/
—What a beautiful soul.
The moment she heard that voice, Bianca stood up.
(No way…! That was the voice of a spirit, wasn’t it…!?) (Bianca)
That voice wasn’t the same as the other ones. It was a noble and elegant voice, like the voice of a woman.
“Neh-sama, that voice, right now—wait, your hand, is–!” – Said Leo, as he tried to bring the little princess’ attention to her own bandaged hand.
However, Bianca wasn’t paying attention to anything around her anymore–
“Follow me, Leonora! I’m sure that voice came from over there! And it’s probably the Lady of the Lake!” – Said Bianca, as she started walking in the direction of the mysterious voice she heard earlier.
–The little princess was so excited to finally be of use to something, that she even forgot about her tired legs and just kept walking forward–
“!!!!!!”
“!!!!!!”
–Until she reached her objective: a clearing with a beautiful lake in the center.
Leo and Bianca were quite stunned by that sight, after all, this place was leagues above the gloomy forest behind them.
The surface of the lake was like a delicate mirror; it was reflecting the light of the sun and enveloping the whole place in an almost holy light.
Without a doubt, this was the home of the Lady of the Lake.
“What a beautiful place… . ” (Bianca)
“Un… . ” (Leo)
Even though Bianca didn’t know why the Lady of the Lake was so angry, she still wanted to apologize to her on behalf of the other students who, somehow, evoked the wrath of the spirits living in the forest. So, with her little sister in tow, Bianca pressed forth towards the shore.
Once they reached the shore, Bianca took a deep breath, and said–
“–My name is Bianca von Weizsäcker and I’m the representative of the students who stepped into your domain. Please, reveal yourself to me, O Lady of the Lake.”
However, right after she said that, Bianca realized that she had made a mistake.
According to what Gustav had taught them, the spirits would only speak with you, if you spoke to them in Elandic, which wasn’t Bianca’s area of expertise, so she glanced to the side. When it came to Elandic, Leonora was much more fluent in that idiom than her, so she decided it’d best to ask for help.
“Hey, hmm, Leonora… could I ask you to, please, translate my words to the Lady of the Lake? I’m not that good at speaking in Elandic, so… can you please help me?”
“I can, but… I don’t know, if I’ll be, able to, translate everything. Is that, okay with you, Neh-sama?”
“It’s okay. I just want to apologize for what happened back at the camp. Besides, apologizing in Elandic is better than apologizing in Weiz anyway.”
Apologizing in Elandic was, without a doubt, the right decision, but giving that job to Leo was, unfortunately, another mistake on Bianca’s part, since he was more worried about getting the Lady of the Lake’s blessing, than the apology itself.
“Well then, let’s restart. My name is Bianca von Weizsäcker and I’m the representative of the students who stepped into your domain. And the one standing by my side is Leonora von Harkenberg, my best friend. Please, reveal yourself to us, O Lady of the Lake.”
After she finished her part, Bianca looked to the side, prompting her little sister–or rather, Leo, to repeat exactly what she just said–
[Good day to you, M’lady. This girl here is Bianca von Weizsäcker, the representative of the people who stepped into your domain. And I’m Leonora von Harkenberg, her best friend–oh, by the way, my hobby is counting copper coins. Please, could you reveal your ethereal beauty to us, O Lady of the Lake.]
–However, instead of just repeating what she said, Leo decided to add a lot of things to her introduction, just to give a good impression of them to the Lady of the Lake–
(Breaking the ice is the basic of every negotiation!)
–But Bianca didn’t even notice a thing, since she wasn’t fluent in Elandic.
There was a moment of silence right after Leo said that, but the lake soon started showing signs that the master of the place had head them.
The water around the center of the lake started rising, forming a giant water pillar that overtook the clouds… and from within that giant pillar, came out a woman.
( Tl/n: I’m not sure if that’s really her, but the depiction fits perfectly, so I’ll use it. BTW, this is the cover of the fourth book.)
Her figure was nothing short of perfection. She was wearing a light blue dress that enhanced her purity, her eyes were as blue as the sky itself and her hair was as pale as the moonlight that illuminated the darkest of nights.
Without a doubt, she was Carnelian … the Lady of the Lake .
It was the second time that she witnessed something like this, however, the little princess couldn’t help but stare at the Great Spirit of Water in pure awe… and fear.
