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The Boundary Between Worlds – Part 02

After all sorts of turmoil, the holy city of Agiapole was finally regaining its peace. The number of evil monsters from the wicked mountain in the distance had significantly decreased, giving relief to the people.

The hotel prepared for the Four Eastern Stars was one of the finest in the holy city, a place where dignitaries from various countries would stay. But after the battle with the Confederacy of Einbiest and the calamity caused by the Accursed Toxin, no dignitaries were staying there.

“Ugh, being cooped up for three days makes my body stiff,” Selyse said, stretching on the bed.

“Are you kidding me? You should stay in bed for at least a month after getting hurt like that! Your body should be more than just stiff!” exclaimed Serika, her eyes wide with surprise. She was in the middle of reading a book.

“Well, in Japan, injuries only heal naturally, but I have Sophie’s healing magic here.”

“Even so, you must be straining your body! Stay put and rest!”

“Good grief. Serika, you sound like a nanny.”

“A nanny?! Shouldn’t it be ‘mom’ or something?! I thought you came from a rich family. I guess I was right!”

“Now that you mention it, you do resemble my mother, Serika.”

“Wait, what do you mean by that? Are you calling me old?”

“I… don’t have a family anymore.”

“What?”

Serika was taken aback by Selyse’s sudden statement, but Selyse quickly put on her usual smile.

“I ran away from home. I was quite the tomboy, you know?”

“Wow. I can’t imagine that!”

“What did you think I was like?”

“I thought you were a pampered young lady, raised like a princess, from a noble or merchant family!”

That was mostly accurate, but Selyse just laughed it off.

“What happened to you?!”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“Your vibe changed! Ever since you came back from the 7th floor!”

She had never talked about her past before.

Serika kept that thought to herself. She understood that Selyse’s past was either heavy with difficult memories or complicated circumstances. Revealing even a little bit of it felt like a significant change.

“What happened… huh.”

Even after surviving near-death, even now, healthy and lying in bed, all she could think about was Silver Face. The thought of him threw her mind into chaos. What was the secret to his strength? Why was he on the 7th floor?

She wanted to see him. She wanted to ask him how, as a Japanese person like Serika, he had survived in this world. She hoped that satisfying her overwhelming curiosity might help her sort out the turmoil within her.

Her heart ached when she thought about him. But she couldn’t help herself. It ached even more knowing that Silver Face had Lavia, also known as Star Face, by his side. She tried not to think about what those feelings meant.

“It’s a secret.”

“Ugh! Never mind, you haven’t changed at all! You keep secrets even from us!”

Selyse laughed. “It’s not that I’m secretive or messing with you, Serika. It’s just… hard to explain.”

“Selyse!”

Sophie and Sara burst into the room.

Since their return to the holy city, Sophie, being a church staff, had been busy with her duties, with Sara accompanying her as a bodyguard.

“Are you awake? How are you feeling?”

“I’m perfectly fine now. But what’s going on? Looks serious.”

“Well, we just came back from the Tower.”

Sophie explained that they had received a summons.

---

That afternoon, dressed in the formal attire delivered to them, the Four Eastern Stars headed to the Tower. It was called as such because the Church having a “castle” would affect the organization’s reputation negatively. They traveled there by carriage.

Selyse and Sara wore pantsuits, while Serika donned a dress made of expensive fabrics. Though the other three looked like nobles, Sophie naturally remained in her nun’s habit.

“To think we’d be summoned by His Holiness the Pope. But why just us?” Selyse wondered.

“They say it’s for a reward for slaying the chimera,” Sophie replied.

“A reward? Why only us?”

Though other adventurer parties like the Azure Blade Nebula and Kinga Wolf were also staying at the hotel, only Selyse’s group had been summoned.

“From what I heard, it’s because the Azure Blade Nebula lost a nun loaned by the Church, and Kinga Wolf has a bad reputation for misconduct.”

“I see. So they only called us because we’re easier to handle.”

“They also said it’s because you delivered the final blow to the chimera.”

“With Marius’s weapon. And we all weakened it together.”

“The Church’s funds are probably tight, so they’re making a show of rewarding just us,” Sara said.

“I-It wouldn’t hurt to be more subtle. Just having an audience with His Holiness is a great honor.”

Sophie was restless. Though she had received the man’s blessing before, the Pope was like a superstar to her, regardless of who currently held the position.

“I see, that’s how it is.”

Selyse folded her arms and fell into thought. Contemplating such political maneuverings was within her field of expertise.

