Ch.29Chapter 29 – No Religious Solicitation, Please. (1)

# To Conclude First, Nothing Major Happened on the Way Back

The carriage ride was convenient in that I didn’t have to walk on my own feet.

But thinking about it, we were constantly moving along bumpy roads.

My ominous feeling soon manifested in my lower back.

“Ugh…”

I pounded my aching back with my fist to soothe it.

I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal, but here I am.

“Owww…”

Similarly, Sera was groaning as if her back hurt too.

“Really, isn’t there any medicine good for the back?”

While trying to calm my painful back, I asked Sera.

She replied with an expression that suggested she was dying.

“If I could make such medicine, wouldn’t I be living comfortably as an alchemist by now…?”

A moment later, Sera spoke up.

“Mr. Kay, do you happen to know any good stretches or massages for the back?”

“If I knew that, I’d be working as a masseur…”

As we amicably complained about our back pain, the other party members looked at us with disbelief.

Soon, Haven spoke up.

“You probably aren’t used to it since we can’t afford to travel by carriage often.”

“It’s something we all go through.”

Haven’s party members each offered a word of comfort.

The only salvation was that we would arrive at the capital today.

“When we arrive, I’ll just settle accounts and lie down to rest…”

“Me too…”

Sera and I finalized our plans for the day.

Of course, the coachman paid no attention to such matters, and the carriage continued on its way.

Naturally, the carriage kept shaking, and the back pain intensified.

+

The next day, I stretched my back as I got up from the bed.

*Crack*

“That’s quite a savage sound.”

I got up wondering how much strain must have been put on my back to make such an unusual sound.

Traveling by carriage was more exhausting than exterminating monsters in the mine.

When I rotated my back a few times, there was another terrifying sound as my bones seemed to realign.

‘So what should I do today?’

It might sound pathetic, but Sera and I had decided to just rest today as well.

We received our extermination reward as soon as we returned, and we had enough money to rest comfortably for a few days.

Of course, in my case, I was about to spend a significant amount, so it wasn’t exactly comfortable.

‘I should go see Eve first.’

I picked up the broken fang of the centipede that I had brought from the guild.

It was quite large, so I had to carry it properly on my shoulder.

“I should also ask about this.”

I picked up the red stone that Sera had given me.

I moved while wondering how much it might be worth if it was a gem ore.

When I left my room, Sera’s door was closed.

I usually knock to wake her up when we have work, but today we’re supposed to rest. I should let her sleep.

I thought about having an early breakfast at the inn and reading a newspaper if possible.

“…I feel like I’m already spending too freely.”

I felt a slight guilt at the thought of spending money on trivial things when I was about to spend a large sum on a weapon.

Still, thanks to the reward, my pocket situation was very comfortable.

This much indulgence should be fine.

Comforting myself like that, I came down, had a light breakfast of bread and thin soup, and borrowed a newspaper by paying a small copper coin.

“Hm?”

I couldn’t help but frown at the news printed in the newspaper.

“The Red Holy Knights…”

So these guys are being released into the world after all.

Of course, the article didn’t mention what kind of past these test subjects had.

It only contained content about the newly born Holy Knights and blessings for them.

There was nothing I could do about it.

‘I’ll just remember this for now.’

Believing that I wouldn’t encounter them anytime soon, I went back to my room to prepare for going out, then left.

+

While walking, I turned into an alley.

It was a shortcut I used because if I passed through this alley and turned a few corners to reach the main road, I would quickly get to the street where the Lavencha Trading Company was located.

Although alleys might seem dangerous, this path was relatively safe as people passed through it regularly and guards often patrolled it.

Nothing should happen.

But something was happening.

“Kyaah!”

There was a scream followed by the sound of someone falling.

A girl with long blonde hair wearing a nun’s habit primarily in white had fallen face down on the ground.

‘A familiar face.’

She was a girl I often saw when going to the guild early in the morning, someone who went around recommending religious conversion.

I’m not sure what religion she believed in, though.

Someone had kicked her, and her clothes were dirty.

‘…What’s going on now?’

