The Expedition
Ain, who had tossed Jina to the surging crowd and avoided the spot, looked at the bustling scenery visible in the distance and said.
“When will this end? I wish it had ended before we boarded the ship.”
It seemed the related duties had stopped because people were rushing towards Jina.
If such a thing happened, the knights or superiors who were supposed to control them should have come forward, but unfortunately, among the people loitering around Jina, there were also knights mixed in.
“Because we're heading to the battlefield. Since we don't know when we'll die, we might be clutching at a straw.”
“…The blessings that the priests give after receiving donations are just decorations. They have no real effect, just for the sake of appearance.”
“It's true that abilities can be obtained from faith. And…faith is one of the best ways to control people.”
So, such small disturbances were probably being overlooked by the upper echelons of the expeditionary force.
If it helps in promoting faith, they would smile and say it's a small faith.
“Calming the people's hearts is also the duty of the temple. It's cool how you're doing your best in your role.”
“…It's you who didn't help at all and ran away alone who is saying such things?”
“Even if I receive blessings from a bad priest like me, it's no different from a curse, right?”
“Oh my, what about us? We receive your blessings every day.”
“So we're suffering together with you.”
“…Ah.”
Looking at Er, who had a look as if she had realized something, Ain chuckled and said.
“That guy seems to have finally finished organizing things?”
“Yeah. We gathered the people… and all the people knelt down.”
“It looks like a prayer service.”
Jina, who had climbed onto a box, said something, and the kneeling adventurers and soldiers lowered their heads.
White light powder was sprinkled over them.
When it touched their bodies, the soldiers and adventurers expressed gratitude with bright faces.
Some of them tried to take out gold to reward, but Jina, who stopped them, soon showed an angry expression and approached Ain.
“Hey, Ain!”
“Why are you calling me, Priest?”
“You threw all the work to me and ran away?!”
“I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Th, this…!”
As he said that and teased Jina, who was fidgeting with her feet,
“Excuse me for a moment.”
It was a soldier who spoke to them.
Unlike the young soldier who had come to find Ain before, this one seemed to be of a certain age and had shoulder straps of a superior soldier.
“…What is it?”
To Er, who sent a wary gaze towards him,
“The expedition leader wants to see you.”
“The expedition leader?”
“…Count Karpe?”
The commander of this expedition and the commander is Count Karpe, the owner of the Karpe territory.
Even at the departure ceremony, he didn't show his face, so why is this famous nobleman looking for them?
Ain noticed that Er's expression, which had been unpleasant lately because of dealing with nobles, was not good.
“…Why are nobles looking for us?”
“I only heard that I was to bring you along. But, you don't need to worry that it might be a problem.”
“How can I believe that?”
“Only black magicians or demons would try to harm priests in this world.”
As he said that, Ain noticed that some of the light particles that Jina had sprinkled were still on his shoulder and turned to look.
“…Okay, let's go. If they were going to do something weird to us, they wouldn't have called us like this. Accidents on the battlefield are easy to fake.”
As he said that, Er, who looked back at her group, said.
“So, wake me up for a bit. Even if it's like that, I can't sleep while going to meet a noble.”
●
South of the Karpe territory, an unnamed deserted island.
Despite the lush vegetation, this place was an uninhabited dead land.
Although it was called a dead land for horses, this place was full of animals, insects, and plants that were the original inhabitants, and occasionally people would visit to find rare herbs or game, but even that had long since stopped.
The deserted island says you can't come back.
The sea god is angry and closes the sea route so you can't return.
Due to extremely sea-god-like superstition, the deserted island where footsteps gradually stopped, at some point no one found it.
The place was filled with those who wore black magic power on their bodies.
“Lord Forbes, the army has arrived at the port.”
Deep in the island.
In the place where black energy was slowly rising from the ground, the one wearing a black robe said to the one wearing something similar.
The army has arrived.
Forbes, who was called a man who couldn't not know that this was an expeditionary force to exterminate them, asked with a voice like scraping iron plate.
