Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Devil's Cradle (1)
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"An invitation?"
"Yes. Here it is."
Jenny handed Galen a letter in an elegant envelope as he asked in surprise.
When he broke the seal and read it, the content was nothing special compared to the fancy packaging. It was simply a request to come meet because they wanted to see him once.
The only notable thing was the sender's name: Bishop Myra.
"This is the first time I've received something like this, so... is there any hidden meaning? Like a summons from the church itself?"
Galen handed the letter back to Jenny and asked. She read it carefully and shook her head.
"No. Just take it at face value. His Excellency the Bishop personally wishes to meet Brother Galen."
"No obligation, then?"
"That's right. But unless there's a special reason, wouldn't it be fine to accept?"
"Well, you're right."
You could find a vice priest in any church, and priests were common in large villages or cities, but bishops were different.
A bishop was originally a high-ranking cleric responsible for a diocese, but in reality, it was tough to assign even one per diocese.
The requirement for bishop ordination was the ability to perform the sixth miracle, and clerics who reached that level were rare.
Since they couldn't recruit freely, one bishop often oversaw multiple dioceses. In such cases, they sent esteemed priests as proxies.
In short, a bishop was akin to a family head ruling at least one city—though comparing the church directly to secular powers wasn't quite fair.
Even higher than the heads of Gaud or Narok Families, who only controlled half of Nijerte despite their factions.
Considering the church was the only force spanning the entire world, the comparison was almost disrespectful.
For a mere Silver-rank mercenary unaffiliated with any prestigious family or the church to receive an invitation from a bishop was an honor.
Galen was just cautious because he wasn't particularly devout in either his original world or this one, wary of blindly accepting.
"Do you have any guess as to why, Lady Jenny?"
"Hmm. The message to Sister Lilia didn't specify a reason either."
Jenny said after a moment's thought.
"Maybe she's just purely curious about you, Brother Galen? No one's ever lasted a full month under Sister Lilia before."
"Th-those people weren't even half as good as Brother Galen! In skill or passion!"
"Sister Lilia didn't pay them even half the usual commission either."
"Ugh."
"You're too kind, Brother Galen. Any other mage would have demanded payment or left ages ago, like they all did."
"Urgh..."
"And now there aren't even any evil beasts worth hunting left? If you're both leaving the frontier, maybe it's time to end the commission—"
"N-no!"
Lilia, shrinking under Jenny's barrage of truths, snapped back to attention. She grabbed Galen's sleeve, her eyes like those of a puppy about to be abandoned.
"Brother Galen... you're not leaving yet, right?"
"Every meeting has its parting."
"Brother?!"
"Just kidding. Kidding."
Galen barely suppressed his laughter and steadied his voice to reassure her.
"Lady Lilia got a summons to return too, and I've got this invitation, so why not head back to Abaka together?"
"...So you plan to return to the frontier?"
"If there's work left, sure. I won't vanish without a word, so don't worry."
"Phew... that's a relief."
Lilia let out a sigh of relief. Jenny sighed for different reasons and spoke up.
"You don't have to indulge her so much. No pressure."
"I'm enjoying it. For now."
"I like Brother Galen too!"
"Ah, thank you."
"Anyway, you'll accept the invitation, right Brother Galen?"
"Yes."
"Then we can go on the next regular ship. I'll arrange it."
The regular ships departed on the 15th and end of every month, so ten days remained. Galen nodded.
"Please do."
"For the next ten days—"
"No subjugations. Let Brother rest."
"I was going to say training!"
"That's not resting."
"Do as you like. I'm fine with anything."
Hunting trash mobs or sparring with Lilia gave similar EXP. Better than solo training, but far less than strong evil beasts.
Even idling would bore him into practicing alone anyway. So truly, anything was fine.
Lilia's eyes sparkled again at Galen's laid-back words, while Jenny sighed once more. This routine felt familiar now.
Ten days later, Galen and Lilia's group departed on the regular ship and arrived safely in Abaka after five days.
As the saying went, strike while the iron is hot—they headed straight to the church.
After Lilia and Jenny met Myra separately first, it was Galen's turn.
"Pleased to meet you."
The bishop, meeting him alone in her office, was a middle-aged woman. She had a gracefully aged air, though her sharp eyes carried some intimidation.
"Galen, right?"
"Yes, Your Excellency... Bishop."
"I'm Myra. No need for formalities—speak freely."
"Thank you."
Myra personally brewed tea and savored it with half-closed eyes. Whether she was truly relaxing or observing Galen was unclear.
