Chapter 551 Ohiisama ③
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”I see. The north of Sylvaol, the Canaria Kingdom, is it…”
On the Southern Continent, in the Aurumcame Governor State, Meryamisha—known to some simply as “That Person”—governed a harbor town. Her young subordinate, Ayamika, was bringing her up to date on the latest news from the Northern Continent.
The information had arrived in a letter from a subordinate who had successfully entered the Canaria Kingdom as a guest and was currently operating under the name Nada. The letter had been sent shortly before Nada left for the kingdom itself.
”According to Nada-nee’s report,” Ayamika said, “the Canaria Kingdom’s influence has grown rapidly over the past few years. There are even rumors that some people believe they intend to surpass the Wielope Empire as the Northern Continent’s greatest power.”
”That is welcome news,” Meryamisha replied. “If they are truly a rising power, then it is very likely my other brothers and sisters have not yet managed to sink their hooks into them…”
Meryamisha kept a close watch on the Northern Continent’s changing balance of power because she could not afford to look away. Most Southerners knew little about the North because distance and deep-rooted arrogance kept them looking inward. People who saw themselves as heirs to a great empire viewed the people of the Northern Continent as little more than barbarians living in uncivilized lands.
Meryamisha had never shared that view. She needed to stay alert if she wanted to oppose her eldest brother, who was pulling every string he could to seize the governorship. On top of that, she had lived in this harbor town since childhood and had met enough travelers from the North to know that underestimating them could be fatal.
Her siblings, who governed other harbor towns, had reached similar conclusions. Some paid even closer attention to the North than she did and maintained their own secret networks. Meryamisha also kept connections with the Sylvaol Kingdom, but with the Governor’s death drawing near, she needed to strengthen those ties. She had to prepare for every possibility, including seeking asylum if it came to that.
”Yes, and perhaps the most interesting part is their focus on military strength,” Ayamika continued. “It is said they recently suppressed a Stampede in a neighboring country near their border…”
”Even the Northern Continent has Stampedes…” Meryamisha murmured. “How large was it?”
”…It is difficult to believe, but the reports claim it grew large enough to consume an entire continent.”
”Disaster-class…!? Is that… truly the truth!?”
”I think we should be cautious about that claim. The geography is different, after all… However, it is certain that they successfully subjugated the two Great Dragons at the center of the swarm, along with their retinue of Lesser Dragons.”
Meryamisha leaned back in her chair.
”That depends on the size of those Great Dragons. But if they truly culled a dragon swarm, then they are worth watching. How did they accomplish it? Did they send a massive army against them? Or did they possess a Great Warrior or Great Mage capable of serving as a pillar of the nation?”
”That is…” Ayamika hesitated.
She was not the one who needed to make the final judgment. For that reason, she had decided to pass along Nada’s report exactly as it had been written.
”They say it was done through a magic circuit.”
”…A magic circuit!? Not a Holy Relic?”
”Yes. The report explicitly says ‘magic circuit.’ It also states that it ’emitted a white light that pierced the heavens’ and ‘produced a sound unlike anything in this world’… I cannot judge how much of it is true.”
”…I do not believe that girl would lie, nor would she report something doubtful without clearly saying so. At the very least, the people of Sylvaol seem to accept it as fact.”
Among the scholars of the Southern Continent, it was common knowledge that the priests of the Church of Demon-Subjugation used techniques known as Holy Arts. Meryamisha and others in her position also knew that this power could be stored in tools called Holy Relics. It was a unique development of the North, one that had once possessed frightening power. To them, it sounded like a legend, but it still fell within the bounds of known history. Yet Ayamika was claiming that this feat had been achieved through a magic circuit.
”Is such a thing really possible with a magic circuit…?”
”I do not know… though I have heard they place far greater importance on the study of arts than we do…”
The difference came from their cultures. The North had expanded under the prosperity of the Church, while the South had been united through the overwhelming military power of a superpower. In the South, warriors stood above mages in prestige. As for arts, they recognized sorcery passed down through Elven aid, along with prayers, spirit arts, and curse arts. Holy Arts were simply grouped alongside them. Each was treated as a closely guarded secret rather than a field of study.
For Meryamisha, however, theories about cultural differences were not important. What mattered was that an unknown tavern owner named Kento, the man behind the Harvest magic circuit shop, had created a ddo-Buddy Cannon.1
”…Assuming all of this is true, do you think we could get our hands on it?”
That was the real issue. Caught in the middle of a brutal succession struggle, what she needed most was undeniable military power. Her interest in the Canaria Kingdom deepened even further.
