Second Journey (2)

Only after the brief announcement ceremony ended and I changed out of those uncomfortable clothes could I finally move freely.

Of course, with dignitaries from various regions still present, I could only access areas within the Pantheon Temple restricted to authorized personnel.

Can’t help it since getting entangled with them could lead to political troubles.

“Ah! Lost!”

Right after being freed from that bothersome ceremony, before much time had passed, Línea came running over wagging her tail, having noticed my arrival.

Seeing her like this makes me wonder if she’s more of a puppy than a fox.

“Did you already change your clothes?”

“They were more uncomfortable than I expected.”

Línea pouts with a disappointed look as she examines my attire from head to toe. It feels like she’s becoming more childlike by the day.

“It’s a shame you took them off so soon… but it can’t be helped. They suited you well, Lost. I hope there will be another chance to see you in them.”

“I’m sure there will be.”

“Oh, that’s something to look forward to then.”

Línea smiles brightly.

Well, it won’t happen anytime soon since we’re about to leave for our journey, but I’ll probably need to visit headquarters at some point.

There will likely be an even longer ceremony like this then, so she’ll get to see plenty of it.

“Then let’s save the reviews for now and go get lunch? Everyone is waiting.”

“Right, food is important.”

Having a giant baby who eats three square meals a day means our group strictly keeps to meal times.

The exception was when he skipped a meal recently to review his previous battle.

Between Titan the tyrant who could do anything when hungry and Claire the patient who might collapse and never wake up if hungry.

Among such companions, even Línea with her modest appetite has changed like this.

“Come on, let’s go.”

Saying that, Línea naturally wraps her tail around my wrist.

Whether it’s become a habit or what, the soft, warm feeling of her tail isn’t unpleasant.

Though it might just be my imagination, but it feels somewhat constraining.

Well, must be my imagination.

*     *      *

“How was it, Your Majesty?”

“Just as you said, he seems quite an interesting young man. Quite exceptional for someone from the temple.”

Even after Lost turned back with just those few words, Emperor Creden G Eden didn’t complain.

Rather, he was happy to have some rest time after finishing the bothersome schedule early.

That’s why he was conversing with Edge Forys who had tipped him off about Lost beforehand.

“Isn’t it surprising he could choose such radical words? Things like demon slaying or Malice. It would be more surprising if it wasn’t intentional.”

“He was quite blatant indeed.”

As the emperor ruling this vast empire, Creden could understand the meaning behind Lost’s words.

“That person must surely be from the heresy inquisitors?”

“You have sharp eyes.”

“No need for such gilding. Duke Forys, it would be worthy of mockery if I as emperor couldn’t understand when he was saying it so directly.”

Lost’s demeanor on the stage was unsuited for someone merely from the streets.

The criteria for selecting apostles are unknown. Sometimes they’re from the temple, sometimes they’re wanderers with no connection to faith.

That’s why differences in status and background tend to show in their behavior.

Though Lost’s conduct seemed closer to an unaffiliated wanderer than temple personnel, his etiquette was perfect.

That means he’s someone from the temple who frequently moves outside.

Those fitting that description are usually either missionaries or special forces within the Pantheon Temple who receive and carry out missions.

“How audacious.”

A mere missionary wouldn’t dare speak the word demon slaying.

Too bold a word choice for temple personnel. Only someone who routinely handles such matters professionally could say that.

“The temple’s military power will grow stronger now. Perhaps we’ll need to keep them in check?”

There have been many apostles until now. Many of them had outstanding military might.

However, most of them focused on caring for people.

Lost’s existence, openly declaring the use of force like this, is truly troublesome.

Despite openly promoting military buildup within the order, they can’t be stopped or checked.

The opponent literally bears the name of god. With over 90% of the empire believing in god, they can’t openly check him.

At best they could secretly deal with him using assassins and pin it on half-demons or devils, but the opponent specializes in exactly that field.

“If we needed to kill him, how do you think it could be done?”

