While Alice was away, I took the chance to ask Jacob about something sensitive related to the Temple. He seemed to know more about it than the others.
"Jacob, I want to ask you about the offerings to the Temple."
"Offerings? Are you interested?"
"No. I'm asking because the Temple only eats bread— is it because not many people make offerings, or because there are too many priests?"
I'd wanted to ask this for a while, but if Alice heard it, she would definitely say something unreasonable again, so I'd held it in until now.
Jacob shook his head.
"Neither. Nobles have to make offerings every month. The minimum is one gold coin, and the royal family offers ten. I don't know the exact number of priests, but they should at least be able to eat rice every day."
If even nobles had to offer at least one gold coin, some of them probably donated far more just to save face. That meant the Temple's income should be enormous.
So… was the Temple really unable to afford meat? I'd never bought meat in the capital, so I didn't know the prices. And with a dungeon nearby, meat should be cheaper here than in other cities.
Then where did the remaining money go?
"Then there should be a huge amount left over. Is it used to renovate the Temple? Or for relief efforts?"
Those seemed like the most reasonable possibilities. Jacob shrugged, clearly indifferent.
"I don't know. The newspapers rarely report on the Temple, so there's no way to find out."
"What about you, Grace?"
"I don't know either. I only go to the Temple because it's a noble's duty."
"Ethefelis?"
"Don't know."
None of the three had any real interest in the Temple. Just like Grace said— it was merely a noble's obligation. If that rule didn't exist, none of them would go at all.
I'd assumed I'd never have anything to do with the Temple, so I hadn't bothered gathering information. Looks like that was a mistake. From now on, even information that seemed completely irrelevant was worth looking into.
And since they all knew nothing, there was no point pressing further. I changed the topic.
"You three don't seem very religious. Is there a reason?"
If they truly believed in the Goddess of Fate, they should pay attention to the Temple, which was called the Goddess's emissary. Since the Temple was essentially the Goddess's proxy, people usually accepted whatever nonsense it said.
"Listening to the Archbishop ramble on for ages every time— I'd rather practice swordsmanship."
"I could make quite a bit of money in the time he spends talking."
"Annoying."
"Such ordinary reasons."
So ordinary it was like listening to a school principal drone on. Then Jacob turned the topic toward me.
"What about you, Karen? You seem to be in the negatives."
I hadn't exactly hidden my dislike for the Temple, so it was obvious. Since I was asked directly, I didn't bother concealing it— I actually wanted to share.
"Yeah. I hate the Goddess of Fate."
"But you're the Brave. You were chosen by the Goddess of Fate."
"I don't feel honored at all. It's just a hassle. If I could, I'd gladly give it to someone else."
To people in this world, being chosen by the Goddess of Fate was the highest honor— something worth boasting about for a lifetime.
What I said was a complete denial of the Goddess's actions. Thank goodness Alice wasn't here. She'd been a Saintess since birth and was raised hearing nothing but praise for the Goddess, so of course she saw it as an honor.
"Your way of thinking really is different. Most people would be overjoyed to become the Brave— money, power, women, everything."
Everyone knew the Brave would defeat the Demon King, save the world, and receive unimaginable rewards.
But I didn't need any of that. My standard of living already surpassed this era, and no one could grant my real wish anyway.
"I already have all that, and I'm not dissatisfied with a commoner's life."
"True. You're a hero, and you received ten white gold coins… wait, hold on. You have a woman?! Don't tell me it's the other hero?"
Jacob was shocked by the "woman" part, then immediately thought of Lina.
I rested my chin in my hands like a blooming flower and lazily replied,
"You could say that."
Lina wasn't my lover yet, but once I defeated the Demon King and went back, she would be soon enough. At that moment, Grace chimed in with an admiring tone.
"The other hero is Ms. Lina, right? I've heard rumors— her beauty is like that of a foreign princess. Exquisitely beautiful. Fair, milk-white skin, clear azure eyes, a high nose, soft glossy pink lips, and long white hair so smooth it feels impossible to grasp. And her title is 'Snow White Princess,' isn't it?"
Perfect! Absolutely perfect! Those rumors were incredibly accurate! A hundred points— no, ten thousand!
My heart galloped wildly at the praise for Lina, though my face only showed a smile. Not because my facial muscles didn't work— I was holding it back. But Grace's description was a bit too detailed. Wasn't she supposed to only care about sword training?
Wait… rumors? She should've seen Lina before.
"That's right. But you're talking like you've never met her. Weren't you there when we received the reward?"
"It was too far away. I couldn't see clearly— just a blur of white."
I could kind of understand that. But didn't she see Lina yesterday when she registered as an adventurer?
"But you and Ethefelis went to the guild yesterday, right?"
"Huh? Ms. Lina was at the guild?"
"She works there. Receptionist at counter No. 2."
The moment I said that, Grace suddenly jumped up and shouted.
"What?! She works at the guild?! Why?! We saw a huge line at counter 2 and went to counter 5 instead! This is such a waste! I regret it so much!"
In the end, Grace collapsed to the floor on her hands and knees, looking utterly remorseful. The three of us stared at her in shock— even Ethefelis stopped eating.
For a duke's daughter to want to meet a commoner, there were only two possibilities: hostility or admiration. Grace had no bad blood with Lina, so it had to be admiration— but this was more than that. This was outright worship.
"You're way too emotional about this. Are you Lina's fan or something?"
As soon as I asked, Grace looked up, eyes sparkling, and nodded vigorously.
"Yes! I heard about your hunt down. Miss Lina was incredible! She didn't hesitate at all when facing Samidorid! She severed its wing in a single strike! If it were me, with the same wind attribute, I'd be too scared to even stand straight— my spells would be flying everywhere!"
"That's assuming you'd even dare to attack."
Hearing praise for Lina made me happy, but Grace, who couldn't even bring herself to deal the finishing blow, comparing herself to Lina— where did that confidence come from?
After I thoroughly doused her enthusiasm with cold water, Jacob joined in.
"Karen, that was brutally accurate. But honestly, you were even more impressive— talking to Samidorid like that."
"Thanks."
At that moment, Ethefelis finished all the food, pressed her palms together, and said,
"Eis is full."
"Ethefelis, gather the dishes."
"Okay."
She quickly stacked the plates and placed them in front of me, then returned to her seat.
Grace seemed to return to normal and sat back on the sofa— but it was only an act. She immediately started asking about Lina.
"Mr. Karen, could you tell me more about Miss Lina? I want to know what kind of person she is."
"No."
"Why not?!"
"I don't want to share."
If I got carried away, I'd end up spilling everything. There was no way I'd let others know that Lina was actually a clingy, spoiled little sweetheart.
"Wha— so stingy!"
Grace puffed out her cheeks. She really did admire Lina— and judging by how natural that pout was, she probably did this often when sulking with the Sword Saint.
And yes, I was stingy. If she wanted to know, she could interact with Lina herself.
"Karen, how about telling us how you two met?"
Jacob was probably trying to help Grace. I noticed he'd been staring blankly at Grace's pouting face— looked like he'd fallen for her. But still, wasn't that a bit sudden? What happened while I was catching fish?
Grace seemed to see hope and clasped her hands together, just like Alice, looking at me with pleading eyes. This was something I could share, but time was tight and we still had plans later.
"We'll talk about it when there's time. I'm going to tell you all a story later anyway. I want to rest for a bit first."
"Okay…"
Grace lowered her head in disappointment. Jacob gave her an apologetic look, while Ethefelis remained completely indifferent throughout.