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The Fierce Saintess

episode 6

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

The next morning, Princess Kana was slightly surprised when William himself pushed a food cart into her room. In her worldview, high-born men would never stoop to serving meals to women—and even less so given the circumstances of the previous day.

Yet he set about preparing the meal with practiced ease, his countenance betraying nothing of his inner thoughts. Once finished, William pulled out a chair and even assisted Princess Kana into her seat, surprising her once more. Then, he spoke.

「Saintess-sama, please feel free to eat while I speak, but would you mind if I shared a few words with you?」

Prefacing his explanation by mentioning that it concerned what had been discussed with the Queen and Prime Minister last night, he began laying out their future plan of action regarding the King and concubine to Princess Kana.

The meal provided was similar to the previous evening's, with the sole exception being a handle-equipped cup filled with something resembling tea. Reciting her mantras, the princess ate the food little by little while lending an ear to William's explanation.

「I have no desire to needlessly fan the anxieties of the populace either. As for those three from yesterday, I shall leave the matter in your hands; do as you see fit.」

So saying, she brought the tea to her lips. It possessed a color akin to roasted green tea, though its scent and flavor were entirely distinct. Still, it was by no means unpleasant.

(Things are seldom as they appear on the surface.)

Musing thus, Princess Kana decided to share with William what she had resolved last night. First, however, there were several matters she needed to confirm.

「Tell me one thing: how many people know I am here?」

Clearly not expecting such a question, William offered a look of slight surprise before quickly answering.

「To begin with, nearly everyone in this castle. Furthermore, notice of the summoning was dispatched to the lords of each territory, so combined, the number is likely quite substantial.」

「That is somewhat troublesome.」

Thinking of the future, Princess Kana believed the fewer people who knew of her existence, the better—making this a far from welcome answer. Yet she reminded herself that what was already done could not be undone.

「Well, it cannot be helped. Now then, to the main topic. In the first place, why was I summoned?」

「That was to deliver our kingdom from its dire plight—」

「I am asking what that so-called "dire plight" actually entails. And what it was you desired of me.」

「...It will take a little time to explain. Would that be acceptable?」

Offering that prelude, William brought over a chair himself and sat directly opposite Princess Kana.

「Roughly two years ago, phenomena known as mana pools suddenly began appearing all across the kingdom. And from them, swarms of magic beasts poured forth as if gushing from the earth.」

Looking down slightly, William began explaining the nature of this world and the events of the past two years in orderly detail.

From his explanation, she gathered that this world was originally filled with a substance called mana, and all plants and animals possessed mana within their bodies to a greater or lesser degree.

Because of this, people possessed magic power and could cast spells; on rare occasions, however, beasts and plants could also use magic power, and these were collectively termed magic beasts. Furthermore, these magic beasts were born within mana pools—places where mana had become unnaturally concentrated.

However, mana pools themselves were not particularly rare; forming in places like deep forests, caves, or wind-swept ravines, they would give birth to a handful of magic beasts before naturally dissipating.

Moreover, most magic beasts made their birthplaces their habitat, rarely venturing into human settlements.

Yet two years ago, these pools appeared simultaneously in multiple locations where they normally could never form, such as open plains and along main thoroughfares. To make matters worse, the magic beasts emerging from them began attacking villagers and travelers in carriages, while laying waste to farmland, creating a major crisis.

「At first, we assumed it was merely a temporary phenomenon, but that proved untrue. No matter how many magic beasts we defeated or how much purification magic we cast, new mana pools would appear in less than a few days. On top of that, their scale gradually expanded. Those able to cast purification magic are a rare few even among the royal mages, and because they were forced to purify continuously, mages eventually began collapsing from magic exhaustion...」

What's more, because the scale had grown so immense, currently even if every mage capable of purification magic worked together, they could not purify a single mana pool.

Consequently, the number of magic beasts continued to multiply, the soldiers tasked with defeating them were severely exhausted, and casualties mounted incessantly.

「We requested aid from our ally, the Rowey Kingdom, but they responded with a refusal.」

「And so, pushed to the brink, you summoned me. So, did you desire that I exterminate these magic beasts, or was it the purification you wanted? Though I hardly think a situation of this magnitude can be resolved by me alone.」

「If possible, we had hoped for both. However, our primary request is the purification of the mana pools. As long as the source is severed, we can manage the rest on our own...」

Princess Kana thought this sounded rather similar to pest control. She let out a sigh as if to say it couldn't be helped.

