The Giant of Yura
The Giant of Yura. "Is the meeting tomorrow?"
Greg, seated comfortably in his chair, asked the question while lazily stacking a tower of snacks. Gilbert, who had been reading a book while watching him, paused and gave a nod.
"Yes, that's correct. Though I must ask—what exactly are you doing?"
Gilbert eyed Greg's behavior with open curiosity, but the man simply answered with a shrug.
"I'm bored. Calling for a woman feels... off. Something about embracing one in the Holy Kingdom just leaves a bad taste in my mouth."
Of course, the Church did not deny the existence of brothels. They viewed such places as necessary outlets for unmarried men with no other way to relieve their desires. The clergy even believed brothels helped suppress homosexuality—if men could easily satisfy their urges with women for coin, fewer would turn to other men. Naturally, the Holy Kingdom had its share of such establishments, yet Greg still felt a deep reluctance. No matter how you looked at it, indulging in carnal acts in a place this sacred just felt... wrong.
To outsiders, the Holy Kingdom truly was a holy land of pure sanctity.
"Well, if one isn't planning to produce an heir, there's little reason for it anyway. In that sense, I don't really understand the appeal of brothels," Gilbert remarked, returning his attention to his book.
In truth, Gilbert had never understood sexual desire. To him, lying with a woman was nothing more than a means to secure an heir—certainly not an act of pleasure.
"Hmm... Regardless, there's nothing to do here. This place is dreadfully dull."
Greg, growing irritated, swept the snack tower aside and rose from his chair.
"Where are you going?"
"I ought to check on my son. He should have arrived by now."
It had been a while, so Greg figured he might as well meet that damned boy of his.
"Safe travels."
Greg gave a casual nod to the man who had seen him off so politely and left the room.
What a tiresome fellow.
The reason Greg had ended up sharing a room with a man he disliked was simple enough. Both he and Gilbert had wanted an inn as close to the church as possible rather than a finer establishment. This was the place they chose, but unfortunately only a single double room remained. So they had decided to share it. Greg hated sharing quarters with the bastard, but there was no other choice. Neither of them was willing to give up the room.
...Hm?
As Greg descended the stairs, he spotted a familiar—and not entirely welcome—face. He offered a light greeting.
"Well, well. If it isn't the demon hunter himself."
It was none other than Herman Bullshake.
"What? You're staying here too, Greg?"
Herman, who had been leisurely savoring wine while slicing cheese, responded with his usual playful tone.
Thump.
"Who's the beauty next to you? Your lover?"
Greg dropped heavily into the seat across from him. Herman laughed.
"Subordinate."
Who's he calling his lover?
Lina felt a flash of anger, but knowing the other man was the guardian deity of Rucella, she held her tongue.
"A subordinate, huh. I was trying to avoid that Gilbert bastard and came down to see my son. Ah, has the boy arrived yet?"
"Of course he has. He should be resting at the monastery about now."
Herman answered with a mischievous grin while Lina sat quietly, observing the pair.
More importantly, what kind of inn is this that it's hosting so many major figures?
The moment that thought crossed her mind—
Thud! Thud!
A tremendous sound of footsteps shook the inn. Herman toyed with the pistol hidden in his coat, thinking that the inevitable had arrived, while Greg made no effort to hide his annoyance. Everyone present could feel it. Soon... a giant would be descending upon them.
Clang! Clang!
The clear ring of clashing blades. These days, most holy knights no longer relied on swords. Magic was what mattered to them; when magic failed, they turned to firearms. Yet there were still a few who favored the blade. These two—widely regarded as the most promising among the latest batch of holy knights—were exactly that sort.
Two young prodigies whose innate unique magic allowed them to excel in close combat. All they lacked now was real battle experience. As Henri watched these raw gems of talent, he spoke.
"Training hard, I see."
At his words, both lowered their swords at once.
"Your Holiness! What brings you—"
The man who approached asked cautiously. He had a face that practically screamed mischief. As he smiled softly, his playful violet eyes crinkled.
"Sir Yusuba. And Lady Asa."
At his call, the woman removed her thick cap, letting her sweat-drenched hair fall free. Her refreshing light-green locks swayed gently. She was an astonishing beauty. Even in her plain holy knight uniform, her curves drew stolen glances from the monks nearby.
She stepped before Henri and offered a crisp salute.
"Yes, Your Holiness. We await your command."
Henri smiled faintly and spoke in a light tone.
"The two of you will be assigned to escort an inquisitor. Of course, it's only an escort in name... Consider it an opportunity for you to learn from him."
