Page Title

483　Green's Price, and Two Daughters

 

"The price of the green crown is 'hunger.' It leads to extreme starvation, and if you're not careful, it could lead to death. Of course, I have no intention of using it to that extent..."

 

With a growl of his stomach echoing, the Elven King with vacant eyes spoke while lying on the bed.

 

If you're that hungry, why don't you eat something quickly, I wanted to say, but apparently, it's not that simple.

 

When the lying-down King Lea took an apple that had been brought to him, it crumbled into sand and turned to dust in no time. Whoa!?

 

"While paying this price, I cannot eat any food... In this case, it's about twenty days or so..."

 

"That long!?"

 

"Elves are a race that can survive without eating much to begin with, so it's not unbearable. Since I can drink water, I won't die easily, but the initial hunger is tough..."

 

Come to think of it, Nia, the bearer of the red crown, said before. If you're careful, you won't die from the 'price' except for the purple crown.

 

Well, that purple crown no longer possesses crown abilities due to my【Cracking】.

 

But the price of starvation, turning the touched food into dust.

 

I remember reading a similar story long ago. A king who was given the power to turn everything he touched into gold by a god was overjoyed but ended up starving because even his food turned to gold.

 

This 'price' is probably similar to the 【Curse】 I use. It's a 【Curse】 that forcibly takes something from the other party.

 

Moreover, unlike a curse, it's a price paid for something desired, so it's difficult to remove. Probably impossible with 【Recovery】. If I destroyed Gruen's ability with 【Cracking】, it might be lifted, but this king does not wish for that.

 

"There's no need to worry. I've used this ability for many years. I know my limits well and won't use abilities beyond what I can endure."

 

According to Kuhn, the ability of the green crown is plant manipulation, and its range is quite extensive. However, the wider the range, the lower the quality of the ability, similar to my 【Prison】.

 

Not only living trees but even processed wooden products can be controlled. They say that in the past, an enemy fleet attacking the Kingdom of Lea was turned into sea debris. I wonder if making holes in the bottom of the ships was easy.

 

"Did you really have to make it grow so suddenly? It would have grown on its own if left alone..."

 

"The sacred tree is a symbol of this country. For the peace of the people, a visible symbol is necessary. People feel more reassured by a thick, strong sacred tree than a weak sapling."

 

Well, if you put it that way, it's true. Indeed, from the window of this room, you can see the sacred tree, and people in the castle are happily praying.

 

Everyone knew that the magic in the tree had dried up and that the sacred tree's life had already ended. Everyone wished for a new sacred tree. This king sacrificed himself for that. It's not something just anyone can do.

 

But a twenty-day fast sounds tough... He said he was used to it, but being used to it doesn't mean it's easy.

 

"Duke of Brunhild. I am immensely grateful for this matter... As a country, I would like to offer you something in return. In this Lea, there are many ruins. In the treasury, there are ancient magic machines unearthed and discovered from these ruins. I would like to give you some of these if you wish..."

 

"No, please don't worry about it. Originally, that was..."

 

"We appreciate your kind offer! We would love to see the treasures of the Kingdom of Lea along with His Majesty the Duke!"

 

Originally, it was the achievement of Uncle Kosuke. As I tried to decline, Kuhn quickly stepped forward and answered before me.

 

Hey, daughter. I understand your feelings, but you're too eager.

 

"Well then... Guide His Majesty the Duke and his party to the treasury."

 

"Yes."

 

Guided by the young elf (appearance-wise) who is the prime minister of this country, we headed to the treasury. It seems that King Lea will drink a lot of water and sleep after this. They say it's to avoid feeling hungry. Once the price period is over, I'll bring him some of Lou's cooking.

 

Robert of Panaches is still sleeping due to the price of teleportation, so we decided to get the treasure and leave first.

 

I wanted to talk about joining the World Alliance, but I'll do it next time.

 

"This way, please."

 

The place we were guided to was in front of a door heavily guarded by multiple locks and security golems. The prime minister began unlocking them one by one.

