Ch.125The Crocus Kingdom #5

“I have been well received. So may I now ask why you invited us?”

Having finished dinner and tea, I thought it was time to ask why we had been invited, so I broached the subject. Anderson seemed to think the same, as he nodded silently before slowly speaking.

“Yes. I invited you to build a connection with one of the few Masters on the continent. It’s a rare opportunity.”

“You’re focusing more on that than Helena’s position?”

“That’s right. While establishing relations with a foreign duke has its merits, it doesn’t surpass the value of forming a connection with a Master.”

Anderson spoke plainly and precisely, without any flowery language. Unlike many nobles who tend to speak in circles or embellish their words.

“You said you wanted to establish a connection with me as a Master. Could you explain exactly what you mean?”

Helena, who had been quietly listening, asked as she placed her teacup on the table. Her eyes, illuminated by the yellow light piercing the darkness, seemed calm yet sharp—like a blade about to spring from its sheath.

I might have thought it was just my imagination, but Anderson seemed to hesitate as well, apparently feeling Helena’s pressure. Despite appearing to be an incredibly solid man, he seemed unable to overcome Helena’s intimidating presence.

“…I cannot explain the details, but I believe it may prove greatly beneficial someday.”

“To me? I who, as a Duke of the Sotern Kingdom, have no intention of interfering in Imperial politics, and believe I shouldn’t?”

“Even if Your Grace has no such intention… I believe circumstances may make it unavoidable.”

Circumstances.

Hearing such a loaded word heightened the tension. He was clearly making a provocative statement, despite knowing he couldn’t—and shouldn’t—be making threats. And this from an Imperial noble we were meeting for the first time today.

I found this deeply concerning, and Helena seemed to share my sentiment as she furrowed her brow elegantly. It wasn’t anger but the expression she often made when confronted with something unsettling.

“So you can’t tell us what these detailed circumstances are?”

“That’s correct. But I believe establishing a connection now will allow us to have beneficial conversations later. I hope that time never comes, but… the future is unpredictable.”

I couldn’t tell if someone was trying to take over this baron’s territory, or if there were factional issues within the Empire. His vague way of speaking made it impossible to grasp. Yet there was a strange certainty in his tone that was internally maddening.

Moreover, since I could tell he had no ill intentions, it was awkward to press him too strongly.

“Haah… Very well. For now, let’s be satisfied with having made your acquaintance. It seems I’ll have the opportunity to hear these details someday.”

“Thank you for understanding. I’m grateful for this unexpected opportunity. And…”

The baron trailed off, shifting his gaze from Helena to me. His eyes suggested he had something to say to me as well.

“Do you have something else to say?”

“…No. Nothing.”

He clearly had something to say but was deliberately holding back. I suspected that whatever it was might greatly offend someone if spoken aloud. Watching the baron swallow hard and force himself to remain silent gave me that impression.

“I see. Thank you sincerely for inviting us today.”

“No, I should be thanking you for accepting my invitation.”

Since he didn’t seem like the type to answer if pressed, it seemed right to exchange final pleasantries and depart. I placed my hand on Helena’s shoulder as we exchanged our final greetings.

Anderson Kloss, Baron.

I repeated the name of the man who saw us off, leaving behind an unsettling feeling as we stepped outside the inner castle.

.

After that meaningful yet unsettling meeting, I was driving our wagon toward the Holy Nation. At our current pace, we would likely reach the gates of the Holy Nation within half a day. Though there were monasteries and priests serving the deity throughout the Holy Nation, one had to go to the capital to receive powerful blessings.

This meant we would need to drive the carriage for several more days even after reaching the Holy Nation.

“Is the Empire struggling financially?”

While driving the carriage, I tossed out a question to break the boredom. It might have sounded like meaningless self-talk, but fortunately, Helena, sitting beside me, sighed and answered. Elaine and Eve were relegated to the cargo area after losing a bet.

“Who knows? With their vast territory, they must have substantial production, and without wars, they shouldn’t have financial burdens.”

“Then why have we encountered bandits three times?”

I sighed, referring to the weapons carefully stored in our cargo area. Though I wasn’t concerned about safety with my formidable sisters standing guard, I was somewhat tired from ensuring the carriage wasn’t damaged.

“Bandits exist in every era and situation. Of course, their numbers increase during chaotic times, but they never completely disappear even in peaceful eras.”

Perhaps it’s like how there will always be sick people or those who suffer accidents—bandits are simply part of the natural order. I felt as though I’d gained a small insight into the workings of the world.

“Yeah, I suppose so.”

Considering the strength of the three women, we had been lenient with the bandits and hadn’t killed them. We merely confiscated their weapons and beat them until their backsides were bruised. I was uncomfortable with bloodshed on foreign soil, and I didn’t want to kill people unnecessarily.

“By the way, Grand Duke, I heard you’re thinking of sending a spy to this land?”

In the midst of our somewhat heavy conversation, Elaine, sitting in the cargo area, brought up an even weightier topic, her eyes gleaming. It was something I had mentioned last night while holding the three ladies in my arms. This makes me sound like trash, but anyway…

“Anderson Baron’s words are bothering me too much. I think he might actually want me to do that…”

“The Imperial Baron?”

“That’s what I think. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have left such an unsettling impression.”

Wanting to establish connections with a Master is practically the same as wanting to use that power. While it could mean wanting to build relationships in advance for help during dangerous times, it seemed to be more than that. It felt like he wanted assistance in a more aggressive situation.

