Chapter 230 – The Blessing of Tephra

“Good day.”

“Ambassador, this way.”

When I appeared at the ritual site with everyone by carriage, the shrine maidens of the Moon Temple quietly bowed to welcome us.

Not only Tephra but Marquis Zilbolt should also be at the ritual site. After being sent here via Teleportation Magic, they had been under the protection of the Knight Order and Mage Corps.

Since Tephra wanted to speak with me, the Marquis apparently decided not to relocate elsewhere and waited for my visit instead.

“Well then, I’ll go speak with the two of them for a bit.”

“Yes.”

Grace and the others would wait at the lodging facilities during our conversation. Since Penelope was there too, Marlene looked delighted.

Hearing they were at the gazebo, I headed that way to find Tephra speaking with Marquis Zilbolt and his wife and daughter. The relationship between Tephra and the Marquis was probably similar to that between Claudia and King Melvin. Marquis Zilbolt appeared quite reverent toward Tephra.

“Oh, Theodore!”

“Ambassador, sir.”

Noticing my presence, Tephra’s face broke into a smile, while Marquis Zilbolt and his family stood and bowed deeply.

“I see everyone is gathered.”

“We’ve all been waiting for you. I wished to thank you for splendidly keeping your promise to me. As you can see, the Curse has completely vanished.”

Tephra slightly opened the collar of her flame-like robe and smiled.

“That’s good to hear. If the Curse Magic hadn’t disappeared just by defeating the Witch, we would have needed to head to Mt. Tephra.”

“Personally, I thought traveling with you all wouldn’t have been so bad either.”

Tephra gave a wry smile before continuing.

“Of course, the Curse has vanished from these two as well. I have matters to discuss with you too… but yes. It seems this fellow has something he wishes to tell you. Perhaps we should start with that?”

“I don’t mind that,” I replied, and Marquis Zilbolt nodded before speaking.

“First, allow me to express my gratitude. For saving not only my subjects but also the lives of my wife and daughter. How could I possibly repay such a debt?… No, before that, I must apologize for causing disturbances around you, Ambassador, and within the Kingdom of Verdugal, and accept the consequences for that.”

“I’m just glad you’re safe. I’ve duly received your words of thanks and apology.”

Consequences, huh. But I’m not in a position to decide that, and in terms of personal defense, the objective has been achieved. So that would likely be King Melvin’s or the King of Silvatoria’s responsibility. Even then, given the circumstances…

King Melvin was proactive about rescuing Marquis Zilbolt, so I doubt he’d make unreasonable demands.

Well… From Marquis Zilbolt’s perspective, he probably feels he owes an unrepayable debt to me and the Kingdom of Verdugal.

“I’m not in a position to demand consequences or punishment from you, Marquis. I simply hope this incident leads to friendship between our two nations and peace for the people.”

The Marquis closed his eyes at my words and bowed deeply once more. That’s about all I have to say to the Marquis. If I can obtain information about Silvatoria’s domestic affairs from him, that would suffice for me.

Regarding Silvatoria matters—it would probably be best to include King Melvin.

As the conversation with Marquis Zilbolt reached a natural pause, Tephra turned to face me directly.

“Now then, Theodore. I have something I wish to give you.”

“What might that be?”

“You kept your promise to me, even while bearing such injuries.”

Tephra glanced at the Healing Shell applied to my burns before meeting my gaze straight on.

“As your ally, I cannot remain silent without giving you something in return. I bestow my Blessing upon you and those close to you. And to this ritual site you created for me, I wish to leave a token of our friendship.”

“Lady Tephra’s Blessing…?”

The Marquis’s eyes widened.

“Indeed. You shall gain Resistance to fire and cold. Minor incidents will no longer cause burns, and even in blizzards you shall not lose your warmth. However… you remain human. Please understand that my Blessing is not absolute.”

…Well, even if it’s not absolute, Resistance to fire and ice is pretty valuable. Being a volcano Spirit, she probably has affinity with fire, and regarding ice, it might relate to providing warmth through hot springs. Moreover, from her tone, it seems the effect will extend to all Party Members.

