366. Lena Ep – Bad Guys

“I-I don’t want to! I can’t do it!”

“You’re the only one who can.”

“There has to be another way… Do we really have to?”

Reb asked me to do something utterly ridiculous. I firmly refused, but he didn’t back down.

Instead, he grabbed my shoulders and looked me in the eye, and I felt my resolve crumbling.

“You have to do it.”

I covered my face with my hands. According to him, this was something only I could do in the entire world, yet someone had to do it. But…

‘I don’t know. How am I supposed to do that?’

It took a long time for me to gather my thoughts. Reb hugged me tightly and gently patted my back. That brought me a bit of comfort, and I lifted my head.

“You’ll help me, right?”

“Of course.” – Reb said readily. I climbed back into the carriage to change my clothes.

…Did I put the priestess outfit I wore on the ceremonial day in here?

There are different types of priestess outfits.

Essentially, they stick to the ‘subtana’ style, which reaches down to the ankles, but variations exist with different buttons and counts, and some even have embroidery.

Female priests can opt for a version with a skirt at the bottom.

The variety in priestess outfits isn’t just for style but carries meaning according to the season (the timing of the rituals).

For instance, spring.

Spring is the season of the noble goddess of sacrifice, Boaer.

To symbolize the thorn crown she wears, the priestess outfit for spring has a border drawn at the waist.

Sometimes a crown is embroidered, but usually, flowers suitable for the warm spring are stitched into the fabric.

Next is summer.

Summer is the season of the deity of patience and devotion, Namer.

This deity is said to dwell in the south, and their season is undoubtedly hot. It’s also the time when sea breezes sweep toward the continent, so to endure the high temperatures and humidity, the outfits are fluffier during this season.

The sleeves are wide, and a separate belt is provided. However, the colors must be neutral tones like white or gray, and no decorations are allowed.

And then fall.

Fall is the season of Vinard, the deity who admonishes evil deeds.

When fruits are ripe and abundant, it’s the time to drive out the foul and invite blessings, so the fall priestess outfit is elaborately designed.

There are no restrictions on color during this time.

You could choose the most auspicious colors according to local customs for the rituals, and the buttons dangled loudly. These buttons were useful for attaching ornaments.

“Here it is.”

I retrieved the priestess outfit I wore on the ceremonial day from the clothing case.

The ceremonial day is held in autumn and is also a celebration for the birth of clergy, so the outfit distributed then was more beautiful than any other.

I changed clothes, draping a short cape (for warmth and embellishment) on my shoulders and attaching ‘sleeve toshi’ to my sleeves. The skirt was already spectacular without further ado.

In truth, it’s winter now, so I should be wearing the priestess outfit to honor Lachar, but… there’s no helping it.

To add credibility to my words, I figured a flamboyant outfit wouldn’t hurt.

Besides, my audience is a local.

I carefully folded the winter priestess outfit I had just worn back into the clothing case.

The clothing was so thick that the case wouldn’t close, so I sat on top and pushed down with my heels. Please, just fit! Ugh!

After quite a struggle in the cramped carriage, I finally managed to put the case back under the chair.

Phew. What a painful experience.

I changed into ceremonial shoes, checked my makeup, and grabbed my staff, as well as a brass goblet.

With my hands full, I opened the door with my elbow. But the moment I opened it, Reb rushed up to urge me on!

“Leah, hurry. We might miss it…”

“Ugh, come on!”

For a moment, my blood pressure spiked and I forgot Namer’s teachings. I shook off the startled Reb as I strode ahead. But the closer I got to my target, the more my heart shrank.

Uh… really? Right now? With so many people around? Wouldn’t it be better to wait until we’re somewhere remote? Oh! Dammit… made eye contact.

Now I’ve messed it up. There was no choice.

I first flashed a bright smile, just like a Holy Woman would. Then I opened my arms wide and said.

“Welcome, Hero! I have been waiting for your arrival!”

…

…

…

An awkward silence fell. As my face flushed with embarrassment, the target turned around, pointing at himself.

“Me? Are you talking to me?”

“Yes, Hero! I received a revelation. I was told to assist you in defeating evil!”

My awkwardly raised lips started to tremble.

Leira Ainar.

I could tolerate how this person looked at me with suspicion, but I couldn’t stand it when Leah clamped her hand over her mouth from behind her.

Me, the bad guy!

I spat as much of an insult as I could manage inwardly while managing my expression. Now I had to hastily engage with Ms. Leira, who was looking at me as if I were a complete scammer.

“Uh, there are others who will help the Hero! Let me introduce them. First, this is…”

I figured the best way to prove I wasn’t a strange person was to introduce my companions.

Reb! Hurry and help me…

Just as I turned to introduce Reb, I caught sight of him. His lips were also quivering.

‘…those bastards.’ – I thought as I stood by Lake Oberg, swarming with passersby.

They’re all bad guys.

*

“Don’t talk to me.”

“I’m sorry. But it turned out well, didn’t it?”

“I said don’t talk to me.”

