So, the Aligot Empire’s people had been divided between those with intense hostility toward me and those with intense devotion. But over seventy years later, most of those who’d lost loved ones were now gone. The living were those raised by the Aligot Empire’s Great Leap Forward, who’d been taught that the empire’s revival was thanks to Goddess Kaoru.
In this world, goddesses weren’t mythical beings; they’d occasionally made appearances, foretold disasters, or destroyed evil nations. They were real entities to be both revered and feared. And compared to Celes, the Goddess Kaoru was known to be relatively gentle, causing minimal collateral damage. It was no wonder there were so many fervent believers...
“Kaoru!”
“Kaoru!”
“Oh, sorry. I got lost in a flashback...”
Oops. I was in the middle of a three-way meeting, with Kyoko participating remotely, and I was reporting on the meeting with Mariel’s subordinates. I couldn’t skip sharing such important information, especially since Kyoko could potentially end the world if she acted recklessly without the full context.
So, we had to make sure Kyoko understood exactly what was going on and to drill into her that if something happened, she was to consult with us before acting alone...for the sake of world peace.
“I am the Goddess Kaoru!”
“Ooooooh!”
I was in the courtyard of a former noble’s capital residence that Mariel’s subordinates had rented out. It was hidden from outside view and muffled most sounds, though they probably heard the dogs howling loud and clear. As promised, I had come to brief the dogs and birds on the situation. Mariel had likely explained the background and plans to them before they left their territory, so my job was to update them on what had happened since and then explain what would come next. Per her subordinates’ request, I was to include a few tweaks to suit my convenience.
The briefing went something like this: I’m Kaoru, the goddess from the legends passed down by Mariel and your ancestors. Like Mariel, I understand animal speech...or rather, I’m the one who gave her that ability. If you’re ever in trouble, feel free to consult me. Mariel seems to want you all to work with her subordinates to protect me, but I’m a goddess, so I’m fine on my own. Think of this as a vacation and just take it easy. I might occasionally ask for help with investigations or intimidation, so please help me out then. You’re welcome to visit for fun, but don’t come in droves and arouse suspicion among the humans. Keep it to a few friendly dogs playfully nuzzling, and make sure to nuzzle other humans too, so I don’t stand out as special. Make sure to keep my goddess status a secret from other humans.
There were only dogs here now, since birds couldn’t understand dog speech. Once the dogs were done, I’d repeat nearly the same talk with the birds...in their own language, of course.
I finished briefing the dogs and birds. When I mentioned I’d be using various disguises, the dogs said, “We’ll know you by scent, so no problem,” and the birds said, “We’ll know you by your aura, so no problem.”
The dogs’ “scent” thing made sense, but what the heck was an “aura”?! Some kind of electromagnetic wave from bioelectric currents, unique to each person? Like, different waveforms or frequencies? And birds could sense them somehow?!
Huff, huff...
Well, I’d heard a theory that carrier pigeons navigated by sensing the Earth’s magnetic field...but I decided not to dwell on it.
The dogs and birds seemed thrilled to meet me and receive their mission. I appreciated the enthusiasm, but it wasn’t as if I were their employer, so I wouldn’t be giving them tons of tasks—only in emergencies. Still, having free access to birds and dogs might come in handy when sending messages and conducting reconnaissance. But doing that would feel like constantly borrowing Mariel’s dogs and birds, so maybe I’d recruit local dogs and birds directly instead...
Oh well, that’s enough for today!
“Um, Lady Ka—Edith, I have a request...”
“Hm? What’s up?”
Back at the inn, Falsetto approached me, looking somewhat nervous.
“I...well... I humbly ask that you bestow upon me a divine sword...”
Ah... She mentioned Francette refused to give her Exgram...
Falsetto had complained that you would’ve expected her to say something like, “Protect the Goddess with this divine sword Exgram in my stead!” and she was right. I couldn’t blame her for grumbling about that, but Francette had received that sword because she’d broken her own while shielding Prince Roland with her life. It was pretty brazen and shameless of Falsetto to demand a divine sword from a goddess without accomplishing anything, and while her own was still in fine shape, to boot. That was probably why she was too embarrassed to speak more directly, but still, she desperately wanted that divine sword.
I get how she feels, but...what to do...?
Even if she’d only inherited a fraction of Francette’s power, a normal sword might not be able to withstand her full strength. And no matter how strong she was, she could get caught off guard if her sword broke mid-battle, like what had happened to Francette. It’d be pretty awful if such a young girl died trying to protect me, especially if it could’ve been avoided if she’d had a decent blade.
Hmm... I guess I have no choice.
“Approved!” I said.
“Huh...? What? WHAAAT?!”
What, she really didn’t think I’d agree? Whatever...
“I grant you a sword worthy of an Einherjar! Come forth, Divine Sword Clai Solas!” I exclaimed, and a sword materialized above my upturned palms.
“Oooh!” Falsetto let out a scream of joy.
Of course she was thrilled; other than her, only the guardian of the continent, the great hero Francette, had received a divine sword in her clan. The four royal guards I’d give Exhrotti to didn’t count, since they weren’t part of Francette’s clan or her descendants.
“It’s a bit different from Francette’s Exgram,” I explained. “Its durability is about the same, so it’ll hold up even if you swing it with full force or use it recklessly. It shouldn’t break even if you strike with the flat side or block at odd angles. It repels blood and grime, and its edge won’t dull even if you neglect it. It doesn’t have the ultrahigh frequency vibration function though. You’d be able to cut through other swords like butter with it, which wouldn’t help your training. Plus, it’d be bad for protecting me...do you know why?”
“Because if an enemy swings their sword at you and I block it with my own, cutting through their blade would send the severed tip flying toward you, and they could still swing with the rest of the weapon in their grip,” she answered.
“Exactly! Well done!”
Yup, breaking the enemy’s sword wasn’t always ideal. Francette was a seasoned swordmaster, so she understood that trait and used it well, parrying with the flat of her blade instead. But Falsetto seemed to lack real combat experience and didn’t fully grasp the vibration function, so...
Wait a minute! Is that why Francette didn’t give her Exgram...?
No, Francette wasn’t that clever! She probably just didn’t want to give up her divine sword. That was definitely it.
“It’s basically the same as the Exhrotti the four former royal guards, the Four Walls, had,” I added.
“Oh! I’ve seen Exhrotti in action! Not with the Four Walls themselves, but wielded by their descendants,” Falsetto said. “They say Exhrotti can cut through an opponent’s blade when wielded by a master... I’ll strive to reach that level!”
Oh... Well, good luck with that.