Liberi Reader

Oh, what an honor it is for me to meet you here, Hatshepsut Hanimefendi.

The slipper from the early New Calendar era you brought has certainly broadened my knowledge of history. I had no idea the people of so many centuries ago had such fine techniques in crafting footwear.

To think they could make a shoe that fits the curve of the foot so well. As for the lotus ornament atop it, vivid beyond words.

Not to mention this slipper was made not long after the great explosion, and it reflects the drastic shifts in the local climate.

It's a pity that it's missing its twin. I fear it won't win on its own.

That's fine, second place is enough for me. It's the participation that counts.

Of course, of course. As daughter of the Padishah, Hatshepsut Hanimefendi, you will one day take up the mantle of Padishah. I am sure such a trifling honor would not be worth fretting over.

That's... still a bit early. There's a lot of things we can't say for sure.

I've heard your younger brother has been selected to become court historian, and that he will set out for the City of Gold in two months, Hatshepsut Hanim.

Ah, even a girl as talented as Hatshepsut Hanim was not chosen for the post, which just goes to show how gifted her brother is.

*sigh* We're practically the same, really.

Are you trying to say, good sir, that becoming a padishah does not require talent and ability? I believe that if Hatshepsut Hanim were to take that position, her family would no doubt continue to bask in glory.

This is different. Hatshepsut Hanim's family is Sargon's most illustrious line of historians, after all.

...

Almost time for us to register. Have you thought of what to submit?

Not yet.

You so brazenly got into line, but you don't have a single treasure on you?

Is there anything about my walking posture that needs improvement?

Never mind, forget it.

I guess you'll have to rely on me again.

I'm not about to let my subordinate lose. Give me some time to think of a plan.

...

I once won the silver medal in a sprint.

Are you thinking of snatching the golden cup and running? No good.

These rich folk brought along some tough bodyguards. See the way their feet move as they look around? They've spent time in the ameeri armies.

I also earned a silver medal in pankration.

Robbery? Everyone worth targeting is already here. How would we participate with stolen goods without getting caught?

There is also the silver medal I got from a ceremonial dance competition.

That's your plan of attack?

*sigh* No need to make things hard for yourself...

In truth, I have ten silver medals across ten different events. I keep them on my person at all times.

...Ten silver medals?

These medals are embodiments of traditional Minoan culture, and my most prized honors.

Honor should not be regarded as a rarity with which to judge superiority, but in particular circumstances, I have no other choice.

Besides, I hope you do not misunderstand me, Narantuya. I would never resort to anything dishonorable. It would disgrace my family.

...

I guess I really did misunderstand you.

*sigh* My competent subordinate, my great endeavor...

Sorry, did you say something just now?

Nothing important. I was just saying that considering you've never won a gold medal, it's no wonder you want that gold cup, haha.

Don't worry. I have a plan.

...

*cough*...

May I ask... why the herald led me here? What orders am I to receive?

Eh? No, no, no orders here. Just a request.

If you happen to see a single golden slipper... Do not give it too high a mark.

Ah, but also not too low! We must still uphold the professionalism of our historians! Let's say... second place. Second place would be good.

Please! This is really, really important!

That exhibit has precious historical value, but if you wish to reduce its mark for subjective reasons, that would not be considered unfair to our other competitors.

...

If you have deduced my identity, then please keep that a secret as well. Thank you.

I will, resplendent Hanim.

...Sorry.

I'm definitely going to apologize to all my teachers and fellow archaeologists after this.

I... I definitely, absolutely, 100% cannot lose, just this once! Why does everyone think I already lost to that little brat?

AIIEEEEEEEE———!

(*covers mouth*) ...Did I scare him?

Did you get all that?

Y-Yes! Th-The set of silver medals from M-Minos... must get a high mark... It will get th-third place...

That's right.

Don't worry, I already had a talk with most of your fellow judges. We got along rather well. I hope you will too.

Ah... Padishah Effendi... The corrupt must be hanged? F-Forgive me!

