**Chapter 293 The Miko and Cage of Desire III**

She was carried by Suiko to the Hollow of the Holy Spirit.

After hearing the ‘good idea’ that Krische had come up with, Lira desperately tried to persuade her, but Krische insisted that it was fine.

They ran through the forest and landed in the hollow,

"Regalave-san, Liea is lonely. Please give her some attention."

That was the first thing she said.

――Lira froze.

In front of a huge cliff made of magic crystals――the Holy Spirit was silent.

Without even lifting Their head, They looked at Krische with Their large crimson-purple eyes, then at Lira.

And after a while, his magic power resonated.

*“What are you talking about, Krische”*

"Lira is living alone in the forest, feeling lonely just to become Regalave’s final shrine maiden...or something like that. Why don’t you visit her more often and keep her company? You're not that busy, right?"

“Ah, uh...Krische-sama, in the first place, about that, well”

“...? Lira haven't told Regalave-san yet?”

The concept of being the Holy Spirit’s Miko was something that only exists in Kreisharana.

To the Holy Spirit, it might not matter at all. Even speaking about it seemed arrogant, as if she held herself in too much of high regard by considering herself the final Miko.

When asked if she truly had the resolve, could she confidently say yes?

Thinking about that too.

"Well, it's fine. Actually――”

At the words ‘well, it's fine’, Lira wanted to protest that it wasn’t fine at all, but the situation left her pale and nearly paralyzed.

Ignoring Lira's reaction, Krische began explaining in a relaxed, nonchalant tone, probably repeating something she heard from her brother.

The Holy Spirit, whose expression was unreadable, listened quietly, while Lira anxiously wondered what They were thinking.

The circumstances of the village, the eventual loss of faith.

Lira had decided to become the last shrine Miko with an eye on Kreisharana’s future, but in truth, this had nothing to do with the Holy Spirit.

The frequency of audiences had changed from once every two years to once a year in Lira’s time, and though the Holy Spirit occasionally asked questions or spoke more, that was due to Krische’s involvement rather than any special connection to Lira.

It wasn’t that she was particularly special to the Sacred Spirit.

It would be one thing if she had spoken it herself, but when Krische explained it, it sounded extremely arrogant.

Moreover, thinking she’d serve forever was already an audacious thought, assuming the Sacred Spirit was a lonely being.

"...Leaving aside the details, the important thing is that Lira wants to stay with Regalave-san for the rest of her life. Krische thinks that Regalave-san should be nicer to Lira."

Krische nodded on her own, as if she'd said something very good.

The Holy Spirit, who had been listening in silence, looked at Lira with Their huge eyes.

*"I understand the situation, but you can do as you like. Whether that little one lives in the forest or in a flock is a trivial matter. I may be your friend, but that little one is not my friend, and I have no interest in it."*

The resonance of magic power made Lira freeze again.

*”Regardless of what she thinks of me, it’s none of my concern. I don’t particularly refuse it, but what reason do I have to engage with her?”*

“Hmm...”

Watching Krische pondering, Lira hastily pulled her cloak.

"I-I appreciate the thought, Krische-sama... but it's fine..."

"But Lira doesn't seem to be fine."

"Um, well..."

The girl turned to Lira, smiled softly, and patted her head, saying it was fine.

Then she turned her eyes to the Holy Spirit again.

"Krische doesn't really understand what you're so hung up on, Regalave-san..."

*“Hung up on?”**

“Is it a rule that you can’t befriend someone who is equal or inferior in ability? For example, Krische, if Krische were to challenge Regalave right now, Krische would easily win, so Regalave-san is not equal to Krische, but Krische think that doesn’t matter.”

‘Krische doesn’t think there’s any need for a reason’, she continued.

“Regalave-san isn’t talking to Krische because Regalave-san doesn’t want to be killed by Krische, and Krische isn’t talking to Regalave-san because of equal power. We’re just meeting and talking because we want to be friends…”

‘Is that wrong?’, when she asked, the Holy Spirit narrowed Their eyes in some interest, and said that it wasn’t wrong.

Then the magic shook quietly and intermittently.

"The superiority or inferiority of abilities is foolish. Different people have different thoughts, and because they are different, you can think of different things and notice different fun and happiness... If Regalave-san think it's fun to talk to Krische, Regalave-san will also enjoy talking to Lira, other people."

The Holy Spirit narrowed Their eyes, seemingly interested, and quietly, magical power fluctuated.