Since this was happening right in my path, it felt awkward to just pass by.

I hid for a moment to observe the situation, and familiar faces appeared.

‘Ah…’

They were the guys I had hit with a spoon before.

If I recall correctly, they were talking about kicking some woman back then.

That must have been this girl.

I frowned in disgust as I watched the situation.

One of the two priests who approached the girl grabbed her collar and pulled her up.

I didn’t know much about this nun who used to approach people on the street to recommend religion.

All I knew was that she seemed a bit younger than Sera, had blonde hair and blue eyes.

She hadn’t approached me much, and I was just one of the passersby in her peripheral vision since I had other things to do.

“This is why minor religions are problematic. Hey, no matter what, you can’t just block people’s way and push them when you’re trying to recommend your religion.”

“I’m sorry, but…”

“No, it’s not just about being sorry. Because of you, my newly washed priest robe is dirty again.”

Despite the priest saying this, their robes were primarily black, so it was hard to see where they were dirty. Would it be visible up close?

Rather, the girl’s clothes were dirtier.

They were patched up all over, and since her clothes were primarily white, the dust and dirt from falling on the ground had visibly changed the color of her clothes.

If anyone should be upset about dirty clothes, shouldn’t it be the girl?

However, perhaps because the other side had more power, the girl kept apologizing.

“That, um, the clothes, I can wash…”

“No, I need to wear this for prayer today.”

“Sister, don’t you know manners? What should you do in this situation?”

I wondered what manners they were talking about until I saw the priest’s hand gesture.

It was about money.

‘These guys aren’t clergy; they’re thugs.’

If these were clergy, the world would be in its end times.

…Come to think of it, they are clergy.

‘This world is in its end times after all.’

While having these inconsistent thoughts, I continued to observe the situation.

The nun seemed to understand what “manners” they were referring to from the hand gesture.

Her face turned pale as she spoke.

“I, I don’t have money… I’ll wash them clean for you, so please…”

The nun was at a loss.

“This won’t do, miss. Let’s have a close talk. Hey.”

“Wait, just a moment. Ah, please let me go. Excuse me?”

The priests tried to drag the nun away.

Their eyes looked quite lecherous.

Judging by those eyes, she wouldn’t fare well if she was dragged away.

‘Should I step in?’

At that moment, someone appeared.

“What are you doing to our child?”

“Ah, Father!”

It was a middle-aged man wearing a white robe.

He must be from the same church, as the nun seemed glad to see him.

The priests stopped moving at the man’s appearance and looked at him.

However, they didn’t release the nun. They continued to hold her despite her struggles.

“Does Emiris teach that such actions are permissible?!”

The man approached the priests angrily.

But the priests didn’t seem inclined to let go.

“…If this were the Holy Kingdom…”

“Be patient. This is a foreign country.”

I heard them muttering quietly.

“Release her at once! If you don’t wish to sully your god’s name!”

The man bravely approached them.

One of the priests glared at him with displeasure.

Suddenly, with a flash of light, the old man was thrown backward.

“Ugh!”

It was a surprise attack.

Perhaps not expecting to be attacked, the man fell back helplessly.

The nun, still held by the other priest, shouted.

“Are you crazy?! Using magic in the middle of the city!”

The nun was angry, as if her earlier attitude had been a lie.

I wonder if that man and the nun have a doctrine that says they must speak up when they think something is wrong, or if someone in their church teaches that.

However, the priests of the Emiris Order didn’t seem to care about that.

They seemed rather displeased.

“A beggar who believes in a false god dares to preach to us?!”

The priest who had shot the light approached the fallen man, grabbed him by the collar, and slammed him hard onto the ground.

I’m not familiar with religion, but I’m not sure if which god you believe in determines your superiority over others.

However, the men seemed to genuinely believe so, as they were genuinely angry.

The priest who had used magic stood up and began kicking the man.

“Ugh!”

“Hey, do you think you have the right to teach us when you believe in a false god?”

“This won’t do. Let’s burn him.”

“Let’s do that.”

*Whoosh*

And flames appeared in one priest’s hand.