“…Forgive my impudence, but it would be impossible through normal means. Unless we literally made a deal with the devil.”

“Yes, quite right.”

Given the nature of the heresy inquisitor profession, not only are they battle-hardened but they’re also well-versed in all sorts of dirty methods. No profession understands assassination-friendly and unfriendly environments better than assassins.

Moreover, if such meticulousness is combined with firm military might…

“Even calling the king of assassins wouldn’t be enough.”

He openly causes trouble yet there are no means to stop him.

Despite such a vague situation, Creden smiled.

“Then we’ll cooperate for now.”

No point in being stingy about it.

From the start, half-demons and demons aren’t just enemies of the Pantheon Temple.

If anything, Creden suffers the greatest damage. How many outlaws must be running wild across the empire’s vast territory?

They were just as harmful from Creden’s perspective, so he might as well actively cooperate with the Pantheon Temple now.

Since Lost declared demon slaying, the temple side couldn’t say anything if Creden took such a course.

“Still, should we test him once?”

In effect, Lost used just his name to request cooperation from the empire. The conditions aren’t excessive and help the empire’s reputation – that’s what makes it vicious.

Literally an offer that can’t be refused.

Such an impertinent act.

“So Duke Forys, think about preparing for similar situations that might arise in the future.”

“…You want me to prepare options for Your Majesty to choose from easily, correct?”

“Of course. I have many other things to do, don’t I? Hahaha!”

“…”

Creden was in a good mood.

Nothing better than being able to pass your work onto others.

“We have some time, shall we look around the lake on our way back? They say this is when it’s most beautiful.”

*     *      *

The meals provided by the Pantheon Temple are basically home-style cooking.

Home cooking that feels both modest yet abundant.

We gather in small groups before such a contradictory table and begin eating in our own ways.

I eat relatively normally.

Titan just devours anything in sight indiscriminately.

Claire starts with easily digestible foods and gradually mixes in meat.

Línea eats nobly and elegantly.

As we eat in our own ways like that, we decided to discuss our upcoming schedule.

“Alright, listen while you eat everyone.”

“Why do we always discuss important things while eating? To make us choke?”

Of course there’s one little brat who doesn’t like this discussion itself.

It’s fine to ignore her since she’s not much help right now anyway.

Enjoy it while you can.

Once you awaken your holy power, you’ll be heading straight to the front lines.

Thinking of that makes even her current impertinence forgivable.

Truly delightful.

“Our next destination will be Alfheim as previously announced.”

“You mean where Wind’s Tomb is? Soon our graves will be there too.”

“Don’t say such unlucky things.”

Such curses will only come back to her.

“According to my plan, Claire, you’ll need to awaken your holy power to break through Wind’s Tomb.”

“…”

Claire puts down her spoon as if having lost her appetite.

She seems to be checking my expression but unfortunately this isn’t a joke.

After confirming my face and realizing it’s not a joke, Claire turns her head to look at Línea.

“…Usually unnie would stop him from saying strange things.”

“Claire. If it’s Lost, he must have a reason for saying such things. Ah! Lost, would you like to try this and this? They’re delicious.”

Unfortunately, Línea has now gained enlightenment and can clearly discern who is more correct.

No use trying to sway Línea using weakness as a weapon.

She’s on my side now.

“In other words, we’ll start from the east of the continent, pass through the center, and head south this time.”

“This will be another long journey. I’m excited. Are we going to the northern and western ends next?”

“…No, I don’t plan to go that far.”

I get chills from Línea’s excitement.

Isn’t the Hope duchy where Belial has settled at the western end, and Skadi’s domain, <One Who Halts Steps>, at the northern end?

We’re already involved with <Wind’s Tomb>, and now she wants us to explore all the trials at this rate?

“Anyway, there are roughly two objectives. First is freeing the Saintess of Earth from her shackles.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“…We need to if we want to face Belial, I mean Wallace Hope.”

