Chapter 96: Barracuda Migration Event.

Chapter 96: Barracuda Migration Event.

"Why are you here? I asked with annoyance, the question directed at the young woman sitting beside me. She was wearing an elegant dress that would make her stand out among the villagers and their patchwork clothing.

How rude, Princ-, my apologies, Lady Hestia, she nearly let slip with a frown, before immediately correcting it back into a smile, hiding her emotions behind it as she kept speaking. I have simply decided to spend my day outside, on my dear fathers land, to observe the barracuda migration through our villages river. It was surprising to me to meet you here, so I decided to join you. The more the merrier, correct?

Ellaine Fiero Helvas, the daughter of Count and Countess Helvas. A beauty with shimmering blue hair braided with care into a hairstyle I would call cute and refined. Unlike her mother who kept her long blond hair kept in buns to appear more mature, Ellaine let her hair reach her back with braidings to cement the appearance of a youthful but proper young lady.

The dress she was wearing was different from the one she had worn to dinner the day before. It was shorter, only reaching her shins. It looked more comfortable to walk in, as I can attest the dresses we both wore yesterday would be ill-suited to walking around the village, as the hem would dirty without question. However, despite the difference, the amount of embroidery, the inclusion of her familys emblem, and the cleanliness of her dress made it obvious to any onlookers who she was. She was screaming to be robbed if this werent her houses fief.

Please, dont lie. I dont know exactly what your parents are planning, but I can deduce you are here to supervise me. At least you arent resorting to spying, like last time, I replied, already understanding the situation without needing her to answer.

This was the day after my dinner and disastrous negotiation with house Helvas. Sure, I might have secured the IDs which our party needed, but seeing as how Ellaine nearly called me Princess, its pretty clear theyve already figured out one of my secrets. Count Helvas did mention he was able to feel the aura exuded from my [Princess] title, after all.The initial instance of this chapter being available happened at N0v3l.Bin.

When I told what happened to Saori and Tasianna, they did mention I messed up a bit by not simply telling the Count I was a princess. We had already decided before the dinner that it was better if only a few people knew rather than everyone, so it wasnt much of a problem for me to confess my royalty status. I had to agree. It was my mistake for not being able to figure that out. I was nervous but I did have nine brains to think that throughsigh.

Ellaine placed a hand on her cheeks, looking unperturbed at my guess. Well, if I have been exposed so easily, then there is no more reason to stay quiet about it. Father ordered me to keep you company while you are here. He has told me he owes you a debt, so this is his way to repay you aside from your deal with him.

Having you as company is supposed to be repayment? Ahem, I do apologize if I sound extremely rude but, after what happened yesterday, I am not in the mood to entertain you, I said bluntly, ignoring the slight glares I got from her retainers.

As Ellaine was a young lady from a noble house, she hadnt come alone. Barathan, along with her personal maid and two knights were also here today as her escorts. Her maid and knights visibly showed their disapproval from my choice of words but were quickly silenced once Tasianna glanced at them. Barathan was the only one who ignored my words, almost like he was expecting them, and reprimanded the three for their behavior.

Pardon our rudeness, Lady Hestia. Although we do understand your standpoint, we would like you to understand ours. As our guest, a prestigious one if I may say, we do have a duty to make sure no harm comes to you. Politically speaking, we are simply looking out for ourselves, Barathan explained in response to my bluntness, keeping his persona of a perfect butler intact.

It is as Barathan has said, Lady Hestia. Instead of thinking of me as a problem, may I suggest we build up our relationship like you mentioned yesterday? Is speaking with me that revolting? Ellaine asked with the face of a girl betrayed by her best friend, causing me to sigh in exasperation.

May I also point out the fact that your presence is quite unnerving. Not for me, but for the villagers? This is supposed to be a fun day for them but look at them, I pointed at the villagers, all of them standing close to the riverbank with self-made nets and harpoons. Although they looked ready, some of them were looking back at us with anxiousness.

