The day after sending the letter, on the 29th of Dark Moon.
There were no sudden visitors like yesterday, and the day passed without incident. That said, my work as a priest still feels awkward without Sariel’s support.
**”Here I go! Fire!!”**
The last task of the day was a mock battle with Reki. Shouting a mysterious battle cry, she charged at me, full of energy as always.
In her hand wasn’t an axe, but a proper wooden sword—a larger-than-usual one, resembling an oar-shaped bokken. This wasn’t a longsword but a greatsword-style wooden blade meant for training. I bought it on a whim after spotting it in yesterday’s merchant’s lineup.
Unintentionally, it ended up being a gift for Reki. Giving a wooden sword to a girl might seem utterly lacking in charm, but I genuinely didn’t think that far ahead… though that’s just an excuse, really.
Midway through, I reconsidered and, for fairness’ sake, also bought Ursula a book as a gift, along with a hairbrush for both of them to share. I hastily made the purchases as the shop was closing. The villagers probably witnessed my rather pathetic shopping scene, but the two were overjoyed, so I’ll take that as a win.
Ursula was engrossed in the book I gave her—a light novel about a love story between an angelic princess and a berserker living for revenge. Meanwhile, Reki was gleefully swinging her new oversized wooden sword at me.
The wooden blade tore through the air with an impressive force—but it was too predictable. I could see her aim clearly.
**”Hah! Yah!”**
**”No good. Your transitions between attacks leave too many openings.”**
Stepping back half a step on the packed snow in the church’s backyard to evade, I critiqued Reki’s movements. Gripping my own standard wooden sword in one hand, I lightly tapped her exposed flank.
**”Don’t force your attacks. If you’re just going to leave yourself open, retreat without hesitation.”**
**”Hmph!”**
With a sharp exhale, Reki took a large backstep as instructed, creating distance. Her footwork was surprisingly nimble for a child.
**”Ughhh, I still can’t hit you at all, desuu!”**
**”Your movements are gradually improving. For now, just focus on getting used to swinging the sword itself.”**
It wasn’t just flattery—Reki’s attack motions had indeed improved, even if only slightly. On the first day, it was like watching kids play-fighting, but yesterday’s mock battle showed glimpses of sharpness. And today, that sharpness had grown more pronounced, radiating from her brand-new wooden sword.
**”But but—don’t you think I need a special move, desu?”**
**”Don’t get too carried away with dreams of martial arts.”**
Even my full-power *Dark Calm* doesn’t always guarantee a kill. Honestly, enemies dodge or block it more often than not.
**”For now, just swing to your heart’s content.”**
**”Yes!”**
With an energetic reply, Reki raised her wooden sword high and prepared to charge again—just as a new voice cut in.
**”Seems like y’all are havin’ fun.”**
**”Aah! Ryan, what brings you here, desu?!”**
Peeking out from behind the church was Ryan, the Self-Defense Corps Captain, whom I hadn’t seen since our boxing duel. Reki called him by name without honorifics, but he didn’t seem to mind.
**”Heard the noise all the way from the main street. Reki, your yappin’ is as loud as a damn dog’s.”**
**”Reki’s not that loud, desu yo!”**
**”Huh? What’s that? Can’t hear ya over all that barkin’.”**
**”Grrr! I’ll beat you up, desu!”**
**”Easy now,”** I intervened, stopping Reki from redirecting her charge toward Ryan.
**”What brings you here, Ryan?”**
**”Ah, before that—Reki, mind steppin’ aside for a sec?”**
**”Ehhh?”**
**”Sorry ‘bout this. Just humor me.”**
Ryan bowed his head slightly, and even Reki knew when to read the room.
**”Fine, desu. I’ll take a break, desu.”**
Still swinging her wooden sword as if to show she wasn’t done, Reki headed back inside through the church’s rear entrance.
Now alone with me, Ryan turned serious.
**”Ain’t got much to say, but… figured I should at least thank ya.”**
**”For what?”**
**”Don’t play dumb. Ya lied to cover for me with the old man, didn’t ya?”**
I had suspected as much—this was about the incident at the tavern two nights ago.
