Chapter 13

"Hey, Almus. I can't come here on the next full moon night. I'll be busy with New Year's preparations."

"Huh! Really? It's the New Year, huh. Of course, it makes sense."

I had forgotten.

After all, the only things that tell time here are the height of the sun, the temperature, and the growth of plants.

Right, the New Year is a given.

Still, the fact that the New Year falls in winter means this place is in the Northern Hemisphere. That's a bit reassuring.

However, wait a minute. Considering the cultural level, it's a bit suspicious whether they even have a calendar.

Is it a solar calendar or a lunar calendar?

"Hey, what do you base your calendar on?"

"Um, the movement of the sun, I think? I don't know much about it. It's imported from a foreign country."

I see, that makes sense.

Yeah, it does. It's a mystery how astronomy could be developed at this cultural level.

Still, a foreign country...

When they say 'foreign country,' they mean countries beyond the sea, not the countries in this region.

I remember they mentioned something about the Kirisians.

There's a big difference in development depending on the region.

I should remember that.

"Hey? What do you do to celebrate the New Year?"

"Well... we specially fatten a pig for this day, then slaughter it and offer it to the gods, and everyone eats it together. We also renew the purification and protective barriers. It's not something that can't be done at any time, but the preparations are a hassle."

I see...

Yuria must have it extra tough because she's a sorceress.

Right. A pig.

Unfortunately, we don't have a pig. We have a cow, but it's a valuable labor force...

Maybe we can use a deer.

That means we need to find a deer together.

"By the way, Almus, there are no shrine maidens in your village, right?"

"Hmm, I don't know. Since we're all abandoned children, I don't think a shrine maiden would be abandoned. Probably not."

I avoid prying into the children's pasts.

That's why I don't know what skills they have.

The one I'm most curious about is Tera...

She might be able to do shrine maiden-like things. I have a feeling.

"Well, if that's the case, I'll go for you."

"You don't have to go out of your way if you're busy."

I can tell Yuria comes from a noble background.

From the fact that she prepares salt for us every month, she must be quite wealthy. I don't know why she's here.

Plus, she's a sorceress.

The New Year must be incredibly busy for her. In a world where sorcery is real, she might be busier than religious figures in Japan.

If it's just a meaningless ritual, there's no need to push her.

"It's not good. Even if you're fine, the other kids will be anxious. Faith is like that."

Oh, is that so?

I don't really understand.

"Still, you're a shrine maiden, yet you're so detached."

Aren't shrine maidens and sorceresses usually more devout?

"Well, sorceresses are actually like that. Of course, I have faith. Without prayers of gratitude to the gods, barriers can't be used. I think I respect the gods more than ordinary people. But I'm not fanatical. The gods are actually quite inflexible. Whether they save you or not depends on their mood and the price you pay. So, I naturally become detached."

Depends on their mood and the price...

Like a griffin. Or is a griffin a god-like being?

"Why is the griffin so revered?"

"Call it 'Griffin-sama.' It's one of the gods, a divine beast. It doesn't do anything special or bad, but it definitely has immense power. Long ago, it fought and defeated a dragon with the blessing of controlling storms and lightning. The aftermath of that battle blew away many forests, erased mountains, and split the sea."

"Is it a monster?"

That's some serious environmental destruction.

In my mind,

God: "Take better care of nature. Those who destroy nature need divine punishment. Great Flood!!"

But it seems to be a fantasy.

Right, a creature that doesn't care about humans wouldn't be interested in plants and trees.

I'm not sure if gods are living beings.

"By the way, can it be a week later?"

"Sure, it's fine. We're the ones receiving the visit."

This way, I can introduce Yuria to everyone.

"By the way, can you come to my village from now on? I'll pick you up and drop you off. I want you to teach me sorcery."

"Hmm, sorcery... I want something in return..."

"How about I teach you math?"

"I'm pretty good at it."

"Then what's 1555 + 20000?"

"Um... such a large number..."

"The answer is 21555. You can't do it. Tera, a kid I'm teaching, can already do division."

"Ugh... fine. Deal."

She seems to have agreed.

Incidentally, Tera is the only one who's exceptionally good at it; the other kids aren't.

I tricked her well.

---

"Hi, everyone. I'm Yuria, and I'm always taken care of by Almus."

Yuria greeted the children brightly.

Today, Yuria was wearing different clothes.

They were pure white with purple embroidery in places.

They somewhat resembled a Japanese shrine maiden's outfit.

In this world, dyes are very expensive, so it's clear that this is a very high-end outfit.

