Chapter 410
The main temple of the southern continent, also known as the Chalk-White City, has so many pure white buildings that the name is fitting. Stemming from the belief that white is a holy color, many residents in this city's architecture prefer white.
Ergo, there are many devout people in this city, but...
"What in the world is this?""It's awful, covered in graffiti."
In my mind, I had expected to see a mystical, chalk-white cityscape. However, the sight that greeted us as we entered by carriage was more like a downtown alley full of wall graffiti.
The scenery, which should have been mystical, had transformed into what looked like a street artist's exhibition ground, with graffiti scrawled on walls everywhere.
Residents desperately trying to erase the graffiti and soldiers running around frantically.
Such a commotion in the holy city of Areiya... While there is a Named individual I can think of who would commit graffiti, that person should be in the west, not the south.
However, that person swore never to cause mischief in a holy city, being deeply devout himself.
He was the type to draw on royal castles or noble mansions if he felt like it, but he shouldn't have laid a hand on this pure white city.
Claudia's shocked voice and Nell's bewildered voice.
"All appear to be pranks with paint... What a terrible thing to do."
And Esmeralda's voice, not hiding her disgust behind her fan.Just moments ago, the carriage was filled with voices of excitement, but this initial sight dampened everyone's spirits.
*'There they are!'*
And speak of the devil, as they say, a soldier's shout was heard from afar. The mastermind behind this displeasing spectacle must have appeared, as commotion erupted from a street over.
"Liberta! We should—""No, let's head to the Grand Temple as planned.""Huh?"
It was clear something was happening in that direction. Heading there might lead to an encounter with the graffiti culprit. The justice-minded Nell suggested going, but I shook my head and refused.
"This city has its own guards. If outsiders like us interfere, it would undermine their authority and be overstepping. Unless requested, it's best not to get involved unnecessarily."
If we headed there now, we'd be no different from rubberneckers.If we were asked for help, that would be one thing, but plunging into trouble unasked isn't good either.
"...You're right."
Nell, noticing Claudia wasn't moving either, obediently sat back down.Something was happening. That was certain, but it wasn't necessarily something we had to solve.
Yes, that's what I thought, but...
"...Lord Liberta. The commotion seems to be heading this way.""...Genjirou, be on alert."
Lady Goddess of Fate must really dislike me.Just as we try to avoid it, trouble comes to us.
*'Yes, sir!'*
With Class 8 guards surrounding us, nothing short of a World Monster should be a problem. Or so it should be.
The carriage stopped. Genjirou and the Entertainers heightened their alertness.
Well then, what will appear?
Without opening the window, I lifted the curtain to look outside toward the source of the noise. I saw a group of soldiers running along the road, chasing someone. It seemed the target was running on the rooftops, as they kept looking up and shouting.
At this point, I knew it wasn't *him*.*He* had an extreme fear of heights.He'd absolutely never go on rooftops and boasted he hated even jumping.
So, the question became: which idiot was doing this?
*'Ahahahahahahahaha!!!!'*
An oddly shrill laugh echoed, along with the sound of liquid bursting.*Splash, splash*—the sound of water bursting and paint splattering.
A figure clad in a paint-stained robe, small in stature, leaped across rooftops.A troublemaker throwing water balloons filled with paint everywhere with both hands.
*'Art is an explosion!!'*
And a partner trying to create impromptu impressionist art on the splattered paint with a giant brush.
Who the heck are they?
*'My lord, shall we apprehend them?'*"Contact the soldiers first. Only lend a hand if they request assistance."*'Yes, sir!'*
Were they characters who appeared in the past but not in the original work? Or truly a type of person I didn't know?
Both were covered in paint-stained robes, so their appearances were hidden.
"They seem to be a dwarf race, don't they?""Yeah, they do."
While I was observing, trying to find any clue to identify them, Claudia leaned in next to me, peering out the window as well.
Their build and movements ruled out children, leaving the dwarf race as one plausible answer.There are many Named dwarves.But I've never heard of a duo that splatters paint.
*'You there, in the carriage! Move it quickly if you don't want to get splattered!!'*
While we were idly watching, a figure who appeared to be a temple knight warned us. It seemed their targets weren't just buildings; carriages were fair game too.
*'Aha? Do that one too?'**'That's dangerous. I have a bad feeling; let's retreat!!'**'Dammit! Wait!'*
However, after staring intently at us, they immediately turned on their heels and began fleeing in another direction, vanishing in no time.
"What was that about?""At the very least, they held malice, it seems."
They seemed skilled enough to gauge our strength, but they left an impression of mental immaturity.The appearance of individuals I had no recollection of gave me a bad feeling.
"Best not to get involved. For now, let's head to the Grand Temple as planned.""Yes, an archbishop I know is waiting.""For the head of the temple to be waiting... normally unthinkable, but with Lady Claudia, it's expected, isn't it?"
Having escaped unscathed, we resumed our journey.
"The central area is bad too.""Did those two do all of that?"
Even on the way, the city streets were stained here and there, with people cleaning everywhere. Some had even hired adventurers to clean their walls.
