Chapter 407
Now then, the groups that venerate the gods of this world—in layman's terms, you could call them religious organizations.
The groups that worship the gods, known as "Churches," hold influence worldwide and are pure, upright organizations that do not involve themselves in politics.
As mentioned before, their primary work is managing the system prepared by the gods; faith comes second. Thanks to a system where the gods monitor them to ensure they don't get involved in the troublesome "management of human affairs" while overseeing the system, and divine punishment is meted out for violations, corruption within religious organizations is almost non-existent.
There are some lazy individuals among them, but I have confidence that they won't fall into the common story trope of "the organization worshiping the gods actually turns out to be evil."
"It's been a while since we all went out together, hasn't it?""Yeah. Lately, I've been busy with various things and haven't been able to go on adventures. It's been a while since we all acted together."
We are heading to the main temple of the Church on the southern continent.
What on earth are we going for? To submit an application asking if they can build a temple in our pioneer village.
The gods' systems—things like the Duel Piece, the God of Commerce's currency exchange system, contract systems—things I can't provide on my own, can only be provided by those who serve the gods daily and manage the systems.
Even in the game, I went to the main temple and followed the procedures for establishing a shrine. The Church's main temple exists one per continent, and the place called the "Grand Temple" rotates each year.
Currently, I believe the main temple on the western continent is functioning as the Grand Temple.
That doesn't mean the southern main temple we're visiting this time is inferior. Since it's directly managed by the Church, it's quite prosperous. With devout people visiting it as a pilgrimage site, commerce is also abundant.
Thanks to that, the roads are well-maintained.
We're trying not to be conspicuous on those roads, but a splendid carriage that would be recognizable to the discerning eye is being escorted by the warrior group, the Garden Guards, and Entertainers disguised as merchants.
In the carriage, which I designed and was magically modified by Don and the recently joined Percy and his team, our party members are enjoying a spacious and comfortable journey.
"If we're talking about who's the busiest, it's Liberta-kun, right? He's working so hard it's like he might become a lord and stop adventuring.""To be honest, Liberta's town management skills are high. He sets guidelines, delegates tasks that should be delegated, and makes judgments when needed. He's performing feats that average nobles couldn't, at a veteran level."
The interior of the carriage has been modified extensively, providing enough space for six people to relax comfortably. Considering the road width, we couldn't make it *too* large, so you can't walk around inside. To imagine it, think of a limousine with a high ceiling, perhaps?
Air conditioning and a refrigerator are installed, and there's even lighting on the ceiling. When sleeping, moving the sofas we're sitting on turns them into bedding, so you could call it a camper.
Thanks to a slight levitation spell incorporated, the interior doesn't shake at all. Combined with the abundance of cushioning material still being produced, it has resulted in supremely comfortable seats, making travel fatigue nonexistent regardless of level.
"Huh? Isn't that normal?""The word 'normal' is perhaps the most unrelated word to Liberta. To begin with, even relying on my connections, normally one wouldn't think of requesting the main temple to install divine statues in a newly built town."
With Genjirou and Shalia, who is leading the Entertainers accompanying us this time, handling the perimeter security, there's almost no worry about being attacked by bandits.
Back at the pioneer village, Zink-san and Judeus, along with the Garden Guards and Entertainers left behind by Gato, are keeping watch. Percy and Don have started mass-producing ballistae for the walls, so defense-wise, there's no problem either.
I secretly went to the Spirit World, gave Dark-san and the Lightning Triplets Platinum tickets to Amina's live shows as gifts, and asked them to help in an emergency, so even in a crisis, they could buy time until I return.
"Normal... right?""With all due respect, I believe your actions deviate from the definition of 'normal.' However, I think many of Lord Liberta's actions aim to make everyone happy."
During this journey to the main temple with a perfect setup, I'm under concentrated fire for being "not normal." Why do I feel a vague sense of guilt when told I'm not normal, even though I shouldn't be doing anything bad?
Even my reliable Ingrid says I'm not normal. When I look back on my actions...
"Indeed, I guess I'm not normal."
It seems my idea of "common sense" is quite different from the general public's "normal." ...I've finally come to realize that fact.
"As Ingrid-san says, many of your actions are for our sake. So there's no need to change. Live as yourself. That's fine.""Just as Lady Claudia says! Liberta should stay as Liberta!"
In fact, I've now come to accept that maybe it's better *not* to be normal. I'm not so depressed that I need their encouragement, nor can I change my course of action now.
"Yeah, then I'll keep going all out.""...You could ease up a little, you know? Father says he can't let go of the stomach medicine you gave him recently.""I'll consider it positively.""Whoa, I know that. That's the phrase nobles use when they mean 'I'll just think about it.'""Amina is clever."
I have no intention of changing.Gently patting Amina's head, which is at just the right height, I look outside at the gradually changing scenery.
"We can see the main temple."
