I'm Not a Heretic!
After returning to the surface, I let out a long sigh as I left the guild building behind. “Haa… Now I get why you need a baggage carrier.”
“If you’ve figured that out, then you can finally become a proper adventurer, Yona.”
Rydia nodded with a satisfied little smile. I, on the other hand, felt like I was going to lose my mind from sheer regret.
After settling up—excluding the leather I’d claimed for myself—the total came to two silver and seventy-three copper. The cost to make the leather armor, however, was three silver. That left me twenty-seven copper in the red.
Sure, it meant the armor would turn out exceptionally good. But still…
“If we’d just taken down a few more, I would’ve come out ahead.”
I never imagined it would actually end in the negative. The frustration was killing me. I’d finally started getting the hang of things; if I had the mana, I was confident I could zip through them in a flash. Even factoring in recovery speed, I could have bagged three or four more in the same amount of time as usual.
Instead, I’d given up purely because the baggage had gotten too heavy to carry comfortably.
“Lady Rydia… Should we head back for one more run right now?”
“Just rest properly today and come back tomorrow fully prepared. That’s more efficient.”
“Ughhh… It still feels so unsatisfying, though. Look! The sun’s still high in the sky!”
It was probably just a little past lunchtime. Compared to our usual routine of emerging at sunset, this was ridiculously early. Rydia smirked at me while I glared up at the heavens.
“There’s a high-grade artifact from the Magic Tower made exactly for people like you, Yona. Ever heard of a subspace backpack?”
“I’ve heard of them. Aren’t they insanely expensive?”
“They are. But you can stuff a ton inside.”
“…I’ve always wondered—how does the weight work? Expanding the space to fit more stuff makes sense, but the weight should stay the same, right?”
“Cheap versions keep the original weight. The expensive ones have weight-reduction magic enchanted alongside the spatial expansion. Mine is one of those.”
“…The fact that you’re bringing this up now means you’ll lend it to me, right? What’s the catch this time?!”
“None. I was just bragging.”
“…….”
When I looked up at her in utter bewilderment, Rydia let out a mischievous little giggle. She’d gotten one over on me, so now she was paying it back? If that was her intention, it was a resounding success. I actually felt a little stung!
Watching her look so pleased with herself, I kicked idly at a pebble on the ground. “…Whatever. It’s fine. The fact that I gained a lot today hasn’t changed.”
Far from making money, I’d actually spent twenty-seven copper, but when I thought about getting custom Iron Wolf armor for that price, it was an absolute steal. There were ready-made options, sure, but none of them fit my frame properly, so a custom order was mandatory anyway.
On top of that, I’d learned how to use the pathfinding skill by testing it directly in the labyrinth, and by manipulating Weak Flame I’d gotten a decent grasp of how far the skill could be pushed. Finally, after spending the day hunting Iron Wolves with magic, the moment I left the labyrinth my mana vessel had expanded noticeably.
Looking at the absolute increase, it wasn’t anything spectacular… but since my original mana pool had been so pathetic, the growth felt enormous.
The reason I kept going into the labyrinth wasn’t just to earn money. Right now, getting stronger mattered more. Once I became a high-ranking adventurer I could rake in cash anyway, and there was always the lingering anxiety of not knowing when Eve’s corruption event might trigger.
So today should have been a day to celebrate, not regret…
“…But a deficit still pisses me off. Maybe I should hit up a back alley for a quick score.”
“No dangerous activities.”
Rydia’s face went dead serious at the words I’d muttered without thinking, and she shook her head. As if determined to keep me from straying, she grabbed my hand tightly and started walking.
“We’re going straight to Senior Elly.”
“Umm… Couldn’t I just make one quick loop? Like last time, but without the whole world-domination thing. I’ll just quietly lift a wallet or two.”
“Pickpocketing is a crime.”
“Even against thugs?”
“A crime is a crime, even against minor offenders. Exceptions start at serious felons.”
“Tsk.”
Surprisingly, on the Pan continent, serious felons received no protection under the law. It wasn’t some simplistic “they’re bad so they deserve it” logic. The clause existed because of underdeveloped human rights awareness and the law of survival of the fittest—anyone who survived as a major criminal in Labyrinth City had to possess considerable combat ability.
I clicked my tongue once, shoved my free hand into my pocket, and held out the other. “Fine. Then at least accept this, Lady Rydia.”
“…What is it?”
She stopped obediently, though she still looked suspicious. I pretended to pull something from my pocket and gave her a big thumbs-up.
“You helped me skin those hides today, right? This is payment for your hard work!”
“…….”
Rydia stared at my thumb with a complicated expression. She didn’t seem entirely displeased, though; soon enough she let out a small chuckle.
