Such Thoughts (1)
In this world, faith was largely dominated by a single entity: the Church.
Of course, indigenous religions bearing distinct regional flavors existed here and there, but the Church never went out of its way to persecute them. There was only one kind of faith that earned their relentless wrath: religions that practiced human sacrifice.
The Church branded them as heretical cults and purged them without mercy—a brutal dynamic players would eventually witness firsthand during a future in-game event known as the Holy War.
"To think a wicked cult was truly lurking right beneath our noses..."
A few days after the incident wrapped up, Baron Levent, lord of the territory, reviewed our report with a grave expression. Perhaps it was because Anne had submitted it with Sowol and me standing as official witnesses, or perhaps because the gruesome traces of human sacrifice left behind were simply impossible to ignore. Whatever the reason, this was no longer a matter that could be quietly swept under the rug.
"If it concerns a heretical cult, this is far beyond what I can resolve on my own. At any rate, Anne, you have done well."
"Not at all, my lord. The credit belongs almost entirely to Master Lee and his disciple, Lady Sowol."
Anne demurred humbly, claiming she had merely felled a single ghoul, but Baron Levent seemed to think otherwise. After lavishing praise upon her and granting her a promotion on the spot, he waited until she stepped back before turning his gaze toward Sowol and me.
"I had originally entrusted this matter to the Eastern Merchant Guild's leader. Did Master Lee step forward on his behalf?"
"The guild provides my room and board, so lending a hand with something of this scale is only natural," I replied smoothly.
"Even so, I cannot leave such distinguished service unrewarded. Is there anything in particular you desire?"
"I would like this."
I raised the secret cult seal I had recovered from their underground hideout. Baron Levent tilted his head, studying the curious emblem with furrowed brows.
"And what might that be?"
"Something the Church desires. It is an artifact required to trace the cultists' main strongholds."
"Oho. To think such an object existed. But how would Master Lee know of such ecclesiastical matters?"
"I worked alongside the Church on a few occasions in the past."
During my first year in this world, scraping together power hadn't just been about abusing bugs and glitches. Along the way, I had forged connections with several figures from the Church and picked up valuable intelligence. Well, having played the game inside and out helped plenty, too.
"Then by all means, take it. And while we speak... Master Lee, might you perhaps..."
"Haha. I have no intention of entering official service."
Raising a kid took up enough of my hands; I had zero desire to become a territorial official and waste my precious hours on bureaucratic drudgery. Having already tried—and failed—to scout me several times before, the baron let out a heavy sigh of disappointment.
Go ahead, sigh all you want. Still not doing it.
"Could you at least consider instructing my daughter as well?"
"I am certain she will find a mentor far better suited to her than I."
"Nngh. Is that so... What a pity. Ahem."
I had met Baron Levent's daughter once before. Not only did she lack any martial aptitude, but she didn't seem particularly interested in growing stronger either. There was no reason for me to waste effort trying to teach a child like that. When I flatly turned him down, he sighed once more and shifted his gaze. The last place his eyes landed was on Sowol, who stood quietly by my side.
"Sowol. Word has reached me that you vanquished a wraith. And at such a tender age, you have already manifested sword qi, haven't you?"
"I am still sorely lacking, my lord."
"Manifesting sword qi at your age is nothing short of sheer genius. What do you say? If you wish, I could appoint you as a knight of my house."
"I am honored, my lord, but I must decline. My training is far from complete, and I am not yet worthy to bear such a grave duty as knighthood."
Sowol's refusal clearly stung. Smacking his lips with lingering regret, Baron Levent nodded slowly. He must have figured it out by now: the future master of the Eastern Merchant Guild—a prodigy already wielding sword qi in her youth—was never going to remain under his modest banner for long. Even so, hoping to at least forge some sort of lasting goodwill, he shoved a hefty purse of prize money into her hands despite her polite protests.
"Your deeds have preserved the peace of this territory against vile heretics who sought to strike from the shadows. Such merit cannot be dismissed with mere words of praise."
In other words, play nice now so he can cozy up to her for mutual profit later.
After showering Sowol with enough flattery to make anyone blush, Baron Levent finally waved a hand in dismissal.
"You have all labored hard, so take your leave and rest well."
As we walked out of the lord's keep, Sowol turned to me with an awkward, troubled look. The pouch of reward money in her small hands seemed heavy.
"Master, why don't you take this for your drinking money?"
"Do you take me for an alcoholic?"
"Still, don't you have plenty of expenses? I overheard yesterday that you even took an advance on your salary."
How the heck did she find that out?
Not that she was wrong. With the time approaching to start Sowol on body-nourishing elixirs, I had indeed asked So Jung-yang for an advance. The cost of ingredients for high-grade tonics was no joke.