 

When the door was opened, there were various magic machines mixed with gold and silver treasures.

 

There were golems too. Probably ancient models, Legacies. Unless it's something very valuable, they wouldn't keep factory-made golems in the treasury.

 

Not only golems but some parts and machines with unknown purposes looked like junk at first glance, but Kuhn alone rushed into the treasury with sparkling eyes.

 

She looked back, her face flushed, and clenched her fists up and down. What is this, so cute.

 

"Fa-Father, Yo-Your Excellency! Um, that!"

 

"Ah... Go ahead. Choose what you like."

 

"Thank you! I love you!"

 

Kuhn hugged me tightly. I was about to hug her back, but she quickly left and went into the treasury. Oh...

 

"You're too soft, darling."

 

"That's right. Even though you are a king, you should be more dignified."

 

"A-ah..."

 

Leen and Yumina pressed against me from both sides. Was I really that soft...? But it can't be helped in this situation!

 

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As Kuhn hummed a tune and skipped down the corridors of Brunhild Castle, she carried a bundle of mechanical parts from the treasure hall of the Kingdom of Lea, each about the size of a basketball.

 

It looked somewhat like a small engine, but it was difficult to discern its exact nature. Although it seemed to be made of metal, it was unusually light. I had the chance to hold it, and it felt almost as light as if it were made of plastic.

 

"What exactly is that, anyway?"

 

"I'm glad you asked, Mother! This is probably a 'Spirit Furnace'!"

 

"Spirit Furnace?"

 

I had never heard of it. According to Kuhn, the G-Cube is installed in Golems. It generates and amplifies magic power from light, serving as both the power source and the heart of the Golem. And this G-Cube, when integrated, becomes the Golem's magic device.

 

The Spirit Furnace seems to be the origin of that magic device.

 

Everything in existence harbors spirits. The Spirit Furnace is a mechanism that amplifies magic power by borrowing the power of these spirits.

 

Spirits exist on the Western Continent, the former hidden world, as well. In ancient times, the people of the hidden world used the power of spirits to operate Golems.

 

"It might not be a Golem, but Golems were created during the world war in that world."

 

"Oh, so it's from a time before the Phrase appeared here…"

 

It looks pretty clean for something over five thousand years old. Is it protected by some magic?

 

Well, we also have Frame Gears that are just as old.

 

"If we analyze this, we might make new discoveries…! Kufufufufu!"

 

"What should we do, My wife? Our daughter is scary…"

 

"There's nothing we can do, My dear. That's just how she is."

 

As parents, we might not be able to show this side of Kuhn to the public. Her laugh carried an evil undertone.

 

"Well then! I'm off to Babylon!"

 

"Be back in time for dinner!"

 

"Okay!"

 

Skipping again, Kuhn headed towards the transfer room to Babylon. She really changes her demeanor when it comes to her hobbies.

 

As we sighed in exasperation, Yumina, who was next to us, also let out a small sigh.

 

"She's so cute. I hope my son or daughter arrives soon too…"

 

"What are you saying? She's your daughter too, isn't she? They are all siblings."

 

Yumina looked puzzled for a moment at Leen's words, then chuckled softly.

 

"You're right. I am a mother too."

 

Kuhn calls Yumina "Mother Yumina." Since they were born, these children have had nine mothers.

 

To them, the distinction between biological and adoptive mothers might not matter. Kuhn even teases Yumina sometimes. Compared to that, Kuhn seems more at ease with Leen.

 

I understand Yumina's feelings. Since we don't know where the rest of our children will appear around the world, all we can do is wait.

 

For now, we have sent out 'eyes'—birds under the command of Kohaku—to major capitals.

 

Mainly to capture Yae's daughter, Yakumo, when she appears. Yakumo can use [Gate], so she's hard to find…

 

Seriously… She could just train in this country with Yae and Moroha Nee-san. I don't understand what my daughter is thinking.