Using a Master in an offensive situation—strategically, it’s a very rational decision, but the Empire has its own Masters. With their vast territory and large population creating an environment conducive to producing Masters, they typically produce at least one Master every so often.

“Do you think he wants to pit you against an Imperial Master?”

“I can’t rule out that possibility, but Helena isn’t someone who would fight just because she’s told to. And nations generally discourage Masters from settling things with swords, so it would be difficult to arrange.”

“Ah… that’s true.”

Masters are troublesome to manage because of their strength, but they also uphold national prestige. This naturally entitles them to good treatment, though sometimes that treatment becomes interference. One such interference is the pressure to avoid putting Masters in danger.

Losing a Master to an unforeseen accident would be a significant loss. As a result, Masters live with the contradiction of being symbols of military might while being treated like precious treasures.

Of course, if a Master’s will is strong enough, such interference becomes meaningless… but most tend to comply. There’s rarely a situation worth enduring the constant nagging. Only someone as obsessive as Helena would be different.

“Anyway, I didn’t want to know about another country’s internal affairs, but it feels wrong to just ignore something so unsettling.”

“Since you put it that way, Grand Duke… I’ll help as much as I can. I traveled through Imperial lands quite a bit during my mercenary days.”

When Elaine volunteered to help me, Helena’s eyes flashed sharply. Eve was crouched quietly in a corner, looking rather dejected.

“It’s fine. I can handle it without your help, Elaine. Just focus on the escort duty.”

“Come on, it’s not difficult to just ask around a bit. If I can get a map on the way…”

“I said it’s fine.”

Sparks flew between the woman overtly trying to score points and the woman trying to stop her. Elaine was grinning mischievously while looking for an opening, and Helena kept her eyes narrowed in obvious irritation.

If left alone, they might start another noisy argument. While such arguments make time pass quickly, they’re mentally exhausting.

“Both of you, that’s enough. Keep it up and I’ll spank you.”

“…Huh?!”

Normally, one would at least pretend to be startled at the threat of a spanking, but instead, she approached me eagerly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation like a child.

Yes, it’s all my fault. It’s my fault, but at least I seemed to have avoided a troublesome situation.

“…Let’s find an inn first.”

.

Humans who perform various miracles using light—in games, they typically belong to the support class, helping to strengthen or heal party members. That was the cleric I knew from fantasy.

Since this world also had concepts like magic and mana as common knowledge, the clerics I knew existed here as well—not just people devoted to religion, but those who could truly perform miracles and wield holy power.

Holy power varies from person to person, and unlike knights who accumulate mana, it’s greatly influenced by faith and mindset.

“I’ve come to receive a blessing.”

That’s why we traveled to the cathedral in the Holy Nation’s capital to obtain a stronger blessing. We figured that if we were going to get a blessing, we might as well get a stronger one. While there were people who could bestow blessings in various regions of the Holy Nation, they weren’t as powerful as those in the capital.

This makes it natural to think of visiting the capital for a blessing, but not many people actually do so. Since we were seeking a blessing for secular purposes, we had to pay a secular price—money, and quite a lot of it.

However, not all of that money goes into the pockets of the higher-ups. Much of it is used to maintain monasteries throughout the continent or as charity to help those in need. It was a truly priest-like approach, quite different from the clerics I knew.

“I see. Follow me.”

A priest dressed in pristine white robes nodded and led the way into the cathedral. Following behind him, I was captivated by the interior—faded yet immaculate. It was splendid, but not just that.

Moreover, the priest didn’t even raise an eyebrow at bringing Elaine, a dark elf, into the cathedral. Neither did the old man waiting on the platform, nor the two priests guarding him.

Perhaps efforts to change perceptions of dark elves were bearing fruit? Or maybe they never had discriminatory attitudes to begin with? I couldn’t tell, but the fact that they didn’t shun her made a favorable impression on me.

“For what reason do you seek a blessing?”

“Yes. We plan to have a child within the year, and I would like a blessing to ensure the child is born safely.”

“…Children are precious indeed. That you’ve come all this way for the child is most admirable.”

The old man who had asked the question on behalf of the priests seemed satisfied with my answer, nodding with a benevolent smile. This made the atmosphere even more gentle. He didn’t even show any sign of finding it strange that there was one man with three women.

“Seeing the strong bonds between you all, I can tell you care deeply for one another. Some might consider it improper, but with such harmony, it’s hard to call it wrong.”

For a moment, I nearly choked in surprise. The old man before me had muttered words that seemed to pierce right through my thoughts.

“Ah… thank you for your kind view.”

“Ho ho. Think nothing of it. Now then, I should first bless the gentleman. May I have your name?”

“Zion Krauser. Once Altram.”

I had heard that blessings are performed by reciting the recipient’s name, so it was natural for him to ask. Therefore, I stated my name truthfully.

“Zion Krauser. Very well. Then…”

The old man placed his hand, which had begun to glow with white light, on my right shoulder. Perhaps because it mingled with the sunlight, it was so bright that I instinctively closed my eyes. It wasn’t intense enough to burn my eyes, but I couldn’t look at it directly.

However, the old man’s voice, which had been slowly reciting a prayer with my name, suddenly stopped. The light filtering through my closed eyes had also weakened.

What could be happening?

Curious, I opened my eyes to see the old man’s face, his pupils trembling.