Chapter 38: SS11 – A King’s Concerns

“So you got nothing to say, huh!?” The bright voice accused him. 

The king pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew that this was going to happen, and he didn’t want to deal with it. But pretending that nothing had happened wasn’t an option.

“I know you’re angry my dear daughter, but you surely must realize that I did the only thing I could with the circumstances.” He finally responded.

“Oh, yes. Let us send your only daughter, the princess of the kingdom, away for reeducation and treatment for telling the truth!” The young woman exclaimed in anger.

“Child.” The king said sternly. “To say that the goddess stole is a serious accusation. And it would ruin our image if it was publically thought that we were at odds with the goddess.”

“I wasn’t even angry, just upset!” The princess shouted. “The goddess can take what she wants, I just thought it would be courteous to say something! It’s not like I can’t get another bed!” 

“Daughter, I understand your thoughts and feelings.” The king replied. “But you must also understand in return, that before I’m your father, I am the king. I must do what is required of me, even if I don’t wish it myself.”

“I know that!” The young lady snorted before she relaxed her tense shoulders and looked at her father. “I take it that since I never changed my story and you still brought me back, you have found some evidence of some sort? Or is it another reason, and I’m simply going to be treated as crazy for the rest of my life?”

The man on the throne scratched his cheek as he answered. “There were some...unexplainable incidents.”

“Some I’ve probably heard of already. A sudden decrease in monsters, right?” The princess asked. “Started about a year ago. Where eyewitnesses report seeing a golden portal, white fog and a sharp wind, along with the disappearance of the monster?”

The king frowned. “How did you know?”

The princesses raised an eyebrow in amusement. “Who do you think the eyewitnesses were?”

“..Adventurers mostly?” The king suggested.

“And where do adventurers go after a job, other than taverns and brothels, when the job didn't go well?” The princess sighed as she cocked her head.

“...Ah.” The King said in realization.

“That’s right. I probably heard the evidence long before you did.” The young woman said. “After all, having me spend time at the infirmary under the pretense of ‘helping the sick and injured’ got me into contact with some of the very same adventurers that reported it.”

“Why didn’t you send a letter?” The king frowned.

“What would I have said? ‘The goddess isn’t just snatching beds, now she’s snatching monsters too!’.” The princess sighed, anger returning to her voice. “Of course I could say that, if I wanted to spend the rest of my life at the temple and infirmary.”

“That’s enough.” The king commanded.

“Right, sorry. I rest my case though.” The lady let out another sigh before asking. “So what other incidents were there?”

“...Mostly different documents and books. A few magic weapons. Some from the temple library, some from the royal archives and the treasury.” The king told his daughter. “According to the reports, many of the shelves were left empty in the libraries. Most of the books were on a pile on the floor, but many of the books on magic were missing.”

The king paused as he tried to remember the report he read. “Eventually there was an eyewitness that saw a golden portal appearing, and saw several books disappear through it. The eyewitness went to report it, and upon returning with guards and the head librarian they saw another portal. Returning most of the books.”

The princess frowned. “What about from the treasury?” 

“From what I’ve gathered, several magical weapons. Some of the holy artifacts were displaced, most likely taken and returned quite quickly. It seems that the goddess is only interested in magical weaponry we’ve created ourselves.” The king explained.

“I suppose that would make sense. The goddess can make her own artifacts, no need to take them back.” The princess said in contemplation.

“Several confidential records were missing from the treasury as well. Most notably, the class register.” (The King)

The princess frowned. “Why would the goddess be interested in classes?”

“Nobody knows. We aren’t even sure if it is the goddess - but it is our conclusion, as the barriers around the treasury prevent magical passage. At least, magic used by mortals.” The king sighed.

“Could it be demons?” The princess asked with a furrowed brow.

The king shook his head. “Unlikely. There has been no sightings of demons of any kind.” 

Silence descended upon the conversation.

“...Just what is the goddess planning? Has anyone had an answer from her?” The princess eventually asked.

“...One of the high priests claimed to have a reply, saying that the goddess was busy fighting demons.” The white haired bishop who stood to the side said as he decided to join the conversation.

“Hard to know if it’s true if only one person is saying it I suppose. Could simply be a fanatic.” The princess said after a moment's consideration.

The bishop frowned while the king smiled amused as he replied. “Indeed.”

“...Shut your mouth.” The princess narrowed her eyes.

“Oh my. Telling a king to shut his mouth.” The king smiled. 

