The flag adorned with the cross, symbolizing the White God, fluttered at Daedalus Castle, asserting who the ruler of this land was.
And now, it was being proven by the presence of the white girl seated on the throne, that the former ruler, Dragon King Gavinal, had completely lost his majesty with his death.
“You may step back now.”
“Yes, my apologies, Lord Sariel.”
The Seventh Apostle Sariel, sitting upright on the throne dressed in the style of the Sinclair Republic with white paint, watched as the Sister who had fulfilled her duties left the room.
Next to her was an empty envelope, its seal featuring the Holy Cross broken.
“I was surprised, I never expected ‘White Hero’, Lord Second Apostle Abel himself, to come here.”
The contents of the envelope were in the hands of Archbishop Lucrom, Sariel’s deputy commander, who stood by.
The two read the letter sent by Pope Alexandros XI, and though their expressions remained unchanged, they were inwardly shocked by its contents.
“Do you understand why Lord Abel is coming here?”
The letter merely stated that Abel would be visiting the Pandora Continent secretly and requested that they attend to him properly.
Sariel thought that since Lucrom was a perceptive deputy commander unlike herself, he might be able to deduce the concealed reason for the visit from the text and asked him directly.
“No, I have no idea.
If Lord Abel were to move from Elysion, there must be a substantial reason; it’s unimaginable that it would just be a whim.”
It felt as if she could hear sarcasm directed at someone.
Although small resistances continued sporadically throughout the occupation of Daedalus, Crusader soldiers had already made their way through every corner of Daedalus, and overall, the situation was progressing smoothly.
There were no problems with the conquest; if anything else were to be considered, it would only be the case of the missing Eleventh Apostle Misa.
However, that too had been resolved recently when she returned, and the circumstances were generally clarified.
In any case, by now, Marias was likely listening to the complaints of the Twelfth Apostle Mariabel while being watched over by the Maternal smile of the Third Apostle Michael, swaying over the sea aboard the magic battleship Gargantua.
By the way, the Third Apostle Michael, who had been worried about a second mishap, was fortunately caught while wandering in the streets of Daedalus and the situation did not escalate.
Even considering the recent happenings in Daedalus, Lucrom didn’t think there was a significant issue that would cause Lord Second Apostle Abel to act.
“That’s true.”
Sariel also agreed.
She was utterly a figurehead in matters outside of battle, such as the current occupation policy, yet she still received some essential information, so she found Lucrom’s assertion that no major issues had arisen to be reasonable.
“Given that the circumstances are being kept secret, we shouldn’t pry any further.”
“Yes, what His Holiness and Lord Abel do must surely align with the will of God.
As stated in this letter, please make the necessary arrangements for his visit.”
Understood, Lucrom accepted Sariel’s words with graceful actions reminiscent of a seasoned old butler.
The letter instructed that Lord Abel’s visit was to be treated as a complete secret, with the only ones knowing his identity limited to Lord Sariel, the Crusader’s Commander-in-Chief, and Deputy Commander Archbishop Lucrom.
Abel’s official status would be as an envoy sent directly by the Pope to investigate the situation on the Pandora Continent; of course, he would not claim to be an Apostle.
Since his purpose was to conduct inquiries for reporting back to the Pope, there was a ‘request’ to provide the envoy with as much information as the Crusaders were aware of.
“Archbishop Lucrom, could you step out for a moment?”
To Sariel’s sudden request, Lucrom responded calmly, though after a pause.
“Then, I shall excuse myself first; I will let the guards know to take an early lunch break.”
Without pursuing any particular reason, he simply accepted Sariel’s demand to ‘clear the room’.
Even if it was an incomprehensible instruction, as it was issued by an Apostle, it couldn’t be stopped; a mere ‘human’ could only obey without questioning or prying.
“Thank you, I will return to my usual duties this afternoon.”
After a respectful bow, Lucrom left the throne room.
