☀️ Arselia and Akonia

—Well, well, please don't get upset, Your Feline Majesty. It's bad for your mental health.
—I understand the hint, sleepyhead, it's fair...
—Wow, you're quick. Should I teach you the ways of Baldur's School? You'll definitely pass the reaction test easily.

- M? Normal. Well, like all people, I guess? Although, I seem to remember them trying to ban it or something.

—You know, there are people with allergies or just all sorts of... Well, I was thinking, maybe we could take in one poor soul, especially since Creon doesn't mind? It's always more fun together. And as for the ban... I've already forgotten what they decided in the end. I think they won't be focused on animals right now, there's a government restructuring going on.

- I feel perfectly healthy, so there's no reason to worry!

—Okay... — 😑 —Is there some kind of healing magic going on?

- Great! We should all get together sometime.

—Definitely, and even better if it's not just the three of us! I was planning to put up an announcement somewhere in the guild, but after today's ceremony, the remaining Credearians won't find better "advertising" thanks to Her Majesty. I don't believe that in the empire, or even in the vast Margel, there are only three of us left.

"So, what does that mean... Will there be no pure-blooded Credearians left in a generation...?" He suppressed this unexpected thought so forcefully that it was torn apart into atoms in a time span faster than the smallest unit of time.

- Hmm, what do your sources say about her, may I ask?

—Let me think... —he pauses for a moment. —Well, look: the first time I heard about her, although I didn't realize it at the time, was when she saved the soul and mind of a guard who had lost them. Something that she didn't have to do — this man was struck by a curse of madness and caused a lot of trouble, so no one would have mourned his death. And yet, this man was cured, and then, by an amazing chain of coincidences, he saved the lives of my comrades and me. This is such a cycle in the cycle of the goddess-mother: the good that is done sometimes goes much further than it may seem at first glance. The second time I saw the initials of the Light on two literary works: a guide to Margel and an interview with Her Majesty. In both, there was a soul and skill of a true writer: and this also speaks of a variety of talents. I served at the court of the then-Highness and lived in Margel long enough to say for sure: no such captivating "conversations" or "handbooks" were ever published before. Third: the positive attitude of fellow soldiers; I trust their opinion as my own. One acquaintance, among other things, mentioned her with admiration as a priestess, writer, model, and a person of many talents. And finally, at today's ceremony, her name sounded with admiration from every possible side: from ordinary workers to respectable gentlemen, from artisans to representatives of the administration. A person of the people, there's no other way to put it. And for dessert, I'll leave the newly built temple, because I'm going there today to make sure that such achievements are worthy only of a person with deep and unwavering faith in the goddess-mother. And if something inappropriate is found there, then... I will be ashamed.

- So that's how it is... - The ascetic stared intently into the eyes of his fellow countryman, but after a few seconds, he smiled again. - Don't worry, I understand you and congratulate you on your recovery. Long live Her Majesty! - He claps Klyn on the shoulder. - What are your plans now, both in terms of your personal life and for Credea?

—Thank you, my friend! —the mountaineer felt noticeably better because of this understanding congratulations. —Personal? Well, um, it's both simple and complicated at the same time. —a quick glance at his companion and back. —These concepts are no longer so separate for me. Finding out what official duties now lie on me and what opportunities open up is the first thing. I can't just stumble into Her Majesty's presence. And then... I think I'll go to the place: if the scorched earth doesn't give life for many years, then it's too early to move. But I hope that by spring, the goddess-mother will return nature to Credea. And then all resources and all the help available will go to a large-scale construction project. And I would like to go there too, because I miss my homeland, and it would be a shame not to be among the first. The first period will be difficult, of course, but we'll manage. If there aren't enough workers, I have a couple of ideas on how to attract people from the empire. And no, it's not about sending prisoners to forced labor — I still don't understand this imperial practice. ...And of course, we need to find all of our people, that's a given. And then... We'll figure it out as we go. We have a lot of land, and we'll find something to do to benefit both the new Credearians and to honor the traditions of our ancestors. And now, the high-speed self-propelled vehicles will arrive: why should a sane person save up for half a lifetime for a bed in a residential area when they can acquire their own farm in the fresh mountain air in half a day? Well, that's just a general idea: in reality, there are a hundred more factors in my head that I will have to take into account. But nothing, I hope we'll manage, and how else? If not us, then no one.