“That would—be very helpful,” I replied, and Tephra narrowed her eyes happily.

“And regarding the token of friendship I leave at this ritual site… I believe I can make hot water spring from the land, similar to near the mountain.”

Near Mt. Tephra—meaning like the Marquis’s territory, having hot water spring forth…

“Um. Does that mean hot springs will emerge?”

“Indeed. There was a pond in the garden you created, correct? I wish to make hot water spring from there.”

“Would that be the same hot springs as in my territory?” the Marquis asked.

“That should be the case.”

Marquis Zilbolt nodded at Tephra’s words.

“Ambassador, though it may sound like hometown pride, those hot springs are truly wonderful. They warm you to the core, and are said to have medicinal properties when consumed as well.”

“So they can be used for therapeutic baths?”

“Yes. They’re said to make skin glossy, smooth, and radiant.”

Marquis Zilbolt nodded.

Hot springs sound appealing. Even more so if they have medicinal properties. I’d been considering how to utilize the ritual site—this might just be perfect.

“However, there is one problem with implementing this. There is some kind of—even to my eyes, mysterious power at work in this land. If I could speak with whoever governs this place and obtain their consent, I believe my power could reach here…”

“In that case, I can probably introduce you.”

“Oh ho! As expected of my ally.”

Tephra laughed delightedly at my response, while Marquis Zilbolt blinked in surprise.

“To conclude, it’s possible,” Claudia stated simply when I brought Tephra to her and asked if it could be done.

“Is that so?”

“It’s different from trying to alter the Labyrinth’s core. Like the mine’s labyrinthification too… it moves surprisingly easily in expansion directions.”

Altering the Labyrinth’s core. Meaning since Claudia, as the administrator, is necessary for the Labyrinth’s maintenance, the Labyrinth will defend itself even against her will. That defense takes the form of Monsters or Guardians prone to Rampage… These malfunctions conflict with the goal of strengthening the people living around the Labyrinth, creating complications.

“Probably, just forming a contract between Tephra and me will allow the Labyrinth to support it using Tephra’s power as the core. If we consider therapeutic baths as maintaining people’s health, it aligns with the direction I’ve aimed for from the start.”

According to Claudia, while more advanced Magic Formulas were used for the Spirit Hall and Moonlight Temple deep in the Labyrinth, their basic purpose was repelling the Demon threat, so she permitted them, and that will-based direction was determined and accepted by the Labyrinth side. Indeed… both anti-Demon facilities and therapeutic baths are probably unrelated to Labyrinth maintenance.

“In that case, I look forward to working with you,” Claudia said, extending her hand to Tephra.

“The pleasure is mine. Goddess of the Moon. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Tephra smiled and took Claudia’s hand.

“I swear that as long as my contract with Claudia and my bond with my friend Theodore remain strong, I shall bring Blessings to this land.”

“Then I shall welcome that. Let us walk together and wish for each other’s prosperity.”

A radiance bloomed between Claudia and Tephra’s joined hands.

The light grew steadily brighter, becoming dazzlingly brilliant. Gradually, it slowly subsided.

“—That should do it. The area around this ritual site should have become something like an enclave of Mt. Tephra.”

“Meaning?”

“Tephra should be able to travel freely between the mountain and the ritual site now.”

“My, my.”

Tephra looked delighted at Claudia’s words.

“Hmm… So now the ritual site becomes Tephra’s Spirit Shrine, and we can develop the interior for convenient use as hot spring facilities.”

“That sounds enjoyable.”

I’ll have Alfred handle various aspects through Magic Construction for that. The area around the ritual site could probably become therapeutic baths or public bathhouses… Well, I’ll discuss it with King Melvin.

“Hot springs? How wonderful,” Grace said, and Marlene nodded vigorously. Everyone looked happy hearing about the hot springs. Yeah. I’m looking forward to the hot springs too. I’ll consult with Alfred and strive to create excellent facilities.