Chapter 156: Cardinal
“We did it!”
“Mhm!”
“Yay!”
“We’re definitely getting stronger. This is all thanks to you, Dee.”
Claudia, Lily, Cornelia, and Eleonore exchanged high-fives and hugs, celebrating the defeat of the Adamantite Golem.
Beyond them lay the massive body of the Adamantite Golem, rusting and weathering away in the wind.
It was an easy victory, but I guess felling something that large brings a greater sense of accomplishment.
The clear reward for ‘Golem Valley’ was adamantite. What should I use it for?
In our group, both I and all the women are fully equipped with Mithril gear, so we have no use for it.
Mithril is light, durable, and excellent. Adamantite is tougher, and if this were a game, I’d switch to adamantite equipment, but adamantite is heavy. Far heavier than iron. That’s why everyone is decked out in Mithril.
It might be incredibly useful in the future for things like the core of cannonballs, but for now, adamantite is just a rare metal, isn’t it?
Well, Zasha mentioned she uses adamantite in parts of her greatsword, so I’ll give it to Zasha.
“Good work, everyone. Shall we head back then? There will probably be monsters on the way back too, so let’s be careful.”
“Mhm.”
“““Okay!”””
A dungeon isn’t over just because you’ve defeated the last boss. It’s more accurate to think you’ve only just passed the halfway point.
Surprisingly, many adventurers misjudge their own stamina or Holy Power and end up collapsing on the way back.
Though it looks like everyone in ‘Reginleif’ still has plenty of energy to spare.
Well, if push comes to shove, I can just step in to help. I barely did anything this time, after all…
Afterward, we exited the dungeon without incident and returned to the New Baumgarten Mansion in the royal capital, swayed by the carriage.
Having these servants, with time on their hands, line up on either side of the path to welcome us with “Welcome back” is something I’m still not used to.
Eleonore and Claudia walk by as if it’s perfectly natural, but Cornelia and I still get a little jumpy.
Lily? That girl’s got guts. She’s perfectly calm.
“Welcome back, everyone. You must be tired, yes? I shall prepare some tea.”
Being greeted by Cassandra inside the mansion finally made it feel like I was home. I wondered how things would turn out at first, but I’ve grown used to life with Cassandra around.
“By the way, there is something for you, entrusted to us by the Church.”
Cassandra said this while we were having tea. Just hearing the word ‘Church’ made me feel a sense of impending trouble. Even though things have gotten better since Pope Johannes took over, their recruitment efforts were intense. It’s a pain to have to write a letter of refusal every single time.
Cassandra received a large box from a maid and handed it to me.
It was a white box. Now then, what could be inside…?
…Do I really have to check? Can’t I just pretend I didn’t see this?
No?
“Haaah…”
With a sigh, I opened the box, and a cloth of such a startling, vivid crimson met my eyes.
“…Clothes?”
It was hard to tell because it was laden with so many ornaments, but it appeared to be some kind of robe. But what’s with this ridiculously flashy red? I can’t wear something like this!
“My!”
“Cardinal Red!”
“What did you say!?”
However, as Cassandra and Claudia, who were peeking from the side, exclaimed in surprise, even Eleonore covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide with astonishment.
Eh? What? Did I do something I shouldn’t have!?
“Um, if you know, I’d like you to tell me. What is this?”
“You don’t know!?”
“You see, Dee isn’t from the capital.”
“Listen well, Dee. This Cardinal Red formal attire is something only a Cardinal is permitted to wear.”
“Cardinal…”
It has a cool ring to it, somehow. That’s about all I know, though.
“There’s a letter inside as well. How about you read it for now?”
“Ah.”
Urged by Cassandra, I picked up the letter inside.
And then, I felt a sense of relief.
“It seems they’re making me an Honorary Cardinal. But it comes with no rights and no obligations. It’s truly just an honorary position. I wondered what on earth was going on, but if it’s this, then I’m relieved.”
“Honorary Cardinal? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“They’re making a rather cunning move, aren’t they? They’re likely aiming to establish a fait accompli, appealing to the outside world that they’ve brought Dee into the Church’s fold.”
Claudia voiced her doubt, and Cassandra expressed her concern.
I see. So that’s a possibility. I’m embarrassed that I was so carefree, thinking ‘Cardinal’ just sounded cool.
“First, let’s seal away those clothes. After that, even if you’re invited to meetings and such by the Church, please continue to ignore them. Just like before.”
“Yeah.”
I immediately nodded at Eleonore’s words.
It’s not like I intend to be hostile towards the Church, but I can’t stand troublesome things.
I feel bad for Pope Johannes, but I’ll just keep ignoring them as I have been.
Once the Evil God is defeated and an era of peace arrives, I’ll think about how to deal with the Church.