35 Episode 35 "Legend of the Sea Dragon and the Spirit Link".txt

Me and Rita were in the parlor of the Iris-Hafeumea villa.

Cecil, Aine, and Letitia are moving from the inn to the villa's detached room.

In the end, I decided to take Iris's suggestion.

We and the girls are going to the same place. So we can't keep avoiding them.

If she's interested in us, it's best to meet with her and get it over with. If possible, I'd like to hear more information about the port city of Ilgafa and that "Black Armor (Living Mail)".

Iris's villa is located in the area of ultra-luxury villas across two rivers from the inn area. It's a two-story building with a large garden surrounded by a fence on the outside.

Cecil and the others are located one river away from it, in a villa area that is also used by the common people. All three of us have finished moving and are now resting.

In front of us are Iris-Hafeumea, and Matilda, the maid.

We are facing each other across the table.

It was a large guest room. On the walls were a ship - a painting of a dragon and a portrait of someone else.

The tall wooden chairs are carved in the shape of a ship. It may be a high quality product, but it's hard and makes my butt hurt. Rita is squirming all the time.

The girl sitting against the portrait is Iris-Hafeumea. She is one of the daughters of the Ilgafa lords.

She is twelve years old. Although she has no right to succeed to the position of lord, she is better than her brother and sister. Sometimes she helps to negotiate for shipping and other things.

This is all the information Letitia has given me.

"It's nice to meet you, my name is Ilisu Hapheumea.

Iris stood beside the chair and bowed in a fluid motion.

She's a small girl. She's staring at us with her big golden eyes.

She has green hair and a golden hairpiece. She's wearing a pale green dress.

Thank you very much. I'm Souma-Nagy. This is Rita Melpheus. I'm a slave but a good adventurer and always helping me.

...... is a pleasure to meet you.

We sit up too and return the bow. I'm not a big fan of polite language, but it's not crazy.

I'm nervous. I'm not very good at dealing with important people.

I've trained for many interviews in my former world, and I've had plenty of actual interviews (including pressure interviews) ...... I wish I could use my experience from that time.

It's not necessary in the other world, but if you pull up your memory, it's at least a reference

"Interview LV5

Skills to 'negotiate' in 'the other person's area' in a 'polite' manner

When I tried to pull him out, he woke up.

It's been about 10 days since I came to this world, and my body finally got used to it, so I guess that means I'm starting to remember the skills of my old world. Oh well, let's use what we can.

'Thank you for saving Iris from a dangerous situation.

Iris is looking at me from the front.

In contrast to that, this one - first of all, she doesn't look away. Keep your eyes slightly lowered. Raise the corners of your mouth.

I took off my coat before entering the room. It's on the side of the chair. Hands in your lap, straighten your back. Try not to speak too soon.

"We're just passing through.

I answer.

Then he offers me a chair and then sits down.

'It was an accident that I was able to save Lady Iris from the undead. It's nothing to be proud of.

'The guards report that the streets were littered with the remnants of black armour.

Iris scrambled up and took a tall chair.

'I wonder who the hell knocked that thing over?

'A brave man in the street, isn't he?

Is that so? I'm sure he must have a sword that stretches and contracts.

Iris asks, narrowing her eyes as she probes.

...... You noticed. When she was almost kidnapped by the armor.

So you want to know about our abilities. But I don't want to be recruited by Iris in recognition of my abilities. I'm just looking for information and a chance to talk to her. That's it.

I'm going to use the same response as in a failed interview.

"Well, you don't know people you've never met before, do you?

I blurted out. I wonder how he would react.

'I would have liked to have met you. As the daughter of the Lord of Irgafa, I should have paid you appropriately.

Iris comes inquiring. "Are you sure you don't want a reward?

'If I wanted a reward, I would demand it directly from Iris-sama. If you don't, there may be a reason why you don't want to show off.

Well, I'll see what I can do.

I only cut the shackles and Iris admitted it.

This means that we waived our right to demand the reward for defeating the Black Armor in exchange for hiding our abilities.

