novelraw Chapter 132 : Chapter 132
Chapter 132 : Chapter 132
Chapter 132: Devil and Church (3)
Saying they should recover from their journey, Bishop Magellan provided Harad and Ellen with a room. It was a small but splendid room.
“What do you think?”
Ellen was lying face down on the bed in Harad's room.
“About Magellan?”
“Never mind that man. It's not like we'll see him again.”
Ellen didn't seem to like the man named Magellan. Definitely. It wasn't a good first impression.
“Ekampote is far from here. And there are more churches the closer you get to the center.”
Ekampote is a land located in the central part of the Empire.
Churches are more concentrated the closer you are to the center of the continent.
There should be many churches nearby that could provide support, so why is Premont specifically providing support?
Ellen was pointing that out.
“A sharp observation.”
“I know.”
Ellen had a proud expression on her face.
“But there's no particularly big reason. It's because they're brothers.”
“……?”
“You think too badly of the Church.”
Ellen's eyes narrowed.
“You were treated like a bug earlier.”
Was that all?
Ellen had seen Shura's death in a dream.
She had a vague sense that it wasn't just a simple dream.
Balbebron and Alena wanted asylum.
Because the Church was trying to hunt them down.
“That's because I'm a Mage.”
There was no sign of being watched.
But Ellen reflexively looked around.
“The Church is generally on the kind side.”
Is it for nothing that the faith of the sun and moon is continental?
“If someone is starving, the church provides a warm meal. If they have no place to sleep, they provide a place to sleep.”
The church is that kind of place.
It's only frightening from the perspective of Mages and villains; to ordinary people, it's salvation.
The Church fulfills the name of God admirably.
“Of course, there are rotten parts, but most are like that.”
Where there are many people, there is bound to be trash.
The Church was a faction with a great many people.
“Someone like Magellan isn't trash.”
“…….”
“He asked for your help to get a connection to Serzila, but even if you had refused, Magellan would have probably dispatched a priest to Ekampote.”
Because there are afflicted people and brothers and sisters there.
Magellan was as insidious as a bishop, but not all his choices would be insidious.
“Clergymen are usually like that.”
“……Are you taking the Church's side right now?”
“Of course not. I hate the Church.”
Harad shrugged his shoulders.
He had only told her the truth.
“Don't have preconceptions. From my perspective, I'm grateful for the thought, but don't forget your subjectivity.”
Ellen hated the Church.
The basis for that was Harad and other Mages.
“Don't just listen to me, you have to listen to the Church too. It's not too late to judge after that.”
Principles are not something others set up for you.
You have to set them up yourself.
Harad had no intention of changing her to his liking.
Elaine had to be Elaine.
“Is there a point?”
“There is. Didn't you come to like Seria?”
“I don't like her.”
“You can't say you dislike her.”
Even though she acted like she was going to kill her at first.
“…….”
Ellen's experience was still narrow, and her knowledge was lacking.
Harad had to provide her with experience.
The Church was one of them.
If she had decided to embrace Mages, she had to experience the Church.
Just as Elaine of my past life had.
“What if I don't change even after listening to the Church?”
“Then I would be happy.”
“What if I change?”
“I would be out of a job. It would be sad.”
As if she would change.
As long as she dreams, Ellen will not do that.
“You don't have a sad face.”
“That's how much I trust you.”
Perhaps even if she doesn't dream.
“I know what you mean. I'll give it a try. As objectively as possible.”
“That's enough.”
“But I don't think I'll change.”
“That's good to hear.”
Harad smiled.
Ellen stared intently at the smiling Harad. It was then that someone knocked on the door.
Ellen clicked her tongue and got up from the bed.
When she nodded, Harad opened the door.
The unwelcome guest was the old man who had blocked the entrance during the day.
“I came to apologize. I was very rude during the day.”
The old man lightly bowed his head as soon as he met Harad's eyes.
“I also apologize to Serzila.”
The old man also bowed his head to Ellen, who was sitting on the bed.
The act was brief, but it didn't feel rude.
“I heard your apology during the day.”
“It's something one should not be ashamed to do several times.”
Harad shook the old man's outstretched hand.
“Wimar. I heard you're going to Ekampote with us.”
Bishop Magellan had said he would send a retired priest to Ekampote.
That priest was the old man before him.
‘Retired.’
The old man must be older than he looks.
Divine power also has an effect on aging. Despite that, Wimar is an old man.
“Harad. This lady is a Serzila.”
Turning around as he introduced her, Ellen's eyes were half-closed.
“I didn't come because I found out your status, or because we're going together.”
The old man understood the meaning of her gaze.
He refuted it like that.
“Even if that lady were a slave, this old body would have come here.”
Wimar was strict with himself too.
The reason this old man had visited was not because of Ellen. It was because he had admitted his own fault.
“I know. A priest of the sun does not invade the night for personal gain.”
The night is the time of the moon.
Priests who serve the sun god respect the time of the moon god.
Wimar had invaded that time.
It meant that he genuinely admitted his fault.
