Little Pink Starfish

Elsis came rushing back a few minutes later with his two adopted children. Both were impressively dressed up. They’d gone pale whenever Yanu was around, yet now, reassured that only Eira was present, Raga and Peril wore pretty smiles and greeted him with gentle voices.

“It’s an honour to meet you, Lord Eira.”

“Yes, you’re Raga and Peril, right? I hope you enjoy today’s outing.”

Smiling as he replied, Eira gave a wave and a servant promptly opened the door. Outside, the horses Eira had summoned in advance stood waiting. After stroking one gently, he turned to the three behind him.

“Can you ride?”

“Of course, my Lord,” Raga replied confidently and mounted a horse in one smooth motion. Ironically, Elsis, who should’ve been more experienced, fumbled and struggled to get on his horse. Peril, meanwhile, carefully placed her foot in the stirrup, but her trembling fingers betrayed her fear.

“Let me help,” said Eira, floating her up gently with magic. Peril’s eyes widened in awe as she settled onto the saddle, her cheeks flushing pink. The lovely beauty shyly thanked him, but Eira, thinking of other things, mounted his own horse absentmindedly.

When am I ever going to get back to that reagent research…

There hadn’t been a moment to spare for studying the side effects of the potion. Things were just too hectic. Today’s outing with Elsis was, in part, an attempt to multitask efficiently.

Unlike before, Eira could no longer afford to be recognised by the public—so he pulled his hood low and cast an illusion spell. The whole way to the temple, Elsis chattered busily, lavishing praise on his adoptive children. The two beauties were charming conversationalists, and the ride was anything but dull—particularly with Raga’s eloquence.

Eventually, they arrived at the temple. Its entire structure appeared to be draped in white cloth, though it was merely an illusion. For dramatic effect, the temple had been magically veiled during the final construction phase. Producing actual cloth that enormous would have been a gross misuse of funds, so magic was used instead—costing manpower and mental strain, including Eira’s own.

Eira dispelled the illusion and dismounted. Priests and officials bustled about, preparing for the next day’s completion ceremony. As Eira approached, the guards at the entrance bowed deeply.

“Thank you for your hard work in this cold weather.”

“Not at all, my Lord! It’s no trouble! We’re perfectly fine!”

They replied with disciplined voices and opened the doors. Inside, Eira offered kind words to the hardworking staff, promising bonuses that brought bright smiles to their faces. Then he turned to one young priest who had been staring at him in awe.

“Where is the High Priest?”

“Ah, I’ll guide you right away! This way, please!”

The flustered young priest’s face turned red as he hurried to lead them. Elsis and the two adoptees followed cautiously behind.

Inside the new temple, the air carried the crisp scent of cool marble. Acte was in a corridor, speaking with his younger sister Garotta. When he turned at the sound of Eira’s footsteps, his complexion looked pale enough to be called ghostly. He inclined his head slightly.

“Eira-nim.”

In Solar, the High Priest’s rank was nominally equal to the lord’s, making Acte the only vassal who referred to Eira by name. Though his voice was still as cold as ever, ten years had softened it ever so slightly with a hint of warmth.

Lately, rumours described Acte as kind and gentle, but… that was simply him exercising patience. His temperament hadn’t changed a bit. Eira knew this, having seen misbehaving followers bolt from the temple in tears after receiving a tongue-lashing.

“High Priest, and Chief Priestess—are preparations for the completion ceremony going well?”

Garotta, since coming to Solar, had shadowed her brother closely before developing a deep interest in the faith. Not just a casual interest—she had thrown herself into doctrine study and had become the Chief Priestess who assisted the High Priest. At this rate, she’d likely become the next High Priest herself.

“Of course, my Lord. Everything is proceeding smoothly. Surely Lord Morunka will be pleased.”

Acte gave his report in a calm tone, then turned his eyes to Elsis and the two beside him.

“And these guests are?”

“This is Gastar Elsis, Lord of Logistaka, and his adopted children, Raga and Peril. Would it be possible for them to hear a sermon?”

