Chapter 302: Strange Energy in the Night
[A little later, Lord’s Mansion at Spica Castle, Barony of Virgo.]
"Then please rest comfortably, Saintess."
"Yes, thank you for your consideration."
Though it felt awkward, the Saintess expressed her gratitude for the room the Baroness had given her. She thought it might be excessive for the owner to give up a room used by a member of the baronial family for her sake, but the Saintess readily accepted the Baroness’s kindness in being mindful of her status.
If the Goddess Church were an empire, the Saintess would be equivalent to that empire’s princess.
The Saintess’s position was indescribably high, and while this was a fairly large kingdom, there was no comparison between her status and that of a mere baroness.
"The other knights..."
"We’re fine."
The Knight Commander struck preemptively, sharply enough to seem almost cutting. The Baroness glanced around nervously before bowing her head and leaving.
"Phew, Saintess... are you really okay with this?"
"With what?"
"With this person."
The Knight Commander pointed to the heavily armed man standing near the window. Though the Saintess had vouched that he was hired for protection, having a monster walking around in the middle of a barony was still problematic.
"He’s a hero."
"He’s an orc."
"We can ask the Goddess about that at the Holy See’s main temple."
"Do you think the Goddess would recognize an orc as a hero? Surely obtaining the holy sword was some kind of fluke—"
"No. Definitely."
The Saintess grabbed her throbbing head and was certain. The orc was definitely the hero of the holy sword Taurus.
[He’s a gentleman, my child. Whatever play you suggest, he’ll accept anything—a man among men]
"Haah..."
She really hated someone who wouldn’t even answer whether the human alliance could win but kept chattering about wanting to see the Saintess’s child.
’At this rate, I can’t even relieve stress.’
She could only feel at peace by keeping the orc by her side at all times. Unless she went to the Holy See’s main temple, summoned the Goddess into her body, and proclaimed before everyone that the orc was a hero, the Saintess’s head would explode from the headache until then.
’The problem is I can’t just leave with a dungeon right in front of me.’
The fundamental reason the Saintess came to Virgo territory was the orc horde that suddenly appeared and the ’dungeon’ presumed to be their base.
"Knight Commander, was Sir Gray’s story accurate?"
"On the surface, there were no issues. He certainly has enough skill to somehow escape the dungeon with his sword."
"On the surface?"
"Yes. There is one suspicious point..."
"Tell me."
The Knight Commander immediately pulled out something she’d prepared. The Saintess became interested in seeing something she’d never seen before—or more precisely, something she was seeing for the first time since arriving at Spica Castle.
"Stockings, right?"
"Yes. A gift from the Baroness. Two were given to each member of our party. The problem is this color. Isn’t it similar to the feathers of the monster Sir Gray claims to have killed?"
"What are you trying to say?"
The Knight Commander lowered her voice and whispered.
"Actually, Sir Gray is a minion of the dungeon monsters and betrayed humanity to survive. The monster was a ploy to hide it."
"I think you’ve been reading too many novels, Knight Commander."
"You think so too, right? A human siding with monsters. Haha. If that happened, it would be like a monster siding with humans..."
The Knight Commander’s face twisted completely as she growled at the orc.
"Make it clear. Will you side with the human alliance as a hero, or will you follow your nature?"
"I told you. I have my own things to do."
"Saintess, just say the word. I’ll take care of it right away."
The Knight Commander gave off a menacing atmosphere as if she’d draw her sword any moment. The Saintess frowned and waved her hand.
"Stop it. Don’t make things harder for me too. I’m already holding back in many ways."
"Ugh, I apologize."
The Knight Commander hurriedly bowed at the Saintess’s glare.
"Sigh. Being around you and that person makes things too hard for me. This won’t do. I’m giving a special order. You and the knights stay here."
"What?"
"I’ll take only him and go to the church. Tomorrow morning, when day breaks."
"What are you saying?!"
"You’ll stay and subjugate the dungeon, and I’ll take him to the church."
"Saintess!"
The Knight Commander raised her voice. The Saintess noticed the commotion outside and clicked her tongue lightly.
"You focus on your mission. What mission did the Pope give you?"
"To follow your orders, Saintess. However, Saintess."
"Are you saying you can’t trust a hero bearing a holy sword? Or that you can’t trust me?"
"I’m sorry."
The Knight Commander backed down. The Saintess snorted and pointed at the orc.
"Do you think he’d try to harm me? Could he even do anything to me in the first place?"
The Knight Commander silently shook her head. Only then did the Saintess relax her expression and pat the Knight Commander’s shoulder.
"Right. That person too—"
"May I go out for a moment?"
At the orc’s words, the Saintess fell into brief contemplation.
"Why?"
"I’m sensing some strange energy."
"Strange energy..."
The Saintess removed her orc-tinted glasses. If the hero of the holy sword Taurus was talking about strange energy, there must be something unusual.
"Knight Commander. You wait here. I’ll be right back. If anyone looks for me outside, tell them I’m sleeping."
"Be careful."
The Knight Commander clenched her fist and saw the Saintess off. The Saintess opened the terrace door with the orc.
Tap.
The two lightly left the lord’s mansion and entered an alley. Not only the heavily armed orc, but even the Saintess in her priest’s robe walked very lightly.
"At least I can take care of myself."
"That’s enough. You could’ve just said you wanted some fresh air, right? If you’re uncomfortable with the Knight Commander, I’ll send her to another room."
"First of all, it’s not proper for an unmarried man and woman to be in one room. And don’t misunderstand. I really came out because I’m sensing strange energy."
"Huh?"
The Saintess’s heart sank for a moment. So it wasn’t just something he said to avoid the situation?
"Th-that means...?"
"Over there, where people are gathering."
