Chapter: 600
We heard from Phoebe that we could come over anytime, so the next morning, we immediately left Allen’s Territory.
“Didn’t they say to come by lunch? Is it really okay to go already?”
“Frey Kent, haven’t you ever been to a Holy Land?”
“Am I supposed to?”
“Well, there’s no need. Just asking.”
“The reason we’re moving now is because of the particular nature of the Holy Land. It’s a place that cannot be accessed by the teleportation magic.”
Arthur frowned at Joy for interrupting his explanation, but he didn’t try to stop her.
“Cannot be reached?”
“I don’t know the exact reason. But it’s clear that some force inside the Holy Land blocks spatial movement.”
It’s a place that couldn’t be reached directly because Garad’s castle couldn’t install a teleportation magic circle last time, and since teleportation itself is impossible at the Holy Land, we should find other means to get there.
So back when this was a game, it was basically required to do everything you could after visiting the Holy Land just once. Ideally, you’d not visit at all until the very last moment.
“So how do we get there?”
“If magic doesn’t work, the only option left is to use physical means.”
Ignoring Joy’s explanation, I stepped onto the Translocation Technique and suppressed the urge to vomit as I came out the other side.
“Nice to meet you, friend of the Saintess.”
Waiting at the door was one of the current Cardinals of the Lord Jushin Church.
I know this guy.
He seems like a Shoddy Grandpa but is actually the leader of two factions that divide the Jushin Church.
If the current Pope steps down, he’s the most likely to be the next Pope.
Cardinal Cesare.
I kept my mouth shut, thinking I shouldn’t cause any trouble right after showing up, and he laughed heartily.
“You need not worry about being rude. I’ve heard countless stories about you. As the one possessing Lord Ruel’s weapon, I can overlook just about anything.”
Cesare wore a congenial smile, but my sense of crisis screamed for me not to take his words lightly.
“Cardinal Cesare!”
“Saintess. It’s been a while. I’m glad to see you’re still in good health, this old man is delighted.”
“I never expected it to be you who came out to greet me.”
“Hahaha. Seeing Johan busily moving about sparked my curiosity. Maybe it’s because I’m nearing the end, and I simply can’t help myself.”
After finishing his greeting with Phoebe, he looked over the faces of my friends and nodded with a smile.
His mumbled comment about good friends made him seem like a kind grandpa, but everyone here understood that he was not someone to be taken lightly.
The elder’s fierce gaze that had fleetingly crossed was sharper than a general’s, staring down the frontline.
[What a creepy old man. Typical church guy.]
As I tried to secretly hide behind Phoebe, Garad’s voice echoed in my ears.
[He’s one of those common types you see up there. It’s hard to climb up without someone like that.]
‘You two. Have you made up?’
[No? We’re still fighting? The mental medium is quite nice. As long as you don't give up, you can move for a lifetime.]
[Damn it. It's infuriating how stubborn they are.]
Wait, you’ve been fighting for nearly two days straight, and still no conclusion?
Does that even make sense?
Stamina and mental strength are fine, but in a battle, there are limits.
[Anyway, it’s best not to get close to such people. They're someone you can never side with.]
[I doubt that. This sly dog is relatively on the safer side.]
From beyond the calm chatter, a faint rumble could be heard. It wasn’t the sound of metal clashing.
If I were to compare it, it sounded more like the roar of a disaster sweeping across the lands like a hurricane. I wondered what the training grounds would look like by tonight.
[As long as I can be recognized as an ally, that’s fine.]
[But that’s what’s hard.]
[True that.]
In the end, thinking it’s best not to be disliked for now, I endured the sharp stares in silence.
“What a scary person he is.”
“My insides hurt just as much as when I was being scrutinized in the social circle.”
“My nape was tingling.”
“W-Well, he is a faithful person for sure. As long as you keep up your manners, it should be fine.”
Realizing she couldn’t deny the evaluations flowing in towards Cardinal Cesare, Phoebe awkwardly smiled and defended him.
Well, fine. He might be faithful. But the problem is that faithfulness and goodness are not the same.
“Oh, I wanted to mention the procedures we talked about yesterday. Does everyone remember them?”
“Procedures? What’s that?”
“Didn’t the Saintess explain it yesterday?”
“Did she?”
“Hah. Let me explain it again. Try to remember this time.”
Not wanting Joy to take over the explanation again, Arthur immediately continued.
The procedures Phoebe had explained last night were sort of like immigration checks.
Prohibition of carrying any items that could potentially become weapons. Space pockets are also prohibited. Items with various magical functions are not allowed either.
Aside from that, to enter the Holy Land, you had to throw yourself into numerous restrictions. It’s to prevent someone from ruining the Holy Land.
“So what should we do?”
