Ch.148The Road to Jerikania (1)

Thus, although we received a ‘permit’ to freely roam around Belfort after being found not guilty, we didn’t actually wander through the city.

This was partly because people’s gazes were hostile, but also because we didn’t want to spend even one more day in a city that had treated us so roughly.

Simply put, feelings were hurt on both sides.

I’m not sure whether to blame the Sun for forcibly dragging up something that was already in the past, or to blame the people of this city who are still fixated on something that happened 210,000 years ago.

And usually, the best approach in these situations is to maintain distance.

Since neither side would reach an agreement or gain anything by confronting each other with red faces, it’s better for everyone to go their separate ways.

Fortunately, as adventurers whose job involves moving from place to place, we avoided the extreme scenario where one side had to die.

Still, it was incredibly vexing.

They imprisoned us out of fear, held a ridiculous people’s trial desperately trying to kill us somehow, and then suddenly went silent. No matter how rough the world has become, isn’t this going too far?

“Truly infuriating. If I were a knight of Karyl rather than the Sun, would they have acted so rudely?”

“Probably not.”

The Four Great Gods never forgive mortals who behave disrespectfully toward their followers.

Like when Knights of Karyl were poorly treated in a village and that village was erased from maps, or when Medina’s courtesans were mistreated and all pregnant women in the city miscarried, or when priests of Logos were mocked and the mockers were all turned into intellectually disabled people, or when those who insulted Moneta’s priests found all their household items rotting…

But of course, the Sun in the sky takes no action, and that’s precisely why they felt free to insult me like this.

If I explained in detail to the Relief Knights the harm I suffered, they might take some action, but being “Relief” Knights, they couldn’t intervene militarily, so there wasn’t much point.

Nevertheless, I was so indignant that I stubbornly waited at the museum where we had been confined, hoping for some acknowledgment. But crushing my expectations, the only messenger from the city government simply returned our warhorses that we had left at the inn, without a single word.

“They refuse to say anything to us until the end.”

“It can’t be helped. They probably don’t even realize they did anything wrong.”

I couldn’t help but sigh at Simon’s words.

They say wrongdoers can be punished, but if they don’t recognize that what they did was wrong… no, if they don’t even recognize that they did anything at all, then any punishment would ultimately be in vain.

It made me reflect on how young I was when I realized that while the world is beautiful, human society is filthy.

“Well, then there’s nothing more we can do. It’s not like we can erase that city.”

I may be a slaughterer, but I’m not insane.

I don’t indiscriminately kill people just because they view me unfavorably.

Just as the Sun has forgiven them, I suppose I must forgive them too.

“It’s not easy.”

“What do you mean?”

“For a human to forgive those whom a god has forgiven…”

With those words, I turned my horse away from Belfort City.

I would consider them people who no longer had anything to do with me.

How they decorated, destroyed, or regenerated their city was no longer my concern.

I had fulfilled all my duties as a Knight of the Sun and an agent of Radiance, and as it had been for hundreds of thousands of years, interpreting the will of the gods was the responsibility of humans.

Even if humanity self-destructs, the Sun will sadly shine upon this earth alone.

With that thought, we began heading toward Jericania, the third famous location on the Miriam continent.

*

Clop. Clop. Clop.

The rhythmic sound of the warhorses’ hooves was soothing.

Though we left the city almost like exiles, we had wisely stocked up on supplies before resting, so there was no problem traveling to Jericania.

The large stomachs of our warhorses were filled with fodder, and we traveled the road to Jericania against the cool breeze.

Raisha was already sound asleep in my arms, sharing her body heat with me, while Simon and the elf sisters followed behind me silently, appreciating the scenery.

“It might be worth considering adding a bard to our party.”

“A bard? You mean those folks whose job is to drink and loaf around?”

“Yes.”

“Ugh… I’d rather not. They’re just a distraction when I’m trying to cast magic.”

“Is that so?”

Well, all magic, whether spells or not, ultimately requires concentration.

The melodies created by a bard wouldn’t be white noise, so for an old and powerless sage like him, they might just be distracting noise that interferes with concentration.

“This is why I hate spellcasters! Always grumbling about something.”

“Whatever Simon says, we sisters approve. How can you win against a 2-to-1 vote?”

But the elf sisters ganged up on Simon, unconditionally approving the idea.

Thinking about how these immature long-eared girls show insane determination when they think something is fun, they might actually suggest picking up some random bard from a village or Jericania and dragging them along with us.

“You sharp-tongued wenches! Don’t expect any buff spells for you in the future!”

“Eeeek!”

“Actually, we prefer quietness.”

“Is quick flip-flopping a characteristic of you pointy-eared folk?”

“He’s playing along well.”

My sour mood lightened somewhat seeing this non-stop banter.

Yes, this is the flavor of adventure.

I’m not a missionary with a duty to spread the Sun’s gospel, nor a hero with a mission to save the world—I’m just an adventurer.

The only difference now is that the Sun has my back.

In fact, considering that no divine punishment would come down even if I slaughtered civilians and made soup from them, you could say I was unilaterally benefiting from this relationship.

Of course, I’m not insane so that would never happen, but when you consider how gem-rank adventurers who receive divine patronage have their freedom of action greatly restricted by the gods’ influence, my ability to act freely was a huge advantage.

And it was an advantage that never paled in comparison to the powerful followers of the Four Great Gods, which was reason enough for me to call myself a Knight of the Sun.

With that thought concluded, I smiled again.

As the saying goes, misfortune may be a blessing in disguise—if there are bad things, aren’t there good things too?

If I let myself be consumed by the bad experiences in Belfort City, wouldn’t I miss out on the good experiences awaiting us on the road to Jericania?

With Simon and the elf sisters chattering noisily behind me, I began humming a song often sung by members of the Relief Knights.

“Thus I have found my reason to live. In this land and sky that my clear eyes behold, countless honors await!

What I wished for has happened, and I, a nobody, have become somebody. The sea of stars awaits me! If you don’t depart, you cannot see! The oceans, plains, forests, and fields! My family! Do not grieve!

This great world where gods once walked as humans. Is it not too beautiful, precious, and valuable? All the glory of this land is arranged for us, what miracles await us! A girl becoming a woman, a boy becoming a man. Is this not the greatest miracle?

Please give us courage. Only then can we go further. Please give us wisdom. Only then can we love more.

Farewell to boards and bricks! Blessings to those who wear armor and bear weapons! Do you hear? This is worship of adventure!”

When I was young, enduring the cold winters of Parcival with gritted teeth, this song gave me great strength.

It was a song dedicated by the Relief Knights to the Adventurer’s Guild when the Errant Knight class first emerged. With no controversial phrases and an irreproachable purpose, it was enjoyed by everyone from adventurers to knights.

A pure celebration of the adventurous spirit, a song glorifying the honor and glory of traversing the world—I protected my soul from the cold by singing this song when I was buried in snow.

Even if one is not a bard, anyone can sing.

And on the path we travel, countless honors and glories still await.