"One question?"

"Sure! You're Ron, right?"

Ron stood up and asked Yuria.

"What's your relationship with the leader?"

"Boyfriend and girlfriend!!"

Yuria clung to my arm.

Hey, don't say things on your own!!

"Seriously?!"

"Awesome!"

"I'm so jealous... with someone so beautiful!"

"Such... such a beautiful person is out of reach..."

"Damn..."

The children started murmuring.

"Hey, Almus... is that true?"

Wow, scary!

Tera, how do you make such a scary voice?

"It's Yuria's joke. Hey, don't say weird things!"

"Hehehe. I just wanted to tease a bit. But I'm fine with that kind of relationship."

Yuria winked at me and stepped back.

Tera glared at me and stomped her foot.

"That hurts... don't be so angry."

"Hmph."

Tera turned away.

"Let's get back to the ritual. Ideally, we need a pig... but we don't have one?"

"I prepared a deer instead. I already bled it."

"Hmm, ideally, it should be alive when we kill it... but it's fine. Almus, repeat the words I say and then cut off its head with your sword."

Understood.

I readied my iron sword.

"Here we go. Gods and spirits of the heavens, earth, and sea. We offer this sacrifice in gratitude for being able to live this year. We pray that you continue to watch over us..."

I repeated Yuria's words and cut off the deer's head with my sword.

Since it was already bled, not much blood came out.

"Alright, the offering ritual is over. Next is the purification ritual!"

"What do we need to do?"

"Let's wash our bodies. We just received the impurity of death."

I see.

Indeed, performing a ritual after killing an animal is bad luck.

"Let's start with the girls."

"Almus, no peeking."

"I'm fine with it?"

"I won't peek. A ten-year-old's body isn't sexy at all."

I'm pretty normal.

Wait, but isn't it strange to get excited by a girl's body of the same age...

---

"Let's start the purification ritual."

"Hurry up. It's too cold."

It's freezing because we entered the river in the middle of winter.

According to Yuria, hot water isn't allowed.

It's irrational.

"Alright, here we go."

Yuria raised her hand.

As Yuria muttered, her hand glowed blue-white.

After a while, my body started to warm up.

"This is..."

"It's a type of healing magic that raises body temperature. It's temporary."

There's such a spell.

But raising body temperature alone is pretty basic.

Or are there more advanced techniques?

Yuria performed the same spell on everyone after me.

She showed no signs of fatigue. Impressive.

"Next, we'll perform the dance ritual."

"What's the purpose of that?"

"To set up a light barrier in the fields."

Yuria stood in front of the fields.

"Watch quietly. It'll be over soon."

Yuria took a fan and a bell-like object in her hands and started dancing.

Rin, rin, rin

The bell rang.

Yuria sang and danced to the sound of the bell.

Sometimes boldly, sometimes delicately.

The beautiful fan and the white shrine maiden's outfit swayed.

The bell produced a beautiful sound in rhythm with her movements, and Yuria's voice trembled.

Her voice was more beautiful than any bird or insect.

It reminded me of a calm, clear lake.

Yuria's purple-red hair swayed.

My eyes were naturally drawn to Yuria.

Is it a charm spell?

No, Yuria is just beautiful. Too beautiful.

I felt there was nothing as beautiful as this.

Time seemed to pass eternally.

When I realized it, Yuria had finished her dance.

A moment of silence, then thunderous applause.

"How was it? Did you change your mind?"

Yuria approached me.

Beautiful...

That's what I thought when I saw Yuria's face.

I'm a hypocrite. I denied being a lolicon.

But now I feel a sexual attraction to Yuria.

"That was incredibly beautiful. I'd like to see it again."

When I said that, Yuria blushed.

"Such a direct compliment..."

We both blushed and looked down.

Soyon broke the silence.

"Hey? Please come again! I want to see your dance again!!"

"Me too, me too!!"

Rosward agreed.

"Of course! If you ask, I'll teach you. After all, Almus asked me to teach you sorcery. And if you call me, I'll dance at the wheat harvest, a different dance!!"

A crowd gathered around Yuria.

It seems she's fitting in well.

Good, good.

"Yuria"

Tera called out to Yuria.

The children naturally made way for her.

"This time, I'll let you win. ...But not in math."

"Hehe. Fine. I'll catch up and beat you soon."

They glared at each other.

Then they laughed.

Suddenly, the children and I were stunned.

"Nice to meet you."

"Likewise."

They shook hands.

...I don't understand, but it seems they've become friends.