Chapter 303
Chapter 303
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Home Sweet Home
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My excitement nearly burst at the seams, but the hero took responsibility splendidly.
The night at the camp, which could have turned chilly amid inter-group rivalries, came to a close in blazing heat thanks to the hero's screening.
Rishir was quite satisfied with the bustling atmosphere at the camp from early morning.
"Good morning, Priestess Akirin. I hope you slept well through the night?"
"Ah! Sir Rishir. Of course. It was a time filled with such profound wonder. My heart is still racing. Especially the moment when the hero cleaved through the night sky with a shout—"
"Oh ho."
Separately, he felt complex emotions hearing the priestess's review of the screening during their morning greeting.
The reactions were so enthusiastic that Rishir even felt guilty for halting his demon sword control training.
"Hm? The other priestesses aren't around?"
Normally, at this hour, he would see Akirin's fellow priestesses helping prepare breakfast for the expedition.
Some expedition members even volunteered to assist with breakfast just to earn those bright smiles as a reward.
Yet for some reason, none of the other priestesses were visible except for Akirin.
"Ah, you mean my sisters."
Senior Priestess Akirin gave a soft smile.
It was the fond look one might give children playing in the streets.
"Some people wished to hear a sermon, you see."
"Ah! This early in the morning?"
"It may be early, but after the night's impurities have washed away, body and mind are at their purest— the perfect time to receive faith unadulterated."
"Ooh."
Rishir nodded, intrigued.
The senior priestess's words rang so true that they resolved a few of his curiosities about religious folk.
"An important ritual performed in the most pristine state... In a way, it's like my morning training."
"Exactly. That's why we hold morning prayers at the same time as your training, hero."
"Hm?"
Something felt off about her words?
Rishir sensed a faint discrepancy, but seeing the priestess's pure, innocent smile, he brushed it aside.
Must be his imagination.
"Are you perhaps curious?"
"Hm?"
"About those newly embracing faith—"
"Ah! Now that you mention it, I am. The Goddess of Tolerance, was it? The one your priestesses serve—"
"Now, we serve a greater and more tangible being."
"Ah, I see."
Trendy bunch, these young priestesses?
Fads come and go fast?
Rishir hastily banished the irreverent thought that crossed his mind.
Religion had grown closer to him since entering this fantasy world, but it remained an enigmatic realm.
"If I've spoken out of turn, I apologize. Religion is still too profound for me—"
"Is that so? For me—strange as it may sound—watching you makes faith and religion feel so simple."
"Pardon? Me?"
"Yes."
His actions inspiring religious fervor?
Rishir couldn't fathom which part of him triggered that.
'Well... I'll just take it as meaning I'm a diligent young man.'
As Rishir convinced himself, the senior priestess continued.
"So—as for these new brothers—"
"Huh?"
Akirin began listing names, and Rishir's eyes widened.
They were high-ranking nobles from the area near Bondales, none other than members of the Boundary Guardians.
'I thought high nobles mostly professed faith in the capital god for political reasons?'
These powerhouses of the region used religion as a political tool.
What wind had blown them toward this foreign god so suddenly?
'Maybe the church sisters are just that captivating?'
Recalling the priestesses' charms, Rishir deemed it a plausible possibility.
If they built a cathedral in Bondales, young men would flock there nonstop.
"The sermons from Priestess Akirin and the others must carry profound resonance to move such hearts—"
"It's all thanks to you, hero."
Pardon?
Me?
Why me again?
Rishir was deeply curious but nodded along appropriately.
Would hearing her teachings make him understand?
"In that regard—it's a bit regrettable."
"Pardon? Regrettable how?"
"About the Bondales city council."
"What problem did they have!?"
The Boundary Guardians got participation stamps, but our Bondales is regrettable!?
As Rishir startled, the priestess hurriedly raised both hands.
"Ah! No, it's not something to trouble you with, hero. Please don't worry...!!!"
After the hero's fiery show last night.
Akirin's priestesses went out proselytizing, still moved by the performance.
Not just to the Boundary Guardians—they hinted to the Bondales city council too.
That tomorrow, during the hero's sacred morning training, they'd hold a religious gathering.
But—
Unlike the Boundary Guardians, the city council didn't show.
That was why Akirin felt such deep regret.
To witness that miracle firsthand and feel nothing!