''However, there is no substitute for rescuing Iris from the undead. How would you like to repay me for that?

You're very loyal, Iris-Hapheumea.

He's asking what you want to be paid. The theory is that in a situation like this, you should offer slightly below the market price. As I recall, when I rescued Rita from the big monster fish Leviathan, it was 20,000 Arsha.

But this time, I didn't save her at her request. Or rather, I just saved her on my own.

It's a hassle to give a bad impression to an authority figure, so I'll just keep it to the bare minimum.

Well, do you mind if I do two things for you?

Go ahead. Dear Souma.

'I would like you to introduce me to a healer. Isn't there someone out there somewhere who is responsible for healing the guards who have been killed by the undead?

Yes, sir. We are healing the guards now.

Would you be able to use your powers to help the people in Cecil's... party?

'There is a man in there who is not feeling well, sir. Well, as soon as the soldier has been treated we will arrange to be there tomorrow night. And the other?

If you have any common household skills, we'd like to buy them.

He didn't see this coming. Iris blinks and tilts her head.

'This is all the mansion we have. I was wondering if you have the skills you need to do your job when you hire someone to do it all the time. Just thought I'd like my slaves to learn some housekeeping skills.

I'm lying.

I just want to replenish my skills. The reason it's limited to "housekeeping skills" is because you can't just come in and call it a "combat skill. That's like saying, "Give me a weapon. I don't want to be warned.

"Of course we'll pay you the right price. What do you say?

You're not greedy, are you, Master Souma?

I'm currently unemployed and without a permanent address. Even if I had received a treasure, I would have nowhere to put it.

I'm willing to accept all of your terms.

Iris smiled happily, holding her mouth shut.

It's funny, this kid.

I'm sure he knows what I'm trying to do, but he's still trying to figure out things.

Thank you, Iris-sama.

I'd like to talk to Master Souma some more.

Same here. The "Interview LV5" is still active.

The air is starting to loosen up, and if it's an interview, it's probably going to be, "Is there anything you want to ask me?

I'll be gathering information from here on out.

Iris hasn't felt this happy in a long time. I can't thank that 'Living Mail' enough.

Who was that guy, I wonder?

Are you interested?

Even though it's going to happen, we've thwarted the enemy, so it's possible that they hate us, right?

I make eye contact with Iris and nod lightly.

"'If you're a stranger, but you're in the same boat, help each other' - as the proverb in the port city of Ilgafa says.

Iris opened her fist, which had been clenched on the table. It seemed to release the tension.

'But there are too many things that come to mind, I don't know.

...... Yes?

Ilgafa is a port town. My father is the lord of it. Shipping, trade, everything comes into play. Kidnapping for ransom, simply to damage my father. I'm sure there are many such people.

So, Iris is like the daughter of a trader.

The child of a wealthy man in the former world was kidnapped by the bad guys when she went to visit her mother's grave.

'Iris personally has no value. At best, though, she's a priestess at a 'festival'.

A festival maiden, huh?

Every year Irgapha holds a festival to honor the Kerkator, the Sea Dragon. Iris is the priestess.

Sea Dragon Kerkator. ...... This is the first time I've heard the term.

According to Iris, the sea dragon Kerkator is a type of dragon that lives in the sea and is said to be the guardian deity of Irgafa.

Its appearance is just like the picture behind Iris.

It looks like an oriental dragon from my world. It has a long snake-like body and a rugged head. It has no wings and clawed limbs.

It is said that Kerkator made a "contract" with the people of the port city of Irgapha a long time ago.

Because of the protection of that 'contract', the ships of Irgafa are rarely attacked by demons.

That's why Ilgafa's trade has flourished and Iris's house has developed.

'If the festival is lost, does that mean we lose the blessings of the sea dragon Kerkator?

'Yes. With the festival, the people of Irgafa are renewing their 'covenant' with the sea dragon.

It all began as a love story between the daughter of the sea dragon Kerkator and a human boy. ......

Iris closes her eyes and begins to speak as she sings.

In ancient times, a human boy fell in love with the daughter of Kerkator, the blood of the sea dragon.

