Ch.172The Cliff of Stairs. Maximus Canyon (7)

[Our airship is currently approaching Paradise Falls, the most beautiful part of the Maximus Canyon. Please enjoy the magnificent sight of 23 waterfalls converging together to share their life with the blue river.]

-One hour. Twenty minutes. Remaining.-

After the captain’s announcement ended, the distinctive staccato beeping sound of the mechanical system indicated the estimated arrival time.

One hour and 20 minutes… I can’t tell if that’s fast or slow.

Floating in the sky, with nothing but cracked geological layers all around us…

This 7-layer ice cream… Ugh, damn it. Now I can’t look at this landscape without thinking of ice cream.

Cursed priming effect!

“Speaking of waterfalls… 23 gathered together must be truly magnificent.”

I’ve seen waterfalls at Waterfall, but a single waterfall surely can’t provide a more enchanting view than 23 of them.

Lying on the bed, I gazed through the enormous window that took up the entire side wall, looking at the seven geological layers pressed stickily against each other.

If this window were to fall out, my wife and I would be swept away by the wind, but it looks sturdy enough that we shouldn’t worry about that.

Well, even if the window did fall out, I’m an Aura user, so I’d probably survive somehow.

With that thought, I kissed my wife, and Raisha blushed as she leaned her body against mine.

There’s a stereotype about successful men—standing in high places, a woman in one arm and a glass of red wine clinking in the other hand, looking down at the world. Haven’t I come somewhat close to that stereotype?

“If you keep your eyes closed like that, you won’t see the waterfalls.”

“It’s fine. I’d rather look at you than the waterfalls.”

“If that’s what you prefer, then do so.”

I gave Raisha’s bottom a firm slap for her endearing words, then took a sip of apple brandy I’d brought from the bar.

As the refreshing sensation and rich apple aroma tickled my throat and nose before sliding down my esophagus, I embraced Raisha and said:

“I’m thinking of managing a small village after our pilgrimage is over.”

“A village… You mean you want to become a lord?”

“…Yes.”

“I’d like that… as long as I’m with you.”

Raisha said this and buried her head in my chest again.

…Right. It was my mistake to consult a woman about heavy political matters.

According to ancient law, anyone who has traveled all 13 continents can claim noble lineage and qualify to become a lord or sovereign.

This law was established before the 52 Wonders of the World existed, but ancient laws are frequently adapted to current situations, so it hardly needs mentioning.

Moreover, the condition of “traveling all 13 continents” was so vague that nouveau riche would casually visit various ports and claim, “Well, I’ve technically set foot on all 13 continents,” elevating themselves to nobility. People who found this distasteful took the opportunity to revise the ancient law by incorporating the concept of the 52 Wonders of the World.

Anyone who has visited the 52 famous sites across the 13 continents would be old enough that age wouldn’t be an issue, would have proof of overcoming numerous trials, and could demonstrate the wealth required to travel between continents and locations.

Just look at me—I’ve only visited two continents so far, yet I’ve grown from a little brat who nearly got strangled to death in a cheese workshop to a gold-ranked knight errant chosen by the sun, achieving tremendous growth in power.

By the time I’ve traveled all 13 continents, I might even be able to slay a dragon.

Those who become nobles through pilgrimage are called Pilgrimage Nobles, while those born into nobility through ancestry are called Hereditary Nobles.

One might think these two groups would be at odds, but surprisingly, they get along quite well.

Hereditary Nobles seek connections with Pilgrimage Nobles who, despite lacking pedigree, possess military power, wealth, and experience. Meanwhile, Pilgrimage Nobles who desire land to rule can achieve stable territory management through marriages or alliances with them.

To put it simply, it’s like the relationship between a newly commissioned lieutenant and a seasoned sergeant.

“Hmm… I wonder what’s become of House Marin by now…”

Speaking of nobility, I became quite curious about the status of House Marin, which Sir Keith, who accompanied us to Faerus Vale, serves.

Sir Keith is a capable knight, so he probably didn’t die on the battlefield. And since there were no issues with the wedding, the family should still have enough power to maintain their noble status, though they may be in a precarious position without special intervention.

If I become a noble, will I have to marry off my daughters to powerful figures in distant cities or countries?

The thought suddenly made me depressed.

-Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. We have arrived at Paradise Falls.-

And at that moment, along with the captain’s announcement, the most beautiful waterfall in the world appeared before my eyes.

*

Whoooooosh!!!

“….How beautiful…”

I might have to retract my statement that the Crusis Mountains are better than Maximus Canyon.

The refreshing melody created by the 23 waterfalls of various sizes was loud enough to penetrate the thick glass. Small rainbows hanging at the waists of the waterfalls shimmered vibrantly under the sun’s blessing.

Between the waterfalls, plum and cherry blossoms grew amidst the mist, scattering their petals in the wind—a sight so heavenly that one could believe it was what souls see when ascending to paradise.

“Wow….”

Raisha also looked out the window, too entranced to even swallow her saliva as she blankly admired the scenery. Feeling deeply ashamed that I had tried to view this majestic landscape from our tiny bedroom, I picked up my wife and rushed out the door.

When we arrived at the central observation hall with its enormous skylight, people were using alcohol, snacks, tea, and rice cakes to occupy their mouths while enduring the overwhelming technicolor violence that blocked their view.

“Praise Saburo who bestowed light upon us! We have all reached this place by His grace!”

Without light, we couldn’t see this spectacle.

Savoring all the beautiful things shining under the sun, I understood why He continues to illuminate the world despite bringing endless disillusionment and disappointment to humanity.

This vast nature.

How beautiful and noble this scene is!

Rainbows gleaming in the light… Sunhalos flowing down the waterfalls… Countless flower petals carried by the wind and dampened by mist…

I finally understood the meaning of the saying that if your body were money, nine-tenths of it would be your eyes.

I couldn’t help but curse my past self for not studying vocabulary more diligently.

How shameful it is to witness such unparalleled beauty in the world yet lack the words to describe and express it!

I felt immense pride in my decision to visit the most beautiful place last.

I could carry the vivid memory of this most beautiful place in the Miriam continent as I moved on to the next continent!

“Master…”

“Raisha.”

“If you become a sovereign, we won’t be able to see scenery like this anymore, will we?”

“…That’s right.”

A sovereign is not an adventurer.

Nor is he someone who employs adventurers.

He is someone who employs and supervises those who employ adventurers, keeping them under his command.

Because of this, a desire to modify my future goals began to grow like an impacted wisdom tooth.

How regrettable it would be to never again witness such a spectacle!

Through the Imperial Era, the Eclipse Era, and into the Extinction Era, the beauty of Maximus Canyon never diminished.

The lament for fading autumn leaves is a hymn for the fresh green leaves that will bloom next spring, and the waterfall mist falling downward is a concert of tiny water droplets that will someday return to where they came from through roots and rain.

Feeling resentment toward the slowly advancing airship, I bid farewell to the flower petals seeing us off.

Farewell! Flower petals on the cliff!

May you be great trees when we meet again!

I silently exclaimed this while reluctantly watching the paradise gradually disappear into the shadows of the rocks.

Paradise Falls… Whoever named this “falling heavens” must have been a sage of the highest order.

-All scheduled activities on our airship have now concluded. Our airship will return to the city over the course of the next day, and until then, please enjoy the remaining scenery at your leisure.-

And with the captain’s announcement, our journey in the sky, which felt both long and short, began to draw to a close.