Ch.67Chapter 67 – Prayer Ceremony (1)

It was the day after meeting Rich.

Sarah and Christina gathered in my room at the inn.

After I summarized Rich’s story for them, they both looked dumbfounded.

“He came all that way just to tell you something like that?”

“He seemed to think it was a serious matter.”

Sarah spoke while sipping her green tea.

Sometimes she would grind leftover herbs from her alchemy into powder and mix them with water to drink. It tasted quite bitter.

Even she admitted that she drank it more for health benefits than for taste.

Perhaps because of the bitter taste spreading in her mouth, Sarah slightly furrowed her brow as she spoke.

“Since news about dragons invading the New Kingdom came out a few years ago, the claim that dragons might appear does sound plausible.”

Sarah put down her wooden cup as she spoke.

…So dragons really do exist.

“Dragons aside, all that talk about dimensional boundaries sounds rather far-fetched.”

“Actually, I think it makes sense.”

Christina surprisingly agreed.

“Powerful beings from other dimensions… it seems reasonable that there would be something to prevent them from coming through.”

“Why’s that?”

In response to my question, Christina thought for a moment before speaking.

“There are two stories passed down in our church. One about the Hero and another about the homeland of the gods.”

“The homeland of the gods?”

“It’s been a while since I read about it… hmm…”

Christina closed her eyes and frowned slightly, as if searching through her memories.

“I believe there was a passage saying that Lady Evgenia and the other gods were originally beings from another dimension who took pity on us and crossed over to this world.”

Christina continued to search her memories.

But it seemed she couldn’t recall anything else.

“That’s all I can remember. And the Hero’s story also mentions something about coming down from another dimension to save a chaotic world. If powerful beings frequently came from other dimensions, it makes sense they would have created something to prevent more from coming. Isn’t it like putting up a mosquito net in summer to keep mosquitoes out?”

So they have mosquito nets in this world too.

Christina seemed to find Rich’s words plausible based on this logic.

‘But that makes the gods and the Hero sound like mosquitoes.’

And by extension, I’d be relegated to mosquito status as well.

“We should probably keep Rich’s story to ourselves.”

“Why?”

“Well, our church doesn’t really have any forbidden texts, so the records I mentioned were available to read…”

“Are they forbidden elsewhere?”

“Probably. There are many people who would be furious and cry blasphemy at the suggestion that the gods are beings who came from external dimensions!”

It seems that regardless of how gods are interpreted elsewhere, suggesting they came from another dimension is frowned upon.

‘Well, gods are often described as incomprehensible, absolute beings.’

If someone says such beings are merely powerful entities from elsewhere, some people would naturally be upset.

From their perspective, it would sound like reducing an incomprehensible, absolute being to merely a powerful entity from another world.

Many people believe gods should be perfect, untouchable beings.

“But regarding the Hero, it’s usually said that the gods summoned or called them. I’ve never seen any record claiming dragons called the Hero.”

“Ah, that’s true for me as well.”

Sarah also agreed with Christina’s statement.

“Are you sure about that?”

“Every boy and girl hears legends about the Hero when they’re young. Usually the version where the gods called them.”

Sarah answered with a smile.

It seems this is a widely spread myth, but the fact that dragons called the Hero isn’t well-known.

‘Yet that guy seemed to have lived for a long time.’

Though “lived” is a strange expression for an undead. Anyway, according to the lich himself, he’s been around for an extremely long time, so he probably knows more than others.

“Speaking of dragons…”

One appeared in the New Kingdom, they said.

“Will they really invade?”

“Who knows? Even that lich said he didn’t know when they might come, right?”

Sarah added.

“But if dragons really do come.”

“If they do?”

“I think that country would immediately declare a state of emergency and fall into chaos.”

“That’s obvious.”

How are dragons typically described?

Super-sized lizards with wings.

Beings that breathe fire or lightning.

Just flying around and breathing fire could cause tremendous damage to a city.

Of course, since I’ve never seen one, this is all speculation, but their bodies must be incredibly tough too.

“I heard that in the New Kingdom, more than half the forest surrounding the territory burned down, several cities were destroyed, and castles collapsed. It was utter chaos.”