Henri watched the pair with clear satisfaction. These were standout talents even among the holy knights. To nurture their growth, he intended to give them a truly worthy mentor.
"Both of us?"
Asa asked, her golden eyes glinting with curiosity, while Yusuba simply nodded in silence.
"Understood."
"Hehe, Sir Yusuba already seems to have guessed who it is."
Henri chuckled at the reaction. Yusuba nodded again.
"There's only one inquisitor you would have us observe and learn from."
Henri nodded at the answer. Asa finally caught on.
"Ah..."
She, too, had remembered the man. The only inquisitor who never traveled with holy knights... the monstrous figure who was the subject of endless rumors among their order.
"What the hell? So many faces you hardly ever see in one place. Next you'll tell me Gilbert's here too."
A bright, resonant voice filled the inn. The woman descending the stairs was truly massive. She stood even taller than Greg—slightly over two meters—with a body packed with powerful muscle. The moment her blue eyes turned their way, Greg answered in a thoroughly irritated tone.
"He is."
"Ahahaha! For real? That's priceless!"
She burst into hearty laughter. The sound was so loud it made the entire inn tremble. This was the Giant of Yura herself—Limia Rel Ofrel. The heroine who had crushed the giants of the Ur Mountains, hunted Loki's ancient dragon, and distinguished herself greatly in the Lemore battle.
"If I'd known she was this noisy, I wouldn't have bothered coming down."
Herman muttered under his breath and stood. He studied her.
"By the way, who's that man? He doesn't look ordinary."
Limia immediately fixed her gaze on Herman with interest. In response to her question, Greg chose to—
"Huh? You're leaving already?"
—abandon her and quickly slip out of the inn. He had no desire to get tangled up with that damned woman any longer.
Once Greg vanished, only Herman, Limia, and Sister Lina—who remained in the back praying nothing would go wrong—were left.
"So who are you?"
Limia asked with a cheeky grin. Herman replied in his usual relaxed manner.
"Archbishop Herman Bullshake, at your service, Sister Limia."
Huh? He's actually speaking normally for once?
Lina was surprised by his proper tone, while Limia was startled by the name.
"You're a much bigger deal than I thought. So what brings you here? Seems like you came to see me."
Every time Herman heard her casual way of speaking, he couldn't help wondering if this woman was truly the famed Giant of Yura... but—
"That's correct."
He answered anyway.
"I was simply curious how skilled the famous Sister Limia truly is. Thought I'd come see for myself."
"Hmm, and what's your impression now that you've met me?"
She asked playfully. Herman answered.
"There's only so much you can tell with your eyes alone."
With a gun, that is.
"Hmm... That?"
Even with a pistol aimed at her, Limia remained perfectly calm. Lina screamed internally. She had hoped he wouldn't cause trouble, yet here he was causing it immediately.
"Hmm."
A smile bloomed on Limia's face. Herman pulled the trigger.
Bang!
"Kyaaak!"
Lina shrieked at the sight of Herman actually firing. He had just shot a high-ranking official from the Yura Kingdom—an act that could spark an international incident if they chose to pursue it. She looked toward Limia, already imagining her collapsing with blood pouring from the wound, but... none of that happened.
Sizzle...!
"Interesting."
Limia, who had casually caught the bullet with her eye, laughed. The live round Herman fired had crumpled absurdly against her eyeball.
"This isn't really the place for this, is it?"
With those words, she grabbed Herman and hurled him into the distance.
Whoosh!
"Your Eminence!"
Lina screamed his title as she watched Herman fly cleanly through the open doorway. In the same instant, Limia vanished from the inn.
Hmm... She really is a giant.
Her strength was the real thing. Herman remained relaxed even as he sailed through the air. Well, he had been planning to change locations anyway.
Thud.
Still, this is rather rude, isn't it?
Herman looked at Limia, who had appeared out of nowhere to grab his head, and spoke in his usual teasing tone.
"I don't particularly like rough women."
He preferred obedient ones.
Herman added with a laugh. Limia bared her white teeth in a grin.
"Really? That's a shame. I'm a rather rough woman myself."
She threw him again with even greater force. Herman flew farther this time, plummeting toward the training grounds of the main cathedral.
Yet in midair he twisted his body several times with practiced ease and landed gracefully.
"Wow, you've got some nice moves."
Thud.
Limia, who had descended to the same spot, spoke in admiration.
His posture had broken in the air, yet he corrected it instantly... It was an impressive feat.
He reminds me of that guy.
Watching Herman, Limia found herself thinking of another man for some strange reason. Yes—the man who had suddenly sought her out one day... that Adultery Investigator.