“How fortunate. I had been considering delivering a short sermon in honour of the temple’s completion.”

Elsis, who neither believed in the Morunka faith nor cared for sermons, visibly flinched—but he couldn’t very well refuse, so he forced a cheerful “That sounds wonderful.”

As they walked to the prayer hall, the three guests kept gasping in wonder. Unlike the magically hidden exterior, the interior was real—reverent and majestic. The sunlight filtering through the stained glass in the corridors made it feel like walking a path toward the divine.

Priests were already gathered in the hall. With the High Priest’s courtesy, Elsis and his children were seated in the front row. During the sermon, Elsis wore the tormented expression of someone forbidden from nodding off. Raga and Peril, on the other hand, were visibly moved, eyes glistening with tears.

As they exited the temple, Raga, deeply touched, turned to Eira.

“That was truly inspiring. Thank you so much for giving me such a precious experience, Lord Eira. When else would I have such a holy opportunity?”

The damp shimmer in his eyes was undeniably beautiful—even Eira had to admit that. Smiling, he replied,

“You’ll have plenty more such chances in the future, Raga. I’m sure of it.”

Watching them, Elsis beamed like a sunflower. Just then, Acte exited the prayer hall and cast a frigid look at the display. Eira noted, Elsis really needs to work on his poker face.

After a city inspection, Eira guided the trio to his research tower. From the outside, it looked like a humble spire. Curious, Peril asked about it.

“Are you interested in magic?” Eira asked.

“Yes, my Lord. When you lifted me onto the horse earlier, I was so amazed…”

Peril replied in a voice that chirped like a bird, her gaze dreamy and radiant.

“Is that so? This is my personal lab tower… Normally, only a few authorised people may enter.”

“It’s a great honour to be allowed inside, Lord Eira.”

Elsis, ever quick with flattery, rubbed his hands together eagerly. He clearly thought his “seduction plan” was going well and looked immensely pleased with himself. Eira opened the door with a smile full of layered meaning.

Inside stood a massive machine. At its centre was a transparent tube running through the tower, surrounded by complex gears forming a large rotating sphere. Blue sand-like particles cascaded inside at regular intervals. None of the scholars or mages even looked up as Eira entered, so focused were they on their work.

“This is the heart of my research tower.”

“It’s… so beautiful…”

The sight was extraordinary, and all three were speechless—but Peril’s reaction stood out. She covered her mouth as if to stop herself from fainting, trembling in awe. Raga quickly stepped in front of her and spoke.

“To be shown such wonders is a blessing we can never repay.”

“Is that so? Then feel free to look around more.”

With a generous nod, Eira demonstrated magical artefacts and conducted small magical experiments. Raga and Peril giggled like delighted children, cheeks flushed with joy. Elsis grinned ear to ear, watching his adoptees converse with Eira in such high spirits.

“If someone is a citizen of my territory and has magical talent, they’re welcome to access this lab.”

Eira spoke in a voice as soft and fine as silk, and a few researchers flinched at the implication. Peril looked up at him with sparkling eyes.

“This is a place where you can pursue your research for a lifetime, with full support. As a mage, I understand the hunger for knowledge.”

As he spoke, Eira subtly gestured toward a researcher who had just ruined a reagent by adding one drop too many. Peril’s eyes lit up like stars as she whispered, “I’m so, so envious…”

By the time they left the lab, the sun was setting. Before they parted, Eira summoned a servant who presented each guest with a box.

“These are clothes made from Skit silk. During the winter festival, everyone here wears them. I hope you’ll wear yours to the completion ceremony.”

“Thank you so much, my Lord. We’ll be sure to wear them.”

Even mass-produced, Skit silk remained an expensive fabric. Peeking inside the box, they found garments made with the finest golden silk. Moved by the lavish gift, Elsis and the two adoptees departed deeply touched.

Once they were gone, Eira finally let out a tired sigh. The little pebble popped out and patted his shoulder with its tiny hand.