Chapter 412
"Thank you for the advice. It has been very helpful.""Not at all. I'm glad if it was of use."
I could tell that Natal felt some relief, perhaps because knowing which faction might be involved gave him a direction for countermeasures.In front of Claudia, he must have been anxious about whether he was properly fulfilling his duties as an archbishop.
Although the problem wasn't solved yet, I thought he could at least find a starting point for a strategy.
"Now then, let us move on to the main matter.""Is it alright, even though the problem isn't solved?""It's fine, Lady Claudia. I am the archbishop. This matter is unrelated to Liberta-san, and you, Lady Claudia, are his guardian. Therefore, it is proper for us to resolve this matter on our own."
Perhaps thinking it problematic to ask for more, Natal suggested moving on after receiving the advice.When Claudia asked if she shouldn't cooperate, he gently shook his head.
The relationship between the Heretic Church and the Temple was like that of sworn enemies.Their worshipped gods differed, and while the Temple side had its reasons, the Heretic Church side openly advocated for the eradication of the gods worshipped by the Temple.
There was no room for compromise, and the history of this conflict spanned not just decades.It was a struggle with a history so long it could be called a religious war, stretching across many generations.
So, the Temple was also accustomed to conflicts with the Heretic Church.
Originally, it seemed my opinion was also considered as a possibility, and he had given off an atmosphere of wanting confirmation.
"I have received valuable insight from Liberta-san, an Apostle of the Gods. That is sufficient."
Therefore, my further assistance was unnecessary.
"...I understand. I have already stepped down from the position of archbishop. As a mere priest, any further opinion would be overstepping my authority."
When phrased so gently, we couldn't press further.
"Yes. Now, regarding the matter of the divine statues, it has been decided at the archbishops' council that there is no issue if you pass the trial based on Lady Claudia's recommendation. Following that, after passing the trial, the dispatch of priests and accompanying clergy, and after inspecting the land, the construction of the temple will proceed. Is that acceptable?"
And once that was settled, the topic changed swiftly.Our original reason for coming here was to pass a trial and have divine statues created by the Temple installed in our pioneer village.
At a minimum, I wanted statues for four deities: the Goddess of Mediation, Meter, to use the Duel Piece; the God of Commerce, Goldos, to sell skills and levels; the God of Contracts, Matendo, for contracts; and the Goddess of Wisdom, Kefeli, who is thought to have reincarnated me into this world.
I wanted these four divine statues installed.
"That's fine.""According to the information received beforehand, the trial Lord Liberta will undertake is of the highest difficulty level even by the Temple's standards. Normally, installing just one divine statue subjects one to a considerably arduous trial."
And to install those statues, a trial is imposed.The more statues one wishes to install, the higher the difficulty, but once the requested number surpasses a certain threshold, the difficulty reaches its upper limit.
"Are you truly certain? Approaching this with half-hearted resolve would be blasphemy against the gods and would also tarnish the honor of Lady Claudia, who recommended you."
The system was the same as in FBO, and what I heard from Claudia matched the trial I knew.Natal's expression, which had been that of a gentle boy until moments ago, turned deadly serious, as if to say that when it came to trials concerning the gods, he would interact as the archbishop.
"Even so, will you attempt it?""I'm sure.""...Very well. Then, please sign this blood oath, and then provide your blood seal."
Even after being told there was no turning back once accepted, I nodded unwaveringly. My resolve was acknowledged. Natal signaled a nearby priest, who brought a finely crafted golden tray. On it lay a document adorned with similar goldwork.
"From that moment, your trial begins. From here on, you alone must challenge the trial and earn the recognition of the gods."
After a final confirmation of my resolve, I was gently offered a mithril knife, a quill made from griffon feathers, and a potion to heal the cut finger.
I first read the document.It was clearly a contract. Confirming its contents matched precisely what Claudia had described, I unhesitatingly took the quill, signed "Liberta," then switched to the mithril knife and gently pricked my thumb.
Perhaps because it was mithril, or because I did it myself, a sharp pain shot through my fingertip, and red blood welled up.Placing it on my fingertip, I firmly pressed it as a seal at the end of the signature.
"Thus, the covenant with the gods is made. I, Archbishop Natal Dread, hereby declare. The trial begins."
The document began to glow, floated into the air, and unfolded a magic circle.The document gradually transformed into particles of light, which then seeped into and melded with my body.
Witnessing this, Natal stood and declared so that everyone in the room could hear.In response to this signal, one of the priests opened a window and waved outside. A few seconds later, the deep sound of a large bell resonated through the area.
"All those unrelated to the trial, please withdraw."
Then, as archbishop, he urged everyone except me to leave.This included Claudia, a Temple affiliate, and my guards, Genjirou and Shalia.Of course, my party members—Nell, Amina, Esmeralda, and Ingrid—were also included.
Urged by the priests and ordered to withdraw...
