Chapter 13 - This, too, must be Vivian's will (2)
This, too, must be Vivian's will (2)
Translator : Elizabeth
Waypoint.
A transmission device that allows rapid travel to specific areas. A very convenient system that enables instant movement only between activated Waypoints.
──────────── 【 Abandoned Church of the Forsaken Land 】【 Sanctuary of Trevin Village 】 ◀ ────────────
I never dreamed I would see this convenient system, which could only be seen in games, in this other world.
"Wow..."
"V-Vivian... Don't get too close just in case..."
I, knowing what this was, immediately uttered admiration. But to May, who knew nothing, this mysterious structure was just an unknown fear of unidentified nature. As I got closer and closer to the Waypoint, fear that couldn't be hidden deepened in May's eyes.
"It's okay, May. This is a Waypoint."
"Waypoint...?"
"Yeah. Simply put, like an Anywhere Door?"
"Wh-what is that..."
I explained kindly in my own way. But May still looked alternately at the Waypoint and me with an expression full of doubt. Soon, as if she absolutely couldn't understand. She clutched my clothes even tighter with strange eyes mixed with worry and distrust.
"Just think of it as a magical passage that takes you anywhere in an instant."
"That makes no sense. Where in the world is there such convenient magic?"
"It's right here."
"No, I mean..."
Anyway, this isn't what's important right now. Regardless of May's reaction, the fact that a Waypoint appeared in front of me right now is much more important.
Slide...
Leaving May's distrustful gaze behind. I reached out without hesitation and gently placed my right hand on the Waypoint.
"So this village's name was Trevin?"
"Y-yeah... That's right..."
It seems only I can see this translucent system window floating in front of my eyes right now.
Abandoned Church of the Forsaken Land and Sanctuary of Trevin Village. That means, the Abandoned Church of the Forsaken Land is that very abandoned church I first used as a hideout! In game terms, is that abandoned church the starting point?
"Wow, why did such an awesome structure appear suddenly?"
"Aw-awesome...?"
"May, want me to show you my house?"
It's been only a day since I abandoned the abandoned church and left. I thought I wouldn't be able to go near there for a while. To think I would get a return button in just a day...
"Now?"
"Yeah! With this, we can go there soon."
"Why are you suddenly doing this, Vivian... There's no way such a thing is possible."
"Just trust me. Close your eyes and count to just three..."
Just as I was trying to persuade May, who still strongly doubted the Waypoint. A thought suddenly flashed sharply through my brain.
"Hmm, don't tell me this... only I can use it?"
If this system revolves strictly around me. What will happen to May, who is holding onto my clothes like a lifeline? Anyone can see it's a structure like a holy relic sent down by the Goddess, so there surely won't be any harm to life. But even so, for only me to disappear and May to be left alone is a bit...
"Is there a problem...?"
Perhaps my staring blankly into the air looked strange, May asked carefully.
"No, rather than a problem, a slight worry."
I answered calmly with my gaze fixed on the system window in front of my eyes.
"As expected, it's not something that can be passed over lightly, right?!"
"Huh? No. It's a problem that can be passed over lightly. Good if it works, just a bit shameful if it doesn't?"
After spitting out that sentence indifferently. I immediately snatched May's arm and threw my body into the Waypoint without hesitation.
"Well, anyway, there's no disadvantage to May, so don't worry too much."
"W-wait a min...!"
Before May's urgent scream could even finish, my vision quickly white-outed and the world turned upside down. Along with a bizarre floating sensation as if gravity disappeared. A thrilling sensation as if every cell in my body scattered and reassembled swept through my whole body.
Shoooom─!
. . .
──────────── 【 Abandoned Church of the Forsaken Land 】 ────────────
The touch of smooth marble and the fragrant scent of flowers. The smell of Trevin Village that tickled my nose until just a few seconds ago disappeared in an instant.
"Phew..."
Exhaling lightly once and slowly lifting my eyelids. What I saw as soon as I opened my eyes was none other than the statue of the Goddess. Just like the benevolent appearance I saw before leaving the abandoned church. She was standing in that spot unchanged, looking down at me strangely.
"Ugh..."
Soon, May's shallow groan was faintly heard right next to me.
"That's a relief. It seems May can use it too."
