episode_0032

“Helena! Help me here!”

“Yes! Here we go!”

… … .

“Helena! Clean up here properly! What on earth is this?”

“Yes, sorry!”

… … .

“Helena, can’t you get the sum straight? Do you want to go out?”

“I’m sorry! I’ll do it again!”

… … .

“Helena, a little… . Don’t you know that healing is more important than protection? Did you do that on purpose?”

“Haha, I’m kind of useless! Sorry!”

… … .

“Helena… . I know it’s very hard. Going into battle is not the only way to spread the gospel. If it’s hard, it’s okay to give up.”

“It’s okay!”

… … .

“Helena, please do this for me.”

“Yes!”

“Helena! Can I ask for mine too?”

“Yes! I understand!”

“Helena, I told you not to install it just because I could use some protection miracles, right?”

“Ah, no, that’s… ! I’m sorry!”

“If you don’t want to end up like this bastard, take care of yourself. Did everyone hear it correctly?”

Helena, Helena, Helena… .

Despite the echoing calls, criticism, and envy, she just smiled.

“Sorry! It’s okay!”

Helena, a trainee nun at MacDerlin Abbey, smiled at everyone yesterday, yesterday, and today.

The ranking list of trainee nuns on the wall wavered helplessly.

The name written at the bottom was repeatedly hidden and revealed.

[30th place: Helena]

***

“For some reason, it’s a bit scary… .”

This was Vivian’s opinion after seeing the exterior view of MacDerlin Abbey.

It was a fitting impression to see a lonely castle wall built in the middle of a forest.

Even before the day of the public exam, outsiders seemed to be allowed in.

Besides us, there were quite a few non-clergy people.

“I will take the carriage this way.”

The coachman drove the carriage under the guidance of a nun.

He must remain here until we return.

Vivian and I got off first.

Mercy and Cati, a fairy and a cat respectively, were placed on me.

As I approached the entrance, I was blocked by someone dressed in armor.

Although it was not as armed as Seonghwangcheong, it seemed like a Holy Knight guarding this place.

“Could you please show me your identity?”

He presented his manager’s license and temporary warrior’s license.

“This is my assistant.”

He pointed to Mercy, who stuck her head out of her pocket.

“Nice to meet you! Bringers of Fire!”

A satisfied smile appeared on the face hidden by the helmet.

Bringers of Fire.

It is a title favored by priests of the Seonghwa Church.

Lastly, there is no need to ask Katy since she has transformed into a cat.

“Nyaang-.”

One of the Holy Knights chuckled, perhaps because it was cute.

“I hope you only walk on the path of flames. Welcome.”

Two paladins handed over three entry permits.

It was up to me, Vivian, and Mercy.

“If you have any questions about the public exam, you can ask a passing nun.”

The inside was not much different from the outside.

Fortunately, there were a lot of people, so the lonely atmosphere was less.

The scale of the public test seems to be quite large.

I was wondering who I should ask, but there was one familiar face.

“Oh, Ian?”

A woman who seemed difficult to approach because of her small body and sharp expression recognized me and smiled slightly.

“Marie. It’s been a while.”

“Sure. I said I’d see you again, but I’ll see you soon. Are you here for a public exam?”

“Of course. Because I also don’t have enough people.”

Marie’s party consisted of three people.

There probably wasn’t a priest among them.

“It’s been a while since Vivian too.”

“Yes, hello… .”

Vivian hesitated, as if she was still shy.

Looking up at her, Marie suddenly took a step closer.

“Hmm.”

“Why, why are you like that… .”

“Do you still feel sorry for me?”

I’m referring to the incident where Vivian unintentionally deceived me last time.

“Ugh… that… .”

Marie laughed, looking at Vivian who was embarrassed.

“Still cute.”

“Hi… !”

Marie looked back at me with a mischievous smile.

“Can I take it from you?”

I’ve felt this before, but you’re a person who isn’t shy.

I’m kind of like that too.

“No. And there is a wizard.”

“Ah, still.”

“I can’t because I’m a wizard.”

“Oh? What, what does it mean? Are you a bit proactive?”

“No, that’s not what I meant… .”

The area around Vivian’s face was red as she lowered her head deeply.

I think steam will rise from above my head soon.

I’ve known him since he was two-faced with Felix, but he’s not the type of person who makes fun of people or criticizes them… .

It doesn’t mean anything, but Marie thinks it’s strange, so it feels really strange.

[master.]

Oh, I’m surprised.

I forgot to take off my Kati ring.

‘why.’

[…] … .]

‘Why man?’

There was no answer.

Marie smiled like a bad boy and waved her hands.

“It’s a joke, a joke. Unless you’re crazy, who would mess with Ian’s party?”

“Keuhum. I wasn’t joking, no, I wasn’t joking… .”