It was a flame I could never forget, rising on the priest’s arm.

My face began to hurt.

“You guys, are you really insane? Stop it!”

The trembling nun from earlier was now gone, replaced by a nun who was shouting for them to stop despite being restrained.

She was the only one trying to stop them in that place.

But even she was held by another priest, so there was no one to stop the priest now.

“Wh-what…”

“You insulted our god, so you must receive divine punishment.”

The priest muttered as he brought his arm close to the man’s face.

It seemed he intended to burn the man’s face.

I put down the fang and quietly approached.

“Offer a scream to Emiris…”

“Long time no see, Butter.”

I grabbed the man’s arm.

The arm that was approaching the old man’s face stopped in mid-air, and the priest who had been focused on it noticed me grabbing his arm and asked.

His face turned pale.

“Spoon…”

Unfortunately, I don’t have that now.

I immediately extended my fist and struck his face.

*Thud!*

The priest flew back nicely, and I looked at the priest who was holding the nun.

“You…you…!”

He seemed to be turning pale, probably because he was the one who had been hit with a spoon along with Butter.

I saw him trying to turn around and run away.

‘Something to throw…’

I checked my pockets and found a copper coin.

I hesitated for about a second whether I should throw money, then threw it hard.

Let’s consider it compensation.

Since they like money, they’ll probably appreciate it.

“Ugh!”

Showing the skill of receiving the money I threw with the back of his head, the priest fell forward.

I saw the nun sitting down at the sight.

“You bastard!”

I sensed the Butter priest, who had recovered from my punch, charging at me.

I simply twisted my body slightly and tripped him.

The priest fell ingloriously, and seeing this, I immediately jumped into the air.

“This, don’t dodge…”

*Thud!*

I stomped on his face with my full weight.

Naturally, the priest became unable to speak.

Like the priest who had been knocked out by the coin, the Butter priest eventually stopped moving.

I stood on him for a moment, poking at his face before removing my foot.

I checked to see if he might be dead, but thanks to my controlled strength, he wasn’t.

However, he was bleeding profusely from his nose.

My foot was covered in his blood.

‘How dirty.’

I rubbed my foot on the ground to clean off the blood.

Naturally, my gaze turned to the ground, and I saw something rolling around.

“Oh.”

It felt heavy when I picked it up.

It seemed to be these guys’ wallets.

While checking the money inside, I looked towards the nun and the old man.

“Are you okay? Are you conscious…?”

“I’m… fine…”

I saw that the nun girl was already treating the old man.

The light coming from her hands began to heal the old man’s bruises and bleeding wounds.

“The clergy I know are usually like this…”

The religious people I had met here had been experimenting on kidnapped people, burning faces, suddenly attacking and trying to massacre people, and causing trouble in restaurants, so this was refreshing.

‘No, I shouldn’t find this refreshing.’

*Tap tap tap!*

At that moment, footsteps began to be heard.

‘Guards?’

I saw guards approaching diligently.

I hadn’t done anything wrong, but I didn’t want to be detained for questioning.

I quickly transferred the money from the pouches to my wallet and threw the empty pouches away.

I tossed a copper coin onto the priest whose face I had stomped on as compensation and prepared to run.

“Excuse me, thank you.”

The nun, having finished her healing, thanked me.

She was smiling with her hands clasped together.

However, I turned around, not wanting to waste time now.

I have plans after all.

“If you’re okay, please visit our church later…”

“It was nothing. Well then.”

I need to get out before the guards arrive.

At that moment, the nun grabbed me.

“I decline religious recommendations.”

“Ah! Wait! I won’t recommend anything, just please visit… Ah!”

I quickly shook my hand to free my arm and ran immediately.

I swiftly retrieved the fang, slung it over my back, and ran.

It might seem like I’m giving the guards the wrong impression, but those people should be able to vouch for me.

“Excuse me, your name at least… Wait, why me? Guards?”

Ignoring her, I ran out of that alley.

+

After evading the nun and the guards, I arrived at the Lavencha Trading Company.