**”Someone was about to die. Stopping it was only natural.”**
**”Heh, real priestly answer. That your ‘boundless love’ or somethin’?”**
It wasn’t some grand philosophy. Anyone would’ve stepped in, let alone someone directly involved.
**”Well, whatever. Fact is, I’m still alive thanks to ya. Appreciate it. Got a bit more time to live now.”**
**”No need for thanks.”**
It wasn’t heartfelt gratitude, but Ryan still extended his hand for a handshake.
The moment our hands clasped firmly, his expression darkened.
**”What’s with the scary face?”**
**”Ain’t half as scary as yours.”**
**”I’m self-conscious about it, you know.”**
Ryan laughed. I hadn’t meant it as a joke.
**”Honestly? I still don’t trust ya.”**
Fair enough. Saving a life with words doesn’t erase how dangerous and suspicious I am.
**”If it comes down to it, I’ll stop ya even if it kills me. So, for the love of God, don’t do anythin’ stupid, alright?”**
It sounded more like a plea than a warning. Ryan must’ve already grasped the insurmountable gap between us. Even if he fought with his life on the line, he wouldn’t stand a chance.
So, all he could do was hope.
**”Rest easy. I’m just a temporary hire. I’ll be leaving the village soon.”**
**”…Yeah, the old man told me. Still the Self-Defense Corps Captain here.”**
**”Yet you picked a fight so recklessly.”**
**”Dumbass, that was a test! If ya were weak, I’d have kicked your shady ass outta here!”**
Back then, it might’ve seemed impulsive, but Ryan had his reasons. No amount of persuasion would’ve convinced him unless he saw my strength firsthand.
Still, it was reckless.
**”So, do I meet your standards?”**
**”Tch. Yeah, you’ve got the skills to slaughter dozens of soldiers. Priest, I’ve never seen anyone as dangerous as you—even in Elysion. Seriously, what the hell are ya?”**
**”Randolph already told you, didn’t he? I’m a deserter. A coward who ran from the battlefield.”**
**”Smart move. Thanks to that, Yuri’s still alive, ain’t she?”**
Damn right.
**”Are we done here? Reki looks like she’s itching to resume our mock battle.”**
At the edge of my vision, Reki was peeking out from the back door, waiting impatiently.
The sun was already halfway behind the Galahad Mountain Range, meaning our training time was almost up.
**”Oh, right. Since I’m here, mind if I join?”**
Just when I thought he was leaving, Ryan grinned and made an unexpected proposal.
**”Fine by me, but why?”**
**”I’m the Self-Defense Corps Captain. Trainin’ daily’s part of the job. Sparrin’ with someone as strong as you? Best practice there is. Heh, ya know how much it costs to fight a master at a knight academy?”**
Fair point. Though half of it was probably just not wanting to miss out on a good fight.
**”Nooo! Ryan should go home, desu! Chloe-sama is Reki’s opponent, desuu!”**
**”Heh, brat like you gettin’ one-on-one trainin’ from someone this strong? Too damn spoiled.”**
**”Go home!”**
**”Shut it, brat!”**
As the two looked ready to start a real fight instead of a mock battle, I finally stepped in.
**”How about I take you both on at the same time?”**
—
Moving my body to the limit, eating delicious food, then curling up in a warm bed—that’s how a perfect day should end.
But Reki wasn’t ready to sleep just yet.
**”Hey, Ur.”**
**”…What?”**
Her best friend, lying right beside her, was also still awake.
The thin futon and blanket weren’t much, but with two bodies sharing it, the cold wasn’t an issue.
**”What do you think about Chloe-sama, desu?”**
When Ursula turned her head, Reki’s crimson eyes were so close she could feel her breath.
**”A savior.”**
**”Be serious, desu!”**
Puffing her cheeks in protest, Reki watched as Ursula blinked her blue eyes drowsily before responding.
