🐦🐦🐦
A merry feast followed the solemn service. We traveled a gentler path back to the village, and I discovered that the people who had stayed behind had already finished preparing for the festivities. They had laid out mats on the plaza to piece together a giant carpet studded with low tables. A scrumptious selection of food crowded every surface, coupled with plenty of liquor.
The start of the feast was like the flip of a switch—the subdued residents immediately began to sing and dance, erupting into commotion with flushed faces. Since they had been exiled during the era of the previous emperor, the average age on the island was quite high. Yet despite the wear and tear of time, they were filled with energy.
Lord Hiaki was sitting cross-legged beside me and tipping alcohol into his mouth. “This is the only time of year when they get to party without a care in the world,” he explained. “They’re the survivors of the clans who rebelled against Amawashi, and today is the sole day they are permitted to let themselves loose.”
“I see…”
“Aren’t you gonna have any booze, Sai?”
I shook my head. “I have never ingested alcohol, not even sacred sake for religious reasons. In Centoria, eighteen is the minimum legal age to drink.”
“Oh, really? Well then, how about you try some out with me?” He held out his sake cup to me.
I waved my hand to decline. “I shall refrain for now.” I hesitated. “There is a chance that things might get out of hand.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Hm? Do you think I’ll get drunk and start sweet-talking you or something?”
“Th-That is not what I mean!”
He chuckled heartily, seemingly entertained by my reaction. “You’re adorable. This is fun.”
As I returned to sipping my tea, the men of the village gathered before me. They kneeled, bowing deeply toward us.
“You have our most sincere gratitude, Lady Priestess,” one said. “I am sure that the spirits of our ancestors are elated at your participation.”
“Honorable priestess,” another man pressed, “we beg that you continue to show us your compassion in the future.”
I was a little taken aback. “Thank you, but please raise your heads. I really did not do anything that significant…”
“No, no, not at all!” As the man spoke, his speech started to slur somewhat. “That the Wagtail Priestess…is willing to come here! I can’t even overstate how! …Important that is…!”
“Bring on the drinks!” someone else shouted. “We gotta serve the priestess the finest liquor!”
They were clearly drunk, their faces ruddy with inebriation as they closed in on me and tried to convince me to accept a sake cup.
“U-Um,” I stammered, “I am afraid I cannot drink alcohol…”
“Just a tiny sip is enough!” one man ushered. “Yes!”
Panic crept into my heart. “Umm…!”
I didn’t want to escalate the situation by rejecting their goodwill or pour cold water over the celebration. But at the same time, mages had to be cautious about alcohol consumption. If we lost control and accidentally activated our magic, we could end up causing a far more disastrous incident than any drunken hijinks of those without mana.
Since childhood, my parents and grandmother repeatedly drilled into me that the power of the Wagtail Priestess was potent. After all, we could control people with mere magical intonation. Never drink alcohol, they had said. The only alcohol you can drink is the sake you will share with your husband to seal your bond on your wedding day.
“U-Uh…” My mind was in overdrive trying to come up with a way out of my dilemma.
“Oh, please have some! It’s our way of thanking you! Please, my lady!”
My initial impression of the islanders was that they were demure and gentle mannered, but at the moment they were acting spirited and wanton. I didn’t know what to do.
Next to me, Lord Hiaki barked out a loud laugh. “Ha ha ha, you’re so popular, Sai!” He wound his arm around my shoulder and snatched the proffered sake cup. Throwing his head back, he swallowed it all in one big gulp. “Don’t force alcohol on our great priestess, y’all. If it’s good booze, I’ll have it.” Warning was clear in his tone.
The residents immediately quieted in the intimidating presence of the Right Wing.
“Good booze is always better enjoyed by people who like the stuff, don’t you think? Hey, gimme more of this sweet one,” he ordered.
“Y-Yes, my lord! Right away!”
Lord Hiaki turned to me with a wink. He patted me gently on the head before releasing my shoulder.
He really saved me there… As I breathed a sigh of relief, a new group walked up with hesitant steps. It was the island’s women. They didn’t appear drunk, and my anxiety melted away.
“Um, Lady Priestess…” a woman began, “if it is not too much to ask, may we pray to you?”
✦ ✦ ✦
Chapter Seventy-Eight: Distant Ties of Blood
THE women kneeled before me and clasped their hands in supplication.
“Great Wagtail Priestess, I pray that I can at least see my faraway homeland in my dreams…”
“Great Wagtail Priestess, I pray that the pain in my feet will fade away…”
“Great Wagtail Priestess…”
“I pray…”
Piously, they dedicated their prayers to me and confessed the distress of their day-to-day. They spoke of the hardships of life on a barren island and the ache that weighed on their body with age.
I couldn’t do anything—could merely listen patiently to what they had to say while ruing my inability to help them… I was prohibited from healing the residents with my mana as the Wagtail Priestess. One of the reasons was that it would be detrimental if they worshipped me too much, yet the biggest was the possibility that my interference could influence the magical binds on their bodies. The only way I could offer solace was to take each individual’s hand and give them my blessings.
“Ahhh, Lady Priestess…”
I held a pair of hands that were wrinkled from countless years of adversity and pressed them against my forehead. Closing my eyes, I prayed silently. I wasn’t a deity who could answer the pleas of my believers, but I hoped that at least their futures would have as much peace as possible. Please…
Suddenly I realized something. Wait. I can’t use magic, but…I can help in ways that don’t require magic, right?
When the prayers started to taper off, I saw that as an opportunity to speak up. “Um, everyone here. Due to restrictions, I cannot grant all of the wishes you have made. But if there is anything that does not require magic, I want to aid you in any way I can.”
They stared at me in a stupor. “That…does not require magic?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “Well, I have to admit that I do not have much to offer. I can only do menial work and basic medical treatment, but I hope that I can help to alleviate your suffering as much as I can. I have experience working as a maid, so I believe I can provide some assistance with chores.”
I stood up, securing my sleeves with a cord. I located Lord Hiaki, who was enjoying himself at the banquet. “Lord Hiaki, may I help with minor tasks like this?”
The general was chugging directly from a sake jar. He paused, appraising me with a half-fond, half-exasperated smile. “Well, if you stay here, you’ll have to deal with all these pesky drunkards, so yeah, go ahead. It’ll help me breathe a sigh of relief.”
“Thank you.” I turned back to the group of women. They were still kneeling statue-like on the ground, their eyes wide. “Okay then, shall we start by adjusting the stove in the communal kitchen? You mentioned you were having trouble with lighting the fire recently. Please show me the way.”