"What a success~ Bullies contained, cover maintained, ally gained! I'm the epitome of awesomeness!"
Yuki walked back outside with Carina. Though she was surprised by how easily her story was bought, Carina seemed to be a very naive person in general.
"Hey, Yuki… Even though we met only about ten minutes ago, I am already so grateful to you… If you ever need anything, just leave it to me!"
"There would be one thing… You know, I'm completely new to this town. I basically know nothing. Could you tell me about it as best as you can?"
Her face, smiling brightly just a moment ago, turned deeply sad. The voice filled with excitement and warmth becoming quiet and almost cold.
"Oh… Yeah, I can do that…"
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine… It's just… This place is not nice… No one is happy, as far as I can tell… When someone asks for help, you're supposed to try your best and help them, right?! But here… No one even asks anymore… Isn't that horrible? When a whole town gets rejected and treated so horribly… Because of the greed of their supposed leader…"
"Why don't you just leave if it's that horrible?"
"I cannot do such a thing… Leaving, because I can't bear to see the suffering that takes place in this poisoned town… How could I ever even allow myself to do that?! I would be running away, and leaving everyone behind. If everyone thought like that, no wonder everyone stopped asking for a better life! I hate it… It repulses me that such a feeling has found its way into my heart, but I cannot hide it either…"
"I see…"
"Such a honest person… She seems to be able to give kindness without asking for anything in return. That's what Master is trying to do at this very moment, though I imagine he has trouble with that… Maybe when he observed someone such as Carina, who was just like that, it would help him? Or maybe he doesn't have any problems with it… I suppose I will see."
Carinasnapped back to her usual self, noticing she had been watering only one flower this entire time.
"I'm sorry to bother you with that… We only just met, and I don't want to force my feelings for this on you."
"It's alright… Hey, what would you say, if I told you I knew of a way to help all the innocent lives in this town?"
"…Haha, I'd say that would be a nice thought. Like a very nice dream, one should cherish…"
"A dream, huh… But anyway, what about the church? Don't they do anything about this?"
"They… I don't know… Sometimes I feel like they are just as bad… No, I shouldn't say that. I'm sorry, I talk nonsense."
"Hm…"
"It's understandable for her to be conflicted. I'm sure she has strong beliefs, and the failure of religion in this town forces her to confront the failure of her beliefs. What wasted potential… If only her devotion were devoted towards someone actually divine, like Master… But maybe…"
"Ah, that's right. I wanted to show you around. I can do the rest of the things outside alone later. I have much time, after all… But anyway! Have you really not been shown anything yet?"
"No, nothing."
"Alright then, I shall be your guide! Follow me!"
Yuki put her watering can aside next to Carina's, after which her hand was taken and she was pulled back into the building.
"This is the main hall! In here ceremonies and such are being held by Priest Mateo! He is the one managing this church and all its members. Or at least ceremonies would be held here, if there were any… But anyway! This church is over 1000 years old, isn't that amazing? For a building so old to still look so beautiful… I like to think of it as if the Absolute Deity protects this place! I only wish that protection would reach the rest of town… Oh, and beneath this building is actually an ancient ruin, from a time long ago! I've never been there before, but it's rumored that there is an entrance passage from Priest Mateo's chamber! Though we probably won't be able to visit. He stays in there by himself most of the time. Ooh, and have you seen the paintings at the ceiling?! Look, it's a copy of an old painting that's been stolen from the last pope! Apparently, it pictures the original sinner being fought by the angels of heaven! That's why he stands at the top of a mountain, trying to escape punishment, while the humans try to reach him and prevent him from doing so, angels fall from the sky and deliver punishment."
"This place has a lot to it, huh…"
"Yes! I could talk about it for hours! Ooh, look, that one angel looks almost exactly like you! What a funny coincidence. Through you I find even more amazing things to acknowledge!"
"I'm glad you find my presence so helpful…"
"She's like a puppy… I can't help but feel like she doesn't have a single friend here… Well, I can't look down on her because of that. After all, I too have no active friends around me. I guess there was Arina, but does that really count? They would only distract me from Master anyway. I'm already not spending enough time with him as it is… Ah, I wonder what might he be doing at this very moment?"