**”Then, what do *you* think?”**
**”An amazing person!”**
**”…What’s so amazing?”**
**”You wouldn’t get it ‘cause you didn’t see, desu! No matter what, my sword never hits Chloe-sama—it’s like magic, desu!”**
Only three days of sparring, yet Chloe hadn’t let Reki land a single hit. At most, he’d deflect with his own wooden sword.
Reki knew nothing about swordsmanship, but even she could tell his movements were far beyond ordinary.
**”Plus, Chloe-sama is a good person, desu.”**
**”…You’re not scared?”**
**”Ohh, that’s mean, desu! I think Chloe-sama’s actually self-conscious about his scary face, desu.”**
She had actually eavesdropped on Chloe and Ryan’s conversation earlier. Her dog-ear hairstyle aside, her hearing was sharp.
**”Not that. The villagers… they’re still scared of him. Because he’s killed so many.”**
**”Yeah, but… back then, Chloe-sama was really angry, desu.”**
That was why Reki could thank him when he saved her. He was someone who got angry for the right reasons.
**”You understand too, right, Ur?”**
**”Mhm.”**
Anyone present that day would’ve felt his fury. Even monsters, incapable of human speech, would’ve fled with their tails between their legs.
**”No one else gets that angry for us, desu. So Reki isn’t scared of Chloe-sama, desu.”**
Her honest words, however, perfectly encapsulated the reality of their country, Sinclair.
As second-class divine citizens—essentially ethnic minorities—no one would ever get truly angry or go out of their way to help them. It was pure discrimination.
Still, this village had many of their own kind, so they weren’t treated too harshly. Thanks to people like Priest Nikolai, the two of them were relatively fortunate.
But had he truly been a parental figure? No.
He was a man of virtue, but also a devout Cross Religion follower. He had taken in other ethnic orphans back in Sinclair—but his ultimate goal was their conversion.
*Even heathens can be saved if they truly embrace the Cross. God desires more followers—to save the world itself.*
That was his belief.
(End of partial translation.)
He desires the faith of the people. That was the kind of person he was, with such thoughts and principles.
The children had no way of knowing or understanding the ideas born from his fervent faith, yet Reki, Ursula, and the others somehow sensed it. Their sharp intuition saw through Priest Nikolai’s perspective—that he didn’t see them as individuals, but rather as part of a larger group: children of a different race or non-believers.
“…Lady Chloe is lying.”
That’s why Chloe is abnormal. As a Sinclair, and above all, as a follower of the Cross Religion.
“Is it because she’s not a real priest, desu?”
Reki, with his keen hearing, eavesdropped on the conversation between Chloe and Randolph.
He hadn’t heard the negotiations on the day Randolph saved the village, as he had been hiding in the storage shed as instructed. But the next day, when Chloe returned with her sister and the armored bear, proposing to hire him as both a bodyguard and a priest, Reki, who was at the church, overheard.
“Both the Crusader deserter and her sister, Sister Yuri, are lies.”
And it was Ursula who had asked him to eavesdrop.
“Lady Chloe is of the Demon Race.”
“—!?”
Ursula quickly covered Reki’s mouth, as if she had anticipated his reaction.
“Wh-what does that mean, desu ka?”
“She’s not a Sinclair, that’s why she has no sense of discrimination.”
It was a simple conclusion. The difference between Chloe and Priest Nikolai was exactly what Reki had just said. Nikolai was someone who genuinely cared for the children of other races.
“Lady Chloe knew the Crusaders had lost. She must have been on the battlefield.”
The official report of the Crusaders’ defeat hadn’t been announced yet, but Randolph likely thought it was true based on the messenger who had come looking for Mashram the other day.
It wasn’t just Chloe who had eavesdropped on that conversation. As usual, Ursula had asked Reki to listen in.
“I don’t know how she got here, but she’s not a spy. If she were, she’d have infiltrated more discreetly and wouldn’t need to stay in such a village.”
So, Chloe had come here, now enemy territory, either by chance or due to unavoidable circumstances.
“Ooh, as expected, Uru is so smart, desu! So, Sister Yuri not being her sister means—”
Perhaps flattered and in a good mood, Ursula answered with a faint smile.
