Chapter 107. Saintess Escort (4)
Judging friend or foe was paramount. Were they enemies?
The black figures that appeared on the left and right sides of the road ahead approached, each holding their Unique Magic Gear ready. Their forms were clearly visible from a distance on the white snow.
Dressed in modern attire with thick fur coats. Combat personnel covering their faces with tactical helmets, protective goggles, and masks.
Amelia, sitting in the seat beside me, watched them calmly and spoke.
“Could they be bandits?”
She wasn't exaggerating. There had been talk that the mining city's security had been ruined after being damaged by Magical Beasts. It was indeed a situation where one couldn't afford to be careless.
However, I simply denied her words.
“No.”
And then, glancing to the side, I shook my head at Sirocco, who was slowly raising her tail.
“There's no need to prepare for battle.”
“Huh?”
“It's the mining city's guards.”
Just as I expected. They sent a stop signal towards us. When I nodded towards the rearview mirror, the limousine's driver stopped the car understandingly.
I opened the car door and got out. Naturally, Sirocco followed and stood in front of me.
On the left arm of the people who approached, surrounding me, there were armbands with the mark indicating their unit affiliation.
Naturally, they were figures who appeared in the original work.
It was thanks to that that I could know their affiliation.
And their appearance here meant there was someone related to the mining city guard as well. Just then, someone approached me from behind them.
Thud.
Following the sound of footsteps, I heard the clinking of metal. It was the sound of a slender woman walking towards me.
“Step back.”
Several guards silently moved back, clearing the path.
A woman in a well-fitted khaki suit, which highlighted her figure, walked out. What was impressive was that she wore several small rectangular tactical pouches at her waist.
Her long hair fluttered in the biting wind.
The woman, who quickly scanned me, suddenly stopped her gaze for a moment when she passed me and reached Sirocco.
“...”
The moment their eyes met, both of them unconsciously assumed a combat stance simultaneously.
Rustle.
Sirocco slightly raised her thigh, ready to strike the ground. The approaching woman placed her hand on the staff she wore at her waist.
The woman spoke first.
“Beast-kin... Surely, you were the squad of the current 9th Tier?”
“That's right.”
Sirocco replied in a low voice.
The calmness in her voice had vanished.
Judging by the tail standing stiffly behind her, it seemed she felt threatened instinctively, even though I had told her there was no need to prepare for battle.
However, there was no reason for them to exhaust their energy here.
I stepped forward and spoke.
“Even if she's a Beast-kin, she doesn't attack unless she's attacked first.”
She silently glanced back at me.
I looked at her calmly. I knew the unique warrior-like disposition of the woman before me. If so, there was no need to be overly polite.
“I would appreciate it if you would step back, 「Cavalry of Breakthrough」. Equistelle.”
“...Oh?”
She narrowed her sharp eyes for a moment.
“You know me?”
“The martial prowess you displayed in the past is still spoken of by some within the Elsyde.”
A former Battle Mage belonging to the Elsyde.
「Cavalry of Breakthrough」, Equistelle.
Naturally, the fact that I heard about her from Elsyde personnel was a lie. I was actively practicing being a voluntary recluse, after all.
However, her epithet and unique personality did indeed earn her reputation even in the original work.
Including her unyielding tone, which never used honorifics regardless of who she was speaking to.
And the fact that she had returned to her hometown, Pangaeon, and lived there after being injured during an operation over a decade ago, was also true.
She then took her hand off her Unique Magic Gear first.
“Forgive me for being wary. It's a habit.”
“Hm, alright.”
Sirocco also slowly lowered her leg. Equistelle turned her head away from Sirocco and extended a hand in a thin glove towards me.
“Let me formally introduce myself. I am Equistelle. The Guard Foreman of Pangaeon. I assist the current Elder.”
“Enoch Elsyde. I am the Saintess's escort.”
I clasped her hand.
Equistelle's eyes glinted slightly and said.
“Hoh. It's a bit late to say this now, but I've actually heard a little about you.”
“Is that so.”
“Although this is a remote city, we have no trouble hearing news from the media. It's an honor to meet you in person.”
“So.”
I subtly shifted the conversation to the main point.
“The reason for coming out here to meet us?”
It seemed we were still some distance from the actual entrance of the mining city. There would be no reason to come out here to meet the procession.
Equistelle glanced with her eyes towards her back.