“Thank you for understanding.”
That was the end of it.
Wimar shook his hand again and then left.
* * *
The departure was at sunrise.
Wimar was waiting for Harad and Ellen in front of the church. It felt as if he had risen with the sun.
Though he was an old man, Wimar stood ramrod straight. A dagger the size of a forearm tucked into his belt was his only practical weapon.
His invisible faith must be his true weapon. Though his body had declined and he had retired, his faith must be higher than when he was on active duty.
“Is there anything to prepare?”
“Nothing.”
Ellen answered.
While with Wimar, Harad had to be as careful as possible.
Seria was a concern, but there was no need to worry. At that time, there was the pretext of the Liberation Tower.
Since their target was Harad, it was only natural that he take the lead.
If he had pushed it onto Ellen, it would have been an act of disloyalty.
“Then let's depart.”
Wimar said that and then took the lead out of Premont.
It was quite a distance, but he chose to walk.
The pace was not slow. Wimar took slow steps, but each step was as swift as if gliding.
It was a pace similar to when Harad and Ellen came down from the North.
“A knight?”
Wimar asked Harad, who was following well.
“Unfortunately not. I'm an agent of the Intelligence Bureau. I have no talent for aura.”
Wimar's gaze flowed downwards.
“This sword is for self-defense. A person of Serzila shouldn't be unable to use a sword.”
Excluding magic, Harad was similar to a knight without aura.
It meant he was only outstanding in the category of ordinary people.
“It would be best to rely on our lady for martial strength.”
“You seem to know a lot. Either way, it's an important matter.”
Wimar was a person who would find a strength no matter what.
“Is there anything I should be aware of while this old body is with you?”
Wimar asked as they walked.
It wasn't because he was conscious of Ellen's status.
He was simply trying to respect Harad and Ellen as people.
“Our lady must have meat at every meal. I've packed enough, so you don't need to worry too much.”
Harad was carrying a backpack.
It was Ellen's backpack that Arika had packed.
“And, um. There's nothing else really. Our lady is not a picky person.”
“Harad, what about you?”
Ellen's eyes widened slightly.
Wimar's answer seemed to be unexpected.
Bishop Magellan had treated Harad as if he were invisible.
Unlike him, Wimar was respecting Harad.
However, her admiration was short-lived.
It was probably respect that arose because he didn't know Harad was a Mage.
“I have even less. I'm used to everything.”
Harad was confident he wouldn't be surprised even if Wimar turned around and suddenly attacked.
“You're an easygoing brother. Surely Laan will be pleased.”
Wimar smiled faintly.
It seemed he had a good first impression.
“Ah. The pillar of the devil is aiming for me.”
“So you were the agent Priestess Seria spoke of.”
Ellen's eyes widened slightly.
“You know Seria?”
“We're in the same church. Of course, I know her. But we're not close. My age is my age.”
Wimar seemed to think it was impertinent to hang out with young people.
“What did Seria say?”
“She said there was an agent who became a target of the devils. Thanks to that, they were able to exterminate the devils.”
Wimar's words were short.
It meant Seria's report was short.
‘It's not in her nature to hide things.’
She had deliberately abbreviated the matter concerning Harad.
‘Why?’
Because he's not that important a person?
Whatever the reason, it was welcome news. There's no good in standing out unnecessarily. The opponent is the Church.
“We might be attacked by devils on the way. I will be mindful.”
Wimar walked quickly.
While doing so, he would occasionally check Harad's complexion.
‘He's kind.’
It was because Harad was an ordinary person.
They had to get to Ekampote as quickly as possible, but Wimar was matching his pace to Harad's.
“When did you start believing in Laan?”
“Since I was very young. My parents were very devout.”
“You're not from the North.”
“I'm from the Empire.”
“Did your family immigrate?”
“My parents have passed away.”
“…….”
“The devil killed them.”
Wimar's eyebrows twitched fiercely.
Soon, he calmed down and offered a prayer to the sun in the sky.
It was a belated prayer for the dead, but from the perspective of the receiver, it couldn't help but be touching. It would have been, if he wasn't a Mage.
“It must have been hard.”
“It wasn't unbearable. Laan shone a light on me.”
Wimar smiled faintly.
He was now walking side by side with him.
“How old are you?”
“I'll be 21 soon.”
“You're in your prime.”
Wimar kept talking to him.
The death of his parents, though cautious, wasn't particularly special.
At Wimar's age, death becomes trivial.
Ellen's stomach said it was hungry.
Wimar passed a light over the branches he had gathered on the way. It became a pretty decent bonfire.
Harad grilled the meat he had packed and shared it with Ellen and Wimar.
“Your grilling skills are average.”
“Is it not to your liking?”
“It's overcooked. From now on, this old man will do it.”
It's because it's not my fire.
It was an excuse he couldn't make. Harad handed the meat over to Wimar. Ellen ate any meat well, but it was better if it was delicious.
“We'll sleep here for the night.”
How far had they walked, Wimar said they should rest early. He didn't look tired.