Carnelian’s holy aura was overwhelming Bianca–
—To what do I owe this sudden visit from you two?
–Not to mention that she was speaking directly to their brains, which made the little princess feel even more overwhelmed, after all, she could still understand what the Lady of the Lake was saying, even though she was clearly speaking in an unknown tongue.
“F-forgiveness… w-we’re here to beg for your forgiveness.” – Said Bianca, in a shaky tone.
Her legs were almost giving up from the fear… however, that wasn’t the case for the little girl standing next to her–
[We’re here to beg for your blessing, M’lady!]
–Leo was clearly not bothered by Carnelian’s holy aura. At all. So, instead of cowering in fear, he used that opportunity to start the negotiations behind Bianca’s back.
—What…?
Carnelian was genuinely confused. She wasn’t expecting to hear such a shameless request. But because of Bianca’s current mental state, she thought that the Goddess standing in front of her was probably angry because of her request. So she kneeled down in a hurry to show that she was being submissive–
“I-I know I’m probably being rude, b-but please, could you at least spare the lives of the other students? I-I promise that they won’t do anything to anger you again.”
–Which Leo quickly followed suit.
[I know we can make this deal work, so how about I give you some gold coins in exchange for your blessing? …No? Then maybe I can convert some believers for you? Well, if that isn’t enough, then maybe I can do both… if you want, of course.]
To Leo, giving money and believers to the other party was better than just a promise, so he did his best to tickle Carnelian’s heart with her innermost desires–
—Enough with that. Those sweet words will not work on me, child. Just tell me what is your objective in coming here.
–However, that didn’t work. She was a much tougher opponent than Leo expected. But Bianca didn’t know what was going on, so she joined her hands in a praying stance and begged again.
“P-please, I’m begging you! Spare the lives of the other students! They didn’t know what they were doing!”
[Our people are suffering from the water shortage! The poor can barely even buy food! So please, help us stabilize the market!]
At this point, Leo had already stopped translating what Bianca was saying. He was just blurting out his own desires, like that was the most normal thing to do in front of a God. However, instead of getting angry, Carnelian let out a hearty laugh.
—Alright then. Those strong emotions are what I love about your kind, so I do not mind granting those kinds of wishes.
When they heard that, Leo and Bianca quickly glanced at each-other with happy smiles on their faces… however, Carnelian wasn’t over yet.
—However, you have to understand that I shall not grant that wish for free. My condition is that you must say my real name, if you want my help.
That’s the moment that Leo was waiting for. He already knew her name, so that test was a piece of cake for him. But before he could say anything, Carnelian raised her right arm with a mean smile–
—But first, you have to survive the baptism of the lake!
–When she swung down her arm, the entire lake engulfed the two of them.
“Mmmmm!!!” – Screamed Bianca, as she desperately tried hold onto something.
However, the water current that Carnelian summoned was too strong, so she soon found herself being dragged by that raging current.
On the other hand though–
(What is this water!? This is so good! It’s better than anything I’ve ever drank before! A rich noble would probably pay a lot of gold just have a sip of this!)
–Leo was just calmly appraising the water, like there was nothing happening.
The raging currents kept dragging the two towards the center of the lake, where a giant whirlpool was waiting for them.
When he saw that, Leo finally started to panic. He was fairly good at swimming, so he did his best to get away from it… but that was to no avail.
The two of them were being dragged to the bottom of the lake and they couldn’t do anything about that.
On the edge of her line of sight, Bianca could see that her little sister was also struggling against the current. The little princess wanted to help Leonora, so she tried to grab her arm… but she couldn’t reach her. She was powerless. She couldn’t do anything. It was so frustrating, that she almost started crying.
However, at that time–
—Well, well, look at what we have here. It seems like the First Princess of the Empire can’t even help a friend.
–Bianca heard Natalia’s voice.
(N-Natalia Nee-sama!?)
She tried to look for the voice’s owner… but she was alone. There was just void all around her.
However, as if not caring about her distress, another voice spoke up.
—I’m sorry, Bianca… but I guess you’ll remain in my shadow for the rest of your life, after all, you’re the most useless princess of all time.
The owner of that voice was Albert, but, contrary to his bright tone, the words he spoke were really cruel.
(No…! Onii-sama would never say something like that!)
From then on, the voices only became worse.
Gustav made fun of her in front of everyone.
Oscar laughed at her inability of making friends.
