An Unexpected Welcome
"Heh, so you're the new girl, Rika?"
A crowd had gathered in front of her room. They were of all ages and genders. Looking at them, Rika felt her heart grow cold. As expected, there's no way they would easily accept an outsider like me.
No matter how kind the superiors—like the Saintess or the Abbot—might be, it was the common folk who actually had to share their food, clothes, and sleeping quarters. There was no way they would look kindly upon a stray who had suddenly rolled in. It was only natural that they would try to break her spirit right from the start.
No weapons... or perhaps they've hidden them elsewhere...
She had no intention of causing a scene. She had to wait for the Princess here. They probably wouldn't go so far as to murder her. If it was just a group beating, she was more than willing to endure it.
"Do you plan to do it here? Or should I follow you?"
"Heh, this newbie catches on quick, doesn't she? Just follow us quietly. It's technically past curfew right now."
The large woman who seemed to be the leader pointed toward a warehouse building in the back. Rika showed her palms to signal she had no intention of resisting and walked into the crowd.
"Understood. Lead the way."
"Heh, good. Let's go."
The midnight procession, including Rika, headed toward the warehouse. Surprisingly, the inside was brightly lit. Thick cloths had been draped over the windows to prevent any light from leaking outside. There were already quite a few people gathered inside the warehouse. Rika remained on high alert as she watched them smile at her.
In the center of the warehouse, food was laid out as if for a banquet.
"...What is the meaning of this?"
"What do you think? It's a welcoming party for the newbie. Since you rolled into a place like this, you probably haven't had a decent meal in a while, right? You're in luck. A massive shipment of food just arrived a few days ago, you see."
Bread, cheese, salted meat, pickles, dried fish, and even beer. It was a cheap but bountiful spread, and a mouthwatering aroma wafted through the air.
"You weren't... planning to lynch me?"
"Lynch? What, do you think we're a pack of bandits? This is a monastery, you know. We're all good, honest folks who pray devoutly every single morning."
"Then why all the secrecy...?"
"Well, obviously, we can't get caught. We practically drowned the monk in charge of the warehouse in wine, but if we make too much noise, he might wake up. Still, we always make an exception when a newcomer arrives."
Dazed, Rika accepted the wooden mug someone thrust into her hand. Soon, frothy beer was poured into it, bubbling to the brim.
During her time at the brothel, Rika had always been alone. The quality of the food itself hadn't been bad, but she had never shared a meal with anyone. While waiting for the Princess, the only human voices she ever heard were the faint, cheerful chatter of prostitutes and their clients drifting through the walls.
Because of that, she found it difficult to adapt to this boisterous, lively atmosphere.
"You know how to drink, right?"
The question was likely meant as a polite consideration for the newcomer. However, it inadvertently pricked Rika's deepest sense of pride.
"Are you mocking me? I may look like this, but..."
To the Kakas tribe, a chieftain was a chieftain. There was no distinction between man and woman; it was a position reserved solely for the strongest. And one's alcohol tolerance was a crucial metric of that strength. Rika had never lost to anyone when it came to drinking.
Gulp, gulp, gulp!
Rika drained the mug in her hand in a single breath. When she turned it upside down to prove it was completely empty, cheers and gasps erupted around her.
"You call this alcohol? It's so bland it tastes like water. Bring me more."
"Oh, ho! I thought you were the quiet type, but you've got some fire in you!"
Her mug was immediately refilled. Rika let out a smug snort and promptly downed that one as well.
"Haha, you're something else, newbie!"
The woman next to her slapped her hard on the back. Normally, Rika would have found such familiarity offensive, but for some reason, she didn't mind it tonight.
The alcohol and food continued to flow. Though she barely spoke, Rika found herself reminiscing about the banquets she used to share with her subordinates. She couldn't help but think that this wasn't a bad atmosphere at all.
Is this the Lustier way? No, these people must just be unusual.
Just then, the warehouse door slammed open.
"Rebecca, you scoundrels! Touching the warehouse supplies again...!"
"D-Damn it! We're busted!"
An elderly monk holding a staff stood in the doorway. He had a stern, stubborn look that made his character obvious at a glance. The warm, festive atmosphere of the party was instantly doused like a fire in a downpour.
"So it was you lot who got Dominique drunk as well! Honestly... how dare you lay your hands on the goods sent by the Princess!"
