Chapter 45
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: The Archbishop's Banquet. (1)
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The next day, at noon.
Woojin scarfed down a quick lunch before sprawling out on the grass, using Rex's flank as a pillow.
'......Nothing to do.'
Bored out of his mind, he whittled away at a chunk of wood with the dagger in his hand. Might as well kill time by carving a pair of chopsticks or something.
He'd love to head out for a hunt, but ever since the purification ritual, the beasts had vanished completely. Thanks to that, Woojin and his wolves were stuck killing time in utter boredom.
"Um...... are you busy?"
A timid voice called out from somewhere. Woojin looked up to see Cindy hovering in the distance, too scared of the wolves to come any closer.
"You lot stay put."
He tossed the half-carved wood block onto the ground and headed her way. The wolves yawned in acknowledgment and nodded.
Cindy wore a resolute expression, like she'd steeled herself for something.
"I promise. Just like you asked yesterday, I won't step outside my role."
"Smart girl."
She'd accepted his terms. Now it was Woojin's turn to pay up.
"Let's chat over some tea."
"Sounds good."
They made their way to the Church Alliance building. Thanks to the heads-up, the priest led them to the parlor without a fuss.
The table was laid out with various drinks and snacks. Woojin poured a cup of black tea and slid it over to Cindy before opting for apple juice himself.
She gave him a puzzled look.
"Why skip the tea for cheap juice? That seems like fine leaves."
"I've got simple tastes. Fancy stuff never sits right with me."
Gourmet food was a mystery he couldn't quite grasp. He'd tried the upscale dishes in the city a few times, but he always preferred cheap and straightforward flavors.
Anyway, that wasn't the point.
"You were going to tell me about the witch."
"Right."
Woojin gathered his thoughts and began, reciting from the script he'd prepared in his head for exactly this moment.
"I had a friend once. Enoch, his name was. Not the most talented, but a diligent mage."
He hated lying, but...
Telling the truth about devouring an inner core and inheriting memories would just get him labeled a lunatic. So he spun a suitably edited version of events for Cindy.
The mage Enoch, the black potion, the witch, and the deaths of Golden Beetle Wolf and his two sons...
"......And that's how I ended up meeting you. That cover it?"
His long explanation wrapped up.
Cindy sat there stunned for a moment, digesting it all before asking cautiously,
"If she can mimic anyone's appearance...... how do you even find the witch? She'd blend right in with the crowd."
"It's not impossible."
The witch's powers weren't omnipotent.
No matter how much she changed her looks, the essence within couldn't be altered.
'The world of the heart.'
Mages and priests of exceptional skill could peer into others' inner worlds. It worked on the same principle as Bow's heart-sight.
Dark cultists harbored twisted, grotesque inner realms. That trait had allowed the Church Alliance to root out and burn countless heretics.
These days, though, such inspections were rare. With dark cultists thought extinct, and nobody keen on baring their soul to strangers.
"So...... Bow's heart-sight could solve this?"
Cindy pieced it together from the story. The simplest solution. But it came with its own issues.
"That cunning witch won't show herself anywhere near the old man."
She was likely keeping tabs on Bow's location. One slip into his heart-sight, and it was game over for her.
Besides, Bow was tied up with the expedition and couldn't easily leave the third pioneer city. Hard to ask him to help with a witch hunt on unpredictable timing.
Cindy let out a soft sigh.
"So basically, no real answer?"
"Relax. I can recognize her."
"......How? Do you have heart-sight too?"
Of course not.
"Something like it."
But he didn't deny it outright. Vague answers like this kept things smooth for both of them.
In short, the situation boiled down to...
"Just need to pinpoint her location."
And the witch would likely show up where something big was brewing.
"Any guesses? You know more about this stuff than I do."
A savvy merchant heard the news faster and wider than most. With Golden Beetle Wolf's fortune and connections fully inherited, Cindy should be especially plugged in.
She answered without hesitation.
"Actually, there's a big one coming up."
"What's that?"
"Know Archbishop Conrad from the Church of Wisdom?"
A familiar name.
The mayor of the first pioneer city. Woojin had spoken with him directly last time.
"Yeah. What's he got to do with it?"
"To celebrate the first expedition's success, he's hosting a banquet himself. Rumor has it...... a major power player will be there."
Woojin perked up with curiosity.
"Someone higher up than the archbishop?"
"Context suggests so. I don't have details. Put my info network on it, but came up empty."
