Chapter 91

“Even in a theocratic state, the Church’s power isn’t greater than the entire government. In fact, it might be weaker.”

In reality, their role is more about national welfare, and even that is quite limited.

So, while the churches in this world have more power than any religious group I encountered back in South Korea, it wasn’t really power that could be wielded easily either.

“If you hadn’t existed.”

“…….”

At Ria’s words, I just fell silent.

Under normal circumstances, I would’ve thrown a fit at just being called a Saint, but this time I couldn’t deny wielding that power.

The government was quite reluctant about me meeting the Dwarf Kingdom princess. Sure, the Gnomes needed a way to restore the magic stone I had blown up—but I’d made that entrance ‘too big’.

I was the excuse, while the government should’ve benefited from the diplomatic relations.

But after witnessing my powers, even the Gnome clergy seemed interested in me. Some even expressed a desire to send priests over to this world.

On top of that, some people started showing interest in my Saint Power. After all, it would be quite effective in dealing with issues from clashes with the Dwarf Kingdom.

“I can’t help it. Otherwise, there’s bound to be a big problem in our world too.”

“Is that really the only reason? You don’t secretly want the Dwarves to do something, do you?”

“…….”

Once again, Ria’s words left me speechless.

No, I couldn’t just let things slide. Regardless, that was the best judgment all around.

“Saying that if you don’t grant permission, you won’t summon any Saint Power, those faithless politicians turned pale. They seem a bit scared if they think they won’t be treated. Plus, you had a halo behind your head while saying it.”

“Anyway, as long as those folks don’t face any disasters, they won’t need treatment.”

“Well, I suppose. The Church has been putting you in the spotlight as an extremely important figure; you can’t give services to people you’re boycotting, right? It’s not just the government that needs your Saint Power.”

“…….”

“What’s the worry? If you won’t use it, then don’t. What can they possibly do?”

“Aren’t there plenty of ways to act? Without my magic, I’m just an ordinary person who can’t do anything.”

“Well, maybe you’re not ordinary, but you definitely aren’t ‘just one’.”

At that, I narrowed my eyes and glared at Ria.

“Are you planning to keep being my escort knight even if I’m not the Saint Candidate?”

“Is that a problem?”

“……Then from that point on, I wouldn’t be able to do anything for you.”

“I’m not that stingy to not pay a friend for helping out.”

Ria said that and blushed for no reason.

In the back seat of a rattling carriage, despite the wheels being quite large, the vehicle bounced around quite a bit. It seemed like the road wasn’t made of concrete or asphalt.

Even while the Gnomes and Dwarves were effectively at war, there was still at least one decent road. Perhaps it was built for efficient transportation to the battlefield, or maybe they were attempting to maintain some minimal interaction.

Thinking about the story, there seemed to be some minimal interaction since it appeared I was sending a message about going to the Dwarf Kingdom.

“……Ah!?”

But it didn’t seem like the communication was thriving, and after all, this road wasn’t built for a big and heavy vehicle like a bus, especially since there were large bumps in the way.

In an instant, my bottom shot up. After hitting a moderately large stone, the carriage wheels came down again, but it seemed like the ground underneath had a dip to it. Before my bottom had fully touched the seat, it was already at a different angle.

“Ugh.”

Because of that, I fell toward Ria.

For a moment, something soft and squishy brushed against my face.

“……!?”

Instinctively recognizing what that sensation was, I quickly pulled back.

As I almost fell over, Ria quickly caught my waist and set me back in my seat. Thanks to that, it ended up with Ria practically hugging me while holding my waist.

“Hey, be careful.”

“…….”

“And why are you so flustered? We’ve already touched during dancing, haven’t we?”

Ah, right.

I belatedly realized the reason I instinctively moved. I already remembered that sensation.

Seeing my face, Ria started giggling.

“That tickles.”

Feeling embarrassed for no good reason, I swatted Ria’s hand that was on my side, but she wore a joyful expression for a long while.

Maybe I tease her too much. So, even if it was just a coincidence, it must have been fun for her to strike back.