Expressing her thoughts straightforwardly, no matter the situation, she conveyed her own words and thoughts openly to anyone.

She never tried to make herself appear big or small.

"Regalave-san say that small ones are worthless, but there are many people in the world who have different thoughts, and there are many people who are more impressive and amazing than stupid Krische and Kreschenta, even if not, there are people whose company brings joy and happiness and who may come to love you.”

"Ah..."

Krische went behind Lira and hugged her from behind, in front of the Holy Spirit.

"Since there are people who want to continue to be friends with Regalave-san and talk to you, it's a waste to have such weird hang up. Of course, if Regalave-san doesn't like Lira, then that’s different, but if not, then this is just another furious meeting... you have to cherish it."

Half frozen, she gazed fearfully at the Holy Spirit.

The crimson eyes narrowed even more――and after a while, the magic power swayed intermittently.

The vibrations of magic power that was filling this huge depression where the Holy Spirit was.

――It sounded a lot like a human laughing.

“I see, there is some truth in your words.”

"That's right. For example, even if there was another Regalave-san besides you who was completely equal and thought the same way, you wouldn't be able to have a fun conversation, right? It's fun to talk because you're talking to someone different from you. In that sense, Lira is just right."

"Right?"

While holding Lira, Krische nodded and pointed her finger.

"Unlike Regalave-san, she's very weak, and from Regalave-san point of view, she works hard at things that are pointless. But she's a kind, honest, and good girl, so she's the complete opposite of the dishonest Regalave-san in many ways, so she's a perfect match for you. ...Krische has learned a lot from people who are completely different from Krische, Krische’s sure Regalave-san has a lot to learn from Lila."

"Oh. This little one, to me?"

The pressure of the gaze grew, and she nearly stopped breathing.

Krische always said what she thought――she was happy that Krische felt that way, but sometimes it was akin to violence in the name of innocence.

"Yes. Lira seems lonely too, so maybe she'd be a good person to talk to. Regalave-san is probably just sleeping alone, thinking about things, so it's much more constructive to talk to Lira. Right, Lira?"

"Um, well..."

Bewildered by the question, she was at a loss for words.

“If Lira is living alone to be with Regalave-san, then keeping Regalave-san company in both in thoughts and conversations is an important part of Lira’s duties.”

“That’s...”

When Krische some up with something she thought was good she would say it as is.

Unlike Lira, Krische didn't think about useless things, she just made the problem clear and simple.

In any case, it would be rude of her to hesitate after hearing all that.

Lira took a deep breath.

"...I know I'm being presumptuous."

Then, having made up her mind, she quietly bowed deeply.

"Unrelated to all the formalities... if Yagernaus-sama doesn't mind, pleas allow me to visit here from time to time and have conversation with Yagernaus-sama?"

Her heart pounded, her body was covered in sweat, yet she felt cold and shivered.

"She said. So how is it?"

When Krische said that, the magic wavered intermittently as if laughing again.

A little later, the magic wavered gently.

*"Very well. It's not much different from before, so if you feel like it, I'll answer you and ask you questions."*

"!"

*"I don't mind if you just join in on the conversation. ――Lila, are you satisfied with that?"*

At the voice that echoed in her head, Lira opened her eyes wide and bowed even deeper.

Her eyes involuntarily watered, and she hurriedly wiped them with her arm as she answered the words.

"Thank you, Yagernaus-sama."

*"You should thank Krische. It's a trivial matter to me, but I think it's not bad to try to get along with a small one like you.'*

They raised Their head and looked straight at Lira with Their crimson eyes.

*At least your answers to my questions so far haven't been bad. It's not that inconvenient to have a conversation, and depending on how one look at it, exchanging questions with a mere small one can be fun.*

Then They said this and turned Their eyes to Krische beside her.

*“I wouldn't have bothered engaging in conversation, but indeed, what you say has some merit. It’s rash to assume there’s nothing to gain from it.”

“Ehehe, that's right. Being stubborn is a loss.'

Lila bowed deeply to Their words again, then raised her head to look at Krische.

“Goof for you, Lira.”

She patted Lira on the head and smiled softly.

That night, Krische told her she would stay over, and Krische slept with her that night.

Inside the hut, which only had a little furniture.

Krische didn't complain about the simple bed with only a blanket, and looked happy beside Lira.

"...Krische-sama is really an amazing person."

"Hm...Is it?"

