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Fall of the Holy City – Part 04

Hikaru had learned about the undead’s weakness—or perhaps strength—from an unexpected source.

“If normal attacks won’t work, then it wouldn’t make sense for me to go,” he mused.

“I’m not so sure about that,” Lavia disagreed. “Maybe the Pope just wants you to capture Ranna.”

In the shop, Lavia was taken aback by the owner’s demeanor, and her innate shyness had led her to speak very little. But once they left the workshop, she reverted to her usual self.

“Good point. He’s not expecting me to kill a large number of undead. If that’s the case, there’s no point in taking Einbiest’s guys with me.”

Lavia chucked. “They want to go, so just let them.”

“Think about it. If someone like Gerhardt swung an axe, and it had absolutely no effect, they’d just get even more stressed out. It could become a real issue.”

Lavia burst into laughter. Hikaru felt relieved upon seeing her cheerful self. When her life was in danger due to the enhanced Accursed Toxin, everything had seemed dark for him. After that, he racked his brains hard, trying to figure out a way to solve the problem.

I don’t think I can live in a world without Lavia at this point.

Lavia wondered what he was smiling about.

---

Following that, Hikaru visited the Church to get some holy water. Upon inspecting its contents, he realized it was water imbued with special magical energy. It was quite heavy. He had it divided into five leather bags, each capable of holding about one liter. Carrying more would hinder his mobility and pose risks.

The Church’s friar had some reservations about putting holy water in leather bags. According to them, holy water was meant to be handled with care and stored in ceramic bottles or jars.

“I can carry some too,” Lavia offered.

“It’s fine. You have other stuff to carry. Considering everything else, this is about the limit.”

“Oh…”

If the pit turned out to be deep, they might need to be down there for more than a day, so packed food and water were necessary.

“I’ll be counting on your stamina.”

“Leave it to me.”

Lavia flexed her bicep, but Hikaru couldn’t spot any muscles on her slender arms.

In all honesty, though, I’m not sure this amount of holy water is enough. I have my Stealth for one-hit kills. A few undead should be manageable, but I’m sure they’re in the double figures.

Luvain believed there was no need to exterminate the undead, but there was no guarantee that the pit was devoid of monsters.

“What’s with all the holy water, Lord Hikaru? Did you take on an undead extermination commission?”

A voice from behind startled both Hikaru and Lavia, and they looked behind them.

Clergy robes were a common sight in this city, but they immediately recognized her. It had been almost a month since they last saw each other.

“Paula!” Hikaru and Lavia both exclaimed simultaneously.

“Yup, it’s me. Lord Hikaru, Lavia!”

Paula rushed over, and the three embraced. It was undoubtedly Paula, their fellow traveler.

“When did you arrive?”

“Uwaaah! I missed you so much!” Paula suddenly burst into tears.

Lavia, slightly shorter than Paula, comforted her with soothing pats on the head.

Finally calming down, Paula spoke. “Lord Hikaru, the Four Eastern Stars are also here in Agiapole. Could you go to them?”

---

Hikaru’s party, wearing masks, made their way to a café with formal private rooms.

“I guess that’s it for our date,” Lavia said, dejected. “Oh well.”

“You can have whatever you like,” Hikaru comforted her.

Sophie and Sara knew Hikaru was Silver Face, but not Selyse. Paula had been working with her as Flower Face.

“Silver Face! So, you were in the holy city after all.”

Selyse Lande, the leader, was a glowing beautiful woman with clear blue eyes, a pert nose, and blonde hair tied up in a chignon. She wore an ornate, spotless silver breastplate, with beige inner garments and a cloak. Her exceptional cleanliness would make her stand out even in the holy city.

Hanging at her waist was a sword on loan from the Church, so slim as to seem merely ceremonial. However, it was, in fact, a genuine magic sword known as the White Ray Blade.

“People are naturally drawn to each other,” remarked Sophie Bloomfield, a woman wearing the same monastic attire as Paula.

“If praying to the gods helps in finding people,” Sara added, “there would be fewer commissions at the guild.” She was dressed lightly in contrast.

Their last team member, Serika, a Japanese person like Hikaru, was currently back in Japan.

“So, what’s the situation in the city?” Selyse asked.