“Already?”
Ellen tilted her head.
The sun was just about to set.
“Our time is up to here.”
The sun will set soon. The night is the time of the moon.
“Weren't we in a hurry?”
This isn't a simple wandering.
Wimar was dispatched for a magical beast subjugation.
And in such a situation, he was talking about doctrine.
“There is nothing more urgent than the word of Laan.”
“Who's watching.”
Ellen grumbled softly.
There are no believers of the moon here.
Instead of answering, Wimar looked up at the sky.
The moon was becoming clear. There were no people, but that god was watching over him.
A believer of Laan must not invade the time of Luan.
“You came to apologize last night.”
“Do not delay repentance. It is the will of Laan.”
Though he respects the time of the moon, in the end, the will of the sun is above it.
He soon entered a tent set up in a small clearing.
Not long after, the sound of low snoring echoed.
* * *
Wimar was a die-hard fundamentalist.
He resembled a hermit living secluded in the mountains more than a clergyman.
That's not to say he wasn't human.
The old man was human. At least when he was talking to Harad, he was.
“Are you married?”
“Not yet.”
“Why? You don't seem to be lacking anything.”
Around the fifth day, Wimar naturally started speaking casually. He only did that with Harad.
“Is the North a good place to live?”
“It's a good land.”
“It must be cold for an Imperial.”
“Surprisingly, it suits me. I'm the type who gets hot easily.”
Wimar would often strike up a conversation with Harad.
He seemed lonely, and he seemed to like Harad.
It must be because they served the same god.
‘It's also an age where one doesn't have friends.’
Perhaps there was no one to talk to in the central church of Premont.
“Were you lonely?”
“It is only that this old body's cultivation is lacking.”
Wimar didn't hide himself.
He revealed his inner self frankly, as was the will of Laan.
A die-hard fundamentalist. Clergymen follow the doctrine, but few are as blindly faithful as Wimar. Negligence is something everyone has.
To Wimar, it would be an unforgivable negligence.
The reason Wimar liked Harad was because he was not a clergyman.
Harad didn't have to be faithful to all the doctrines. He was simply a devout believer.
That point must have stimulated Wimar's loneliness.
“Have you thought about being baptized? The training will not take long. Harad, you would become an excellent priest.”
“I'm grateful for the thought, but I like Serzila.”
“Is that so.”
“The Church probably wouldn't suit my temperament.”
Wimar seemed quite disappointed by those words.
Harad smiled bitterly. It was a strange feeling. A feeling that a Mage can't help but have.
The walls of Ekampote should be visible soon.
It was then that he discovered a group of people. Four people were approaching from the direction of Ekampote.
Two men, two women, and like Wimar, they were carrying a few daggers.
Instead of words, they greeted with a gentle smile and made way.
Ellen nodded her head, and Harad and Wimar passed them, showing the posture of shielding their eyes from the sunlight with one hand.
Just then, Ellen suddenly pressed down on the back of Harad's head. Harad complied.
Above his bowed head, the sound of something cutting through the air echoed. Slightly moving his eyes, he saw that Ellen's scabbard was empty.
From behind, the sound of something being cut and stuck was heard. The former was Ellen's, and the latter was Wimar's skill.
“Devil!”
Wimar's hoarse voice pierced the sky.
It was very loud and bloodcurdling, unlike an old man.
Because magic was felt.
Though he couldn't see because Ellen was still pressing down on the back of his head, it seemed he was manifesting magic.
That manifestation failed. What was felt was not magic, but formidable divine power. At the same time, the hand that had been protecting the back of his head disappeared.
Harad turned around. The ones who must have been Mages were torn to shreds. The same went for the body of the man whose neck Ellen had first cut.
It looked like the work of a magical beast, not a person.
Wimar was standing in the middle of those fragments. His pure white habit was stained with blood. It also looked like a flame.
The pure white light flowing to the ground turned into fire and burned the fragments without a trace.
“I shall purify eons.”
In the words of the Church, that act was purification.
Those who were purified will fall into hell with that fire. And they will regret it in the fire for eons, so says Laan.
“Are you okay?”
Ellen asked.
“As if this is new.”
Harad nodded his head nonchalantly.
“Harad. Are you alright?”
Wimar, painted in blood, also asked.
The same question, but with a different meaning.
“Thank you.”
Harad nodded his head again this time.
It was something he was used to.
“Don't mind it.”
Wimar still had a fearsome face.
Most clergymen make that kind of face when they face a devil.
“As long as I am with you, the devil will not live and breathe.”
Yes, that's the kind of relationship they have.
Harad knew very well.
“I believe you.”
In the distance, the walls of Ekampote were visible.
“Let's stay here for the night.”
The sun was setting. Wimar said that and then went to sleep.
Even though Ekampote was so close.
Ellen was so dumbfounded she couldn't even laugh.
“What do you think?”
“It's not fun.”
“So it's not bad.”
“…….”
Ellen couldn't deny it.
Wimar was that kind of person.