Chapter 202 – Relief Shelter and the Saintess Candidate
As I lay on the ground, Nina cast healing magic and removed the status effects.
I could feel the strength returning to my body.
It was no wonder, since she was a certified magic doctor.
Her healing magic was so advanced, that there were few even in the Royal Magicians Order who could match her.
When I praised her about it, she said, ‘No, no. You’re exaggerating.’ But she looked happy.
I wanted to praise her even more, but right now, we had to deal with the three attackers.
We used the clothes they were wearing to bind their hands and feet.
When I raised my lantern, I saw Nina’s face in front of me.
While she still had those familiar features, there was something about her that seemed more mature now.
“But why are you here?”
“My mother sent your letter to the exploration base in the labyrinth.”
“But aren’t you in the middle of an important quest?”
“A friend in need is much more important.”
Nina said as if this was the most obvious thing.
“Still, I was quite surprised. When I rushed back, they were talking about how your guild card was suspended. And I heard that there were people who were following you.”
“So that’s why you came chasing after me.”
“It was really hard to do it without being noticed. But the person who was following you the closest was taken down, and that seemed to confuse the others.”
“Ah, that person…”
There was one that I had attacked first. And it resulted in this.
“They must be quite scared of you now. But focusing so much on you made it easier for me to follow them.”
“That was an impressive ambush.”
“I just bashed them behind the head with my staff.”
“You have become a lot more violent since I last met you.”
“Oh, I was always like this. Perhaps it was because my teacher was like that.”
Her teacher sounded quite barbaric.
(Wait a minute…was she talking about me…?)
I thought back on when she was that small child who used to follow me around.
I had not been a very violent child. Well, except the times when I kicked bullies and head-butted them.
“…”
Nina had been lady-like and elegant. But it seemed I might have influenced her in a surprising way.
(Nevermind. Nina looks happy, so clearly it was a good influence.)
I persuaded myself like that, and then explained the situation to her.
“You’re right…the water from the Grand Cathedral is dense with mana…”
She was stunned as she saw the experiment results and looked at the barrier. Even though she was from this country, she found it difficult to believe.
“Is there any facility within the Grand Cathedral that could be the cause for it?”
“I don’t know. Hardly anything is known about what goes on inside. Of course, people have been taking issue with it recently. There was also an incident involving abuse…”
Nina paused for a moment.
“Don’t tell anyone this, but I have been inside a few times. As a certified healer, they wanted me to take part in a healing ritual with holy magic. Of course, I am not supposed to tell anyone this, so you must keep it a secret.”
She said seriously.
“Judging by what I saw there, there are two possibilities. The first is that someone powerful with the cathedral is secretly bringing in something that has an abnormal amount of mana. The other is…”
“This person is a traitor, and is harboring my enemies inside the cathedral.”
Nina nodded. She had come to the same conclusion.
In order to advance in this situation, I had to enter the grand cathedral.
I had a feeling that Luke was captured inside.
“How can I enter the grand cathedral?”
“It will be difficult. And dangerous. Still, you have to go, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
I nodded. There was no hesitation.
I knew that I had to do it no matter what.
“If you volunteer with the Relief Shelter, you might be able to sneak in. The saintess candidates and priests often visit it in order to help the poor who are injured and sick. They need volunteers to help them during their work. But they often have trouble getting enough people. It is dirty work, and so not many continue.”
“Leave it to me. I’m good at that kind of thing.”
I said with a smile.
I grew up eating grass off the ground. I was far from being fussy when it came to cleanliness. And when it came to severe environments, I had a higher tolerance than anyone. I was sure of that.
Nina nodded at my words.
“Let’s try it then. Come with me.”
In conclusion, infiltrating the Relief Shelter was not a difficult thing.
Not only were they understaffed, but they recognized Nina as a brilliant healer.
After hearing about the work, I thought of ways to make things more efficient.
I had experienced a workplace that was hell before, so I was quick to be able to implement a few ideas, which led to tangible results.
It seemed that since this work was considered to be sacred, most people had not thought too much about efficiency.
At first, the priests were worried about what I could do, saying that I looked like a child. But once I started working with them, they had to admit that I was capable.
“Please. Will you come with us to the next place too?”
Of course, I agreed.
That day, we visited three different shelters.
And over four hundred patients were treated. Apparently, this was nearly twice as much as usual.
“You were a great help. Thank you so much.”
“No, not at all. Thank you for having me. I enjoyed the work immensely.”
It had been quite fulfilling to me, and I found myself very absorbed in it.
However, my true motive was to infiltrate the Grand Cathedral.
And so I was careful to not let anything slip as I continued to talk.
“Well, perhaps you would consider hiring me officially then?”
“You? You would be very welcome. I shall put in a word for you and make it happen. And then you can come with us to the Grand Cathedral.”
“Thank you.”
I glanced at Nina and then followed the priests and the saintess candidates.
When we reached the gates, there were four armed knights guarding it.
And they had some kind of device that was used to confirm a person’s voice and fingerprint.
There was even an advanced, new machine that detected the use of transformation potions.
I could not help but be impressed by all of these security measures.
We then went through the gate and into the barrier.
(So that’s what it looks like from the inside…)
I nearly stopped in order to take it all in, but I did not want to look strange and have them change their minds about hiring me.
(I really want to see… I really do… But I cannot…!)
I told myself this while I concentrated on acting like a calm and mature member of society.
The first thing I saw was a soaring spire.
A garden with gravel.
Extravagant and historical decorations, as well as flowers.
Even though I had just gone through a gate, it was like I was in a different world.
The priest led the way, and I walked through the interior of the cathedral.
The others talked lightheartedly, and I muttered replies while observing the structure of the building in the corner of my eye.
Where had the enemy entered?
Where could Luke be?
I wanted as much information as possible.
We were then taken to a room in the far back.
“I shall go and speak to the cardinal. Please wait one moment.”
And so I stood next to Nina and waited in front of the door.
Four small girls passed us. They seemed to be about seven? They wore robes that seemed to be a little large, and held up their hoods so it would cover their faces.
“Who are they?”
I whispered to Nina.
“I think they are the Saintess candidates. They gather children from all over the country who have a gift with holy magic.”
“And they live here?”
“Well, many of the children are from orphanages. At least, that is what I’ve heard.”
I listened and remembered the old man who had put out the request.
He had talked about an old friend who was chosen and never returned.
“Aren’t there children who are taken away from their families as well?”
“I do not think it is by force. It is only done when there is trouble with the family, or when they agree to send them off.”
“Agree?”
“Well, it is considered to be a great honor. Besides, if she is chosen, then the country will offer them some financial support as well.”
“Do you think many are from poorer families then?”
“There is no precise information. But it would not be surprising. Though, I do hear of upper class families sending their daughters for the honor, but it is not very common.”
I see. So that is how it works.
“Once you become a candidate, is it impossible to return to being a normal person?”
“I would think so. The idea is…that you are offering your life to god.”
I tried to imagine what their life was like.
Being cut off from the world, simple meals, and constantly helping the sick.
Just then, the doors opened with a creak. And the priest came out.
“The cardinal has given his permission. But there are two conditions if you want to work here.”
The priest bit his lip.
“One word of advice. I personally think that you two should not work in the grand cathedral.”
Thanks for the chapter