Of course, it wasn't enough to burden the hero.
Akirin panicked at his intense reaction and hurried to change the subject.
"Rish—er, hero? You're here?"
"Lona—er, Sir Elon?"
That's when the saint Elon appeared—secretary to a city councilor's deputy.
They nearly used casual terms but checked onlookers and switched to formal.
"Here? Were you looking for me?"
"Ah, well—"
Whisper whisper.
Lona leaned close to his ear and murmured.
-You usually train around now, right? Thought I'd watch, so I wandered looking for an open spot.
-Ah?
Lona grinned playfully at him.
-I half-expected it when you thrust the demon sword at me, but it far exceeded my imagination. So I came seeking you, full of anticipation for the spectacle of your morning training.
But—
Sky-blue eyes passed meaningfully between priestess and hero.
-Having a cozy chat with a lovely priestess?
-Huh? What's that. Are you mad?
-Mad? Why would I be? My same-sex friend chatting animatedly with another woman? Doesn't bother me at all.
-Yeah, okay. Suit yourself.
-Ha, haha. Right. Wouldn't dream of it. So, training over already? Did you flatten a few hills and dig some craters on the way back?
-Flatten hills? Dig craters? What do you think my training is?
-Cleaving the night sky with holy and demon swords was your night training, right? Figured morning would be earth-shaking.
...
Rishir smacked his lips.
He resented how his usual behavior lent logic to Lona's wild guesses.
"Everyone?"
Akirin's cautious interjection came then.
"If this is a private matter for two, shall I step away?"
The hero and saint whispering intimately.
The senior priestess smiled, but something felt off.
She still harbored resentment over the city council skipping morning prayer.
"Ah!"
Rishir finally looked between them.
"No need! Please stay."
Ho ho.
Really?
No need, huh?
Well, true enough.
True, but—
Ignoring Lona's complicated, annoyed gaze, Rishir spoke.
"If you're both amenable, may I introduce you? First, this is Sir Elon. Hailed as Bondales' saint, famed for countless good deeds matching his striking looks."
"Bondales' saint..."
Senior Priestess Akirin subtly scowled inwardly.
She'd heard Bondales was outside the church's sphere—had high hopes.
Who knew such a foe lurked?
"Sir Elon, this is Senior Priestess Akirin. She joined mid-journey, greatly aiding our weary expedition."
"Senior priestess..."
Saint Elon scowled inwardly.
Priestess?
Bondales is my turf— what's this heretic doing?
"Sir Elon, pleased to meet you."
"Likewise, I rejoice in this new bond."
Tension crackled between them, sensing rivalry.
They shook hands with contrived smiles.
"...!"
"...!"
That instant.
Both widened their eyes as if electrocuted.
"Senior... priestess?"
"Sai... nt?"
"Senior... priestess???"
"Sai... nt???"
They tilted heads repeatedly at each other.
"Everyone?"
Rishir had no idea what was going on.
"Finally—...!"
"This aura..."
The elves closed their eyes and drew deep breaths.
"Uwaaaah!!!"
"We've arrived at last!!!"
"That's it—"
Cheers erupted throughout the expedition.
"Rishir! Is that it!? Right there—"
Ratsil bounced in place with excitement.
"..."
Rishir stared ahead, feeling their reactions viscerally.
Deep emotion surfaced on his face.
At last, he drew a deep breath and spoke.
"Whew."
A single word laden with myriad meanings.
Bondales' wide-open main gate welcomed the expedition.
"Sir Rishir, welcome home."
Rishir glanced around and asked Lona.
"Where's Fienne?"
"The councilors are swamped right now—probably won't meet till tomorrow."
"...Somehow feels apologetic."
They entered the city amid the guards' ceremony.
"Elves, dwarves...! What a uproar!"
"That's the rumored hero!"
"Hero!!! Look this way!!!"
"My god, that guy's—"
"I think I saw him at Goose Manor—"
"Goose, that fool—did he recognize him and oppose anyway!?"
"What's this!? Like a festival? Why's the city suddenly so lively?"
"Those guys from outside? Heard they came back with just heads after messing around."
"What? Suddenly? Why? They seemed set to stick like glue."
"Who knows. Probably fled in fear seeing the hero's expedition."
"Ah! Makes sense!"
All Bondales citizens poured into the streets to watch the procession.
