Basically, this world was mostly dominated by a group called the Church.
Of course, there were local indigenous religions with their own characteristics, but that didn’t mean the Church oppressed them.
The only ones the Church oppressed were the ones practicing human sacrifices.
They referred to them as heretics and suppressed them, which we would later confirm during the event known as the Religious War.
“I can’t believe there were heretics…”
A few days after the paperwork was done, Lord Revent, the lord of the territory, received our report with a serious expression.
Maybe it was because Ani submitted it, and Sowol was a witness? Or perhaps the traces of human sacrifice were way too obvious?
This matter couldn’t just be swept under the rug.
“If it’s a matter about heretics, I can’t handle it alone. Anyway, Ani. You’ve done a great job.”
“No, not at all. This was all thanks to my Master and his disciple, Sowol.”
Ani humbly said she only hunted one ghoul, but it didn’t seem like Revent Baron was thinking that way.
After thanking Ani a few times and promoting her, he turned his attention towards Sowol and me.
“This issue was entrusted to the Eastern Trading Company. Did this Master step in?”
“I’m currently handling accommodations at the Eastern Trading Company, so it’s natural I should take care of this.”
“Even so, I cannot overlook the need for a reward. Is there anything you desire?”
“I want this.”
I lifted the secret seal of the heretics I found at their hidden base.
Revent Baron tilted his head, observing it carefully.
“What is that?”
“It’s something the Church wants. It’s necessary to find the heretics’ strongholds.”
“Oh, I see. I had no idea such a thing existed. By the way, how do you know about this, Master?”
“I did some business with the Church a few times in the past.”
After a year of leveling up, I didn’t just sit idly by.
I ended up making some connections within the Church during that time and heard those stories.
Of course, I learned about it in the game too.
“Well then, take it. And by the way… this Master, could it be…?”
“Haha. I won’t take a government position.”
I’m too busy raising kids to waste time managing a territory.
He had tried to appoint me several times already, and he let out a deep sigh, feeling disappointed.
Haha. Cry me a river.
“Then how can you teach my daughter?”
“I’m sure she’ll find a better teacher than me.”
“Hmm, I see… What a disappointment. Ahem.”
I had met Baron Revent’s daughter last time.
But she lacked talent and didn’t seem interested in getting stronger.
There’s no need to teach someone like that.
After I declined, he sighed again and turned his head.
His last gaze went toward Sowol, beside me.
“Sowol, I’ve heard you defeated a race. You manifested sword energy at such a young age?”
“I still have a long way to go.”
“With sword energy at your age, you could be considered a genius. What do you think? If you want, you should consider becoming a knight.”
“I’m sorry. I feel I don’t have enough learning to take on a heavy duty like knighthood.”
It seems he genuinely felt regret at Sowol’s refusal.
Slurp! Slurp! He nodded, licking his lips.
He must have realized too.
That the next master of the Eastern Trading Company and the genius who wielded sword energy wouldn’t stay under him for long.
Still, wanting to establish some connection, he generously handed Sowol a reward.
“This act has brought peace to the territory, saving it from the evil heretics who sought to attack. Such merits can’t just be wrapped up with mere words of praise.”
So essentially, he’s playing nice, hoping we’ll have an endless feast together in the future.
After giving more compliments than necessary, Revent Baron leisurely said, “Everyone has worked hard, so now withdraw and rest comfortably.”
As we left the lord’s castle, Sowol looked at me with a puzzled expression.
The reward pouch she held seemed heavy.
“Master, why don’t you use this for your drinking expenses?”
“Do you think I’m a drunk?”
“Don’t you have plenty of places to spend money? I heard you even got an advance on your salary yesterday.”
How does she know that?
She’s not wrong.
I thought it was time to give Sowol some health supplements, so I had Sujong get an advance on the salary.
I couldn’t ignore the costs of making the herbal medicine.
“Well, if you insist, I’ll accept it.”
There’s no reason to refuse a gift.
I checked the reward pouch Sowol handed me. Ten gold coins.
