“I haven’t been told…”
“You should know. Keila Magma-dono told you.”
“…!!” This conversation with Seto was a succession of surprises. Just like most religions, there were bans on sexual relations for clergy. Keila was a leader of nuns and had authority equal to Gorba’s. Airi officially belonged to a convent, and even Gorba or Gaira could not register her marriage without Keila’s permission. Even if the council tried to keep the identity of the betrothed a private matter, they would have to tell Keila. And the nuns were far more moderate than the hard-liner priests.
“I have a pretty good idea who it is,” Seto said. “But I need confirmation.”
Airi had no idea how Seto agonized over saying those words. Or that those words…and simply the act of meeting Seto would change her fate.
“Why do you want to know?”
“Why does the council want to keep it a secret? The planning should be quite advanced by now. A marriage for someone like you should’ve been announced much sooner.” Seto gave voice to questions that Airi had mulled over as well.
“Talking with foreigners about this, no matter what the council’s intent may be…” Airi noticed even as she said those words that she was suspicious of the council. She sided with Airai over Seto, but she had no idea if that was really the right thing to do. That was how bewildered she felt.
Sensing her feelings, Seto continued, “You’re well aware that Airai was more encouraging of missionary activities than other countries. And that Jurai has the freedom to practice any religion.”
“But Airain…or other religions have not spread on Jurai. Jurai has the Royal Trees as their god.”
“There were many religions at the time of Jurai’s founding. We were a multicultural nation. But over the years, they settled on the Royal Trees as their god. But a lot of religious customs remain, along with the names of their gods. It’s just that they all point to the Royal Trees.”
Airi realized here that Seto knew that she wanted Tsunami, the progenitor.
Seto nodded as Airi turned towards her, “That’s why a lot of people want to get a hold of a Royal Tree. Heh, most for military purposes.”
Airi burst out laughing because “military” was a term far from the Funaho she knew.
“Heh, they don’t like combat. And we don’t want to make them fight, as much as we can. But Funaho, a First Generation Tree, can destroy an entire country on her own.”
“How is that possible?!”
“Calculating back from the power of each generation, Tsunami is tremendously powerful. It would be easy to destroy the entire galaxy. A god indeed.”
“What is Jurai trying to do with such power?” Airi felt fear toward the Royal Trees.
Seto shrugged, “Nothing. They’re our friends, not our servants.” “Yosho-kun told me that the first Emperor of Jurai became friends with Tsunami.”
“Yes. With that ring, you should be familiar with what they’re like.” “Yes…” Hearing her words and remembering the Funaho puppies, the fear she just felt melted away. No matter how dangerous the weapons may be, there was nothing to fear with the knowledge that they would never be turned on people. “But…”
Seto continued in a frosty voice, “What would a Royal Tree do to someone who tried to coerce them?”
“Well…”
“How would you react, if it were you, Airi-dono?”
Airi was aghast. “I should’ve realized… If Tsunami-sama could destroy the universe, it would be simple for her to crush a country.” The image of her home world being destroyed crossed her mind, and she shivered, understanding why Seto brought this up. “Does this have to do with my marriage?”
Seto nodded, “You know Amaki Kasen. It was the Imperial Amaki House who adopted him when he was an orphan. Nobody knows who his real parents are. But I bet we’ll find out shortly after you get married.”
“My betrothed is…”
“Have you heard of the Lufins?” Airi opened her eyes wide. She did not expect that name to come up. And Seto, seeing her reaction, knew she was right. “Kasen is supposed to marry the third daughter of the Imperial Amaki House. Then the Magmas and the Imperial Amaki House will be distant relatives.”
No further explanation was necessary. Once a connection between the Magmas and the Imperial Amaki House was established, the Imperial Amaki House would support the missionary activities of Airain. And if a future Emperor came from the Imperial Amaki House…
“Marriage with people outside Jurai is difficult. But there are no rules for marriages within the clan. That’s what they took advantage of.”
Once externally substantiated, it became an internal matter. Seto could crush Kasen’s marriage. But she could do nothing about Airi’s problem. Now that she knew the truth, the umpteenth tear of the day ran down Airi’s cheek. She mumbled, “They’re so foolish. No, I feel sorry for them. They don’t realize that they’re locked in a cage called Airain. They even treat God like an object…”
The foolishness of trying to take hold of God, Tsunami, through force was pitiful.
But that council was going to decide Airai’s fate. Airi was smart and could imagine her future. If Seto ruined Kasen’s marriage, Airi’s marriage would lose its meaning. It was her wedding that had value to the council. If she were simply the daughter of an authority figure, she would no longer be useful. But since she was descended from the holy leader, the only path remaining to her was to be a puppet just like her father.
The council knew that Airi made contact with Seto at the Washu Memorial Hall. They might not know about this meeting, but they would cast suspicions that Airi leaked the information. She would be confined, only brought out to deliver a prepared performance when needed, or used for some other purpose… In any case, her life would not be a happy one.