To the Church Territory (1)

“This is nonsense.”

Ceres shook her head gently while running her hand through her silver hair.

A few days ago, Ceres came to the Infula Church Territory to submit a report on Semek and also to meet with Alebiang as promised. And there, Ceres was having a private audience with the Pope, Arkzell IV.

“However, all the statements are consistent. Isn’t it truly strange?”

Arkzell IV picked up a cookie from the plate on the table and bit into it with a crisp sound. The sugar powder, sprinkled so heavily that the cookie’s surface looked white, fell like snowflakes, and stuck to his beard as well, but he didn’t seem to mind.

“Strange? Isn’t it just nonsense they’re spouting?”

Ceres said this while picking up the report placed next to the cookie plate.

The report.

A report summarizing the information obtained from investigating the Demon of Insult, Berbaria, who had descended at Kapatia Port, and the members of the dark organization who led Berbaria’s descent ritual.

“‘On the day the righteous saint arrives, only then will the Cheonsin return.’ Isn’t this too obsessed with heresy?”

This was what the dark organization members consistently claimed, even while enduring severe torture.

On the day the righteous saint arrives, only then will the Cheonsin return— then what about the current Cheonsin, and what about the current saint?

It’s clearly written in the scripture that hundreds of years ago, the Cheonsin descended and personally defeated the False Cheonsin, and because of that, the Demon King finally lost power and was eternally annihilated by the hero Siu.

The words of heretics are all like this. They spout whatever they want, seriously believing and asserting such ridiculous nonsense that can’t even be proven. Things that don’t need to be believed, and shouldn’t be believed.

“Anyway, don’t worry about it. The dark organization has always been around, right? Such vermin, they’re worse than neighborhood dogs that run away with their tails between their legs when the cathedral knights move out.”

Ceres smiled contentedly.

She certainly thought so.

“Anyway, that’s enough about that. Let’s talk about Semek.”

Ceres said, leaning back into the sofa. In fact, wasn’t the reason she came all the way to this church territory to submit a report on the strange events that occurred in Semek to the church territory as well? Given the nature of the matter, it wasn’t a report to be submitted to some subsidiary office, but one that should be directly submitted to Arkzell IV.

A small ripple appeared in Arkzell IV’s sunken eyes. His eyes turned towards Ceres, and a silent gaze fixed on her.

It was the kind of gaze that would intimidate ordinary people, but Ceres shook her head nonchalantly while leaning back on the sofa.

“It seems it was indeed a vampire, but the problem is that its whereabouts are unknown. If this creature had moved, there should have been chaos in other places too, but that’s not the case. Even the surrounding villages are fine.”

“…Then, are you saying it might still be lingering in Semek?”

“Who knows. How would I know? More importantly, about that nun from before.”

“The nun? You mean that white-haired nun? Her name was…”

“Yona.”

Ceres grinned. Arkzell IV, who had been sitting with his back straight, slightly bent forward and leaned back on the sofa.

At this silent gesture to continue speaking, Ceres went on.

“You knew about the Cheonsin Church’s incantation engraved on her, right?”

“I know. And that she could be a vessel.”

Arkzell IV nodded slightly.

One of those who reportedly repelled Berbaria, a lowly healer with adventurer status.

Arkzell IV, who had received this healer in audience, had seen through the incantation engraved inside the holy robe she wore.

He also knew well that it was an incantation used during the so-called Age Without Echo — a period considered the darkness of the Cheonsin Church.

Ceres nodded at Arkzell IV’s words.

“She’ll be coming here soon.”

“Coming here?”

“Yes. To the church territory.”

“Is that so. Then…”

Arkzell IV cut off his words and fell into thought.

The meaning of her being a vessel could be interpreted in various ways. The vessel could be a rice bowl, a small bowl, or a ritual vessel.

“We should snatch her first. That vessel.”

Ceres smiled.

Arkzell IV silently watched that smile, so clear and pure it was almost innocent.

*

As she left Cantatien, Yona looked back.

Cantatien is indeed an unforgettable place for her. Cantatien, a city that will probably never fade from her memory.

It’s where she experienced the big event called the Orencia Flower Festival, and moreover, the confession she received from Alec was still firmly nailed into her consciousness like a large stake.

Because of this, they didn’t even stay a single day in Cantatien. Having prepared only what was necessary for the journey and setting out immediately, Yona now had a complex expression as she looked back at the receding Cantatien.

And Alec was quietly watching Yona like this.

Walking a few steps and then looking back at Cantatien, then walking a few more steps and looking back again.

The meaning behind Yona’s repetitive gestures wasn’t that complicated, and Alec knew well what Yona was thinking now.

