Chapter 15: Ethra

“Hmm… looks like my help wasn’t really needed,” Zid said, glancing at Janbo.

“Still, may I ask—what business brings you to our humble settlement, Ethra?” Zid continued in a calm voice, his steps never faltering.

“We’re on our way to the Dragon’s Graveyard, under Guildmaster Rion’s orders,” Reimei answered.

“I see. But isn’t your party a bit unbalanced to venture into the Dragon’s Graveyard?” Zid remarked, eyes flicking across us.

“That man and the spirit wolf are indeed formidable, yet judging from your equipment, the two of you appear to be a hunter and a magician, which means your party is without a priest”, Zid added.

So he really does know what’s happening in the Dragon’s Graveyard…

“You’re probably wondering how I know. It’s because we sent one of our priests to investigate the situation there,” Zid explained before I could ask.

After a few minutes of following Lily, Zid suddenly greeted.

“Ah, we’ve arrived. Welcome to Ethra,” he said with a light smile.

“If it’s not too much of a nuisance, may I invite you all to our humble place? I’m sure we can provide information useful to your goal”, Zid suggested.

“That would be wonderful. We’re actually looking for a priest to accompany us,” Reimei replied.

“Guild cards, please,” a guard requested as we approached the gate.

“No need. Welcome to Ethra, young adventurers,” the guard said quickly, noticing the glowing pendant around Reimei’s neck.

“I thought they’d ask for our guild cards,” I muttered, holding mine halfway out.

“There’s no need,” Zid said, his gaze fixed on Reimei.

“As I thought, you’re carrying the blood of Master Rion.”

“Young lady, may I know your name?” Zid asked as we walked through the settlement.

“I’m Reimei SilverSky,” she replied.

“SilverSky, huh…” Zid murmured, as if weighing the name. Then his eyes shifted.

“And you, young lady?” he asked, looking at Lily.

“I’m Lily FrostMoon,” Lily introduced herself.

“No wonder Lena urged me to hurry and find you,” Zid murmured under his breath.

“That’s our place,” he said, pointing toward a small, weathered church.

Why hasn’t he asked for my name? I wondered as I followed behind him.

“Welcome to our humble home,” Zid said, opening the old church doors.

“Lena, I’ve brought them,” he called.

“Welcome, descendant of Little Rion and Hero chosen by Chaleon,” a young woman in a white dress greeted us with a serene smile.

“Bau!” Janbo barked.

“Of course, we’re honored to have you as well, Guardian Beast of Chaleon,” the young woman said warmly.

“C-can I ask something? How do you know about me and God Chaleon?” I asked, staring at her.

“Through divination. Chaleon himself revealed it to me, Raki Kouno,” the woman answered gently.

“Lena, perhaps you should introduce yourself first,” Zid reminded her.

“Oh, forgive me. I am Selena Seres, High Priestess of the Seres Region. You may call me Lena,” she said with a graceful bow.

“Don’t be deceived by her appearance,” Zid added quickly, noticing our awed expressions.

“She’s actually older than Master Rion”

“Zid!” Lena scolded lightly.

“I’ll head to the market for a bit. I’ll return before lunch with food,” Zid replied, already moving toward the door.

“Forgive his childishness,” Lena said with a sigh.

“He is the son of my current attendant, and he has been serving in his father’s place ever since his father went to the Dragon’s Graveyard.”

“When did his father go there?” Lily asked.

“Three days ago,” Lena answered quietly.

“And since then… we’ve heard nothing,” Lena added.

“High Priestess, aren’t you supposed to be in the Holy Temple?” Lily asked.

“You may call me Lena, Lily,” the priestess replied with a gentle smile.

“I chose to remain here, at the center of the Seres Region, so that I can maintain a Divine Barrier.

If Flogas were to fall, the barrier would seal off the northeast and prevent the taintment from spreading south.”

“But wouldn’t the monsters simply pour into the northwest instead?” I asked.

“They won’t,” Lily answered before Lena could. “The Holy Temple itself stands there. Any tainted monster that dares step onto its sacred ground is instantly purified… vaporized on the spot.”

“As expected of one from Elira,” Lena said, her eyes softening.

“You are well-versed in the Seres Region”, Lena complimented.

She paused for a moment, nostalgia flickering across her face.

