Chapter 57
Chapter 57
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Archbishop (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
< Archbishop (1) >
Both of them echoed the question at the same time.
"A fairy?"
"A fairy?"
Their voices overlapped, but their expressions did not.
Unlike Galen, who looked perplexed at the unfamiliar word, Lilia's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"I've heard stories about them! Earth fairies are small and cute!"
"What's an earth fairy?"
"Oh, you haven't heard of them, Brother Galen?"
"I've heard of fairies... but I didn't know they had different types."
"That makes sense if you're not from around here. Earth fairies only live in the northeast."
In this world, where even horses and carriages were expensive luxuries and most people traveled on foot, it was rare for anyone to venture beyond their birthplace village.
Only mercenaries and merchants traveled much, but even they rarely crossed into other regions.
Unless someone deliberately sent out scouts, information exchange was minimal.
Galen himself hadn't even known about a city called Nijerte until he left the Oceanis Family.
If the south and southeast were like that, the northeast was even more distant.
Lilia, being from the relatively close east, had at least heard rumors in a somewhat intact form.
Galen from the south was at the point of doubting whether fairies even existed.
"Fairies, simply put... are beings who can use magic from birth, have physical abilities superior to humans, and live several times longer."
"...Isn't that just a strict upgrade over humans?"
"Many people do see them that way. If their reproductive drive matched humans', the world might already belong to the fairies."
Roald gave a wry smile as he spoke.
"Fortunately, humans outnumber fairies by far, which means we produce more exceptional powerhouses. An average fairy is much stronger than an average human, but at the top, they end up about equal."
"So, think of it like the structure without the Bronze rank?"
"Close enough. Fairies would have a thicker proportion overall."
Like a pyramid.
Humans had overwhelming numbers at Bronze, fewer at Silver, even fewer at Gold, and precious few at Gem.
Fairies had no Bronze at all, starting from Silver.
With a much higher starting line, they could reach Gold or Gem relatively easier.
But that was proportional; their small population meant fewer absolute powerhouses.
"Calling reproductive drive a human superiority feels a bit... like breeding livestock."
"Ahem, humans have another advantage: freedom."
"Freedom?"
"We humans can choose the path of warrior, mage, or priest, right?"
"Well... yeah?"
Strictly speaking, it wasn't free choice but following aptitude, and most people had none of the three, being ordinary folk.
"Fairies, on the other hand, all share the exact same magic from birth. A racial trait, you could say. No freedom of choice, no unique flair."
"I'm not sure that's a flaw..."
Even venerable mage families made all bloodline members learn the same magic from secret manuals, didn't they?
By that logic, fairies were like an entire mage family as a race—impressive, really.
Anyway, whether humans were superior or inferior to fairies didn't matter to Galen.
His status window was far more impressive than any fairy envy.
"Anyway, earth fairies use earth magic, then?"
"It's different from the typical earth-element magic people imagine. They call it the 'Power of the Earth' themselves, so we just go with it. There are also sky fairies who use the 'Power of the Sky.' Fairies come in those two types."
"And the ones tied to this request are earth fairies?"
"Sky fairies live in the northwest. No reason for them to come here."
"So, what's the trouble with the earth fairies?"
Lilia asked. Roald answered.
"As I said, this isn't a request I'm issuing, so I don't know the exact situation. Seems like some territorial dispute."
"Territorial?"
"Earth fairies have their own territories, don't they?"
"Sure."
"Sounds like humans encroached on theirs. Or vice versa, earth fairies invading human land."
"Your Excellency. I have a question."
Galen signaled Lilia for permission and cut in.
"Who exactly is issuing the request?"
"Ah, I hadn't mentioned that. His Eminence the Archbishop wishes to meet you. It was an official invitation."
"Me?"
"Who else dispatches demons and magic beasts in two months if not church-affiliated? With such feats and your extreme youth, he wants to meet and commend you personally."
"I see..."
"Bishop Lilia as well."
"Eh, me too?"
"A once-in-history talent becoming bishop in her teens? I handled your ordination since His Eminence was away, but it's natural he'd want to see the church's future himself."
Lilia beamed at the calm yet sincere praise.
Galen fell into thought.