Harriet once explained to me that the villagers couldnt relax around me casue they believed I was a noble. Since the class system ruled these lands, as serfs, they were aware they needed to show respect to nobles and were worried that their actions might insult them. Nobody wanted trouble with nobles, so it couldnt be helped that they were worried when I started living here with my party.

At this point, though, the villagers had come to tolerate my presence due to Saoris efforts to befriend them. They wouldnt stop walking when I appeared, but speaking and interacting with them was still impossible. That scene with Lorenas friends was still clear in my mind. Due to this, I couldnt participate in the fishing itself, unfortunately. Its always the fun parts that I couldnt do.

So, Saori was the one to fish for us. We needed more meat to satisfy my cravings, after all. Tasianna had come along with us, but her hatred for humans was still too strong, so she hung out with me as we snacked and sipped tea together. That was when Colwyn and Harriet had shown up with Ellaine.

Oi, I can see the fish! I can see the fish! Barracuda season is back! someone acting as a spotter shouted before running back to the main group.

Saori, catch us a feast, alright!? Lorena, good luck to you and your family! May Themestra, the Goddess of Hunting and Archery, bless everyone in Carine village seeking to feed their families! I shouted to pump everybody up, causing the villagers and Saori to erupt in cheers as they readied nets and harpoons.

Colwyn asked me before the event began to speak that last sentence. As everybody believed me to be a priestess of Aurena, any blessing I say could motivate the villagers even more. As I already knew about Themestra from my lessons from Tasianna, I already understood what he meant by this despite everybody mostly praying to Aurena and Krunal, the God of Harvests and the Weather.

Themestra was not only the Goddess of Hunting and Archery but also a subordinate Goddess of Aurena and Zephira. The reason why she was serving two origin goddesses was cause, in life, she was a half-elf, half-human who was respected by both elves and humans as one of the best archers during her mortal life. The stories say the two goddesses took her in after her apotheosis; as they couldnt decide who should take her as their subordinate, Plesia gave Themestra the choice. She chose both goddesses, and thats how she became who she was today.

As I sat back down on my wooden chair, I noticed Ellaine hiding her open mouth with a fan, looking a bit astounded. Youve seen me at my best, Lady Ellaine, I answered.

I then spread a bit of scale-dust into the air before igniting them, imitating the sparkle of stars. But this is how I truly am. If I am too vulgar for you, then you may leave. This was supposed to be a relaxing day for me, and I have no intention of acting like yesterday to accommodate you, I said proudly, before taking out a wooden table and Tasiannas tea set from my storage.

W-Was that space-time-?! Ahem, she stammered, her eyes widening in surprise at my [Storage Magic], nearly break her noble persona before recovering it just in the nick of time. Well, I would by lying if I said your sudden outburst did not surprise me, Lady Hestia. The image you gave my family yesterday was that of an elegant and refined greifnoble. Seeing you mingle with our subjects iswell, I have visited the villagers twice with my father due to our duty as their lords, but I cannot imagine living here. The smell is foul and nauseating; surely, you must be aware of that, no?

Saori, my wolfkin retainer over there, and I are both beastmen. We have finer noses, so yes, I can smell it too clearly. Still havent gotten used to it, I shrugged. However, dont try to persuade me to live in your mansion. Instead, what is this greifnoble you compared me to? I spoke, stopping her from offering me to come to her home.

Ellaine pouted a bit but answered my question, nonetheless, A greifnoble is the highest tier of noble ranks in our kingdom. We have five tiers; greifnoble, magnoble, the clergy, schwertnoble, and knights in descending order of their power and influence. My father is a magnoble, as he is a count. Lord Duke Greenveil possesses the prestigious rank of duke, given to him by His Majesty the King, and is so a greifnoble.

Curious about the aristocratic system of the Kingdom of Artorias, I continued asking her about the rest of the ranks. In descending order, the ranks would go like this: greifnobles included grand duke, duke, and marquess; magnobles included arcanuess, count, and viscount; the clergy with their priests and shrine maidens; schwertnobles included baron and baronet; lastly, knights were treated similarly to schwertnobles while the rest of their family stayed commoners. Of course, the king and queen stood above them all as royalty.

