The center of the village, guided by Jack.
“Ho ho, you can come this way.”
There stood a fairly large three-story building, and as we reached the top with Nameless, Jack rang the bell, announcing the start.
-Dang! Dang! Dang!
Then, one by one, the villagers who had yet to appear started gathering at the center of the village.
“Hmm, they really unite well.”
“They were waiting for this bell to ring.”
With a smile, Jack proudly opened the window and started shouting loudly.
“Cheonma Church, finally it’s time for us to repay your kindness!”
No response came. However, their expressions showed just how delighted they were.
…This is a bit overwhelming, isn’t it?
Some were even shedding tears, which made me feel burdensome with my humble personality.
“This guy…”
Whether he knew Jack or not, Nameless next to me was snickering while turning his head away.
I’m definitely going to scold him later.
As I sighed deeply, Jack, who had said various things, offered me the stage and added,
“Cheonma, could you say a few words?”
“Um…”
What on earth does he want me to say?
With so many people gathered here, refusing wasn’t an option.
I stood in front of the podium, fully tense.
“Um, nice to meet you.”
“““Nice to meet you!”””
As I waved my hand gently to greet them, a thunderous cheer pierced my ears.
From their voices, it looks like they’re eating well.
Scratching my head awkwardly and searching for words, something came to mind.
Oh, I have that!
I took out the box I received from Lucius and asked,
“Everyone, do you like strawberries?”
Hmm, looking at it, I might not have enough to eat myself.
Did I say that for no reason?
As I waited for their response, I finally noticed the change in their expressions.
…Why are they making such faces?
As I tilted my head in confusion, a chuckling voice came from beside me.
“Puhaha… Master, asking them suddenly if they like strawberries at your first meeting…”
Nameless, who had stopped speaking, burst out laughing all by himself, my face turning bright red.
“Stop laughing…!”
I need to show a dignified leader’s image; they might misunderstand!
…That little rascal! To laugh at my role as a Master…!
“Then what on earth should I say?!”
He’d be nervous in front of this many people too!
As I poked Nameless with those thoughts, his answer came without hesitation.
“You could greet them, or say let’s get along moving forward.”
Tsk, that’s a valid point.
But admitting it here would really make me look bad, so I can’t do that.
I turned my head away and muttered quietly.
“…Then why didn’t you do it?”
“How could I step in for you?”
Then Nameless, who had come up behind me, bent down and whispered in my ear.
“Still…”
Hmm, that’s ticklish.
“The fact that you are willing to present strawberries you like shows that you care for them, and they will understand your heart as Master.”
“…Really?”
“Yes, it’s true. If there’s someone who doesn’t, I’ll go find them and let them know personally. You don’t need to worry.”
Well, if you put it that way, I guess I have no choice.
“Alright! That sounds fine!”
“Indeed.”
After giving a small flick to Nameless’s laughing head, I cleared my throat softly.
“Ahem! I’m sorry to come so late.”
Following this, there wasn’t much to say.
Just the usual cheap greetings of how have you been, and continuing an ordinary conversation while hearing the answers.
However, perhaps because we hadn’t met in a long time.
There seemed to be a lot more curiosity in their expressions than I thought.
Seeing that, I chuckled and opened my mouth.
“Well, do you have any questions? Feel free to ask. Ah, if you have multiple questions, please raise your hand since I might miss what you say all at once.”
Right after, I expected only a dozen or so hands to raise among the hundreds gathered.
“…What?”
Most of them started raising their hands.
…I guess I won’t be sleeping tonight.
Sighing deeply, I pointed to the first person who raised their hand.
“You there in front, go ahead.”
“I’m curious about the purpose of the Cheonma Church.”
“Oh ho.”
Starting strong with the questions, huh?
I shrugged and answered.
“There isn’t any such thing.”
In reality, I don’t expect anything from them.
“But.”
“What you want is not this, so let me say a few things.”
I raised the corners of my mouth and continued speaking.
“Throw away selfish thoughts that only concern yourself and prioritize others, living in harmony.”
From my experience, it’s better together than alone.
“Protect each other, and if you see someone in trouble, step up to help first.”
