Vol 3 Chapter 60

"If you knew the Paladin story, you might have found the content of the song quite familiar, but it seems you don't. Since you don't appear to be from this village, I'll briefly explain about the Paladin first."

"Yes!"

"The Paladin is known to be from the legendary era when kings were thriving, and other races like elves, dragons, dwarves, and fairies coexisted with humans. He was called a 'Paladin' because he was the knight closest to Lugh, the healing god who presides over life, love, and earth, one of the three gods supporting the world. True to his name, the Paladin went through numerous adventures, and many legends about his adventures still exist today. However, we can't consider him a completely fictional character from legend, because of the story from the Demon God War that is said to have occurred at the end of the legendary era."

Kran's eyes sparkled at the mention of the Demon God War.

"That war is said to have actually happened, and he participated in it too. The song I sang also contains the story of that war. In most legends, the Paladin is said to have overcome adversities alone, but in the war ballad, you can see that the Paladin fought alongside many companions. For example, the appearance of 'stars' by the Paladin's side, or the 'Majae tree,' which symbolizes a mage. It also metaphorically suggests that even the legendary hero had a loved one, with the mention of the Luigina flower."

"The Luigina flower has that meaning?"

The bard nodded lightly at Kran's question.

"Yes. Saying 'my Luigina' is still occasionally used as a metaphor for a very secret love. It refers to a love so strong that one would sacrifice everything for it."

"Then, was the white flower in the song you sang at the restaurant earlier also that? Ah, I'm just curious."

"That's the legend of this village and the origin of the White Flower Festival, and since the woman in that song is indeed a woman, it would be natural."

"That woman... you say?"

At Kran's words, the bard placed his hand on the instrument again.

"The maiden with snow-white hands in the song I sang earlier is considered an incarnation of the god Lugh in this village. I believe you already know that Lugh has both male and female aspects, but as a goddess, Lugh is sometimes symbolized by the miraculous 'silver Luigina,' and in various legendary songs, she incarnates as a beautiful and gentle maiden to give salvation to the good-hearted. Even the name of the Luigina flower is strongly believed to have been derived from Lugh's name. How merciful a god is this?"

Kran's face was filled with surprise. The bard, who had finished speaking in a low voice, stopped his hand that had been gently stroking the strings even after singing, and slowly stood up.

"Everyone, as a person who loves stories and enjoys songs, I wanted to talk a bit more, but unfortunately, it seems our time is up. The sky is already turning indigo. I'm afraid I must go now."

"Wait a moment!"

As the bard was about to leave after politely concluding the conversation and bowing his head, Kran shouted abruptly. The bard turned back, looking surprised, and Kran, with eyes flushed with excitement, vigorously pointed at the statue of the maiden with outstretched hands that stood tall right in front of them.

'The statue?'

"Then, about this statue! Do you know whose statue this is?"

To that slightly trembling voice, the bard returned his slightly widened eyes to normal, smiled, and answered as he left.

"Why, it's the statue of the maiden with silver hands from the legend, of course."

"I was such a fool!"

Kran shouted, laughing heartily.

"To think I've been digging all day with the destination right in front of me!"

The identity of the statue that the bard mentioned at the end was ultimately representing the maiden with silver hands, the incarnated god Lugh. Since Kran was the holy knight of that very god Lugh, they had been circling around their destination all along.

"So what are you going to do now?"

However, even though they had figured out the identity of the statue, Kapros had no idea what to do next, so he asked. Kran grinned and suddenly stretched out his closed hand and opened it.

"This! I picked one while we were wandering around digging earlier."

"...A flower...?"

As Un-o inadvertently said, it was a white flower. Even as darkness was settling in and they could barely see each other's faces, the Luigina flower in Kran's open hand shone white, almost as if he was holding a small star. As Kapros looked at it and then glanced at the statue of the maiden with clasped hands, a line from the song suddenly struck him.

'Could it be.'

"Holding a white flower, with moonlit hair flowing"

The statue of the maiden, whose shape was clear even in the darkness like the Luigina flower on Kran's hand, was holding her hands together modestly, or perhaps shyly as if about to receive water to drink. The gray statue, now softly illuminated by the moonlight that had risen high in the completely darkened sky, shone so brilliantly it could be mistaken for silver. Despite wearing a simple skirt with long, loose hair, it looked incredibly beautiful.

Why hadn't they thought it strange from the beginning? That the empty clasped hands looked somewhat incomplete.

"I heard it from those uncles earlier."

Kran spoke, looking refreshingly at the maiden's statue.

"During the White Flower Festival, they first make numerous Luigina wreaths to honor the holy knight who came looking for the silver Luigina flower, and parade through the village. And at the end, they gather all those Luigina wreaths and offer them to the god at the village square. At first, I thought they might be performing some kind of ritual. I didn't know because in all the temples I've been to before, there were statues depicting the god's mark, but none in human form like this. But now I understand. People probably gather those flowers, sprinkle them on this goddess statue, hang the wreaths, and then..."