Chapter 74
When we entered the temple treasury, we could say with complete confidence that Takashi's expectations were not in vain. After all, in addition to all sorts of figurines, vases, and boxes with incense and jewelry, there was also a stand with swords.
- Forgive me, Japanese, but I can't call a katana a sword, because a blade with one edge is just a long knife. - the time traveler muttered, although he was clearly audible in the current silence.
"Are you aware that you said that out loud?" I asked.
- Out loud? - the guy asked confusedly, and then looking at us he came across Saeko's aggressive gaze, that such words had offended her to the depths, and with this he came to a realization.
"If I say that it was a completely random, thoughtless thought, will you believe me?" Takashi asked cautiously.
- I've already noticed that you speak without thinking, otherwise you wouldn't anger me so often.
- But you really are suspicious. You pray to some god of freedom, who is called one of the demons of Goetia, and yet you yourself...
- Shut up. - Deciding to stop him before he dug his own grave, I used the cursed Inumaki technique and even after not a single sound came out of his mouth, he still moved as if trying to say something.
- Now think carefully about what the hell is going on with you, otherwise I will start fixing you with healing lightning. - I said threateningly, creating a purple sphere of electro on my palm for clarity.
"Even though we've only known each other for a short time, his behavior now is too different from before the ritual," Saeko said worriedly.
"I have a theory, but I don't know what's better: to hope that I'm wrong or vice versa," I said with a complicated face.
"What's the theory?" Kyoko asked.
- The princess suggests that the damage to the soul received by Mr. Takashi forces him to tell the truth and at the same time makes it difficult to contain the thoughts in his head. - Oz answered for me. Meanwhile, the not very pleased time traveler, having heard the theory of his situation from the lips of the raven, thought seriously, and then sat down right on the floor and plunged into meditation.
"Wouldn't that mean he insulted traditional Japanese weapons from the bottom of his heart?" Saeko asked the question that was most pressing to her.
- Well, maybe so. But imagine for a second if you could tell everyone the truth, without voluntarily speaking even your darkest thoughts. How quickly would you be suspected of planning a massacre? - I answered a question with a question.
- I... - the girl was clearly about to object, but after thinking for a bit, she seemed to lose her nerve and reluctantly admitted. - Okay, you're right.
- What do you mean? I don't quite understand why, in this situation, Saeko-chan should be suspected of something like that? - Hayashi asked, clearly confused.
- Because Saeko is a born warrior. And as a rule, such people feel most alive on the battlefield. - I tried to explain so as not to offend the girl, who was clearly afraid of being considered crazy. After all, if you pay a little more attention, you can understand that in fact, in some way, she is even glad that the zombie apocalypse has begun.
"I think that explains a lot," the teacher nodded understandingly.
"And you don't have a problem with that?" Saeko asked surprisingly timidly.
- Not a bit, - I answered with a smile. - You know, in my home world, you would probably have a much nicer life, and I bet you would have made an amazing adventurer.
- Really? What is your world like? - the girl was curious. However, Kyoko was not far from her.
- Well, I think it's worth starting with the fact that my world is divided into seven elemental nations, headed by Archons, or, to put it simply, gods who rule over a certain element. For example, I was born in Mondstadt, the land of winds and freedom. Our Archon's name is Barbatos - he is the god of freedom and wind. In fact, he does not rule us, sincerely believing in freedom, he intervenes only when disasters are approaching that we cannot cope with ourselves. As for who governs our strange, then, in fact, there are two governing bodies of power, this is the knightly order Ordo Favonius and the Church, although, to be honest, I always believed that religion should not be allowed to participate in politics, but that's not the point. So, next we have Li Yue, this strange is ruled by, perhaps, the strongest of the archons Morax - the Lord of Stone, and also known as the god of contracts. This country is quite reminiscent of China, and is probably the economic center of all of Taivat. Traders from all over the world gather at the Li Yue trading port. Also, the currency that is used all over the world comes from here and was personally created by the Geo Archon, therefore it bears the name in his honor - Mora. - said the name of the currency, I pulled out two coins from my inventory and handed them to the girls who were looking at the coins with curiosity.
- So, what else haven't I mentioned? - I thought.
- Milady, you forgot to mention how the Archon rules his region. - prompted Men Oz.
- Right, thank you Oz. - I thanked Oz. - Morax, as far as I know, does not interfere too actively in the lives of ordinary people, but once a year at the descent ceremony, he seems to give instructions and predict what the direction of the market will be or something like that.
"So you don't know?" Saeko asked, tilting her head slightly.
- Well, I've never been to this ceremony, so I'm telling you based on what I remember about this country, - I answered, shrugging my shoulders. - Should I continue?
"Yes, please," Hayashi nodded.
- Okay, so, as I said, the Geo Archon does not interfere much in the lives of ordinary people, and therefore Li Yue is mainly ruled by a group called Qixing. This is a group of seven leaders responsible for one of the main business ventures that Li Yue is involved in. I don't know much about them, except for the names of the four leaders.
- Firstly, the Will of Heaven – Ning Guang, I'm not sure if I remember her story correctly, but I think she was an orphan as a child and survived by fishing, but thanks to her intelligence and business acumen, she gradually became the most influential and rich woman in Liyue. She loves money, although she treats it mostly as a trophy. She lives in the Jade Palace, on which she spent a simply fabulous amount of money. And the main feature of this palace is that it hovers above the port area. This is achieved thanks to a special mineral called… plaustrite? I think so, I don't remember this moment very well.
- Um. Don't you know too much about her? - Saeko asked somewhat hesitantly.
- If you think about it, it's probably creepy when someone you don't know knows so much about you. - I said after thinking for a bit. - You know, let's put off the excursion into the history of my world for later, after all, I still haven't told you why you, Saeko, would be good in our world.
"Okay," nodded the girl, who already had a katana from the weapons stand in her hands.
"I wouldn't mind listening now," Kyoko said, slightly upset.
- Well, I don't plan on leaving you anytime soon, so I'll still have time to tell you. – I smiled.
- So the reason you would like it there is because of the various monsters and hilichurls that constantly appear all over the world and which are dealt with by the combat units of countries as well as adventurers. You know how it often happens in novels where the adventurer's guild gives quests to clear out various monsters, and it's the same here. In my opinion, the life of an adventurer would suit you perfectly.
"That does sound quite interesting," Saeko agreed.
- My lady, I think Mr. Takashi wants to say something, - Oz intervened in the conversation, drawing our attention to the irritated and still unable to speak guy.
- It's strange, of course, that the equipment works for so long, but okay, let's listen to what he has to say in his defense.