Hard to refuse an Archbishop's invitation unless bedridden or similar unavoidable circumstance.
Naively dividing this world's power, it split between families and church.
For Galen with no family backing, alienating the church gained nothing.
Even family heads from prestigious houses like Oceanis rarely refused an Archbishop.
"The invitation and request are separate, right?"
Galen, having decided, spoke up.
"Yes. Though His Eminence probably mentioned the request to nudge you."
"Then I'll go, assess the situation, and decide."
He avoided a firm yes, but curiosity was already sparked.
He had to go anyway; might as well have work waiting.
'Power of the Earth...'
Racial trait, so impossible for human Galen?
Or treated as magic, learnable regardless?
'Either way, it'll give experience.'
No loss.
Next destination set.
Unlike leaving Abaka, as official guests of the Archbishop, the Belpas church prepared a carriage for them.
"If you're considering the request, he asked you to arrive before early spring."
"How far is it from here?"
"By carriage, generously twenty days."
Just entering late winter, a month until early spring.
Ten days' buffer, but neither Galen nor Lilia had more business in Belpas. They departed immediately.
No promise of return, so they sold the horses they'd ridden profitably. Lilia's too.
"Thanks for everything. Stop by anytime if you're in the area!"
The next day, they boarded the carriage amid Roald's farewell.
The journey was comfortable.
A cheap carriage would bruise the rear; no way the church's VIP ride was cheap.
Galen had grown adept at riding, but nothing beat lounging, sleeping, or reading in a carriage.
With blatant church symbols, it was near-invincible against commoners—smooth sailing everywhere.
Except two minor incidents: clueless or bold bandits ambushing the lone carriage and getting wiped out.
Exactly twenty days later, they arrived safely.
Mezaia.
The northeast's central hub, its largest city.
"Bigger than Belpas!"
Lilia's eyes sparkled at the high walls. Galen nodded.
"Northeast has more people than the east. Even as max cities, this one's larger."
Northeast climate slightly colder than east, but livable.
Unlike mountain-heavy east, here plains mixed moderately with mountains—far better for living.
Naturally more population, more priests. Even without earth fairies, the Archbishop would prioritize northeast over east.
"Straight in you go!"
As church carriage, they passed gates easily, heading direct to church.
Strike while the iron's hot, meet Archbishop right away—but.
"Apologies. His Eminence is briefly away..."
"It's almost lunchtime anyway. We'll eat and return?"
"Sounds good."
Sightseeing a bit, they wandered.
Found a decent eatery, ordered novel foods out of curiosity.
Satisfying meal, digesting with a stroll back to church.
"Kyaaak!"
Taking a different route back, new street—then a sharp scream nearby.
Rare in broad daylight inside city walls.
Soon, several people burst from the alley ahead.
"What happened?"
"F-Fight broke out!"
Lilia grabbed one; priest robes got instant answer.
Round corner: commotion deep in alley, as witnesses said.
Shabby alley, but not random pedestrian attacks—thankfully.
Few people knife-fighting; scared bystanders fleeing.
Still not to ignore, especially as priests.
"Let's stop it, Brother!"
"Right."
Lilia strode forward boldly. Galen followed.
But closer, something off.
At first, thought distance distorted perspective—no.
"Huh?"
Lilia's eyesight better than Galen's, but focused on intervening, she noticed around same time.
Clang! Kang! Clang!
Three-on-one. Three men vs. one woman.
But two flanked clumsily, mere support; center man shouldered most fight—near one-on-one.
Yet woman held slight edge, pressing all three solo.
Problem: her state.
Huge hammer in hand, clothes stained dirty; fighting before smithy—so blacksmith, obviously.
She was short.
Too short. Barely to Galen's chest.
Amid wild swings, hair parted: ears longer sideways, pointed—not human.
Having come to Mezaia purposefully, Galen and Lilia easily identified her.
Just never imagined meeting like this, mid-city alley brawl.
Whoosh! Whooosh!
The earth fairy woman swung her hammer to smash the heads of men two heads taller, snarling fiercely.
"Say that again, you cocky little shit!"
"......"
"......"
"What about my work? Huh? You with not even dry blood on your head!"
"...I'll go stop it."
"...Yeah."