Chapter 97
Chapter 97
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: That's My Job
-----------------------------------------------------------------
* * *
"Th-the Citadel Republic? Why on earth... Whatever for..."
As expected, Her Highness was utterly shocked. She could scarcely get the words out.
"No, you can't. That's impossible. I don't know why the Saint wishes to go there, but it's dangerous. From what I've heard, the Republic has already become a hell on earth."
The truth is, I've already heard everything on my way back. Thanks to Mr. Panton sharing the vivid accounts from his interviews with the refugees without holding back, I know full well how horrific it is there.
The Citadel Republic right now is so choked with ash that people can't see an inch in front of them—it's dark even in daylight, to the point where passersby bump into each other.
In a place where even the sun and moon are obscured, the only thing visible is a massive mountain range entirely engulfed in flames.
Those who remain there know that the moment that range erupts, it's all over for them too—so leisure has vanished, replaced only by desperation.
People are swallowing ash and coughing, breaking out in rashes on their skin, wracked with pain, their faces smeared black with soot as they wander about.
Those poor souls have turned into mobs, ransacking empty houses and breaking into occupied ones to rob them. There are tales of rioters screaming that the world is ending.
Just hearing about it sounds dire, but I still have to go. A general can't flee from the enemy before him out of fear, and a priest needs his own kind of courage.
This is precisely the time when that courage is needed. How could I claim to live by God's will while shrinking from danger to preserve my own body?
"If you're truly set on going there to serve, I could assign you some escorts. But while they might fend off rioters... ash and lava don't yield to knights. They could put both your escorts and you, Saint, in grave danger."
I gave her a reassuring smile as she pleaded earnestly.
"That's why I'm going without any escorts."
I hadn't originally planned to bring Roca along either—she's clinging to me like pine sap, leaving me no choice but to take her. I really wanted to leave her behind.
"Without escorts?!"
Her Highness was practically aghast this time, but that's exactly right.
My mind hasn't changed. I have to go.
"When... then, when do you plan to depart?"
"After saying my farewells—right now. Ambassador Rowena of Elvenhome has everything prepared."
"Right now? Without escorts?"
"That's right."
Her Highness clutched her head with both hands, then grabbed my hand and pleaded.
"Please, don't go. This is throwing your life away. I know God watches over all a priest does, but this... this is no different from going to your death."
"Let go of that hand already. You're not coming along, so stop clinging."
Roca spoke up. Her Highness blinked blankly.
"You're coming along?"
"I'm going. Truth is, I asked to come with him."
"What on earth do you plan to do there?"
"We're going to take down the Phoenix."
I spoke up. Truth be told, Roca probably won't even need to step in.
At least, according to my calculations. But even when the Star Dream Observatory showed me the future, things didn't go according to plan—so why would they now?
Some variable outside my reckoning is bound to crop up. I was almost certain of it. This time too, I had a feeling it wouldn't go smoothly.
"Impossible. Absolutely not. Saint, the Monster Sovereign is..."
"So, you're not coming? That settles it."
Our girl murmured against my back, her forehead pressed to it.
"It's already decided. We're going— just say if you're coming or not."
She'd apparently decided to show her naughty side without restraint. It was rude, but Her Highness didn't seem to have the presence of mind to care.
"I... I really want to follow the Saint too, but..."
"Yeah?"
"The Republic's citizens aren't subjects of the imperial family, so it has nothing to do with me. Plus, I have a mountain of duties right now."
No need to glance at me and make excuses like that.
I'm already taking Roca along. If Her Highness had volunteered to join me, I wouldn't have refused. But if not, that's her choice.
Roca's glare at Her Highness wasn't friendly, but saving a life doesn't obligate repayment in kind. I didn't save her expecting that.
Her Highness's words trailed on unwittingly, but I understood even without her drawing it out.
"Edmund, that wretched man, has schemes I need to thwart, and if anything goes wrong, I have to protect Mother and His Majesty—and if I leave my post, the Church might stir up trouble..."
"Don't drag out saying you don't want to go."
Roca shot back curtly.
"You're not coming, end of story."
"Th-that's not it!"
"Then what is it?"
"If I cross the gate into the Republic, the temple and my brother would destroy it to isolate me. Taking that risk to go to the Republic... that's... far too dangerous for me."
As Her Highness looked troubled, I cut off Roca's glare.
"Roca, enough. Her Highness is right."
"Master?"
"That place isn't her station, nor is it where she belongs. It's mine, and where I must go."
I hadn't expected the princess of an empire, now back in her rightful place, to abandon all her duties to follow me. Not at all. That's why I came to say goodbye from the start.
Whether that farewell is forever or temporary is up to the One beyond the heavens. Pondering it isn't my place.
In times like these, at moments like these—where should I be? The Lord knows the answer, and so do I, probably.
Knowing the answer yet failing to act is sloth. I didn't want to be a slothful priest.
"Stay well until we meet again."
I made the sign of the cross and bowed to Her Highness. She reached out toward me, but her hand fell limply. I don't know what she was thinking, but she just stood there awkwardly, neither stopping me nor sending me off gladly.
Right up until I left the room. She couldn't bring herself to grab me, nor bid me a cheerful goodbye—she simply stood frozen, watching me and Roca go.
It seemed she considered stopping me by force, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to do it.
"Are the farewells done? I've already coordinated with the gate operators in advance."
Roca and I reunited with Ms. Rowena in the capital's plaza.
The long-distance teleport gate, which had been little more than a decorative fixture for so long, now stood nearly deserted. Even those crossing through it fled at a run.
As if a fire had broken out—for ash billowed up thick from beyond the gate. It looked like a hellgate linking to the underworld, shrouded in black smoke, exuding an eerie aura. Even seeing it a second time, it wasn't any less unnerving.
No one would want to step through into that, though emerging from it might be another story. Ms. Rowena seemed to think so too—her face twitched.
"You're really going in there? It still looks dangerous."
"You're really coming?"
I passed the question to Roca. She nodded without a moment's hesitation.
I pulled out a single bluebird feather and placed it in her hand. She jumped in surprise—not so much at its effect, but wondering why it was appearing here.
Had she seen it somewhere before?
"This is that..."
"Bluebird feather. It'll protect you from the volcano. It works on environmental hazards, not attacks, so it won't help against the Phoenix."
That's miracles for you. They only work within the strict bounds the Lord has set.
A bluebird feather lets you endure the harshest environments, but it won't block even a single fireball. Anything more, and God doesn't permit it.
"Shall we go, then?"
"...Shouldn't the hero be handling something like this? I hear he's got the whole continent's support—what's he doing at a time like this?"
Roca grumbled. She was coming since I was going, but clearly not thrilled.
Honestly, no one enjoys stepping through a smoke-belching door.
But I was genuinely curious. What was Yurinel up to now?
It hadn't been that long since his defeat—he couldn't be going after Grimudo for revenge already. Was he still in the Demon Realm despite all this? Plotting an assassination against Emperor Harma El?
Either way, reuniting with her in the Citadel Republic seemed unlikely.
Would the day come when we met again? That too was in the Lord's hands.
For now, let's focus on saving those suffering before us.
* * *