 

◇　◇　◇

 

A week had passed since our visit to the Kingdom of Lea. Kuhn hadn't come down to the ground at all. She had shut herself in the 'Research Institute' in Babylon, working on some development with Doctor and Elka. She really has a tendency to become a recluse. She's completely an indoor type.

 

On the other hand, Hilda's daughter, Frey, is the outdoor type. Although, it's just that she practices with Ende's daughter, Alice, every day.

 

"Speaking of matches… when was the martial arts tournament in Mismede again?"

 

I turned my face towards Linze, who was sitting next to me. Apart from me, Elze, Linze, Sakura, and Sue were at the lunch table. The others had their schedules or work shifted. This kind of thing happens often among us.

 

"If I remember correctly, it starts today. Right, Onee-chan?"

 

"Yeah, that's right. Ah, I wanted to participate."

 

Elze muttered regretfully while munching on her omelet rice at Linze's words. No, if you entered, it would be a big deal.

 

Elze, Yae, and Hilda are probably among the strongest in the world. The only ones who could rival them, besides Moroha Nee-san and other divine beings, would be elves or dwarves who have trained for thousands of years.

 

"Well, it's a tournament within Mismede this time. It wouldn't be appropriate for the queen of another country to participate."

 

"I know… Being a queen is inconvenient sometimes."

 

The Beast King of Mismede had always wanted to hold a martial arts tournament but was opposed by his retainers. Their reason was a lack of budget, but after seeing the martial arts tournament held in Brunhild, they thought they could manage by introducing new food stalls and earning participation fees.

 

He managed to persuade Chancellor Graatz and the retainers, and finally, the tournament was set to happen.

 

To ensure safety, I added defensive barriers to the arena and included teleportation and healing magic for the injured.

 

It's a domestic tournament this time, but with the advent of magical trains, participants from other countries might come too.

 

I wonder if the Beast King will participate himself. In our tournament, he fought General Leon of Belfast and ended in a draw, being eliminated early on.

 

I didn't see it because I had collapsed after fighting Gyra, but I heard it was an amazing match. I wish someone had recorded it for me.

 

"Participating might be a no-go, but how about just watching?"

 

"Hmm… I'm sure the Beast King would happily allow it, but…"

 

I hesitated at Sue's suggestion. Could we just watch and not get involved? I might get roped into an exhibition match with the winner or the Beast King himself, and Elze might end up fighting.

 

If the queen of another country beat up the winner or the king in Mismede's first martial arts tournament, it wouldn't be just a problem.

 

I think it's best to skip it this time.

 

As I concluded, a message from Kohaku arrived.

 

《I apologize for interrupting your meal. We received important information from the 'eyes' we dispatched. Please take a look first.》

 

《Okay, send it over.》

 

I linked my visual nerves to the birds dispatched by Kohaku's command.

 

After a short pause, vivid images appeared in my mind. The bird's visual information was converted to human visual information.

 

Where is this…? There are a lot of people. Is this a venue of some sort? There are many beastmen, so is it Mismede?

 

Oh, it is Mismede. Chancellor Graatz is in the VIP seats, and that arena has the defensive barrier I set up. It's the martial arts tournament venue.

 

The tiered spectator seats were packed with beastmen and demi-humans. It's a huge success.

 

The bird's gaze turned to the center of the arena. Someone was fighting. It's during the martial arts tournament.

 

One was a big bearded man with a large wooden sword. Is he a bear… beastman? And the other one…

 

"!!?"

 

I stood up abruptly, causing everyone to look at me in surprise, but my eyes were fixed on one person, Linze.

 

Because, in the images still flowing into my mind, there was a child who looked just like her.

 

"What, what is it, Touya-san?"

 

"N-nothing, I just got a message from Kohaku…! Umm… it's faster to show you!"

 

Panicking, I activated [Mirage] and projected what I was seeing into the air above the dining table. There was no sound, only visuals.

 

"…Huh?"

 

"What is this, an arena?"

 

"A child is fighting?"

 

"Linze?"