"Well, if you insist that much, I'll take it."
No sense turning down free money. I accepted the pouch Sowol offered and peeked inside. Ten gold coins. With this much, brewing the tonic for Sowol wouldn't be an issue.
"Hey! Lee Hyun!"
Right then, an easygoing, carefree voice rang out.
Turning my head, I saw a priestess sporting dark blue bobbed hair and a relaxed, breezy smile.
Serin Musmi.
A pivotal figure in the upcoming Holy War event. She was the woman destined to stand at the vanguard of the ecclesiastical crusade, fighting alongside the protagonists to bring down the wicked god of the heretic cult.
"Huh? Serin? What are you doing here?"
She also happened to be one of my very few friends in this world. We had crossed paths back when I was suffering through hell and high water just to scrounge up some personal strength.
"Word was that heretics were involved. How could I not come?"
Grinning cheerfully, she threw an arm around my shoulders, surveyed the surrounding territory, and casually made the sign of the cross over her chest.
"O Lord... Why must vile wretches like these cultists defile such a peaceful realm? Could this, too, be the doing of a certain harbinger of storms?"
"It wasn't me, you know."
"Bizarre things always seem to happen whenever you're around. It's like you were practically born to stir up chaos."
"Watch it. That's slander."
How could she direct such foul accusations at a pure, innocent soul who merely wished to guide this world to its True Ending and ensure everlasting peace?
I tried to shrug her arm off my shoulders, but right at that moment, Sowol gripped the hem of my clothes tight.
"...Master."
"Hm? Oh, right. Introduce yourselves. This is Serin. She's a low-ranking priestess of the Church—"
"I got promoted to High Priestess last time, thank you very much."
"—a High Priestess of the Church, and a friend of mine."
"A... friend?"
Tilting her head, Sowol looked at me as if she couldn't quite wrap her mind around the concept.
"What?"
"To think Master has a friend..."
"...What kind of person do you think I am?"
"No! I didn't mean it like that! It's just... Master never talks about himself."
I only kept quiet because there was no need to bring personal chatter into her training, but maybe I should start sharing a story or two from now on. My dignity as her master was taking quite a beating here.
"Oho~? And who is this pretty little girl? Hmm? Not bad at all! Gasp... Don't tell me you're getting up to something dangerous?"
This woman had no filter whatsoever, priestess or not. I gave her shin a light kick, and Serin, giggling merrily, extended a hand toward Sowol.
"Hello there~ May the Lord's blessings always be with you. I'm Serin Musmi, High Priestess of the Church. Nice to meet you~"
"...Yes. Nice to meet you."
She doesn't look pleased in the slightest.
After giving Serin a distinctly sullen stare, Sowol abruptly turned her head away. I patted the top of her head soothingly.
"Sowol, I have some things to discuss with Serin, so go on ahead back."
Serin showing up here was an unexpected surprise, but a welcome one. Certain holy waters could only be consecrated through the blessings of those with high holy power, and someone of Serin's caliber was more than qualified to produce them.
Time for you to put in some honest work today, Serin.
A strange lethargy sapped her strength.
Having hoped to use the reward money to treat Lee Hyun to something delicious before returning home, Sowol trudged down the path, then cast a furtive glance over her shoulder. Lee Hyun and Serin were still standing where she had left them, engrossed in conversation. Bright smiles bloomed across both their faces.
She didn't like it. Not one bit.
"...?"
I don't like it? Why?
Sowol questioned the heavy sensation settling deep within her chest. It was bizarre. Her mood had been perfectly fine just moments ago, so why had it plummeted so suddenly? Pausing in her tracks to ponder, she bit her lower lip.
Could it be because I couldn't train properly today?
Normally, she would have spent the entire morning training alongside Lee Hyun. But today, because she had to prepare for their visit to the lord's keep, their routine had been disrupted. Could that lingering regret be what was bothering her? Yet deep down, she knew that wasn't the whole answer.
...Tsk. And what is up with Master, anyway? He's never once smiled at me like that!
Standing there with Serin, Lee Hyun had looked genuinely delighted. She understood why, in a way. That woman named Serin possessed a breathtaking beauty that seemed almost a waste on a member of the clergy. Perhaps simply being by her side was enough to put anyone in high spirits.
...But it's not like I'm ugly, either!
Never once had she thought her looks fell short of anyone else's. Yes, even stacked against Serin, her own features were certainly not inferior.
At most, she's taller than me, and her chest is a little... no, fine, a lot bigger. Is that any reason to grin like an absolute fool?
He never made that dazed, happy face when looking at her.
Growing sour for no clear reason, Sowol chewed on her lip before shaking her head vigorously from side to side.
"...Haaah. Why am I even thinking about such things?"