Chapter 392
Day 92 – Morning, White Weirdo Inn
The spirits spent the entire night murmuring to me through the blessing『Whispers of the Spirits』, kindly and thoroughly explaining everything, collapsing one after another in the process. And yet, more and more spirits kept flocking in, drawn by the intense magical energy, peeking curiously, and then falling to the ground. In the Frontier, with its dense magic essence hanging in the air, and countless spirits around, the result was a full-blown catastrophe, forming a literal mountain of collapsed spirits.
The intense whirl of joy and ecstatic frenzy pulsed as waves of magic through the air. Apparently, the spirits are lured and knocked out by it every time, so they are already used to it.
Perhaps the rumors of the Dungeon Slayer are true after all. Whatever that was, and that thing that happened, and that thing that got seriously thated… if it was that, then not even a Dungeon Master would stand a chance. I’m now even more curious about the way the Dungeon Master was actually defeated. But that sheer density of pure magic is abnormal. And it’s happening every night! Spirits kept dropping like flies, but are they coming back to watch every night?
The muddy torrent of strange magical energy kept flowing through the entire night. and as they mumbled out the descriptions line by line, the spirits fell one after another. Although I’m grateful for the hospitality, but this whole situation is just too much that, and with all that going on it’s really hard to sleep, especially.with live spirit commentary going on, reporting on that situation in real time… Yeah, looks like the Frontier really was a magical hellscape. Tentacle jungle? Hundred-headed lewd serpents? Banquet of madness?… (*Flop*)
(Currently sleeping)
I didn’t get much sleep because of that absurdly overwhelming presence last night, but when I was summoned to the dining table by everyone, the one cooking was none other than the very person responsible. A mysterious man known as Haruka-san. The same man that the Frontier lord both fears and respects deeply, calling him a 『Calamity』 with a mixture of awe and gratitude. The townspeople greet him casually, but in their eyes is a reverence that borders on worship. Surrounded by companions who smile gently as children run up and hug him every time he appears, and yet, he doesn’t act the least bit haughty or self-important. He behaves like an entirely ordinary person. This very man, who stands at the center of countless rumors spread far and wide across the Frontier.
An unknown foreigner. The 『Black-Haired Tactician』character from the stage-play doesn’t match him in the slightest. If anything, he is the complete opposite, instead of commanding the black-haired beauties, he is being dragged around by them. And he was up early cooking breakfast. Dungeon Killer rumors, depicting him as a muscle-bound monster akin to a cannibalistic fiend also have nothing in common with reality. He’s a slim, absent-minded-looking guy who couldn’t be further from that image. And the 『Black-Haired Magnate』 who supposedly commands elite bodyguards and has taken over and now rules the Frontier with an iron grip, plundering and extorting it as he pleases, also has nothing in similar with, as he is wandering around alone, without care in the world.
Despite being the root of all these completely different rumors, he doesn’t resemble any of them, and is equally far from the image presented in any of them. As someone who’s traveled far and wide as a messenger of the Church, met people from every walk of life, every race and job imaginable, he alone is unlike anyone else. I can’t imagine what he is doing, his actions, attitude, presence, the way he speaks, there’s no one to compare him to. I can’t even fathom what he’s thinking, or guess what he’ll do next. He’s an enigmatic person.
If even one percent of the rumors were true, any normal person would be terrified. And yet, everyone greets him in a familiar tone. And those smiles, there is a kind of overflowing warmth to them that defies description, something that exists only here, in the Frontier.
Genuine smiles. Not forced. Not fake. Not polite, nor mocking. Not manipulative, nor insincere. A smile born of strength, pride, kindness, and deep compassion. The kind of smile that only someone from the Frontier could give, and the kind of smile that only a person like him could receive.
Even though he’s technically a foreigner to the Frontier, Haruka-san somehow feels more like a Frontiersman than anyone else, yet at the same time, it’s as if he’s from somewhere that isn’t here and could leave for someplace equally distant at any moment. He looks like someone who could be standing anywhere and nowhere all at once, his eyes always fixed on some far-off horizon. Even when he’s walking through town, right at the center of everyone’s attention, he’s looking off into the distance all by himself.
With those eyes that seemed to have looked into a hell deeper than death itself and the fierce smile, it felt like he looked straight into my soul, so I ended up losing consciousness. And yet he treats me just like an ordinary girl, without any anger or scorn. But it would seem he wouldn’t remember my name.
「Eerhm, it’s Ari-Ari Sister Girl who goes Ahn-Ahn doing this and that, right?」
「「「Arianna-san, got it?! And why is her nickname part so ridiculously long, and so suspicious?」」」
「Haruka-sama, my name is Arianna. I’ve told you this about fifty times now. Pleased to meet you, again.」
His stare is the sharpest, scariest I’ve ever seen, yet his eyes are also kinder than anyone else’s. I wonder what sort of world is reflected in those pitch-black pupils.