I should just not say it.

The game has already been passed to Mari.

Mercy whispered in my ear as I frowned.

“You are a really bad man.”

“Elf?”

Marie, who found Mercy, tilted her head.

Come to think of it, Marie only knows me and Vivian.

“This is my assistant.”

“Nice to meet you! I’ve heard a lot about Marie!”

“Oh. Did you talk about me? What is it talking about?”

“There is nothing wrong with looking at it so evilly. It came up when we were talking about Felix.”

“Oh, that guy?”

Marie giggled, as if she was appalled just thinking about it.

“Did you read the article? I exposed all of that.”

“I read it very carefully.”

“I read it every time I fall asleep these days. I think I will pass it on to my children later when I have children.”

That much?

“I was kicked out that day and taken to the military police, and I was so sad that I couldn’t see it in person. Did Ian do it?”

“Rather than what I did… . I only gave him a little notice.”

“Wow, this is the first party manager… ? Even the military police are just moving… . Stay close to me for the rest of your life. Okay? Don’t go somewhere and pretend you don’t know.”

“This is my first time experiencing such a forced friendship. That’s okay.”

Marie smiled and continued speaking.

“There are still a lot of idiots in the guild, but I still feel relieved because I cleaned up the biggest piece of trash. But why is there a cat?”

“Hmm… . This is the child I am raising.”

“Hmm. Be cute. Hello?”

Marie greeted Kati, keeping eye level with her.

Kati responded with indifference.

“After all, a cat is cute only if it doesn’t have any crap.”

Marie’s tastes are… I do not know.

Mercy burst out laughing at the word cheesy, and Vivian found herself in trouble for no reason.

“Follow me. Since I’m here first, I’ll tell you a few things instead. If you listen to the nuns talking, you will feel frustrated and upset.”

“You must be busy, but I wish you could help me that much.”

“What. To a friend for life. And if not at a time like this, when would you act like a senior to the manager before the first party?”

Marie walked ahead and led the way.

The first topic was, of course, about the public exam.

“There are a total of 30 trainee priests participating.”

“… Only 30 aspiring priests will participate?”

“Yes. It’s a bit big, right? They say only half of them passed and half failed.”

It’s a test that 30 people take at the same time in one place.

It seems that Seonghwa Bridge has made thorough preparations.

“But it’s a bit different from the temporary warrior test. Because there is no dungeon.”

Dungeon management was monopolized by the imperial family.

The subcontracting manager guild can be involved, but it is not an area that Seonghwagyo can touch.

“So, they say they proceed in a slightly different way. First of all, three miracles used by priests. Healing, Protection, Ignition. We are evaluating the miracle itself.”

“And in order to check each individual’s skills, there is a second one-on-one sparring with the Paladin.”

“Finally, to show cooperation, they end up forming a group of three and fighting a number of opposing paladins.”

Since you can’t bring dungeons, monsters, or demons, does a paladin take that role?

I’m not sure if this is a worthy replacement for the temporary warrior test.

Whether that’s the case or not, I actually just have to choose a priest that suits my taste.

Passing the test isn’t important.

If you listen carefully and have potential, I can nurture it and that’s it.

“You can approach trainee priests before the exam day, but you are not allowed to provide them with material help.”

“Material help?”

“Well, secretly giving them high-quality equipment or something like that. He said it was okay to talk before the exam, but it was also not okay to take him with him.”

This is understandable since all priests must take the exam under equal conditions.

“You can see priests training even before taking the exam. Every day at a certain time, I come out to the central garden and ask the guests to do various things.”

“Hmm. It would be important to see that. It might have been better to come a little earlier.”

“So, Ian.”

It’s a tone that expresses something you want.

“Please go see it together. No matter how much I look, I can’t tell who is okay.”

“It’s not like I know it right away.”

“I said that excessive humility is deception?”

“Ugh… .”

Vivian, who was standing behind me, was stabbed for no reason.

Well, from Marie’s point of view, it would be a mean thing even if I said it.

“They say the manager and the warrior are a bit similar. That’s exactly what I did.”

“You are both competent, so I will look into it. Anyway, can you help me? Of course, Ian doesn’t pay attention to the priest who has spit on him.”

… But anyway, I’m choosing talented people based on my returned memories, right?

Don’t you really have a good eye?

My conscience pricks me, but I can’t say it or say no.

“Let’s try our best.”

“Good, good. First, let’s go to the guest accommodation.”

Perhaps it was built just for today, but beyond the wall that was extended outside was a guest house.

The building and interior weren’t bad.

It wasn’t a good idea for me as I had to train Vivian until the public exam.

“Do I really have to use only this internal accommodation?”

“No? Once you receive a permit, entry is free. But isn’t there something outside?”

“Pitch a tent and stay overnight. I have something to teach Vivian.”