Yamato's current plan was indeed a mystery to her. Though she naturally assumed he would be in the middle of the castle by now, performing spy work that even outshined her own, the reality could not have been more different. As he was currently drinking tea back at his room, made by Lucy.
"I didn't know you could mke such good tea… Careful though, Yuki might make a competition out of it if you display your skills in front of her. Anyway, have you researched about the things I asked you about?"
"I will keep it in mind… And yes, I've been able to obtain all the information you requested. First off, this city is called Grym'valen, which is part of the Holy Empire of Humanity. It's the strongest nation on the continent and nearly triple the size of theGreat Naru Empire, but more on that later. As its name suggests, it consists primarily of humans and any other race is only tolerated in the working class. This naturally makes its neighbors not exactly allied… Though the only official war it currently has is with the Great Naru Empire in the south. At this point, neither side is truly winning, but the Holy Empire has a overall stronger military. It's just that it has trouble advancing since most of Naru territory is deep forest. Lunis is also of great interest to the Holy Empire, though it remained neutral which until now kept it out the war entirely, despite being directly at the border of the two nations. The lack of demi-humans in Lunis might be reason to the Empire of Humanity's acceptance, while the Naru empire seems to accept its neutrality solely because the elf's are a proud species that refuse to drag anyone into their conflicts if not absolutely necessary."
"That's amazing… Truly, you've helped me by a lot."
"You're welcome. I also have information about the emperor, if you want to know about him."
"Eh, that won't be necessary for now. It's still important for later. Can you write it down for me? I'll read it sometime later today. Besides that I don't need anything from you for the rest of the day. Right now I have to write a letter."
"A letter? To whom?"
"You don't know her, and I doubt the name will say anything to you. But rest assured that this will grant us free access into the castle."
"And what would we want there? Don't tell me we will just assassinate the baron… I doubt it will be that easy, y'know…"
"Of course not. Not yet at least. We are going to drink together. Actually, I need to write two letters… Maybe we will end up arrested though. Who knows."
"What?"
"Isn't this fun?"
"You lost me, I'm afraid…"
"Ah, well don't worry. The tavern should be open by now. You can go and have a drink if you want."
"I… Might just have to do that."
After Lucy had left the room, Yamato finished his tea and began writing the two letters. Just as he was finished, he heard loud noise coming from downstairs. Since he had to take the letters and send them anyway, he chose to check it out. To his surprise, in the middle of the tavern stood the boy that he beat up yesterday. He was visibly upset, but had all his teeth again. Yamato felt like he should congratulate him for that.
"Where is he?!"
"I don't know who you are looking for, I'm afraid."
"Don't lie to me! I know he is here! That girl over there was with him last time too, I'm sure!"
He angrily pointed at Lucy who was drinking something colorful through a straw, ignoring Tom denying his suspicion. Yamato was actually surprised he remembered Lucy, since by the time she became active, he was already unconscious. But then again, he probably checked out both her and Yuki, before deciding to approach Yuki. So it was not as surprising after all.
"I'm guessing you are looking for me. How is your nose feeling? I do hope it healed up without leaving a scar."
"You! You've got some nerve! That you haven't fled town, I have to acknowledge your bravery."
"Bravery? Why, am I facing anything dangerous by staying? That's news to me. I thought it'd just be you."
"I'm actually glad we can meet again like this! I challenge you to a duel to the death, for the hand of the women I was with yesterday!"
"…What?"
"You heard me! You against me, on your terms, tomorrow!"
"…Why do you think you should ask me for her hand? Ask her yourself and see what she responds. How old are you anyway, you look 15 and sound twelve right now."
"Your words don't reach me, and I'm 21! I realize my behavior yesterday must have been inappropriate. However I do not intend to give uo that easily!"
"Is that so…"
"To be honest, I expected something like this. But that it would be about Yuki… I thought he'd be back solely for revenge on me. Oh, I bet she'd love this… Seeing me fight for her. But then again, if I just forfeit, I'm sure his delusions of having a chance with her would die out on their own once he gets properly rejected… Or killed, honestly, I'm not sure what she'd do. However, I don't like the feeling that I get when I imagine her being proposed to… There it is again… Like yesterday."
Yamato took the two letters in his hands tucked them under his shirt, and walked up close to his opponent.
"Since you did not bring any guards with you this time, I will have to assume you are serious… In that case, I accept."