The royal capital, fueled by the prospect of a martial arts tournament hosted by the Aries Church, drew in large crowds.
Merchants from the capital prepared a multitude of foods and spectacles, such as night markets and outdoor theater performances, to captivate these visitors.
However, for the Worden siblings, the royal capital was unfamiliar territory.
Christian and Aira, pondering who should guide them, sought out Liber first.
Though he had withdrawn from the academy, they considered him suitable due to his past studies in the capital, but he was not yet back to his usual self due to the aftereffects of the matches.
They couldn’t very well take the flippant Caedwin or the youthful Sonya with them.
As the siblings pondered whether they should just step outside and ask strangers for directions, a suitable person just happened to catch their eye…
“Why me, of all people?”
Nemea grumbled, glancing askance at the siblings who flanked her as if escorting her.
Though not a native of the royal capital, she had stayed with the Miles Viscounty in the capital and therefore served as both an excellent guide and bodyguard for them.
However, Nemea herself was quite unhappy.
Her main grievance was that she had been interrupted just as she was about to enjoy a pudding from Edwick’s Bakery, having been practically dragged away.
“Well, you’re the only one who can suitably blend in with whatever we do, Nemea unnie.”
“Oh, I like that you’re acting comfortably around me, but it feels a bit uneasy…”
“Oh, come on. And if it’s the pudding from Edwick’s Bakery, I’ll buy you as much as you want later, so don’t worry too much.”
“Those are expensive.”
“I have a lot of money.”
“… Yes, I know.”
Being the granddaughter of the Miles Viscounty, it was no wonder she had money.
Saying one had money from the Miles family wasn’t taken lightly anywhere, prompting a deep sigh from Nemea.
Still, the thought of indulging in her favorite expensive puddings later quickly lifted her mood, prompting her to ask Aira and Christian, “So where do you plan to go? The night market? An outdoor play? Perhaps the Mage Tower? Oh, how about the harbor?”
Though the royal capital was dazzling and beautiful by day, by night it possessed a different allure altogether.
Just like the moon and stars gracing the black sky, the royal capital gleamed like stars due to magical lamps, and, as Nemea mentioned, the light emitted by the towering Mage Tower was enchanting.
Above all, sailing out on a boat to enjoy the night sea was a particularly charming prospect.
But Christian’s regret lay in that they weren’t there merely to sightsee.
“I’ve some business with the Aries Church.”
“Huh? The Aries Church? Ah, well. They do keep their doors open for believers who come to pray, even at night. But aside from the prayer rooms, you probably won’t be able to see much now…”
In daylight it might have been different, but as night fell, the number of restricted areas in the church naturally increased.
While the prayer rooms remained open late into the night to accommodate the devout faithful, the same couldn’t be said for other areas.
Nemea suggested visiting during the day and directed them to other tourist spots, but Christian shook his head.
“We’d like to hire a courier. Do you know any such places?”
“A courier? Why all of a sudden?”
“I want to send a letter.”
“So you weren’t out for sightseeing after all.”
At this point, even Nemea sensed another motive, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized Christian closely.
“Well, we can sightsee after we finish handling our tasks.”
…though he left out the part about if time allowed.
Since it wasn’t about going out to play with them, and it really did feel like they were treating her as a conveniently usable subordinate, Nemea’s expression turned sullen quickly.
“So, the letter… It seems there’s someone you want to meet separately. Is it someone from the Aries Church?”
“No, it isn’t. And I’m not even certain if it’s really that person. That’s why I want to send a letter to confirm.”
“Hmm.”
Understanding there was a complicated matter at hand, Nemea didn’t press further.
“And there’s one more favor I’d like to ask.”
“Since it’s come to this, feel free to use whatever you need. I’m a broad-minded woman, after all.”
“You have a good knowledge of the royal capital’s geography, right?”
“Well, there aren’t many places I haven’t been to. I know most places.”
Christian quietly asked her, “Could you recommend a secluded spot where we won’t be seen by people?”
“… You’re not planning to bury someone, are you?”
In a place devoid of people and where prying eyes wouldn’t find them, Christian surmised that was exactly what those receiving his letter would want as well.
***
“Um, lady Rachel?”
“…”
All day expressing her displeasure, Rachel distended her cheeks, pointedly ignoring Ail’s questioning look.
“I apologize. I acted too harshly and tarnished the name of Latima.”
Realizing they couldn’t continue like this, Ail bowed his head in apology, at which point the air seemed to deflate from Rachel’s puffed cheeks, returning to normal.
Yet her eyes remained sharp as she looked at Ail, not entirely appeased, leading Ail to offer another explanation, albeit ruefully.
“If Lady Rachel had heard what he said, you would have been angry too. How could I overlook such blasphemy when he dared to call our Goddess Latima an unknown god from some countryside corner?”
Despite winning the match, Ail meticulously trampled his opponent and left them in a pitiable state, bringing side-glances not only from the Euclid House but also from the Aries Church, the organizers.
The oversight of Rachel and Ail, guests of the Aries Church, became rather awkward.
“You overstepped, though. I acknowledge he spoke poorly of the Goddess.”
Hearing Rachel’s acknowledgment spoke to an improvement in Ail’s demeanor.
