“So, you failed?”
“That’s right.”
Somewhere on the continent, in an unknown location.
Iandel nodded at the man in front of him.
In front of the altar where a huge furnace was set up, he slowly got up from his place after constantly praying.
At the same time, the flames behind him began to burn fiercely.
SSSZZZTT!
The fire blazed in an ominously purple hue.
Thinking it looked as if something dreadful was alive within, Iandel raised his head.
Moments later, as if nothing had happened, the flames subsided and the man stood up, approaching Iandel.
Though he appeared to be an ordinary figure one could find anywhere, Iandel felt as if a colossal, untouchable presence was approaching him.
The thought of wanting to flee immediately filled his mind, and cold sweat began to trickle down his spine.
The next moment, the man slowly raised his hand and placed it on Iandel’s shoulder.
“It seems… that we need to revise our plans. It does not appear to be our time yet.”
“I’m sorry… I will accept my punishment.”
“There’s no need for that. This was all part of the plan.”
Saying this to Iandel, who had bowed his head, the High Priest added,
“However… there is one concerning aspect.”
“Are you talking about Count Weinstein?”
The Count’s Domain.
Thorns in the side of the church for several years, meddling in every affair.
If it weren’t for them, the church’s secret plan might have been completed long ago.
“He is a being that does not exist in the future he has seen.”
“…!!”
At those words, Iandel could not help but swallow.
The man before him was the deity they served.
A direct messenger of death, guiding them on their path.
In other words, he was the agent and kin of the god within the church.
A manifestation of death.
Acknowledging the existence of an anomaly by none other than him could incite fear and confusion among the believers.
“What then is he…?”
“We cannot be sure if he is a being like me, or merely a coincidence. Or perhaps a twist of fate.”
“What do you plan to do now…?”
“Hiding in the darkness, we must prepare more thoroughly. It does not seem to be our time yet…”
In response to Iandel’s question, the High Priest looked up at the sky.
A dark sky swirling with snow.
Among it, a gigantic purple moon shone.
“Do not worry. That day will surely come. A new world and paradise await.”
As he gazed at that sight, the High Priest turned to Iandel and said so.
And at that moment, a fierce snowstorm began to whip around.
*
On a sunny morning, in the kitchen of the lodging.
“Ugh… I feel awful… My head hurts…”
“That’s what happens when you drink so much.”
Approaching Leje, who was sitting wrapped in a blanket in front of the fireplace, Rudell handed her a warm bowl of steaming soup.
GULP! With a slurping sound, Leje shoved the soup into her mouth and savored it.
“Whoa…!! This is delicious! What is this?”
“Chicken soup. I tried making it. They say it’s good for a hangover.”
Made with boiled chicken broth and shredded chicken, it was a dish commonly known as chicken soup in the original world.
“This could be sold!”
“Not that I want to.”
Recalling his past experience working part-time in a restaurant, Rudell shook his head.
Sitting all day, prepping ingredients, serving a flood of customers without a break, and washing dishes after they left.
That was truly back-breaking labor.
“That’s just restaurant work for you.”
“Good morning.”
“G-Good morning…!!”
“Did you sleep well?”
At that moment, the door swung open and Kurt, Silphier, and Eleor walked in.
“Morning.”
“Did you wake up?”
Responding to their greetings, Rudell and Leje waved their hands.
While Eleor and Silphier, who hadn’t drunk, were fine, Kurt, who had drunk far more than Leje, seemed completely unaffected by a hangover.
They say the Nord tribe drinks alcohol instead of water… Maybe that’s why.
“Something smells good. What is that?”
With that thought in mind, as Rudell looked at Kurt, who was sniffing the air, he seemed interested and turned to the pot.
“Chicken soup. Want some?”
“Hmm. Please.”
“Come eat too, there’s plenty.”
“W-Well then…”
“I would like some too.”
As everyone took their places, Rudell placed plates of chicken soup in front of them.
After taking a bite of the soup, they all stared at Rudell with astonished looks.
“This is… amazing.”
“I-I’ve never had chicken soup this delicious before!!”
“What on earth is this…”
“There’s plenty, so take your time.”
Seeing everyone showering him with compliments as if they were enchanted, Rudell let out a low chuckle.
As any cook knows, nothing is more rewarding than seeing someone enjoy your food.
In no time, Kurt and the others cleaned out the pot, sipping tea with satisfied expressions.
“So, do we return to the kingdom now?”
“Shouldn’t we? There’s really nothing else to do…”
Though it was a bit disappointing not catching Kentric, they had made significant results nonetheless.
Even if they turned back now, they wouldn’t be held accountable for failure.
But…
“That’s not acceptable!”
“Leje?”
“Is there still something left to do?”
Hearing Rudell and Kurt’s conversation, Leje huffed and shouted.
At her reaction, Rudell and Kurt exchanged puzzled glances, and Leje stood up, hitting the table as if it was unthinkable.
“After coming this far, are you seriously suggesting we go back? Are you for real?”
“But there’s nothing to do!”
“No way! There are very important things left to do!”
“Important things?”
What could possibly be left to do?
With that thought, Rudell tilted his head but couldn’t figure out what it could be.
Leje, looking at Rudell with an exasperated expression, slapped her chest.
“If we’ve come this far, we should at least see some imperial culture! We should check out new sights!”
“So, what you mean is…”
Rudell squinted at her.
To sum it up in one sentence…
They should at least look around the empire since they’ve come this far.
That was exactly Leje’s point.
“Ugh…”
However, at her suggestion, Rudell let out a low groan.
And rightfully so, as their original reason for being here was under Jade’s orders.
Logically thinking, now that their work was done, they should return and report the events to Jade.
“What do we do…”
But seeing the eager glint in Leje’s eyes, Rudell found it hard to voice that they should go back.
Just then…
“C-Count Weinstein…!!”
“Rudellheit.”
“Huh? What’s going on?”
Silphier and Eleor called out almost simultaneously, looking at Rudell, and he shifted his gaze, bewildered.
“I think I should rest for a few days before heading back… I’m just a bit tired…”
“I think staying a few more days is a good idea too. I have business at the temple.”
“Really?”
Nodding at their words, Rudell agreed.
If there were valid reasons, staying a few more days was not an issue at all.
“Then shall we stay a few more days?”
“I’m on board.”
“I-I’ll agree too…”
“I agree as well.”
“I don’t mind either.”
“Great, then we’ll stay a few more days.”
With three in favor and one abstained, there was no need to discuss further.
“Yay!”
“Aren’t you a bit too happy about this?”
“Who cares? As long as the results are good.”
With the outcome decided, Leje couldn’t hide her joy.
Rudell chuckled at her and she responded with a smile as if to say, ‘What’s it to you?’
Well, if she felt that way, what could he say?
“Then since we’ve decided to stay a few more days, I’m going to take a rest. If anything special happens, call me.”
Since he woke up early to prepare breakfast, Rudell felt tired and said this before getting up to head down the hallway.
As his figure disappeared from sight…
“C-Crown Duchess! G-Good luck!”
“I’ll wish you good fortune.”
He gave a thumbs up to Leje while Silphier and Eleor also headed down the hallway.
And watching the two, Leje nodded.
