Chapter 307 - Kailiens (3)
Ashen-colored hair, and those unique blue eyes, transparent yet carrying depth.
A Mage who wielded diverse and powerful elemental magic, and belonged to the same organization, the Ark.
Though his appearance had changed in many ways, that face was not one easily forgotten.
"…Asher?"
The name slipped past her lips.
Her voice was so faint that no one heard it, and since her face was covered, no one could even tell where her gaze was directed.
Naturally, Leira turned her head, lost in thought.
She had heard news of him a few times.
How he had struck down Gluttony's Fang together with the Ark in the Principality of Riviant, or how he had played a great role in ending the Undead incident that had broken out in the Kingdom of Estiria…
And more recently, how he had even subdued a massive dark underworld called Roafra.
It was information she had obtained through the Ark and the Adventurer Guild.
'But why is that person in Riverungr?'
She hadn't heard anything about it from the Ark.
Perhaps it was nothing more than a coincidence.
What should she do?
As she sank deeper into thought, a gaudy carriage rolled up and stopped before Leira.
Clack.
The door swung open, and a handsome man revealed himself.
"If it hadn't been for you, Leira unni, we never would've finished this so quickly. Honestly, without you, those adventurers might have ended up seriously injured."
"Mm, indeed. I never thought you'd be so skilled not only in swordsmanship, but also in leading a party."
"No wonder you're Mithril-rank."
The adventurers showered her with praise.
"…I only did what had to be done."
"Haha, so modest. Well, today, we've prepared a grand feast for those who worked to keep Riverungr safe. You can look forward to it."
Tonight, there was an appointment with the guild master.
It had already been scheduled beforehand, but in a place like this, with so many 'eyes', leaving unnaturally was not an option.
And her reason for coming to Kailiens was not simply to subjugate demi-humans.
Leira's awareness shifted to Verden.
They had already recognized each other.
Then, Verden tilted his head slightly.
"What's tomorrow's schedule?"
"Other than visiting the Church for prayer, there is nothing. With the weather turning cold these days, it might be best to stay at the inn."
Adrian chimed in, as if naturally.
It was nothing more than an ordinary conversation, yet to Leira, it sounded different. For when he spoke, those blue eyes brushed past her fleetingly.
Tomorrow…
Conveniently, she had a free evening.
"..."
Leira gave the faintest of nods.
That was all.
Soon after, the two of them walked past Leira's group and entered a nearby restaurant.
And so, they passed by each other, promising tomorrow.
"Now, let's go."
Guided by the guild master, the adventurers began to move.
Just two blocks away, they would hold a luxurious banquet in a restaurant rented in its entirety, and aside from Leira, the adventurers were visibly excited.
Pamela sidled up beside her.
Her short brown hair swayed as she moved.
"Um, Leira unni, did you happen to see that man just now?"
Who could she mean?
Leira didn't need to be told to know.
"The one in the white robe?"
"Yes! Wow, I've never seen anyone that handsome before! His clothes, his face, everything about him stood out. He must be a noble, right?"
As expected of a Mage, her curiosity brimmed over.
Beside her, Pamela's companion, Jidel, brushed his hair upward and slipped into the conversation.
"Aren't you overreacting? From a glance, he didn't seem like much. If I dressed up properly, I could be at that level too."
"Tch."
The adventurer Gidner, recognizable by his shaggy beard, scowled deeply.
"Listen here. If you're spouting nonsense like that with a straight face, how am I supposed to trust you? I'll say it again, you must have seen that carriage wrong."
"I'm telling you, it's true. Anyway, I'm not exactly bad-looking, am I? Honestly, don't I look more manly than him?"
"…Could you be quiet before I cast a spell?"
"Pamela, you just don't get it yet. These days, people prefer a fierce and rugged look over those delicate features. Right, Leira? Don't you think I looked better than that guy?"
Leira turned her head.
She gazed quietly at Jidel's face and answered curtly.
"No."
***
At a window-side table on the top floor of the restaurant.
The dark evening view stretched out as the backdrop.
Verden and Adrian had not eaten a proper meal on the journey from the Autonomous Territory of Midros to Kailiens.
Most of their meals had been dry rations, or at best bread and soup in passing villages.
They considered ordering more, but when they saw a customer behind them vomit after eating meat, they quickly decided against it.
Verden, in particular, was a picky eater.
'In that sense, this place is quite to my liking.'
Onion soup simmered for hours, freshly baked bread, crisp salad, golden-brown grilled fish, a blood-dripping steak, chilled drinks.
Not cheap, but the quality surpassed even the price.
Adrian felt the same.
"…Master, may I order one more dish?"
Until recently, he had been nothing more than an experimental subject.
To taste such luxurious food again was, quite literally, the first time in years. It was hard to contain his amazement and appetite.
"Eat as much as you want. It's your money, after all."
"Thank you."
Rescue, treatment, meals, lodging.
He had received, and was still receiving, countless favors. Gratitude was all he could offer in return.
But soon, things would change.
Once his body fully recovered, he could fulfill his role. At the very least, he would not continue leeching money as he was now.
Adrian eagerly awaited tomorrow.
"Still, I didn't know you had ties with a Mithril-rank adventurer."
"Mm…"
Ties, huh… that might be stretching it.
Aside from belonging to the Ark and joining one subjugation together in the past, there had been little real connection.
A candidate for the Ark.
A Platinum-rank adventurer.