”I do not know. Nada-nee is currently gathering more information. The fact that she chose to head directly to Canaria instead of returning here suggests this discovery is the reason.”
”I see… regardless, I want to build a friendly relationship with them. Depending on the situation, we may need Nada to remain there and serve as our negotiator…”
The discussion continued. If Nada was going to stay in the North, they needed to reach a decision before she traveled from Canaria back to Sylvaol.
”…Everyone will miss her.”
”…It cannot be helped. If this town becomes a target, none of that will matter.”
Meryamisha bit her lip. She had only recently promised the children in the slums that Nada would be back soon. Ayamika understood the weight of the situation and offered no further objection.
”I understand. There is one more concern regarding the Canaria Kingdom. It seems the throne will soon change hands.”
”Oh? I thought it was ruled by a Queen. Is she elderly?”
”No, she is a young woman. However, she has a younger brother, and it is said she intends to abdicate in his favor.”
”…That is certainly… enviable compared to our situation. A noble choice, in its own way.”
”Indeed. But it creates a complication. Nada-nee wrote that she intends to make contact with the successor if possible.”
”Understood. I will keep that in mind.”
They went on to discuss several other nations, and the conversation proved far more productive than either had expected. There were still many unknowns, but she would need to brief her public-facing subordinates tomorrow and see how they reacted. Before that, however, she needed to devise a response to her siblings’ moves.
Meryamisha shifted her gaze from Ayamika to the dark sea stretching beyond the harbor and let out a long sigh. If she could have chosen freely, she would have liked to board a ship and travel the world like Nada. But that was a dream she would never be allowed to chase.
For now, she remained buried beneath her duties. The work would not end until the storm finally broke. Once it did, there would be no room left for hesitation. If only she had something to take her mind off it all…
”Ah, I almost forgot. There is one more thing I was supposed to tell you.”
”Hm? What is it?”
”Nada-nee has sent a large shipment of magic circuits. The ones… you are particularly fond of, Meryamisha-sama.”
I see. So that was how all of this started, wasn’t it?
Meryamisha could not help but let out a dry laugh.
”Well,” she muttered, “I suppose I can work a little harder, then.”
With noticeably lighter steps, she hurried home.
—
Summary:
Meryamisha and her subordinate Ayamika analyze intelligence from the Northern Continent regarding the rising power of the Canaria Kingdom. They discuss the anomalous use of ‘magic circuits’ to defeat legendary dragon threats, contrasting Northern advancements with Southern martial traditions. Meryamisha realizes these technologies could be the key to securing her political standing against her siblings, even as she grapples with the personal cost of the looming succession crisis.
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Trivia:
Southern culture views Northern Continentals as barbarians while relying on martial power over academic sorcery.
Meryamisha’s subordinates are kept in the dark about the full scope of her plans, though she intends to brief them later.
Nada is currently operating as an infiltrator in the Canaria Kingdom and is acting as an independent agent.
The Canaria Kingdom’s current ruler is a young Queen intending to abdicate to her younger brother.
Meryamisha’s ‘favorite’ magic circuits are a source of personal comfort in her high-pressure role.
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Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Meryamisha – A beautiful young woman with white hair and black skin who serves as the governor of a harbor town. Navigating intense political power struggles, she fiercely guards her position while secretly acting as a compassionate protector for local orphaned children.
• Ayamika – A young girl from the poverty-stricken district who manages its orphaned children, while also serving as a subordinate, aide, and informant to Meryamisha.
• Nada – A tall, slender Southern Continent envoy with dark skin, glossy black hair, and sharp almond eyes, this capable young woman is Meryamisha’s trusted right-hand. Currently serving as an infiltrator in the Canaria Kingdom and known to Kento’s group, she balances a blank diplomatic facade with a naive curiosity, vulgar slang, fist-bumping, and a sensual connection with the protagonist.
• Harvest – Viscount Kento Harvest is a gaunt, pragmatic former adventurer and merchant who balances running a magic-circuit shop with his role as a mentor and policy advisor to the royal family. Clad in a tattered academic coat, he leverages knowledge from a past world and noble authority to navigate local politics. He is sexually proactive, maintaining complex relationships with numerous lovers and dependents.
• Kento – Lord Harvest is a reclusive Viscount resembling a dark-haired salaryman who runs a tavern, a magic circuit workshop, and an adult-toy store. Bound to the Queen, this observant, socially perceptive craftsman uses strategic acumen to handle politics. He uses informal greetings to ease guests, shares a quiet intimacy with Amelia, and is intimately familiar with the protagonist’s secret habits.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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