Revelation
Revelation
The contract was drawn up in an instant. It was a form satisfactory to me, and one that made Temple Head Hiseyena wear a bitter smile.
"'Sincerity'... It was a comfortable word when I used it."
What I specifically proposed was the information on the Demonfolk and combat experience the temple had accumulated, and the issuance of a token that would allow me to receive benefits at any temple of the Holy Light Cross Order in any region. The rest was all just a request to express 'sincerity,' knowing how seriously the Holy Light Cross Order took the issue of the Saint.
If they wanted to maintain a good long-term relationship, they'd have to sweeten the deal a little. Even if they didn't, with a major incident like an attempted assassination of the Saintess, there was a proper attitude expected of faithful believers, so they couldn't help but watch how they handled it. 'Anything' is always good for the one making the demand and damned annoying for the one receiving it.
"Just by accepting the temple's conditions regarding the Saint and not asking for anything else, I'd already shown all the 'sincerity' I could."
I'd come to know a religious order's shame, and this was actually a dirt-cheap price. If I just whispered to Ragnis or Esmue, it was a matter that could bleed them dry. No, Esmue would devour them from one to ten to her taste, wouldn't she? The very fact that it was a condition where I'd have nothing to say if the other side thought they'd given enough and told me to shove off had already extracted all my 'sincerity.'
It was basically getting an additional reward for something I'd originally intended to do unpaid, so I negotiated roughly since it didn't matter much... Still, since I'd clearly stipulated what I wanted, it wasn't bad to think of it as an opportunity to gauge the average character of the Holy Light Cross Order.
"Extremely reasonable. Let's prepare things that are both inconspicuous and reliable. Beyond that, do you need any other help with the cultist problem?"
"Do you have any consumables that work well against demons? There are supposed to be about a hundred cultists... I won't kill them all in one place, but given the location, it's possible a demon could forcibly manifest by using them as sacrifices."
My knowledge of demons was nothing more than what I'd learned from books, so I wasn't sure, but fortunately it didn't seem to be complete nonsense.
"Hmm. It's quite possible. There are actual cases on record. We'll provide those free of charge. Anything else?"
"Holy water and potions, maybe? I'd appreciate it if you lent them to us, on the condition we return them if we don't face a demon, and pay later if we use them for other reasons. And we'll take the cultists we bring out back with us, since we need to use them as bait."
"We can definitely support such things. It's reassuring that you understand such contractual forms."
I usually stocked potions too, but they were always of inferior quality compared to those the temple alchemists carefully selected and further processed. Storing them in iron containers for safety meant the contents gradually deteriorated and their effects weakened.
In contrast, the temple's potions were top-grade products with even the glass bottles specially processed through magical engineering, so they didn't break easily and there was no risk of the potion degrading. Normally, they were damned expensive, so the downside was that without this kind of support, I couldn't even dream of affording them yet.
A small, test-tube-sized potion that held barely a mouthful or two cost a whopping two gold coins. They said nothing was more precious than life, but for now, it was still better to buy cheaper potions and care for them dearly.
"Then I look forward to working with you, Eldmia. We'll have the supplies ready by tomorrow."
With a brief farewell, we left the reception room and headed for the chapel.
"Come to think of it, you don't ask about the Saint, Eldmia."
"Yeah, well. I didn't ask because I'm not interested, probably."
"Even if there's been an unsavory incident, she's still the Saint of an order. Going on like this, she might soon undergo a heresy inquisition and become a core power of the order."
"I have no interest, so I'm not asking."
My reaction must have been unexpected, because Temple Head Hiseyena, walking beside me, put on a feigned surprised expression and questioned me.
"That's an unexpected reaction. Why?"
"Because getting involved in that sort of thing is obviously a hassle? I'd rather ask why you consider it unexpected?"
Of course, I hadn't asked back because I truly didn't know. I just thought this was the only way to avoid a bothersome Q&A. Sure enough, Temple Head Hiseyena simply said, 'Hmm. I see,' and asked no more questions.
Just a few days ago I was dancing with swords among nobles, and now I had to dance with swords among religious types too? I could give them a sword dance, but I refused to get caught up in their wordplay.