“But it was born of ignorance, and reacting with anger and exerting violence upon the weaker actually dishonors the Goddess, as you are well aware, Sir Ail.”
Yet, Rachel’s subsequent comments quickly deflated any uplift in mood Ail might have felt.
“The Aries Church seems quite troubled by the outcome of the match, and the spectators’ murmurs weren’t favorable either. They were calling the Latima Church a congregation obsessed with brute force, saying Goddess Latima must be muscle-bound—I felt embarrassed.”
“What insolent person would dare make such remarks about the Goddess! I must immediately correct them!”
“… This is why I told you to restrain yourself.”
Rachel sighed deeply as Ail shot upright in agitation.
“Really, Sir Ail is admirable in many respects, but your blind zeal for the Goddess is an issue. I’ve said before, it doesn’t do any good.”
“What issue is there in zealousness? Respecting, loving, and trusting the Goddess is precisely our duty as believers!”
“The Goddess does not desire blind devotion. An unwavering love for her becomes fanaticism if excessive, a fact you should understand, Sir Ail.”
“Fa-fanaticism! We don’t serve the Goddess with such disrespectful intent.”
“I understand, but that is why caution is necessary in such matters.”
“Mm.”
Rachel’s words caused Ail to ponder somewhat, reflecting that all Postinger of House Euclid said was a simple, “I’ve not heard of the Latima Church before.”
His ignorance seemed genuine rather than malicious, with no intent to mock or belittle the church or the Goddess, yet Ail believed, ‘Nah, from a Duke’s arrogant heir, it was certainly meant as, “I don’t need to remember such a name.”‘
Though it might have been an unjust accusation to Postinger, Ail still had no regrets about how he dealt with him.
From the beginning, it was Rachel who urged entry into the tournament to proclaim the majesty of the Goddess Latima and introduce the church to the western continent!
While he stayed true to that purpose, the handling evidently reflected his inexperience with politics.
If wanted correction, should have impersonated someone from the Aries Church or let him publicly disgrace himself.
Because of his direct intervention, the church’s image and the Saintess’ standing had taken a hit. Recognizing his misstep, Ail soon slumped, bowing to Rachel.
“I apologize. My thought was shortsighted, and by letting my personal feelings take precedence, I caused trouble for you, the church, and the Goddess.”
“Heh. Just remember to exhibit restraint next time.”
“I shall repay this lapse…even if it costs my life. I, Ail, will atone before our Goddess, even if consumed by the light of the Holy Spirit and cast into hell.”
“… Now you’re really bound to become a fanatic.”
Rachel sighed deeply at the sight of Ail enveloping himself in a blaze unleashed by channeling holy energy.
Ail, the Holy Knight defending the Latima Church’s future.
His devotion to the Goddess and dedication to the church warranted commendation, yet his zeal was excessive.
He accomplished the honor of accompanying Rachel over other Holy Knights to broaden his perspective, to see beyond blind devotion and narrow views, but there appeared no sign of improvement.
“Sigh, anyhow, be more mindful henceforth. Each of our actions represents the church.”
“Yes, I will opt for less aggressive means. I shall ensure the western populace realizes how merciful our Goddess Latima truly is.”
“I told you not to get carried away with enthusiasm.”
Initially reluctant, the longer the tournament ran, the more Ail’s zeal to propagate the Goddess grew, much to Rachel’s deliberative contemplation of how to quell his fervor.
In the midst of this, a knock at the door, ‘knock-knock,’ pulled Ail readily to his feet, opening the door cautiously. There stood a Priest from the Aries Church.
“What is it?”
“A message was left for you here.”
“Hmm? Our presence here is under strict confidentiality?”
“I was only asked to deliver this letter. I know nothing else.”
Though skeptical, Ail received the letter, while the Aries Church Priest only nodded and left silently.
Yet these situations were common, having received a fair share of letters and bouquets after the preliminaries.
“I thought we’d seen the last of these love letters. Thankfully, someone appreciated your fervent display, Sir Ail.”
“Please, don’t tease. My loyalty is already pledged to the Goddess!”
As Rachel teased him, redness overtook Ail’s face, yet his hand moved naturally to open the letter and peruse its contents.
However, instead of the expected declarations like ‘I love you!’ ‘Marry me!’ or questions like ‘Do you have a girlfriend?’ the letter contained cryptic phrases of unknown meaning.
As Ail frowned perplexedly, Rachel inquired, “What’s wrong, Sir Ail?”
“There are odd words here…”
“Odd words?”
Curious, Rachel asked, prompting Ail to offer the letter carefully to her. Upon reading, Rachel started, eyes widening in shock.
– One by one, the flowers in the garden are plucked. A single remaining flower waits endlessly, unyielding to the rain and wind. It waits for the return of the flowers plucked away. Waits and waits. It awaits a nurturing hand to embrace it.
“This is…”
With a trembling hand, Rachel flipped the page. An approximate map of the royal capital was drawn, showing an ‘X’ marked near the outskirts.
“Follow me, Sir Ail!”
Rachel moved promptly upon confirmation.
“Yes, lady Rachel?! What about this letter is prompting you so?”
The arcane phrases within the letter were the very words received as her first divine oracle when Rachel awakened as a Saintess of the Goddess Latima.
A secret known only between Rachel and the Goddess Latima.