A swordswoman who wielded aura as vividly crimson as fresh blood.
A woman searching for the Demon who had killed her parents, seeking to undo the Demon's curse lingering upon the face hidden by her helm.
That was all Verden knew of the one called "Leira".
Of course, outwardly, there were differences compared to last year.
Her equipment's shape was similar, but the quality had risen by a tier. Notably, she now bore a plate at her neck wrought not of Platinum, but of Mithril.
'Still, why is she in Kailiens?'
Had she simply come as an adventurer to subjugate demi-humans?
If not, was there another reason? Perhaps, like during the Soul Tree, she was here to face some kind of trial.
Well, whatever the case.
'Convenient. I happened to have something to ask her about.'
The Ark Assembly.
Leira would surely attend, and likely had been attending for some time already.
So he wished to ask a few things.
What the Ark Assembly was, how it began, when it ended.
He would have to experience it anyway, but if he could know in advance, even roughly, then he could adjust his schedule in Kailiens more appropriately.
That was the reason Verden had arranged to meet Leira.
At that moment, Adrian nodded.
"Certainly, if she's an adventurer of that rank, she might be able to reactivate the spatial teleportation array in the Republic of Beldirn. The cost alone is considerable, and there are complex procedures, requiring permits from both the Adventurer Guild and the city, so I cannot say for certain, but it is possible."
"…What?"
"Well, according to the Adventurer Guild's confidential clauses, any Mithril-rank or higher adventurer has the right, with authorization, to use intercontinental spatial teleportation arrays at their own discretion…"
Adrian carefully continued.
"Did you not arrange this meeting for that reason, Master?"
That was not his reason.
Even Verden could not possibly have known of the Adventurer Guild's confidential clauses.
He had never thought of becoming an adventurer, nor had he ever been close with a Mithril-rank adventurer.
…And so, another reason to meet Leira had arisen.
***
The next day, past noon.
Verden and Adrian, as scheduled, made their way to the Church of Riverungr.
The priest they had met yesterday welcomed them.
"Welcome, you are right on time."
"Is the Bishop within?"
"Of course. She has been awaiting you both. I will guide you to him at once."
They followed him deeper into the church.
Through a corridor where warm sunlight streamed down past stained glass, they reached the Bishop's private prayer chamber.
Knock, knock, knock.
The priest knocked reverently, then opened the door.
Upon the wall's center hung a great crucifix, and beneath it a woman knelt in prayer. The softly echoing hymn faded away.
She slowly rose and turned.
'Quite different from the bishops I know.'
Dark pink, mid-length hair, radiant skin.
She was so young-looking that it seemed unfitting for the rank of Bishop.
At least in appearance, she looked to be of similar age to Verden.
The woman, Bishop Lena, lifted her chin gently.
Seeing the guests who had come to the church, she smiled brightly and waved both hands.
"Hello, I am Bishop Lena, presiding over the Church of Riverungr! You must've expected someone older, like in other churches, not someone young like me, right? Ahaha, your expressions give you away! Everyone who meets me for the first time reacts just like that."
"…?"
Her tone was endlessly light.
The priest beside her sweated profusely, trying to restrain her.
"P-please, Bishop, your dignity, at least some semblance of it…!"
"Why? Honestly, isn't this far better than acting stiff and solemn like other bishops? This suits me more, don't you think? Isn't that right, everyone?"
Bishop Lena shrugged her shoulders.
The priest, unable to do anything, sighed heavily as if the earth itself would sink.
Encountering such a free-spirited cleric left Verden momentarily speechless.
Adrian muttered softly.
"We may need to seek another church. I'll retrieve the offering."
"Oh my, but churches don't have refund policies. And if you say such things, the Goddess Luas will surely strike you with divine punishment."
Bishop Lena chuckled.
"But I understand. It's rare indeed for someone as young as me to become a bishop. Still, despite appearances, my ability is second to none."
She stepped closer.
Her head tilted as she regarded Adrian, his face hidden beneath the hood of his robe.
"You must be the one in need of a miracle, right? From your footsteps and the way you stand, I can tell your body is struggling to hold itself up."
"…!"
Sharp eyes indeed.
So this was why she was a bishop.
"Well, I know it at a glance. Then, before beginning the healing, I should check the extent of the injuries. Is that alright with you, the guardian who gave the offering?"
Verden glanced at Adrian, then nodded.
"Please."
"I'll do my very best! Though it won't take long, it's a simple process."
Bishop Lena extended her hand.
At the same time, divine power welled from within her.
"Still your mana, and your aura. They'll only interfere."
Whooosh.
A warm, golden radiance enveloped Adrian.
A vast and vivid light, carrying profound warmth. More so even than the bishops Verden had met in the Kingdom of Estiria.
Time passed.
As the light faded, Bishop Lena opened her eyes.
"I've finished my assessment… But, I'm far too curious. May I ask just one question?"
Her eyes turned to Adrian.
"What is it?"
"How on earth are you even walking?"
You're practically half-crippled.
"Leaving early, and you've already arrived."
The guild master of Riverungr's Adventurer Guild.
Straightening his slightly disheveled collar, he glanced over Leira and the other adventurers.
"All of you, truly well done on this subjugation. I'm grateful no one was injured. From what I hear, Lady Leira once again played a major role…"
"Come now, that's an understatement!"
Platinum-rank adventurer, Pamela, lifted her chin.
You can read more chapters in organised way on my website:- https://revengernovel.com