An exceptionally large mountain visible beyond that scenery.
The town of the Church's main temple is built at the foot of the highest mountain on each continent. This is due to the belief that the mountaintop is the closest place to the gods, and the fact that the highest peaks on each continent (the four continents excluding the central one) all have the exact same elevation.
The people of this world don't consider this uniformity in height a coincidence; the common theory is that the gods created them with their own hands.
Therefore, these four mountains are each called "Divine Mountains" and are regarded as sacred.
Consequently, priests and church knights belonging to the Church enter the mountains as part of their training, climb to the summit, and offer prayers.
"It's big.""Lady Claudia, you've climbed that mountain before, right?""Yes, I have. I climbed it for the first time during my training days, and it was a good experience. If you have time, you two should climb it too."
The Divine Mountain of the southern continent is located within an independent region inside the territory of Duke Edelgard in the south. This land is protected by extraterritoriality; no one is permitted to invade it under the gods' authority. It's an absolutely neutral zone, detached from this continent's political system.
You can easily learn from history books about past rulers who tried to incorporate this place and met ruin.
"Is it okay to climb?""Yes, anyone can enter if they properly submit a mountain entry application. Of course, a child alone wouldn't be allowed, but with me, climbing is possible."
Because it is such a place, even the general public recognizes it as sacred ground. It's said that devout people visit the main temple at least once a year.
And as Claudia says, if you obtain a mountain entry permit, anyone can climb that mountain.
Normally, such a space would have restricted access due to dangers like monsters or bandits, but...
"Since there are no monsters, citizens can climb casually. The church knights regularly patrol the mountain, so bandits can't easily establish hideouts either. It's the mountain with the best public safety on this continent."
Its elevation is about twice that of Mt. Fuji. If I recall correctly, isn't it about the same height as the highest peak in the Andes Mountains on Earth?
"I've heard many people climb partway as a commemoration. Among nobles, there are families that demonstrate their qualities by reaching the summit.""Devout families do that. There are some in our family's faction as well."
Because it's such a mountain, various people come to climb it. As Ingrid mentioned, some climb for commemoration, others as a trial for a noble heir, or stoically seeking training—the purposes vary.
"Liberta, let's climb it too!"
It's also famous as a tourist spot. Nell's eyes sparkle, her tail wagging as she proposes climbing for the memory. But...
"Hmm, I think I'll probably have to climb it alone."
Unfortunately, a future of merrily climbing together doesn't await me. Among the conditions for installing divine statues that I know, there awaits a trial to measure the heart of the one who built the town.
Among them is a trial to carry a stone divine statue, about the size of a child, to the summit. In the process, I need to undergo a trial for each divine statue I want installed—that is, for each system.
And not on the maintained hiking trails, but on the steep, arduous training paths meant for trials.
"So, you all go and have fun.""......"
When I explained that, everyone fell silent.
"Then! I'll take the trial with you too!"
Nell was the first to raise her hand, declaring she would carry it together.
"It feels wrong that only Liberta is doing something so tough, and only we get to have fun."
It's heartening that she pumps her fist with determination.
"Nell-san, your kind feelings are appreciated, but this is Liberta's trial. There are times when completing it alone is important."
Unfortunately, this is a quest where completing it alone is crucial. It's one of those extremely rare "forced party separation quests."
The number of participants is one. It demands complete solo action.
"Is that so?""That's right. Thanks, Nell, for worrying about me."
I appreciate Nell's kindness, but these are the rules set by the other side. Breaking them would mean not getting the divine statues. And from the Church's perspective, this trial is how they measure whether someone is "worthy of entrusting with divine statues," so they can't make exceptions.
She can't help. Hearing that, Nell's ears drooped dejectedly. Reaching out to pat her head slowly, Nell happily narrowed her eyes and leaned into my hand.
"Yeah, then I'll pray for Liberta's safe success.""Please do. Oh, right. The main approach should have a famous hot spring inn known for beautifying skin... it's there, right, Claudia?""!!!!""Yes, originally it was a hot spring for healing bodies injured during training, but it's also effective for the skin. Located at a considerable elevation with few people, it's like a secret hot spring area—a good place to relax."
When I shared that bit of info so they could enjoy themselves a little, the female members predictably reacted in unison. The only one who didn't react was Claudia, who already knew about the place.
"Alright then, Claudia, once I finish the procedures for the trial, I'll leave guiding everyone to you.""Yes, leave it to me."
Being a local, Claudia should be able to safely reach that secret hot spring. We'll leave the carriage in the town at the foot, and maybe assign one Garden Guard and one Entertainer as escorts.
"Ah, that's right. Take Shalia with you when you go to the hot spring.""I don't mind, but why?"
While I'm breaking through the trial, I plan to have Claudia and the others clear a small quest.Having made such plans, I had completely forgotten.
Since coming to this world, things almost never go according to plan.