Chapter 410

Huron.

A large city located between Nasiriya and Alhebron, famous for its monthly Full Moon Festival, making it a popular tourist destination.

As expected of a tourist spot, the entire town was vibrant and bustling, with streets filled with people coming and going, laughing, and chatting, creating a lively atmosphere.

But only during the day.

True to its reputation as the city of the moon and stars, Huron also had unique laws based on religious doctrine.

In short, it could be summarized as respecting and revering the night.

Since the moon and stars only reveal themselves at night, the people here consider night a sacred time when the gods gaze upon the mortal world.

“…So, Huron strictly prohibits the movement of ordinary citizens after 8 PM, except for church priests. Make sure to return to your lodging before sunset.”

“Got it, I’ll remember that.”

Lacey advised Milia and Damien, who were eager to explore the city, to return early.

It was fine to wander around during the day, but if they went out after sunset, they could be arrested by paladins.

Not only movement, but even lighting a fire at night was considered sacrilegious.

If light was absolutely necessary, windows had to be covered with thick curtains to prevent any light from leaking out.

Something about preventing earthly light from dimming the brilliance of the night sky?

Religious people’s ideas are hard to understand.

Not even lighting a candle because it might block the starlight? How do they live like that?

Anyway, Milia nodded and, clinging to Damien’s arm, practically dragged him out of the lodging.

It’s said that those who enjoy everything are the strongest, but… aren’t you two enjoying yourselves a bit too much?

You haven’t forgotten why we came here, have you?

—

“…Well then, should we get moving too? We need to finish everything before sunset.”

“Yeah, we should. You guys be careful too.”

Lacey planned to head to the Shaulite Church Order’s headquarters with the rest of the group, excluding Rana.

Meanwhile, I intended to visit the Menes Church Order’s headquarters.

I was a bit uneasy about parting with Lacey, but with Bels, Leonor, and Nigel around, they wouldn’t be easily subdued or assassinated even if I wasn’t there.

Milia and Damien also agreed to join immediately if any trouble arose, and it was unlikely that anyone would be bold enough to attack in broad daylight.

After sending Lacey off, I prepared to visit the Menes Church Order with Rana.

The preparation was simply putting on a robe and separating a horse from the carriage to ride with Rana.

“Will it be okay, unnie? I don’t know much, but I heard Lacey-nim has bad relations with the other church orders. Won’t we get kicked out too?”

“It’s fine. That’s why I’m going instead of Lacey.”

Lacey said that if she requested an audience, she would definitely be refused, but if I used my name, the Menes Church Order would at least hear me out.

Given the Menes Church Order’s doctrine of hostility towards beastmen, they wouldn’t have any particular ill feelings towards me, known as the Beastman Devourer and Winter Slayer.

After all, we worked together to repel the invasion at Pailoon Castle.

“That’s a relief!”

“Right.”

I helped Rana, who was smiling brightly, onto the saddle and climbed up behind her, heading out into the streets.

—

Huron, true to its reputation as a tourist city, was bustling and lively.

The streets were filled with people in various outfits, and the stalls scattered around sold exotic foods and accessories.

Milia would love this. So much to see.

“Unnie, unnie! Look at that! They’re selling whole roasted scorpions!”

Rana seemed to enjoy it too.

Sitting in front of me, she turned her head here and there, smiling like a chick that had just left the yard.

“Isn’t it amazing?”

Since the Holy Kingdom was her hometown, I thought she’d be used to it, but surprisingly, Rana had never been to any city other than Arvil, ruled by the Shaulite Church Order.

Everyone is so accustomed to their own city’s rules and life that moving to another city is rare, she said.

“Roasted scorpions… Yeah, it’s amazing. Want to try one? Should I buy you one?”

“Ugh… I’ll pass!”

Rana shook her head vigorously.

The appearance of the roasted scorpion was fascinating, but eating it was a whole different matter, it seemed.

Well, even I wouldn’t eat that.

Just looking at it is creepy, let alone putting it in my mouth. I’d rather chew on beastman meat.

The entire city was noisy with the voices of merchants soliciting customers and tourists sightseeing, with occasional cries of despair from those who had been pickpocketed.

Even in the Holy Kingdom, pickpockets thrive in crowded tourist spots, it seems.

