I received a review from Hyoga no Ichirin-sama!
Thank you very much!
“You must be the Adventurer Aria-sama and your companions. I’ve come to welcome you.”
A few days after entering the Fandora Theocracy, the Holy Church’s headquarters, we arrived at the first post town… or perhaps it would be better to call it the entrance to the pilgrimage? As soon as we arrived in that town, we were greeted by a Priest Knight claiming to be from the Holy Church.
“I’m Dolton, the adventurer known as ‘Rainbow Sword.’ I apologize for being one of the ‘companions,’ but would you mind going through me for any discussions?”
“My apologies, Dolton-dono. I am Vincent. I see… the Hero-dono seems to be quite young.”
Around Rank 4 with a combat strength of about 1,000… I suppose.
The middle-aged man who seemed to be the representative of the Priest Knights seemed to have seen through that the person Dolton was protecting was the Hero-class “Aria.”
He’s quick-witted… or rather, it’s only natural for someone sent to welcome a ‘Hero’s Companion Candidate.’ But…
“Snow.”
Aria, who was next to me, muttered my name.
…I know. I wouldn’t kill someone just because they were a little insulting. And I certainly wouldn’t do it in a place where evidence would be left behind. How rude.
Still, he’s not as rude as this Vincent.
There’s a faction trying to assassinate the Hero, and the Hero seems to be aware of it and has set a trap. The Holy Church’s internal affairs are not monolithic. Rumor has it that the aristocracy of the Theocracy is in even more of a quagmire of conflict than Claydale, but which side is this man on?
Did he make such a disparaging remark about Aria because he is infatuated with the Hero and thinks that a little adventurer girl is not suitable, or does he see the Hero as an obstacle and doesn’t want the Hero’s party to be formed?
Either way, it goes against the Hero’s intentions.
How that will play out when we meet the Hero… my anticipation has increased a bit.
It will take about a month to reach the Holy Capital Fahn at the foot of the Holy Mountain, where the Hero is said to be waiting.
Since there is a Temple Knight as a guide, we won’t be stopped along the way, but it’s quite troublesome when the number of people increases. It’s good that we hardly have to camp out anymore, but the journey is delayed by the use of inns, so we won’t arrive that much sooner.
Also, meals on the road take longer than they do for adventurers. Well, they mostly take care of it, so it’s not a hassle, but when there’s that kind of time, there are other kinds of troubles.
“I would very much like to receive some guidance from the Hero-class Aria-dono.”
It was a young Priest Knight who seemed to be Vincent’s subordinate who said that.
Well, it can’t be helped. Aria and I are both wearing monster leather cloaks, so it’s difficult to appraise us unless you have considerable skill.
Maybe he doesn’t even have the 《Appraisal》 Skill. Appraisal is essential for those of us who live this kind of life, but even among adventurers, some people don’t learn it due to the division of roles.
“…Understood.”
Aria responds without a hint of annoyance.
Dolton and Feld were hiding it, so they probably still see Aria as just a young girl who has just come of age.
As she stepped forward silently and smoothly, Vincent, who had been watching the young Priest Knight’s words and actions without stopping him, narrowed his eyes sharply. When Aria took off her cloak, gasps of admiration for her appearance were heard, while several people let out strained screams.
Three people, including Vincent, have Appraisal…
“Then let’s go, Aria-dono!”
The Priest Knight who challenged her didn’t notice any of that and swung his sword, still in its scabbard.
Thud–
“–Ah.”
The young Priest Knight collapses without even swinging his sword down.
“…………”
“It can’t be helped…”
Vincent answers Aria’s silent gaze, and has his other subordinates retrieve the fallen Priest Knight.
Normally, since she was asked, she would have to show some degree of skill and provide “guidance.”
But the young Priest Knight couldn’t gauge the difference in ability between himself and Aria, and swung his sword in its scabbard as if he was holding back.
There’s no point in giving proper guidance to someone who doesn’t even understand that difference in ability.
That’s why Aria, in the instant he swung, knocked him out with a single step, striking his chin.
From then on, we were no longer looked down upon as mere adventurers. There are also Rank 5 existences like Dolton and Feld, but it’s probably due to Aria’s extraordinary combat ability and her lovely appearance. The younger Priest Knights are giving off an atmosphere of reverence just because of that.
However… only that Vincent continues to cast a judging gaze at us.
At ‘me’ as well… What a troublesome man.
And so, we arrive at the Holy Capital Fahn. Even though it’s called a Holy Capital, it’s not that much different from other towns. However, there are many white plastered houses.
And the biggest difference is this scenery…
“That’s…”
“The ‘Holy Mountain.'”
Feld answers Aria’s mutter.
A high mountain covered in white snow… We could see it along the way, but when we entered this town, we could see the main peak of this continent, Mount Curios, without anything obstructing our view.
We have almost no business in the town. Vincent seems to be of the same mind, and after staying overnight at an inn in the town, we head straight to the Holy Church’s main temple on the Holy Mountain.
The Holy Capital Fahn is located at the foot of the Holy Mountain, at the second station, and the main temple is located around the fourth station of the Holy Mountain.
We left early in the morning, but at this rate, we’ll probably arrive around noon. It’s north of Claydale, so it can’t be helped, but the altitude is also rising, and Jesha, who grew up in the desert, is shivering as if she’s cold.
“Open the gate! We have brought the Hero Aria-dono!”
At the voice of Vincent, who is leading the way on horseback, the large doors in the high outer wall creak open. After passing through a straight avenue and an area that seems to be the residences of believers, we finally arrive at a large building that seems to be the main temple.
The main temple was as large as a castle, but there is no king inside.
There is no king in the Fandora Theocracy. Because it is not a country ruled by a king, but a country ruled by “law.”
The Theocracy is governed by the clergy nobles. The highest-ranking person here is the Pope, who is chosen from among the Cardinals, but we were allowed to meet with one of the Cardinals.
“Welcome. Honored guests.”
The Cardinal who greeted us in a solemn room was a man who looked to be about fifty years old. Judging from the size of his mana, I think his actual age is much higher, but contrary to his cheerful tone, he casts a judging gaze at us.
His ability is only around Rank 3, so he’s probably someone who became a Cardinal politically.
I think this person is from the ‘Hero Faction.’
In the room, there are us, a female priest accompanying the Cardinal, and Priest Knights as guards.
But the “Hero” is not there.
“Shall we begin the discussion?”
“Please wait a little longer. He will be here soon–“
…He’s here. A strong presence that I can feel even through the door. Those who noticed it raised their faces, and the door they were looking at opened.
“Hey, did I keep you waiting?”
The man smiled cheerfully with his bright red eyes, narrowed his eyes at the sight of Aria sitting on the sofa, and slowly stood next to the Cardinal.
“You’re late, Klein.”
“My apologies.”
Hero Klein. A real Hero who came from another continent.
Even being this close, I still can’t appraise him properly, so he’s quite the monster.
“Then–”
“Wait. Let me speak first.”
The Hero interrupts the Cardinal’s words, shakes his black hair, walks up to Aria, and kneels down.
“What…?”
Aria glares at Klein with a suspicious face. Klein, unfazed by Aria’s pressure, takes her hand and gently kisses it.
“I won’t beat around the bush. Please, be mine.”
The Hero’s sudden words.
How will Aria and Snow react to those words?