Only then did May slowly lift her closed eyes upon hearing my voice. May, staring blankly at me for a moment with narrowed eyes, soon moved her lips bewilderdly as if she couldn't believe it.
"Wh-what on earth is this..."
"See, I told you there's no need to worry, right?"
"That makes no sense. The place really changed..."
May's body still trembled like an aspen tree. But other than that, fortunately, there didn't seem to be any problem.
"We were definitely in Trevin Village Sanctuary until just now..."
"This is my house. To be exact, a temporary shelter."
Since I returned in just a day, it doesn't feel particularly special. Like I just went to a convenience store in front of my house. Still, thanks to the Waypoint, I can easily come and go to the abandoned church, my temporary shelter. I became sure that I won't have to suffer sweating feet in the future.
"It was originally an abandoned church, but I fixed it all with magic. How is it, amazing right?"
"......."
"What, not that amazing?"
"N-no... It's super amazing..."
"For saying that, your reaction is too lukewarm?"
May looking somewhere bewilderdly with blank eyes. Her condition is unusually suspicious. Don't tell me something went wrong during the process of riding the Waypoint?
Slide...
Feeling an inexplicable ominousness for an unknown reason, I slowly turned my head following May's gaze.
Then──.
"You have worked hard, Saintess-nim."
"You have returned safely."
Numerous adventurers kneeling side by side in rows in the middle of the church. For some reason, everyone was bowing their heads deeply toward May and me, showing extreme courtesy.
"...Pardon?"
I had no choice but to doubt my eyes. In the abandoned church that should clearly be empty, knights in flashing armor and mages in luxurious robes were unexpectedly full. Their silence, bowing their heads orderly like subjects welcoming a king, was quite overwhelming yet baffling.
"We firmly believed you would return here."
"It is an infinite honor to see you again."
Soon, strangely familiar voices of a man and a woman were heard quietly in my ears. Turning my head slowly toward where the sound came from, for some reason, Daren and Chloe were politely kneeling to me like other adventurers there.
"N-no... Why are you still here...?"
Just as I opened my mouth toward Daren and Chloe with a dumbfounded expression.
"We heard everything that happened here through Daren and Chloe."
Someone suddenly walked out slowly from behind them.
"Not only did you save our Dawn Knights who were in danger of annihilation, but to bestow the miracle of life on this dead land again..."
The person who appeared with a dignified low voice was none other than a middle-aged man. Broad shoulders and a neat beard. And a flashing silver crest on his black robe added to that dignity.
"I am the Captain of the Dawn Knights, Orban Hayden."
"K-Knight Captain...?"
"Yes. It is an infinite honor to meet the noble Saintess."
What on earth does this mean. Not only is the entire Dawn Knights gathered out of nowhere in the abandoned church I thought would be empty. But I saved them and bestowed the miracle of life on the dead land...
"There seems to be some big misunderstanding... I never saved you guys...?"
Despite my baffled answer. Captain Orban Hayden looked up at me with unwavering eyes until the end.
"To even possess humility... I really don't know what to do with myself."
"No, it's not humility, it's real. On what grounds are you saying I saved you..."
As soon as my question ended, Captain Orban immediately took a deep breath once. A deep breath enough to make the breastplate he was wearing heave greatly for a moment. He continued speaking with a reverent voice like a priest reciting a holy oracle.
"It is said that as soon as the Saintess kicked open the church door and left, Daren and Chloe clearly witnessed golden flower petals fluttering dazzlingly around."
Blinking my eyes blankly, I gently turned my gaze toward Daren and Chloe. But for some reason, they were fixing their gazes firmly on the ground. As if even lifting their heads was impious. Even palpable tension was felt from the back of their necks.
"Those golden flower petals also came down to us, who were waiting for death surrounded by monsters in the forest."
"...Yes?"
"Wherever the petals touched, the torn wounds of the members healed like a lie, and the hideous monsters were blinded by that holy light and turned into black ash and disappeared without even being able to scream."
What is this? I never did that?
It is a clear fact that I ran away into the forest. But I have absolutely no memory of helping anyone or using magic in that process. I just picked paths where people wouldn't go and ran like crazy, so what on earth is this...
"Our Dawn Knights pledge today to become your sword and shield, and realize the Goddess's justice wherever the Saintess's footsteps reach!"