Chapter 5

When Sera opened the door, two knights stood to the side, ready to guide them into the office. One was in front, and one was behind. As they walked, they took in the corridor they hadn't had time to notice yesterday. There was no carpet, no large windows, but the lighting was well-placed, making it neither too dark nor too bright. Intricate carvings adorned the space between the ceiling and the walls. Soon, they arrived at what seemed to be the office. The guards in front of the room announced their arrival.

As they cautiously entered, several people were gathered in a bright room with large windows.

One person was seated at a large desk. Beside him stood a middle-aged man with a slightly receding hairline. On the opposite side, a person with white hair leaned on the desk. By the window, a small desk held a slightly bearded old man and a sparkling prince-like figure. And there was Rassh, no, a beastman, who seemed to smile at Maki.

Everyone stood up at once, which startled the two. The person with long ears seemed about to say something, but the person at the desk held him back and began to speak.

"First time we meet, Holy Maidens. I am Arthur, the king of the Human Territory, or Arthur of Wildham, if you prefer. We don't have last names. May I introduce ourselves first?"

The two nodded. They seemed a bit tired, but the blond man was the king, and he had mentioned the Human Territory. Chiharu's mind raced.

"This is Eris from the Elf Territory. She is over 300 years old and travels freely between countries as a goodwill ambassador."

Upon closer inspection, Eris, who bowed, was not an old man with white hair but a young man with silver hair that glowed in the sunlight. His ears were long.

"This is Guld from the Dwarf Territory. He is a skilled alchemist but has retired and now travels as a goodwill ambassador, or so he says."

The old man bowed politely, his eyes sparkling like a child who had found a new toy.

"Standing by the wall is Zainus from the Beastman Territory. He is known for his gentle nature and is also here as a goodwill ambassador."

In other words, other beastmen are not as gentle.

"Let me clarify, the people of the Beastman Territory enjoy fighting, but they are not violent."

Understood. So much information.

"And this is the chancellor. The young one is the prince."

"My name is Mors."

"I am Edwy. Father, you are being too brief with the introductions."

"Is that so?"

Is that so? Chiharu thought, and Edwy shrugged, as if it was a common occurrence.

"May I ask for your names, Holy Maidens?"

The two looked at each other and nodded.

"My name is Maki Aida."

"And I am Chiharu Asou."

"Aida and Asou, I see. The previous Holy Maidens preferred to be called by their family names."

"If it's customary here, please call us by our first names."

"So, Maki and Chiharu, then."

"Chiharu, not Chihar."

"Chihar."

"More or less, that's it."

The introductions were over.

"Please, take a seat."

As we sat on the sofa, everyone found their places and sat down.

"Now, I imagine you are surprised to be suddenly called to this world."

The two nodded. The king then explained the world's origins.

"In other words, you were brought here by our gods without your consent."

"Yes."

The king looked sympathetic.

"Why? We are ordinary working adults with no special powers."

Maki murmured.

"All Holy Maidens say that. We don't know why you were brought here, but you are indeed Holy Maidens."

"How do you know that!"

Maki pressed.

"As soon as Maki and Chiharu arrived, the air in the palace was purified. And there's more."

Arthur glanced at Sera.

"You have marks on your foreheads."

"Foreheads?"

Maki looked at Chiharu, and Chiharu looked at Maki. No good. They couldn't see them under their bangs. Maki said to Chiharu,

"Then, on the count of three, we'll lift our bangs."

"Okay."

"Three."

Oh, this!

"Oh..."

"Holy Maidens..."

"Gods..."

The people who had gathered nearby gasped in awe. But the two...

"Sun Eyes!"

Can we faint now? Seriously, isn't it okay to lose consciousness in a situation like this? Chiharu thought while staring at Maki's forehead, and Maki's shocked face confirmed that she, too, had the mark on her forehead.

"No, I just blurted it out, but it's not eyes. It looks more like a gem, close to an opal."

Maki said. Chiharu touched her own forehead. It was true; she hadn't noticed it before. There was something hard there.

"Being brought to another world has really surprised us..."

Maki was dejected. No, Maki, it's more than just being surprised! You can't get married like this. You just got dumped, and there's no chance of a new relationship...

"How beautiful! It suits you, as it did the previous Holy Maidens."

The chancellor said with a smile.

"To grow so beautifully in just one day is unprecedented."

The king added. Grow? Will it get bigger?

"Chihar, don't look so shocked. I'll explain properly."

The king said, and the two sat up straight on the sofa, looking at him.

"You are the first Holy Maidens not to faint at this stage, Sera."

"Yes, according to the records."

I really wanted to faint.

"Holy Maidens collect miasma and generate it as a rainbow gem on their foreheads. When it gets a bit bigger, it will fall off."

They almost fainted. It felt about the size of a thumbnail. It was going to fall off...

"Chiharu, hold it together!"

"Ugh. Fall off..."

"Does it leave a dent?"

"Dent..."

"Chiharu!"

"Chihar, it won't leave a dent. Don't worry. It doesn't hurt, apparently. After it falls off, your forehead will be normal, and the gem will regenerate slowly. The previous Holy Maiden only generated one per year by the end."

I see, one per year.

"Then, at the beginning?"

"Well, that's..."

The king's eyes darted around and landed on Sera.

"In the first few years, it was about one per month."

"One per month? That's not okay at all!"

Chiharu stood up abruptly. Purifying miasma was one thing, but having to expel it like this!

"Ah!"

Thud. A rainbow gem fell at Chiharu's feet. She slowly touched her forehead. It wasn't dented; it was smooth.

"Chiharu!"

The so-called creator god. Chiharu, 25 years old, fainted for the first time.

A flash of white hair appeared at the edge of her vision, and she felt a strong hand supporting her.

By the way, Chihar's intonation is the same as Tifal's.