They were staring at her with those fake smiles… again.
—Ha! You call that a princess?
They were throwing fake compliments at her… again.
—She’s so useless compared to her brother.
Everything was fake.
(No! Stop! Don’t say that!)
Even though she was trying to be more useful, no one really cared about her.
Even though she was doing her best, no one paid attention to her
—Are you really doing your best?
(I am!)
—Really? Because, to me, it seems like you’re just jealous of her .
(I’m not jealous!)
—Then why aren’t you trying to help her ?
When she heard that, Bianca finally realized that those cruel voices were, in fact, her own voice. She was the one torturing herself.
However, soon after she came back to her senses, the little princess noticed that she couldn’t breathe–
“Mmmmm!!!”
–So she reached out towards the surface of the lake… only to see her own bandaged hand. Leonora was the one who did that. She used her own clothes to bandage Bianca’s hand.
—I got, a lot of things, from Bianca-sama.
This time, the little girl’s beautiful voice echoed in her head. Her voice was warm and kind, like a mother’s hug.
—I also like, your hair, and your smile, Bianca-sama.
Leonora was the only friend who ever treated her like a person, instead of just a princess. Yes, Bianca was no match to her, but just because she was royalty, it didn’t mean she had to be better than Leonora. Everyone had their own weaknesses and strengths… Bianca just had to find hers.
(That’s right! I made a promise with her—!)
As the little princess emerged from the lake, she gasped loudly for air—
“—And I don’t plan on going back on my word anytime soon! So don’t you dare think you can break my resolve with mere water!”
—And shouted that. However, as if to throw a bucket of cold water over her heated statement–
“Shut up!”
–A captivating manly voice echoed throughout the place.
(No way… that voice-!?)
Bianca quickly turned to the side and saw Gustav standing by the lakeshore. His clothes were disheveled and he was glistening with sweat, which was a sign that he ran all the way here.
[In the name of Gustav Schneider, the Holy Knight, I beg thee, O spirit of the lake, please, release those innocent girls!]
The little princess couldn’t understand a word of what Gustav was saying, but she knew it was probably Elandic, after all, as soon as he said that, her body started floating towards the shore.
(Haaah∼, we’re saved…)
Bianca was relieved.
With Gustav here, now they would be able to go back to the camp… or so she thought.
When Bianca turned around to look for Leonora, the little girl was still floating above the lake, instead of being sent to the shore with her.
“Leonora…!”
However, there was something odd about her. She wasn’t struggling… it was like she was in a trance.
Leonora then extended her right hand forward, as if to grab something, and said–
“–Kar… sama…… . ”
“!!!!!!”
At that moment, Bianca realized that she wasn’t the only one who was having those hallucinations. Just like her, Leonora was also hearing those cruel voices.
“She’s * … calling me… . ” ( *Tl/n: The original was, it’s calling me = the voice is calling me, so I changed it to she’s calling me, since it makes more sense in English.)
“No! Don’t listen to those voices, Leonora! They’re just hallucinations!”
“She’s… by my side… . ” ( Tl/n: Same thing.)
“Be strong, Leonora von Harkenberg! I know you can fight back!”
“Please, Leonora, don’t listen to those voices!”
Bianca and Gustav were desperate. Of all things, the lake was showing Leonora an illusion of her own deceased mother.
Gustav even thought about jumping into the lake to go save her, but breaking the ritual of baptism was too dangerous; there was nothing that they could do.
“We’ll be together… forever… . ”
And as she said those words, Leonora’s body sunk back into the lake.
Leo was in ecstasy.
Everything around him was shining in a golden color and he could smell the fragrant scent of money drifting in the air.
(Kar-sama…!)
It was like a dream come true. Every time Leo stretched his arm forward to grab a coin, another one would appear on the same place, which gradually formed piles and piles of gold coins around him.
(It’s calling me… my Kar-sama is calling me!)
It was just a normal gold coin floating in the air, but Leo couldn’t resist the temptation to grab it. So he decided to answer it’s calling in the best way possible… by grabbing even more coins.
(I’ll take every single one of you home with me! And then we’ll be together forever!)
Leo was swimming in money.
That was everything he ever wished for.
Unlike a certain prince, whoever gave Leo that infinite coin really knew how to make him happy, after all, just one mere gold coin wasn’t enough for him.
But then, out of nowhere–
—What are you doing…?
