If we were going to give this place a name, what would it be?
I’ve been thinking about that after talking with Mister Shuongalve.
A country’s name is a lot more important than I thought.
When we start interacting with others… That’s what they’ll call us.
…I can’t think of something on the spot. What would be good? I think we should all talk about it. Even if I think of something, in the end…
After talking about it with Miss Lan and the others, we decide to try asking for suggestions. After all, it’s important for everyone.
The opinions of our friends are important. I wonder how it will turn out. What name would be perfect for this place?
It’s exciting thinking about that.
I go practice my magic with Freinet and Wea in a place far from things like homes and the castle under construction. I shouldn’t use magic in town, because practicing magic can be dangerous. And I want to hunt monsters too.
I think I’m a lot better than when I first started. I can feel that I can do more things and that I’m stronger, but it’s not enough.
I need to get even better at magic for what’s to come.
Mister Shuongalve says things would work out even if we were attacked, but that’s no reason for me to not try to get better. In fact, it’d be bad if I stopped training and started getting worse.
“You’ve gotten good at magic.”
“You’re doing well.”
Freinet and Wea praise me. They aren’t afraid to say when I’m not doing well, so that makes me really happy.
As I continue my practice, I sense a monster.
When I turn to look, I see a four legged beast. It’s drooling and looks vicious, and I use wind magic on it. I imagine a blade of wind, and it takes its life
I got it in the neck. At times like these, it’s better to take them down in one hit.
“Freinet and Wea, what do you think the country should be called?”
I keep working on the monster while asking that.
Of course, I keep my guard up. I’m with spirits, but it would still be dangerous if more monsters attacked.
“Name… I can’t think of any. I’ve never thought about that sort of thing.”
“You have an important place in it, Lerunda, so I think it could be related to you. It would be nice if people continued talking about you even after your lifespan comes to an end.”
They say.
After my lifespan comes to an end… I picture leaving for a journey when that happens, like grandma, but it seems so far away, that it doesn’t feel real. Even if a miko has a longer lifespan than most, the monsters contracted to me and the spirits will be here even after I’m gone. And the elves too.
Honestly, that’s a long time away from now. Still, I should keep that in mind when thinking about the name.
“It feels a little embarrassing to think about my name remaining.”
“It shouldn’t. A big part of why this place exists is that the miko is here.”
“Yes. This wouldn’t exist as it is now without you. In fact, regardless of the name, people will talk about you long after you are gone.”
Say Freinet and Wea.
But yes, picture books about me are going to continue being produced. If lots of people read them, they will think things are like this now because of me.
I don’t understand everything about the miko’s influence, but… I’m pretty sure I influence a lot of things.
“Yes, but… It has to be a name that people that come after won’t think is weird. It’s tough to know what to pick. I know I influence this place, but it’s because of every single person here that we live like this. But if we included everyone, the name would be really long, right?”
Something that sounds like our country, and includes lots of elements. That would make it really long. It would be hard to explain to people from other countries too.
But then what? Should we pick a long name and then shorten it? Pick a short one from the start?
I keep thinking about it over and over again.
Girl and Rezzed – Part eighteen
(The miko talks about the country’s name with the spirits.)
