Chapter 123

To enter the capital of Chitrum through its great gates, a disguise was absolutely necessary.

The only Preserians who ever went in and out of Chitrum were a handful of merchants.

So we all dressed like Esadien, in clothes that covered everything but the eyes, each carrying a heavy pack on our backs. The cover story was that we were merchants who had been attacked by bandits, lost our camels, and barely escaped with our lives.

When Esadien spoke at length in fluent Chitrum tongue, the guard gave us a pitying look and waved us through.

Whoa. Since when did he learn the Chitrum language?

I secretly gave him a thumbs-up where only he could see, and his blue eyes bent into a graceful smile.

We were waiting our turn, slowly walking inside the gate, when—

[Hey, you there!]

It wasn’t the same guard who had spoken with Esadien earlier. A different one, with a fierce expression, was pointing directly at our group.

What’s his problem?

I didn’t know the words, but the tone and expression were enough to tell something was wrong.

[What is the matter?]

Esadien quickly stepped forward, but the guard already had his sword drawn—its tip aimed squarely at me.

[You there! Step out of line.]

It seemed I was the reason they had stopped us. I gripped Esadien’s hand tightly and stepped forward.

Without a word, the guard snatched away my face covering.

“……!”

My wavy pink hair spilled out, and every eye in the area fixed on me. Their stares were so blatant, it felt like standing in the middle of a zoo exhibit.

The guard ignored the gawking crowd and barked at Esadien in Chitrum tongue.

[You claimed you were all merchants. With that face, a merchant? Isn’t she a slave? No brand on her—so you were planning to sell her inside, weren’t you?]

My head shot up at once.

I wasn’t fluent, but I understood the word slave.

Slave? Sell…?

Chitrum recognized slavery, but by law, it was strictly forbidden to trade within the capital.

Esadien scowled, shaking his head firmly. Again the word slave was heard.

[A slave? That’s absurd.]

[Then show the merchant’s license.]

[I already showed it to the other guard—]

[Not yours! Every merchant must carry their own pass!]

Looking between them in growing dread, I saw Esadien biting his lip, and the realization hit me.

We’re doomed.

So what now? Would we be denied entry entirely?

Do we sneak in at night, then…?

But this wasn’t the kind of problem sneaking could fix. The guards had already pulled out scarlet-dyed ropes to bind us.

Not just doomed—completely screwed!

If we were thrown into prison now, what would happen? With Austin branded a traitor, the ambassador’s seat must already be vacant!

“……”

Esadien’s expression hardened. With one step, he pulled me behind his back.

Our knights subtly moved forward, forming a protective wall around us. Tension thickened the air.

Then—

[Would you wait just a moment?]

Someone calmly slipped between the two opposing sides.

When I saw their clothing, Ramande and I both nearly gawked our eyes out.

“A priest’s robe!”

“The sigil of Plendena!”

A Plendena temple here?

On second thought, it wasn’t strange, but it still felt surreal that Chitrum people worshiped the same god as us.

The priest, smiling gently, exchanged a few words with the hostile guard.

Incredibly, the guard’s demeanor softened, until he even bowed respectfully.

My jaw dropped—Ramande had to push it closed.

“Have some composure.”

“Yeah… this time you’re right.”

I straightened my back, suddenly feeling like I was representing the entire Preserian Plendena temple.

The priest greeted me warmly.

“You must be Lady Minuelle?”

Her accent was awkward, but she spoke Preserian.

“The Apostle contacted me urgently, so I arrived just in time. I am Asha, High Priestess of Plendena.”

A High Priestess?

A rush of surprise, relief, and gratitude filled me, and I bowed.

“Thank you for saving us.”

“We are all children of Plendena—it is only natural to help.”

An angel. An actual angel.

Asha then turned to Ramande with equal warmth.

“So you are Priest Ramande? I heard Sermender already considers you as the next High Priest.”

“Thank you, but I am far from worthy of such words.”

“Oh my, how humble.”

“But… High Priestess, what did you say to make the guards back down?”

