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Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: The Holy Nation of Elderath
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"We've finally arrived in Eltikan. It's a blessing. Brother Caramel, since this is your first time here, allow me to explain a little…"
As usual, with Father Barhal's monotonous voice in the background, the carriage I was in was already traversing Eltikan, the capital of the Elderath Holy Nation.
It wasn't a flashy city. However, the distinctive atmosphere of a holy nation was definitely palpable.
Buildings built in peculiar architectural styles,
Crosses and statues visible everywhere,
People in priestly robes easily found everywhere.
And in the distance, the majestic Grand Temple, and behind it, an even larger statue of the Celestial Deity carved into the cliff.
Anyone could tell this was Eltikan, the capital of the Elderath Holy Nation.
"Father Barhal, what's our schedule like in Eltikan?"
Putting my impressions aside for a moment, I posed a question to Barhal, who would clearly drone on until we reached the Grand Temple if left undisturbed.
"A schedule… In truth, there isn't much of a schedule. The academy students, including Brother Caramel, have no schedule for a week after tonight's brief welcoming ceremony. You are simply to enjoy the Holy Nation."
I already knew that.
"However, it's a different story for the Holy Nation's personnel, including myself. The Saintess will be performing a ritual in the sanctuary for a week, and priests, including Brother Duran and myself, will be busy, but we don't yet know what schedule awaits us."
It meant that the future schedule for those included in the pilgrimage party wouldn't be known until they arrived at the Grand Temple.
"Even so, you must have some experience, isn't there any expected schedule?"
"Haha, no. It's embarrassing, but this old man is accompanying a pilgrimage for the first time."
Barhal scratched his bald pate as he replied, and I looked at Duran beside me.
"I don't know either. The schedule in the Holy Nation is decided by the higher-ups, and they prepare a different one every time. All of them are busy schedules, so it'll probably be hard to see each other for a while."
"How busy could it be...?"
"If I were to answer based on my experience so far, it feels like there won't be any time to rest until we return to the academy. So, even if you miss me, just bear with it for a bit, and since you're already here, get some good rest and enjoy yourself before we meet again. Even if this place is a bit dull, there are quite a few sights to see."
Duran shrugged and introduced places worth visiting in Eltikan, and I played along with his words, pretending to be excited, until we arrived at the Grand Temple.
In truth, what Duran was telling me was something I had already heard from him.
Nevertheless, the reason Duran was casually repeating a story he had already told me was...
'Barhal.'
It was because Duran had recently seen Father Barhal reporting events that occurred in Izejest to someone via a communication orb.
'He doesn't seem like a bad person...'
That's what I thought of Barhal. He seemed to have a story, something he was hiding, but despite that, he gave me the strong impression of being far from any villain I'd encountered so far.
'Who was he reporting to?'
The Pope? Lust? Or some benevolent figure I don't know?
The question lingered, but it didn't matter much. Because no matter who it was, what I had to do here wouldn't change.
However, there was no harm in being cautious, so I had agreed with Duran to feed Barhal false information.
****
Having arrived at the Grand Temple by carriage, we were now walking through its interior, guided by a priest who introduced himself as Dali.
Perhaps it was because this was a Holy Nation. There was no lavish welcoming ceremony, unlike at the Imperial Palace in Izejest.
The Holy Knights who had accompanied us on the pilgrimage scattered as soon as they arrived at the Grand Temple, as if by prior arrangement.
The students were assigned their respective lodgings and had free time until the welcoming event in the evening.
I was walking with Lillie for the last time to conclude my duty as an escort student.
I spoke grandly, but in truth, there wasn't much to conclude. My final mission was simply to bring Lillie, who would perform the pilgrimage ritual, to the Holy Nation's Crusaders.
"Thanks to you, Caramel."
A calm voice. My head turned sideways. Lillie's expressionless face came into view.
"This journey was quite enjoyable."
Perhaps she was conscious of Dali, who glanced back while walking ahead. Lillie's face remained expressionless.
"As you know, my time with you, Caramel, as an escort student, ends here."
Looking ahead, I saw Crusaders waiting at the end of the corridor, in the cloister, to receive Lillie.
"Perhaps… we won't see each other until we return to the academy."
I also saw Lillie's shoulders tremble faintly.
"So, let me give you one last piece of advice. No, a request."
Her beautiful face was visible. Her tiny, hesitant lips were also visible.
"Don't overexert yourself. No, don't do anything at all; just get plenty of rest. I… I don't want to smash your head with a mace."
A voice filled with sincerity. It was her way of saying my current state was precarious, so I shouldn't cause trouble and just stay put.
"Understood."
Of course, I had no such intention, but I disliked even more giving Lillie excessive worry, so I answered that way for now. I also felt Dali's gaze, who was walking ahead of us.
"I'll listen well to your words, Lady Lillie, so you take good care of yourself, Lady Lillie."
"…I don't trust that at all."
When I answered with a wide smile, Lillie narrowed her eyes and glared at me.
"Oh, and this is a gift."
I took something from my pocket and placed it in Lillie's hand.
"This one is…"
The something's identity was Tweet, who had a lump on its head.
"If anything happens… you know?"
It was my way of telling her to contact me through Tweet.
"Then my privacy…"
"...There won't be anything to worry about like that, so you can rest assured."
Recalling the beautiful sight I had recently witnessed, I forcibly suppressed my impure thoughts and reassured Lillie.
I genuinely intended that. Last time, I had borrowed Tweet's sight just in case, and Lillie hadn't known Tweet was my familiar then, but it wasn't the same now.
I was thinking that when suddenly...
Flit.
Tweet suddenly flitted off somewhere.
"Hnnngh…!"
"Uh…"
My words caught in my throat at how quickly it happened.
'So that's how it went in.'