The orc pointed to what looked like a slum in a shabby back alley, where people drunk on liquor were gathered.
"Doesn’t that place seem strange?"
"Of course it would be strange."
The Saintess already knew about the barony’s issues reported through the knights. So she knew very well what role the tavern next to the general store was playing.
"I didn’t think orcs were interested in that sort of thing."
"Hm? Aren’t you interested?"
"That’s sexual harassment—"
"There’s a woman giving off monster energy, so I’ve been watching her."
"What?"
"That woman over there. Or is she a girl?"
The Saintess blankly turned her head following where the orc was pointing.
"There, the woman with pink hair."
"That’s Miss Meri. She’s a mage. It’s probably traces of a summoned creature."
The Saintess grabbed the orc’s wrist and moved along the alley. The orc obediently followed, being led by the Saintess.
"Where are we going?"
"To Miss Meri."
"Didn’t you just ignore what I said?"
"To confirm that too, and to get you some clothes to hide your identity."
The Saintess wound through the alleys and arrived near the general store. Meri happened to be outside, taking a walk alone in the night breeze.
"Hello, Miss Meri. We met briefly at the Baroness’s castle earlier with her introduction, right? Nice to see you again."
"Are you on an undercover inspection?"
At Meri’s stiff words, the Saintess smiled gently.
"Yes. Actually, I was wondering if we could get a few sets of casual clothes for this person."
"Wait."
The orc cut off the Saintess and stepped forward.
"Are you perhaps a slime?"
"What?"
Meri’s voice cracked in surprise. The orc quietly looked at Meri and started sniffing, and the Saintess smiled—
Thud.
She kicked the orc’s knee from behind. The orc’s posture didn’t waver at all, but realizing he’d made some mistake, he bowed his head.
"Sorry. The slime smell is too strong."
"Ah, y-yes, yes. I see. The slime smell..."
"Miss Meri, I apologize. This person trained his sword skills in the mountains for a long time, so while his abilities are good, he lacks common sense..."
The Saintess bowed deeply to her waist apologizing on his behalf. Meri bowed heavily as well.
"N-no. It’s natural to smell like slime."
Meri drew up mana from her hand. The Saintess flinched in surprise and stepped back, and the orc blocked in front of the Saintess.
"My summoned creature is a slime."
Glorp, glorp.
A slime suddenly popped out from inside Meri’s dress. The red slime in human form spread both arms toward the Saintess and orc, taking a threatening pose.
"That’s quite a unique slime?"
"Yes. I’m quite fond of it too. I think it’s understandable to be confused..."
Meri stroked the slime while watching the Saintess and orc’s reactions. The orc still hadn’t relaxed his grim expression, and the Saintess blocked in front of such an orc and gave him a look.
"You confirmed it, right? Now, stop that and move aside. We need to get you clothes first. You can’t keep walking around in armor forever."
"Mm... I don’t particularly mind though."
"I mind. Because you’re so intimidating, other people keep getting scared, don’t you see?"
"What can I do about how I was born? Should I walk around with my face exposed? Someone I know said I have a friendly face, so I should definitely walk around with my face showing—"
"That’s enough. I’m sorry. Please, just wear a cloak or something over it."
"Uh, um, you need clothes to cover up with, right?"
Meri pointed inside with a sour face. Not to Avalon the general store, but to Avalon the tavern.
"There’s a suitable outfit inside..."
***
[At that time, the Elven Forest.]
The Elven Forest had become an absolute war zone.
The 2nd Elder revealed to everyone the information Sola had brought.
That the queen the divine tree spoke of was Luna, who’d gone missing as a Guardian.
That Luna had currently become queen in the state of being a dark elf.
And that the 2nd Elder would go to the dungeon Sola mentioned to confirm this with her own eyes.
In effect, the 2nd Elder was risking her life to go verify this for the elves. Dungeon dark elves were essentially no different from demons, and no matter if she was a queen, the rejection of dark elves was a custom that had continued for ages.
"Sola, I’m sorry. For making you guide us."
"Not at all. This is what I must do."
Sola glanced at the delegation accompanying the 2nd Elder. Only seven in number. But they were all brave ones who’d volunteered to escort the 2nd Elder to the dungeon.
"Heh."
Of course, three of them had something in their bellies. Sola’s mind spun quickly.
’Three taking one each, and I’ll take the 2nd Elder and one person, so two. So I can receive a bit more seed.’
The multi-level half-elf plan someone had devised was starting to take hold. As the frontman of that plan, Sola had to prepare a few things in advance.
"2nd Elder. I’d like to ask one favor."
"What is it?"
"I’d like to enter the dungeon first to relay a message to the Elf Queen. We invited her, but if we suddenly visit without telling them we’re coming, wouldn’t they be surprised?"
"You’re right."
The half-elves were relieved. They could only go up to the dungeon entrance while still white. If they entered the dungeon together, their skin color would change and cause confusion.
"But if the queen is really Luna... if we do that, she might try to come greet us. Luna is a kind child. Forget it. Let’s all go in together."
"What?"
"Of course I’ll lead the way. It’s not like you become a dark elf just from contacting monsters.... That’s right, Luna must have had some circumstances too."
"2nd Elder, what do you mean?"
At a pure elf’s question, the 2nd Elder stopped for a long while in thought before opening her mouth.
"The reason we say not to contact monsters is because of elves’ characteristics... From long ago, when elves were captured by monsters, they’d often be violated. Sexually."
"What?"
"When monster seed is planted in the womb, you become a dark elf. So... you all need to steel your hearts."
The 2nd Elder clenched her fist with a hardened face.
"Whether Luna was violated, or whether she fornicated with monsters... our entire elven race’s fate will change depending on that. If things go wrong, all elves could become dark elves."
"..."
Sola and the three half-elves broke out in cold sweat.