Our Hero has gone upstairs with his fiancée. In front of the disheveled dining table from their long conversation, I covered my face with my hands.

I could die from embarrassment. And I was so angry.

I asked while hiding my face.

“…This could have gone differently…”

“Huh? Leah, I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.”

“It didn’t have to be like this!!”

– Bang!

The table jolted. I unintentionally hit it and regretted my action as I looked around. Thankfully, it seemed everyone had gone to bed, as no guests remained in the dining room.

“You knew, didn’t you?”

“…Knew what?”

“That Leira would recognize you. Ah… it seems obvious when I think about it.”

Our Hero, no, Leira Ainar, shouted the moment I introduced Reb.

“Oh?! You’re that guy from back then! The victor!” – while pointing at me.

So this jerk… I mean, Reb, had another way to entice her without me doing any of this. Reb casually said.

“I thought this was the smoothest way. You did well, didn’t you? Your acting would make Ksenia weep with envy…”

“Shut your mouth.”

“Okay.”

Reb smugly pursed his lips shut. I barely held back the urge to smack that petty mouth of his.

I sighed, poked at the food in front of me, and asked.

“So, what now? What’s the plan?”

“Just a moment. Ray will be down soon after putting Leira to bed, and we’ll talk then.”

“Leira?”

“…I misspoke. I meant I’ll put Ms. Leira to bed before I come down.”

“Be careful.”

“Sorry.”

Only then did Reb stop grinning and quiet down. I let him watch me for a while.

Silence. Eventually, Ray came down.

“…”

“…”

“…”

He seemed to gauge the atmosphere well and sat quietly.

Alternating glances between Reb and me, he made eye contact and nodded lightly.

He might be a lifelong companion to Reb, but to me, he was practically a stranger, so I decided to lower my guard a bit.

“Is Leira asleep?”

“Yes.”

“She falls asleep very quickly. Our Hero does.”

“Haha. That’s true. By the way… You did a lot today.”

“Yes. You did well holding back your laughter, Mr. Ray.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“When Mr. Ray comes, we were going to discuss what to do next. Reb, go ahead.”

“Yeah…”

Reb began his briefing. Or rather, he was about to, when the innkeeper came over and asked how long we would be staying.

Mr. Ray slipped a handful of silver coins into his hand, and we began talking under the dimming lantern.

If anyone had overheard, they might have mistaken it for a conspiracy.

“Lean has set everything up. By now, Count Forte is most likely returning after making an agreement with the Aisel Kingdom.”

“He lost, right?”

“Probably. Even if the war situation flipped while I was away, it wouldn’t change much. The loss of magical forces is too great to dodge any blame.”

“Why does that matter?”

I inquired.

I had heard that Reb got involved in that war to ensure that Count Hermann Forte wouldn’t return too soon.

But now it seemed there was another motive at play. Reb kindly explained.

“We need a lot of people to catch the Evil God. Do you remember when we caught Oriax? We attacked when we had numbers.”

“Ah, I had a slight vision of it. Was it on the day of the wedding? Anyway, so?”

“Yes. I wanted a lot of people gathered at the palace this time as well. To get help when we catch Astroth. But finding a way to gather lots of people was a challenge considering we’re all foreigners.”

“We’re all foreigners?”

“Me, Ray, and Lean. Either way, Lean came up with a plan.”

That mean prince from the neighboring country?

I leaned back in my chair as I thought. I had never seen him in person, but I remembered a very, very handsome young man from a dream.

He surely looked smart.

“He plans to utilize the political situation of this country. The Belita Kingdom is divided between the royalist faction led by Marquis Benard Tatian and the Swordmaster faction led by Count Hermann Forte.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Currently, the Swordmaster faction holds power. But what if Count Hermann Forte loses the war? What do you think will happen?”

“Um… there would be a power struggle.”

“Exactly. The royalist nobles wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity. The Swordmaster faction’s nobles would try to defend Count Forte. The nobles would likely flock to the royal palace the day Count Forte returns, and Lean has prepared a way to stoke that conflict. That is…”

“That is?”

Reb lowered his voice to say.

“Prince Lean de Yeriel will be visiting Oberg on the day Count Forte returns, to meet Princess Chloe.”

“…Ah!”

I understood. So these guys…

“This is too much. So, this war started because of that princess, and now another prince is coming to visit her. The citizens might think another war could spark.”

Reb smiled brightly, as if he was proud even though it wasn’t his idea.

“Exactly. Plus, Lean will be accompanied by Marquis Benard Tatian. This will perplex the royalist nobles. As for how the Swordmaster faction interprets it, I’m not sure, but at least on the day Lean enters the palace, I can guarantee that all the nobles in this country will swarm the court.”

“Then we would be ready to strip Astroth of its disguise.”

“……”

I looked back and forth at the two in surprise.

To consider a war involving thousands of lives and a battle for a nation’s politics merely an environment for their schemes, and to treat high-ranking nobles like mere foot soldiers, I could somewhat begin to feel the intensity of the chaos they had experienced.