Book 5: Volume 3 Chapter 4, Sacred Land

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

Mia, who had used a portal from Little Amamiya Tower to travel to the connecting space linked to Amamiya Tower, heard Mikage, who was accompanying her, softly said.

 

“…I always thought this space was really mysterious.”

 

Mikage was quiet when others were around, but she often spoke to Mia when they were alone. Since they had no plans to go to the lower floors today, none of Kousuke’s dependents had accompanied them.

 

Hearing Mikage’s words, Mia took another look around her current location. The area surrounded by white walls felt more like a ‘space,’ as Mikage had said, than a traditional room. It was not particularly large. Just two portals lined up next to each other. But conversely, it was far too spacious for just two portals.

 

Moreover, the number of people using this portal was so small it could be counted on both hands.

 

At first, Mia had been puzzled, but after using the place repeatedly, she had grown accustomed to it. Looking at the space again with fresh eyes, however, she began to wonder what kind of place it truly was.

 

“That’s right… Shall we investigate a bit?” Realizing that Mikage seemed interested, Mia suggested to her.

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“There’s still some time before dinner, so it’s fine.”

 

As Mia spoke, Mikage’s expression softened slightly. The corner of her mouth lifting in what might have been a smile. At first, Mikage had seemed utterly expressionless, but after spending time with Mia, she had begun to show her own emotions. The change just now was almost imperceptible to others, but Mia could clearly see it.

 

Thinking that it would be good to do something for Mikage once in a while, Mia decided to investigate this space properly.

 

Taking advantage of the fact that no one else was around, they split up to examine the space, but nothing in particular turned up.

 

“…No good. Mikage, who had already finished examining the room, approached and nodded in response to Mia’s muttering.

 

The walls, made of unknown material, had no visible seams. Since there were no entrances or exits to this space, it must have been completely sealed. Considering that further investigation would reveal nothing new, Mia gave up and decided to return to Amamiya Tower.

 

“Let’s go back. I think it would be quicker to ask Father.”

 

“Are you going to ask?”

 

“Yes. I was originally planning to, but I got so engrossed in maintenance that I completely forgot. Since I’ve come this far, I’ll ask him when I get back.”

 

Mikage nodded slightly in agreement.

 

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After returning to the Management Floor of Amamiya Tower, Mia asked Kousuke about the space over lunch. She had half-expected it might be some kind of secret, but Kousuke’s answer was surprisingly straightforward.

 

“Ah, that place? I created it using Magic Circles and magical tools.”

 

“Huh, really?”

 

Mia was about to brush it off after hearing the casual response, but a moment later she realized the significance of what he had just said.

 

“What!? You created a completely new space?”

 

“Well, yeah?”

 

Kousuke looked at her with a puzzled expression. Mia was about to press further, but after taking in the reactions around her, she paused.

 

Shrein and Peach looked confused, while Sylvia continued to eat her meal in silence with her usual serene expression. And most tellingly, Floria, after seeing Mia’s reaction, sighed and said,

 

“Mia, haven’t I told you many times that you won’t be able to cope if you’re surprised by every single thing your Father does?”

 

“Huh? Isn’t that a bit harsh?” Kousuke retorted, sounding rather put off, but no one around offered to defend him. Since this was just how they talked, no one felt compelled to comfort him over something so minor, not when they all agreed with this statement.

 

Meanwhile, after hearing Floria’s advice, Mia took a deep breath and calmed herself down. She had heard such warnings casually as a child, but she had never expected to be caught off guard so many times.

 

She thought again about what Kousuke had said earlier.

 

“You mentioned Magic Circles and magical tools, but are they made of Magic Power?”

 

“No, they’re not.” Kousuke, easily recovering from his sulky state, quickly answered Mia’s question.

 

“Huh? So it’s Holy Power?”

 

“No. It’s Divine Power.”

 

It was Floria who reacted most strongly to Kousuke’s answer.

 

“Wait. I didn’t know that.”

 

“Huh? Really? Didn’t I mention it when I made the separate space on the Management Floor?”

 

Once they had children, Kousuke had realized that the number of people entering and leaving the Management Floor would increase. So, he had created a separate, restricted-access area, distinct from the rooms built for the Tower’s functions. The space containing the portal leading to the Management Floor of Little Amamiya Tower was constructed in the same way.

 

Upon hearing that it was made of Divine Power, Floria placed her hand between her eyebrows before speaking carefully.

 

“…If it’s made of Divine Power, doesn’t that mean it’s a Sacred Land?” Floria’s words completely changed the previously casual atmosphere.

 

No one had thought it was a Sacred Land. That was, except for one person.

 

“No way. It’s not that big of a deal.” Kousuke said with a dismissive laugh, but Sylvia shook her head in denial.

 

“I’ve confirmed this with Goddess Elisa Meir before, and she said it was definitely a Sacred Land.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“It’s apparently much smaller in scale than the actual Sacred Garden, but it’s definitely a space that qualifies as a Sacred Land.”

 

“I… is that so…”

 

To Kousuke, what it meant to be a Sacred Land was undoubtedly the Garden of Everspring. Even though he had used Divine Power to create the two spaces, he had never imagined they could be called Sacred Lands.

 

There was a commotion when Sylvia declared them Sacred Lands, but her calm demeanor helped settle the mood.

 

“Hmm. Isn’t there anything problematic about Kousuke creating a Sacred Land?”

 

It went without saying that the people who would be concerned were the Gods themselves. It was possible they would not accept the existence of Sacred Lands outside of the one they inhabited.

 

Sylvia nodded in response to the question.

 

“I asked about that as well, and it seems there’s no particular problem.”

 

Sylvia’s answer eased the tense atmosphere. Given the nature of the creation, everyone had been considering worst-case scenarios.

 

“That’s quite important. Well, if the Gods do not approve of Kousuke creating Sacred Lands, they would have told him by now.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

“I suppose you could say that causing such issues without even realizing it is quite the achievement.”

 

Sylvia nodded at Shrein’s words, and Floria looked at Kousuke with a wry smile. Since Floria was right, Kousuke looked away without saying anything.

 

Naturally, Floria and the others had no intention of actually blaming Kousuke, so they didn’t pursue this matter any further.

 

Meanwhile, Mia, who had been listening to the exchange, continued to eat without saying a word. Mikage, who had been watching from the sidelines, later recalled that she looked as if she had given up on everything.