“Sister Yuri is definitely a real sister. She’s very knowledgeable about the Cross Religion.”
While Reki was busy with the mock battle against Chloe, Ursula had been alone with Sister Yuri at the church, with plenty of time to talk.
“Huh? So Lady Chloe is of the Demon Race, and Sister Yuri is a sister… huh?!”
With a deeper smile, Ursula confidently declared.
“Forbidden love… they eloped.”
“Wow!”
Reki’s face turned bright red, but upon closer inspection, Ursula’s cheeks were also slightly flushed. It wasn’t so much embarrassment as it was excitement.
“Lady Chloe takes care of Sister Yuri with unbelievable devotion. That’s the work of love.”
For example, during meals, Chloe would let her own soup grow cold, always making sure Yuri ate first. Though her movements were still a bit awkward, her earnest care clearly went beyond mere duty or kindness—it was unmistakably ‘love.’
Even though it wouldn’t be strange for Reki and Ursula to take over the care, Chloe only left it to them when she absolutely had to act alone. He consistently took care of all her needs, as if it were his sole responsibility.
This included everything from the simple baths, where they only wiped themselves with lukewarm water, to the unavoidable trips to the toilet.
Even things that most women would refuse to let a man do, even their husbands, Yuri accepted without a hint of discomfort, her doll-like expression unchanging. And that, in itself, was proof that she too loved Chloe.
“Ooh, yes…”
Though it had only been a few days, Reki, who had noticed countless instances of Chloe’s loving actions, turned even redder and squirmed restlessly under the blanket.
“I wouldn’t have noticed their relationship if I hadn’t read that book.”
Ursula’s gaze pointed to a book by the pillow with a pressed flower bookmark. Yes, it was the romance novel Chloe had bought from a merchant and gifted to her.
Incidentally, she had finished reading it the same day she received it. The bookmark indicated she was now on her second read.
“That’s how I learned what love is. Love is something truly wonderful.”
In the orphanage, such entertainment was hard to come by. Their frugal lifestyle, coupled with the fact that entertaining novels about romantic affairs were strictly forbidden by the devout Priest Nikolai, made it especially stressful for the girls who were curious about love.
“Reki wants to read it too, but there are so many words, desu.”
“We can read it together.”
But only after finishing the second read. It seemed they wouldn’t be able to start reading it aloud tonight.
“Ugh, I’m so restless I can’t sleep, desu yo.”
Even as a novice, a sister’s morning starts early. Staying up late is strictly forbidden.
However, after hearing such an exciting story, it was too late for regrets about getting a good night’s sleep.
“…Then, do you want to hold my hand?”
“Yes!”
Reki happily grasped Ursula’s slightly colder hand under the blanket.
For a while, the two closed their eyes and remained silent. But suddenly, Ursula whispered.
“Hey, Reki… if Lady Chloe knew about my ‘curse,’ do you think she’d still be kind to me?”
There was no response from her best friend. All that could be heard was the soft, peaceful sound of breathing.
“Goodnight, Reki.”
Gently releasing her hand, Ursula finally fell asleep.
—
“By that time, it was just the beginning of summer. Oh, right, since there’s no ice or shaved ice here, I made ice candy myself.”
“The ingredients are fruit and sugar. If you can use basic ice magic, it’s possible to make it locally. A reasonable decision.”
“Right? It turned out pretty well for something improvised.”
“Compared to cities, the availability of luxury goods in rural areas is extremely limited. Sweet treats like ice candy are welcomed.”
“Yeah, everyone said it was delicious.”
It was only the second day of lying in bed with Sariel, sharing stories, but the content had already progressed to when life in Irz Village began to stabilize.
At night, before bed, I received a brief private lesson from Teacher Sariel about the Bible, and in bed, we took turns sharing memories before falling asleep at some point.
What I learned in these two days was that the Bible consists of two volumes: the Divine Era and the Ancient Era, each detailing the events of those times.
However, since it excessively emphasizes how great and magnificent God is, it’s unclear how much of it is true. For the Cross Religion, it’s all considered truth.