"Ah, Eldmia! Have you finished talking?"
When I arrived at the chapel, Sen and her party were standing there blankly, waiting for me. Just a glance told me they'd been waiting since the day after getting their reward.
"What, you came later than me but finished your talk first?"
"Yes. With morning prayer soon, they seemed busy with this and that."
They used that as a slick excuse? Tch, smooth talkers everywhere. I definitely should quickly cut ties with Bellesica.
Actions spoke louder than words, so I walked briskly out of the temple, and Sen followed diligently, asking.
"Now that I think about it, the priests said you had something separate to convey? Is it a request?"
"You're unnecessarily sharp. Yes, I got a request."
"I bet it's about the cultists. You were planning to wipe them out anyway, so isn't it a total win?"
"We'll have to wait and see if it's a win or not."
If I had nothing to do with the cultists after this, it was a win, but if not, it'd become damned annoying.
◈
After finishing my business at the temple, the rest of the day passed in a rush.
On the way to the cultists' base, we were planning to stop by the capital anyway, so we only bought the bare necessities and spent the rest of the time going around paying respects, but trying to do it all in one day ate up more time than expected.
Fortunately, by evening Asilie had also escaped the clutches of her hangover, so we had our last meal from Madam Alisha, slept soundly, and then headed to the temple, leaving her farewell behind.
Temple Head Hiseyena didn't come out to greet us herself, but the items handed over by Priest Ashel, who came on her behalf, were top-grade enough to make me feel secure just looking at them. As I examined the ten potions, five holy waters, and two unidentified cubes, Priest Ashel's explanation followed.
"When a demon appears, throw this at the feet of that motherfucker."
"What happens then?"
"It gets torn apart and dies. For the weak ones, that alone finishes them."
Fucking hell, what a damned brutal item. I flinched, my eyes involuntarily widening, and his hearty laugh followed.
"It contains a holy spell cast directly by the Temple Head. As long as you haven't made a contract with a demon, there's no problem, so don't worry."
"...So if I had a contract with a demon, there'd be a problem? What's the range?"
"Hmm? I'd say the area touched by light is all within the effective range. But I'll tell you in advance, for it to work on cultists, they'd have to be almost directly empowered. Don't use it carelessly."
Tch. I'd hoped to use it when catching cultists and just beat the demon to death, but I guess that won't work. It was a pity, but still good enough support, so I decided to accept it gratefully.
"And the Saint asked me to pass on a message. She said she's sorry she couldn't properly express her gratitude. She definitely wants to see you again when you return."
I almost said it'd be better for me if we never got involved again, but I just nodded. Spitting in the face of someone showing goodwill wasn't my style.
"I'll come report once things are settled. Take care."
"Alright. May the blessing of Rubisca be with you."
Of course it should be with me. This whole mess started because you couldn't manage your own order properly.
So we ended up leaving Ogwen in just three days, and we urged our horses faster to hurry at least to the capital.
"Sen! How long do you think it'll take to reach the cultists' base from the capital?"
"About 5 days! If we take a route that stops at a city along the way, it'll take one more day!"
My vacation that would have ended in a week was about to get longer. I'd have to ask Sir Ekaf for yet another leave extension.
"How will you proceed in the capital? Will you start with the imprint when we arrive?"
While I'd grown accustomed to most conversations being with Sen, Merdela actively spoke up. Even though it was no different from putting a dog collar around her own neck, she must have been so fed up with the situation of just watching her back due to accumulated distrust that she desperately wanted out.
"I'll try, but depending on the situation, it might take a little longer, so I'll decide once I'm there!"
Radnelbandes and Mr. Widra. It was questionable whether I could meet them right away, and the fact that I had no one else to ask besides them was also a problem. If Esmue were here, she might have brought at least one mage along, so it might have been worth asking, but she'd have already returned to her country by now, so the chance was slim.
Actually, that didn't matter much. It wasn't like I couldn't respond if they tried any bullshit, and with Sen as such a powerful guarantee, I wasn't even that interested. The real reason I wanted to stop by the capital was the anticipation that the item I'd commissioned from Balkun would be finished.
I couldn't resist picking up a package.