It was the moment I learned a fact I had been curious about.
****
Upon arriving at the cloister, Lillie suddenly flinched.
"Haaah…"
At that, one of the Crusaders waiting for Lillie examined her complexion with a worried expression.
"Saintess, is there anything bothering you…?"
"Oh, no. The journey was long, so I'm just a little tired…"
"…I see. You must have endured much hardship on your long journey. Ah, and you are…?"
The man who had checked on Lillie then looked my way, extended a hand, and bowed his head.
"You must be the escort student. My name is Michelan. Humble as I am, I also serve as the Captain of the Crusaders."
"I am Caramel. It's an honor to meet you."
"Ah, Brother Caramel… I've heard much about you. They say you possess remarkable martial prowess for your age. Hmm… It seems that wasn't a lie after all."
Michelan, who had been gripping my hand firmly, continued speaking with a somewhat surprised expression when I met his grip without issue.
"I would love to chat with you, Brother, if I had the time… but it seems difficult right now. As we also have our duties."
"Of course. I understand."
Michelan glanced towards Lillie with a regretful tone, and I nodded, then eyed the Crusaders standing behind Michelan.
At that, I felt the gazes of several individuals looking at me with displeasure.
Did Michelan also sense those contemptuous gazes? Michelan chuckled awkwardly and continued.
"Haha, they are all brothers who wield swords before they are priests… so it seems Brother Caramel has sparked their competitive spirit. And a good opportunity is being prepared for this evening… Well, I hope you'll generously understand."
What did he mean by 'a good opportunity is being prepared'? I tilted my head in curiosity, but Michelan only offered a faint smile and gave no answer.
"Then I'll see you in a bit. You've worked hard until now."
****
After parting ways with Lillie, I was guided to my quarters, then wandered through every corner of the Grand Temple.
Although its size was even more majestic than I expected, the Grand Temple was exactly as I remembered it from the game.
'I've collected everything I needed.'
Having gathered several hidden items into my possession, I exited through the back gate.
A massive cliff, seemingly reaching for the sky, came into view. How on earth was it carved? The statue of the Celestial Deity, occupying nearly half the cliff, created an overwhelming spectacle.
'When I encountered it in the game, I didn't think anything of it...'
I don't believe in religion. I've denied the existence of gods, and I still don't trust the words of religious fanatics.
But perhaps it was because this was the world I lived in. As I gazed at the Celestial Deity, which appeared absolute despite being a mere statue, a sudden thought occurred to me.
'A god, huh…'
This was a world where evil gods and the Seven Deadly Sins openly existed, so wouldn't the Celestial Deity naturally have existed on this land too?
If so, did the Celestial Deity truly wield omnipotent power?
If so, why couldn't the Celestial Deity stop these corrupted beings?
'What a meaningless thought.'
Lost in thought for a moment, I shook my head and lowered my gaze to the ground. Right in front of the cliff, several human-sized statues stood.
My gaze, fixed on one statue, dropped further. Beneath the statue, a tombstone listed names and achievements.
I moved my feet, observing those who had left their names and accomplishments here.
Popes, Sword Saints, Saintesses, Crusader Captains, and more, from the beginning of time until now.
Many Saints of the Holy Nation proudly occupied a part of this place.
As I continued to scan with my eyes.
…
Discovering a spot that felt incongruous, I silently swept my eyes across the ground there.
There was nothing there. Even though, given the structure of this place, there should have been a statue of a woman.
Judging by the faint traces left behind, it seemed the statue that once stood here had been removed. To put it metaphorically, she had been erased from the Holy Nation.
'Maria.'
The Fourth Saintess of the Holy Nation, and now the former name of Lust, the Sin of Lewdness.
****
Evening fell, the setting sun's light painting the background as it streamed through the Grand Temple's massive windows.
In the Grand Temple's main cloister, a welcoming ceremony for the pilgrims was underway.
"I thought they said it would be a modest affair…"
Beneath opulent chandeliers, an endless feast was spread across antique tables.
Appetizing meats, refreshing fruits, sweet desserts, and wine of a luscious hue.
Amidst this banquet, where nothing seemed to be missing, over a hundred people mingled effortlessly.
…
As my expression somehow soured, a familiar voice came from behind me.
"Caramel, judging by your expression, you seem quite displeased that the Holy Nation has prepared such a lavish party."
"Duran."
The owner of the voice, who had accurately pinpointed my thoughts, was Duran.
"I thought you'd be busy and I wouldn't see you for a while. But here you are so soon?"
"Well, attending events like this is part of my job."
Duran shrugged and chuckled, and I pretended to look at him while surveying my surroundings.
Sure enough, countless gazes, laden with various intentions, were focused on us.
"Oh, right. You're the next Saint, aren't you?"
"…Hearing you spout such nonsense, I can pretty much guess how you've been looking at me all this time…"
Duran put on a hurt expression, and I chuckled, extending my hand to him.
"Still, it's good to see you like this."
"Me too. Thinking I'd be free from your nonsense for a few days, I feel like I could fly."
We clasped hands and shook them.
"Well then, have a good time. I, the N-E-X-T Saint, am busy, so I'll be going."
"Alright. Work like a dog. I'm going to rest well for a week."
"…You annoying bastard."
When I said that with a cheeky grin, Duran made a sour face and left.
As the natural conversation between friends concluded, the countless gazes that had been directed our way naturally lost interest and gradually began to disperse.
'If I ever get reincarnated again in the future…'
Perhaps I should consider becoming an actor then.
Lost in such meaningless thoughts, I unfolded my right hand, which had been clenched into a fist.
On the palm of my right hand, which had clasped Duran's, lay a pocket watch.
Click.
When I opened the watch's lid, a small note was nestled inside, just as I expected.