“We’re going to use the power that Lucy Allen possesses. It seems she has her own space of sorts.”
This is where my inventory function comes into play.
A power that exists nowhere in this world cannot be confirmed by any means.
The fact that none of the many strong individuals I’ve met have mentioned my inventory proves it.
“Hand over all your Shoddy Weapons. Happy? I’m tolerating your sloppiness, after all.”
So for me, I can bring weapons into the Holy Land. Once we enter, it’ll be a piece of cake.
Because we have Phoebe.
Leveraging Phoebe’s credibility, if we sneak into the trial place, it’ll be over.
If we get caught, we can just say it resonated with Ruel’s Mace and got sucked in, making it hard for them to argue.
After all, Ruel’s Mace is a weapon that disappeared with Grandpa. There’s no one who knows much about it.
“For now, let’s act like regular tourists during the day.”
“Is there a lot of delicious food?”
“Not sure. When I visited before, I was too flustered. What do you think, Saintess?”
“There are indeed a few places worth looking forward to.”
“You can trust what Phoebe says. I was completely satisfied!”
“If it’s about that guy and his gluttony, it sounds believable.”
“W-What’s wrong with my appetite?!”
“Don’t you know? Fat pig?”
“I’m not a pig!”
As we chatted casually in the carriage, before we knew it, the Holy Land came into view.
The first thing that caught my eye was a tower so high it seemed to touch the sky.
This tower, said to be built in the age of myths, bore the blessing of the Lord, and even after all this time, it showed no signs of decay.
But it’s supposed to collapse within the next six months.
While I pondered whether it could really be preserved in reality, I realized that as long as the Pope was causing havoc, there was nothing I could do and shook my head.
“Yes. Confirmation is complete.”
Having put Garad’s shield into my inventory and resized Ruel’s Mace into a necklace for inspection, I hurried past the nun whose face was flushed from hearing my criticism during the inspection process.
“Ah! Lady Allen! Could you please wait a moment?!”
What? What is it!? Did they find out? Is my excuse of a relic gifted from Count Arteia not holding up?
“There’s one last procedure left. Here!”
Nervous on the inside, I blinked when the nun suddenly presented me with a nun’s outfit.
Last procedure? I’ve probably visited the Holy Land thousands of times in-game, and this kind of event never happened!
“Please wear this!”
…Huh? Is that all?
Well, compared to the torment I endured with the Perverted Apostle, this is nothing.
*
“Why a nun’s outfit all of a sudden? Phoebe.”
Joy grumbled at Phoebe, who seemed unable to meet the other’s gaze while forcibly removing her beloved dress.
“I’ve never heard that new rules were implemented in the Holy Land.”
“W-Well, it’s for stricter safety.”
“The Saintess can’t lie very well, it seems.”
Arthur, fiddling at his collar as if the priest’s robe was constricting, looked at Phoebe who diverted her eyes again.
“No, normally it’s not this strict. If it’s a necessary lie, Phoebe can handle it quite well.”
“Then that means this lie is unnecessary.”
“W-What are you talking about?!”
“Do I really have to wear this? It’s uncomfortable to move in.”
As she pointed toward the awkwardly dressed Frey, Phoebe, her eyes trembling, ultimately closed them tightly.
“Maybe we’re caught up in something this time?”
“Seems like it. There’s only one reason why the Saintess would go to such lengths.”
“Hmm? What’s that?”
As the conversation between my friends progressed, cold sweat flowed down Phoebe’s spine.
“Dumbass. Think about it. Why would the Saintess succumb to desire?”
“I would have gladly cooperated if she had just spoken honestly.”
“Huh?”
“In many ways, we were acting like spoiled children to the Saintess. Asking for this much would be painless for us.”
“Ugh. Oh, it’s Lucy?”
“Why? Stupid swordsman.”
Startled by a voice she would want to hear repeatedly for ages, Phoebe was lost in thought as she heard small footsteps approaching.
I want to open my eyes right now!
But is it really okay to meet the Young Lady in such an unstable emotional state?
Can I endure facing the Young Lady’s radiant form?
Will I be able to withstand the results of my desires!?
“…Kyaa!”
Caught between desire and hesitation, Phoebe flinched at the sensation gripping her belly and screamed, opening her eyes.
“Isn’t it a bit soon to pray, huh? Didn’t you know? Sloppy Saintess?”
Facing Lucy in a nun’s outfit, Phoebe desperately suppressed her rising corners of her mouth.
If I let my guard down even a little, I feel like I would smile like Lina!
I absolutely must stop that!
This place is the Holy Land! I cannot lose my dignity here! Because I’m a Saintess!
“Guide me quickly, Sloppy Saintess! I want to see how much effort the little ones have put in.”
“…Y-Yes!!”
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