That aside, its structure is similar to the Old and New Testaments. It’s not written by a single author but compiled from writings by famous clergy and saints of each era. It’s essentially a collection of ancient documents, so that’s to be expected.
Beyond that, I was mainly taught the parts frequently used in a priest’s duties. Learning the history of the Cross Religion from scratch is still ahead.
“Thanks to making ice, I met Fiona—no, let’s save that story for tomorrow.”
Meeting Witch Fiona was quite impactful. Talking about it would likely take up all our time.
“My turn.”
“Ah, it was when you were about to undergo the final mobile experiment, right?”
Sariel’s story was still about the time she was undergoing human experiments. I had escaped midway, but Sariel had seen it through to the end, so her experimental period was incomparably longer.
However, from what I’ve heard so far, there didn’t seem to be any significant differences from my own experiments. It just felt like she had accumulated more real combat experience under the name of mobile experiments.
If anything, the only difference was the training in modern magic and martial arts. But even those were things I would have eventually undergone if I had continued the experiments. At least the members of the experimental unit had undoubtedly gone through that training.
The secret to making Sariel an Apostle remains elusive. It seems even Sariel herself doesn’t understand what triggered her awakening as an Apostle.
Perhaps the only one who knows the secret is Bishop Judas, the mastermind.
“The final mobile experiment was with me, Number 6, and Number 24.”
“I know. I saw it then.”
Sariel’s number was 13. Mine was 49, but it’s ironic that the one with the unlucky number survived.
“The other two were likely in different sections. That was the first time we met.”
“Sounds like a tournament final.”
The Sariel series of artificial humans had a maximum number of 30, meaning there were at least thirty of them. I had seen Number 1 in the early stages of the experiment, so the first few weren’t missing.
Like me, Sariel had fought and survived against monsters and other experimental subjects. Numbers 1 and 30 were the ones she had killed.
However, all thirty had never gathered together. Based on Sariel’s speculation, it seemed they were managed in separate sections of ten.
In the later stages of the experiment, more formal combat training using actual dungeons was introduced. Sometimes, they formed parties with other experimental subjects, much like adventurer parties.
For a while, it was just party play. Despite having the same face, body, and training, they seemed to have individual personalities. By the later stages, their original personalities had vanished, and even Sariel, Number 13, had long lost Shirazaki’s personality, becoming an expressionless, emotionless doll.
Still, differences became apparent. Some showed interest in cute little monsters, others always left complex dungeon traps to their teammates, and some ate an unusually large amount of food—these traits naturally emerged.
Even with identical appearances, by the time they could recognize individuals and personalities, the dungeon training ended.
The next training was mutual killing among the members, as I heard yesterday.
“Number 6 excelled in close combat. She surpassed my skills at the time, but she wasn’t suited for chaotic battles, so I used Number 24’s attack to create an opening and—”
“The assassination was successful.”
I watched as Sariel’s sharp hand blade cleanly sliced through Number Six’s neck.
“Number Twenty-Four excelled in attack magic. She also surpassed my abilities. However, if I managed to close the distance, taking her down wasn’t difficult. She seemed to have been trained as a mage class specialized in annihilating enemies from a distance.”
I also saw Sariel’s “Stinger” explode at a vital point, breaking through the raging flames. Recalling my previous one-on-one duel with Sariel, her manner of death didn’t feel like someone else’s affair.
“So, in the end, you, who balanced martial arts and magic, were the strongest?”
“Yes, even if we repeated the same conditions, I estimate my win rate would surpass both of theirs.”
Perhaps the Sariel series was divided into three groups because they were raised under different philosophies: martial arts specialization, magic specialization, and all-rounder.
“I awakened as an Apostle about a week after the final mobile experiment. During that time, there were no drugs, surgeries, or other experiments—just basic checkups. I spent most of the day sleeping, so I don’t remember what happened during that period.”
“From the logic of blessings, you must have met the conditions to receive a blessing at that point.”
It seems that over the years, roughly three years in total, the conditions were gradually met during the experiments, or perhaps the absolute condition was met the moment the final mobile experiment was completed. It’s unclear.
“How did you know you had awakened?”