If caught, they’d be severely punished, but as long as they’re not caught, it’s fine, I guess.

Of course, no pickpockets or pushy merchants targeted us.

Whether it was because of Rana’s priestess robes or because we were on horseback, I’m not sure.

—

Of course, this city wasn’t all bright and cheerful.

In the inner parts of the city, away from the merchant district, dark alleys were littered with garbage, and half-crazed people lay around, groaning in a daze.

Rana didn’t seem to notice, but I saw it clearly.

Their ragged clothes, vacant eyes, and drooling mouths…

I heard a new type of drug was spreading in Huron, and these were the people whose lives had been ruined by addiction.

If it looked this bad from the outside, the inside must be a den of drugs… Are they just leaving it like this?

I’ll have to bring this up in the discussion.

I slightly turned the horse’s head to avoid the back alleys and headed towards the Menes Church Order’s headquarters.

There was no point getting closer to the drug den.

It would be filled with completely broken addicts and those begging for drugs, and approaching such a place would only ruin Rana’s mood.

About fifty minutes later, we finally arrived at the Menes Church Order’s cathedral and headquarters.

It took longer than expected.

If the streets hadn’t been crowded, we could have arrived in ten minutes, but we couldn’t gallop through the streets filled with tourists.

“Welcome to the Huron Diocese of the Menes Church Order. What brings you here?”

After tying the horse at the cathedral entrance and heading to the main gate, a paladin guarding the entrance greeted us lightly and blocked our way.

Since the Shaulite and Menes Church Orders are different factions, I was worried they might be rude to Rana, but it seemed they wouldn’t go so far as to be hostile to a young girl under sixteen.

“I’d like to meet the person in charge here. Are they available?”

Lacey advised me to maintain mutual courtesy, so I used polite language instead of casual speech.

It must have been the first time Rana saw me using polite language, as she looked up at me with a curious gaze.

Like a puppy looking at its owner who suddenly started barking.

“…Are you referring to the Archbishop? I haven’t heard of any scheduled meetings today… If you don’t mind, could you identify yourself?”

The paladin carefully examined my face, hidden under the hood, as he replied.

More polite than I expected.

Perhaps they haven’t forgotten their essence as clergy despite recent issues.

Or maybe, as employees of a tourist city’s public office, they’re just polite to everyone.

“I didn’t make an appointment in advance… But if you inform them I’m here, they won’t turn me away. Please tell the Archbishop that the heir of House Median, Princess Ha-shal-leur Ai-shan Gi-or, has come to visit.”

I pulled back the hood I was wearing, revealing my face.

My jet-black hair cascaded down, tickling my shoulders.

“T-the Winter Slayer…!”

The paladin who met my eyes flinched and took half a step back.

Not out of fear or hostility, but more like being startled by an unexpected visitor.

As Lacey had assured, the Menes Church Order didn’t seem to hold any particular ill will towards me.

“You know me well. Then, could you do me a favor? Tell them I’ve come to discuss matters related to the northern beastmen.”

“Yes! It’s an honor to meet you, Sir Median! I’ll inform the Archbishop right away!”

The paladin bowed respectfully and ordered someone to inform the Archbishop of my visit.

I thought he’d go himself, but since he was on guard duty, he couldn’t leave his post.

—

“Please wait a moment. A reply should come soon.”

“Thank you.”

After expressing my gratitude to the paladin, I lit a cigarette and leaned against the wall, waiting for the Archbishop’s response.

Rana clung to my waist, and the paladin kept glancing nervously at me as I exhaled smoke into the air.

What, is this a no-smoking zone or something?

“…You seem to have something to say. Oh, is smoking not allowed here?”

I waved the cigarette I had taken from my lips, and the paladin quickly shook his head.

“N-no! Please forgive my rudeness. I never imagined I’d get to meet the hero who defeated the Beastman King in person…!”

It wasn’t the look one gives to a street smoker, but more like a fan meeting their idol.

Their attitude was more favorable than I expected, almost on par with the northerners.

“Thanks for the kind words.”

I chuckled and flicked the ash off my cigarette, causing the paladin’s face to turn slightly red.

The gaze wasn’t lustful but filled with something akin to admiration, so it wasn’t particularly unpleasant.