She talked to the Holy Spirit calmly without fear, and even lectured The, for such a trivial reason as Lira being lonely.

All the things Lira had been unable to say, and her worries, were blown away by her in a single day.

Even if Lira had the same power, she would not try to persuade the Holy Spirit just to be someone for Lira to talk to.

From the Holy Spirit's point of view, it was unreasonable to say such things.

Lira couldn’t grasp things as forcefully and easily as Krische did.

She thought that Krische was like God, in fact that she was close to it.

"Fufu, that easily... Krische is like a God."

"God..."

She shattered the magic crystal on the cliff, creating a tall tower that pierced the clouds, on the side.

A magic well that absorbed a huge amount of magical power from a place called the Origin and released it into the sky.

Apparently, filling the atmosphere with magic power is the foundation for the ‘creation of the world’, and that was her original purpose.

A collection of shining magic formula filled the blue sky, and a huge pillar rose up silently.

She was truly the being who created the heavens and the earth, the holy spirits, and all living things, including humans.

The scene was also a scene from the ancient creation myth.

She recalled the time when Krische went to bring back the soul of her beloved servant.

The young girl was an incredible being, and it would not be wrong to call her a god.

Rewriting the world itself and creating a whole new world—the more Lira thought about what Krische was about to accomplish, the more she realized that Krische was an existence incomparable to her.

It felt strange to saw her lying next to her under the same blanket.

"It's true that Krische is a little good at calculations, and maybe even good at using magic, but... it's nothing special. For example, just because someone is good with a knife doesn't mean they’re a good cook... it's something like that."

‘Krische is still immature’, she said with a smile.

It was as if she was happy about her own immaturity.

"Actually, Krische think Lira is more admirable."

"Huh, m-me?"

"Yes. Lira is living a lonely life without seeing anyone for the sake of the people of Kreisharana, isn't she? ...Krische is always a bad girl who only thinks about herself."

Krische took out a magic crystal from her light pink nightgown and looks at it.

"Krische doesn't want to be sad, Krische doesn't want to be in pain. That's why Krische want to see Bery... Krische want to spend time with everyone again, but that's just Krische being selfish. Krische made Selene cry, that she can’t put up with Krische, and Krische still haven't gotten a proper answer."

She reaches out and stroked Lira cheek.

The blue magic crystal, with the red light inside, shone purple like her eyes.

Her silver hair and white skin were illuminated by that light, completing her beautiful face, yet she still looked childish.

Krische had always been the same since the first time they met.

"Even Bery might not really stick with Krische. It might be too selfish of Krische to ask...but Krische still wants to see Krische, so Krische does foolish things... Ehehe."

Krische smiled awkwardly, saying that it was hard to convey what she wanted to say.

A lonely tone——she probably felt that way in reality.

Even with the power of a god, not everything goes as one wishes.

"...Krische feel sorry Lira, but if Selene says no, if Selene says Krische shouldn't hope for eternity, Krische might end it here. Of course, if Lira wants, Krische can make her body like that for Lira."

"...I don't mind. I'll leave it to Krische-sama."

After saying that, Lira continued.

"But I'm sure Selene knows how you feel, Krische-sama. I don't know her that well, though."

The young and beautiful marshal with golden hair.

They had only exchanged a few greetings and were not close.

However, remembering the way she looked at this girl, Lira could be sure.

She had spent much more time by this girl's side than Lira had.

She surely understood better than anyone how beautiful and precious the 'foolishness' this girl spoke of was.

"Bery-sama too. Fufu, If someone chased me after my death to bring back my soul, just because they wanted to see me again...if someone said that, even I would be delighted and overjoyed."

“overjoyed?”

"Yes. There's no one who would be angry to be loved that much. Especially not her."

She giggled, and Krische smiled, holding the magic crystal with both hands.

"...When we get there, I need to prepare a room for Lira."

"My room..."

"Yes. Lira have been living alone in a place like this until now, so we need to celebrate."

"Celebrate..."

"A full course of meat, Lira's favorite. Krische should have brought some meat for Lila today, but... Krishe didn't think of that at all."

Lira blushed and smiled wryly, saying it was unnecessary.

It was surprisingly delicious to eat someone else's home-cooked meal for the first time in a while.

The ingredients were the same――of course, her cooking skills were a factor, but surely that wasn't the only reason.

"Fufu, if I had Krische-sama's and Bery-sama's cooking every day, it would be hard. I'd get used to delicious food and might drown in luxury if I'm not careful."

