Immediately after hearing Angela out, we made our preparations and departed for the church in House Inclay’s territory. It was impossible to know what Astesia’s exact situation was right now, but I was certain she was suffering. We needed to make haste.
“Hey, Rosalia? Do I look like an adventurer? Are you sure my noble charisma isn’t oozing out?” I asked nervously.
“You look wonderful, just like a veteran adventurer,” she replied with her usual smile. “In fact, you look good in everything!”
Since I couldn’t go to our destination as a lord, Rosalia and I were wearing disguises.
Rosalia was dressed as a traveling priestess, and I was the adventurer she’d hired to protect her, which gave us the perfect excuse to visit the church where Astesia worked. As far as proof of identity was concerned, we had an introduction letter that Angela wrote up for us.
At Rosalia’s words, I let out a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, the man next to me poured some tea. “Indeed, my good friend. You have quite the mean look in your eyes, which helps sell your disguise.”
“Remind me again why you’re here?” I asked him.
“What do you mean?” Nyarl replied airily. “I came along because I’m worried about my best friend.”
He had just happened to show up at the mansion to hang out as we were leaving, so he’d forced his way into our little quest.
I probably should have just told him not to come.
“Don’t you think it’d be more convincing if you were guarding me as well, since I’m a nobleman?” Nyarl continued. “In fact, did we not pass through inspection with no problems? Unlike you, Weiss, I get along with the nobility around us. Right, Marianne?”
In response to Nyarl’s words, his pet tentacle plant wiggled around a bit.
“Look, I am grateful…” I said reluctantly.
I hated to admit it, but he was right, and we were making the journey in one of his carriages. One of the reasons we were able to avoid the long inspection line and go through a back entrance was because his family exported potions to House Inclay’s territory. Nevertheless, I had some issues!
“Seriously, what the hell is with your weird plants?! Look how scared White is!”
“Kew, kew!”
We were surrounded by creepy tentaclelike plants inside the carriage, each of them undulating in unnerving ways. White was terrified, hiding inside my clothes and whimpering.
“Heh, come now. These lovelies are used for making potions and antidotes, you see. In fact, their lovely aroma is what is keeping me from getting motion sickness.” Nyarl lovingly stroked one of the weed’s tentacles. “One of my clients is in the same city where the church you’re visiting is located. I’ll be hanging around for a bit, so when you finish up, just let me know. We can go home together.”
“I appreciate that, but…why are you going out of your way to help us out?” I asked him, “This is just like with the Divine Spring. There were monsters in that forest. You could have died, but you’re still helping without even asking me what we’re up to. Why?”
“Why, you ask?” A complicated expression crossed his face before he chuckled. “Because you’re my best friend. I couldn’t do anything for you when you were suffering, which is why I promised myself that I would lend you my strength whenever possible. I want to see what kind of world you create as a lord. Is that a good enough answer?”
“Man… Thanks. If you ever need my help, let me know, okay?” I said to him. “I’ll do whatever I can.”
“Yes, well, I’m looking forward to when that time comes. Trust me, it will,” he said with a foreboding smile.
My chest burned as I thought about his kindness. He really was Weiss’s best friend.
“Lord Weiss, we will be arriving at the church shortly. Let’s ready ourselves,” Rosalia said.
“Right. Nyarl, please take good care of White.”
“Kew…”
“Heh, fret not,” Nyarl answered, “I will treat him with love and care.”
I stroked White, who looked very disappointed to be left behind. Unfortunately, we would stand out way too much if we brought a Divine Beast with us to the church, and our first priority right now was getting a better idea of Astesia’s situation.
“Remember,” Rosalia said once the carriage had come to a full stop, “we’ll be using our fake names going forward. Shall we, Royce? Both our names start with an R… It’s almost like we’re family. Hee!”
If you couldn’t guess, Rosalia was the one who’d come up with our aliases.
“Don’t worry, Big Sis,” I told her, “I’ll protect you.”
“Lord Weiss as my little brother? I would be okay with that,” she said as we descended from the carriage. I could sense something almost dangerous in that response.
“We’re going to draw attention if the carriage stays stopped here for too long,” Nyarl interrupted. “Get going, you two.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Once we walked for a bit, the church in question came into view. As we approached, we could hear a child crying. I looked in the direction of the noise and saw a boy around the age of five crouched down with tears in his eyes. It looked like he’d fallen and scraped his leg.
I decided to hand him a potion, but before I could get to him, someone else ran to his aid. She had silver hair, a blank expression on her face, and clear white skin that almost made her look like a doll. To put it bluntly, she was beautiful.
“Keith, are you okay?” she said to the child. “May the blessings of Lord Zeus heal this child.”
The young woman brushed her hand across the boy’s leg, and a warm light healed his wound instantaneously. The child then thanked her, putting an end to this little event—except that’s not what he did.
“What’s your problem?! I didn’t ask you for help!” For some reason, the boy slapped away her hand and ran into the church while she watched him go, her face unchanging. Then, silently, she followed after him.
“Hey, Rosalia. Be honest with me. What do you think of that silver-haired girl?”
“Well…” She knit her brows as if she didn’t know the answer herself.
“I do not know why, but I felt a sort of loathing toward her, even though her actions were undeniably benevolent,” she answered apologetically.
“Gotcha.” I sighed deeply. It took a lot for Rosalia to feel animosity toward someone, but even she felt that way. The curse on that young woman must have been even more powerful than I imagined.
Indeed, she was Astesia, the person we came here to save.
✦ ✦ ✦
“My name is Father Claise, and I am the reverend in charge of this church. Lady Rosalia, I think it is wonderful that you are traveling all over to spread the teachings of Lord Zeus.” After looking at Angela’s letter of introduction and back at Rosalia, Father Claise turned his attention to me, a puzzled expression on his face. “And you are?”
I needed to play the part of an adventurer so he wouldn’t get suspicious!
“Heh heh heh. I’m the almighty adventurer Royce. I can’t be lettin’ a girl travel on her own, y’hear? I’m keepin’ a real close eye on her in exchange for some biiiig cash!”
I put on my best vulgar smile (the same one I’d practiced in the mirror the other day), then twirled around the knife in my hand.
How’s that?! Meg taught me all about how adventurers act. I bet I sounded perfect…
Unexpectedly, Father Claise looked at me like I was a total freak, and even Rosalia was taken aback. Wait a second, did I mess this up?
“Well, I suppose adventurers come in all forms,” Father Claise said diplomatically. “Lady Rosalia, if you need my help, please let me know. The guild in town knows me quite well, so I should be able to introduce someone to you…”
“No,” Rosalia told him, “I’ll be fine, thank you. Royce is a bit unique, but he’s truly wonderful. Please do not worry.”
“Is that right? Well, if you say so…” Father Claise smiled at Rosalia, then looked at me dubiously. “I do apologize, but if you are going to use this facility, I ask that you do some work as well. Cleaning and looking after the children, if that is all right? It has been rather violent in these parts as of late. Would you be okay with keeping watch of the children and around the church while you’re here?”
“’Eyyy, leave it to me! I freakin’ love children, y’hear? Heh heh heh, we’re gonna have so much fun!” I replied, attempting to regain my honor after my earlier failure.
Father Claise shot me a look of deep concern and leaned over to Rosalia.
“Are you sure he is quite all right? I worry that he might be a bad influence on the youths.”
“He’s fine,” Rosalia answered. “And, um, I’ll talk to him about the way he’s speaking…”
That was how we managed to infiltrate the church with absolutely zero issues!