Sarah took a moment to catch her breath, took another sip of green tea, and continued.

“If one appears, I think many people will die.”

She said this while frowning her pretty face at the bitter taste.

Her words made me curious about something.

“How did the New Kingdom defeat that dragon?”

“Ah, about that.”

Christina spoke up.

“I heard that a single holy knight from the Emiris Order defeated it alone. Apparently, they beheaded it in an instant.”

“Their name?”

Christina smiled at my question and answered.

“I heard they now go by the name Idea.”

+

We continued our conversation, but nothing new came up.

That was to be expected. Unlike Rich who seemed knowledgeable, we didn’t know much about the situation.

At best, we were just sharing and gathering what little information we had.

Since my goal was simply to relay Rich’s message, it didn’t matter much.

‘I haven’t told Eve about this yet, but there’s no need to report urgently.’

All I had to report was that we caught the Baikon and the legend Rich shared.

I could tell her about it later.

“At least we got paid.”

“Yes.”

Sarah said with a smile.

She seemed slightly pleased, which was due to the Baikon’s horn.

“So the one the lich threw to you is of better quality?”

“Yes. But is it okay for me to keep it?”

“I think you’ll put it to good use, so I don’t mind.”

Selling it would be good too, but my wallet is already quite full at the moment.

Enough that I only need to work moderately to avoid drawing attention from the guild.

“By the way, is it okay for us to go to the contact point?”

“I think just going there shouldn’t be a problem. They’ll just prevent us from entering if necessary.”

If there was an issue with even approaching the contact point, they would stop us at the entrance.

Exchanging such words, we arrived at the contact point I had learned about when leaving the magic tower previously.

Opening the door of the shabby tavern, the master, who was wiping a glass, spoke gruffly.

“We’re not open yet.”

“I’m here on magic tower business.”

“This isn’t a place for youngsters.”

“Chasing rainbows leads to adulthood, doesn’t it?”

The master raised an eyebrow slightly at my response.

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s a password.”

I answered Sarah’s question.

It was the password that Lucian, the tower master, had explained to me.

Originally, he told me to use it the next time I visited the tower, but I ended up using it for a different reason first.

The password seemed correct as the tavern master spoke gruffly.

“I’d prefer if you didn’t disclose this in front of others.”

“They’re people I’ll be coming with multiple times anyway.”

“Isn’t this your first time here?”

“It’s my second.”

The first time? It was when I was kidnapped and then released from here.

The master sighed once.

“You know that even if you know the contact password, you can’t enter without permission, right?”

“That’s why I thought it wouldn’t matter if I spoke in front of you.”

The master just shook his head as if he couldn’t be bothered.

“Well, I’ve already heard about it. The Baikon horn request, right?”

“Here.”

I handed over two horns extracted from the Baikon we had caught, not the ones received from Rich.

The master silently took out a money pouch and handed it to me.

“Here’s your payment.”

I took the pouch and immediately checked its contents.

Unlike trustworthy Eve, I needed to verify the payment amount to ensure the guild hadn’t skimmed or made a mistake, especially at this place I was visiting for the first time.

After a moment, I counted the payment and looked at the master.

“You’re short two silver coins.”

“You’ve got good eyes.”

The master tossed two silver coins as if he had prepared them in advance.

Judging by his expression, it didn’t seem like a mistake.

“You did that on purpose?”

“I wanted to see if you were paying attention.”

The master said with a smile.

“I heard you won’t be entering the tower today, so I can’t let you in. If you’re done, please leave.”

“Very well.”

I didn’t have any intention of entering anyway.

I left with Sarah and Christina.

“I can’t say the payment is small, but they’re quite strict. It’s just a bit higher than the market price.”

“This time it’s understandable. They essentially covered all our travel expenses.”

Still, it was enough money to live comfortably for a few days.

“It’s fortunate that earnings have suddenly improved lately.”

“Looks like we won’t have any problems getting through winter.”

Sarah and I exchanged such words.

And just as we were leaving the contact point.

“Oh, it’s snowing!”

Christina pointed at the sky.