–Leo heard a voice.
(Wha-!? W-who is it!? W-where are you!?)
Leo was having a good time being surrounded by all of those gold coins, so he got a bit startled when he suddenly heard that voice in his head. He even wondered if he was having hallucinations, since there was no one around. However, before he could ask another question, the voice spoke again.
—Just who is this child…?
There was a hint of amazement in the voice’s tone, like it couldn’t believe what was happening.
The space in front of Leo then began to distort, like a giant ripple in the surface of a still lake, and then a beautiful woman appeared.
(Oh, so that was Car-sama’s voice…!)
—Car-sama…? Are you referring to me, child?
(Ah, I-I’m sorry! That was disrespectful of me! I shouldn’t have used your nickname there, Carnelian-sama!)
The other party was the Great Spirit of Water, so Leo apologized in a hurry, after all, he didn’t want to sound disrespectful. However, soon after he “said” that, he noticed that there was something weird going on.
(Wait, what? I-I’m not saying anything, but you can still hear me?)
Leo tried to use his mouth, but he couldn’t say anything. It was like he had lost his voice. He even panicked a bit. However, his attention was brought back to Carnelian, when he heard her chuckling.
—Silly child, have you not noticed that you are in my domain? At the bottom of my lake? There is no need to use your mouth here. You can speak with just your thoughts, which is a good thing, if you ask me.
Apparently, this place was located at the bottom of the lake, which was suposed to be filled water… but, for some reason, Leo could still breathe normally.
Leo was genuinely intrigued by this. He wasn’t drowning, like anyone normally would. However, he couldn’t find any room to ask Carnelian how this was possible, after all, the spirit wasn’t over yet.
—That way, you will be able to speak freely, without the need of butchering the beautiful Elandian tongue with your slang.
After she finished her sentence, Carnelian sat down in a transparent throne made of water, then she elegantly crossed her legs. ( Tl/n: Something like THIS… maybe.)
(Oh, is that so? Thank you then, that’s a lot more convenient—!)
Leo was more than glad that he didn’t have to speak in Elandic all the time, after all, it was a lot easier to negotiate in the common tongue. However, he forgot a slight detail—
(—Now I can focus on negotiating for her blessing!)
—The fact that he was speaking with his thoughts.
—Humph, it seems like you finally let your real intentions slip through.
(!!!!!!)
Leo wasn’t used to this way of speaking, so he let some of his greedy thoughts slip through… which was the worst thing that could’ve happened right now. According to what Gustav told him, spirits don’t like greedy people, so he had to apologize quickly, otherwise, he’d compromise the entire mission.
(I-I’m really, really sorry! I was so glad that didn’t have to speak in Elandic, that I let some of my thoughts slip through! Besides, it’s not everyday that I can experience such a wonderful baptism in your lake! Ah, right, can I bring these coins with me? Ah, no, that’s not it, let’s move to the main subject! The thing is, we need your blessing to–)
—Can you stop for a moment?
(–Eh…? Hmm, w-was I speaking too fast…?)
—This is not a matter of you speaking too fast, child. I just do not wish to hear such a half baked apology. Besides, you are slightly dumb, so it is better for you to remain silent, if do not wish spill any more of your real intentions. – Said Carnelian, as she leaned to the side and rested her head on one of her hands; there was a hint of irritation in her voice.
(I didn’t mean to make you angry, Carnelian-sama! I was just-!)
—There is no need for you to explain yourself, child. You already failed your baptism… you are too greedy. Well, normally, your soul would have been eaten by now… but that is not the case, is it? There is something intervening with my spirits, which is rather intriguing. That is why I want to know why are you still alive and why do you know my real name?
When he heard that, Leo couldn’t help but stare at Carnelian in fright–
“He–Mmmmm!!!”
–He even tried to scream for help, but he almost drowned while doing that.
Well, Leo could still breathe normally through his nose, so everything was okay… aside from the fact that if he tried to use his mouth to speak he’d swallow a lot of water. But he wouldn’t give up. He still had hope.
However, all that hope disappeared instantly when his coins started to vanish one by one, like they were never there in the first place.
(No! My coins are vanishing! They’re dying! Help! Someone, help them!)
—That is why I said you had failed your baptism… your are too greedy, child. But it is good to see that my spirits are still trying to kill you. Fufu, be careful not to drown.