For just under an hour from this point, no one except Sariel would enter the throne room, and there would be no one to observe the state within, creating a complete state of seclusion.
In the silence-dominated throne room, Sariel softly murmured.
“You may come out now.”
However, that voice, which was supposed to vanish into the void, indeed reached a certain individual.
“Ah, I’m sorry, seems I caused you some trouble.”
Though it was supposed to be an empty throne room, a girl stepped out from the shadows of a thick column, appearing as if she had been there all along.
With twin blonde ponytails, a thin shirt, and a mini skirt, her simple leather chest armor and boots marked her as no ordinary citizen.
To put it simply, she looked like a novice adventurer.
Although her appearance lacked the dignity of a seasoned adventurer who had been through many trials, her true identity was,
“Welcome to the Pandora Continent, Eighth Apostle Ai.”
Sariel showed no particular surprise at the appearance of the free-spirited Apostle who lived freely in the world.
“You still look adorable, Senior Sariel! But if you’re welcoming me, I would have liked to see a smile!”
Sariel’s lips twitched slightly at Ai’s words, which could be interpreted as somewhat cheeky.
It was not anger; she was trying to smile.
“I’m sorry, please stay exactly as you are, Senior Sariel.”
Seeing Sariel’s fruitless struggle for acknowledgment, Ai seemed to reflect a bit.
“So, what brings you here?”
Returning to her previous expressionless demeanor, Sariel could hardly engage in light conversation with her junior, whom she hadn’t seen in a while, and instead asked directly.
“I thought you might know about me being here in Pandora through Misa—”
Which was indeed the case.
When the missing Misa returned to Daedalus Castle with a sour expression, she had been asked where she had gone and what she had been doing, and the outlines of the situation had been conveyed.
Of course, the unexpected encounter with the Eighth Apostle Ai was also mentioned.
“So I thought I should at least greet you.”
“I see.”
This was why Ai had sneaked into the throne room of the heavily guarded Daedalus Castle, which served as the current base of the Crusaders.
If it were accomplished by a mere citizen, it would indeed be a remarkable feat, but if it was claimed that ‘an Apostle did it,’ everyone would surely believe it.
Especially since Ai had the ability to conceal herself, Sariel thought it was perfectly possible for her to sneak in undetected, and given that she appeared right before her, there was no doubt about it.
“Ah, but I have a request too; could you hear me out?”
Winking as if asking her father for a favor, Ai had the demeanor of a daughter making a request.
“What is it?”
Sariel, unfazed by the cute gesture, responded with utmost indifference.
“Quickly establish the Daedalus branch of the Adventurer Guild!”
Sariel quickly understood the implications of Ai’s request, even with her not being particularly sharp.
Ai had been acting under the guise of an adventurer, the type that would be virtually guaranteed to exist anywhere in the Sinclair Republic, and indeed there was a well-known network of large-scale Adventurer Guilds even in Pandora Continent—knowledge that had already spread since her time holed up in Virginia.
Naturally, there was an Adventurer Guild in the capital Daedalus; however, currently, both the capital and the provinces had the Daedalus Adventurer Guild nonfunctional, and the reason, of course, was the occupation by the Crusaders.
The guilds previously used by the Demon Race and the guilds that would be utilized by the people of the Republic, even under the same name of the Adventurer Guild, were entirely different organizations.
In Daedalus, which had already become part of the Republic, an Adventurer Guild adhering to the Republic’s rules would be established.
At the very least, for Ai to operate as an adventurer within Daedalus territory, the Republic’s Adventurer Guild needed to commence operations.
“I understand.”
Thus, Sariel readily accepted Ai’s demand.
“Yay! I love you, Senior Sariel!!”
Ai leaped toward Sariel, who passively caught her.
“The activities of the Adventurer Guild… are necessary… immediately…”
With Ai nuzzling against her cheeks, Sariel continued explaining earnestly.
The profession of an adventurer was not merely about diving into dungeons to search for treasures.
