Royal Princess of Blood

When it was time to eat, it had already become dark. Therefore, Nira couldn’t join us for the meal. A shame really, the little girl wanted to eat something delicious after that long ass trip. She had no choice but to wait until tomorrow. The same servant who brought us to our dorms even asked where the little girl went. I just said that she fell asleep, and best not to disturb her at all. Her being a kid and all, such a thing was easily believable.

We had our own dining place, which was in a big, open shed. It would have been nicer if there had been a garden in the surroundings filled with all sorts of plants, but alas, nothing but rock and dirt. But hey, at least the food was delicious! There were a couple of soups, fried meat, and roasted meat! Genuinely, they tasted good, totally different from the street foods or those made in inns or something. My guess was that high places just had access to more valuable and more expensive ingredients.

Of course, I just decided to ignore that these were all monster meat. It was tiring to keep thinking about that thing at this point. So, best to just not think about it at all.

Wait, I’m thinking about it right now. Fuck.

“Wow, my compliments to the chef,” I said with a pleased grin as I ate gracefully. “Take the chance people, we won’t be eating like this for days once we leave.”

We would be back to eating simple crap out there in the wilderness.

“What about we just bring some proper ingredients and spices this time?” Hartwin said, as he wore a wincing face at the thought of eating shitty food again. “I’m sure we can prepare something good.”

“I thought you’d be used to those kinds of food?” I replied. I mean, he was traveling a lot before we met. So he definitely could have eaten some simple dishes.

“You know, Estelia, in long journeys, food is one of the most important pleasures you have to get. Lest you become unmotivated. So make the food great!”

“Meaning…?”

“I don’t make crappy food! So, no, I’m not used to eating monster meat and lackluster ingredients.”

“You carry a lot of ingredients, huh?” I asked as I continued eating.

“I carry essential spices, mostly. For the other ingredient, you could typically just find usable ones anywhere plants grow. Here, you can’t find anything useful. Nor am I really familiar with what I see…”

He was a resourceful man, but how can you be resourceful in a place with no fucking resources?! That’s what he was basically saying.

I nodded. “Then this time, let’s hold nothing back for food. We’re currently broke. But once I get my payment from Miyako, we can buy whatever we need.”

“You really used up all the money you stole from the bandits?”

I frowned and pointed my fork at him. “Hey, I did not steal them. I looted them after they’re dead. Big difference. We would have had money if bandits had just attacked us on the way here.”

Taneva chuckled. “You would love that, wouldn’t you?”

“What do you mean by that?” I pouted.

“Nothing, nothing. But hey, once it’s just us without a big convoy, I’m sure we’ll encounter a bandit or two.”

Estelia, the bandit killer! Or bandit hunter, or whatever. Having bandits attack us would be a bit entertaining, but I’d prefer an entire big group of them! I mean, how long do you think a couple of bandits would last fighting us? Pfft.

It took a little more time before we finished our casual chatter and ate all our food. And it was a bit fun to finally be in a setting where we could take it easy and know that we were in a non-hostile area. Really less stressful, and quite a comfort. Once most of the food in our stomach was digested and we had thus felt lighter, we made our way back to our rooms. There were no people around here anymore, done for the day. So it was quite silent.

We entered our room, and I prepared the bed for my inevitable pleasant slumber. However, as I did, I sensed someone coming and stopped right before my door. I could see the person’s figure through the screen.

Who could it be?

“Pardon me, I hope I’m not disturbing you.” It was Haru’s voice, Miyako’s mother. Strange, what could she be doing here? “Can we talk, Lady Estelia?”

Lady Estelia…?

That was a strange thing to hear from a ruler of this island. I walked over to the door and slid it open. Her eyes widened upon seeing me. She was holding a wooden box in her hands.

“Lady Haru, I did not expect your company tonight. Please come in.”

“Y-Yes, thank you. I apologize for disturbing you. I need to talk to you.” She left her sandals and stepped into my room. She closed the door, and suddenly she kneeled on both knees. It was just the kneeling position to sit. She placed the box on the floor in front of her.

To be respectful, as this was their palace, I kneeled down in front of her as well, and straightened my back. Don’t slouch when sitting like this, people! Be elegant!

“Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” I asked. I surmised this was going to be about Miyako. Although there could be something else. I glanced down at the wide wooden box.