“Magical Beast attacks are still frequent near the city, so I came out to escort. Furthermore, the road ahead is impassable for vehicles due to an avalanche.”
“Time needed to clear the road?”
“At least two days. It will be faster to move only the minimum necessary supplies and proceed on foot.”
“...”
“We must move before the sun sets. I will also relay the situation of the city to some extent during that time.”
At Equistelle's suggestion, I nodded.
‘This turned out well.’
Equistelle had an upright and truthful personality. Since she had offered to relay the city's situation first, it was possible to collect highly reliable information.
Of course, it was best to avoid exposing the Saintess as much as possible.
However, it was clearly evident that being stuck here unable to move for two days would pose a greater risk.
If Magical Beasts were still actively roaming, there was no telling when we might be attacked.
I looked back at the limousine door, which was still half-open. My eyes met the Saintess's, who had been listening to the conversation. She nodded lightly.
“I heard your conversation.”
“What would you like to do?”
The Saintess spoke calmly, as if she had already decided on her answer.
“Even at this moment, there must be people inside the city suffering from a lack of medical support. I wish to go, even if on foot.”
I fully opened the sliding door and lightly extended my hand.
“Then, shall we go?”
The Saintess nodded and took my extended hand.
Equistelle, watching from the side, spoke briefly.
“The other healers will move together. I will guide the Elder and inform you about the city's situation.”
***
Crunch, crunch.
Countless footsteps echoed on the white snowfield.
The breaths of people in clothes as white as snow, walking on the white land of the remote region, also painted the cold wind white.
The healers belonging to The Order, who got out of the car. They walked towards the city silently, undeterred by the cold wind.
As I quietly watched them, a rigid woman's voice suddenly echoed in my ears.
“A considerable portion of the city's infrastructure has collapsed.”
Equistelle stood and walked slightly ahead of the Saintess and me, explaining the circumstances.
“After the Magical Beast attack, recovery has been slow due to the remote area's transportation conditions. The mine is also inoperational. The citizens' income has also stopped.”
“That is unfortunate.”
The Saintess replied calmly to her words.
“But where did the Magical Beasts attack from, exactly?”
“No one knows the detailed inside story. However, they say Magical Beasts suddenly popped out from inside the mine.”
I frowned.
“Inside the mine, you say? You didn't know about them?”
“The staff working in the mine said they didn't know if Magical Beasts originally existed there. However, what is certain is that the city was ravaged by them, and the guards who tried to stop them suffered heavy casualties.”
As expected. It was clearly strange, just by hearing it. Abnormal appearance of Magical Beasts.
It had been the same in Rhodes before.
This, too, must not be a mistake; it felt like a story with a similar thread. Especially from the perspective of preparing for the original plot.
That was precisely why I wanted to come here.
It would be good if I could investigate incidentally.
Just then, Equistelle continued.
“When I, who had been away from this city for a while, received the news and returned, the Magical Beasts were no longer there. Only eyewitness accounts of them retreating somewhere during the night exist.”
“Then, what about the mine now?”
“Currently, the entrance is closed. Access is also strictly controlled. If this situation is resolved, we plan to investigate the truth and subdue them.”
“We can help with the resolution.”
The Saintess, who had been walking quietly beside me, said.
However, Equistelle looked at her for a moment, then turned her head forward and said.
“What I'm about to say is my own judgment, but.”
“Yes?”
“To be honest. I don't have a very good impression of The Order, of you people.”
“...We will do our utmost to save lives.”
“Certainly you did. I'm not trying to deny that. But I also have ears.”
Equistelle shook her head.
“I heard from acquaintances in other cities. They said that some factions within The Order, under the pretext of medical support, negotiate ‘unfair contracts’ with those receiving assistance through consultations.”
Unfair contracts.
Suddenly, the information I saw in the early morning flashed in my mind.
「...Recently, there are indications that an individual named [Antenor], an escort officer, is directly involved in The Order's medical support activities and is partially controlling the situation.」
「Furthermore, in the process, intentional contact and interference with those receiving medical support are suspected...」
As soon as the thought, 'So that's what this was about,' struck me, I raised my head and quietly questioned.
“Does The Order's unfair contract involve the Pontiff's escort officers, or an individual named Antenor?”
“Yes. Please don't ask the source of the information.”
Equistelle nodded quietly.