Snow was falling from the heavens.

+

“Benefactor, would you like to come to our church?”

“Religious solicitation is…”

“No, I’m not asking you to join. Though I was thinking about it!”

So you were thinking about it.

We were having a meal at a restaurant after leaving the contact point, walking through the falling snow, when Christina, who was as usual shedding tears while eating meat, suddenly said such a thing.

“Then why are you inviting me?”

“I mentioned it before, remember? The Prayer Festival.”

She had said it was an event where churches gathered together.

That’s why Christina had been absent when we were hunting the Baikon.

“This Prayer Festival is going to be bigger than usual, so I’m suggesting you come along.”

“Bigger? Isn’t it usually a modest affair?”

Christina smiled slightly at Sarah’s words.

“It’s because of what happened during the last Great Purge. Since we haven’t properly celebrated after that incident, the churches agreed to make this one grand.”

Christina’s eyes sparkled slightly as she spoke.

“Various places will provide food, and after eating and drinking, on the last day, everyone will pray to the gods together. That’s what’s been decided.”

“So it’s basically become a festival.”

“Yes.”

Christina said with a smile.

“The Prayer Festival lasts for three days. You can enjoy all three days.”

“Then, let me ask you something.”

I gave Christina a serious look, who seemed quite excited.

“Why are you trying to drag just me into this?”

“Oh, that’s not it. Sarah too, and if it’s okay, the caravan leader can come along as well.”

“Why?”

“So we can enjoy it together.”

Christina said with a smile.

I exchanged glances with Sarah for a moment.

Sarah, understanding my look, gazed seriously at Christina.

“Chris.”

“What is it, Sarah?”

“Please be honest before I grab your arm.”

Christina, who had previously experienced Sarah’s grip strength during her well-intentioned stalking, began to shrink back.

“R-really, it’s true. I’m not planning anything!”

Sarah grabbed Christina’s arm.

Soon, Sarah must have applied pressure because Christina started screaming.

“Ow, ow, ow! It’s true! I’m innocent!!”

Of course, such loud screams would attract attention.

Unfortunately, today seemed to be a day with few customers, as there was no one around except the shop owner and the cook.

In other words, it was as if we had rented the entire place.

“Ow, ow! R-really, I mean it!”

“Should we stop?”

“Let’s go for about 30 more seconds. If she’s really not planning anything, she’ll endure.”

“Eek? Wait, ow, ow!!”

Sarah nodded, and I started counting silently.

Public nuisance?

Finding out what this nun was planning was more important.

And after some time passed.

“I guess she really isn’t planning anything.”

If she continued to scream under Sarah’s grip without saying anything, it seemed to be true.

Either that, or she endured with terrifying mental strength, but Christina seemed too fragile for that.

“I told you it’s true… you’re both so mean…”

Christina looked at us reproachfully with a tearful expression.

Just then, a waiter passed by, so I called out to him.

“Hey, bring us another steak here.”

“Benefactor, thank you!”

When I ordered while pointing at Christina’s plate, she immediately brightened up.

‘That was easy.’

She forgave us right away just for buying her some meat.

Soon, a freshly grilled steak arrived, and Christina happily cut into it.

“Usually, churches give off an image of being frugal and only eating vegetables.”

“Maybe that’s why Chris goes crazy at the sight of meat?”

We exchanged words while watching the nun devour her meat ravenously.

After quickly chewing through about half the meat, Christina seemed to remember something and spoke again.

“Anyway, since the scale is likely to be much larger, I thought it would be good for all of us to gather together.”

“I see.”

Christina seems to have spoken with good intentions.

Since we couldn’t properly enjoy the previous festival, I was a bit interested.

“Oh, and I heard guests from foreign countries will be visiting this time.”

“Guests?”

“Yes. Various people… ah…”

Suddenly, Christina cut off her words.

She seemed to have just remembered something else.

‘This is making me uneasy.’

I looked at Christina with anxious eyes.

Christina, too, spoke with a serious expression unlike before.

“…I forgot to mention that I heard the Saint of the Emiris Order is coming to give a blessing…”

Indeed.

That was an ominous piece of news.