The Healer in a Japanese-Style Game World: Mastering Healing to Save My Favorite Character in a Brutal World, Only to Find Everyone Around Me Becoming Obsessed - Chapter 33: The Search Request for the Princess of Shinano

Chapter 33: The Search Request for the Princess of Shinano

[Note: I changed Togakushi Shrine to Togakure Shrine]

At the Kagami Pond of Togakure Shrine, during a now-familiar tea party— the four of us from the odd jobs group were gathered there, meeting with Ryusui-sama as usual.

This tea party was a bit more extravagant than usual, probably because it had been a while and it was the first time Oboro-sama was participating. Feeling a bit out of place in the presence of two deities and two divine servants, I listened to their conversation.

“…So, is this the first time we’ve spoken like this, Oboro Tsukishiro?”

“Yes, that is correct… Kuzuryu, I mean Ryusui-sama.”

“From what I see, you no longer have a role as a deity. Is this thanks to Yomi?”

“Yes, thanks to Yomi-sama, I have returned to my original state—I could only be a deity because of Tsukuyomi-sama’s impurity. Without that, I am just a divine servant again.”

“I see—there are many things I want to ask, but before that, I have a request for you all.”

Ryusui-sama took a sip of tea and, as if remembering something, spoke up.

I recalled similar situations before, but I decided to listen to the details of the request. Usually, we would have some small talk or tease Kagura, so being directly asked for a favor was unusual and made me think it was something important.

“I recently found out that the princess of Shinano has been missing for about six months.”

“…That’s a big deal, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is… In the third week of Nagatsuki, there’s the Harvest Festival of Shinano. This time, the princess is supposed to oversee the event… but as things stand, it won’t be possible.”

“The Shinano Harvest Festival… that’s the one held every two years, right?”

From what I had heard from our clients, the Harvest Festival is a time when Ryusui-sama, who governs the land of Shinano, is allowed to use her powers. 

Simply put, it’s a festival to pray for rain. It’s the biggest festival in Shinano, with many stalls and tourists, and it only happens once every two years, making it a significant event.

It was also held in the year 890 of the Divine Era, after the original story began. It was the event that got the main characters involved with the country of Shinano. 

The story involves one of the heroines of Shinano, a rather dangerous princess… could she be the one who’s missing?

Wait, she’s… missing?

From my experience playing the original story, my impression of that princess can be summed up as a calamity heroine. 

She’s a retainer of Ryusui-sama, and a genius who governed Shinano since she was a child, despite being an arrogant and tyrannical ruler. If someone as formidable as her is missing, it’s bound to cause serious problems…

“…Is the country going to be alright?”

“Well, I heard they are managing somehow. Anyway, this request is to search for the princess who will conduct the festival. She’s a girl with peach-colored hair and peach-colored eyes, around your age.”

“…Ryusui-sama, are there any other characteristics? With just that, it’s hard to tell. Peach-colored hair is rare, but still.”

“I don’t usually interact with her, and the last time I saw her was when she was a child and I blessed her. Her name should be Nagisa Togakure.”

Nagisa Togakure… Yes, that’s the name from the original story. 

Is she really missing? Finding someone as unpredictable as her will be difficult, and it feels like it’s going to be troublesome. I’m already feeling heavy-hearted.

More importantly, even if we find her, I doubt she will listen. The only other person with peach-colored hair I know is Sanae-san, but her personality is completely different.

“Well, that’s about it for today. There’s more I want to talk about, but we’re short on time. Can you start the search right away? My divination shows she is in Shinano, but it’s not precise enough to locate her.”

“Understood, Ryusui-sama. I can’t look at night, but I’ll search until then.”

“Oh, do you have plans tonight?”

“I recently met someone and planned to visit their restaurant today.”

“I see. In that case, I’ll cover your meal there as part of the payment for this task. So, which restaurant is it?”

Thinking how generous Ryusui-sama was, I mentioned the name of the restaurant, Hinomiko-tei. To my surprise, Ryusui-sama’s eyes widened in astonishment, which was rare for her.

“What a coincidence. That place is run by my Togakure Shrine. I’ll inform them, so your meal today will be free. Make sure to rest well and take on the task with full energy.”

“…By the way, I have to ask, is the princess really that…”

“Hmm, you know of her? Indeed, she’s even more troublesome than I am. From what I’ve heard, she’s quite the tyrant.”

“Ah… seriously?”

“Well, knowing you, I’m sure you’ll find a way to handle it… or at least make it interesting. So go ahead and enjoy your meal today.”

With that, we ended the tea party and left Togakure Shrine, heading back to the castle town of Shinano without much more conversation.

I planned to gather information until nightfall, but thinking about the challenges and stress ahead, I decided I needed some peace of mind. So, I resolved to eat lots of delicious food today and head to Hinomiko-tei around evening.

[Afterword]

Thank you for reading this chapter! 

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