Inpula Church Territory (1)

Alevian.

That… fairy with a personality difficult to put into words.

Yona couldn’t continue speaking at the sudden mention of that name, only making sounds like “Uh, uhh…”

As if she had already noticed Yona’s reaction, Ceres kept giggling.

“You’re both mages, right? You knew each other in the mage community. I already knew that you were coming to Capatia Port this time, Miss Yona. Alevian was so insistent that I take good care of you.”

“I-Is that so.”

Thinking about it that way, it made sense.

They’re both mages, and it’s possible for Ceres to be acquainted with Alevian, so it’s not strange.

“Anyway, I understand. But you’re not planning to leave immediately after arriving in Inpula, are you?”

She hadn’t thought about it in detail.

It varies depending on the scale, but after completing a large mission that takes several days, they usually rest for about two days before accepting the next request. This time too, she had vaguely thought about staying in Inpula for about three days before departing for the community.

“If you’re not leaving right away, talk to me the day after we arrive. I have something I want to say.”

Yona could only nod with difficulty at Ceres’s words.

*

After leaving Semec, when they had been traveling for so many days that it was getting hard to remember, Rubina, who was looking out of the carriage, let out an exclamation.

“Wow…!”

It was because Rubina was still young, but in fact, everyone looking out of the carriage had expressions of admiration.

With the exception of Ceres and perhaps Scarlet, even Saint Bigrin and Hero Ludvik couldn’t hide their looks of admiration.

It felt like a snow-white field had spread out before them.

Although there were many buildings built with grayish-white bricks in the church district of Capatia Port, and among them, the cathedral building was said to be built the highest, it was nothing compared to this sight.

The city walls that seemed to surround the city were built entirely in pure white.

Below these white walls, the moat reflected the sunlight brilliantly, clearly showing how clean its water was.

On top of the walls, flags symbolizing the Empire of the Capatia Millions and flags with the emblem of the Celestial Church were alternately planted, fluttering in the wind, which was truly a magnificent sight.

As they got closer, the city walls showed off their majestic appearance.

Now that they could see it, it wasn’t just painted white, but must have been built by stacking white stones.

As they got closer, these walls shining in an even deeper white color made the viewers marvel—

“It’s the Wall of Purity. The very wall that says no impure person can enter.”

At Ceres’s words, Bigrin turned to look at Yona.

When Yona, who was playing some game with Rubina in her arms, met Bigrin’s eyes, Bigrin narrowed her eyes and glared at Yona.

“Why are you looking at me with those eyes again?”

As Yona retorted with a prickly tone, not backing down, Ceres spoke with a slightly troubled expression.

“That’s just a saying, even those who aren’t pure can all enter. So, don’t worry. You understand, Miss Yona?”

“…Regent, I remember telling you many times that it’s really a misunderstanding…”

In the end, that misunderstanding remained unresolved.

After showing Ceres’s nameplate to the gatekeeper, the carriage passed through naturally.

Scarlet, who was following behind, passed through the city gate naturally without needing to show any nameplate.

Finally arriving at the parking area behind the Papal Office, Yona got off and looked up at the main building in admiration.

Behind the Papal Office, a brown expanse spread out over the wide plain.

Although adjacent to the Medial Plains, the building was constructed to overlook the entire plain due to its slightly higher elevation.

And the pure white auxiliary buildings erected as if embracing this main building.

As she looked around these buildings, Yona muttered her impression quietly.

“It looks like a hospital.”

A place where people with very sick hearts go.

But looking at these all-white buildings, one can’t help but have such an impression.

“Hospital?”

“Yeah. Something like a healing place.”

The very healing place that healers set up.

Hearing that explanation, Alec seemed to understand roughly.

After getting off the carriage, the group was now roughly separated.

Ceres, who was both the Regent and Chief Elder, was with Ludvik and Bigrin, while Scarlet disappeared somewhere with the Crusader Order members who had returned together.

Of course, before disappearing, he had greeted Ceres, Ludvik, and Bigrin, but he hadn’t left any greetings for Yona’s group. Even if he had, it would have only led to awkward conversations, so it was probably better this way.

“Regent, you must have had a difficult long journey.”

As if they had been waiting for Ceres’s group to finish settling in, a group of women in pure white clerical robes approached.

The priests living in this Inpula Church Territory approached with their hands clasped in front, walking calmly, and bowed deeply to Ceres.

“Priest Anankaya. It’s been a while.”

“I heard there was a big incident on the way. I’m really glad you seem to be safe.”

“It’s thanks to the Celestial God watching over us. And because the Pope quickly sent the knights, we were able to overcome the crisis well.”

“Then…”

Saying this, the priest glanced sideways at Yona’s group.

Who are they, at a glance they seem to be healers, but the people standing next to them don’t look to be of good quality at all.

“Ah, I’m late with the introductions. Miss Yona, please come over here with your companions.”

At Ceres’s calling voice, Yona’s group approached Ceres with somewhat reluctant expressions.

It would be much better to just slip away and find lodging somewhere to rest comfortably.

Perhaps because it was obvious that Yona was thinking this, the priest named Anankaya’s gentle expression also seemed to be cracking a bit.

Although Yona is a clergy member, she doesn’t particularly have any affection for the church.