“I heard the voice of God.”
It seems similar to the Dark Gods.
“What did it say?”
“Only one sentence: ‘I grant you the position of the Seventh Apostle.’ I haven’t heard the voice of God since.”
Quite different from me, who chatted with Mia in the alley for a long time. That girl just appears out of nowhere, even without any reason, and sometimes gives me chikuwa bread.
Lily and Fiona also mentioned being invited to the world of God in their dreams, where they clearly conversed with the “Fairy Queen Iris” and the “Black Witch Endymion.”
However, it’s rare to have enough contact to hold a conversation with God. Most of the time, it’s just a one-sided hearing of the words granting a blessing, or, in the case of monster-type gods like dragons, a brief glimpse of their form.
In that sense, Sariel’s blessing moment was probably typical.
“Did you feel any clear changes after receiving the blessing?”
“Yes. The white magical power that fills my body increased significantly even before becoming an Apostle. When transitioning to a combat state, the rate of increase rises even more.”
The combat state refers to when that silver aura is emitted. Ai, in her sealed state, did emit an aura, but considering that at that time she was only strong enough for the three of us to fight her head-on, the degree of enhancement can’t be measured just by appearance.
“However, the greatest strength of an Apostle is overcoming magical depletion due to the infinite supply of white magical power from the White God.”
“But the human body can’t withstand infinite magical power usage.”
“Yes, that’s why I lost to you.”
“To us, actually.”
Honestly, by the time “Falling Demon Star” hit, Sariel was already quite exhausted, so it would have been entirely possible to defeat her just by overwhelming her with the numbers of the Spada Army.
Although, that’s probably what the “Heavenly Gate” is for. According to Judas, Sariel is a reckless warrior who doesn’t know when to retreat.
“Well, never mind. More importantly, do Apostles have any special abilities besides infinite magical power?”
For example, Misa’s “Holy Love Charm,” a magic with effects beyond modern magic. It’s more likely that such abilities are given by God as part of being an Apostle rather than being original magic.
“Yes, it’s said that each of the twelve Apostles has a different special ability. However, as an artificial Apostle, I didn’t have one.”
“So that’s what Judas meant when he called you the weakest.”
Sariel was only given the basic abilities common to all Apostles. Thinking about it again, Sariel fights like a swift magic swordsman, focusing on the martial arts of the “Holy Cross Spear” and using simplified attack magic like “Stake” and “Battle Stake” with few openings.
She doesn’t use special system magic like Misa’s charm, Ai’s “Sacred Elements,” or Linfeldt’s “Sanctum Barrier.” The “Light Wing Divine Shield,” which emits wings of light, seemed quite special, but its effect is simply a more powerful version of high-level light attribute defensive magic. It’s the kind of thing that could be recreated without a blessing if one had the magical power and talent.
“…What kind of abilities do the other Apostles have?”
“I don’t know the details either. Especially the powers of the Apostles from the first to the fifth positions are completely unknown. However, it’s certain that they possess the highest level of power, setting them apart from the other Apostles.”
Ugh, I don’t want to hear that. Please, don’t let those dangerous guys come here, seriously.
“I heard that Apostles don’t all come here because of national defense.”
“That’s true. The Sinclair Republic is currently at war with multiple nations and countless resistance groups. Although only the Pandora Expedition is actively moving, a large-scale battle could break out on the border at any time.”
Fighting multiple countries simultaneously is a terrible strategy, but… considering the scale of the Crusaders, their national power isn’t so weak that they’d be drained by it.
Or perhaps, even without deploying many troops on the border, just placing one Apostle there would make the defense perfect. In that case, Apostles would indeed be crucial for national defense.
“If someone is sent as my replacement, it’s likely to be one of the Sixth, Ninth, or Tenth Apostles.”
“Isn’t there anyone coming to avenge you?”
“…I don’t know.”
“Ai, Misa, and that blond pretty boy seemed to get along with you quite well.”
In my memory, they were quite friendly when talking to Sariel. Although Sariel’s reactions were always the same.
At least, it didn’t seem like she was hated.