“Phew…”

The nun was surprisingly persistent.

Thanks to her, I was chased by both the nun and the guards for a while.

Though it seemed the guards were chasing the nun.

After catching my breath, I entered the store.

As I went to the counter, I saw Eve.

“Welcome, customer.”

Eve was there.

For some reason, she wasn’t wearing her usual elegant clothes but the same uniform as the other clerks, and she was directly in the store.

“Welcome back.”

“What are you doing?”

“This?”

Eve smiled as she spoke.

“I’m observing customers from a clerk’s perspective. Which products they look at, what kind of clothes they wear, their movement patterns, in what order they look at displayed products. Things like that.”

From the clerks’ perspective, having the boss work alongside them must be quite pressuring.

I decided to send a silent encouragement to the clerks.

“Can you see all that?”

“If you try, you can.”

Eve spoke as if it was easy, but I felt dizzy just hearing what she had mentioned.

Products, clothing, and all that.

I’m definitely not cut out to be a merchant.

“Well then, customer, would you like to tell me your heroic tale from the mine?”

Eve smiled as she spoke.

A moment later, Eve sighed and said,

“The centipede was a dangerous monster, so that’s fortunate.”

“Haven said that if someone could kill it alone, they’d be no different from an A-rank, praising it highly.”

“That’s right. Did the guild say anything special?”

“Not particularly.”

“…I didn’t expect much from an organization that drags out promotions as much as possible anyway.”

“That’s true.”

“Still, they should give you bonus points for your next rank promotion, right? Since it’s a monster that’s dangerous to kill alone.”

Eve analyzed it that way.

“I’m glad you’re safe.”

As Eve smiled and spoke, I smiled too.

Whether it would be visible through my helmet, I’m not sure.

Then Eve seemed to remember something and spoke.

“Speaking of centipedes, did you collect the poison?”

“Ah, my party member took that. I don’t have a share.”

“That’s a bit unfortunate. It was a material worth selling to alchemists, like the troll’s blood from before.”

Eve smiled as she spoke.

I had something to give to her.

“So, do you know what this stone is?”

“Hmm…”

Eve looked at the red stone for a moment.

“You seem to know how to appraise items.”

“As a merchant, I’ve just seen a lot.”

Eve thought for a moment and then spoke again.

“If it’s okay with you, Mr. Kay, could you entrust it to me? It seems to need accurate appraisal.”

After thinking for a moment, I nodded.

I don’t have anywhere else to ask anyway.

Eve seemed to take it as a positive response, as she put the stone in a small box and marked it to be sent to the reception room.

“Now that we’ve dealt with the unknown stone, next is the fang on your back. Would you like me to recommend a blacksmith?”

“Yes. Did you see it?”

“No, I didn’t even know you were coming today.”

She had said she couldn’t see the future whenever she wanted, right.

Eve spoke.

“I didn’t think you wouldn’t know that it’s much better to dispose of materials with reduced value, like cracked fangs, at the guild rather than trying to sell them directly to merchants, and since I didn’t see the weapons you usually carry, I deduced it. Was I right?”

“Yes, you were right.”

I actually hadn’t thought about selling low-value materials to the guild being better, but I didn’t point that out.

If I did, I’d be the one embarrassed.

Thinking she had guessed correctly, Eve showed her good mood as she came out from behind the counter.

“Then, I’ll guide you.”

“Just telling me would be sufficient.”

I’ve memorized the geography of the capital quite well from my dawn deliveries.

I can find my way well if Eve just tells me the address.

“The path isn’t complicated, but since I’m taking a break anyway, I thought I’d get some fresh air. Shall we go together?”

“If you don’t mind… but is your outfit okay?”

I asked, looking at Eve who was still in her clerk uniform.

Eve thought for a moment and then looked at me.

“Look closely.”

And she turned around once.

The hem of her skirt and apron floated slightly in the air.

“What do you think of our clerk uniform?”

“I think it’s quite neat and nice.”

“I see. It suits me well too, right?”

“I think so.”

Eve nodded a few times.

“Then let’s go.”