The only solid intel was that a famous bigwig would attend—a tidbit Conrad had dropped publicly, feigning accident to drum up interest. Classic move.
Cindy had taken note but hadn't dug deeper, not keen on attending.
"What if we go together? I snagged an invite just in case."
Plenty to draw the witch's eye. Woojin agreed, though one concern lingered.
"......Kinda worried."
"Problem?"
"Conrad gave me a recommendation token once. I ignored it and left...... Might still be bad blood."
Cindy's eyes went wide, like she couldn't believe her ears.
"Wh...... you ghosted an archbishop's token? You mean refused it?"
"Yeah."
"Why? He's the most prestigious name in the pioneer cities. Even cardinal material."
Separate from any grudges, her merchant nature had her visibly excited. Woojin had passed up a golden opportunity.
Why had he?
Woojin crossed his arms, replaying the memory. It didn't take long.
"......Just felt off. Didn't even regret turning it down."
If he could go back, he'd make the same call.
After a bit more talk, Woojin and Cindy decided to attend the banquet.
It wasn't far off. So despite returning from dispatch yesterday, Woojin set out right away for the first pioneer city.
'Gotta leave the wolves behind.'
Regrettable, but Rex and the pack had to stay in the pioneer city. Cindy feared dogs, and bringing them would draw too much attention.
Guests from all over would flock to the first city for the event. Parading wolves in front of them screamed trouble, and with the expedition active, he couldn't just release them into the forest.
'First time traveling without the wolves...... Guess it's bound to happen sometime.'
A little worrisome, but they'd be fine left here.
The Church of Harmony revered wolves as sacred beasts. They'd get treats just for sitting pretty and yawning.
"Bow. Take good care of them."
"You sure keep busy...... I'll handle it. Go worry-free."
With the monk and wolves seeing them off, the pair left the third pioneer city behind.
Cindy scanned the surroundings with curious eyes. The landscape of withered white fungi and dead trees had a snowy forest charm to it.
"Reforesting this could be profitable. Gotta clear the dead stuff and plant new trees."
......She wasn't just sightseeing; already scouting business ops.
"Why'd you come alone?"
Woojin asked suddenly.
He'd expected at least a maid or butler, but Cindy traveled light with just one pack.
Out here alone together. She shrugged it off casually.
"Inefficient otherwise. Light baggage, and you're handling security. No need for extra bodies."
"......Fair point."
Couldn't argue there.
"Long road ahead. Got any fun stories?"
She struck up conversation boldly.
The easy camaraderie caught Woojin off guard. She seemed far friendlier than last time.
Some change of heart? Whatever the reason, it was a good thing.
"Want the tale of Hunter Hector?"
"You know him too?"
"Got lucky."
The two chatted amiably as they steadily trekked toward their goal.
A few days later.
Woojin and Cindy arrived at the first pioneer city. Rumors of the banquet had spread; the streets buzzed with more people than usual.
"Gonna be tough booking a room."
Woojin muttered to himself. Cindy waved it off.
"I've got a building here under my name. Don't sweat the small stuff—focus on prepping for the banquet."
"Prep how?"
Her gaze swept over him. Primitive outfit stitched from beast hides.
"......Just follow me."
She dragged him through several clothing shops. The styles were...... definitely not his taste.
Tunics loaded with ornaments.
Folks here saw them as stylish, but to Woojin, they belonged in a museum.
"Wearing that'd make me stand out."
"Everyone else will be too. Plain clothes draw more eyes."
True enough.
'Gotta let her take the lead here.'
She knew this world better. Totally new territory for him, so he tagged along without complaint.
She bought one tunic for him, a dress for herself, and two masks.
"Masquerade?"
"Not exactly, but plenty show up masked to these things."
Woojin had his issue with Conrad, and Cindy preferred anonymity. Masks it was.
He eyed theirs. They covered the eyes, with a beak-like nose resembling an owl's.
"......People try everything."
A sigh escaped him. Him, dressing like some musical theater performer.
Cindy tilted her head curiously.
"Hate banquets? Rare chance like this...... My family and everyone loved them."
"Not my thing."
Just like cheap juice over tea. Woojin preferred quiet walks through open fields to fancy gatherings.
'......But the witch would love this.'
Crashing a church-hosted event was risky, but with crowds pouring in from outside, it created perfect cover for infiltration.
Would the witch pass up such an opportunity? Time would tell.