“…How many?”
“More than I thought. It seems they gathered not only knights and soldiers but also mercenaries.”
“It's fine even if they're troublesome. It just increases the sacrifice.”
As he said that and laughed loudly, his subordinate added cautiously.
“And, there's one more thing you should know.”
“What is it?”
“Light followers are mixed in.”
“…”
Light followers.
In the world, it's called the Church of Light, and the only human who calls the sect that encompasses the priests and is respected by many as such is one type of human.
Black magicians.
To Forbes, one of the pillars of the Black Magic Tower, what is the sect?
“…It's become troublesome. How many holy knights are there?”
“That, there were no ones who seemed to be holy knights.”
“No?”
“Yes, about two general priests… young men and women.”
Two young priests.
What would they do with that number?
Forbes, who heard his subordinate's words that couldn't erase the doubt, said with a loud laugh.
“Light idiots often do stupid things that can't be understood. Just leave them alone.”
“But…”
“They're idiots who jump into the place to die while saying they're doing priest training. It's even better, because the chimeras made as priests are sturdy.”
He continued laughing as if he couldn't hide his joy.
“Deimos, that old man, has been rummaging around, making it hard to get materials, but it's good. Prepare the chimeras.”
“What should I prepare with?”
“I have to show what the wrath of the sea god is.”
In his red eyes as he said that, there was an unstoppable greed.
●
“Thank you for responding to our sudden visit, adventurers.”
As he said that, the half-white-haired butler bowed his head.
The old butler of the Karpe family, who received their hospitality from the soldier who had guided Ain and his group to the port, said.
“Lord Viscount is handling the remaining work regarding departure in the port's office. I was told to guide you to the office as soon as you arrive, but is that okay?”
“It's fine.”
“Thank you, Lady Er.”
He knows Er's name.
It means that the investigation about her has already been completed, since he can recognize her face and name together.
After swallowing dry saliva at the butler's actions that seemed to know about the previous visit of Count Arkhansiel, follow behind for a moment.
“This is the office where the leader is.”
As he said that, the butler looked back at the group and said.
“Are you ready?”
“…Yes.”
“Then, I will announce.”
The butler, who heard their answer, knocked on the door.
“Lord Viscount, I have brought the adventurers you mentioned.”
“Come in.”
The voice was younger than expected.
It was a man's voice, a bit higher and thinner than a man's, but still somehow familiar—
While Ain was thinking that.
The door opened and the one who greeted them was a man with brown hair.
“Everyone, welcome, adventurers. I am Seren Karpe, the lord of Karpe.”
“…You?”
“You know the priest over there.”
As he said that, Ain noticed that his face was exactly like the knight of the Karpe family he had seen in front of the bonfire last night and said with a surprised face.
“Could it be, last night's…?”
“I was wandering around because I couldn't sleep in the middle of the night. Sorry if I scared you.”
“…It seems a bit different from yesterday?”
The one from last night looked a bit more masculine and had a firmer build.
But the man Ain sees now has lines that seem thinner and lighter somewhere—
“It's a misunderstanding. It was dark last night, wasn't it?”
“No, even if it's like that…”
“Ain, the opponent is a noble. Stop it.”
Er, who cut off Ain's intention, said while bowing her head cautiously.
“Thank you for inviting us, Lord Viscount. What did you call us for?”
“Haha, direct. Good. I'll talk right away.”
As he said that, he picked up a piece of paper that was on the desk and said.
“It's unfortunate, but Lady Er, the S-rank adventurer, you have to be left out of the expedition.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Because a cooperation document arrived.”
As he said that, at the bottom of the document held by Count Karpe.
The name written on it was an all-too-familiar name.
Count Zamber Arkhansiel.
The uncle who slandered her father and destroyed the family.
Ain noticed that Er's eyes filled with anger at seeing that name and said in a low voice.
“I'd like to talk about that. Can you spare some time, Lady Er?”