 

A girl, about six or seven years old, who looked just like Linze, wearing oversized gauntlets, rushed towards the bear beastman.

 

The girl charged like lightning, and the bear man tried to block her with the belly of his large sword.

 

The girl suddenly jumped and zigzagged through the air towards the bear man. She's bouncing in mid-air!?

 

With a single punch from the girl, the large sword shattered, and the bear man was sent flying out of the arena. After bouncing several times, he rolled to a stop.

 

「「「「「What!?」」」」」

 

The voices of everyone watching the footage synchronized in surprise. What was that just now!?

 

With wide eyes, Elze looked at her sister beside her and then at the girl on the screen.

 

"Wait, wait, wait! This girl is definitely...!"

 

"That's Linze's daughter... Linne."

 

"There's no mistaking it," Sakura and Sue also compared the girl on the screen with Linze. They really looked alike... Well, it makes sense that they would.

 

The girl had silver hair cut to shoulder length with a headband, and her eyes seemed just a bit more like Elze's. Even her clothes were similar. She really was like a mini-Linze.

 

"H-h-hawawawawa! S-s-she came! She came!?"

 

"Why the question mark?"

 

"W-what should we do!? What do we do now!?"

 

"Linze, calm down," I said, trying to soothe the panicked Linze. I understood how she felt, but...

 

"Ah!"

 

"Huh?" Elze suddenly shouted. When I looked back at the screen, I saw Linne waving her hand toward the audience. She was waving at a girl of about the same age in the front row.

 

"She looks just like Elze..."

 

"I think that's Elze's daughter, Elna."

 

"Eh, eh!? M-my daughter!? She came!?"

 

Elze was now looking around frantically at Sue and Sakura. Her flustered state was almost at its peak, with her hands flailing around.

 

"W-what do we do now!?"

 

"Elze, calm down. You're repeating yourself," I said. It was just like Linze earlier... Did they have to synchronize this much because they were twins?

 

The girl in the audience looked a lot like Elze, with long silver hair and a somewhat softer expression. Her clothes were also similar to Elze's. Maybe they were made by future Linze?

 

"To-Touya-san! Let's go to Mismede right away!"

 

"That's right! We should just go there directly!"

 

"Okay, okay...!" I couldn't refuse the two wives pressing me. Urged on, I opened a [Gate] to Mismede's arena, emerging in a spot behind the audience, away from prying eyes.

 

Elze and Linze immediately rushed through, almost shoving me aside. Sakura and Sue followed us as well.

 

Linne, having finished her match, was heading towards the waiting room.

 

Linze wanted to rush after her, but I grabbed her arm and made her stop.

 

"Wait! That girl is a contestant. If we just go meet her, we might disturb the other contestants in the waiting room."

 

"B-but...!"

 

"Let's meet with Elna in the audience first. Linne will come to us eventually," Sue said.

 

Reluctantly, Linze nodded.

 

"Ah! There she is!" Elze pointed. Her daughter Elna was visible in the front row, directly opposite us.

 

From our position at the back of the audience, we could just about see the people in the front row. But how did Elze spot her so quickly? Was it a mother's intuition?

 

We'd have to go around to reach her. As I started to run, Elze's voice reached me.

 

"Sakura! Use [Teleport]!"

 

"Roger," Sakura said.

 

Our surroundings changed instantly. Whoa...!

 

People around us were startled out of their seats. Thanks to being a member of the household, Sakura could teleport a group this size. But we were causing quite a commotion.

 

Among the confused and startled onlookers, only one pair of eyes looked at us with curiosity.

 

"Mother?"

 

Elna was frozen in place, staring at Elze.

 

"Uh, um, you're Elna, right?"

 

"...Mom? Mom!!" Elna's eyes filled with tears, and she threw herself at Elze, sobbing.

 

Caught off guard by her daughter's sudden hug, Elze flailed her arms a bit before smiling softly and holding her crying daughter gently.

 

Hey... Dad's here too, you know?