“Mmm. Then it might be a bit uncomfortable to stay in the monastery.”

There is some time left until the next visit.

I left the monastery, leaving Marie behind, and set out to find a place to stay overnight.

“Please find a place without grass or trees.”

For the first time in a while, Mercy’s abilities were of great help.

“How is it here?”

The place Mercy found was by the river.

It is close enough to the monastery that you can walk to and from it.

The floor was gravel or dirt, so there was nothing to burn or eat.

I was going to train Vivian in fire magic starting today, so it was nice to be in front of the river.

“Just right.”

“Hmmmm, yes, yes. Compliment yourself more.”

“To what extent do you want to settle down and live here for the rest of your life?”

“… If you don’t want to do it, you don’t have to.”

“No, you did really well.”

“Hmm. I know what.”

One of the things that is maintained in a certain number in the subspace pocket is firewood and tent materials.

The life of a warrior is not knowing when to camp.

After finding an even piece of land and laying down the tent that I took out of my pocket, I erected supports and made a roof.

It’s big enough to fit Vivian, Mercy, and Katy.

“… I don’t know what I’m looking at.”

You never showed Vivian the subspace pouch.

I took out a pouch the size of two fists and shook it.

“It comes from here.”

“… ?”

“Subspace pocket. It’s an artifact.”

“You have two artifacts… ? They say it’s hard to have one in your life… .”

“Hmm… . Haha.”

I was embarrassed for some reason and ended up laughing.

“You almost carry the house with you… .”

“Ah. In the past, I used to carry something similar.”

“… Yes?”

“I don’t carry it around anymore because it’s a hassle to take it out. If you want, can I take it with me?”

“Oh, no… . are you okay… . I, I will work hard… !”

Vivian must have been impressed by the artifact as she clenched her fists and made a promise.

“If you work hard, I’m happy.”

It’s true that artifacts are rare, so it’s not strange to be moved or admired.

A wide log table and round wooden chairs were set up, and firewood was piled in front of the tent.

I started a bonfire with the flames sent out from my fingertips.

“Huh? Do you know how to use magic?”

“A little bit?”

Since there was nothing left untouched during the second round, simple magic was possible.

It is an application of the ‘Fire Hand’, which emits flames from the hand.

As for using it without casting, I used it countless times while camping and learned the casting pass level.

But honestly, it’s a bit embarrassing to call it magic… .

What I wrote now is almost like flint.

“Well, compared to the ice sphere you make, it’s not something to look at with such wonder.”

“Still, there’s something strange about it… . I didn’t expect it at all.”

“I seem to be far from magic.”

… You don’t deny it?

What does it mean?

“Now that we have decided on a seat, let’s go back. They say they will be visiting soon.”

“Oh, leave it here like this?”

“If someone comes, you can just kick them out.”

*

He returned to the monastery and joined Marie.

As I was waiting in the large garden in the center, trainee nuns came out one by one from a building inside the monastery.

The sight of so many people pouring in very slowly and properly was reverent for no reason.

“Has anyone noticed Marie?”

“There are a few people… . I’m not sure yet. It hasn’t been that long since I came here either.”

In the center of the garden, there were 30 logs full of scratches lined up in 5 rows.

The trainee nuns stood one by one in front of a log at a distance.

“What we’re going to do from now on is demonstrate protection miracles and close combat techniques.”

While people who arrived earlier than the test watched.

30 nuns knelt on one knee.

“Get started.”

Under the guidance of the lead nun, the nuns worked together to use a protective miracle.

Ordinary frontal protection.

A hemispherical yellow curtain spreads in front of the caster.

A twilight evening.

The sight of 30 nuns kneeling reverently and emitting soft light was a spectacle in itself.

There seemed to be no set amount of time that had to be maintained.

Some people had their protection turned off early, and some did not.

As I watched closely until the end without missing a single person, I was taken aback.

‘… ‘I don’t have any?’

There was no massive and elaborate protection as seen in the memory correction.

“Stand up.”

There really wasn’t.

Everyone began to raise the weapons they had prepared.

The time to show miracles in the field of protection is over.

“How are you feeling?”

Marie asked with secret anticipation.

“… … .”

I was silent because I didn’t have anything to answer.

As you experience many things, you develop intuition that cannot be expressed in words.

Even if there is no objective evidence, the accuracy of intuition is quite high.

My intuition based on countless experiences speaks.

Now these nuns are hiding their powers on purpose.

To be precise, the output of the protection system miracle is being demonstrated by deliberately lowering it.

Only a few people showed their skills.

What is the need to deliberately hide one’s power in this place where one must be clearly visible to those who come to observe? .

I took a quick glance at the monastery that came into view.

I feel a sense of discomfort in my intuition.

This monastery is hiding something.