Chapter 11 – Let’s Go to Radellia (2)

Re​ad on ​KatRe​ad​ing​Cafe

After joining the merchant caravan, we quietly set off in the morning mist. The heavily loaded wagons creaked as they led the way, and we surrounded them, taking on the role of escorts. 

Most of the caravan members were moderately friendly toward us, though some occasionally shot us sharp glances. Regardless, since their leader had hired us, they didn’t interfere more than necessary.

“Eli, doesn’t this feel like a rare moment of peace~?” Claire said with a smile as she walked beside me.

“It does. But we can’t let our guard down. We never know when something might happen.” I replied quietly.

“Who are you telling? We’re the ones who are always on edge.” Sion joked with a laugh.

Ruan followed quietly behind us, holding the small spirit in his arms. For some reason, he looked both pitiful and adorable.

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By the afternoon, the caravan came to a brief stop. While taking a break, the merchants shared simple meals or checked their wagons. We found a spot nearby and sat down to share some water and snacks.

Just then, one of the merchants approached us. He was a middle-aged man with a weathered face, holding a cup in his hand.

“Adventurers, thank you for taking on the escort mission.” he said, offering the cup as a gesture of greeting.

“No need for thanks.” I replied with a slight nod.

He stared at me for a moment before continuing. “By the way, have you heard the rumors about the Saintess?”

“The Saintess?” I asked, and Claire and Sion also perked up with interest.

“I heard there’s been quite a commotion in the church lately. They say the Saintess has gone missing or something…”

I took a moment to steady my breath before answering. “I think I’ve heard something like that. But it doesn’t seem to have much to do with us.”

He nodded, smacking his lips, and then continued while swirling his cup. “There’s also a rumor that the church worked her too hard, and that’s why she disappeared.”

“Worked her too hard?” Claire asked with an intrigued expression.

“That’s what they say.” he replied with a small sigh. “Always sending her to exterminate monsters, heal the sick, and even using her for political purposes… She’s a person, not a machine, you know?”

“That’s true.” Sion chimed in. “The Saintess is often treated like a universal problem-solver.”

“But there’s an even more interesting rumor.” the merchant suddenly lowered his voice. We all leaned in, focusing on his words.

“What is it?” I asked.

He glanced around cautiously before speaking. “They say the Saintess… was originally a man.”

“Pfft!” Claire nearly spat out the water she was drinking and burst into laughter. “What? What are you talking about?”

I gritted my teeth internally. Sion couldn’t hold back and started laughing, clutching his stomach.

“I heard it from somewhere too… They say the current Saintess was originally a man, but when she was chosen as the Saintess, she became a woman. The church calls it a divine blessing, but for a sturdy man like me, wouldn’t that be more of a curse?” The merchant scratched his head and spoke with a serious expression.

“So… is that true?” Claire asked with a sly grin. Her eyes were full of mischief.

“Hmm… No one knows for sure, but it’s strange, isn’t it?” The merchant shook his head and emptied his cup.

I sighed and said, “Rumors are like that. Unconfirmed stories get exaggerated and blown out of proportion.”

“Well, I suppose so,” the merchant nodded and stood up, taking his cup with him. “Anyway, thank you again…”

As he left, Claire couldn’t hold back her laughter any longer. “Hey, Eli, you were totally caught off guard, weren’t you??”

“Shut up.” I snapped through gritted teeth.

Sion patted my shoulder and said, “But Eli, it’s clear you’re the main character in this game. Your story’s spreading faster than I thought.”

I hung my head and muttered, “Ugh… This world is insane…”

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The Journey Continues

Even after the merchant left, Claire and Sion couldn’t stop laughing for a while. I tried my best to ignore their teasing and walked back to the wagons. Ruan was sitting quietly, holding the spirit in his arms, while a few other merchants nearby watched the spirit with curiosity.

“Eli, be honest.” Claire said as she approached me. “Didn’t that rumor give you chills?”

“What chills?” I glanced at her.

“You, of course.” Claire said with a shrug and a smile. “I can’t help but wonder how chaotic it would be if people found out you’re the Saintess.”

“That’s why I’m keeping it a secret.” I replied in a low voice. “And that rumor… Isn’t it just ridiculous no matter how you think about it?”

Sion chuckled from behind and chimed in. “It’s ridiculous, but weirdly convincing, don’t you think? Especially since the subject of the rumor is right here.”

“Sion, shut your mouth for real.” I snapped, cutting him off.

“Hey, it’s just a joke. Don’t take it so seriously.” Sion said, bursting into laughter.

At that moment, the leader of the caravan called out, “We’re ready to move out! Everyone, back to your positions.”

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We set off again, following the wagons. The caravan was mostly quiet, but the occasional sound of joking conversations lightened the mood. I stayed alert, scanning our surroundings as we moved.