“Yeah. Not bad at all.”
We kept walking like that, giggling at each other for who knows how long. Before we realized it, we had arrived at The Elf and the Silver Coin.
…The closed sign was already up.
I knew there wouldn’t be many customers since it was still early afternoon, but they usually didn’t shut the doors completely. Just in case, I tried the handle, but it only produced a dull clunk—the door was firmly locked.
Knock knock!
“Elly? Elly, are you there?”
I knocked lightly and called her name, but there was no response.
“Maybe she stepped out for a bit?”
“Could be. The real rush doesn’t start until evening anyway, so if she has errands, now’s the time.”
It was a little disappointing not to see Elly the moment we arrived, but it couldn’t be helped. No matter how close we were, I hadn’t been given a spare key. I’d just have to kill time nearby and come back later.
“Actually, this works out perfectly. It’s a bit late for lunch, but if we grab a bite now the timing should line up nicely… Huh?”
Only then did I notice the faint presence coming from beyond the door. Familiar footsteps approached, followed by a light metallic click.
Clack.
The lock disengaged. The door opened slowly, and Elly appeared to greet us.
“…You’re back.”
Her mood seemed darker than usual. With a stiff, hardened expression, Elly shook her head.
“Sorry, but an important guest just arrived. Could you come back later?”
“Ah, um, sure. Around evening, then?”
“Thank you. See you then.”
Only then did Elly’s face soften as she nodded. Whatever it was, it must have been serious.
I was about to leave with Rydia when an unfamiliar voice drifted out from inside the tavern.
“It’s all right. I’ve said everything I needed to. I was just about to leave.”
“Ack! Let’s go together, Senior!”
The pair consisted of a woman with heavy dark circles and an exhausted face, and a man who was grinning ear to ear as if the world was a wonderful place. Both wore priestly robes, but the garments were unusual.
Priests who served the Goddess of Love normally wore loose-fitting white robes decorated with gold and pink patterns. These two had identical cuts, except their base color was black instead of white. The robes also bulged strangely, as though they were concealing something beneath the fabric.
At first I was startled by the unfamiliar sight, but I quickly remembered what the attire signified.
Those who served the goddess not in the light, but in the shadows.
Heretic Inquisitors.
Each one possessed strength on par with high-ranking adventurers, but there was no need to be overly afraid. Inquisitors were only appointed after their background and faith had been thoroughly verified, and they never raised their weapons for personal reasons. The sole target of their hostility was anyone who defiled the goddess’s name—like the lunatics from Those Who Swallow the Twilight.
To someone like me who had lived an upright life, Heretic Inquisitors were actually the most trustworthy people around.
…Even if their vibes were a little intimidating.
Yet Elly and Rydia, who should have known all this, had gone completely rigid. The atmosphere grew so awkward it was almost chilly. The inquisitors seemed to notice.
The woman spoke with clear exhaustion, while the man looked distinctly uncomfortable.
“It appears there’s been a misunderstanding.”
“We only came to ask a few questions. We’re not here to interrogate Miss Elly. Isn’t that right, Miss Elly?”
It was the reaction of someone who didn’t want trouble but was unfortunately used to these situations. I still didn’t understand why Elly and Rydia had suddenly become so sensitive… but getting on the bad side of Heretic Inquisitors was never a good idea.
Looked like it was time for sociable, likable me to step in.
I took a step forward and drew the holy sign across my chest.
“May the goddess’s smile be upon those who do not lose love even in the darkest of places. Please don’t mind them! Elly and Lady Rydia just like me so much they can’t stand watching me talk to other women!”
“Umm.”
“Oh dear. You’ve been caught by ladies with very heavy affection, Saint!”
The woman nodded awkwardly. The younger-looking man, on the other hand, smiled brightly and played along.
I kept my most benevolent smile plastered on and shrugged. “It’s fine! I think that very heaviness is their charm point! Doesn’t it just prove how much they care about me? You’re a man too, Inquisitor, so you get it, right?”
“I understand, but… it’s not my preference. If I had to say which side, I prefer being the one who clings.”
“Oh my. So you’re the slightly annoying type?”
“I hear that often. Mostly from the senior standing right here.”
The two of us continued exchanging bright, professional smiles. But the pleasant atmosphere didn’t last long.
“By the way, Saint, are you perhaps considering entering the clergy? Both the holy sign earlier and your greeting were truly exemplary. I’d love to show them to our apprentice priests.”
“Kh!”
“……!”
For some reason, Elly and Rydia reacted with deadly seriousness to what should have been harmless praise. What was going on? Why were they acting like this? The mood I had just smoothed over was turning icy again…