(Can't believe he's this scared already! I didn't get this big a reaction from security and the other judges earlier. What illusion did he see?)

(*sigh* I'll be dragging you back to the gate, then. Maybe I overdid it with the Arts?)

(Wait. I hear footsteps.)

Oh, I don't see the judge here either. Must have been escorted back to the meeting hall by security.

I better go get my own things done. The sun waits for no man, after all.

Oho, and who is this I happen to run into? What luck.

Sorry, could you say that one more time?

I am honored to inform you, hanimefendi, that your entry has proceeded to the final round of judging. In other words, you are now in the top three.

No, not that. The other part.

I ask that you follow me to the riverside in a little while, where the prizes will be given and the treasures will be immersed into the river.

So... You're going to throw my ten silver medals into the river?

Perish the thought, hanimefendi. That would be rather crude, and we would never dare to offend the river god.

We will place the treasures atop a small boat made of papyrus reeds, alongside gold, silver, and jewels to help weigh it down. We will sing hymns and chants as we watch the boat slowly sink into the waters.

This wasn't mentioned on the brochure.

I am terribly sorry. It was written in the instructions all participants had to sign. The competition's original purpose was to find treasures with the most historical value to knock upon the gate of the god.

During the Flood Festival, those favored winners will witness the river god with their own eyes as He wanders the riverside.

...

Forgive me, this was my mistake. It was close to the cutoff when I signed up, and I did not have time to read all ten pages of instructions.

Ah, that is a shame. As it is extremely rare for tourists to reach the final round of selection, you will be given a second opportunity to reaffirm your commitment.

Do you wish to continue participating?

...

Narantuya...

She hasn't returned yet.

Do you wish to seek a specialist consultant? I can bring you to the chief judge to discuss—

No need. What I seek is not a suggestion.

I will continue my participation.

Hello? Anat, listen to me! You can start preparing the victory feast now!

Hm-hm, of course, I would never take for granted the generosity you’ve shown by lending me the general!

I promise you that I'll stick the gem in when we get back tonight. If Zubayr goes through any changes, you'll be able to see them for yourself.

...Relax, I've been taking good care of him. No stains or damage, I promise.

...Y-You want to speak to him? No, nonono, he... he's under my protection, right? How can I just give him a communicator when everyone's staring at me?

Why don't we talk about something else?! You don't know how hard I've had it! I've been talking up these old pedantic judges all morning just to guarantee second place.

Listen, they're about to declare the winner at the big meeting spot. Once I get the gem, I'll head right back to the museum, where it's nice and quiet—

Sorry.

Ah, it's fine...

...Weird, not like the sidewalk's narrow here.

*phew* I can finally rest easy. Pepe's handled the gem issue, and Zubayr is just fine too.

Should we have a drink together later?

...

Is there something you wanted to say?

You're not going to want to hear it.

I do want to hear your suggestion, Titi.

You might think this is ridiculous, but... I feel like we might have to start the exhibition over, and keep the accident under wraps.

Just treat it as some sort of performance gone awry, then display it in a more vivid and... true-to-life manner?

So display a walking mummy and some artifacts, push up ticket prices a little while we're at it?

More or less, I guess...

You do know what our people use to scare crybaby children, right?

The exhibits being a bit odd isn't a bad thing!

My old Columbian museum had an exhibit: 'Has Science Gone Too Far? Creative Ideas That Would Be Scarier Successes Than Failures'.

But Titi, that's the idea behind a business whose number one goal is to make money. If we tried that here, a lot of people would be mad. A lot of people.

History itself is the foundation of this city!

Isn't the foundation that vein of gemstones that's nearly dried up?

You really shouldn't say things like that when we go to meet the nobles later.

That family is as ancient as the bricks in the tomb in the museum's great hall. They can be rather conservative.

Meddling here and there... What's wrong with those high-ups anyway?! Can't they just fork over a sum of money every year and forget about the museum like Pepe's family?

I worked hard to become acting curator, Titi. I really don't want to cause any sort of inconvenience.

