Chapter 265.2. Mii-chan And The Portable Shrine

I healed the wounds children got when they fell, erased the wrinkles on the aunts’ faces and palms, and turned their skin radiant. The person who wore glasses also improved their eyesight, but the bald man was still bald, apparently not affected by my magic. Sorry, but baldness due to aging is considered an irreparable condition.
“Th-this is amazing! Truly, it’s the recovery magic of Countess Takano, known as the best in the world! I have witnessed your incredible power. Thank you!” 
Baron Hotta said with tears in his eyes, deeply moved. It was his first time experiencing recovery magic.
“It’s nothing much! You can thank me with those fried chicken over there!” 
“Hahaha, whoever made that fried chicken will be moved to tears. After all, recovery magic costs tens of millions of yen. And if it’s as powerful as this, no matter how much money we have, it would be impossible for us.” Baron Hotta explained. It made sense for someone at the Baron’s level of nobility. Understandably, he would be so moved.
It seems we won’t run out of conversation topics for a while. That’s good.
“However, why didn’t you notice until recently…? When someone as magnificent as Countess Takano was born in our hometown. You should have paid attention.”
“Well, if someone doesn’t socialize much, it’s understandable.” 
Baron Hotta tilted his head curiously. Well, he seems like the type who enjoys festivals. If he found out a recovery magician was born in his hometown, he would immediately organize a welcome party. 
However, it’s not unreasonable that he didn’t notice until recently. After all, Mii-chan is just a mob character.
Nobles who constantly gather information would probably have noticed, but if you distance yourself from the social scene like here, it’s not surprising that he didn’t know. 
Recent events have caused many changes in the world, and even a mob character like Mii-chan is now recognized.
“I see… Is that so?”
“Yeah, I don’t think you need to worry about it. More importantly, I’m going to enjoy the food!”
“Oh, please eat a lot. Our talented cooks have worked their magic. I recommend the garlic soy sauce fried chicken the aunts made!”
Mii-chan pointed to the table and laughed heartily. 
Since the welcoming ceremony seemed to be over, she got off the and approached the food table.
I glanced at mama to see if she had recovered, and I finally breathed a sigh of relief, signaling that mama’s embarrassment play was over. She had started chatting with the aunts.
Since they’re all acquaintances, there was no tension in the air.
Mii-chan, who was feeling hungry, decided to have some fried chicken. It was slightly cold, but it was delicious.
Most of the people present, apart from the Baron, were commoners from this area, which means they were all acquaintances of Mii-chan. She chatted with the kids and ate her food like a normal person.
It seems they had prepared a large amount of food. It was endless. The aunts laughed heartily and placed the additional fried chicken on large plates. Fried chicken is a versatile dish, after all.
We enjoyed a heartwarming party, which could also be called a banquet, and it felt like two hours had passed in the blink of an eye.
“Now, while the party is in full swing, I’d like to proceed with the closing ceremony as a formality. Oh, even after the ceremony, the party will continue until the night.” 
Baron Hotta announced, and everyone nodded in agreement. Closing ceremony? What’s that?
“Mama, what’s the ceremony?” 
I asked while eating her steamed pudding.
“Oh, I see. Mii-chan has never seen it before. It’s a ritual performed during festivals. Only selected adults carry the portable shrine and visit the sacred tree in the mountains.” 
“Festivals… I only remember the stalls. There was this okonomiyaki vendor at the stalls who made delicious okonomiyaki using two eggs.” 
I wasn’t interested in the portable shrine because I couldn’t carry or reach it with my hands. And when I tried to climb it, they got mad at me.
“I see. The Sacred Tree is a story about the local guardian deity. It’s said to protect the area from monsters. Although it doesn’t generate any special barriers or anything.”
“Hmm, it’s like an old tree at a shrine or something. Just a legend, huh? …But why a portable shrine when it’s not a festival?”
So that’s what the portable shrine was meant to be. I didn’t know why it was there. But a mikoshi at a welcome party?
“Well… I’d like Countess Takano to ride the portable shrine and head to the sacred tree. I leave it to all of you!”
“Wow!”
The young men gathered around the portable shrine with spirited voices, perhaps with too much enthusiasm.
Hmm…?
Mi-chan glanced at the Hida grandparents, who seemed somewhat nervous. When she looked at everyone, they all seemed to be harboring some expectations. There must be a reason for this.
“I get to ride the portable shrine, so it’s all good!”
I had always wanted to ride on a portable shrine. It didn’t seem like a trap or anything.
“Well then, I’ll be right back!”
“Sure, have a safe trip. Be a good girl, Mii-chan.”
“Yeah! Well-behaved Mii-chan is a noble lady of the abyss!”
With a beaming smile, I climbed onto the portable shrine, and the young men lifted it.
“Kya! It’s high!”
With an exhilarated voice, Mii-chan was carried away to the place called the sacred tree.