That should be more than enough to make some herbal medicine for Sowol.
“Hey! Lee Hyun!”
It was then, I heard a relaxed voice that seemed like it had a good life.
Looking over, there stood a priestess with deep blue short hair and a laid-back expression.
Serin Musumi.
A key character in the upcoming Religious War event.
She would be leading the charge in the Religious War, alongside the main characters, to take down the heretic’s god.
“Hey? Isn’t that Serin? What are you doing here?”
And she was one of my few friends in this world.
I met her when I was struggling to gain strength.
“It’s about heretics, how could I not come?”
With a cheerfully bright smile, she threw her arm around my shoulder and glanced around the territory before lightly making the sign of the cross.
“Lord, why do such vile people like heretics exist in this peaceful place? Is this the seed planted by the storm?”
“Not me, right?”
“Strange things often happen around you. It seems you’re always the center of chaos.”
“Hey, that’s slander!”
I’m just a person wishing for a pure ending, wishing for peace and safety in this world. What do you mean chaos?
I tried to shake off her arm, but at that moment, Sowol tightly grabbed my sleeve.
“…Master.”
“Oh? Oh, right. You should greet her. This is Serin, the Church’s priestess…”
“I was promoted to a high priestess last time.”
“Your friend is a high priestess of the Church.”
“Fri…end?”
Sowol tilted her head, looking at me as if she couldn’t comprehend.
“Why?”
“Because you’re calling her a friend…”
“…How do you see me at all?”
“Not that way. It’s just that you’ve never shared personal stuff with me.”
I never thought it necessary to share personal stories while teaching.
I’ll have to start sharing some tales from now on.
It’s not good for a master’s reputation.
“Ooh~. Who’s this pretty girl? Huh? Huh? She’s not bad! Gasp. You’re not planning any dangerous antics, are you?”
This girl is saying things even a priestess shouldn’t say. I kicked her lightly, and chuckling, Serin reached out her hand to Sowol.
“Hello~. May the Lord’s blessings always be with you. I’m Serin Musumi, a high priestess of the Church. Nice to meet you~.”
“…Yes. Nice to meet you.”
She doesn’t seem very enthusiastic, does she?
Glancing at Serin with a frown, Sowol turned her head away.
I gently stroked her hair.
“Sowol, I have something to discuss with Serin, so you go on ahead.”
It was unexpected that Serin came, but it worked out well.
Only those with a certain level of divine power can produce holy water, and Serin should be able to create enough.
Let’s put that power to use today, Serin.
*
I feel oddly drained.
Sowol, who thought about grabbing something delicious with her reward, shuffled along and then glanced back sneakily.
Lee Hyun and Serin were still standing at the same spot, chatting about something. Both their faces blossomed with smiles.
And for some reason, it bothered her.
“…?”
‘Not pleased? Why?’
Sowol questioned the heavy feelings lingering in her chest.
It’s strange. Why did her earlier good mood suddenly turn sour?
Pausing for a moment to think, Sowol bit her lip slightly.
‘Is it because I didn’t train properly today?’
Normally, she should have been training with Lee Hyun since the morning.
But today, she had to prepare to enter the castle, so she couldn’t do that properly.
Could that be what’s weighing on her mind?
But she couldn’t just think it was that.
‘…Tsk. But what’s up with that? I’ve never seen Master show such a face when he’s with me!’
Earlier, Lee Hyun looked genuinely happy while with Serin.
She could understand it.
Serin was stunningly beautiful, probably even more than some goddesses.
Merely being with her could bring joy.
‘But I’m pretty too, you know?’
She’s never thought she was lacking in looks.
That’s right. She wouldn’t lose out to Serin in looks.
‘It’s just that she’s taller than me, and has a bit more… you know, a lot more difference in… well, size. But still, how can he be all silly around her?’
She’s never seen him act that way toward her before.
Frustrated and gnashing her teeth, Sowol shook her head left and right.
“…Hah. Why am I thinking about this?”
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.