The boy 'engaged' the sea dragon's daughter and awakened to his new strength and abilities.

The sea dragon put the boy to the test and the boy was able to defeat the sea dragon's natural enemy.

The sea dragon recognizes the boy's power and makes a "contract" with him to continue to protect Ilgafa's ship.

The girl and the boy formally form a 'spirit link' and become the foundation of the port city's prosperity.

'Engage' and 'Spirit Link', huh? It's a romantic story.

Next to me, Rita's enthralled.

Huh?　Is that a real life story?　I thought it was a fairy tale.

''What's the difference between a 'soul engagement' and a 'united soul' and a normal marriage and engagement?''

No. Marriage is a promise to be together as long as we live, right?　'Yujin' is a higher-end version of .......

Rita pursed her lips to my ear and said, "'Conjoining souls' is the act of joining our souls together and vowing to be together in the next life and the next.

A 'soul engagement' is when souls are united and vow to be together in the next life and the life to come," she said. A "soul promise" is a promise to make to each other to stay together in the next life as well as the next. We go through a lot of rituals to connect with each other deeply and profoundly. By making our souls resonate with each other, we can regain our physical strength and awaken our new skills.

Does Rita know how to do this?

No. It's an old ritual. And I think different races do it differently.

A ritual that resonates and connects the souls of each other to awaken their abilities through a great recovery ......?

...... Yeah. That's interesting.

"Are you interested in the 'unity of souls' ritual?

Iris holds her mouth and the maid smiles with just her lips.

'I've lived on an island nation in the east and I'm a stranger to things. It's an interesting ritual. A ...... skill awakening for a great recovery effect, is it ......?

It's an old ritual. Even the human 'spirit link' ceremony is now the realm of legend.

'It's possible between different species, isn't it?　Can you 'unite' with a slave, for example?

'Huh, you think oddly. I suppose it's possible, but that doesn't mean the master-servant 'contract' will continue after reincarnation, does it?

Yeah. I don't care about that.

If you'd like to know more, I can lend you some information later, okay?

Iris looked pouty for a moment, but then she quickly turned her face into a straight face.

I clear my throat and return it, "Please.

'Thank you, Iris-sama. I understand the story of the legend of the sea dragon and its enemies.

At my words, Iris sighed with a sigh of relief.

She seems relieved to have finished speaking, and she relaxes her shoulders. Iris is 12 years old. In her former world, she would have been in the sixth grade.

After being attacked by black armor and undead, talking to a new person like this... it's amazing when you think about it.

I also relax my shoulders. The interview is over. The interview is over. The rest is just small talk.

For now, we can't identify who Iris's "enemy" is.

Even with a quick thought, it's a port city that has a rivalry with Ilgafa, or a servant of a demon king who wants to annoy humans. If that black armor was made with cheat skills, then even the visitors are candidates.

I'm not sure if ...... is likely to get to us either way.

'I just sent out a quick horse to Ilgafa.

Matilda, the maid who was waiting next to me, opened her mouth.

''In two days' time at the earliest, a corps of soldiers will arrive to protect Iris-sama. Waiting for their arrival, we will be on our way to Irgafa.

In the meantime, we will also hire some adventurers who are staying in the town to help defend the mansion. We have also arranged for swordsmen, wizards, and priests to counter the undead. There will be more than 30 of them in total.

...... It's a completely and absolutely invincible defensive posture: ......

That's a lot of money. The Ilgafa lordship family.

I think I learned in world history that trade in the Middle Ages was extremely profitable.

What a relief. We don't have to do anything.

We'll be traveling to Ilgafa right after you, Mr. Iris.

I sip my teacup. It's long gone cold.

I don't think I'll need to get a new one brewed. Let's get out of here.

We've exchanged all the necessary information and I think we're done with the interview.

'I hope the 'Festival of the Sea Dragon' goes well.

Wait!

Iris stood up in her chair with a thump.

'Iris would like to ask you to be her bodyguard as well. Will you please be the heart of the adventurers and protect Iris?

Clutching the hem of her dress, Iris looked at me and Rita.