The beginning of relationships starts from small assistance.
“Thoughts have no substance or power. If you want something, take action yourself.”
Don’t be timid like I am.
“Let go of the past. No matter how you have lived until now, that’s of little importance. Of course, if there are sins, you should bear the consequences, but forget the regrets of the past.”
Regret doesn’t change the future.
“And lastly.”
I took a breath and looked into the eyes of my listeners who were attentively listening.
Why are they focusing so much on what I’m saying?
Even so, it made me feel good and brought a smile to my face.
“Grow your strength.”
Whether it’s wealth, power, or knowledge, it’s better to have an abundance than to lack them.
Even I, despite my ignorance and stupidity, am not doing badly, right?
“You all know better. The world is survival of the fittest. If you’re weak, you suffer, and if you’re strong, you take charge.”
Most gathered here probably hadn’t grown strong because they were too busy just surviving until now.
“There’s food here to fill your bellies and houses to keep you warm, so use the remaining time to build your strength because only strength is absolute.”
I explained the reason for this to preemptively address any doubts.
“Even with a warm heart, if you lack strength, you cannot act on it.”
I emphasized one last time.
“So, grow your strength.”
I drew out a wooden sword, got into a stance, and swung it mightily toward the sky.
“The goal of the Cheonma Church is power.”
Soon, the red sky tore open, and a sun that had never shined here directed its rays toward them.
“If you have strength, there’s nothing you can’t do. Don’t worship me, worship strength itself.”
With eyes looking as if they were witnessing a miracle, I chuckled and added to my words with the sky starting to close behind me.
“Next question?”
After that, there wasn’t any significant exchange of important questions.
It was just a series of trivial inquiries repeating themselves.
For instance, most questions were about my relationship with Nameless.
Hmm, it’s obviously a teacher-disciple relationship, isn’t it?
Why such an odd question?
…But every time I answered, Nameless’s expression rapidly soured.
Did I say something wrong?
Hmm, I only told the truth.
Truly, disciples can be so confusing sometimes.
*
“Is this the room I should use?”
“Yes, indeed. If you’re uncomfortable, I can offer you my room, so feel free to tell me.”
I’m not uncomfortable at all, but…
“Isn’t it overly extravagant?”
Where on earth did they get the money? The room was crammed with all kinds of decorations.
“Haha, don’t worry. Everything was earned through legitimate work.”
To sum up Jack’s next words briefly.
It seems the children in the Cheonma Church receive commissions like adventurers and earn a certain amount of money. And with their surplus, they managed to gather enough to buy these things.
“…Well, if it gets too troublesome, just sell it.”
“I understand.”
Jack, who bowed his head slightly, left the room.
“Um, by the way, Nameless.”
“…Yes, Master?”
“Why is your expression like that?”
For a moment, Nameless looked at me, then sighed deeply and added.
“With all these ornaments, why is there only one room and one bed?”
“Huh?”
Hearing Nameless’s words, I looked around the room, and there indeed was only one bed, just as he had said.
However, it shouldn’t just be one room.
I did say I could offer another room if he wanted.
Though I had no intention to let Nameless go to another room.
“Um, is it uncomfortable?”
Seeing Nameless react like a teenage boy, I felt a little worried, but he shook his head.
“No, it’s fine… Just go to sleep.”
“Right, asking to bring in another bed or room would be a nuisance.”
Jack probably has his work to do, so he might be busy.
I can’t trouble him over minor things.
With a pleasant smile, I dove into bed and felt its warmth.
This is paradise, isn’t it?
It’s similar to the bed I laid on at Camilla’s house, right?
“What are you standing around for? Hurry and lie down.”
“I’ll wash up quickly. Master, you should wash up too.”
“Ah.”
How bothersome…
“That’s not happening…”
“Well, maybe…”
I’m not saying I won’t wash up…
Sighing deeply, I loosened the bandage tied around my chest and asked Nameless.
“Are you going to wash with me?”
Nameless’s face turned redder than a strawberry as he rapidly shook his head.
“Master… Please.”
Hmm, I wonder why he hates it so much.
He must REALLY be going through a phase.
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