"But why's the hero visiting Bondales!?"
"Who knows! Must be for something good!"
Thanks to the hero?
Citizens welcomed the expedition like a victory parade.
The Bondales city council guided them to a mansion vast enough for the entire group.
The grandest estate in the city, owned by a great magnate.
None other than Goose Manor.
Of course, the council chose Goose Manor not just for its size.
"O, oooh...!!!"
"Yes, this is it...!!!"
"Ah, aaaah..."
The moment they entered Goose Manor's grounds, the expedition's elves began acting strangely.
They surrendered their bodies to the lush plants sprouting everywhere.
'Not like cats rolling in catnip—'
Rishir was flustered by the elves shamelessly shedding dignity.
That specific aura they encountered after so long—
Granted unparalleled bliss to the elves.
"U, uu... uuuu!!!"
Even Ratsil stomped in withdrawal symptoms.
Among elves, only Lunadien and Karoer maintained composure—but
"..."
"..."
Even they closed eyes, savoring deep breaths.
"Oh, Rishir! My old friend!!!"
"Rishir! At least you returned before I croak of old age!"
As elves reveled, familiar faces approached.
Talent collector Drey.
Frozen Breath Palrag.
And the manor's owner, Goose.
"Aigoo, Sir Rishir! Sir Rishir!!! Sir Rishir!!!!! You're back!!!"
Goose's welcome was the most doglike, like a pup greeting its master.
"Goose! Long time n—... Huh? Goose, something's—"
Rishir sensed changes in the plump magnate.
His oily, glistening skin—
Jewelry crammed on as if wealth overflowed—
Somehow, he sparkled overall.
"Ah, this? All thanks to you, Sir Rishir!"
"My doing too?"
Rishir grew bewildered.
The whole world seemed his achievement.
"Anyway—everyone. Long time. Hope you've been well?"
They exchanged greetings, catching up thoroughly.
"By the way—"
Then Frozen Breath Palrag eyed the elves.
"Lady Lunadien, long time."
"Lord Palrag. You've aged much."
"Not me aging— you're too spry! But how—"
"Hm?"
"You seem much changed?"
The stern old man stroked his lush beard, eyeing the flamboyant red-haired elf.
The Garden Star he knew hid a dry, weedy nature behind rose-like flair.
When dealing with humans, that is.
Yet now, she bared emotions as rich as her flair.
Before humans.
"And you yourself—"
"Hm?"
"Seem much more affable?"
The green archmage recalled.
A grumpy, aloof middle-ager who cared for naught but magical insight.
"Ha!"
Palrag burst into hearty laughter.
"True, not my place to comment! So, Lady Lunadien. Had novel experiences with that friend?"
"Ah. Things beyond others' imagining."
"Ho ho! Think you outdo me?"
"Ho ho."
"Enough chat—"
Palrag scanned the elves and spoke.
"World Tree descendants. I know why you've come to Bondales."
Simultaneously, another joined.
"I see Guardian Karoer."
Magic tome expert.
Elf Gadena.
He bowed deeply to Karoer, then raised his head.
The rational elf's face was rigidly set.
Aware of his mission's gravity.
World Tree grown in a human city.
Its descendants arriving.
What followed was inevitable.
Gadena, straddling both sides, felt responsibility to mediate.
"Lady Karoer. The guardian's arrival means—"
"Indeed. You've noticed— that grown in this city is the World Tree."
"Ah."
It's here.
Gadena squeezed eyes shut as long-avoided reality confronted him.
Soon, resolute, he spoke.
"Great guardian. Before reclaiming the World Tree from this—human city, will you hear me out?"
"Rishir is the World Tree's mother."
"Guardian, please—... Huh?"
Karoer, seasoned by experiences with Rishir, knew the drill.
Cut straight to steer before meandering.
"The fully spent World Tree reborn by Rishir's aura. This is its new home."
"..."
Novice Gadena struggled to keep pace.
But a rational magic tome expert nonetheless.
He quickly regained wits and judged.
Must've misheard!
"Rishir as World Tree's father? Impossible!"
"...He is not the father."
See!
Gadena greatly relieved.
As expected, mishea—
"The mother."
"..."
Misheard after all.
"Ah, right. Rishir. Forgot to mention this."
Rishir blinked after hearing one tale from Lona.
"What? Master Pamon?"