"Ehehe, Lira eats so deliciously that it's fun to cook for her. Besides, Vinthril-san also asked Krische yesterday."

"...Nii-san?"

"Working as a shrine maiden and living alone in a place like this... Lila is lonely and not very strong, but she's a good girl who will endure hardships and do her best for someone else."

‘Yes’, she nodded.

"Working as a shrine maiden and living alone in a place like this... Lira is lonely and not very strong, but she's a good girl who will endure hardships and do her best for someone else."

Hearing those words.

"So when we go over there, that he want Krische to make sure Lira is happy every day to make up for it, he said..."

The image of her brother bowing his head to her came into Lira’s mind.

She remembered the worried expression on his face as he looked at Lira every time they met.

Her brother had desperately tried to stop her from living alone like this many times.

He understood her determination but still insisted that she didn't need to go that far and that he would somehow manage things himself.

Lira's determination was half stubbornness.

She didn't want to trouble her brother and wanted to do something to help realize the future of Kreisharana that her father and brother envisioned——as the daughter of a great father, as the sister of a brother she could be proud of, she wanted to be a Lira they could be proud of.

So she didn't want to disappoint him, and she came here stubbornly, saying she wouldn’t go back on her words.

Still, her brother probably understood Lila's foolish stubbornness when he asked Krische to look after Lila.

Her vision suddenly blurred.

Covering her face with both hands, she couldn't hold back her sobs.

Krische held her and whispered, ‘It's okay’.

"It will be very fun. Every day we'll say silly things and do silly things, and it will be very lively. There will be no hardships, no sadness, just happiness every day."

Lira nodded and Krische just stroked her head, the feeling was just pleasant.

"Even if Lira get lonely, everyone's here, and we won't let you be alone. ...So, it's okay, there's no need to cry like that."

Every time she nodded, her head was stroked gently.

The words ‘It's okay’ were repeated as if to reassure herself, and Lira understood that Krische felt the same way.

She was not the only one who was lonely because she couldn't see the people she want to meet.

There were probably people like that all over the world, including her.

Sometimes, she wondered if she was the unhappiest person in the world, but that was never the case.

She could met her brothers at least once a year, and even during the times she couldn't see them, they were always worried about her.

There were people like Krische who cared for and comforted her, and this loneliness wouldn't last forever. Perhaps someday, she would look back and laugh at these times.

After all, this loneliness was a path she had chosen herself.

Lira was surely blessed.

――The next morning, Krische returned to the kingdom and she was alone again.

The loneliness returned once more, but her heart was calm.

What Krische had prepared for her was a path that led to the Hollow of the Holy Spirit.

It was decorated with a faint blue mark that kept magical beasts away, and its presence must have helped Lira's heart so much since then.

Even if she tried not to think about it, emotions were not something that could be controlled by logic.

When she felt so lonely she couldn't bear it, she could just go see the Holy Spirit.

Having such an escape route created lee-way for the emotions that had been swelling in her dead end.

In the end, she only used it to meet the Holy Spirit a few times in her life, but that was surely because its existence gave Lira more space in her heart.

Although she always felt some loneliness, just knowing that path existed allowed her to maintain a much more peaceful state of mind than before.

Humans cannot completely abandon their desires, and there are limits to what they can endure.

In the end, what she learned from decades of living was her own weakness.

It was the simple truth that people crave companionship.

On the mountaintop――outside, it was snowing, but this space was warm, filled with the smell of meat grilling on the grill.

Though it was a bit chilly, staying by the campfire wasn't so bad, and wrapping herself in fur made her feel cozy.

Moreover, being wrapped in Elvena's cloak and held on her lap, Lira didn't feel cold at all.

"Is it delicious, Lira-sama?"

"Y-yes... very..."

Elvena personally brought a skewer to Lira's mouth, and she bit into the meat, savoring its taste before swallowing.

‘Here, say ah’, said Elvena, offering another skewer—delicious. Once again, Lira bit into the skewer and smiled.

From the first day, for about two weeks, Elvena had been looking after Lira in various ways.

At first, Lira endured it, but gradually, she found it harder to resist.

Each time something happened, Elvena would say it was because she was tired, and Lira began to think she might really be tired. She thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to relax a bit, to take a break, even if just for sleeping.