Unable to contain my curiosity, I asked. She lowered her voice.

“I told them you were an apprentice priest sent by the Apostle, who happened to get caught up with these merchants.”

“Ah.”

An apprentice was the perfect excuse—sometimes they couldn’t wield holy power, so it explained everything.

And since I had lived like one in Sermender’s temple until last year, it wasn’t even a real lie.

“Now then, this way please.”

Thanks to Asha’s guidance, we could melt back into the crowd as mere merchants.

“In truth, Lady Minuelle, you said earlier you owed me—but it is we who owe you.”

“Owe me?”

For a moment I thought maybe it was about my donations somehow reaching Chitrum.

But her explanation was nothing I had expected.

“Those who call themselves ‘Warriors of Fire’ are brutal. They storm temples, destroy relics, even assault believers. But because the royal family shields them, no temple can openly oppose them.”

“Oh dear, you must have suffered greatly.”

That sounded less like devotees, more like a violent gang. Still, remembering certain fanatics I had encountered, I found myself nodding.

Yes, those sorts are always beyond reason…

We were drawing closer to the Fire Temple.

Even without Asha’s words, I could tell—spiritual energy, what we call elemental force, was thickening.

In elemental terms, it was like “the smell of delicious food.”

“That is their stronghold. Once the temple of the Sand God, now fortified with new walls.”

From afar, the entrance was barely visible. Asha halted.

“They know my face. If I go with you, they’ll attack before you even step inside.”

To strike a high priestess of another god without hesitation—unbelievable.

“Will you be safe returning to your temple?”

“Thank you for your concern. The paladins are guarding me from behind.”

She then shed her smile and bowed deeply.

“H-High Priestess?”

“As one who failed to protect my flock, I am ashamed. On behalf of Chitrum’s priests, I beg you—please.”

“…I will do my utmost.”

I had already resolved to give it everything, but now there was yet another reason.

After she left, I looked to my companions.

“Sorry I always drag you into danger.”

They all laughed.

“A knight of Karnian can take on eighteen monsters at once, milady! Worry not!”

Oh please. So that legend exists here too.

I had meant to be serious, but I couldn’t help laughing.

“Alright. You know tactics better than I, so I’ll just say this.”

I paused; all eyes turned to me.

“I’ll nullify the power they wield at the front. So you—don’t die. Even if we get separated, survive. Understood?”

I never wanted to preside over another funeral.

My only wish now was that every one of us—knights, Gabbie, all—would return home alive.

I held out my hand. Esadien’s, Clidane’s, Ramande’s, the knights’, and finally Gabbie’s small hand stacked atop mine.

A ripple of laughter went around, and with shared resolve, we pressed our hands down together.

“Let’s go, Gabbie!”

– Lets! Go!

…Where had he learned that?

Excited by the “delicious smell,” Gabbie darted ahead, and we followed without hesitation.

The energy pouring into Gabbie was so immense, it felt like a roaring waterfall.

– Imagine one plate of meat suddenly turning into ten. Wouldn’t you be thrilled?

“Meat with legs, huh. Anyway, I get it.”

– Today, you and I can use our full strength!

With a sweep of Gabbie’s hand, arrows in flight crumbled into ash.

While the enemy faltered in shock, I hurled blazing fireballs that melted the locked gates.

Clang, clang, clang!

Alarm bells rang.

Soon, the so-called Warriors of Fire came pouring out—but I felt no fear.

Most I blasted away with my power, and those who reached me were instantly cut down by Esadien.

It’s like fighting in a game without a mana limit.

Here, with nature’s energy overflowing, I had no need to struggle as I had against Austin.

And since our purpose was to wreak havoc anyway, Gabbie and I fought without restraint, wrecking whatever stood in our way.

But the thrill did not last long.

Woooonng.

Suddenly, the air rippled like waves through liquid.

Esadien and the knights didn’t react—it wasn’t the air, but something else.

– It’s an elemental force. We drew in too much, so there’s a temporary void.

Gabbie’s gaze fixed on a lone three-story building among the one-story houses.