When he heard that, Leo clasped his mouth shut with one of his hands. There were tears in his eyes. He was scared–no, frightened. If Leo messed up, this place would be his grave. However, he couldn’t give up now, not while he was this close to completing his main objective.
(W-why are doing this to me, Car-sama–no, Carnelian-sama? All I wanted was for you to accept me. I just wanted your blessing to-)
—Ha! You jest! As if I would give my blessing to someone as corrupted by greed as you. But, well, I would not mind giving my blessing to that other child. I believe her name was Bianca, am I wrong?
Leo was cut off. Carnelian didn’t want to hear what he had to say in his defense. She just wanted an answer to her previous questions, so she leaned forward in her throne and grabbed his cheeks with one hand, before continuing the interrogation.
—Now you will answer my questions. Tell me why are you still alive and why do you know my real name?
(E-even I don’t know why I’m still alive, okay!? But if it is about your name, then I just asked Chris and she told me!)
Leo was just telling the truth because he didn’t want to die… but mentioning Chris’s name was more effective than he thought.
—Huh!? C-Chris was the one who told you my real name!?
And just like that, Carnelian released him, before leaning back into her throne. However, she wasn’t nearly as angry as Leo thought she’d be. Far from that. She was just sulking… like a little kid.
—Humph! As if abandoning me was not enough, she also told my real name to one of her friends…!
(…Eh…?)
Leo was confused. Carnelian’s change of personality was so sudden, that he thought she had hit her head when she leaned back into the throne.
(Hmm, a-are you alright, Carnelian-sama…?)
Carnelian was the Great Spirit of Water. A being so powerful, that she was even regarded as a Goddess. But to Leo, who only believed in the Great Spirit of Coins, she was just like any other person.
Well, yes, Carnelian was really angry at first. Angry enough to even scare Leo. But now, she was acting like a sulking child, and Leo had enough experience in that area to deal with her, so he calmly analyzed the situation.
(I see, so it’s like that. The only one allowed to call you by your name is Chris, but not only she abandoned you, she also revealed one of your secrets.)
Leo was often the mediator when the girls of the orphanage argued, so he knew how to solve things. Specially when one of them was as proud as Carnelian and the other one was as easygoing as Chris.
The best thing to do in cases like this, was to make the proud one open up and share her insecurities. However, Leo already knew most of Carnelian’s insecurities, so he just had to push forward.
(You know, Carnelian-sama, Chris was really sad when we were talking about you. I’m sure she also misses you a lot.)
—S-she does…? Are you sure?
(Yes, I’m sure. Chris was being persecuted by the citizens, so why else would she part ways with you, if not to protect you? She’s even trying to improve her skills as a baker, just to shut the mouth of the people who said bad things about your taste in bread.)
That was obviously a lie. Chris became a full-time baker because she wanted to get back at the people who said her bread was disgusting. However, Leo couldn’t just tell Carnelian the truth. It would ruin their friendship forever.
—So… she did all of that… just for me?
Every spirit was a bit eccentric, in their own weird way. But they never hid their true intentions behind masks, like humans did; they were always true to themselves.
However, that was also their weakness.
Carnelian was really fierce when she was angry, but she’d also become really meek when she was calm, which made Leo remember one of his soul sisters. Sometimes, she could be a handful to deal with, but she was a good girl… just like Carnelian.
(I know losing Chris must’ve been rather shocking to you, but that’s not enough motive to make everyone suffer from water shortage. Look, I’m not trying to say that your anger isn’t justified, however, you’re the older one, right?)
—Y-yes… I am 2000 years old… .
Right now, Leo looked exactly like an older brother scolding his younger sister for being a naughty girl. He may have lost his manhood, but his roots were still intact.
(See? Chris is just a child, if we compare the two of you. You’re like her older sister. That’s why you have to be the mature one and forgive her, don’t you think?)
—I… guess you are right… .
(However, at this rate, Chris will end up blaming herself for the water shortage… and I know you don’t want that. She already feeling down because she can’t be with you, so don’t you think that helping the people, like you used to, is the least you could do? That way, you can make up with her and lift a weight off her shoulders–)
Leo was waiting for a moment like this since the beginning. Carnelian wanted to make up with Chris, so he used that as pretext to have her help in solving the water shortage.
(–But, well, I know that’s not possible for you right now. Chris also told me you were becoming weak from the lack of prayers. So that’s why I made this for you.) – Said Leo, as he pulled the magic crest out of his breast pocket.