In the end, she ended up being cuddled and warmed by Elvena every night, being woken up by her in the morning, receiving food during training, and agreeing to the suggestion of experiencing Elvena's care during the trip.

Sitting on Elvena's lap and being fed, saying ‘aah’ was embarrassing but also felt heavenly if she could ignore that feeling.

Her body was warm, the sensation of being held was pleasant, and the situation where she could depend on someone as much as she wanted was incomparable. It was understandable why the two princesses had indulged themselves.

"Would you like some wine?"

"Yes..."

When her lips touched the wine glass before her, she tasted the sweet wine mixed with juice.

As the alcohol took hold, her shame dulled, her reason weakened, and her mind filled with desire and pleasure.

Using drunkenness as an excuse was incredibly convenient.

‘Isn’t this fine?’ a voice in Lira’s mind whispered.

Her weakness was nothing new. Lira was an incorrigible lonely, needy person.

And Lira being Lira, she should have realized that the training over those decades was meaningless.

She had been holding back for a while, and now that Elvena had asked her to, she thought it might be not a bad idea to drown herself for once.

The other Lira raised her voice, saying ‘that’s not good’.

She was certainly weak. But that was why it was important to value self-restraint on a daily basis.

Drowning because you're weak would only make you sink to the bottom, you wouldn't be able to climb out, and you'd become a hopeless person.

‘If you don’t hold firm now, then when will you?’ it rebuked, rejecting such words.

"Here, Elvena. These are for Lira and Elvena."

"Fufu, thank you, Krische. Lira, new ones have arrived."

"Uh..."

"Ehehe, there are still plenty left."

New skewers were placed on the small table in front of Lira.

After replacing the plates, Krische returned to Bery and Kreschenta, who were engrossed in grilling the meat and having a great time.

Compared to the past, she looked completely free of worries and looked incredibly happy.

Everyday life without pain or sadness――here were the happy days Krische spoke of.

This is her paradise, her utopia.

A place devoted solely to the pursuit of happiness. Was there any meaning in being stubborn out here?

Mulling over the question she had pondered countless times, Lira bit into the new skewer and chewed.

At least, if she just surrendered herself, happiness was right within reach.

"Anne, it's your turn."

"Ah, yes..."

Anne seemed to be playing some kind of board game with Selene.

It wasn't the complicated stuff the Holy Spirits enjoy, but a more orthodox game with a board and pieces.

Selene was dominating on the board, but Anne was somehow distracted.

She kept glancing this way, and perhaps because of the lighting, her cheeks looked red――when their eyes met, she quickly looked away.

Looking across from her, Selene was also looking at Elvena with an indescribable look in her eyes.

Elvena seemed to have noticed and asked.

"Is something the matter, Selene-sama?"

"...No, it's fine, but... don't bully Lira too much, okay?"

"Bullying...?"

Elvena tilted her head curiously and smiled, while Selene sighed in exasperation and shook her head.

It was a rather disturbing exchange. she looked up at Elvena with her head fogged with alcohol, and Elvena smiled and brought a new skewer to her mouth.

she took a bite reflexively, and the overflowing umami and melting sweetness of the fat spread in her mouth.

She soon became oblivious to her doubts, and her strength relaxed.

Why did she have to hold back, she wondered.

There was no reason or meaning. It was simply stubbornness.

Indulging in pleasure might sound bad, but seeking happiness wasn’t wrong.

It was nice to see Krische and the other having fun every day, and even the Holy Spirit had been indulging in entertainment every day since coming here.

Surely, it wasn't wrong for Lira, their Miko, to indulge a little.

Wasn’t it foolish of her to insist on abstinence and self-restraint?

Sometimes it's necessary to take a break.

Munching on the meat, she swallowed it and brought the wine glass to her lips, downing its contents. It was very sweet.

The moment of release from all she had restrained herself from was unparalleled.

"Fufu, Lira-sama. Please give me any orders you want, I'm your personal servant now."

Elvena whispered.

Watching the wine and juice being mixed into the empty glass, Lira nodded.

"If it pleases Lira-sama, even after we return, I can serve by your side as much as you want... Morning till night. How does that sound?"

"As much as I want..."

"Yes, as long as Lira-sama like. If you want, Lira-sama, I'll be happy to serve you...ten, twenty, or even a hundred years."

It was a proposal that tickled her heart.

Someone inside Lira tried to protest, but swept along she nodde――

"Huh? Someone's here."

Krische’s words suddenly brought Lira back to her senses.