“Yeah. I know you missed it.” The princess said with a wry smile. “After all, I - [CRASH!] - KYAH!” 

The princess screamed in surprise as the roof fell through, and a pile of stone and wood gathered at the center of the room. The guards instantly gathered around the king and princess as they watched the dust settle.

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Something large and white waved through the dust, clearing the air. In the middle of the rubble stood a beautiful young woman dressed in white garments, with platinum blonde hair, luminous grey eyes. And two large wings protruding from her back. 

Nobody had to ask who the intruder was. The king stood from his throne and the bishop whispered. “Goddess…”

Everyone in the throne room fell to their knees as their goddess looked around. She looked up at the hole in the roof that the sunlight now shone through, and raised her hand and scratched the back of her head. 

“Sorry about that.” The goddess said apologetically as she looked to the mortals in the room.

“How may we serve, Lady Ezme?” The bishop asked reverently.

“Actually, it’s more about me doing something for you.” The goddess flapped her wings to dust them off. “Oh, and you may all stand.” 

As they stood up, the bishop asked. “What brings you here, Goddess?” 

“Well. Erm. You see.” The young goddess began. “I understand some stuff has gone missing lately?” 

“That is correct, Lady Ezme.” The bishop responded. “Do you know the circumstances of these incidents?”

“I do. Sort of. You see, there’s a certain mortal that needs information. I kind of told her she could take them from you guys. Sorry I didn’t mention that.” The goddess explained, rubbing the back of her neck in embarrassment.

“If Lady Ezme permitted it, we have no objec-” The bishop began but was interrupted. 

“Wait, the items and monsters were taken by a mortal?” The king exclaimed.

“Well. She was a mortal. She ascended, so she’s technically a goddess now.” Ezme explained as she tilted her head.

“Why should we allow a mortal to steal from us! Even if she is ascended, she’s not a true goddess is she?!” The princess exclaimed loudly, while the bishop’s eyes turned to her as he looked with a tinge of fear and reprimand at the young woman.

The goddess’s eyes turned fierce. “Because she has to carry out a task that you wouldn’t want to in all your lifetimes. And because I was the one who chose her.” 

The king furrowed his brow. “What is the name of this newborn goddess, Lady Ezme?” 

A smile spread on the goddess’ face and her wings twitched. “It’s Amara.” 

The king’s face relaxed as he saw the pleased goddess’ expression. “If it is necessary, we will not mind, if it helps Lady Amara and our own Goddess. However, why didn’t she speak to us?”

“Ah. She’s not allowed to. It’s part of the whole task-ordeal. But if she could, I think Amara would apologize. Maybe even try to make it up to you eventually. And I think you should consider the items she took as her borrowing them, rather than as theft. I think she will return everything eventually.” Ezme explained.

“Then what about my bed! If she is only after information, why did she take my bed?!” The princess exclaimed.

“Oh. That wasn’t Amara, that was me.” The goddess responded.

“...It was you?” The princess asked in surprise.

“Yes.” The goddess stated.

“...May I ask why you took it?” The princess asked.

“I got it for Amara.” Ezme explained.

The bishop suddenly tensed before he asked in a hesitant voice. “Lady Ezme...what is your relationship with this Lady Amara?” 

The young goddess’ face turned beet red as her wings twitched. “I-It’s not like that! W-we don’t…”

Everyone present froze in realization, as they could already guess what the truth was from the goddess’ reactions, but none mentioned it. 

The goddess’s face grew even redder and she buried her face in her hands as the silence ensued, before she drew a deep breath and spoke quickly. 

“A-Anyway! I only came to inform you of the situation! And to tell you to let Amara take what she needs! I only came to tell you that! Good day!” (Ezme)

As soon as the goddess had finished speaking she spread her wings, and with a single beat took off - flying through the roof, making the newly created hole bigger. 

After the second round of falling stones and planks settled, the king looked to the bishop.

“I suppose we’re going to need a new addition to the holy scriptures…” (The King)

The bishop nodded seriously. “To think, I’d get to witness our goddess falling in love in my lifetime...I wasn’t even sure the gods could feel love, and thought the rumors perhaps were but hearsay...”

“Perhaps it would be appropriate to hold a festival.” The king contemplated.

“It would. I’ll speak with the others at the temple.” The bishop agreed.

The princess stood silently, holding her red cheeks while whispering. “Lady Ezme and the new goddess...in my bed…”

The king sighed as he looked at the roof and addressed one of the guards. “Go and inform the prime minister that the stonemasons and carpenters are needed at the castle.”

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