Ch.410City of Moon and Stars

Holon.

A major city located between Nasiriya and Alhebron, it was a famous tourist destination known for its Full Moon Festival held once a month.

As befitting a tourist spot, the entire town was vibrant and bustling, with streets filled with people coming and going, laughing and chatting, creating a lively atmosphere.

But only during the day.

As the City of Moon and Stars, Holon also had unique laws based on religious doctrine.

To put it simply, perhaps it was about respecting and revering the night.

Since the moon and stars only reveal themselves at night, the people here consider nighttime a sacred period when gods look down upon the mortal realm.

“…So, Holon strictly prohibits general public movement after 8 PM, except for priests of the church. Make sure to return to your lodgings before sunset.”

“Yes, I’ll definitely remember that.”

Lacy cautioned Millia and Demian, who were planning to explore the city, to return early.

They could wander around freely during the day, but if they went out after sunset, they could be arrested by paladins.

Not just movement was restricted—even lighting fires at night was considered blasphemy.

If light was absolutely necessary, windows had to be covered with thick curtains to prevent light from leaking out.

What was it again? Something about preventing earthly lights from dimming the radiance of the night sky?

The thinking of religious people is hard to understand.

Not even allowing candles because they might obscure starlight? How do they live with such inconvenience?

Anyway, Millia nodded and practically dragged Demian by the arm as they left the lodgings.

They say those who enjoy life to the fullest are the strongest… but aren’t you two enjoying yourselves a bit too much?

Have you already forgotten why we came all this way?

—-

“…Well then, shall we get moving too? We need to finish everything before sunset.”

“Yes, we should. Be careful, all of you.”

Lacy planned to head to the Church of Ausrine with everyone except Lena.

Meanwhile, I intended to visit the Church of Menes.

I felt slightly uneasy about separating from Lacy, but with Bells, Leonore, and Nigel with her, she wouldn’t be subdued or assassinated without resistance even in my absence.

Millia and Demian had also agreed to join immediately if any commotion broke out, and few would be bold enough to attack in broad daylight.

After sending Lacy off, I finished preparing to visit the Church of Menes with Lena.

Preparation simply meant putting on a robe and separating one horse from the carriage for Lena and me to ride.

“Will we be okay, sis? I don’t know much, but I heard Lacy has bad relations with the other churches. Won’t we get kicked out too?”

“It’ll be fine. That’s why I’m going instead of Lacy.”

According to Lacy, if she requested an audience herself, she would certainly be refused, but if I made the request in my name, the Church of Menes would at least hear me out.

Given the Church of Menes’ doctrine of hostility toward werebeasts, they apparently held no particular ill feelings toward me, known as the Were Eater and Winter Slayer.

We had also cooperated to repel the great invasion at Faelrun Castle.

“That’s a relief then!”

“Indeed.”

I helped the brightly smiling Lena onto the saddle, mounted behind her, and headed out to the street.

—-

Holon lived up to its reputation as a tourist city—busy and vibrant.

The streets were filled with people in various attire, and stalls everywhere sold exotic foods and accessories.

Millia would love this. So many things to see.

“Sis, sis! Look at that! They’re selling whole roasted scorpions!”

Lena seemed to be enjoying herself too.

Sitting in front of me, turning her head this way and that with excitement, she looked like a chick that had ventured outside the yard for the first time.

“Isn’t it amazing?”

I had assumed she would be somewhat familiar with such scenes since she was from the Holy State, but surprisingly, Lena said she had never been to any city other than Arvil, which was governed by the Church of Saulite.

Apparently, people become so accustomed to their own city’s regulations and way of life that they rarely relocate to other cities.

“Roasted scorpions… yes, that is interesting. Why, do you want to try one? I can buy you one.”

“Ugh… I’ll pass on that!”

Lena shook her head vigorously.

While the appearance of the roasted scorpions was fascinating, seeing and eating were entirely different matters.

Well, I wouldn’t eat those either.

They look creepy just to look at—why would I put that in my mouth? I’d rather tear into werebeast meat.

The entire city buzzed with the voices of merchants hawking their wares and tourists sightseeing, occasionally punctuated by the distressed cries of those who had fallen victim to pickpockets.

It seems that pickpockets thriving in crowded tourist areas wasn’t any different in the Holy State.