“Does Little Rion still tell stories to children while teaching them?”Lena asked.

“He does,” Reimei replied.

“No matter how busy he is as Guildmaster, he always makes time for the children of Elira”, Reimei added.

“I see… Little Rion never changes,” Lena murmured fondly.

“I’ve prepared some rooms for you,” she continued. “You may rest, or if you still have energy, you’re free to explore the settlement.”

“I’d love to, but my feet are already killing me,” Lily admitted with a weary laugh.

“Then perhaps another time,” Lena said kindly.

She guided us down a short hall to two guest rooms.

To my surprise, the interior was far more refined than the small, weathered church exterior had suggested.

“Surprised?” Lena asked, noticing my expression.

“A little,” I admitted.

“Sometimes what you see doesn’t just deceive your eyes, deceives your very beliefs,” Lena said with quiet gravity.

“A powerful illusion is cast over this place,” Lily observed.

“Much stronger than the one we encountered earlier,” she added.

“Of course,” Lena said with a knowing smile. “I was the one who taught Little Rion magic when he was still a child.”

No wonder Rion can wield holy magic, I realized. He was literally taught by a high priestess.

“I’ll leave you for a while,” Lena said as she closed the door to Reimei and Lily’s room. “If you need anything, ask Zid when he returns.”

“Can I ask you something first?” I spoke up as Lena closed the door on Reimei and Lily’s room.

She turned to me, her expression gentle. “What is it, Raki?”

“What… are demons exactly?” I asked, hoping for a clearer picture of the world I’d been thrown into.

Lena closed her eyes for a moment, as though weighing her words.

“What are they…? In my perspective, they’re beings who took on burdens far beyond their ability to bear.” Her voice was soft, tinged with sorrow.

“They are unfortunate souls who sought tremendous power, all for the sake of protecting what they loved.”

Her gaze shifted to me. “Raki, you should place more trust in yourself. See things with your own eyes. After all, you were chosen by Chaleon himself.”

She smiled faintly. “Even if it was just on a whim, he still entrusted you with his Divine tools… and his Guardian Beast.”

“You should rest now,” Lena said as she turned away.

“The road ahead is long. Don’t worry about food, Zid will bring back enough for everyone.”

As she left, a strange thought struck me.

Why does she give off the same feeling as God Chaleon? It was almost as if she knew him personally.

I returned to my room, where Janbo was already sitting by the bed, watching me with calm eyes.

Fixing this world’s twisted luck… might be far more complicated than I thought.

“Bau, bau,” Janbo barked softly, hopping onto the bed beside me.

I sighed. “Guess I should use my free roll for the day while it’s just the two of us.”

“Phone,” I whispered.

The Divine Gacha interface flickered into view. I hesitated for a moment, wondering what I should try rolling for.

Right now, the only weapon I have is the black steel katar and honestly, I’ve got zero experience using it.

I really need to get something more practical.

A sword would be ideal… or at least some kind of ranged weapon.

With that thought, I pressed the button for a weapon gacha pull.

A strange animation flared across the screen, and just like in the gacha games back in my old world, I knew immediately, I’d hit the jackpot.

“Cocytus SSR.”

The icon showed a sword.

Even without drawing it out, I had the faintest memory of reading that name somewhere before.

The word Cocytus itself reeked of ice.

So, I finally have a real weapon.

Closing the Divine Gacha app, I laid my head back on the pillow to catch a nap until lunch.

“Phone,” I whispered, and it vanished instantly.

Even if Zid forgot to buy food, I still had some hamburger steaks I could share with Janbo, Reimei, and Lily.

For now, rest was my best option.

From what I’d heard earlier, the situation at Dragon’s Graveyard and Flogas was looking pretty grim.

I might not get many chances to sleep once the battles begin.

With that thought, my consciousness slowly drifted away…

A couple of hours later…

“Raki.” Reimei’s voice stirred me awake, followed by two soft knocks at the door.

“Bau,” Janbo barked, nudging me with his paw.

“I’m up,” I muttered, rubbing my eyes.

“Zid’s already prepared lunch,” Reimei called.

“Alright, I’ll be there in a minute,” I replied, dragging myself out of bed, still heavy with sleep but feeling a bit more refreshed.

When I opened the door, Reimei was waiting just outside.

“Let’s go. I’m starving,” she said with a small smile.