“Eli.” Claire said as she walked up to me. “About that rumor the merchant mentioned earlier… The part about the church working the Saintess too hard—isn’t that half true?”

I lowered my head and stayed silent for a moment. Then I answered quietly, “You can tell whether it’s true or not just by the fact that I’m here, and it’s not like the rumor is entirely wrong…”

Claire sighed and said, “That’s why you left the church, right? But even now, the church is desperate to find the Saintess. Why are they so obsessed?”

“It’s because… the Saintess is a symbol of the church.” Sion answered from behind. “Without the Saintess, their authority crumbles. Especially since the Saintess’s holy power is on a completely different level compared to regular priests or clergy.”

I nodded instead of answering. Sion’s words were spot on.

“But still, isn’t it too much?” Claire muttered. “The Saintess is just a person, after all.”

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As we continued walking along the road, Ruan suddenly stopped. His expression stiffened, and the spirit in his arms began to glow faintly.

“Ruan? What’s wrong?” I asked worriedly.

Ruan looked around and spoke in a low voice. “I feel… something strange. Over there…”

He pointed deep into the forest. The merchants looked at him, confused.

“Is it a monster?” Sion asked, drawing his sword and staying alert.

As we quietly advanced along the road, Ruan suddenly stopped again. His expression was tense, and the spirit in his arms began to glow faintly. His small hand trembled as he pointed toward the depths of the forest.

“Ruan? What’s wrong?” I asked, concerned.

Ruan looked around and whispered, “Something… feels off. Over there…”

At his words, the merchants looked bewildered, and Sion immediately drew his sword, ready for action.

“Is it a monster?” Sion asked, again.

“Probably. But… it doesn’t feel like an ordinary one.” Ruan replied, his voice trembling but his eyes filled with certainty.

I quickly assessed the situation and gave orders. “Claire, take care of Ruan and the merchants. Sion, come with me. We’ll check it out.”

“Got it. Be careful.” Claire nodded and headed toward Ruan and the merchants.

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[The Disturbance in the Forest]

The forest pressed down on us with a tense silence. Faint light filtered through the branches, and the sound of rustling leaves reached our ears. Sion raised his hand to stop me and tightened his grip on his sword.

“Do you feel it?” Sion asked in a low voice.

I nodded. “There’s something here. This must be the energy Ruan sensed.”

At that moment, the sound of branches snapping echoed, and a surge of intense magical energy washed over us. Suddenly, a fireball infused with magic came flying toward us.

“Watch out!” I quickly cast a defensive spell. “Lumino Aegis!”

A radiant barrier formed in front of us, and the fireball shattered against it. But another fireball followed immediately. Sion raised his shield to block it and shouted.

“Whoever it is, they’re targeting us!”

“Stay calm. If it’s not an enemy, we need to confirm first.” I said, sensing the movements around us with holy energy as I moved forward.

A faint cry from deep within the forest stopped us in our tracks.

“H-Help me…” A thin voice called out.

Sion and I exchanged puzzled looks.

“What’s that?” Sion muttered, approaching the direction of the sound. Finally, we found a woman hiding behind the branches. Her clothes were torn, and she was covered in dirt, trembling with fear.

“Sion…?” The woman’s eyes widened as she saw him. Then she immediately rushed into his arms.

“Sion!!!!” She burst into tears and clung to him. “I was so scared!!!”

“Uh…? Wait a second.” Sion looked at her, bewildered. “You… Linda? What are you doing here?”

Only then could I properly see her. She was the mage from Sion’s hero party.

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“Calm down, Linda.” Sion tried to soothe her and asked, “What happened? You were supposed to be with the party.”

Linda wiped her tears and managed to speak. “We were tracking a monster in the forest… when suddenly, an incredibly strong energy appeared. The monster attacked me, and I got separated from the party… I’ve been hiding ever since…”

I checked her condition and said, “You don’t seem hurt. Where’s your party?”

“I don’t know…” Linda sobbed and shook her head. “I don’t even know if they’re alive…”

Sion grabbed her shoulders and said firmly, “Don’t worry. You’ll stay with us for now.”

Linda nodded at Sion’s words, but fear still lingered in her eyes. I looked at her and said, “Let’s head back to the caravan first. We need to plan our next steps in a safe place.”

“Thank you…” Linda followed Sion, walking slowly.

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When we returned to the caravan, Claire greeted us with relief.

“What’s going on?” Claire asked, looking at Linda.

“She’s a member of Sion’s party. We decided to bring her along.” I explained briefly.

“Ah, so that’s why she’s sticking so close to Sion?” Claire teased.

Just then, Ruan quietly observed Linda and spoke in a small voice.

“Brother… there’s something attached to her back.”

 

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Thank you for reading.

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
The story does definitely feel a bit too fast…