Chapter 406

My companions and I gathered in the lodging’s reception room, passing the time until the others who had gone out returned.

Lacey, like a tourist guide, rambled on about the Holy Kingdom, while Rana, with a look that said she already knew it all, snuggled in my lap and nibbled on snacks.

Nigel and Leonor initially listened with interest, but as the story grew duller, they sat on a couch and started playing cards.

Well, maybe only Leonor was enjoying it. Every time the tower of silver coins in front of Leonor grew taller, Nigel’s head drooped lower.

Why play a card game you don’t even know the rules of? He’s the type to go bankrupt in a casino.

“The Holy Kingdom’s territory consists of six major cities, including the capital, Alhebron, and numerous smaller towns. Five of the cities are jointly managed by two of the Church Orders, excluding ours, and depending on which Order runs them, each city develops a unique culture. In this city, it’s the Grimnir and Keres Church Orders.”

“So, in short, it’s a city of wisdom and magic, earth and death?”

“Put bluntly, yes.”

No wonder the back alleys were such a mess. One side worships a god of selfish mages and criminals, while the other worships a god of death.

Definitely a city where thugs would kill each other and turn to dust by morning.

—

Lacey, as if she had been waiting for this moment, poured out a flood of knowledge about the Holy Kingdom.

Listening to her felt like reading a lore book, and it was oddly entertaining, so I nodded along and listened attentively.

“While the major cities and their affiliated villages are managed by the respective Church Orders, the capital, Alhebron, is a bit different. Our Order oversees the city’s operations, but punishments for criminals are carried out by their affiliated Orders according to their doctrines.”

“So, the same crime could result in different punishments depending on which Order the criminal belongs to?”

This isn’t territorialism or personalism—it’s more like “Church-ism.”

“Yes. A crime that might end in imprisonment under the Auschrine Order could result in a death sentence under the Astraea Order. Adultery, which might lead to a duel between spouses under the Bølberg Order, could result in castration or being locked up under the Imela Order, depending on gender.”

“That’s peculiar. So, what happens to criminals who don’t worship any god? Do they get punished under all eleven Orders at once?”

“Criminals who don’t worship any god? What a strange notion. Such a concept can’t exist. Those who don’t believe in gods aren’t considered people, so the term ‘criminal’ doesn’t apply.”

Lacey smiled sweetly as she delivered this chilling statement.

“Such individuals ‘never existed’ in the first place. The idea of non-believers existing in the Holy Kingdom—isn’t that strange?”

Sounds like a 1000-day accident-free record for a transport unit. So, non-believers get erased from existence?

“…Long live Elpinel.”

“Fufu. Don’t worry, we don’t force our beliefs on foreigners.”

Lacey chuckled and brushed back her snow-white hair. So, it’s fine because I’m a foreigner, but if I were to convert to the Holy Kingdom and didn’t fully commit, I’d be a target for erasure?

—

Bels returned a little after lunch.

As soon as he arrived back at the lodging, Bels sought out Lacey, his expression darker than when he left. It seemed he brought bad news.

“…The division between the Church Orders is more severe than expected. I toured the city, and priests avoid sharing the same space, while paladins are clashing everywhere, from minor disputes to duels.”

What a mess. Lacey, sharing the sentiment, frowned slightly.

“Is that so… That’s troubling. While it might be fortunate for me, thinking of the hardships the believers must endure… I can’t rejoice. What about the request for an audience?”

“…Both Orders refused. They said it would violate protocol to meet privately with you, Lacey, before the official hearing, as you’re currently just a regular priest.”

Bels clenched his fist, trembling with frustration.

“Hmm… Well, that was expected. I didn’t have high hopes for that anyway. Thank you for your efforts.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you…!”

“Not at all. Sir Bels, you’ve never disappointed me. This was… just the expected outcome. Don’t worry and get some rest.”

Lacey comforted the frustrated Bels with a gentle tone. Seeing her like this, she really does seem like a saint candidate… If only she weren’t so extreme in her beliefs, she might have already become a saint.

Anyway, as she said, the chances of the audience happening were slim from the start. The city’s leaders, mere archbishops, wouldn’t defy a cardinal’s orders to meet with Lacey.

In fact, we should be suspicious of anyone who agrees to meet us too readily. It’s highly likely they’re setting a trap, luring us in like bait on a hook.

—

“Ha-shal-leur, we’re back!”

Milia and Damien returned around evening. As we were about to head down to the dining hall for dinner, Milia appeared, arms full of snacks, and smiled.

Damien was also carrying a bundle, likely clothes or souvenirs. There were also supplies for the journey to the next city.

“Took you long enough. Looks like you had a good time?”

“Sorry, we got a bit late while wandering around.”

“As long as nothing happened, it’s fine. It’s not a place to be out after dark, after all.”

It’s been a few days since we arrived in the Holy Kingdom, so the cardinals must have heard of our arrival. If there are those who don’t want us reaching the capital, they’ll likely make their move soon.

“Did something happen…?”

Damien scratched his cheek awkwardly and muttered. Did you two cause some trouble while out?

“…What happened? It’s better to confess before I start interrogating.”

If you confess now, I might let you off with 24 hours of training.

“Well… We took a wrong turn and ended up in the back alleys. It was a rough area. Men were trying to drag Milia away, and women were clinging to me.”

“It was unpleasant.”

Milia’s expression darkened, reminiscent of when we heard rumors about Damien and me taking a bath together. Just looking at her face, I can guess what happened.

“It was awkward to push them away, so Milia shot an arrow through the jaw of a man trying to grab her shoulder. The arrowhead came out the top of his head.”

“Man? That was a kobold. Right, Damien?”

Milia smirked and leaned in close to Damien, her eyes narrowing. Her pupils had shrunk, and a strange aura seemed to flow from them.

…Come to think of it, I once said something like that. If killing evil people weighs on your conscience, think of them as kobolds. Guess she’s still doing that.

“Kobold…?”

Lacey tilted her head, not understanding Milia’s meaning.

“Yes, Ha-shal-leur said it. Creatures who commit evil acts for their own desires aren’t people—they’re kobolds. Right, Ha-shal-leur?”

“Uh… I guess I did…?”

I only said that to help her cope with her first kill.

“Ah, I see. Kobold, kobold…”

Lacey repeated the word to herself, a bright smile spreading across her face.

“That’s right. What a righteous mindset. Truly fitting for the title ‘Arrow of Imela.’ Milia, you possess the sincerity and righteousness worthy of a paladin.”

Where do you see that?

“Me, a paladin? No, not really.”

“No need to be modest. Despising evil, hating evil, refusing to forgive evil, and exterminating evil—these are the fundamental virtues of a paladin. You embody that righteous spirit, Milia. Even if your worshipped god is different, Elpinel would surely admire you.”

Lacey seemed quite taken with Milia’s kobold theory.

Specifically, the part about not even considering evil people as human. Especially the part where, even knowing they are human, she refuses to acknowledge them as such, fundamentally not recognizing them as people.

“…Anyway, after one—”

“One kobold, right, Damien?”

“…One kobold died, the others swarmed us. Even the kobolds clinging to me drew daggers and attacked. Milia killed them all.”

…So, you turned the alley into a bloodbath. Nice job, really. In every sense.

“About twenty of them…?”

“Twenty-five. I counted. Should I have cut off their ears…? Adventurers use kobold ears as proof of extermination. I should’ve brought some back.”

…If you’d brought back twenty-five pairs of human ears, you’d have been arrested before reaching the lodging.

Anyway, guess they were loyal thugs. For twenty-five of them to keep attacking until they were all wiped out.