Father and mother did mention your ignorance of our land, but to not even know the ranks and tiers is quite surprising. Pray tell, Lady Hestia, do you possibly know how nobles of a lower tier address those of a higher tier? Ellaine asked me with worry on her face, clearly having no intentions to hide her emotions here.

Once I admitted I did not, Ellaine muttered an oh my as she quickly explained it to me. Apparently, if you were a person of a lower social tier and ranking, you were supposed to address a noble of a higher tier with lord or lady first and then their noble rank with their family name. For example, if I were a baroness, I would have to address Count Helvas with Lord Count Helvas instead of how I did it yesterday with Lord Helvas.

It wasnt a law, but an unofficial social rule to show respect to nobles of a higher rank. This was especially the case for a commoner who was speaking with a noble, as some prideful ones could take it as an insult.

Wait, was that the reason why both Barathan and Count Helvas squinted their eyes when I first introduced myself?

Flabbergasted at my total lack of knowledge of this fact, I quickly questioned Tasianna about it. I did notice Colwyn, Saori, and Tasianna abiding by the rule, but it seems Tasianna and Saori both did it cause they copied Colwyn. They didnt know the reason and thought only lord or count was enough when I did it.

In other words, this is all Colwyns fault! How could he not have informed me about this fact?! Colwyn, what have you done, you Dummkopf?!

Great, I exposed myself. Argh, I should have just asked him about it!

Now beaming a brilliant smile at knowing my weakness, Ellaine continued, If you wish, I could help you expand your knowledge, Lady Hestia? We are both mages, correct? As mages, we must always seek knowledge just like Istari, the God of Magic and Knowledge.

You are a mage, too? I felt mana from your mother, but I didnt know you could cast spells, I asked with curiosity.

Showing me a self-mocking smile, Ellaine answered my question reluctantly, I seeAm I that weak? Ahem, that is beside the point, but yes, I am a mage. Every noble is expected to learn to control their mana, as that is our noble duty. As the descendants of distinguished warriors and mages, we are to harness our innate abilities and high mana pools to gain the strength to protect and serve our kingdom and its people.

She then proceeded to conjure up a [Earthen Wall], speaking a chant I never had to do myself. When she asked me to showcase my own, I was a bit hesitant about doing it but ultimately decided to do it as I had no reason to not flaunt my abilities. When I conjured my own [Earthen Wall], Ellaine was shocked at seeing me do it without a chant. It would seem her [Chant Revocation] was only level 3. She was stuck at the breakpoint requirement.

There was a silence between us after she saw my spell, perfectly aligned with Tasianna having finished the tea. Ellaines maid seemed a bit restless when she saw that, probably feeling a bit uneasy that I was served tea while her mistress wasnt. It was a bit nostalgic seeing this sight as Tasianna used to be like that too, always fidgeting when Saori had to serve me her tea as she couldnt in her fairy form.

Unable to keep watching her like that, I called over Barathan and lent him a spare teapot and some of our tea leaves. I sparked a fire for them with my claws and told Barathan they could use it if they wanted to. Barathan bowed deeply, thanking me for my generosity, before beginning the tea preparation with the maid. I also had the chance to learn that Barathan was a water mage as he could cast [Create Water] for the water.

Dunno whats bugging you Ellaine butwhatever.

She hadnt said anything since I showed her my [Earthen Wall]. If she didnt want to speak then its fine. We werent friends, and her father was somebody I didnt want to associate myself with too much. So, instead, I just watched Saori and the villagers fish.

Woah, shit! They broke through!

Dammit, a new net! Come on, give me a new net!

Ahhh! I got one! Look at this big bugger! Wait! I got a level! I give my thanks to Goddess Aurena and Goddess Themestra for this blessing!

Woah, it looks more intense than I thought.