The Theocracy of Bios had weakened due to the war with Einbiest and the Accursed Toxin calamity caused by the previous Pope. As if that wasn’t enough, the Great Labyrinth appeared. Though the problem had been settled early, this resulted in a larger debt to the Einbiest army.

And then news of our exploits reached them.

If it was true that Selyse had slain the chimera, it could be framed as “Beastmen fought bravely, but humans were equally valiant,” making it seem like a balanced effort.

Such formalities couldn’t compensate for the loss of Beastmen soldiers, but in politics, appearances were crucial. Selyse understood this well.

When the Four Eastern Stars arrived at the Tower and entered the vast audience chamber, they found it sparsely populated with clergy. Many archpriests and priests had been purged by Luvain, and those who remained were overwhelmed with work, making it difficult for them to gather even on important days.

“The adventurer party Four Eastern Stars and God’s servant, Sophie Bloomfield. The Pope will be here shortly. Kneel before him.”

Following the lanky clergy’s instructions, Selyse, Serika, and Sara knelt on one knee, while Sophie knelt on both. The four were accustomed to such formalities.

“Announcing the arrival of His Holiness.”

Luvain never made a grand, leisurely entrance. He walked briskly, as if every second counted. Unlike many nobles and royals who wasted time on pomp and self-glorification, Luvain’s straightforward manner was appreciated by Selyse.

Well, if they want to make us out as heroes, I don’t mind. Sophie seems thrilled just to be addressed by the Pope directly. Once we get the reward, we’ll share it with Marius and Kinga. Adventurers have to support each other.

Selyse was adept at maintaining balance among adventurers, a principle she had learned from Sandra.

“Four Eastern Stars, your remarkable feat has reached our ears. On behalf of the devout followers residing in the Holy City of Agiapole, I extend our deepest gratitude.”

Luvain’s voice was smooth, imbued with a gentle, strangely comforting tone despite its lack of emotion. Sophie, kneeling on both knees beside Selyse, lowered her head, tears welling up in her eyes.

“The reward for defeating the powerful foe will be given through the Adventurers Guild.”

All right, that’s it, Selyse thought. Now, he’ll probably say, “A round of applause for our heroes,” or something similar, and that’ll be it.

“In addition to this reward, we have determined that your extraordinary accomplishment warrants further recognition.”

Further recognition? Maybe he’ll give us a weapon like the White Ray Blade, she mused.

“I would like to bestow upon you the Holy Silver Grand Cross.”

What? Selyse was taken aback.

She wasn’t the only one surprised. The priests in the audience chamber, who hadn’t been informed about this, started murmuring.

“Unbelievable.”

“The enemy was that formidable?”

“The Holy Silver Grand Cross is equivalent to the rank of a priest.”

Selyse knew about the Holy Silver Grand Cross. It was the highest honor that could be awarded to someone outside the Church, essentially a fast track to becoming a priest if desired.

It was almost like…

Pushing aside her thoughts, Selyse raised her head. “I apologize, Your Holiness.” She stared directly at Pope Luvain, who was receiving the medal from an aide. “We cannot accept this honor.”

Her rejection caused a bigger stir among the priests.

“The disrespect!”

“To refuse an honor bestowed personally by His Holiness is unheard of.”

“What could be her reason?”

Luvain raised one hand, and the murmurs ceased, leaving an almost painful silence. Serika and Sara looked perplexed, but didn’t seem to mind. Only Sophie seemed distressed, sweating and thinking, “Why is she doing this? You can’t disrespect His Holiness.”

“Let us hear your reason, Selyse Lande.”

Luvain maintained his smile, but there was an undeniable pressure to provide a satisfactory explanation.

“We are not worthy.”

“…”

Luvain silently urged her to continue.

“While the chimera was indeed a formidable foe and I delivered the final blow, the weapon used was the Blue Flash, owned by Marius, the leader of the Rank A adventurer party Azure Blade Nebula. Additionally, the Rank B party Kinga Wolf also aided in cornering the beast. We did not accomplish this on our own, and thus, I feel unworthy of such an honor.”

“I see. Understood.”

Luvain ordered the aide to withdraw. Though the aide seemed conflicted, he took the shimmering silver medal and left.

“Then, we will triple the monetary reward and ensure the other two parties are also compensated. Is that what you desire?”

“Yes, Your Holiness. I am most grateful.”

“Then so be it. A round of applause for the Four Eastern Stars.”

The priests, though surprised, began clapping. They likely thought she demanded money because medals were of no practical use. Their applause was tinged with scorn.

Once Luvain exited, the applause stopped, and Selyse’s group left the audience chamber. Sophie, eager to ask why she had done such a thing, restrained herself until they were back in the carriage.