“Firstly, I thank you sincerely for helping my dear daughter. I owe you tremendously.”

I smiled. “Don’t worry about it. We’re just two friends helping each other out.”

She nodded. “I… I would like to ask. Are you truly from the continent?”

I tilted my head. “Why would I lie about that?”

“... It’s just…” She closed her eyes for a moment, seemingly nervous. “Is your appearance true?”

“My appearance…? Of course. What are these strange questions for, Lady Haru?”

“Allow me to… show you something.” She opened the wooden box and showed me its content.

The moment I saw what was inside, my eyes widened in surprise.

What the heck…?

Inside the box was an old painting with faded artwork. But the color was still quite visible. Painted on it was someone who looked like me, but older.

Could this be…?

I took ‌a long breath as I slowly reached out to the painting. It was fascinating, we looked almost alike. All of it was similar, the eyes, the hair, the skin color. The face.

“What is this?” I asked in a low voice.

“... A painting of a goddess from a long time ago.”

This was the goddess whom Wisteria worshiped. An actual painting of her. All this time I only saw depictions of her back home.

She really looked like me.

It was crazy. I never thought I would see this out here. But for some reason, I was very interested. She was connected to me after all. Closely connected. But to think we really looked alike like this. I could imagine myself actually looking like her once I grow older.

“How do you have this?” I lightly touched the painting with the tips of my fingers.

“This has been in our possession for a long time… Lady Estelia, this may be rude to ask but… Are you the goddess in this painting?”

I withdrew my hand. There was no point in hiding or lying about this. Besides, the way she looked at me was a bit… too much, to be honest. So much anticipation. But I was curious about what this goddess mother of mine was doing here, that even Miyako’s mother knew about her. I felt she was an important piece of this island’s history.

I smiled gently. “What do you know about her?”

“... From old records, from when Shinoroa was still one and had nature all around, the goddess walked among us. We do not have precise records, but it is said that she guided the people of Shinoroa. At least, part of it.”

“No specific record of what she’s really doing here, huh?”

“No… but there is one thing that’s clear to us. She taught us magic that is used to fight against creatures that cannot be killed by normal means.”

I raised an eyebrow. Now that was familiar to me. “Do you mean the blood art that enhances your weapons?”

She was surprised to hear that. “You knew?”

“Maybe Miyako has not mentioned it to you, but she used it when we fought a demon.”

“Yes, she did mention it when we spoke in private.”

Hm, then it would seem that Miyako had mentioned her intentions to her parents. “I heard you’ve been passing down such art.”

“Yes, we’re doing our best to preserve the tradition.”

“Best? I wouldn’t call it doing your best. The blood art was utterly useless.”

“Useless…?” She was in disbelief. They had never tried it on the demons before, it was obvious.

“You lack the faith to use it for what it truly is. That was why it was useless for its purpose. Do you even know what they’re supposed to be for? The blood art? What they’re supposed to kill.”

“... Demons.”

“Indeed. Demons are unkillable without holy magic. There are different kinds of casting holy magic, and the Goddess of Blood taught you her method. One that symbolized her personally. And you wasted her knowledge.”

Well, the demons were apparently involved in that, but still, it was their own fault for letting that happen. Still, credit to them for actually preserving it, at least in one form or another.

“If only you knew how effective such magic could have been. The blood art demands faith the most. Yet you fail in that.” Such was the case with Miyako. If only they still believed in the goddess, it might have been a different case.

Her mouth was agape ever so slightly. “Then… what defeated that demon?”

“Me.”

Her eyes widened. “Then you are…?”

“I am not the goddess that once walked this island and guided your people. Yet we are of the same nature.” I pulled out a dagger and pricked my finger. Touching the blade’s tip to the cut, the blood flowed onto my blade. Haru gasped as she watched.

I smiled and formed an expression so grand and divine, unlike what I had done before. This was something I had been waiting for my entire life, knowing I was a goddess! Indeed! This was something that even my own crew refused to give me! This was my day — eh, night!

“I am Her daughter. I bear the divine blood that burns all unholy. Like Her, I am a god.”

Suddenly, Haru vigorously prostrated herself. “Your Holiness, I deeply apologize for my doubt!”

Hey!

Her voice loudly echoed in my room. It may have reached outside as well. It caught me off guard.

Holy shit, I didn’t expect the enthusiasm.

Thankfully, there were no people nearby, aside from my crew.