「Right, right, AriAri, Sister Girl who did all those this-and-that. Anyway, breakfast! The orphanage put in a request, so it’s okonomiyaki this morning. It’s your loss if you start questioning why okonomiyaki and how requests from the orphanage are even coming in, but if they want it, then they shall feast upon my ultimate okonomiyaki? By the way, any religious taboos? Like no geezer, no bald farts, or beards in the food?」
「「「Even if there’s no religious taboos, don’t add old or bald men into the food! Or beards either! Or rather, that geezer is a big deal for the Church people, so don’t even think about cooking him! Also, that whole those this-and-that flashback scenes-type stuff is NOT part of Arianna-san’s name!」」」
「We of the Church eat whatever is set before us, we have no dietary rules. Though, if it isn’t too much trouble, I’d prefer something modest. Last night’s meal was so rich and extravagant, thank you very much, but I would be perfectly happy with whatever the orphanage children are having. Please don’t trouble yourself over us.」
「「「It is the same food as the orphanage, you know, yesterday and today.」」」
「…W-Wait… The orphanage gets food that luxurious every meal?」
「Huh? They actually got more meat than we did, so if anything, theirs is fancies… aaand now you’re glaring at me like crazy! Look, they’re in their growth phase, while additional growth here would be an issue so you are in on one-one-one-one-more-set or the skirts won’t fit phase, so the total volume’s higher here, but proportion-wise theirs was richer. Also, they only had one smoothie each and behaved like angels, whereas certain naughty girls here went full completionist, turning the place into an all-you-can-drink bar. Why is everyone whistling and looking away! And why is the entire group suddenly whistling Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance? Did you rehearse that or something? Because that song choice screams that you are not sorry!」
The ordinary foreign commoner food, okonomiyaki, was delicious. So much so that I couldn’t help but to express my doubts about the existence of a country where anyone can eat such amazing food as a normal meal, only to be told this was a cheap dish for ordinary folk. I was stunned. Staying here is going to shatter my sense of reality. If delicacies like this are considered food for ordinary folk, I’ll forget all about the Church’s ideals of humble asceticism. Yet when I asked about the ingredients, it turned out everything was inexpensive and ordinary, except the eggs, which are also cheap in the Frontier because large-scale chicken farming is performed. Even the outrageously tasty flavourings are homemade… So this heavenly dish actually costs less than the Church’s plain meals devoted to frugality?
And then, after being escorted to the Lord’s Mansion, everyone headed off for dungeons.
Ordinary boys and girls, still bearing traces of childish immaturity, entirely normal for their age, casually made their way into dungeons crawling with monsters. It’s easy to forget in such an abundant, peaceful, and beautiful place, but this is the Frontier. Surrounded by forests teeming with endlessly multiplying monsters, and constantly threatened by the ever-increasing dungeons, this land, the farthest edge of civilization, is the harshest place for any human to live. A nightmare realm, where the people you were just laughing with moments ago could be swallowed up by this hell the very next moment.
They are pretty, gentle, helpful, and cheerful people. After spending the morning playing and eating with orphans, they donned suits of steel armor, strapped swords to their backs, armed themselves, and set off. As if the peaceful happiness just moments ago had been a lie. And yet, their figures were gallant and dignified, like heroes out of epic tales. In order not to let that peaceful happiness be a lie, even young boys and girls are out there fighting monsters.
Even the military of the Theocracy, only sends soldiers in to cull the monsters’ numbers, suffering massive casualties in doing so, constantly dealing with a threat of annihilation. And yet, these people dive into the Dungeon every day. They put their lives on the line in the fight against dungeons for the sake of this Frontier’s happiness. Kind, cheerful, and wonderful people, not mere brutes relying on strength, nor uneducated louts. They are fun-loving girls and gentle boys. And yet it is such people who must risk their lives daily, fighting and defending against the domain of the monsters.
「Count-sama, why is it that those people are so kind… and yet, why do they put themselves in such harsh battles? Just how many people could they bring happiness to by remaining alive? And yet they choose the most dangerous way to live… Why is that?」
「That’s what no one understands, and why everyone is so bewildered. They have no obligation to protect the Frontier, no connection or ties to this land, and yet they do so much for us. And even so, they neither boast nor act arrogant. They seek neither gratitude, nor honor, nor power, nor wealth, they simply live as ordinary townsfolk. Despite having strength and riches enough to take hold of the Frontier or even the Kingdom itself, those boys and girls ask for nothing. They simply clear out the Evil Forests and destroy dungeons. That’s why everyone is at a loss. If they would just say, 『Worship us』or 『Pay us』 people would gladly worship them and offer up gold and treasures. But it seems they also don’t want to stand out, or particularly want anything else, so they earn money through business, dive into dungeons, and live humble lives…」
Without demanding compensation, without seeking praise or honor, giving only what they have gained, offering only what they can give through their own strength… A way of living exactly as described in the old holy scriptures.
These people, who seem to embody the life God once asked for, are called enemies of the Church. Treated as grievous sinners, even attempts on their lives being made, designated for subjugation as enemies of God. The wise king of the Kingdom of Diorer, His Majesty Diarusez Di Diorer, has steadfastly refused to hand over the black-haired, black-eyed rebel, refusing punishment. And yet, that very rebel seems to embody the way of life that God once laid down in ancient times.