……But for some reason, I felt a little bit bothered.

In the end, I sulked for a few hours on the way to the Dwarf Kingdom.

Ria just found it amusing watching me and laughed even more, which only annoyed me further.

Upon arriving at the Dwarf Kingdom, I didn’t go straight to meet the Dwarf Kingdom princess.

However, unlike before, the government didn’t take the lead in practical matters.

This time, there were hardly any high-ranking officials in our group. The government was too busy worrying about its relations with the Gnomes. Thus, they didn’t seem eager to stir up any interest from the Dwarves, who were not on good terms with them.

The people who came here were mostly just a handful of officials close to an inspection team.

So while I was technically the highest-ranked visitor, I wasn’t exactly some head-of-state figure either.

After all, I was just a Saint Candidate, not the Saint.

Besides, even as a Saint, my position within the Church was rather ambiguous. The head of the Church was the Pope, and the highest figure in the Korean Church was a Cardinal.

Due to its honorary nature, that role wasn’t truly impactful. So, even considering that I was the most likely candidate for Saint, I still didn’t hold a position that would surpass that of a King or the accompanying princess.

After casually exchanging greetings, I took a moment to shake off the travel fatigue.

After several hours in a vehicle that wasn’t quite smooth over bumpy terrain, my backside and waist felt a bit sore.

Moreover, I had even gotten down and walked for a while. At least I was glad it wasn’t high enough to catch altitude sickness.

“There really are places high enough for that, though.”

Ria shrugged as she said that.

“No matter how high, the higher they are, the harder it is to fend off the cold. If a landslide happens, they might get buried before they can even respond. It seems those who live at high altitudes usually stay on the lower levels.”

That was fortunate for me.

“And if war breaks out, the bottom levels would be the most dangerous, right? So, it seems like there’s some justification for the concept of Noblesse Oblige.”

“No matter how you think about it, it sounds just made up.”

Ria chuckled briefly at my reaction.

“Ah, I figured you would say that.”

While lying on the bed, I turned to Ria and stared at her.

“Why’s that?”

“You’d run off without questioning anything, no matter your standing if something like that were to happen.”

“…….”

What on earth do I exist as in Ria’s mind?

“If you’re tired, why not take a quick nap? I’ll let you know when it’s time.”

Seeing my expression, Ria suggested.

“……What about you?”

“I’m still pretty alert. It’s not like we’ve been marching for long; that’d be problematic.”

I nodded at Ria’s words.

Well, that certainly had its own persuasion. It wouldn’t make sense for someone who could fly through the skies swinging a sword while embracing a girl his age to get tired that quickly.

“Still, let’s take turns sleeping…”

“Okay, okay, I get it. I’ll keep watch here, so just rest easy. We still have a few hours to go.”

“……Wake me up in the middle.”

“I said I’d do it.”

Hearing Ria respond with a smile, I drifted off to sleep.

Ria didn’t wake me until those few hours passed.

Similar to the Gnomes, although they carved the inside out of the mountain, it was extravagantly decorated.

The high ceiling was smooth enough to sparkle, whether it was carved from stone or if they built walls out of other stones was unclear; however, it felt like entering a huge building.

It had the glamorous appearance commonly associated with Western fantasy.

“You are in the presence of the Dwarf King, Grond IV.”

I answered by gently lifting my hem in a manner I had previously learned.

The Dwarf King, whose face was half buried in his own beard, nodded solemnly.

“Welcome, Sister Anna, the Saint Candidate from another world. Please make yourself comfortable while you’re here.”

His deep voice matched his imposing demeanor.

I turned my gaze slightly to see the Dwarf princess sitting a bit off to the side.

Short, a little chubby, but quite beautiful. She looked a few years younger than me, as described in the story.

Among Dwarves who could store their magic internally and use it, she was said to wield the most powerful magic.

When the princess glanced at me, she offered a gentle smile.

It was a somewhat wary expression.

……It must be because her country could wield that much Saint Power.