His shrill, grating voice was enough to make even an innocent person feel guilty. It was doubly effective now that they had actually been caught red-handed.
"B-But, Elder Joseph...! The, the newbie..."
Hmph, of course. In the end, they just wanted an excuse to steal food, and a scapegoat to pin it on if they got caught. Rika let out a bitter chuckle and raised her head proudly.
"The newbie? Ha, right. You're Rika, aren't you?"
Joseph glared at Rika with a deeply furrowed brow. Then, with a sharp turn, he headed back toward the door.
"Hmph! Make sure you clean up after yourselves, you rascals. And don't stuff your faces too much!"
Watching his angry, stomping retreat, Rika was left dazed once again.
...I will never understand how the people of Lustier think...
Rebecca clapped a hand onto Rika's shoulder and chuckled.
"Well, he might look grumpy, but he's actually pretty flexible. Besides, the newcomer's welcoming party is a bit of a tradition here at our monastery. Though we've been so dirt-poor lately that we haven't been able to throw a proper one in ages."
It was a mess in every sense of the word. Not only was there a complete lack of discipline, but even the superior who was supposed to enforce the rules turned a blind eye. If such a thing had happened under her command, she would have had their heads immediately.
Yet, despite everything, Rika found herself thinking that she was having fun. It was a fleeting thought, one she quickly suppressed, but it had crossed her mind nonetheless.
As the evening glow began to settle.
Thwack! Rika brought the axe down, cleanly splitting the log on the chopping block in two. She tossed the freshly split firewood aside and placed another log on the block.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack! In an instant, a pile of split wood began to accumulate. Rika took a brief breath and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"How is life at the monastery treating you, Rika?"
Rika had already sensed her presence behind her for some time. It was Saintess Rielia. Rika rested her axe against the chopping block and turned around.
"I am simply doing my utmost to earn the meals I receive each day, Saintess."
"You don't have to push yourself so hard. I heard you've been actively looking for more work even after your designated labor hours are over?"
From kitchen duties to laundry, heavy labor usually spared from women and children, and even night watch—Rika had barely rested since her arrival at the monastery.
"It is nothing."
"It's because of the Princess, isn't it?"
The question was a direct hit, striking right to the heart of the matter. Rika had no choice but to admit it. Her promise to wait for Princess Sera here—she was determined to keep it with absolute fidelity. For that purpose, this level of labor was truly nothing.
"Yes."
"Even if you don't work this hard, we would never kick you out. In fact, I think of you more as the Princess's guest."
"But I am an outsider, Saintess."
In Lustier, the northern tribes were targets of constant discrimination, both subtle and overt. Despite the existence of countless distinct tribes, including Rika's own Kakas tribe, they were all lumped together under the derogatory term 'savages.' Even if they wore the clothes of this kingdom and spoke its tongue, their physical features remained an indelible brand. They were discriminated against simply for existing. If she were to show even a hint of laziness on top of that, it was obvious what people would think. It might cause trouble, and she could be driven out. It was this very fear that kept Rika from sitting idle. As long as she proved herself to be a diligent worker, they would let her stay, if only for the value of her labor.
"I must keep my promise to the Princess. I am merely doing my best to ensure that. To prevent even the slightest complication from arising."
"Mmm... I admire your dedication, but..."
Ultimately, it meant she did not trust the Saintess herself, nor the people of the monastery. Rielia felt she finally understood why Princess Sera had found Rika so difficult to handle. To put it kindly, she was fiercely loyal; to put it bluntly, she was incredibly stubborn. Rielia racked her brain, trying to think of how she could persuade this obstinate knight. It was at that moment, as her eyes drifted toward the back gate of the monastery—
"Oh?"
Someone was standing there. A disheveled man in shabby clothes, poking his head out as if spying on them. The moment his eyes met Rielia's, he spun around and bolted.
Without a second thought, Rika lunged after him, tackling him from behind. The man crashed onto the dirt road, letting out a painful groan.
"Who are you? Why were you snooping around?"
"W-Wait a moment, Rika! He might have just come to beg for food..."
"With a sword at his hip?"
"What?"
A poorly maintained sword hung from the man's waist. Various mismatched pieces of gear were also strapped to his belt. Rika recognized his occupation instantly.
"He's a bandit. It seems they are targeting the monastery."