“You must be the adventurer Aria-sama and her companions. I’ve come to welcome you.”
Several days after entering the Fandora Theocracy, the headquarters of the Holy Church, we arrived at the first post town… should I call it the entrance for pilgrims? Upon reaching the town, we were met by a Priest Knight who identified himself as a reception from the Holy Church.
“I’m Dolton, of the ‘Rainbow Sword’ adventurers. Apologies for being just a ‘companion,’ but could you direct your words through me?”
“My apologies, Dolton-dono. My name is Vincent. I see… the Hero-Class individual appears to be quite young.”
Around a thousand combat power, Rank 4… I suppose.
The middle-aged man, who seemed to be the representative of the Priest Knights, appeared to have discerned that the person Dolton stepped forward to protect was the Hero-Class ‘Aria’.
Perceptive… I’d like to say, but it’s only natural for someone sent to welcome ‘candidates for the Hero’s companions.’ Still…
“Snow.”
Aria, who was next to me, murmured my name.
…I know. I wouldn’t kill him just for being slightly underestimated. I wouldn’t do it in a place where evidence would be left, obviously. How rude of you to think so.
Still, not as rude as this Vincent, though.
There are factions trying to assassinate the Hero, and just as the Hero knew this and set a trap, the Holy Church is not monolithic internally. Rumor has it that the noble society of the Theocracy is engaged in even more of a quagmire of conflict than Claydale, but which side is this man on?
Did he make that remark underestimating Aria because he’s devoted to the Hero and thinks a mere adventurer girl isn’t worthy, or does he consider the Hero’s existence a nuisance and doesn’t want a Hero’s party to be formed?
Either way, he’s going against the Hero’s intentions.
How that will play out when we meet the Hero… my anticipation has grown a little.
It’s about a month to the Holy Capital Farn, located at the foot of the holy mountain where the Hero awaits.
Since we have Temple Knights as guides, we won’t be stopped midway, but with more people, it becomes quite troublesome. It’s good that we hardly need to camp anymore, but using inns slows down the journey, so we won’t arrive that much faster.
Besides, meals on the road also take longer than they do for adventurers. Well, they handle most of it, so it’s not a hassle, but when you have that kind of time, other kinds of trouble also arise.
“To the Hero-Class Aria-dono, I would very much like to request a lesson.”
The one who said such a thing was a young Priest Knight, seemingly Vincent’s subordinate.
Well, it can’t be helped. Both Aria and I are wearing monster-hide cloaks, so appraisal is difficult unless one has considerable skill.
Perhaps they don’t even have the Appraisal Skill. For those living like us, Appraisal is essential, but even among adventurers, some don’t learn it due to role division.
“…Understood.”
Aria agreed without a hint of annoyance on her face.
Because Dolton and Feld had been concealing it, they only saw Aria as a young girl who had just come of age.
As she stepped forward, moving as smoothly as flowing water without a sound, Vincent, who had been watching the young Priest Knight’s words and actions without stopping him, narrowed his eyes sharply. When Aria removed her cloak, amidst the gasps of admiration for her appearance, a few choked, scream-like sounds escaped.
Three people, including Vincent, possessed Appraisal…
“Well then, here I come, Aria-dono!”
The Priest Knight who challenged her, oblivious to these reactions, raised his sword, still in its scabbard.
Thwack—
“—Ah.”
The young Priest Knight collapsed without even having time to swing his sword down.
“…”
“It cannot be helped…”
Vincent replied thus to Aria’s silent gaze and had his other subordinates retrieve the fallen Priest Knight.
Normally, having been asked, she should have demonstrated a certain level of skill and given a “lesson.”
However, the young Priest Knight couldn’t even gauge the difference in strength between himself and Aria, and raised his sheathed sword as if he were the one holding back.
Giving a proper lesson to someone who doesn’t even understand such a disparity in strength is pointless.
That’s why Aria, in the instant he raised his sword, ended it by stepping in with a single stride and striking his jaw.
After that, we were no longer looked down upon for being adventurers. The presence of Rank 5 individuals like Dolton and Feld also played a part, but it was undoubtedly due to Aria’s extraordinary combat power and her lovely appearance. The younger Priest Knights exuded an air of reverence just from that.
However… only that Vincent continued to direct an appraising gaze at us.
Even at ‘me.’ …What a troublesome man.
And so, we arrived at the Holy Capital Farn. Even though it’s called a Holy Capital, it’s not that different from other towns. However, there are many houses with white plaster.
And the biggest difference is this view…
“That is…”
“‘The Holy Mountain.'”
Feld answered Aria’s murmur.
A high mountain covered in white snow… We could see it on the way, but upon entering this city, we could view the continent’s main peak, Mount Curios, unobstructed.
We had little business in the city. Vincent seemed to intend the same, so after staying just one night at an inn in the city, we were to head to the Holy Church’s main sanctuary on the holy mountain, essentially passing through.
The Holy Capital Farn is at the foot of the holy mountain, around the second station, and the main sanctuary is around the fourth station of the holy mountain.
We left early in the morning, but at this rate, it looks like we’ll arrive around noon. It can’t be helped since it’s further north than Claydale, but the altitude has also risen, and Jesha, who grew up in the desert, is shivering as if cold.
“Open the gates! We have brought Hero-Class Aria-dono!”
At the voice of Vincent, who rode at the head on horseback, the large gates in the high outer wall creaked open. After passing through a straight, tree-lined road and an area that seemed to be the residences of believers, we finally arrived at a large building that appeared to be the main sanctuary.
The main sanctuary was as large as a castle, but the one inside was not a king.
There is no king in the Fandora Theocracy. It’s not a country ruled by a king, but a country ruled by “law.”
The ones governing the Theocracy are the clerical nobles. The highest authority here is the Pope, chosen from among the Cardinals, but we were permitted to meet with one of the Cardinals.
“Welcome, our guests.”
The Cardinal who welcomed us in a solemn room was a man who looked to be around fifty. Judging by the magnitude of his magic, I think his actual age is much older, but contrary to his cheerful tone, he directed an appraising gaze at us.
His strength is only about Rank 3, so he must be someone who became a Cardinal through political means.
He’s probably the one from the ‘Hero’s faction,’ I think.
Inside the room were us, a female priest accompanying the Cardinal, and Priest Knights as guards.
But the ‘Hero’ was not there.
“May we begin the discussion?”
“Please wait a little longer. Soon—”
…He’s here. A strong presence I can feel even through the door. Those who noticed it looked up, and the door they were staring at opened.
“Well now, have I kept you waiting?”
The man, with bright red eyes, smiled pleasantly, then narrowed his eyes at Aria, who was seated on the sofa, and slowly stood beside the Cardinal.
“You’re late, Klein.”
“My apologies for that.”
Hero Klein. The true Hero who came from another continent.
Even being this close, I still can’t get a proper appraisal on him. He’s quite the monster.
“Well then—”
“Wait. Let me speak first.”
The Hero interrupted the Cardinal’s words, and with a sway of his black hair, he moved to Aria’s side and knelt.
“What…?”
Aria glared at Klein with a suspicious expression. Klein, unfazed by Aria’s pressure, took her hand and gently pressed his lips to it.
“I won’t beat around the bush. Please, become mine.”