What It Means to Use Power Correctly
"So that's why you came here." Thud. Gilbert closed the book he had been reading, his tone calm as he spoke. The moment Alkai was dragged in by the soldiers, his heart began to beat slowly. He still remembered it clearly—the terrifying yet magnificent violence the handsome man before him had displayed on the battlefield.
"Among all the people I've seen, you are the strongest."
"What insolent speech..." The adjutant flared up at the rude tone, but when Gilbert lightly raised a hand to stop him, he quieted at once.
"The strongest... is that so. Heh, an interesting thing to say."
He's laughing? Could that monstrous man actually laugh? While Alkai stood bewildered, Gilbert's mouth opened again.
"I am still lacking when it comes to discussing who is the strongest on this continent."
"...!" Alkai was shocked by those words. The overwhelming martial prowess he had witnessed was undoubtedly this man's power. Yet... did that mean someone stronger than this man existed on the continent? It was unbelievable.
"Who is it? That being stronger than you? Are they even human?"
Gilbert smiled at the reaction. In his mind, there was only one person he could say with certainty was stronger than himself.
"Yes, there is one. Only one on this entire continent."
Greg had already finished sorting out the hierarchy, and while Limia was strong, Gilbert had never once thought he would lose to her. Herman? The man who was the Church's greatest fighting force was certainly powerful, but Gilbert did not consider him a match either. The only person he was most wary of, the only one he truly believed was the strongest—
"Jenkinson Beckett. That man is without a doubt the strongest on this continent."
Jenkinson Beckett. A man whose limits could not be fathomed.
"...Jenkinson?"
Alkai was taken aback by the unfamiliar name. To think such a powerhouse had never even revealed his name to their side. It was a fresh shock indeed.
"The strongest knows best how to use power correctly. That is your doctrine, is it not?"
At that moment, Gilbert spoke in his usual calm tone. Whatever the strongest did was right—that was their doctrine. Gilbert personally thought it was nonsense. Strength and character had no relation whatsoever. Still...
"Then how about going to meet that man? He might just tell you how to use power correctly."
If that were true, then according to their logic, that man would know it best. Gilbert spoke while thinking this, and the adjutant reacted immediately.
"C-Commander, you don't mean—"
The adjutant was flustered, but Gilbert paid him no mind.
"Welcome to the Empire, Alkai."
"..."
Alkai took the offered hand as if entranced. Jenkinson... was it? Alkai tried hard to remember the unfamiliar name as he closed his eyes. Just how strong was he? He found himself wanting to see that strength.
--
"Hmm..."
I scratched my head while sitting on the train. It felt like someone was talking about me... an unpleasant sensation.
"I told you, home country's food tastes the best."
Meanwhile, this fellow looked thoroughly satisfied, clearly enjoying the Rucella cuisine he had not had in a while. I answered him indifferently.
"Food tastes the same no matter where you eat it."
"Father... you really have no sensibility. This is what sensibility is."
"..."
Was it just my imagination, or was she getting more comfortable around me? I found it absurd. Well, I had no intention of throwing my authority around at a Holy Knight, but it was strange. It felt like only yesterday she had been terrified of me.
"Anyway, what are we supposed to do once we get to Giner?"
"Hmm, we'll investigate. We'll wander around, dig up adultery rumors, verify them, and then punish the guilty."
That would likely continue until Bishop Silvestina sent her pigeons.
"That sounds... rather boring."
When Asa muttered that, I immediately launched into a lecture.
"It's work that must be done. As a Holy Knight, you'd better get used to it."
She answered half-heartedly with "Yes, yes," and I smiled. She still seemed so young—it was almost cute.
What it means to use power correctly...
I always think about it with my eyes closed. Those words from my master. Honestly, I still do not know. Am I truly using this power correctly right now? That is why I keep questioning myself. And the one who always answers those questions is never me. I walk this path according to the Goddess's will. Therefore, the one who always gives me answers is always the Goddess.
--
"Still... as rough a greeting as ever."
Herman smiled slyly as he looked at the massive hand gripping him tightly. Greg, who had been holding him, returned his hand to its normal size and released him.
"Does this castle look like an inn to you?"
"Any believer's home is a place for a servant of God to stay, is it not?"
Herman answered without backing down, and Greg looked completely exasperated.
"Do as you like. There are plenty of rooms anyway."
Once permission was granted, Herman brightened as he straightened his disheveled hair.
