Chapter 108: Into the Dream

Chatting idly while drinking tea, eventually it was closing time. The Autumn Cooling Party ends today, but several tea parties at various noble houses will be held after this. The social season starts from here. Luca and Tifa seem to be invited to two or three unavoidable noble house tea parties, so they’ll be in the Royal Capital for a few more days. I might host a tea party and invite them too. Overall, the Autumn Cooling Party seemed to be a great success. Everyone’s attention was focused on the unseen delicious sweets and tea, unheard music, and above all, the rejuvenated Grandmother. According to Mother, we managed to pull several neutral faction noble houses to our side. Beauty is power indeed… Some ladies and young ladies received convenience store cosmetics and shampoo & conditioner as souvenirs, and apparently were overjoyed. Once used, can’t use others anymore. Can almost hear the high laughter of Grandmother, Mother, and the Empress. Thus, my first Autumn Cooling Party ended successfully without problems. ────No, one problem remains. The Empire’s Ninth Imperial Princess, Highness Risha, hasn’t woken up even after three days.

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“[Phantom Garden] is a ‘Gift’ that projects Highness Risha‘s dreams. Conversely, it is a mirror reflecting this person’s heart… Highness Risha‘s heart has shut itself inside a hard shell, refusing any interference from outside.”

Roulette-san, the [Saint] of Gospel Kingdom, answered while looking at Imperial Princess Risha sleeping continuously in bed. Around Imperial Princess Risha sleeping in bed, countless thorns were stretched around. The thorns seen on the first day she collapsed have increased further. Moreover, these aren’t illusions. Surprisingly, they have materialized. Such a thing seems to be a first, and Imperial Princess Leticia was also flustered. According to Roulette-san, perhaps the ‘Gift’ received a blessing. In other words, level up. What was an illusion until now became capable of materializing. The thorns entangled in layers wrapping Imperial Princess Risha firmly entangled the bed too, continuing to multiply further.

“If real, can’t we cut and remove them?” “I think better not to. These thorns are like her materialized spirit. If cut, no idea what influence it would have on her spirit.”

My suggestion was flatly rejected by Roulette-san.

“With this, we cannot return to the Empire. Roulette, can’t you do something with [Saint]’s power?” “I apologize, Leticia. Even with [Saint]’s power, healing wounds of the heart is difficult…”

Basically in Gospel Kingdom, becoming a [Saint] allows learning healing powers, but strictly power to heal physical wounds or exorcise disease demons, not power to heal mental things apparently. Long ago, there was apparently a [Saint] with a ‘Gift’ to temporarily erase ‘Gifts’ in Gospel Kingdom, but that person passed away decades ago. Doesn’t go so conveniently, huh… If ‘Church’, there is a method to seal ‘Gifts’, but basically that is used on criminals who abused ‘Gifts’. Using it on her, an Imperial Princess, would be the height of scandal. Also according to Roulette-san, sealing the ‘Gift’ in this state has high probability of really never waking up again. Ah, heard just now, but Roulette-san, Imperial Princess Leticia, and Tifa‘s sister Princess Neroteora, the three were apparently classmates at the ‘Academy’. No wonder I thought the two were talking casually.

“Risha… has been exposed to malice in the palace since long ago. I also have such experiences to some extent, but without a strong heart, surviving in that palace swirling with machinations is difficult. Remaining weak only leads to being used… To make Risha‘s heart strong, I intended to guide her strictly but…” “…Perhaps Highness Risha needed someone to stay by her side rather than someone guiding strictly. In a situation where she cannot open her heart even to her real sister, telling her to just become strong might be a bit cruel…”

Elliott, who accompanied my visit to Imperial Princess Risha, opened his mouth for the first time. At Elliott‘s words, Imperial Princess Leticia directed a sharp glare—ki.

“Are you saying I was wrong?” “I do not say it was wrong. Just, perhaps you should have opened your heart and talked more. Highness Risha said Highness Leticia is strict because she seeks perfection. That you probably cannot forgive her for always failing.” “What…! I did it for Risha…!” “Did you convey that in words?” “U…”

At Elliott‘s words, Imperial Princess Leticia falls silent. Well, probably didn’t convey. She was completely frightened and shrinking. Sad that Imperial Princess Leticia‘s feelings for her sister weren’t conveyed to the person herself. If conveyed, she might not have closed her heart this much.

“Did I… corner Risha…”

Imperial Princess Leticia looks at Imperial Princess Risha with a face about to cry. Don’t think she cornered her, but if she conveyed those feelings, think Imperial Princess Risha would have been heartened. Wait? Does that mean if Imperial Princess Leticia‘s feelings are conveyed, Imperial Princess Risha will wake up?

“Roulette, how can Risha wake up?” “After all, only by appealing to her heart… If she opens her heart, ‘Gift’ should disappear naturally. However, we must hurry. Even while doing this, Highness Risha‘s stamina is being lost. How long her young body will last…”

Roulette-san looks at the thorns entangling the bed with a bitter face. This state is like using ‘Gift’ continuously. Even sleeping and consumption not large, stamina and magic power are undoubtedly decreasing. Might suppress consumption to some extent by continuously feeding potions but…

“However, even appealing to heart, what should be done…” “Umm, keep talking to her ear?”