"I believe you can achieve this safely.""Yeah, wait for the good news.""Yes, I will be waiting."
First, Claudia looked into my eyes, offered words of encouragement, and left first.
"Do your best! I'll be cheering for you too!""With Amina's singing, it might reach me.""Come on, my voice isn't *that* loud."
Next was Amina.Even as she joked and puffed her cheeks, she laughed, waved, and followed Claudia.
"It might be strange to say something anew, but I wish you good fortune. No, in your case, you probably overcome even fortune to obtain victory through your own power.""What do you think I am? Even I can't do anything about luck.""I'm saying you'll manage even if luck turns against you. You've managed so far, haven't you?""Well, true enough."
Then Esmeralda, covering her mouth slightly with her fan, leaned in with a villainess-like expression.
"I will look into the matter of the dwarves on our end.""...I leave it to you.""Yes, please challenge the trial without worrying about troubles from behind."
Saying that, she left the room.
"......""Um, this isn't a final farewell, you know?""However, I will no longer be by your side. Please allow me to fully replenish Lord Liberta's warmth while I still can."
Who came next but Ingrid, who silently embraced me.Her emotional expressions have been growing richer lately, and such physical affection has been increasing.
It lasted a few seconds.She wasn't satisfied and radiated an atmosphere of it not being enough, but reluctantly let go as time was short.
"Please return swiftly.""Yeah."
She bowed and exited.
"Liberta.""Yeah?"
It seemed Nell would be the last of the party. She slowly walked over.
"Don't do anything too amazing and startle the people here, okay?""What's that?""If you act like the usual Liberta, that's what will happen."
I was admonished not to go overboard.
"You're not telling me not to do it?""I'm not. I don't want you getting hurt, and I want you to come back quickly.""Hmm... Being told not to startle them while behaving normally feels like a pretty strict restriction for a challenge run."
Personally, I was thinking of aiming for a time record in an RTA-style, ultra-efficient completion. But Nell was telling me not to. Well, not "don't," but to keep it reasonable.
"You don't want to attract weird attention again by startling them too much, right?""...You have a point."
And that advice seemed to be about avoiding unnecessary trouble. I found myself nodding at Nell's words.There was no need to be flashy, attract attention, and invite extra complications.I should seek efficiency, but with some moderation. Convinced by Nell's persuasive words, I gave a wry smile.
"Well then, I'll be waiting.""Right."
Finally, I saw her off.
"My lord.""Genjirou, I leave Nell and the others to you.""Yes, leave it to me."
Genjirou, the second person reluctant to leave my side, was sent off with the duty of guarding Nell and the others.
"If you don't come back soon, I might become too beautiful and cause a big fuss♪?""That's not a joke I can laugh about. I'll have to finish this with full force."
I nodded with a laugh at Shalia's not-quite-a-joke joke and saw everyone off.
"Now then, let us proceed.""Please."
What remained were only me, Natal, and the Temple guards.We proceeded towards a door in a different direction from the one everyone left through—a door within the Temple that only authorized personnel could use.
Natal led, I followed, and surrounded by guards, we advanced through the Grand Temple's corridors, familiar yet different in places.
Our destination was a large door guarded by temple knights.
"Beyond this is the trial chamber. However, before entering, you must change all your equipment.""Understood."
Natal, who had stopped there, turned and gently indicated the changing room next to us.This trial restricted bringing in equipment and items.
For the simplest difficulty, one could bring their own weapons, armor, and consumables like potions.But the trial I was attempting was of the highest difficulty.
The equipment provided by the Temple was the bare minimum, pitifully weak. Potions and food were also provided in only the most frugal, lowest-quality quantities, as if to emphasize austerity.
"Hmm, nostalgic."
Moreover, the provided equipment consisted of cloth garments, leather boots, and a leather chest piece.The weapon was not my proficient spear but a short sword and a wooden buckler shield.For warmth, only one worn-out cloak with likely diminished water resistance was provided.
Provisions were one leather waterskin, one pouch of jerky, and hardtack.At most, it would last two days, and even that was by being frugal. Eaten normally, it wouldn't even cover two meals.
That was all my equipment.
I knew this would happen, which is why all my clothing had been made under the concept of "high-quality, tasteful garments with no abilities."I couldn't very well entrust my serious combat gear to the Temple, even if it was the Temple.The dagger I brought for self-defense was also a mass-produced item, of a level any craftsman in this world could make.
A priest carefully placed the items I removed into a treasure chest and locked it.
"What about this key?""Please give it to my companions. It would be troublesome if it got lost during the trial."
Now dressed in what resembled starter gear, I adjusted the plain, unremarkable bandana permitted as headgear and exited the changing room.
"This is the final confirmation. Once this confirmation is complete and you pass through this door, you can no longer turn back. It is a journey that risks your life. Even so, will you challenge it?""Yes, I will challenge it."
And so, I nodded in response to Natal's confirmation as we stood before the door.