If she had become a priest, it might have been different, but she couldn’t become a priest and had to leave the cathedral as if she was being driven out as soon as she became a healer.

If it hadn’t been for Ejay, Yona would have been driven out even more harshly.

So there’s no particular reason for Yona to have good feelings about the Celestial Church headquarters.

“You know about the commotion in Capatia Port, don’t you, Priest?”

“Of course. Ah, then these people are the ones who—”

“That’s right, these are the ones. They appeared in Capatia Port and almost caused great casualties. That Demon of Insult, Berbaria, was such a powerful demon. If these people hadn’t caught it, it would have been a disaster. Isn’t that right, Her… Mr. Ludvik, and Priest Bigrin?”

Ceres said, looking alternately at Ludvik and Bigrin.

Until now, they had been casually addressed as Hero and Saint, but here in the headquarters of the Celestial Church, such titles shouldn’t be used before they receive formal ordination.

“That’s right. If it weren’t for these people, not only Capatia but the whole world where the Celestial God’s grace should shine would have been plunged into darkness. It could have been a real disaster, but these people stopped it well. I specially requested and brought them here.”

“Ah—”

Only after hearing that explanation did Priest Anankaya open her eyes wide.

A bright smile spread across her face, which had been expressionless, or rather looking at something uncomfortable.

“So these are the very people who accomplished such great deeds! To think that even as healers, you threw yourselves into such dedicated service, the Celestial God must truly be greatly impressed!”

‘These damn women always add one more word to ruin the mood.’

Yona’s face was contorting with irritation.

But then, feeling the warmth of Rubina’s small hand holding hers, she manages to calm down anyway.

Because she has to entrust Rubina, Yona suppressed her rising irritation well.

“—There’s no need to call them healers. Separating them because their paths are different is not what the Celestial God would want.”

A clear voice.

Yona and Priest Anankaya’s gazes turned there simultaneously.

The priest with bright red hair, so small that Anankaya hadn’t paid attention to her.

“Ah, this is Priest Bigrin. The very Saint that the Celestial God directly descended and appointed. Oh, should I not use this title before she receives ordination?”

Ceres smiled slyly.

It must have been intentional without a doubt.

*

“I never imagined I’d be meeting the Pope alone.”

Seeing Yona frowning as if dumbfounded, Ceres also chuckled.

“I don’t get to see him often either. But given your merits in Capatia Port, it wouldn’t be fitting if the Pope himself didn’t commend you, right?”

Walking along the guest wing corridor with Ceres, Yona clicked her tongue repeatedly.

After all, since they had caused such a commotion in Capatia Port, the Pope had summoned them, wanting to see these heroes in person and commend them.

But in reality, only Yona was going.

Alec, Kairoc, and James said they absolutely couldn’t do it and pushed Yona to go alone as a representative.

There wasn’t anything particularly wrong with that, and since Yona was registered with the church, there was no problem, so it was decided that way.

And Yona’s opinion was not included at all in that decision-making process.

“By the way, didn’t they say there would be an ordination ceremony? For Ludvik and Bigr.”

“There will be. In a few days.”

“Is that so? I thought it would be right away.”

At those words, Ceres snorted.

Her twisted lips suggested she was about to say something unpleasant, and sure enough, Ceres spoke in a voice twisted with annoyance.

“Anyway, if a demon appears, they should quickly track and search for it. Look at them wasting time preparing their so-called procedures and whatnot. How ridiculous. The slowness of these religious people never ceases to amaze me.”

‘That doesn’t seem like something you, a civil servant, should be saying…’

Well, wasn’t it the cathedral knights who appeared last in Capatia Port too?

If only they had appeared quickly, they might have even caught and killed Berbaria’s avatar.

‘…Huh?’

Come to think of it, how is the tracking of Berbaria’s avatar going?

Yona suddenly became curious about that.

“Excuse me, Regent.”

“Yes?”

“About that Demon of Insult or whatever, Berbaria. Doesn’t it raise the dead or something?”

“That’s unknown. Research on demons is a field even I can’t access.”

Then, couldn’t Berbaria’s avatar be included among the culprits who overturned Semec?

But the suspects Ceres mentioned were only vampires and liches.

Perhaps Berbaria could be considered a suspect too?

“Berba—”

“Ah, we’re here. Miss Yona, please tidy up your appearance.”

At Ceres’s words, Yona quickly looked down at herself.

In preparation for the audience with Pope Arkzel IV, Yona had already been given and changed into a new nun’s habit long ago.

After checking her appearance once more and nodding, Ceres smiled brightly at the priests standing on either side.

“We have come at the summons of His Holiness the Pope. I am Ceres Olkamain, Chief Elder of the Capatia branch.”

The priests did not respond.

The priests standing on either side nodded gently simultaneously as if they were one body, and turned towards the door.

“Your Holiness, Ceres Olkamain, Chief Elder of the Capatia branch, is here.”

Let them enter.

The priests turned back towards Ceres.

And again, as if they were one body, they each extended their right and left hands to grasp the golden door handles and pulled them.

A beautiful scene unfolded as dazzling sunlight poured in and was colored as it passed through the stained glass.

A clean office where not a speck of dust floated.

There was a neat desk tightly fitted with brown wood.

And beyond that desk, an elderly man with piercing eyes was looking at Yona.