It was probably because of Alec’s confession in Cantatien.

Watching Yona like this, Alec could be certain that his confession hadn’t been in vain.

Otherwise, Yona’s current reaction couldn’t be explained.

Ehyuu—

The sound of Yona sighing deeply was heard.

As if it had never happened, Yona tightly closed her mouth, raised her already sharp-looking eyes even more, and moved her feet without hesitation.

As soon as the purification ended, they moved without hesitation.

Yona, Alec, Kaiyak.

Their next destination was the mage community, and although it wasn’t certain whether Alebiang would still be there or not, they were going to check anyway.

If they go and Alebiang is there, they’ll confirm if he’s been in contact with Ceres.

If not, they’ll go to the Infula Church Territory to check if Ceres is there, and if not, back to Kapatia Port.

If Ceres is there, they’ll erase Yona’s tattoos.

In other words, the ultimate goal was to meet Ceres and erase Yona’s tattoos.

After that, they would find Escara in the mage community and return to being male—

It was a fairly simple and clear plan, but all three had different thoughts about this plan.

Yona was actually hesitating a bit.

Regarding the goal of returning to being male, she had been thinking a lot lately.

Her memory of having lived as a man until now had been shaken from its foundations, and at the root of it was Alec’s confession.

If she returns to being a man, Alec will surely leave her.

That thought makes her anxious.

Alec was impatient.

He thought there would be enough time until they met Ceres again, but the events that occurred in the meantime showed that there wasn’t much time left.

He had boldly thought of painting over Yona’s heart with himself, and had resolved to be the existence that supported her until he broke down her world and re-established it, but that wasn’t going well.

If they meet Ceres and erase the tattoos, and return to the mage community, everything will be over.

Kaiyak didn’t have any particular thoughts.

Whatever happens, he was thinking of returning to Evian and spending the rest of his life as an adventurer.

With these various thoughts, they were heading towards the mage community after leaving Cantatien.

That night.

Expecting to arrive at the mage community soon, they finished a simple dinner and went to bed.

Yona, who had switched with Kaiyak who had the first watch, was sitting against a rock, staring into the campfire.

The glistening campfire swayed like a dance, blending with the swirling winter wind, and each time, the sparks that flew up rose futilely before quickly dying down. Yona’s gaze was fixed on the campfire without moving, and she didn’t move except for occasionally throwing firewood into the campfire.

The cry of a wild animal echoed from somewhere. Yona suddenly raised her head and looked around. The desolate night air was so eerie that it gave her goosebumps, but Yona sniffed and looked back into the campfire.

【Are you still afraid of me?】

It wasn’t particularly surprising even when it came suddenly anymore. Berbaria was always like this. A voice that suddenly speaks up, rambles on about things only it would understand, and then fades away with a chuckling sound. But Yona couldn’t curse at Berbaria’s voice like she used to.

The mermaid that had such power that they couldn’t possibly resist.

And Berbaria, the snake that plunged down from the sky as soon as it got Yona’s consent.

The image of Berbaria tightly coiling around the mermaid, rendering it immobile, and devouring it from the head was still vivid in her mind.

That overwhelming terror, primal fear.

It was because Berbaria, who possessed that, was so different from the foolish appearance it had shown until now.

【Didn’t I tell you? That you have no reason to fear me who dwells in you. That that lowly creature is like a meal to me, not something like cannibalism, didn’t I say so?】

To Yona, that mermaid seemed no different from a demon.

Of course, seeing how the mermaid was devoured without even being able to resist when Berbaria, a real demon, appeared, it probably wasn’t actually a demon, but nevertheless, it was an opponent that ordinary humans could hardly resist, and the fact that Berbaria ate such an opponent as a meal remains unchanged.

【You need not fear me. I am the being that dwells in you. You are me, and I am you.】

Yona slowly covered her ears.

‘…I am human. I am a cleric.’

【Have you forgotten how those you saved treated you? Do you think humans would be any different?】

‘I am a cleric. I’m a cleric who helps others as far as my power reaches.’

Yona, you are a cleric before being an adventurer. Being a healer doesn’t mean you’re not a cleric. Keep the heart of a cleric who pities others and has compassion for humans. Don’t forget, you are a cleric.

Teacher Eije’s teachings.

Recalling those teachings in her heart, Yona defined herself.

Human, and also a cleric.

A cleric walking the path of light.

She thought to herself that this was her essence.

【Who acknowledges that you are human? Did those lizards you saved acknowledge you?】

Berbaria’s voice, mixed with that mocking tone.

Yona tightly closed her eyes.