Eve quickly passed by me and went outside the store.

For some reason, her lips curled up in a smile, seeming even happier than before.

+

When we arrived at the blacksmith shop Eve had guided me to, I was a bit overwhelmed by its size.

“It’s big.”

“This is like a joint workshop.”

Eve said as she opened a door marked “Gray Anvil Workshop” and went inside.

As we entered, the hot air was immediately noticeable.

On one side, several people could be seen repeatedly hammering what looked like large swords.

“This place is similar to the adventurer’s guild or merchant association, if you think about it.”

“So it’s a place where all blacksmiths gather.”

“That’s a bit incorrect. It’s more accurate to see it as a joint workshop where some have gathered. There are several other joint workshops in other parts of the capital.”

I nodded at Eve’s explanation as we walked.

As we walked, we arrived at a counter with weapons hanging on one side.

“Welcome!”

A quite cheerful-looking young man greeted us.

I raised my hand to stop Eve who was about to respond, and stepped forward myself.

“What brings you here?”

“I came to get a weapon made. I’d also like to get an estimate…”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

Soon I began talking with the young man.

I had a feeling that Eve was slightly gleaming with interest behind me.

“…Yes, so we can make these kinds of weapons.”

“I’ll go with this one.”

I chose one from the weapon types the clerk recommended.

A moment later, a considerable amount of silver coins disappeared along with the centipede’s fang.

“The manufacturing cost is quite high…”

It was a bit sad, but unavoidable.

“But they said they’d give you a used weapon cheaply as a gift, so it’s not too bad.”

Eve said as she approached.

As she said, at least I could get a weapon to use for the time being at a cheap price, so that’s reassuring.

“Here, I brought it.”

When the clerk brought a box containing used weapons, I looked inside.

I picked up one that was fortunately there.

“A bow, do you know how to shoot it?”

When Eve asked, I thought for a moment and then asked the clerk.

“Do you have arrows or something similar?”

“If it’s for testing, just a moment.”

The clerk went inside and came back out.

A moment later, the clerk came out with an arrow that had nothing attached to its end.

I grabbed the arrow and drew the bow.

Then, how to shoot the bow came to mind.

‘Is it the same as with other weapons?’

I put down the bow and arrow for a moment, asked the clerk for permission, then picked up the bow and arrow again and shot.

The arrow flew to a completely different place than where I had aimed.

“Your posture is fine, but your accuracy doesn’t seem to be good.”

At the clerk’s words, I quietly put down the bow.

It’s somewhat embarrassing.

I clearly remembered how to use the bow when I held it, but it seems there’s a problem with handling it.

‘I had expectations for nothing.’

I believed I could use it sufficiently.

Feeling a bit disappointed, I picked up a sword from the miscellaneous items and asked about the price.

A moment later, as we were leaving the workshop, Eve spoke.

“So there are weapons even Mr. Kay can’t handle.”

As Eve smiled somewhat playfully, I cleared my throat and answered.

“I’m human too.”

“Your posture looked convincing though.”

The method of shooting suddenly came to mind, which is strange.

Anyway, if I can’t use it, I can’t use it.

‘It’s a bit disappointing.’

I’ve always just thrown weapons, but it seems I won’t be able to break that habit for a while.

“So, when did they say to come pick up the weapon?”

“They said to come back in about a week.”

It seems to take a long time since it’s a custom order.

At those words, Eve thought for a moment and then spoke.

“Then when you pick up your weapon, please stop by our store once.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m curious about how it will turn out.”

I wonder if there’s a need to show it, but there’s no reason to refuse either.

It’s not a difficult task after all.

“Let’s do that.”

After that, we walked while I simply answered her questions about what I planned to do next.

Before I knew it, we had arrived at Eve’s store.

“See you next time.”

“Yes.”

Eve said goodbye to me as she entered the store, and I responded in kind.

I turned around after seeing her heading to her office, presumably to change clothes.

After parting with Eve, I moved towards the inn to rest.

“Ah, wait a moment!”

A priestess wearing white robes was calling out to me urgently as she ran towards me.