“However, one thing is certain, what you just said aligns with the facts I've heard.”
Finally, the puzzle pieces felt like they were coming together. I simply summarized the conclusion.
“The Order is corrupt.”
Furthermore, to the extent that even the Pontiff's escort officers would commit such acts, it was corrupt to an unfathomable degree. I didn't bother to mention that part.
At least I would know the whole story.
The Saintess said, her head lowered quietly.
“...Indeed, it is difficult to deny.”
“So that's why you called for me.”
The Saintess silently nodded at my words.
“There is a consultation scheduled in this city. I will personally attend, instead of the escort officers, to ensure that nothing improper occurs.”
I took another step forward and hit the core point.
“The reason you said you needed me as an escort, given my high recognition, was also to prevent the escort officers from interfering in the consultation, wasn't it?”
“That is correct. You are truly sharp.”
The Saintess quietly nodded.
“You had a feeling from somewhere in the middle, didn't you?”
“I won't deny it.”
It was easy to understand her calculation.
Matters involving me were currently receiving attention in the Empire. If they were to interfere and things went wrong, their corruption might be completely exposed.
Ironically,
That was very similar to the reason I had been trying to avoid the attention of others as much as possible until now.
I raised my head.
Shadows were lengthening on the snow-covered horizon.
Half the day had passed.
Soon, the sunset cooled and night descended.
And the procession of healers following the Saintess was already taking steps towards the town entrance, which was not far away.
***
The night of the city damaged by Magical Beasts.
Only the white moonlight shone upon it.
In the darkness that fell with the night. The city, where various places were broken and destroyed by the Magical Beast attack. The middle of the large road in the silent city where even the streetlights were off.
The gazes of citizens quietly groaning from various injuries in the medical tents set up here and there along the dark roadside suddenly began to gather, one by one.
There was a scene unfolding that couldn't be helped but draw attention.
Someone parted their lips and gasped softly.
“Ah...”
Moonlight fell onto the asphalt road.
And upon it. Centered around the Saintess walking through the middle of the city, numerous healers entered the mining city, moving in practiced formation.
The white robes of the priestly habit, symbolizing The Order, were reflected in the white moonlight, fluttering in the cold night wind.
Witnessing that magnificent sight, silent gasps leaked out from various parts of the city, shrouded in darkness. It was a look of hope, as if seeing a savior.
“Ah, ah...!”
“It's the Saintess...!!”
However, the Saintess merely walked among them calmly. She gave no greeting, no gesture. Thus, she seemed even more sacred.
I watched it for a moment from the back of the procession.
For now, with Sirocco and Lien by the Saintess's side, there wouldn't be any major problems.
There was no reason to intentionally be part of the formation and receive everyone's attention at once.
I would return when the gazes lessened.
Just then. Someone suddenly approached from the side with heavy breathing.
It was Antenor, accompanied by escort officers.
“Sir Enoch! What is the meaning of this!”
Come to think of it, the escort officers had gone ahead to the town with some guards on equipment like snow bikes to assess the safety of her residence and route earlier, hadn't they?
I tilted my head and replied.
“You're speaking incomprehensibly.”
Antenor shouted, furious.
“This is unacceptable! How could you have the Saintess get out of the vehicle and walk on foot in such a dangerous area?!”
“You speak as if there was another way.”
“At the very least, this couldn't have been the best course of action! If it were us, we would have provided a more proper escort.”
Antenor said, his face twisted.
But for some reason, I didn't feel bad at all despite his sarcasm. This was because I already knew that this was a scheme to forcibly find fault.
They weren't just picking a fight; they were desperately trying to manipulate me to act as they wanted.
As expected, he spouted words that were obviously transparent.
“While the Saintess is staying here, a consultation with the Elder will proceed. We will attend along with the Saintess to provide proof...”
“Who decided that?”
I calmly cut off his sophistry.
Immediately, Antenor's face twisted.
“Ugh!”
At this point, it was almost pathetic enough to make me laugh. And I also needed to know the reason why they were so desperate.
Since I had their weakness, I had no intention of letting them go.
The Saintess escort mission had already begun. But the work of getting what I wanted was only starting now.
I smiled faintly.
It was clear to anyone that the escort officers were in trouble. Since I had already grasped the whole story, I held the initiative to control them.
Now, all that remained was to thoroughly extract what I needed.
So, how should I play with them from now on?