「I’ve also heard the Church is plotting to shift attention away from their own failure by executing Haruka-sama and the others, pretending this whole matter never happened. I’ve also heard they’ve already branded them as great sinners and declared them enemies of the divine. It’s certain they’ll exert political pressure on both the Kingdom and the Frontier. If we had the power, we might be able to stop such madness, but all we can do is relay the information. The Theocracy… the Church, I’ve heard, is even considering launching a new expedition just to cover up their failure and protect their own authority.」
「No matter what schemes they devise, King Diarusez will never give his approval. Nor would I, for that matter. I have no intention of accepting the Church’s claims, nor do I see any meaning in doing so. Suppose the King or I were to obey the Church, what then? Who, exactly, would deliver this so-called divine punishment to the dungeon slayers? Unless they can have God Himself descend, no divine punishment will be delivered. And if God were indeed to descend… I wonder which side would truly be left standing. Perhaps the Church intends to test whether the many miracles of their god passed down through the continent can stand against the calamity known as the joy of the Frontier, which can even slaughter a great dungeon? But that would only be possible after they summon God. If their Church were truly grand enough to call down God, I would far prefer they whine directly to Him instead of lodging complaints with our Kingdom.」
He was smiling as he said it, but it seems this matter has greatly infuriated the Count. Though he spoke in jest and with good humor, his words carried a veiled threat, that if they wish to invoke God’s name, then they better drag the God himself out here as well. Not merely irreverent, but a declaration that he is prepared to fight even if it means becoming an enemy of the divine himself. He has clearly stated, should anyone lay a finger on Haruka-sama and the others, even if that someone is a god, he will oppose them. If neither side backs down, then conflict is inevitable. And yet, we possess no power to stop either side. Words alone can’t change anything.
「The Church… might even reach into the forbidden rites of ancient days, foolishly bringing out the sacred armaments once sealed by God’s own decree. Some even whisper that they are delving into the very taboos long rumored to lie in the Church’s own shadow… Unleashing disasters sealed away because they cannot be controlled by humans, they may expose the dark recesses of the Church’s history in the attempts to get their hands on the powers of mythic times long past. If no one stops them, it might spell disaster?」
「We’re used to disasters. Anyone born and raised in the Frontier lives and dies surrounded by them, we could be called disaster experts. And yet, should there exist a disaster more terrible than the absurdly incomprehensible, happiness-spreading calamity that even Frontier folk speak of in one voice as 『beyond understanding』 well then… I’d quite like to see it for myself before the Frontier perishes.」
The level of resolve that they have allows the Count to confidently say that even if it meant destruction, they would not yield, and even the people would not permit it. Of course, the fault lies entirely with the Church, seeking concessions from the Frontier or the Kingdom under such circumstances is a ludicrous and shameless desire, that should never have even been brought up. And yet, if the Church’s reckless behavior is not stopped, a disaster will occur. And the ones who will suffer are the innocent citizens of both nations.
「Ah, speaking of which, I suspect that the sorts of things you’re worried about won’t actually happen. No matter how terrible a scenario you imagine, the situation will be resolved in a far worse way. No matter how great the harm and the damages you would assume, they will come down way more severe entirely upon those responsible, tightly compressed. However, I cannot speak for the devotees of the Theocracy and the Church. That, I suspect, is the matter that you should be worrying about. If we protect the Frontier and the kingdom, then naturally it is the Theocracy, that would be deemed the aggressor, that will suffer the consequences. Why would anyone think that people who conquer dungeons wouldn’t also conquer the Theocracy? If the Theocracy had a force stronger than Dungeon Slayers, then the Theocracy should have conquered the dungeons themselves. That would’ve gained them magic stones, armaments, and even bolstered their faith. But they didn’t. If they thought well why they didn’t, then surely they’d realize the folly of turning those young people into their enemies.」
The official delegation from the Theocracy has already delivered not an apology, but condemnation to King Diorer, pressing oppressive demands on him. Starting with the handover of the Archbishop, they’ve demanded an official apology and reparations from the Kingdom, the transfer of magic stone rights from the Frontier, plus all sorts additional privileges, the Church’s right to interfere with the affairs of the royal family… and finally, surrendering the black-haired strategist and the black-haired princesses. Torture and violation called Inquisition, cruel humiliation and disgrace under the God’s name… I cannot allow those people to be subjected to something like that! And yet, the Church’s upper ranks have already blundered so gravely that they cannot retreat. Their grip on power is slipping, and in desperation to protect it, they will stop at nothing, dragging everyone around them into the fray, plunging the world into chaos.
I must speak. Even if those kind people grow angry, even if they curse me, strike me, kick me, and come to hate me, I must inform them of the truth about the Church… The thought of being hated by those who were so kind to me is so painful, it feels like I’m being torn apart, but if they were to fall into danger, knowing nothing of what’s coming… I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself. I have to tell them properly… As one of the Church followers, I must tell them of the danger it poses, and of its true, corrupt, and degenerate nature.
Comment (0)