—What is that… thing?
(Oh, this? Fufu, this is something that all water spirits have been waiting for! This is a magic crest that’ll help you send water to the world of men!)
(Fufu, this is something that all water spirits have been waiting for! This is a magic crest that’ll help you send water to the world of men–!) – Said Leo, in an excited tone; there was a huge smile plastered across his face.
However, he wasn’t over yet. Above all else, Leo was a salesman… and he still had to appeal to everything his product could do.
(–And I can guarantee you that this is an outstanding product! You just have to leave it at the bottom of your lake and then it’ll do all the heavy work for you, like sending water to other places! But that’s not everything, Carnelian-sama! This magic crest is also a limited edition product! There’s only one of it in the market! It even has your name written on it! And that’s exactly why I–no, we , need your blessing! Without it, the crest won’t work in it’s full potential!)
Leo was trying to imply that Carnelian wouldn’t lose anything if she accepted this deal, however, she couldn’t just trust someone as greedy as Leo. A deal like this was too good to be true, so she approached the crest to see if she could find anything suspicious about it, just let out a surprised voice a moment later.
—I have no words to describe this magic crest… it is really well made. I can not believe that a human child managed to create something like this… .
(Huh…?)
Leo was quite taken aback by Carnelian’s sincere praise. He thought he’d have to try even harder if he wanted to impress her, but that didn’t seem to be the case. That’s just how good of a product the magic crest was… and it was all thanks to Albert.
—I do not know much about sorcery* , but this scarlet crest is much more than just beautiful… the full cycle is engraved on it. We give water to the humans and they receive it, which becomes gratitude. The gratitude become prayers. The prayers turn into light. That light reaches the heavens and turn into rain. And then, that water returns to the lake, making it even more beautiful. – Said Carnelian, as she traced the surface of the magic crest with her fingers.
( *Tl/n: Magic power based sorcery, but I shortened it to just sorcery… it’s easier to write.)
However, she wasn’t the only one impressed by the sheer complexity of the crest–
(Wow! Albert created that!?)
–Leo was also really impressed. Self sustainability was a complex concept, but if applied right, it could leverage the economy of any Kingdom, which showed just how far ahead Albert had planed things.
This wasn’t a deal anymore… this was a win-win situation. And the one who made it possible was none other than Albert himself, so Leo couldn’t help but think that he was really awesome.
—Albert? Who is that person? I thought you were the one who created this magic crest… .
(Ah, no, I’m not that great of a mage to make a magic crest like this one. The First Prince of this country was the one who made everything. Oh, except the middle part though, that was me.)
Leo was many things, but not a liar. He wouldn’t claim someone else’s merit, even if it meant he’d make a lot more money.
—I see… no wonder you survived.
(Eh? W-what do you-?)
—This crest was made out of dragon blood, so it repels any outside interference. That is why you survived. Since you had this on you the whole time, none of my spirits managed to end you. But even though it is made out of dragon blood, I still want to keep it.
(What!? Really!?)
Apparently, the crest that Albert made was protecting Leo from the nearby spirits, which meant that the prince wasn’t just a money hungry beast, he was also a guardian–no, not just a guardian… he was Leo’s guardian–
(–But that’s a pity though. If his personality wasn’t that warped, I think we’d probably be good friends. Not to mention that I don’t even if he’s really a good guy.)
—Are you not being a little bit too mean to him right now? He even protected you… .
Carnelian was right. Doubting someone who went out of their way just to protect you, was, indeed, a little bit too mean. However, that wasn’t the biggest problem right now. Leo had just realized something really important.
(Hmm, that, what is gonna happen to me if I give you the magic crest?)
As soon as she heard his question, Carnelian looked at Leo with the brightest smile she could muster, before saying–
—You will die.
(Eeeeeeeh!?)
—What? Why are you that surprised? Not only you failed your baptism, but you also know my name, so I can not let you leave this place… well, at least not alive. That is why you should take that thing with you, while you still can, and go home. – Said Carnelian, as she pointed towards the surface of the lake.
(I-I know I failed the baptism, but I’m still alive, right!? So shouldn’t you at least reconsi-!)
—I am not going to reconsider anything, child. You are only alive because the prince protected you, not because you passed your test. Well, I still want that crest… but I will make an exception for you this time. If you leave my domain, I promise my spirits will not chase after you.
