Chapter 142
Inside the castle, unlike outside, there were Earthfolk with things attached to their bodies that looked like scales—or jewels—in vivid colors such as blue, red, and green.
No, they weren't merely jewel-like; those were definitely jewels.
Apparently, an Earthfolk's general social status is determined by what the scale-like things attached to their body are made of.
Most common were Earthfolk with rock scales, who belonged to the common class.
Next came Earthfolk with mineral scales, who belonged to the warrior class.
Finally, Earthfolk with jewel scales belonged to the noble class, which ruled over the others.
Although I think I've mentioned this before, telling rock, minerals, and jewels apart is extremely difficult; likewise, it is difficult for other races to determine an Earthfolk's status from appearance.
Jizo had also taught me that some Earthfolk could temporarily increase the amount of rock, mineral, and jewel material they wore, earning respect regardless of their social standing.
Jizo himself could increase the amount of obsidian covering his body, and when he was hit by flame magic before, he used the increased obsidian as a shield to keep out the heat in addition to my wind barrier.
Perhaps that was why even the glittering jewel-scaled Earthfolk treated Jizo either respectfully or familiarly.
But apparently the person he wanted me to meet wasn't one of them.
The jewel-scaled Earthfolk were, so to speak, officials serving at the castle, and Jizo wanted me to meet the person they served—or, more precisely, the person all Earthfolk served.
Once I realized that, even I could guess who that person was.
The only race living in Black Snow Province was the Earthfolk.
And if there was someone all the Earthfolk served, then naturally it had to be the king who ruled Black Snow Province.
After entrusting Sire to the Earthfolk, I let them wash the grime of travel from me and tidy me up before presenting myself for an audience.
A spacious audience chamber whose floor, walls, and pillars were all made of pure white stone.
She was waiting for me on the throne at its center.
A young human woman with jet-black hair.
But I recognized this presence.
No, more precisely, I recognized the nature of this presence.
That other one had been far more twisted and deranged, with its power spilling out unchecked.
Someone who had drawn the power of nature into a human vessel and refined it.
Her small figure seemed as majestic as a great mountain.
"...Could she be an immortal?"
Though this was a formal audience, I stood rooted to the spot and muttered it.
Yet she didn't rebuke my discourtesy; instead, she nodded happily at my mutter.
"Indeed. Ancient true human, it is an honor to meet you. I am Ouki Genjo, the King of Black Snow Province. I also go by Black Tortoise, though. You may call me whatever you like."
Her words were remarkably casual, and her voice was warm with the familiarity of someone meeting an old friend.
However, Ouki Genjo was unquestionably an immortal so powerful that the vampire I'd met before couldn't compare.
No, comparing them at all would be an insult: the vampire was a counterfeit evil immortal who had resorted to heretical arts, whereas she was the genuine article.
"Ah, no, there's no need for excessive formality. If anything, I'm probably the one who ought to be showing respect, but stiff behavior just isn't in my nature. Please forgive my rudeness."
Ouki Genjo's endlessly friendly manner threw me off.
It made being wary of her seem foolish.
"In that case, I'll take you up on that. I'm Eisa. As you guessed, I'm a High Elf. I've never seen a genuine immortal before. Jizo has treated me very well."
Yes, in practice, being wary really did seem foolish.
I didn't know how long she'd been an immortal, but her bearing was utterly still.
Watching her reminded me of Kaeha's movements on the final day.
I couldn't begin to judge which of them was superior, but in any case, Ouki Genjo was clearly a master of martial arts.
At this distance, she could kill me whenever she wished without making me lower my guard or resorting to any tricks.
So what would be the point of doubting the goodwill of someone like that?
"I see. I'm glad. That child used to be quite a rascal, but now he's brought a friend home. Do get along with him."
Ouki Genjo spoke of Jizo as though she were his mother or grandmother.
But he'd been a rascal?
I could hardly imagine that from the Jizo I knew now.
Ah, but the fact that he'd gone out to earn his living as a knight-errant rather than an ordinary laborer might indeed be a trace of his former rascal self.
Regardless of what his past had been like, my opinion of Jizo wouldn't change in the slightest.
From the time we met in White River Province until we reached this castle, he'd always been someone I could rely on.
At my reaction, Ouki Genjo smiled with genuine delight... then smoothly turned serious.
"But since my visitor is an ancient true human, I can't simply treat you as that child's friend. You have probably realized it by now, but this Huanggu Empire isn't merely a nation of humans."
Well, it seemed the real subject was about to begin.
Now that a genuine immortal had appeared as a provincial king, even I had realized that the Huanggu Empire must have some major secret.
All this time, she'd been calling me an ancient true human.
Not a High Elf, not a Forestfolk, but simply a human.
That was probably a term from the days when no humans other than High Elves existed.
It was a time when only the five races created by the Creator—spirits, High Elves, giants, phoenixes, and dragons—existed in the world.
Giants were called giants because they were giant people.
Then the non-giant people who served as their point of comparison were the High Elves.
In other words, if the Huanggu Empire used such an ancient term to refer to me, a High Elf, then it must be deeply connected to ancient beings.