Severe punishment awaits those who get caught, but the key is not getting caught, I suppose.

Of course, no pickpockets targeted us, nor did any merchants approach us.

Whether that was due to Lena’s priestly robes or because we were moving on horseback, I couldn’t tell.

—-

Of course, this city wasn’t all brightness and light.

Beyond the merchant district, in the inner city, dark alleyways visible through narrow passages were littered with piles of garbage, among which half-deranged people lay sprawled, moaning vacantly.

Though Lena didn’t seem to notice, I could see them clearly.

Disheveled appearances, unfocused eyes, drool flowing mindlessly.

I’d heard that a new drug was spreading in Holon—these were people whose lives had been ruined by drug addiction.

If this was visible just from a glance outside the alley, the inside must be nothing short of a drug den… are they just leaving it like this?

I should bring this up in our discussion.

I slightly adjusted our course to avoid the back alleys as we headed toward the Church of Menes.

There was nothing to gain by approaching a drug den.

It would only be filled with completely broken addicts and those begging for their next fix—approaching such a place would only upset Lena.

Fifty minutes later, we finally arrived at the cathedral that also served as the headquarters of the Church of Menes.

It took longer than expected.

We could have arrived in ten minutes if the streets hadn’t been crowded, but we couldn’t gallop through roads packed with tourists.

“Welcome to the Holon diocese of the Church of Menes. What brings you here today?”

After tying our horse at the entrance and approaching the main door, a paladin guarding the entrance greeted us and blocked our way.

I had worried that they might be rude to Lena since the Church of Saulite and the Church of Menes belonged to different factions, but apparently they weren’t harsh enough to be hostile to a girl not even sixteen years old.

“I’d like to meet the person in charge here. Is he available?”

Since Lacy had asked me to maintain mutual courtesy as much as possible, I used formal speech instead of my usual casual tone.

Lena looked up at me with curious eyes, as if seeing me speak politely to someone was a novelty.

Like a puppy watching its owner suddenly start barking.

“…Do you mean the Archbishop? He doesn’t have any scheduled audiences today… May I ask who you are, if you don’t mind?”

The paladin carefully examined my face hidden under the hood as he replied.

More courteous than I expected.

Despite recent problems, perhaps they hadn’t forgotten their essence as clergy.

Or maybe, as public servants in a tourist city, they were simply accustomed to being friendly to everyone.

“I don’t have a prior appointment… but I don’t think I’ll be turned away at the door. Could you please inform the Archbishop? Tell him that Haschal Median Aishan-Gioro, heir to House Median, is here to see him.”

I pushed back my hood, revealing my face.

My jet-black hair cascaded down, tickling my shoulders.

“W-Winter Slayer…!”

The paladin who met my eyes flinched and stepped back half a pace.

His reaction was closer to surprise at seeing an unexpected person rather than fear or hostility.

As Lacy had assured me, the Church of Menes seemed to harbor no significant ill will toward me.

“You know me well. Then, may I ask a favor? Tell him I’m here to discuss matters related to the northern werebeasts.”

“Yes! It’s an honor to meet you, Lord Median! I’ll inform the Archbishop right away!”

The paladin bowed respectfully and ordered someone to relay my visit to the Archbishop.

I thought he would go himself, but apparently he couldn’t leave his post as guardian of the main gate.

—-

“The response will come shortly if you wait a moment.”

“Thank you.”

After expressing my gratitude to the paladin, I took out a cigarette, leaned against the wall, and waited for the Archbishop’s reply.

Lena clung to my waist, while the paladin kept glancing at me with a strangely restless expression as I exhaled smoke into the air.

What is it? Don’t tell me this is a non-smoking area?

“…You seem to have something you want to say? Oh, am I not supposed to smoke here?”

I asked, slightly waving the cigarette I’d removed from my lips, and the paladin startled and shook his head.

“N-no, not at all! Please forgive my rudeness. I just never imagined I would face the hero who vanquished the King of Werebeasts in person…!”

It wasn’t the look one gives a street smoker, but the gaze of a fan meeting their idol.

His attitude was unexpectedly favorable, almost comparable to northerners.

“Thank you for your kind regard.”

I chuckled as I tapped off some ash, and the paladin’s face turned slightly red.

Since his gaze contained admiration rather than lust, I didn’t find it particularly unpleasant.