To the troubled Imperial Princess Leticia, I voiced my thought. Heard dreams are influenced by surrounding environment during sleep. Shining red light on sleeping person causes dream of fire, smelling cooking causes dream of eating that dish. So thought interfering with dream might be possible by keep talking to ear.

“If only we could enter the dream though…” “Can enter.”

Answering the muttered Elliott‘s voice was Kohaku-san curled up on the sofa in the corner. Roulette-san also hurriedly asked Kohaku-san back.

“Wh-What do you mean, Divine Beast-sama? Is it really possible to enter a dream?” “Possible. If I and [Holy Sword] are present, can interfere with that little girl’s spiritual world. Using Divine Aura as medium, connecting everyone’s consciousness to a pseudo-space created by God’s power, can share it. Simply put, can talk inside a shared dream. Of course, not entirely without danger but…”

Eh? [Holy Sword] can do such things!? Isn’t that a bit too versatile… No, being a sword created by God, maybe natural in a sense…?

“…Danger to Risha?” “Cannot say none. However, either way at this rate that girl’s life will end sooner or later. Whether stamina runs out or magic depletion comes first, don’t know though.”

At Kohaku-san’s words, Imperial Princess Leticia falls silent. Regarding this matter, we can’t say anything. The decision lies with her, the relative. Want to help if possible, but if Imperial Princess Leticia says she can’t trust us, that’s it.

“…Let’s do it. That Risha closed her heart is my responsibility. Must convey to Risha… that she doesn’t need to worry, that she is not alone.”

With eyes holding determination, Imperial Princess Leticia looks at Kohaku-san. Good. Must save her no matter what.

“Fumu. While connecting consciousness, your bodies become defenseless. I will remain here and protect your bodies. And do not let guard down just because it’s a dream world. If receiving mental attack, possibility of heart being wounded exists. Since possibility of wounding opponent exists too, better avoid combat if possible.” “Combat… meaning Highness Risha attacks Highness Leticia?” “Cannot say no. Rejecting opponent is unconscious defense instinct trying to protect the heart. Since that would include counterattack. Ah, rest assured ‘Gifts’ can be used in dream too.”

I see. Even if dream, can’t let guard down. ‘Gifts’ being usable might help. Imperial Princess Leticia apparently has Ice-type ‘Gift’ but…

“Also, that Imperial Princess and little master will lose consciousness, so better lie down somewhere.” “Eh?”

Huh!? Isn’t only Imperial Princess Leticia going? I’m going too? Thought it was weird since he was saying ‘your (plural)’ since earlier but!

“If shallow consciousness, she alone can enter, but to proceed deeper, must cut open with [Holy Sword]. Therefore if little master isn’t there, can’t even start, you know?”

Ah, decided matter, is it. Mumuu… No choice. Will accompany. Hate for Imperial Princess Risha not waking up like this too.

“If any problem, send telepathy to me. Will return consciousness immediately.” “Understood.”

If I can communicate with Kohaku-san even in dream, no problem. If judged dangerous, just ask to wake up. If there is a problem, it’s when Imperial Princess Risha doesn’t come out of her shell. So to speak, we are like teachers trying to make a shut-in student go to school… bit different maybe. Well, same that won’t come out unless persuaded maybe. For now, Imperial Princess Leticia lay on the bed next to Imperial Princess Risha, and I lay on the sofa.

“Alright, then────” “Umm!”

Just when thinking into the dream, Elliott raises voice. Nnn? What’s up?

“Can I not go together?” “You too? Well, one child is no problem but…”

Kohaku-san glances at Imperial Princess Leticia. Decision lies with Imperial Princess Leticia. Honestly speaking, taking Elliott won’t help much I think… Just in case, danger is low but not zero, and if anything happens to our Crown Prince, I’m the one getting scolded, you know? Understand?

“‘Gifts’ are usable in dream too, right? With my [Gravity Change], neutralizing opponent without hurting is possible. Is it no good?”

Ah, right. Certainly if suppressing without hurting, Elliott‘s ‘Gift’ is usable. Imperial Princess Leticia stared at Elliott, then turned gaze to me.

“…What does Lady Sakuraile think?” “Eh? Umm, well, I think Elliott‘s ‘Gift’ is usable but…” “Then I do not mind. If probability of saving Risha increases even a little.”

Efficiency focused, huh? Well, more companions the better though. My [Store Summoning] can’t fight. With [Entry Ban] blessing received from Leanbelte-sama, can create safe zone though.

“Then beginning. Brat, lie down on that sofa.”

Told by Kohaku-san, Elliott obediently lay down on the three-seater sofa opposite me.

“Ready? Here we go. ────[Connect]”

Just when Kohaku-san’s Divine Aura (?) coming from somewhere wrapped my whole body, my consciousness fell—suton—into darkness…