In a world overflowing with monsters, they played an important role in protecting the local people living in those areas.
Monster extermination and subjugation were certainly crucial tasks for the army, but it was impossible for them to handle everything perfectly on their own.
For ordinary people, adventurers would actively eliminate monsters close to human settlements, providing protection right at their doorsteps.
Moreover, they took on various jobs that could potentially end in combat, such as gathering medicinal herbs, providing personal protection, and delivering goods, which would be dangerous for ordinary citizens.
Additionally, adventurers often obtained monster materials through their work and supplied most of them to the Adventurer Guild, commercial guilds, or directly to blacksmiths and tool shops.
In other words, they also played the role of ‘producers of monster materials’.
Thus, they are indispensable for the lives of those people, making adventurers a major profession that exists in both Ark Continent and Pandora Continent, with many people engaged in it.
Therefore, it should be clear that a prompt commencement of adventurer activities was desired in Daedalus without needing to listen to Sariel’s explanations.
However, Ai was too engrossed in enjoying Sariel’s soft, white cheeks to actually heed her explanation.
“Are you going to stay in Daedalus for a while?”
Without making any unpleasant face at Ai’s excessive skinship attack, Sariel asked flatly.
“Yeah, I thought I’d do some adventuring until things settle down here.
Honestly, I’d like to be an adventurer in Pandora, but if I do that, I can’t do my one job of rectifying the world.”
Ai, the well-known figure within the Republic, the Eighth Apostle, was widely supported by many people for her ‘good deeds’.
She would swoop in to deal with powerful monsters that were beyond the army’s capacity, elegantly punishing officials and wealthy merchants colluding with deeper-rooted corruption, so there was no room for criticism.
However, such acts only saved the people in regions where the Republic and, by extension, the Cross Religion were worshipped.
In other words, it meant that she ‘doesn’t help’ anyone outside of the Cross Religion.
Though Ai operated almost independently of the Church, her actions in aiding many who believed in the Cross Religion could indeed be seen as proper conduct as an Apostle.
“With you around, Daedalus feels safe.”
“Mmm, thank you!”
In a burst of joy, Ai tried to give Sariel a mouth-to-mouth kiss, but as an earnest follower of the Cross Religion, she was gently held back by Sariel’s palm on her lips due to the inappropriateness of such actions.
“I have one question to ask.”
“What is it?”
Having seemingly not lost interest in Sariel’s soft pink lips, Ai puckered her mouth out like an octopus.
“The ‘demon’ that barricaded itself in the village of Alsace, causing significant damage to our Crusaders, was he truly named Chrono?”
Given the incident with Misa acting on her own accord, Sariel was already aware of the situation surrounding the defense of Alsace Village.
Amidst the smooth occupation of Daedalus, this battle had inflicted a clearly evident struggle, with casualties exceeding a thousand, making it known not just to Sariel but to the entire Crusaders.
This battle could not be merely termed as the Demon Race’s trivial ‘resistance activities’; it was unmistakably a ‘war.’
It was understandable that Sariel, the Crusader Commander-in-Chief, would be interested in hearing from Ai, who was involved in that battle.
However, the sole inquiry regarding ‘Chrono’, a single individual, was indeed perplexing.
“Could it be that you, Senior Sariel, know that Chrono-kun?”
Ai returned the question with a teasing grin.
It appeared akin to a girl inquiring about the name of a boy she liked, yet the reality was that it could easily lead to a dangerous inquisition.
“…”
Sariel responded with silence, as she could not lie.
Ai seemed satisfied with Sariel’s reaction, which indicated a silent ‘yes’ to her question, and then replied to the initial inquiry.
“Well, we introduced ourselves, so it wasn’t just a rumor or misunderstanding.
His rare features of black hair and black eyes stood out especially since he was completely dressed in black robes.
Also, there were two exceptionally cute fairy girls and an extraordinarily beautiful witch with him.”
Ai’s words prompted Sariel, who remained silent, to reflect with certainty,
(It has to be Chrono Mao.)
