episode_0036

The capital of the Holy Eimor Empire -.

Isled City.

I heard that it was modeled after God’s name, but was not his true name, but was a name commonly known to beings in the underworld.

“Ild Seera… .”

It was an unfamiliar name, but it strangely made sense if it was the name of God. I felt like I was becoming more reverent.

For some reason, it was an unpleasant name.

Maybe it’s because I hate God.

Once you arrive at Isled City, before unpacking.

I decided to take a look around.

and-.

“As expected, it is the capital of an empire.”

For the past two years-.

He became a rebel and traveled to many countries.

but-.

This was a place that was incomparably developed.

There may have been a lot of people, but the majesty of the building was amazing. An architectural style that seems to embody pious faith.

And the brightly smiling people of the empire.

“That’s disgusting.”

As a rebel, I have seen countries being persecuted -.

Their smiles only showed that they were a group of people living by exploiting others.

It was disgusting.

The people living in the empire, the nobility, and the religious order that seemed to give them power.

The more you look at it, the more you can understand why the rebels emerged.

Other countries are living difficult lives, but here it is extremely peaceful.

first-.

I walked around to understand the geography of this place.

And after I figured it out to a certain extent, I headed to my accommodation.

[Star Wind Inn]

An inn with the name ‘Star Wind Inn’.

It was on the outskirts, so there were few people.

After choosing this place as my lodging, I unpacked my luggage in the accommodation on the second floor and started eating on the first floor of the inn.

Because of the time constraints, I was the only one eating.

As I was waiting for my food, the hairy store owner approached me.

With food in one hand…

The hairy store owner who placed the food in front of me spoke to me.

“Hmm, looking at your outfit, I guess you came here to become the warrior’s companion.”

I nodded quietly.

“… Yes.”

The impression of a hairy store owner who somehow seems to have a lot of information.

I tried to mix things up because I thought I could find out some information.

But to the point where you don’t even have to try to mix it up.

This hairy store owner seemed to be a man of many words.

The furry store owner started talking to himself without me even asking him.

“Then I think it would be better to go back.”

The hairy store owner spoke calmly and asked about the beginning of the year.

Smoking while eating?

As a store owner, it was a disaster, but I was curious about the intention of what I just said.

“I think it would be better to go back. Why?”

“Well, there are widespread rumors that the warrior’s companion has already been appointed.”

It has been decided.

Actually, it was information I knew.

The majority of people participating in the tournament are paladins.

These are just people planted by the church.

This event had a strong show-off style.

Their intention is to show how great their Paladins are.

It was a show-off kind of competition.

but-.

That’s not the only reason the furry store owner is talking about.

Among the prominent members of the religious denomination, there was a strong candidate for the championship.

“Is it because of the news that the hero’s teacher is also participating?”

The warrior’s teacher.

I heard he was a knight who jumped over walls.

The hairy store owner nodded at what I said.

“That’s right. They say that the hero’s teacher is quite advanced. So most people just came to watch. Of course, there are many people like you who participated without knowing anything.”

“… ”

“Oh, I’m sorry. That was a bit much. Still, it would be hopeless. Especially a young person like you.”

“Thank you for your comment.”

I understand what the hairy store owner says.

Probably, it was said out of good intentions.

but-.

It didn’t matter to me.

“Still, I’ll give it a try at least once. Isn’t it possible that I might win and become a hero’s companion?”

“Oh, you have quite a spirit. Yes, I will support you too.”

“Thank you.”

and-.

I finished my meal quickly.

I was going up the stairs with the intention of taking a break…

The furry store owner said.

“Hey! I’m just telling you in case you don’t know. They said there would be a declaration ceremony tomorrow. You will be able to see the dragon eyes of the warrior and the saint.”

Although I know.

“Yes, thank you.”

I bowed my head and expressed my gratitude to the hairy store owner for his consideration.

.

.

.

Early morning the next day…

I headed to the square to watch the declaration ceremony.

Huge crowds.

I had no choice but to watch from afar.

On the podium.

Many clergy came up at one time.

And the Pope, who is said to be the master of the denomination.

Lastly, the long-awaited protagonist.

The hero and the saint came up.

Because it was so far away, I couldn’t see his face in detail.

I could see it, even if it was blurry.

A warrior with silver hair.

His characteristic feature was short hair that seemed a bit long for a man.

and-.

Saint.

He had blonde hair and his eyes were closed.

‘Are those a saint and a warrior?’

I don’t know much about the expressionless saint.

The warrior certainly didn’t have a good expression on his face, so it seemed like he might be able to recruit the rebels.

but-.

This is just my prediction.

What was certain was that I had to become their colleague.

‘Once I become a colleague, I’ll find out more.’

***

The place where the declaration ceremony ended.

That waiting room.

Renia and the hero faced each other. They were sitting facing each other, but no one spoke.

The warrior who was tired of the silence clicked his tongue and spoke.

