When we were done with our meal, I decided to swing by the guild’s basement to collect Brod and head back to the Church, but things didn’t go as planned. As I climbed down the stairs, I heard what sounded like shouts of joy. I finished my descent and was met with the sight of my master, beaten black and blue, yet grinning intrepidly, and the adventurers in an even worse state and with tears in their eyes.
The second they spotted me, they called me over and begged for help. I plastered an awkward smile onto my face and made my way to Brod, casting a couple of healing spells on him.
“We’re leaving, master,” I said.
“Got it. These guys ain’t half-bad. Look how much fun they’re having!” he told me, a bright grin lighting up his face.
The adventurers clearly weren’t as enthusiastic as him, though. Their faces seemed to scream, “Please give us a break!” They didn’t know that he’d lost his levels and skills, so they must’ve felt like he’d just been toying with them.
“Let’s go, master,” I said before turning to the adventurers. “Thanks for keeping him company. I’ll heal you guys right away.”
“Hey! Don’t make it sound like I was the one who asked them to spar.”
Ignoring Brod’s protests, I cast a quick Area High Heal on the adventurers. Their weapons looked a little worse for wear, but so did his, so I figured they could call it even.
“Thank you for your guidance, Mister Whirlwind!” one of the adventurers said.
“We still aren’t anywhere near yer level, huh?” another added.
“And thanks for the healing, Saint Weirdo!”
“You truly are the only one crazy enough to have the Whirlwind as your master.”
“We’ll keep training hard...among ourselves.”
The adventurers slowly backed away from us as they spoke, and as soon as they were done, they ran up the stairs without even waiting for a reply.
“Tch. Cowards,” Brod commented under his breath as he watched them scramble up the stairs.
This world sure is full of unreasonable people, I thought as we made our way back to the Church.
Once we got there, we made the arrangements for the night. Everyone agreed to sleep in the airship’s cabins, except for Brod, who insisted on sleeping outside in the big training field. Apparently, he would feel “restless” if he had to sleep inside the airship, despite how excited he’d seemed when he first laid eyes on it this morning.
“Are you sure you want to sleep out here, though?” I asked. “There are guest rooms at HQ too.”
“I know, but someone might try to sneak into the airship at night. So I’ll sleep here and keep an eye on it. You get it now? If you do, hurry up and take out a bed for me.”
“Fine, fine,” I relented, producing a bed from my magic bag. “I’m counting on you to keep the airship safe.”
“Leave it to me.”
With that, he sat on the bed and began to meditate.
I spotted Rina and Nanya standing a little farther away. I’d thought that the two of them would return to their shop, but for some reason, they’d followed us to HQ. When I’d shown them in, they’d begun gazing around in awe, and their excitement had only grown when they had laid eyes on the airship—the very reason they had agreed to accompany me in the first place. Their reactions reminded me of my master’s enthusiasm that morning.
All of my companions had received special authorization to enter HQ, as I had introduced them as my followers. However, I suddenly realized how insensitive it might have been to invite guests over after the events of the day, and I found myself regretting my decision. Then again, I had contracts with nearly all of my friends, so the Church’s staff must have deemed them trustworthy enough not to leak any confidential information.
Rina still wasn’t making any move to enter the airship, so I decided to strike up a little conversation with her. “I meant to ask, Rina, but are you sure you’re fine with not returning to your shop?”
She nodded. “I might not get this kind of opportunity ever again, after all. Besides, the airship looks so cool when it’s lit up, I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep a wink tonight!”
“I can’t believe someone managed to create something like this,” Nanya added. “Dwarven craftsmanship is incredible.”
“Ye can’t say that after only seein’ it from the outside. Ye need to take a look inside to make yer judgment,” Dhoran said. He must’ve come out to collect Rina and Nanya, seeing as they weren’t boarding the airship on their own.
I couldn’t help but notice that his expression didn’t match his words. He looked incredibly smug, and it was obvious that he was trying to stop himself from smiling. Pola and Lycian, who’d come out with Dhoran, were sporting similar expressions. The three soon disappeared into the ship, Rina and Nanya in tow.
“Well, I’m gonna leave you guys to it,” I muttered before making my way to the pope’s chambers.
After receiving permission, I stepped into the pope’s room, where I found Rosa and Estia, as well as Nadia and Lydia, whom I’d asked to stay behind and protect the pope in case of an attack, and Galba, Catherine, and Granhart. I’d freed the latter from Dongahar’s underground cell a little earlier that day.
“My apologies for the wait, Your Holiness,” I said. “I have thoroughly thought about today’s incident and the steps we should take moving forward, so I’ve come to share my findings with you.”
“Thank you, Luciel. I have burdened you with considerable trouble this time,” she replied.
“Not at all. It was the rumors circulating about me that sparked today’s incident. I am deeply sorry for the trouble it has caused you,” I said, bowing in apology.
“Raise your head, Luciel. We cannot have a conversation if you look at the floor.”
“Yes, Your Holiness.” I nodded and did as I was told. “Firstly, I would like to commend you for the way you handled the incident this afternoon. The judgment you passed on the knights demonstrated both your kindness and firmness.”
“I am glad to hear it,” she said after a pause. “All day long, I have pondered whether my decision was indeed the correct one.”
“I imagine those who hold such power often grapple with similar doubts. But I also think that it proves your sincerity regarding this matter.”
“I had no idea that passing judgment upon others was such a heavy responsibility.” She cast her eyes down, a sorrowful expression on her face.
“It is,” I replied softly. “Now, I believe that you must have a good idea about what led to today’s events thanks to Granhart, but allow me to share my findings with you as well.”
“Please do.”
“Just as Dongahar said before losing consciousness, it appears the mastermind behind this incident is the Dukedom of Blanche.”
Nadia’s and Lydia’s expressions soured at the mention of their homeland.
“Blanche... To think that they used to dislike conflict and rarely engaged in scheming,” the pope muttered.
“It truly is a lovely place,” Nadia chimed in. “If only the nobility didn’t have so much influence...”
“The weather is mild, the landscape is lush, and most of the people are warm and welcoming,” Lydia added. “Plus, it was the last known residence of the mage who created the hermit items.”