「Let me state from the outset: I have no intention of doing anything for free. I shall demand compensation appropriate to my labor. If you agree to those terms, I am willing to cooperate with you.」

「You would?!」

As William snapped his head up in surprise upon hearing her words, the princess added a clarifying note to ensure there was no misunderstanding.

「However, I shall only do what I am capable of doing, nor do I intend to do it alone.」

「Of course! If you will grant us your aid, Saintess-sama, we shall serve as your shield or whatever else you require—please, name any request you may have!」

(Surely this fellow has not forgotten that yesterday someone said something very similar right before nearly having his head severed?)

Though the princess knitted her brows slightly at William's declaration, she did not utter her thought aloud, opting instead to ask what needed asking.

「So, what shape and form do these magic beasts take?」

「Ah, as to that, there are many varieties, so explaining in a single word is... I shall bring an illustrated encyclopedia later; seeing it should make things clearer.」

Judging that she would understand what an illustrated encyclopedia was once she saw it, Princess Kana instructed:

「Then bring this encyclopedia and a map of this kingdom. Preferably one as precise as possible. Also, if feasible, have the soldiers prepare for a monster subjugation. If all goes smoothly, I intend to depart as early as tomorrow morning.」

「Tomorrow?! Understood. I shall pass on the word.」

「Additionally, tell the person in charge of the subjugation forces to come here.」

After William cleared away the tableware and eagerly departed having understood everything, Princess Kana turned her thoughts to how to purify these mana pools.

This was because there were two methods of purification—mantras (*shingon*) and prayers (*norito*)—and she did not know which was more suitable.

Furthermore, while the efficacy of mantras had already been proven, whether prayers would function in this world remained unknown.

Still, fretting over it would accomplish nothing, so she decided to test a basic prayer invocation (*Tonaekotoba*).

After washing her hands in the water filled inside a ceramic basin placed in a corner of the room and drying them with an equipped soft cloth, she first offered two bows and two claps.

「Exorcise and purify; grant us divine protection and blessing—」

Thereupon, a pleasantly refreshing breeze blew gently, and she felt the surrounding air transform. After making a final bow, Princess Kana was pondering how effective this might prove against mana, unable to picture the outcome, when a large-statured man holding a map visited her room.

Possessing a physique no less imposing than Beaton's from yesterday, he had a large scar on his forehead concealed beneath red bangs streaked with white, marking him instantly as a warrior.

「I am Barley, commander of the subjugation forces. Allow me to offer my greetings to the Saintess—」

「Dispense with stiff greetings. First, spread out the map.」

Instructed thus, the man spread the map over the table, though he kept casting flickering, skeptical glances at the princess.

「That look upon your face—it reads, "Can a woman truly read a map?" Are the women of this world so thoroughly incompetent?」

「N-No, that is not...」

「Well, no matter. What I wish to know first is our current location and the cardinal directions. On this map, where are we situated?」

「Where you are currently located is the royal capital of Wilsol, so right here. Regarding direction, the top of the map indicates north, and these lines represent the borders—the boundaries of the realm.」

The map was rendered on what appeared to be animal hide. From it, she gathered that their present kingdom, Lestwick, was bordered by mountains and forests from the west to the northeast, with a large river fed by tributaries flowing in from the northeast along its eastern side, marking the borders along these geographical features.

The royal capital where they currently resided was positioned almost dead center.

Beyond the border from the mountainous north to the west was marked as the Gatehelm Empire, which he explained was a hostile nation. Outside the eastern and southern borders was labeled the Rowey Kingdom, said to be an ally.

(Hmm. From a Feng Shui perspective, it is not particularly ill-omened.)

「Now then, where are these magic beasts appearing?」

「Damages have occurred in all regions, but here, here, and here are currently the hardest hit. In particular, mana pools appear with extreme frequency around this area, leaving it virtually deserted.」

With those words, he indicated several locations.

「Hmm. It appears that even in this world, there exist Kimon and Ura-kimon—the Demon Gates and Rear Demon Gates. The vast majority are concentrated there. ...Hmm? Is there no issue here at Clutchfield?」

She had assumed that location would suffer the greatest devastation, as it lay directly in the Demon Gate's path. Moreover, situated at a river confluence, it was blocked by water on two sides with mountains and forests in the remaining directions; should disaster strike there, escape would be nearly impossible. And yet...

「According to reports from the field, while damage is occurring there currently, they can hold out a while longer using the domain's local troops. Rather, an urgent request for reinforcements arrived from Dawkins over here, as a new mana pool appeared and escalated the damage. We have dispatched subjugation forces to both places several times in the past.」

The spot Barley pointed to was shifted slightly east of the Demon Gate.