Hikaru began explaining the recent events. Unsure how much of the information he received from Luvain he could share, he glossed over some things, and skipped over the history of the Man Gnome he had learned from Unken, since it would take too long to cover everything. Nevertheless, it still took quite some time.

Once done, Hikaru quenched his thirst with the now-cold tea. Paula and Sophie wore particularly stern expressions.

The appointment of a new Pope, dealings with the Einbiest army, battles with the Quinbrand Empire’s forces, and the problem of the great pit. They could understand that the Church was on the brink of collapse.

Sara, on the other hand, seemed to lose interest in the conversation halfway and was engrossed in eating snacks.

“Well then, it’s our turn,” Selyse, relatively calm, shared their exploits.

In the imperial capital of G. Quinbrand, Flower Face and Sophie had diligently treated the victims of the Accursed Toxin, anonymously. When they almost reached their limits in terms of both mana and physical stamina, the antidote stolen from the Tower by Silver Face arrived, saving a considerable number of victims.

“Back then, I really thought you were a god!” Paula exclaimed. “No, wait. I’ve always thought you were one. A god among gods!”

Hikaru would appreciate it if she didn’t call her something embarrassing repeatedly. Especially since Sophie, who genuinely believed in gods, was giving him an icy look.

After containing the Accursed Toxin infection, Paula insisted on rejoining them, with the Four Eastern Stars agreeing to serve as her escorts. They used the Proselytizers Path, a route known only to Church personnel, to get here. Had they taken the public highway, they could have ended up right in the middle of the conflict between Quinbrand and Bios.

“Flower Face, I have a question. Is it possible to create holy water using magic, or imbue holy magical energy into armor?”

“It is. You use basic healing magic.”

“Just as I thought!” Hikaru clapped his knees. “Luvain… His Holiness asked me to investigate the pit. Right now, the holy city is crawling with undead monsters, and regular steel weapons don’t work against many of them. Will you come with me?”

“I’d be delighted to!”

“Why don’t you ask me the same question?” Sophie asked with a smile, a smile that did not touch her eyes. “A personal commission from His Holiness the Pope! From former Archpriest Luvain, renowned as the Central Saint. I might not be of much help, but please allow me to assist you!”

Central Saint? Him? Not Central Taint? Hikaru thought, taken aback by Sophie’s enthusiastic tone. He refrained from making such a comment out loud.

Sophie went on to explain that Luvain often visited and treated the common folk for free, earning him the nickname of Saint for his dedication. Given his character despite his youth, it made sense that he was chosen as the next Pope by his predecessor.

Sophie had wrestled with doubts for a while. If the Pope himself had been behind the spread of the Accursed Toxin, what would become of the Church’s teachings? However, with the Pope’s death, the disappearance of the poison’s creator, Ranna, and the appointment of a respectable figure as Pope, people could interpret it as the Church returning to the righteous path. That Luvain would surely correct the mistakes of the former Pope.

“I think it might be a bit difficult for you to operate with a mask on,” Hikaru said.

“Why is that?”

“If a battle were to break out, Selyse would have to fight as well. The White Ray Blade is a one-of-a-kind weapon, so it would stand out. It wouldn’t take long for people to realize you’re the Four Eastern Stars.”

“Then how about we operate as the Four Eastern Stars from the start?” Selyse suggested with a smile.

Whenever Selyse smiled like that, Hikaru would tense up, as he couldn’t tell what was going on in her mind.

“It’s a well-known fact that Sophie is a devout follower of the Church. We can just say we came in a hurry to help, and they should buy it.”

“Great idea, Selyse!”

“Wait a minute,” Hikaru said. “There’s one more thing. Don’t high-ranking adventurers like you need approval from the guild or the country before crossing borders?”

High-ranking adventurers, due to the significant power they wielded, could sometimes be prohibited from traveling between cities during wartime. That’s why the Four Eastern Stars had worn masks when traveling from Ponsonia to the Quinbrand Empire.

“We can just tell the truth. While we operate mainly in Ponsonia, we’re not at war with Bios. So it’s fine to openly state our intentions.”

“Fine. If you’re willing to make it that clear, then I have no objections. Having more firepower against the undead is quite welcome.”

“I completely agree.”

“You cyan count on us!”

Hikaru turned to Sophie. “Well, then.”

“What is it?”

“Let’s go inform His Holiness about your participation in this operation.”

“…What?”

A few seconds later, Sophie’s scream filled the room.