3 – Salia’s World
With a feeling of regret, Salia moved away from the mirror.
Recently, she had fewer opportunities to peek into that other world. She became nostalgic of those days and nights that she had once spent with Sheto.
“Well, time to go.”
However, this was no time to bask in such sentiments. They were fulfilling their role, and so she could not rest here.
She went through the door and entered the grand square. And then a familiar voice called to her.
“Lady Saliashe. How do you do?”
Said the young elf, who had clearly been waiting for her. He started to walk beside her now. Salia made sure to take the lead as she smiled.
“Lord Marigial. I see you’ve come to greet me again. At this rate, you will have little time for those other princesses.”
“What do you mean? You are the greatest of all flowers to bloom in the celestial world. Who could not adore you?”
“As expected of a spirit who is deeply knowledgeable about mountains, rivers, plants, and trees. You know the fleeting nature of a flower’s life all too well, and choose to enjoy it while you can.”
She shrugged her shoulders and the elf god smiled and nodded.
“You are so severe. However, you are rose, with thorns of wisdom and courage. And yet, until recently, I was tragically unable to be close to your presence. Still, one hopes to have their pitiful infatuations known…”
“Well, as long as you know that my thorns are coated in poison, you can do as you like.”
“Though I be tricked and burned by love, I must continue. A battle between man and woman. Were you to feed me sweetness that leads to death, I would drink every last drop.”
He cooed, and she ignored him as she walked on to the meeting hall.
These flirtatious gods acted as a kind of cover for her. As long as it looked like she was showing favor to him, it would keep some of those others away.
It was hard to believe, but this Marigial seemed to be trying to ‘seduce’ her in earnest.
After talking several times, she realized that what this god wanted was not territory or the protection of a powerful god. He just wanted her as a woman.
Of course, she knew that they would never be lovers. Even when the world ended.
“Hey, hey. Noble of Verdant Green. No matter how much you chirp, that one is a flower beyond your reach.”
Said a boulder-like god who came out in front of them.
A moment later, a bird-like god with colorful wings descended as well.
“You have no talent for love songs. In fact, with such a hideous appearance, it would be quite difficult to gain the attraction of a lady.”
“How rude. There is more to life than being beautiful. Besides, there are other ways to get a woman’s attention. Songs are just one thing. But the important thing is passion. Passion hot enough to melt the heart.”
“In that case, you are hopeless. Unless there are fiery molten veins flowing beneath that marble-like complexion?”
“Molten veins, you say? Quite an observation—thank you.”
The spirit of the ancient mountain said modestly, and the surface shifted a little.
“That being said, the only reason we’ve come to understand that nature is thanks to the efforts of your small subordinate, who shattered the forged spirit stone. How is that one doing?”
“Thank you. Preparations are being made for the next battle. Now that you mention it, thank you for your advice in regards to polishing mithril.”
“When it comes to such matters, I am always at your service.”
“I just remembered. That kobold. Did it tan the wyvern hide?”
The bird god asked with a tilted head.
“Of couse. Apparently, he made a saddle and stirrups to put on the star wolf. He also learned how to deal with the poison glands, allowing him to avoid soiling the mountain. I thank you for your teachings”
“Wyvern hide can be difficult to deal with. But it makes for strong armor. The saddle and stirrups should last long.”
Some of the equipment Sheto had crafted was done through the knowledge received from these gods. There were limitations when it came to the knowledge from the search app that Fi used. It was mostly for taking photos, and did not have any expert details.
Use of the golem body, as well as the wyvern corpse. The gods had helped with these two problems.
“Oh, dear. I am jealous of you two. Not only have you become close to Lady Saliashe, but I hear you’ve recently been entrusted with several stars.”
“The envy of men is an ugly thing. That is why you are failing to attract Lady Salia.”
“No one would build a castle over sand. A lady does not give herself to a man so light, that the wind would blow him away. You should give up.”
Laughter erupted as the young man looked sullen. This seemed to draw attention, as other gods moved towards them.
“Lady Saliashe, it’s nice to see you.”
“How do you do?”
“Excuse me, there was something I heard recently…”
But they were all gods from small stars.
Behind the friendly faces was the smell of calculation.
However, she did not care about that.
“In that case, let us sit down over there.”
It was a strange thing. She thought quietly.
She sat down in the grass. A place where she used to think that she would never sit. And here, she was now listening to the other gods.
Here, they plotted, negotiated and fought with words.