“Can’t I just work hard enough for her share?”

“You can both work hard together.”

“…”

Línea who had seemed energetic just moments ago deflates.

Someone might think she has a grudge against the Saintess of Earth.

“Well, even if we resolve the problem, we won’t be moving together.”

“That’s right! That’s more efficient!”

“…”

Sometimes I wonder if Línea hit her head during the fight with Margaret. How did such a smart girl become so stupid…

“…And second is resolving Titan’s rampage.”

“I feel like I’m close to getting the hang of it.”

“Stay still, one or two more times getting the hang of it and the Pantheon Temple will be uprooted.”

Titan released the spirit magic he had been sealing.

Though I’m not sure what changes occurred inside him, being able to use such power is clearly a good thing.

However, the problem is he’s increasingly unable to control that power as days pass.

At first his precision was lacking, but now he’s having trouble controlling even the scale of power as time goes on.

He makes excuses that he’s unfamiliar with the power since he hasn’t used it for so long, but this can’t continue.

If we leave him running wild like this any longer, it will lead to accidents.

If he’s going to train, shouldn’t it be in sparsely populated plains? For that too, we need to leave the capital, Coinur.

“Those are our two objectives. That includes making the incompetent Claire into a proper person along the way.”

“…You’re hitting where it hurts.”

That’s what you get for being rude.

No matter what misgivings I have, aren’t I basically the kid’s guardian?

It’s time for some character education.

I’ll definitely have Línea turn her into a proper young lady.

“Now that the destination is set, we just need to plan the route. That will be arranged through agreement with the Pantheon Temple side, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

“Then when do we depart?”

“Right away… is what I’d like to say, but let’s take about a week’s leisure.”

Línea still hasn’t fully learned the techniques from Shade.

Of course she can’t learn all the techniques, so it seems she’s learning the basic fundamental methods.

“And I still have some issues to resolve too.”

“What kind of matters? Is there anything I can help with?”

“No.”

Línea who had quietly raised her hand lowers it with a disappointed look.

Did she want something to do? Seems Shade’s training is tough.

“For now I’m going to enjoy what power I can within the Pantheon Temple.”

“Just hearing that sounds like it couldn’t be more trashy. There must be a reason to think you’re not that kind of person though?”

“Thanks for the high evaluation.”

“You’re welcome.”

So you still see me as human. It’s quite remarkable when you think about seeing someone who killed your family as human.

“I’m going to try awakening aura while I’m at it.”

“What nonsense…”

“I’m going to raid the Pantheon Temple’s warehouse.”

To use aura, you first need to reach the limit of 1st circle.

The method is surprisingly simple. Just accumulate mana to the limit.

High nobles like Línea create their mana circle at a young age and gradually grow to create conditions for awakening aura.

Even Línea who tried not to show herself fighting in front of others knows how to handle aura.

If you can artificially fill yourself with mana, anyone can create conditions to handle aura.

I simply haven’t had occasions to increase the size since I only recently created my mana circle and mainly used holy power.

But I’ll surely need it.

“The more means the better, and if I can grasp it easily that’s even better.”

The situation is different from before.

Now I have an environment where I can easily grasp power.

The combat groups in the Pantheon Temple are broadly classified into three.

Templars who mainly use holy magic or strengthen their bodies through blessings.

Heresy inquisitors who trap opponents through various means.

And paladins, the most famous group in the Pantheon Temple.

They not only strengthen their bodies through blessings of holy magic but also handle aura.

Symbols of unyielding strength who don’t die even when killed, wielding sharp swords.

True monsters of both offense and defense.

“The Pantheon Temple’s warehouse is full of elixirs prepared to cultivate such paladins.”

When there’s a way to instantly complete the sluggish mana training right before my eyes, why would I refuse?

“I need to raid the Pantheon Temple’s warehouse and nourish my body for a week.”

When the saint, apostle of god says he’s feeling weak, surely they won’t refuse?