Temple district of Prucelium.
Located to the north of the royal castle, this place was home to numerous temples of churches serving the gods.
Perhaps because of that, the atmosphere of the temple district naturally exuded a solemn vibe. If anyone were to pick the quietest place in the Royal Road, without hesitation, they would point to the divine area.
“Every time I come here, it’s just not my thing,”
“Well, can’t help it. Temples tend to have that sort of vibe.”
Even though he liked quiet places, this atmosphere was too much for him.
It wasn’t the natural silence of the forest, but a stillness born from solemnity and divinity. The two were clearly different.
“By the way, it feels like there are a lot of people today. Are they all mercenaries?”
Looking at the bustling street, which was more crowded than usual, Leje said that.
“It seems that way.”
“Thinking about it from a different perspective, I guess I would also want to give it a shot.”
The reason why the two people, whose faith wasn’t very deep, suddenly found themselves in the temple district was simple.
Today was the day they were accepting applications for the Hero Selection Tournament.
“Hmm…”
“Any strong-looking people around?”
“Nope, they’re all a bunch of weaklings.”
Leje shook her head in response to Rudell’s question, letting out low groaning sounds while looking around. In her eyes, close to becoming a Sword Master, who wouldn’t be seen as a weakling?
With that thought, Rudell let out a small snicker.
“What’s with the sudden laughter?”
“Nothing at all.”
Shaking his head at Leje, who squinted at him, Rudell continued on the path. Leje followed behind, and after walking for a while, they spotted the massive temple they were familiar with.
“Oh my, why is the line so long?”
“I didn’t expect it to be this bad…”
In front of the temple serving Goddess Gaia, Rudell and Leje expressed their dismay at the long line.
A queue that seemed to stretch endlessly, twisting around the corner and beyond, made it feel impossible to even think about joining.
“I didn’t expect so many people would be vying for the title of hero…”
“Well… it’s not surprising.”
The one and only, chosen by the gods.
The honor one could gain by becoming a hero was truly indescribable.
Holding a sword and having a meaningful purpose, anyone might’ve dreamed of that position at least once. That was the essence of being a hero.
“By the way, are you really not going to participate?”
“Leje, I told you. I’m not interested in being a hero.”
Having turned down the offer several times, Rudell declined it again.
After all, there was someone next to him who was far more suited to being a hero—what’s the point?
That was his reasoning.
“Hmm…”
“Well, what do you want to do? Shall we wait a bit?”
“I absolutely hate waiting…”
As Leje let out another low groaning sound, Rudell asked her, but just then…
“Rudellheit? Leje?”
“…?”
A familiar voice came from behind them, and Rudell and Leje turned around.
What they saw in front of them was…
“Long time no see. Has it been half a year?”
“Eleor?”
“Eleor?”
With knightly guards on each side, Eleor was looking at the two of them.
Dressed in the plain attire of a priestess, and with her face covered by a cloth mostly used by female priests, her aura and voice were nonetheless unforgettable.
“Did you two come to apply for the Hero Selection Tournament?”
“Well, we did, but the line is way too long. I was contemplating what to do.”
“I see… Then would you follow me?”
“Follow you?”
At her suggestion, Rudell and Leje’s eyes widened.
Then, Eleor smiled lightly and headed towards the entrance of the temple with the knights.
Rudell and Leje followed her, reaching the entrance together.
“Welcome, Your Holiness.”
The guard at the entrance of the temple bowed. Eleor also lightly nodded in response.
“My, you’re doing well. These two are my guests. It won’t be a problem for them to pass through, right?”
“Of course. Please go ahead.”
At Eleor’s words, the guard guarding the entrance moved aside, allowing them to pass.
Turning back to Rudell and Leje, Eleor winked, and they followed her into the temple.
“Oh my…”
“The inside is impressive too…”
The line for the tournament application extended long inside the temple as well.
Of course, the two didn’t join that queue.
Passing through the bustling hall filled with people, they headed deeper into the temple.
After a while, Eleor stopped in front of a certain room and nodded toward the knight guarding the door.
At that moment, the knight stepped aside, opening the door and letting a bright light pour into the hallway.
Rudell and Leje raised their hands to shield their eyes from the light.
After a moment, their eyes adjusted to the brightness, and the scene before them began to crystallize.
In front of their eyes, they saw a spacious hall and a round table in the center.
“Normally, this place is never opened to the public… but you two are special.”
“Oh… so this is what the inside of the temple looks like.”
Looking at the scene in front of her, Leje said in awe.
At the center of a space big enough for a sports field stood a single round table.
It was a barren sight, yet it simultaneously emanated a solemnity that was hard to describe.
“Someone is sitting over there?”
“Who is it?”
At that moment, while scanning the surroundings, Leje spotted someone sitting at the round table and exclaimed.
Rudell also shifted his gaze and noticed an elderly man sitting at the table.
At the same time, Eleor walked towards the table, and Rudell and Leje hesitated for a moment before following her.
After a while, as they finally reached the table, Eleor stopped and said…
“Long time no see, Your Holiness.”
“What…?”
“Your… Your Holiness…?”
Taken aback, Rudell and Leje reacted in surprise as they saw Eleor and the knights bow respectfully.
At that moment, the elderly man turned his head toward them.
A geriatric man with an impression so ordinary that he could be found anywhere.
If it weren’t for Eleor’s words, Rudell and Leje would never have believed that this man was the Pope, recognized as an equal to the Emperor of the Empire.
“Nice to meet you. I am the representative of all churches and the Pope, Johannes Derenses Tubel Kainers.”
“Honored to meet you, Your Holiness. I am Leje El Lagrind.”
“I am Rudellheit Weinstein.”
Why on earth is the Pope here?
In a situation where they couldn’t quite comprehend, Rudell and Leje knelt on one knee.
In front of them was someone regarded as equivalent to the Emperor of the Empire.
It was only natural for them to kneel.
“I’ve heard quite a bit about you two. Seeing you in person, you certainly possess exceptional abilities.”
“Too kind of you to say.”
“I’m just a humble servant of the goddess.”
“Young people are so polite.”
The best way to treat an elder is to be humble, and that held true even in front of the Pope, treated equally to the Emperor.
“So, did you two come here to participate in the Hero Selection Tournament?”
“No, I’m the only one who is participating.”
“Is Mr. Weinstein not participating?”
At Leje’s answer, the Pope raised an eyebrow in curiosity, while Rudell pondered for a moment before speaking.
“I’m not a person suited to be a hero.”
A hero is someone who can be a beacon of hope for everyone.
To be a source of hope for people in the face of upcoming challenges, one must have strength.
In that case, the one most suited to be a hero at this moment was Leje, not him.
That was Rudell’s line of thought.
“Oh…”
The Pope narrowed his eyes in interest at his answer, and Eleor, observing the scene, smiled lightly.
Of course, Rudell and Leje, who were bowing their heads, couldn’t see that.
“I see… I understand your perspective well.”
In a meaningful voice, the Pope said that and glanced at the knight beside him.
As if sensing something from his gaze, the knight bowed and walked toward the door through which Rudell and his party entered.
As that figure disappeared from sight, the Pope stared at Rudell and said…
“Even so, why don’t you give it a try?”