(Hmm... strange. Well, no matter; I need only investigate.)

「Now, what is the scale of this map? Also, I would appreciate a magnetic compass to verify the cardinal directions. I shall also require a ruler. Ah, and later will be fine, but bring me a sheet of paper equal in size to this map.」

Though she issued her demands in rapid succession, everything except the paper was brought forth immediately, revealing that they had been prepared in advance. Princess Kana promptly aligned the ruler between the royal capital and Dawkins and began her questioning.

「If we dispatch troops from our current location, how long will it take to reach here?」

「Even if we head out with cavalry alone, it should take roughly three days. If infantry are included, upwards of ten days.」

「As I informed William earlier, I intend to set out as early as tomorrow morning, so please prepare cavalry. What numbers can you mobilize?」

「At present, approximately three hundred horsemen is all we can manage...」

To the commander, considering the scale of the subjugation, it was an impossibly paltry force—especially with the summoned Saintess accompanying them. Yet that was the absolute limit of what they could muster right now. Hearing that disappointing figure, however, Princess Kana accepted it without batting an eye.

「Very well. Make the preparations accordingly. However, twenty of those men will not require horses, as they shall act separately alongside me.」

「To move separately with a mere twenty soldiers... where on earth do you plan on going? And without horses, no less...」

「You shall understand in due time, so worry not.」

(Still, under these circumstances, I would like writing implements. If possible...)

Just as the thought crossed her mind, two portable writing sets (*yatate*) suddenly materialized at Princess Kana's hands. They appeared to be tailored exactly to her silent desire—one for black ink and one for vermilion ink—though she had not the slightest inkling where they had come from.

Puzzled, she looked toward Suou and Kaou, but both merely tilted their heads, leading her to conclude it was not their doing.

(Well, no matter.)

Deciding to ponder the particulars later, she set her ruler against the map and began crafting a massive quantity of bird-shaped paper constructs (*shikigami*), inscribing directions and distances upon them. Fanning out the completed slips with a crisp rustle, she blew her breath across them in a single stroke and commanded:

「By order of the law, posthaste—Search the lands and gather intelligence!」

The moment they left Princess Kana's hands, they burst through the pre-opened window all at once. Wheeling several times in the air like living birds, they flew off toward their respective designated locations.

「They shall return around dusk, so return here at that time.」

The princess's voice bounced playfully against the back of the subjugation commander, who was leaning out the window frame staring at the spectacle in awe.

***

Royal Capital of Wilsol — Undisclosed Location

(This is undoubtedly divine approval! Proof that I alone am fit to be king! After all, the divine Saintess herself disposed of two obstacles for me! It irritates me slightly to think that had the Queen not interfered, all three could have been eliminated, but a half-dead weakling like him can be dealt with easily enough.)

In a room appointed with lavish furnishings, the man raised a solitary toast with a glass of strong liquor, despite it being only broad daylight.

(In the first place, how infuriated I was when that dullard ascended the throne simply by virtue of being the King's son. Though anyone could see he was unfit, those crafty aides and the Queen rallied around him, making even opposition impossible. What was worse, because he sired two sons, my own line of succession was pushed further and further down.)

Recalling his indignation from those days, he slammed down his glass with a heavy *thud!* after draining its contents in one gulp. The burning heat of the liquor passing down his throat washed away his past unpleasant memories. Exhaling deeply, he smirked as he poured another drink.

(However, now there remains only one half-dead prince above me. If I can skillfully remove him and the Queen, I shall be king. To that end, I must find a way to tame that cheeky, fierce Saintess. Well, she is ultimately just a brat with high magic power. She is bound to have plenty of weaknesses. Wealth, gold, or perhaps men? In any case, I need only take my time and deliberate carefully... Still, though,)

As if remembering something, the man withdrew a small note from his jacket pocket. Inscribed upon it was a message demanding the release of those arrested last night on charges of theft.

Grasping it tightly in his palm, he opened his hand to reveal a flare of fire that consumed it to ash in an instant, and with a wave of his hand, the ash vanished into nothingness.

(Even in a time of chaos, having subordinates break into the royal palace to steal is going a bit too far in greed. I treated them generously because they were somewhat useful, but it seems they got ahead of themselves. It might be time to cut them loose. For now, I suppose I should silence those in prison as soon as possible...)

*****

The Prime Minister is sus, but having him as the obvious villain is way too straightforward.

I hope there will be more twists somewhere.

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