That was a close call!
“Hah…”
I sighed in relief as I watched Lucius leave the hut, having given us a gift.
What on earth was he thinking, showing the Hero Jackal’s abilities so blatantly?
Fortunately, Lucius left without any suspicion. If he had questioned me about it, things could have gotten really awkward.
“Or maybe…?”
He seemed to have some doubts already.
Before leaving, Lucius had this look on his face like he knew something was off.
“Hmm….”
Well, it doesn’t matter, right?
Jack didn’t pop out suddenly, and Jack managed to steer the conversation well.
Besides, even if Lucius found out the truth, I don’t think he’d do anything.
No, wait. Scratch that.
My gut feelings are always wrong, so I shouldn’t think like this.
Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I realized…
If we had been caught, it would’ve been a huge problem!
It would have nearly sparked a war between the Cheonma Church and the Empire!
…That should be enough for now.
I don’t know whose gaze I’m sensing, but I let out a sigh of relief.
“By the way, what’s up?”
I asked Jack, who was still wearing that hard-to-read smile.
Then, kneeling before me, Jack lowered his head and replied.
“I, Jack, have come to convey a request on behalf of the followers of the Cheonma Church.”
“A request?”
Jack nodded deeper, as if to affirm my words.
…That’s a bit burdensome.
Scratching my head awkwardly, I added, “What kind of request would make you come personally?”
I already knew the Cheonma Church was coming to my hut.
After all, I was chopping wood with Nameless to welcome the children, wasn’t I?
Hmm, aside from providing lodging, there shouldn’t be anything else to request…
As I pondered, Jack said something unexpected.
“Before reaching these mountains, if you could drop by the main palace at least once, I think the followers of the Cheonma Church would be delighted.”
“…Main palace?”
“Yes, there is a small village established with the support of the Cheonma.”
A village, you say?
Isn’t the Cheonma Church located in the Demon King’s territory?
Wait, if there’s a village there, is there really a need to come here?
“That’s right. It’s more like we made some alterations to the Demon King’s castle with Lili’s permission… but I think the Cheonma would be satisfied.”
Jack elaborated further.
The land that once belonged to the Demon King started gathering believers who had been saved by me, and initially, when the number was small, there was no issue staying there, but now it had grown too large, thus they built a small village near the Demon King’s castle.
Considering all this, I really wondered why I thought I would like it, but after hearing Jack’s next words, I became intrigued.
“Is there a place for training?”
“Yes, indeed.”
Looking at Nameless with a “Did you know?” expression, he shook his head, apparently unaware of this news.
“Hmm…”
Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to check it out?
I was getting tired of being cooped up in the hut anyway.
It felt a bit wasteful to have chopped all that wood, but it’s not like I won’t come back.
Besides, it’s the Demon King’s territory, right?
It feels a bit uncomfortable to stay there for too long.
“Disciple, what do you think?”
I passed the choice on to Nameless once again.
Honestly, I didn’t care whether we went or not, but Nameless’s opinion mattered the most to me.
After a moment of contemplation, Nameless nodded and replied.
“Visiting might be a good idea, don’t you think?”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, if it really bothers you, you can just think of it as an extension of your journey after descending.”
Indeed, I’ve never really traveled comfortably after descending.
Between Lili and dealing with the Hero and Saint, there wasn’t a quiet day.
Well, meeting Camilla was nice, though.
I nodded in agreement with Nameless’s words.
“Then let’s go.”
With a cheerful grin, Jack clapped his hands, calling someone.
Immediately, intricate lines surrounded Jack, forming a familiar pattern.
Hmm, looks like Jackal is around.
I’m really glad Lucius didn’t notice!
Just as I was about to step into the completed magic circle, a sudden thought stopped me.
“Master?”
“Wait a minute.”
…It feels like I forgot something.
Oh right! The gift Lucius gave.
“Nameless, can you bring that over?”
“Are you talking about the gift from Lucius?”
Nodding my head, Nameless fetched a wrapped bundle from the corner.
…When did I shove it over there?
As I unwrapped the well-tied bundle, a sweet and sour aroma wafted up my nose.
“This is…”
“Strawberries.”
Why on earth did he give me so many strawberries?