“I don’t understand people’s feelings. I never thought about how I was perceived.”
“From now on, think about it a little. Now you have Reki and Ursula as roommates.”
“From Yuriko Shirasaki’s memories, I now understand the importance of cooperation in human social life.”
Reading the air is a sense that Yuriko, being Japanese, would naturally have. In fact, she’s like an angel who likes a guy like me. She must be much more tolerant and kind-hearted than the average girl.
Maybe she pitied me, feared by everyone because of my face, and said she liked me… I don’t want to think that. I believe in Yuriko.
“No, let’s get back on track. What I want to know is the abilities of the Apostle who will come as your replacement.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t know the details of the three’s abilities either. The Apostles whose abilities I have some grasp of are the Eleventh Apostle Misa and the Twelfth Apostle Mariabel.”
So, Misa, that woman’s ability is known.
She’s the number one Apostle I want to kill for revenge, but considering she actually appeared on the Pandora Continent, it wouldn’t be strange if she appeared again. Along with Ai, she’s a ghostly presence that requires maximum caution.
“What’s her ability?”
“She—”
At that moment, a dull sound echoed. The thudding sound was unmistakably someone knocking on the church’s front door.
“Hey, hey! Priest! Priest Chloe!!”
Amid the intense knocking, a man’s loud voice could be heard.
“What the hell is going on…”
It seems he’s calling for me, but at this hour—though it’s probably around nine or ten—it’s too late for someone to decide to come for confession, unable to bear their worries.
No, it’s the opposite. I should think that an emergency serious enough to call me out at this hour has occurred.
Could it be the Crusaders… no, there’s no reason for them to launch a night raid on a village in their own territory. Then, perhaps a monster attack.
“I’ll be right there.”
Anyway, I need to hurry.
Leaving Sariel in bed, I equipped only my glasses and headed to the church’s front door in my nightgown-like attire. I realized I hadn’t brought a light, but it’s fine; just passing through the chapel to the door shouldn’t be a problem. The moonlight coming through the windows is enough for my eyes.
“Priest! Please, wake up!!”
When I reached the chapel, a very panicked loud voice was annoyingly audible. From the way he was flustered, it felt like he might kick the door down and barge in the next moment.
I can’t let it be broken, so I hurriedly opened the door.
“Good evening, what on earth is the matter at this late hour?”
I spoke as calmly as I could.
“Ah, Priest, thank goodness! It’s terrible, please come right away!”
The panicked horse-faced man in front of me looked familiar. He was one of Ryan’s Self-Defense Corps members, the Barbadian youth who served as the referee and announcer during the boxing match. His distinctive red eyes were swimming wildly from the agitation.
“Uh, you are…”
“Ted! I’m Ted!”
“So, Ted, what’s got you so panicked? Was there a monster attack?”
“Huh? Oh, no, no monsters have come…”
Ted answered as if he hadn’t expected that question. Hmm, it seems the village isn’t in crisis.
“Then, what happened?”
“W-well, it’s being born!”
“…What?”
“My child is being born! Right now, my son—or maybe daughter—anyway, my child is about to be born! So please come quickly!”
As Ted grabbed my arm and tried to pull me along, I hurriedly stopped him.
“W-wait a minute.”
“If you don’t hurry, they’ll be born without you!”
No, seriously, wait a minute. I’m not an obstetrician. I can’t see any reason why I need to be present for a birth.
Of course, I’ve never assisted in a birth or helped in any way. It’s impossible.
Wait, what if in Sinclair, priests have some important role during childbirth? It’s not an impossible idea.
And I know nothing about it. I haven’t even heard about it.
“Please hurry, Priest!”
“O-okay… I’ll prepare now, so just wait a little.”
And I hurried back to the bedroom.
“Help me, Professor Sariel!!”
I felt like screaming that.
March 23, 2015
In the previous chapter 486, many pointed out that the content of the letter was strange, so I’ve corrected it. The letter wasn’t meant to lead to the village being attacked by enemies, but was written for a different plot point, so I had completely forgotten about the points raised. I deeply apologize for not considering them.