It seemed the damage was widespread.While it might sound insignificant if the damage is 'just graffiti'...
Considering the actual victims, they'd caused serious trouble.
"Whoa, Liberta-kun, look at that.""That's... whoa."
Among them was a place where cleanup looked particularly difficult. Probably a large store.All employees were out scrubbing the walls, but the wall color had turned into what you might call a riot of colors—colorful in a good way, but an eyesore in a bad way. Amina pointed, and I could only recoil when I saw it.
Seeing the employees desperately scrubbing off paint with hate-filled eyes, I wished for a swift resolution, but...
"Surely they haven't painted all the way to the Grand Temple?""Even those two seem to fear divine punishment, it appears."
I probably could have done something, but helping would be endless, so I decided not to intervene unless asked. I worried if the damage extended to the Grand Temple, but perhaps thanks to the knight patrols, finally, around here, we began to see scenery befitting Areiya.
"Wow, beautiful!""Truly.""This is the Grand Temple of Areiya. I had heard rumors..."
While I felt relieved, feelings of awe were born beside me. Amina's sincere words were agreed upon by Nell, and Esmeralda also let out an admiring sigh.Even the guards, Genjirou and the others, were impressed.
"I'm glad you like it. The priests managing this place will be pleased too."
White as the base, with intricate carvings visible everywhere, the balance of architecture seemed calculated down to the positions of shadows and the play of light.Not overly ornate, yet not simple either—a harmonious Grand Temple.
Claudia also seemed happy that the building was praised, answering with a smile.
After parking the carriage in the lot, completing procedures, and leaving the carriage, we left about four guards behind and followed Claudia's lead toward the Grand Temple.
"Lady Claudia!"
Someone came running from the direction of the Grand Temple.A person wearing an exceptionally ornate priest's robe among others, with temple knights around them running in a fluster.
"Natal, an archbishop shouldn't be running around like that."
Archbishop Natal.A Named specialist in recovery magic.In FBO, he was the person who became archbishop after Claudia.
A boy with amber-colored short hair, but he was of the dwarf race, older than he looked.
"Forgive me! I heard you were coming today and couldn't contain myself!"
With a boyish appearance but an adult interior, he turned toward us with a cheerful expression.
"And these people are?""Yes, this is Liberta, and Nell-san, Amina-san, Esmeralda-san, Ingrid-san."
Introduced by Claudia, we bowed our heads slightly in greeting.
"A pleasure to meet you all. I am Natal Dread, entrusted with the position of archbishop in this temple. Our temple welcomes you."
His demeanor and attitude were gentle, and you could feel a welcoming mood.
However, there was one thing to be careful about when interacting with him.This was common knowledge in FBO too, something Claudia had briefed me on beforehand.
"Now then, first, let me guide you to the reception room."
That thing was: never comment on the object on his back.
"......"
While his front view clearly showed a mystical archbishop, on his back was a worn-out, indescribable stuffed animal resembling a cat or a beaver.The years of use gave it the appearance of a cursed doll.
Its head drooped limply, and the hollow, vacant eyes that seemed to look backward gave off an eerie feeling as if they were staring at you.
"? Is something the matter, everyone?""No, nothing at all. Let's go."
Natal looked back at us, puzzled by our momentary freeze at the suspicious doll. Spurred by Claudia's call, accustomed to the situation, everyone started walking.
If, hypothetically, someone brought up the doll here... out of sheer curiosity, you must never do it.
If you bring it up, he will begin an endless monologue about his love for that doll.
Natal Dread.He is a recovery specialist and simultaneously a curse specialist.
Though his skill build is purely rear-line support, his ability allowed him to rise to the position of archbishop.His combat style is a debuffer style, healing while cursing the enemy.
That doll is his exclusive weapon.
"We saw the state of the city on the way here. What exactly was that?""Ah, that's a troublesome duo that's appeared recently."
Moreover, it's one of a kind in this world.A Unique Weapon.A doll known as the cursed 'Gloom'.
No one but Natal can equip it. Anyone else who possesses it gets cursed instantly.
"They haven't been caught yet. Is there a reason?""You could say they're elusive. Just when you think you have them cornered, they vanish without a trace. That's why we can't get a good lead. We don't know their faces either, so we can't issue wanted posters."
Even Natal, who carries such a cursed object without batting an eye, frowned deeply, indicating how troublesome the graffiti duo was.
"Lady Claudia, might I ask for your assistance?"
And it seemed inevitable that the conversation would lead to a request for help.
t/n Just some random info . Basicly each arc have roughly 30 or so chapters . and yesterday we had reached the end of arc 13 ! with means today's chapter's starting arc 14 ! By the way each arc end with god's realm chapter . Thanks for reading that far can't believe how many chapters were released by author so far and he still is releasing on daily basic ! By the way author recently released clear cover of 2nd ln volume . If you have time pls rate this series high on novel update or maybe even leave a review https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i-know-that-even-if-im-just-a-mob-in-this-world-i-can-become-the-strongest-if-i-become-a-addict/