Inconvenience?! You're seriously calling this an 'inconvenience'?!

That's not what I meant...

Have it your way, then. I'm leaving.

Titi, I...

(Are you okay? You're sweating buckets...)

(A-Am I? It's rather hot outside, haha. You're sweating too...)

Next up is a descendant of a glorious clan of historians, the one who shares ballads of kings and heroes, explorer of all Sargon, purveyor of knowledge, a respected Padishah's daughter—

Hatshepsut Hanim and her rare treasure!

(Are you, err... Are you going to announce the result?)

(Oh, no, this is a rather important occasion. I leave it to you.)

(...Haha, well, I guess I can't get out of this one.)

Ahem...

Uh, this golden slipper is adorned with a lotus flower woven of gold thread, specially designed to accommodate the sudden changes in the Sargonian climate at the time, with distinct characteristics from the era.

Not only that, but it comes from an illustrious family of imperial historians.

It would be difficult to find a slipper so well-preserved in the marketplace, and it's a submission rather uncharacteristic of a family of historians, at that—

For past ceremonies, such families would usually submit letters, manuscripts, and other pieces of writing.

But today, this sole slipper reveals to us another side of the life of a noble past. Its value is incalculable!

Okay, thank you for the commentary. Next, I will announce the judges' decision.

Disregarding the highest and the lowest marks, Hatshepsut Hanim's final tally is...

—94.95 points.

Ah, what a shame, resplendent Hatshepsut Hanim, off by a mere 0.05 points. You are in second place, for now...

This result was born in the interests of fairness and our respect for history. I do hope you understand, Hatshepsut Hanim.

Oh, don't worry about it. I expected as much, heheh.

Menat-Ha'mait is honored to undertake your challenge... L-Let's move on to the next item, shall we?

Very well. Next, we have the last, but certainly not the least, entry into our competition...

A foreign treasure, a set of silver medals from Minos. We invite our expert to give an assessment.

We are all aware that places far from Sargon also possess their own brilliant civilizations. The art and culture of Minos has proven to be harmonious with Sargonian social mores.

This set of medals embodies not only the Minoan love of sports, but more importantly, unlike most of the other entries, its year of manufacture can be determined with precision.

Indeed, our lives are well-adorned with gold, but products fashioned from silver are a rarity.

In fact, some historical periods saw silver considered the more precious metal.

What a fascinating analysis! Well then, which three contestants will win the opportunity to represent the city in offering these treasures to the river? Do allow me to announce this particular treasure's score...

Disregarding the highest and the lowest marks, hailing from Minos, Aspasia Hanim's final tally is...

—94.60 points.

This level of fierce competition is unprecedented! Your final position is third place, Aspasia Hanim. Though I regret you did not place higher, you have still secured the chance to perform the offering.

I thank you. This was precisely the approval I sought.

However, if you so permit, I would protest your arrangement of these prizes after we conclude. I believe a golden Minoan goblet should rank higher than a third place prize.

Very well, Hanim, but please come up to the stage first with your treasure. Go with our attendant there.

In third place, Aspasia Hanim.

In second place, Hatshepsut Hanim.

In first place, Rashad Hanim.

I ask that our three winning contestants take care not to damage the treasures they are holding—

Oh no!

Terribly sorry about that. It's far too hot, and I collapsed for a moment... I couldn't hold it steady. This is quite embarrassing.

*sigh* It's a pity this ancient clay pot I brought shattered to pieces. I assume that offering pottery chips would be an affront to the river god?

I... don't believe this has ever happened before...

This is heartbreaking. I fear I will have to give up first place.

Resplendent Hatshepsut Hanim, daughter of the Padishah, you hold the highest title among all attendees. To bestow first place upon you is only fitting.

And so I voluntarily renounce my position and withdraw from the competition.

...Huh?

Err... What an unexpected turn of events! But I do believe everyone is in agreement that our resplendent daughter of the Padishah should be awarded first place!

And so, our second, third and fourth place contestants will become our new first, second, and third place respectively.

Let's all give them our heartiest congratulations!