The dark sorcerer, feared as a ‘demon’ who had killed numerous Crusader soldiers in Alsace Village, was undoubtedly the man that she had overlooked twice.
“It’s rare for you, Senior Sariel, to show interest in a specific individual; in fact, isn’t this the first time?”
That observation was indeed sharp.
Anyone who had somewhat interacted with the Seventh Apostle Sariel understood how indifferent she was toward those around her.
She merely defeated enemies and executed the tasks assigned by the Church, making her an ideal representation of an Apostle, but discovering her humanity within that was difficult.
The mere act of confirming whether the name of someone she knew matched that of a man opposing the Crusaders was simply a check.
Yet, it was enough to indicate that ‘Chrono’ was something special to Sariel.
“Hey, hey, could it be that you have feelings for Chrono-kun? Or was he an old flame?”
With her mischievous imagination running wild, Ai nudged Sariel to the verge of teasing.
“No, that is not the case.”
Sariel replied coldly.
She was a puppet, devoid of any human-like emotions or even survival instincts as a living being.
She was entirely foreign to the emotion of liking the opposite sex and could not comprehend it.
“Is that so?”
Ai, sensing something in the air, ceased her probing.
“Well, whatever, oh, here’s my new Guild Card, so if anything happens, please request assistance through the Guild.”
She handed Sariel a card.
It contained the name Ai, a popular name everywhere, a class designation of archer, and the minimum requisite personal data, along with a ranking as an adventurer so low that it would be quicker to count from the bottom.
In Pandora, the Adventurer Guild card was a metal plate, but in Ark Continent, they called these types of cards, printed in mass and distributed like business cards, Guild Cards.
“I’ll tell you anything I find out about Chrono-kun; after all, I owe you, Senior Sariel, so I should repay you in some way.”
“No, I—”
“And with that, see ya! Good luck with your work, Senior Sariel!!”
With that abrupt farewell, Ai exited boldly through the room’s door, leaving Sariel only able to watch silently.
“…Chrono Mao.”
Sariel’s murmured words did not reach anyone’s ear this time.
(I should not have let him escape.)
The swirling thoughts in her heart were unmistakably regret.
Sariel was both an Apostle and the Commander-in-Chief of the Crusaders; her role was to kill enemies, not to show mercy to them.
As the leader of an army, she had the obligation to keep her own troops’ damages to a minimum.
And for Sariel, whose only reason for existence was her duty as an Apostle, to have caused unnecessary losses to her own side through her ‘personal actions’ was something intolerable.
Thus, regret flowed through her; she felt that she should not have acted as she did at that time—everyone experiences such anguish at least once.
(Especially because of me, unnecessary damage was inflicted.)
For Sariel, what was important wasn’t who died but that someone had died.
It wasn’t sorrow over a human life lost, but rather the inability to forgive oneself for causing a situation that led to pointless deaths among soldiers.
Conversely, it meant there was nothing beyond that.
For Sariel, the fate of life and death was not the problem; it was the success or failure of her work that mattered.
(If that is so, it would be best for me to settle this myself.)
With that, Sariel made a decision about the man Chrono Mao, who must surely harbor resentment against the Crusaders.
(If we meet in the ‘next battle’—)
No, that wasn’t an ‘if’; she was partially convinced that he would certainly appear on the battlefield.
Thinking of that time, which would surely come soon,
“I will kill him with my own hands.”
Sariel spoke those words of determination as if to remind herself.
Yet, what dominated her heart was not the anger toward Chrono for causing her to make a ‘mistake’ in her work.
It was the agony of having to kill a man whom she believed to be a source of hope and salvation for the experimental subjects.
Indeed, since becoming the Seventh Apostle, Sariel experienced ‘melancholy’ for the first time.
It had been an incredibly long time since Sariel had her moment to shine.
And so, Chapter 11 begins. Just when will the ‘next battle’ that Sariel desires take place…