“… Tsk! What I said a few years ago was harsh on me. So, wouldn’t it be a good idea to relax your facial expressions now? Saint.”

Previous-.

The hero once spoke harshly to Renia. Since then, the two have not had a single conversation.

The reason we faced each other like this was because of the declaration ceremony.

The relationship between the hero and the saint was never friendly.

Renia answered while maintaining a calm expression.

“… I’m not angry either.”

In reality, Renia wasn’t angry.

This is just an everyday expression.

Of course, his expression was a bit more stern today than his everyday expression.

Naturally, the warrior asked a question.

“Then, why is your expression like that?”

Because in the hero’s opinion, the saint’s expression was bad.

“Just… It’s because I’m anxious.”

Without realizing it, Renia answered honestly.

“Anxiety?”

“… I said something pointless. Please forget it.”

After losing my eyesight, I stood in front of many people for the first time.

That fear.

Renia’s heart was afraid of people’s gaze.

The warrior clicked his tongue again at the frustrated attitude of the saint.

‘Tsk, you’re acting like something bad is only happening to you. What an annoying woman.’

An attitude as if one is the only tragic person.

The warrior did not like that attitude.

He is a person who has also experienced a tragedy, and to be exact, he is completely irritated by that tragedy.

Looking at her like this, doesn’t it seem like the saint wants special treatment?

Just as the hero ignored the saint and was about to leave the room…

Archbishop Porsipia appeared.

“Saint, I have come to you.”

“… Yes.”

Lenia approached Archbishop Porsipia and extended her hand. And Archbishop Porsipia held Lenia’s hand.

Looking at this, the warrior thought.

‘How did you approach Archbishop Porsipia like that? ‘Can’t you see it?’

The warrior did not know.

Even though she lost her eyesight, Renia can roughly know a person’s location thanks to her divine power.

Because of this, the warrior’s feelings toward the saint began to harden in a negative way.

***

The warrior’s companion.

There are exactly four people in the warrior party.

A warrior, a saint, a warrior, and a wizard.

The section I participated in was warrior.

So I went to the reception desk and registered.

“Where are you from?”

“Kingdom of Philinia.”

“Ah… , what did you do?”

“It’s all written down in the documents.”

I ended up adopting a slightly harsh attitude.

Because I didn’t really want to mix things up.

It was because of the clothing of the woman at the reception desk. A pure white outfit that a priest might wear. In reality, this woman’s occupation is probably a priest.

That’s how I finished the application process.

On the way back to the inn.

I sensed a strange presence.

‘It’s already been thirty minutes. There’s someone chasing me.’

It seemed like he was spying on me.

‘… Is it a religious order?’

It was clear that it was a religious order.

The fact that I was a rebel wouldn’t have been discovered.

The purpose seemed to be simply to monitor the participants.

So I came to a conclusion.

‘There’s no need to arouse suspicion by avoiding surveillance.’

I decided to accept their surveillance obediently.

***

The basement of the cult.

Two paladins were standing.

To be exact, there was a young knight wearing a dark outfit, not a pure white knight’s uniform, and a middle-aged knight wearing a pure white knight’s uniform.

They were the Black Knight and the Holy Knight.

The black knight said to the paladin.

“I don’t think it will matter if I leave it alone.”

“Why?”

The Black Knight explained the reason.

“You didn’t even feel a presence? He doesn’t seem to have any skills. Honestly, Captain… No, I don’t think I will become the leader’s enemy.”

“Hmm… I guess so.”

“Don’t worry too much.”

Uliver, the teacher of the paladin, or rather the warrior, nodded quietly.

Uliver.

While he was examining the participants-.

Those who seemed capable were appointed.

The surveillance placed on Eren was also for that reason.

“I understand. Still, attach at least one person to monitor constantly.”

“But why are you trying to monitor me?”

The Black Knight was curious about that.

Even without the need for surveillance, Uliver’s abilities were outstanding.

Of course, this tournament belongs to Wooliver.

That’s what I was thinking.

Honestly, there was no need for this kind of surveillance at all.

Of course, those with some level of skill have already taken care of it secretly.

“I don’t know that either. It’s his command, just follow it.”

In fact, neither Uliver nor himself knew the reason for doing this.

Uliver was also confident.

I am confident that I will win the tournament.

But the order came.

An order from the person you serve.

so that-.

I thought this order was given because Archbishop Albert did not trust his own abilities.

“Anyway, you had a hard time.”

“Thank you.”

The black knight who answered left.

Uliver is left alone.

he thought.

“Indeed… Is it right that I’m doing this…? .”

Even if I had to abandon my beliefs, I thought I would be happy if I went out to the sun.

but-.

I keep thinking about it.

The boy’s eyes at that time were full of resentment.

Because it was dark that day, the boy’s face did not appear.

but-.

Those eyes.

Several years have passed, but the look in the boy’s eyes is still unforgettable in my mind.