"Oh! I knew you'd at least show that much courtesy."
Herman said this while waving at Lina, who stood behind him.
"Miss Lina! The negotiations were a success. Come on in."
"..."
Lina looked ready to faint at any moment. W-was that just now the famous Greg's body transformation magic? The guardian deity of Rucella, a powerhouse known across the continent. Greg possessed two unique magics. One of them, the body transformation magic that was famous even on the continent, had proven its terror by single-handedly grinding down Yura's elite troops. With his overwhelming mana reinforcement that could even block bullets and his body transformation, he had already entered the ranks of the continent's strongest.
Lina had been shocked enough to turn pale when she saw that hand suddenly enlarge to grab Herman, but Herman remained unfazed.
"Here, this is a gift for you."
"...Honestly."
Greg's anger subsided when he saw the Holy Kingdom wine Herman had brought.
"So how long are you planning to stay?"
While instructing the butler who approached to prepare a room for the guest, Greg asked, and Herman thought for a moment.
"Hmm... probably until Tina brings new information?"
"...Fine. Are you interested in hunting?"
Herman declined as Greg immediately suggested hunting.
"A priest would never engage in meaningless slaughter."
"...You're no fun, as always. Rest as you like. If you want to call for courtesans, tell the butler in advance."
Grumbling quietly, Greg mounted his horse and rode off. Herman shouldered his own bag and entered the castle. When he saw the room the butler guided him to, Herman was surprised.
...This is.
The room was quite neatly maintained, but what surprised Herman was something else. The traces of someone left in this room bothered him the most. The inverted cross decorating the wall. And the books on the shelf were all related to the scriptures and law. Those were minor details. What caught Herman's eye was none other than a book familiar even to him.
Creak.
"...I see. This room is..."
The scriptures he had gifted to his mentor were here. Swish. When he opened the scriptures, it became even clearer. The words of gratitude he had written to his mentor when gifting it remained clearly visible. In other words... this room was probably the one Priest Nicolas had used. Greg likely had not intended to give him this room on purpose, but...
"..."
Herman felt a strangely nostalgic emotion as he fiddled with the scriptures for a long while. His mentor had always said it. That one must use one's own power correctly.
"Using power correctly... huh."
Herman muttered quietly and spent a long time searching for traces of his mentor left in this room. He was gone now, but... in this room, he was certainly still present. The traces of the mentor he had respected, the one he had wanted to become like.
--
Giner, the capital of Rucella. Jenny, the owner of a now quite prosperous tavern there, finished preparing a guest's meal and sat down on a chair for a short rest.
"Phew... The dinner hour is almost over, so meal orders are done. You worked hard too, Drina."
Drina, who had been busily moving around in the kitchen, wiped the sweat from her forehead and answered.
"Is it over? I thought I'd gotten used to tavern work, but with this many people, it's exhausting."
Jenny smiled at her slightly laughing words.
"You'll get used to it. It's the peak season right now, so once the off-season comes, it'll be a bit more relaxed. Just hold on a little longer."
While encouraging Drina like that, Jenny thought that hiring this woman named Drina had been the best decision of her life. She learned the work quickly, had a friendly and sociable personality, and her beautiful appearance had brought in many customers who came specifically for her. Of course, that also meant more lecherous guests, but Drina had endured them all with remarkable resilience.
She really is pretty.
Jenny admired her as she wiped her slightly sweat-dampened hair and put on her headscarf. Those lustrous brown locks would make even another woman jealous with their shine, and her face was both slightly cute and pure in a way men would love. And in contrast, that voluptuous figure. Of course, Jenny's own chest was a bit larger, but... that proportion was like a sculpture. The number of men in this city who had already harbored lustful thoughts toward her could easily fill three carriages. Of course, she always drew the line by saying she was no longer interested in marriage.
No longer interested in marriage... huh.
Did that mean she had been married before? Just as Jenny was thinking that—
Jingle.
The bell attached to the door upstairs rang, signaling a guest's arrival.
"Yes! Welcome..."
Freeze.
Jenny stopped dead upon seeing the guest.
"A guest... ah!"
Seeing Jenny like that, Drina's expression brightened instantly as she checked the guest.
"Hmm...?"
The guest—Jenkinson—wore a slightly puzzled expression as he looked at the two of them. Why were Jenny and Drina together? The thought crossed his mind in that moment.