(B-but didn’t you say: I do not mind granting those kinds of wishes!? Then why are you sending me home!?)
— If you survived your baptism. But that is not the case. So? What are you going to chose? Will you stay here, or will you return to the surface?
(Kuh…! I-I know you’re right, but-!)
—Look child, I only bothered talking with you because I felt the spirit of light… and because I love cute things. You are really, really cute… but you are a bit too crude for my tastes. You talk like a man and I detest that, so even if you passed your test, I would probably still reject you. With that settled, this conversation is now over! Shoo, shoo! Go home!
(Y-you’re rejecting me just because of that!?)
Unexpected . That’s all Leo could think of. Who would’ve thought Carnelian disliked men that much. Leo even thought about speaking like a girl just to make her acknowledge him… but it was already too late.
Now, faced with just two options, Leo had to chose between forfeiting his life in order to complete his mission, or forfeiting the mission in order to live.
Well, the right answer was obviously the latter. And Leo knew that. However, he couldn’t simply run away.
Leo was so close to completing his mission, that the first option almost seemed worth it. He just had to cut the extra line on the magic crest, and then it would activate–
(Khh…!)
–But Leo couldn’t do it… he was afraid. If he really did that, he wouldn’t be able to see his friends ever again. However, while he was pondering on what to do–
[In the name of Gustav Schneider, the Holy Knight, I beg thee, Carnelian, the Great Spirit of Water and Lady of the Lake, please, show yourself to me and release that innocent girl you are holding captive!]
–Leo heard Gustav’s voice coming from the surface.
(Sensei! So he came to save me! Hey, did you hear that, Carnelian-sama!? Gustav-sensei called you, so you should answer him!) – Said Leo, with a beaming smile.
His hopes and dreams were reignited when he heard the priest’s voice. With Gustav now here, everything would be okay. He would certainly find a way to save Leo.
However, Carnelian wasn’t of the same sentiment.
—Humph! Even if he is Chris’s little brother, he is still a man! There is nothing cute about him, so I refuse to go!
(You’re refusing him just because he’s a man!? Isn’t he one of your Holy Knights !?)
When Chris told him that Carnelian would only make a contract with someone she liked, Leo thought the second condition would be relatively easy to achieve… but he couldn’t be more wrong. After all, even though Gustav was still calling her name, Carnelian didn’t move a muscle.
—Iyada∼ * ! I don’t like burly men! Stop calling me!
(You’re too picky, you know that!?)
( *Tl/n: To those who don’t know, Iyada can be translated to I don’t want to or No way in hell , but I chose to leave it in JP because it’s cute.)
Like always, Carnelian’s sudden change of personality was… amazing, to say the least. One moment, she was acting like a dignified Goddess, on the other, she was like a little kid throwing a tantrum. Even Leo was having problems dealing with her.
—I-I am not picky, okay!? I already told you I would not mind giving my blessing to that other child named Bianca. She is cute and refined, just the way I like it.
(Huh…? So you weren’t saying that just to tease me?)
True, Bianca was really cute and refined, but knowing that Carnelian preferred her was still a shock to Leo, after all, Leena’s body was even cuter.
—How rude, I always tell the truth! Besides, she is so delicate and her blonde hair is so beautiful, that I almost could not hold myself back! Oh, but that is not all, she also has a dark past, which is a welcome plus! Ahh∼, and the way she was crying∼! I can not forget that beautiful sad face!
(Wait, so you’re an S !?)
Another unexpected side of her popped up out of nowhere.
At this point, Leo wasn’t even surprised anymore. He just accepted that as one of Carnelian’s many weird quirks.
—Not at all. She is a proud noble lady, so I bet it would feel really good to be ordered around by her. – Said Carnelian, with a straight face.
(Ah, great! So you were an M !)
Well, Carnelian was 2000 years old, so it was normal for someone of her age to have a lot of kinks… or at least, that’s what Leo told himself before running away from reality.
(Ha… hahaha… haaah∼, the world is wider than I thought, huh…?)
Now, the first option didn’t seem to be as reckless anymore, after all, Leo would do anything just to get away from this perverted spirit.
However, as he reached down to cut the extra line on the crest–
[Carnelian, return my best friend!!!]
–A beautiful and dignified voice echoed throughout Carnelian’s divine realm.