Galen waited patiently, sipping his tea leisurely. Only when his cup was half empty did Myra speak.
"Rumors about you from the frontier update with every regular ship. You're the hottest topic in the diocese right now."
"Is that so?"
"No need for modesty. You've achieved more in two months than mercenaries who've spent years there."
"Less my talent, more their lack of it."
Galen replied nonchalantly. It wasn't humility—it was fact.
The eastern frontier had many mercenaries, but most were Scrap or Bronze rank.
Like how the highly educated on Earth preferred white-collar over blue-collar jobs. The more capable sought 'easy and honorable' work.
Same here. Even Silvers often quit mercenary life or avoided 'dirty, grueling' evil beast hunts.
Of course, oddballs existed, and compared to them, Galen's feats stood out—but still.
"Both, I'd say. Having a mage of your caliber there is unusual, that's my point."
Myra paused, sipping tea, then continued.
"I heard you're here for practical training."
"Yes."
"I hope that's true."
"It is...?"
"Plenty have approached Lilia with similar lines. They didn't last, while you've gone two months strong, so it feels genuine... but this is the kind of thing without proof."
"Can't prove my heart."
"Exactly. So don't take my wariness personally. I've known Lilia over a decade, but never seen her this happy. If it's fake emotions on your part, that'd be heartbreaking."
Myra's soft voice resembled a parent's concern for a child. Galen smiled faintly.
"No need to worry. I've never treated Lady Lilia falsely... well, except white lies when Lady Jenny scolds her."
"...She's a bit naive."
"And one correction: she approached me first. I was the one startled when a stranger jumped into a commission offer on sight."
"Got it, got it."
Myra chuckled. Galen smoothed his expression and asked.
"This is why you invited me?"
"Wanted to gauge you in person. Not just for Lilia, though."
"Then tell me."
"You've been targeting at least Silver-level evil beasts. Good for training, right?"
"Clearing trash is just housekeeping."
"Then I've got a commission that might interest you. Hear me out?"
"As long as it won't kill me."
"Can't guarantee that. I doubt it, but the world defies assumptions."
"Can't I decide after hearing?"
"As long as you don't blab."
"Lips sealed."
"You could tell, but it'd just worry people needlessly."
"Understood. So, what are we hunting?"
"A devil."
Myra tossed it out casually. So naturally, Galen thought he'd misheard.
"...A devil?"
"Yes. A devil. Not a real one, so don't freeze up."
"Devils have fakes too?"
"Would I hunt a real devil? That'd need an archbishop at least."
Myra shook her head and continued.
"Details if you agree. Roughly, erase 'devil traces' or something."
"Am I qualified?"
"Lilia's summoned for this. If she joins, so can you. I'll go too—no worries."
"You're coming, Bishop?"
"Protecting the world from devils is the church's greatest mission. Of course."
This seemed doable. With Lilia and Myra herself involved, it wasn't a death trap.
"My exact role?"
"Same as with Lilia. Hunt strong, unusual evil beasts."
"Then... I'd like details."
Galen straightened up.
The fairly long talk ended. Galen left Myra's office, organizing his thoughts as he walked slowly.
He headed to the parlor, where he'd waited while Lilia and Jenny met her. They must still be there.
Half right. Two people were there, but not the two women—one woman, one man.
"Brother Galen!"
Lilia rushed over as he entered. Galen, lost in thought, nodded absently, then noticed the unfamiliar man—not Jenny—too late.
Before he could deduce the man's sour expression, Lilia blocked his view.
"How'd it go?"
"Ah, well. And Lady Jenny?"
"Said she was checking for work since she's back after so long!"
"Without you?"
"Said staying put helps?"
"Not a compliment. Oh, Bishop Myra calls for you again."
"Now?"
"Yes."
"Ack, gotta go! See you later!"
Lilia dashed out energetically, as always.
"You."
A sharp voice cut in. Right, there was another. Galen turned.
Now he could observe properly. Early twenties? Galen's age. Handsome if calm—but he wasn't.
"You're that Galen punk?"
"Hm?"
"Don't play dumb!"
Galen had wondered how he knew on sight, then recalled Lilia calling his name. The man couldn't wait, face full of fury. Galen answered anyway.
"That's me. And you are?"
"Second son of the Burtain Family, Kane Burtain!"
Leading with family name so proudly suggested confidence, but Galen knew little of eastern families.
Yet it rang a faint bell? Where had he heard it?
"Ah."
Digging through memories, a tucked-away name surfaced. Galen smiled.
"The mage from that family?"