Sword, Magic and Academic Society

Vol. 1 - Chapter 211.1 - Old Capital Rabeldin (6)

"...Yes, what is it, Allen?"

Once Freya-san had finished her narration, and paused on her words, I raised my hand. 

I had to say, I was surprised to hear about the pioneers from another second... but, I had always suspected such in a corner of my mind. It wouldn't have to be me, any reincarnator from Earth would never doubt about the existence of another continent or if it was populated. 

I had a lot of questions frankly, but for now, I proceeded with the one that was bugging me most.

"I have a doubt, or well, many doubts... but I really need to know this one first—why in the world priests are so strong?"

This was it. A fist like steel, and speed like descent of lightning you say? How the heck such a brute force aspect crosses paths with the priest's sacred nuance? 

Strong? Alright, I get it. But where was the spirituality aspect, like the divine judgment, or 'it's the will of heaven' or 'evil be vanquish' et cetera sort of cool scenes!? At the very least, they could have brought the hammer of the divine in the form of the Great Fire Spirit Salamander via their prayers! 

It's a futile matter to think about, but I swear had I been drawing in the talent of so-called 'sacred lineage,' I would have trained myself whole day long non-stop, even if it had caused my body to collapse. 

"Of all, this got your interest...? ......This answer to tis on the upper floor."

On the other hand, Freya-san's eyes widened in surprise, apparently she wasn't expecting such a question, and then guided us to the upper floor.

"...The era in which Canaria-sama was a time where population was sparse, the nation had yet to implement rigorous administration, and armies were merely a disorder group messed together. But yes, even by discounting the development, it's indeed reality-defying to think a mere human could bring an army to its knees."

The legends of «Witch of Iron Fist» Canaria Dosperior, who decimated an army of elites nearing 1000 in numbers, painting the grassland into a sea of blood, was a famous story. 

..Hmm, why it suddenly sounds so familiar... if it isn't—

My gaze inadvertently shifted to my sister. She was next to me.

Canaria-san sounds more like a mirror to my elder sister but her grown up version. I don't suspect Canaria-san might not have that crushing talent, however it's just hard to swallow that she had managed to decimate the elites of Original Five if they all were as strong as Olivia-san whom I became acquainted with in last summer's founding festival. 

...But on another note, what would happen if my sister does decide to familiarise herself in a  weapon to master level... no, never mind, just the end result brought me fear. Anyway, it's often hard to think one could win against an army. There was also a limit to one's mana capacity as well.

The closest example I had was Leo taking out around 100 or so opponents during outdoor classes, however that was only possible because he had that stupidly huge mana capacity, and also that there was a gap in strength of two sides. He also had a perfect playfield provided due to Bester's tactic, allowing him to bring out his 120%.

Anyway, we followed Freya-san and took the stairs to move to the second floor. In the centre, there was surely-not-the evil god statue that immediately caught my interest. Four pillars were spread around the statue, and above them, absurdly huge mana stones were releasing brilliance. 

"This hall is call «Hall of Performance>. It's said that the priestess would offer their ode to the familiar of Destruction God Syd---though he's usually a god with dual divinity, the destruction and rebirth—that was War God Margon, and receiving their blessing."

"D-Divine blessing......?" 

An unintended whisper escaped, and Freya-san confirmed it with a nod. 

"When the Dosperior family caught itself against the tidal tsunami of absolute destruction, it was her, Canaria-sama, who presented her ode to the god, or so the tales goes. It was a gamble, because not even Scandi had grasped the whole ritual dance or ceremony etiquette that priestess often performed, and was something he had heard from rumours... however Canaria-sama offered her night-long ritual with an undeterred faith, and thus, she succeeded, invoking the forbidden 'Divine Descent'---"

T-the forbidden D-Divine Descent?! What's with the heavenly ring it has, dammit...! That's what I call the pinnacle of banger!!! 

And it seems like you only need to have unwavering faith, while process can be anything. T-then, can I also do it as well? No wait, why even the *can*, I should definitely be able to do it, right! And it's not even an futile endeavour as well with the precedent, unlike my non-existent talent! 

The only issue is dancing... I don't even have an ounce of knowledge about it. Heck, I never get to dabble into it in my two lifetimes. Back on Earth, the physical activities didn't have dance classes. There was singing, but not the dance. And well, I never took sports day seriously at all, so I have zilch knowledge about it.

There was only one occasion at best when I had tried dancing, and that was during the bon festival that the neighborhood community near the apartment I had lived alone loved to hold every year.

"...len......Allen...? What happened?"

Seeing no response from me while I was deep-diving into my land of thoughts, Freya-san raised a confused voice. 

"...Why was it declared forbidden? Does this bring forth any side effects like curse or something?"

However Freya-san shook her head.

"We have no concrete reason. Canaria-sama's death only arrived at the end of her natural lifespan, her body faced no sign of collapse or other adverse effect. However, wielding the power of the divine with the base of humans was a knowledge that must never be known to the world. Hence, after the crushing battle, Canaria-sama led a recluse life. 

It's obvious that once the words about her power spreads out, others will come to target her, whether for the power, or out of fear. In the end, she never would have led a peaceful life. The sole path of salvation is to distance oneself from the worldly life, regardless if that's what you desire or not, which in a sense is a curse in itself I believe."

With a lonesome expression, Freya-san recounted. 

Alright, stop! I am already sold, so no need to sell it anymore please! Moving to the countryside for a slow life as compensation for wielding the divine power. Yes, where can I sign it!

"............I can feel the surges of divinity. Could it be, the Great War God Margon resides here?"

I confidently declared. 

Hey, I mean, I may not have seen actual things, but as they say, you gotta believe to make it happen! So I tried to play things out since this could be my last chance. After all, I could not even budge the gate of the tower earlier, and who knows when I have another chance to come here.

Anyway, please listen to the prayer of this poor soul, O' God! Grant me some spirituality too!

I brought my hand together in front of my face and clapped while intently praying in my mind. 

First, to begin, lower the left foot and left hand, and raise the right hand as if peering at something, bringing it close to the face. Next, lower the right foot and right hand, and raise the left hand in the same manner, bringing it close to the face. 

It was all impromptu, but there were various theories about the meaning of these movements, such as one that suggests it imitates the gesture of gazing at distant mountains like Mount Fuji. A feeling of sublime, or grandeur. 

"A-Allen... what're you trying?"

"Silence! Great Margon is gazing in our direction!"

I promptly brought my right leg to front, and formed a circle with my two hands. 

This movement represented the full moon, and the action of placing the opposite hand on the outstretched arm while stepping forward was said to imitate the 'flow' of people or rivers.

Now that I think about it, the Bon dance feels somewhat like a 'dance' suitable for offering to the gods.

Sense it, O' me. This is our chance to feel the grace of the divine! 

I persuaded myself in my mind, and continued to perform the bon dance that I knew with all of my soul and body. I should have did two lap around the Evil God Margon statue when Freya-san chimed in with a reserved tone.

"...That, err, the only one who can receive the blessing of War God is a priestess... which means, only girls."

.........You could have explained this first?!!

T/N - Sorry for the delay guys, had internet problem for a while. I was behind two chapters (3 including friday's) from earlier weeks, so this covers the two of them. Remains last, I will cover it next week. Sorry, and thanks for your patience!