The river looked like a cascading waterfall right now, caused by a stream of barracudas and other fish swimming down the river at a rapid speed. None of the villagers were able to stay in the river and had to stand at the riverbank for safetys sake, as they threw nets and sharp wooden spears into the river, hoping they could catch some fish.

Identify

Barracuda

A barracuda that has adapted to freshwater. Unlike higher rank barracudas, this kind cannot evolve under normal circumstances. Rank G

When I was still a [Young Spark Fire Dragon], I did get a taste of some barracuda sashimi when I was stuck in that cave. Those fish were pretty vicious with their long fangs and water attacks. I wasnt sure but, if this was a migration, then does that mean the barracudas I met in that cave were once participants of this event? I met them somewhere at the end of spring and start of summer, while this migration is happening at the start of winter.

Funnily enough, the villagers seem to be earning experience from catching these fish. Only an extreme minority were actually benefitting from it, so I guess their experience gain was quite low. Still, any level is good, I think.

Hey, Miss Saori, youre catching all of them! Leave some for us!

Wow, look at this giant bowl. Shes filling it up with fish.

Ahhhhhhhh! Sashimi! Nigiri! The spirit of a ryoshi compels me!!! Saori shouted.

It seems shes having fun.

While the villagers were staying by the shore and fishing with wooden harpoons and nets, Saori was standing in the river. Like a grizzly swiping salmon out of the river, she was enthusiastically fishing with just her paws. Erm, hand, I mean.

Similar to a grizzly bear swiping salmon out of the river, Saori was the only one standing in the river, actively catching fish like an animal. The fervor she was putting into this task was remarkable and a bit worrying, considering she was only doing this to refill our meat storage. Saving on food costs, would be a fitting refrain for Saori, as I can imagine her excusing herself with it.

Still, the bowl I made for Akashts soup was slowly being filled up with fish. I couldnt see how full it was from this distance, but I could already guess from all the comments and the speed Saori was working. Ryoshi, huh? A Japanese word to describe Japanese hunters and fishermen. Yeah, I dont think any ryoshi have ever fished sobeastly.

Ah, do not worry about it. This lesson plan to help me train my magic is good enough, beside, you have helped me a lot with my fighting style. If it were not for you and Grazlahta, I do not think I could have won against Hestia, Saori said giving the red carnosaurian a handshake.

Ahh, dammit, I cant accept this. Hmm, ah! Here, take this, Krim-Slak then took out a token or something and handed it over to Saori. If some bastard at the mercenary guild at Firwood gives you or the Princess trouble, show them that token. I bet theyll remember the pounding I gave them, but I guess youll give them even more hell, ha ha ha!

It was a tearful farewell for me, as those guys gave us quite a lot of help. From a combat standpoint, we got a huge boost in power just from their lessons alone. I still felt a bit annoyed that Master Kush was leaving before I could beat him once in a duel butwell meet again. We will meet again, yeah!

You better hear my name once my Idol job gets going, guys! Master Kush, Krim-Slak, Grazlahta, Akasht, thank you!

A note from AbyssRaven

Time for sushi. Also, bye bye, Master Kush for now. I liked writing about them. :(

If you guys want to support me, Hestia and "A Dragon Idol's Reincarnation Tale" (or just read up to 12 advance chapters + any Patreon-only chapters) please check out my Patreon: Rawr!

If you guys enjoyed this chapter then, please follow the story. If you guys want the story to grow, then giving it a rating or a favorite will do wonders: Rawr

Thank you for reading this chapter.

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Friday, October 9, 2020 5:41:12 AM Germany [Member of Zard Skwad]

Bio: Hey there, AbyssRaven here. I'm just an avid Light Novel and Fantasy story reader who randomly thought of a story and began writing about it.

I eventually found out that I've been spending a bit too much time with building, planning, and researching for the story, that I've decided to just share it with others.

Writing is mostly a hobby for me, but I would still love any kind of criticism to improve on it.

I'm also german, so please excuse anything that sounds a bit weird...I wouldn't mind you pointing it out though.

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