It feels a bit like receiving a bribe begging me to visit the palace, but it’s not money, it’s strawberries, so it’s uncomfortably acceptable, right?
I popped a strawberry in my mouth and chewed.
“Strawberries, huh? This works out well.”
I couldn’t go to meet the kids from the Church empty-handed, so I figured this would do.
I felt a twinge of guilt for recycling gifts, but, well, it should be fine.
Besides, who doesn’t like strawberries?
The kids from the Church would surely love them too.
Smiling brightly, I stepped into the pattern, and suddenly, everything went bright.
*
It was nice to travel fast over a long distance with the help of Jackal, but every time I experience this kind of magic, I think about how I never really get used to it.
I still felt a bit queasy now.
“Uhm….”
I really don’t want to feel this way again.
“Are you alright? Your expression doesn’t look good.”
Concerned, Nameless placed his hand on my forehead.
Hmm, could he care less about what others think?
Even now, Jack, for some reason, has this pleased expression while looking at us.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Clearing my throat awkwardly, I pushed Nameless’s hand away.
By the way…
“…It’s amazing.”
I had some expectations since I heard we were in the Demon King’s territory, but this was more stunning than I had imagined.
Despite it being morning, the sky didn’t have the sun, yet it was bright.
Curiously, I looked closely and noticed a huge gem atop the Demon King’s castle was emitting a red light, which seemed to illuminate the sky.
That must be what’s brightening the sky.
From the aura I could sense, it resembled the energy that Lili or Jackal possessed.
I could speculate that a sealed Demon King was inside that gem, and this phenomenon was happening as the sealed Demon King accumulated power.
However, it didn’t seem to fully act as a sun, as the parched land showed no signs of relief.
But.
‘It’s beautiful.’
Even that dry land combined with the reddishness of the sunset created a mysterious atmosphere.
And then, the village that was situated there.
Thanks to Jackal’s help, we arrived at the Cheonma Church, and it was indeed something Jack could proudly speak about.
Undoubtedly.
“Yes, it’s hard to believe this was built with such a small number of people.”
It easily surpassed any other city Nameless and I had visited thus far.
As I continued to marvel, Jack, who had arrived before us, welcomed us with a smile.
“Welcome to the Cheonma Church!”
“Impressive.”
“Haha, it would have been impossible without the Cheonma’s support.”
Hmm, what did he mean by support?
I hadn’t really given any money to the kids from the Cheonma Church.
Jack, still wearing a pleasant smile, added.
“Support isn’t just financial. The Cheonma asked Lili to guide us here, which is already a generous form of support, and she showed us the way too.”
A path, huh…
I can’t even find my own way properly; whose path are they talking about guiding?
“Not to mention she helped us fix our poor mindset as well as taught the basics of swordsmanship.”
I scratched my head awkwardly.
Hmm, this feels a bit embarrassing.
“Now hurry and show us around.”
“Understood.”
As I watched Jack’s back lead the way, I grabbed Nameless’s hand.
“Let’s not be late.”
“Yes, Master.”
Entering the village, I furrowed my brows in a space that felt both familiar and unfamiliar.
“Eastern style…?”
“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”
“…Never mind.”
As villagers, or rather believers, appeared to observe us at the entrance, I realized their clothes resembled those that Nameless and I wore from the East.
…It feels oddly nostalgic.
To think I’d feel a sense of home in this world.
Of course, it felt more like a ‘past version’ of home.
Did my excited expression catch Nameless’s eye?
He smiled contentedly and pulled my hand, speaking up.
“It feels like a village made for you, Master.”
“Indeed, it really does.”
Truly, it feels like a village made for me.
My heart swelled.
I even entertain the ridiculous thought of just getting rid of the Demon King and settling down here.
Wait.
Why is that thought so ridiculous?
I shifted my gaze towards the gem where the Demon King is presumed to be sealed.
If I break that, won’t the Demon King die too?
Moreover, I can’t shake off what the Reaper told me.
‘The condition for transcendence is built upon your deeds.’
And if what the Reaper and Lili said is correct, I might have the chance to steal someone else’s deeds.
Then, if I kill the Demon King and steal his deeds, wouldn’t that work?
I licked my lips, the mouthwatering thoughts taking form in my mind.
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