sama. But be sure to return them. Visits from fellow countrymen are a joy.
He might welcome a countryman, but not seeing the smartphone. Still, it might hold key info.
"Next time you visit, we'll prepare for you to lead this city."
I ignored the priest's wild talk and took her belongings as he urged.
We all heaved the coffin lid back on and left Uta's sarcophagus behind.
"What're ya plannin' next?"
Momoka asked as we climbed the stairs to the surface.
"You get we're short on time, right? Hurry up and kiss me so we can move on."
"Wh-what?! It wasn't just a kiss—you were after my body! ...Wait, that's not what I asked!"
Momoka gave a huge reaction.
"We're joining Mateo Merchant Company's caravan to Migurutto as planned. We'll set up a base there. Next, probably head for the Demon Kingdom border."
First, establish a life in Migurutto.
I noticed Fam watching me. She looked like she wanted to speak but looked down.
"Ya headin' to the Demon Kingdom?"
Momoka asked. Fam's homeland. If I said it might have Okita Soji info, she might come too.
"Dunno. But I wanna confirm if the Demon King's around."
I wanted to track the Demon King and the staff from the ark.
"We're chasing the wandering folk and Izark. Then to Migurutto."
"Mateo Company's backing us. I'll introduce you. We'll coordinate locations through them."
Momoka nodded. I'd leave info at the guild too for redundancy, but 50 Gods' transferees might access it. Tricky.
"One warning: be careful revealing you're transferees."
"Aye, but findin' Goddess Five Pillars' ones is key too."
"Three pairs left. Way more likely to hit wrong ones."
Great allies, but no info. Just ditzy pairs without god talks.
We reached the surface as we chatted. Entered the dome. Yesterday's fierce fight with Mii's group felt like distant history amid the church's 100-year legacy.
Some battle damage, but still majestic. A beautiful building.
Uta founded it, modeled on another city's church. Built with thoughts of her original world, no doubt.
A pantheon for all gods. Her wish to leave a child went unanswered.
Light poured through the ceiling hole today too.
I hoped it reached the bottommost layer where she slept.
Thank you for reading.
Thanks to everyone who hit like, bookmarked, or rated.
It motivates me. I'll keep going.