A Chance to Relax

The woman who stands in front of me stares at me.

Her sudden greeting startles me at first.

Partly because of my tiredness, I cannot reply to her properly.

"Eh? Uhh...."

The blue-haired woman approaches me with worried look.

"Are you okay?"

"!?"

I am surprised by that and take a step back but my back bumped into something.

I take a look behind and see a fully armored purple knight standing behind me.

... when did he get behind me!?

I am confused by the sudden turn of events.

The purple knight wears a helmet that completely cover his face. He looks at the blue-haired woman and start moving his hands.

Is that... fingerspelling...? It seems like language to communicate with the deaf from what I see.

The blue haired woman seems to understand what the purple knight is saying.

"That's right. First, I need to introduce myself."

After she says that, she looks at me again.

"My name is Sylphie Mariage, a travelling priest. And the knight behind you is my escort, Ekircshteria Pentagon."

Ekircshteria... Pentagon...? That name sounds... familiar. While I am thinking about that name, Sylphie continues her talk.

"You looked really tired so I came here to check on you. Are you... a traveller?"

At least my disguise is working. Noble is the least thing she can think of when she looks at my appearance.

"Uhh.. yes.."

"Where are you going?"

Sylphie keeps interrogating me. I'll be honest and see the situation for now.

"I'm going to Liasr Town."

"Oh! Then we're going to the same place! If you're okay with it, how about we go there together?"

"!... i- is it okay?"

Slyphie nods at my question before she talk again.

"To be honest, I find a bit worrying that a child like you wandering here alone. There is not that many monster in this area, but it's still not safe to be here alone. It's okay to take her in right, Kir-san?"

That purple knight that is referred as "Kir-san" just nods his head in response.

This is... a bit suspicious... I don't think it's a good idea to get into stranger's carriage.

"Sorry, but I-"

*guu~~~~*

Suddenly, a sound of stomach growling can be heard.

That is from my stomach. Damn it, eating only fruits for two days is not enough to satiate my hunger.

"... *smile* we have snacks inside the carriage."

Uwaaaaaa... that is so embarassing...! And Sylphie's consideration makes it even worse!!!

Looks like my condition is worse than expected. Must be because I wasted some energy in fighting those bandits.

Either I get into suspicious carriage or I get attacked by another monster outside or fainted out of tiredness...

In the end, I choose the first option.

"... if it's alright with you. I shall gladly take that offer."

"Great! Let us go inside the carriage now."

Sylphie becomes cheerful after I accept her offer. Three of us walk together to the carriage.

I notice something about the purple knight walking besides me though. Despite how heavy looking that armor is, he never makes any sound while walking.

The next thing I notice is that crest on the back of knight's armored right hand.

I also sense mana coming from that crest of purple shield half-enveloped with black curtain... wait. Isn't this... Crest Force!?

I remember a familiar term when I'm going inside the carriage.

Crest Force, Kaina taught me that before as part of my family's background. It is an authority that was given by the King of Brahmastra Continent to his chosen nobles. Any noble that has that crest will be regarded as higher rank noble called Sacred Pillar that directly supports the ruling of Brahmastra Kingdom.

Graize is also one of those chosen nobles. There is only one crest per family and it is a tradition that the head of the family hold that crest and pass it to the next family head once he retired from that position.

Our crest has a shape of gold sword pointing down with 2 pairs of gold wings. Aside from the design, Crest Force is also a magical crest that gives special magic to its wielder.

Graize Els Victorious used the Crest Force to obtain his indomitable power. He is strong even without the Crest Force but the difference with his own magic and Crest Force is just that big. That crest can also let him to give order to lower rank nobles and commoners in Brahmastra. Anyone that defy his order will be regarded as criminal.

As I revised my family's crest, I look at Ekirschteria's crest when he was sitting besides Sylphie in the carriage.

I also remember Crest Force of Pentagon family. This person has the same rank as Victorious.

Ekirschteria Pentagon... also known as Silent Blade. He is also from the line of Knight family like me and is currently the head of the family. Apparently, the family hides his appearance due to some personal circumstances.... is what Millson told me before.

But more importantly, I did not expect to meet people from Brahmastra at this place so soon.

What should I do... should I reveal my identity...?

No, it's too risky. Even if they don't mean harm, it would be fatal to let the information out that the daughter of Graize family is here. I can't deny the possibility that there is people out there who still wish to kill me.

"It's not much, but would you like this? It's delicious you know."

Interrupting my thought, Sylphie offers me a bread.

That bread is from a box made of wood and it is covered by paper for food preserving purpose. I remove the cover and take a bite.

"... it's good."

I say that on reflex. There is something like condensed milk inside the bread. The sweetness quickly spreads through my whole mouth.

This sweetness... is relaxing.

After spending two days of eating sour and bitter fruits, I start to crave for something sweet. Therefore, I can't resist this plain-looking bread at all.

"Really? Thank goodness it matches your taste."

After saying that, Sylphie is looking at me with kind smile when I am gobbling up the bread. It's a little embarassing but I can't stop myself from eating at this point.

Sylphie then ask a question when I am about to finish my bread.

"Say, what's your name?"

"It's Shion."

I say it right after I finished my bread.

......

Wait, I just suddenly blurt out my real name!? Damn it! The milk bread is too delicious that I stopped thinking just now!!

"Shion huh... do you have a family name?"

"E- etoo... there are circumstances that prohibit me from revealing my family name... so please just call me Shion..."

"I see... once again, nice to meet you Shion."

She says that with a smile.

It's not like I'm lying so this should be fine.

But... I wonder if Ekirschteria realized my identity. I look at the purple knight besides Sylphie. However, I cannot read his expression at all since his face is covered by his helmet. His body movement does not tell me anything either.

In the first place, why would the Brahmastra noble like him come to this place with a travelling priest anyway?

"Do you want more?"

Sylphie said that while offering me another bread.

"Thank you."

My stomach is so honest that I took the bread without thinking again.

But before I eat it, I want to gather more info.

"Say... are you guys from this continent?"

"Hm? No, both of us are actually from Brahmastra continent."

"Brahmastra continent? Why do you guys come to this continent?"

I reply while acting to be clueless.

"We are here to spread the teachings Goddess Astraea."

Goddess Astraea... just like how my mother pray to the god Takatsukikami. Astraea is also a religion from this world.

This world has many religions but there are only two big religions whose teachings cover the major part of world.

The teachings are differentiated based on the continent.

Brahmastra Continent supports the teachings of Astraea Religion.

Sanrock Continent supports the teachings of Takatsukikami Religion.

For Wilderystal Continent.... the Wilderystal Kingdom prohibits any religion teaching inside their continent.

Lastly, the Elverwad Continent.... apparently because they have so many different races, their ways of thinking are completely diverse. On top of that, various demi-human races have their own local beliefs and religion. That's why neither Astraea nor Takatsukikami religion's teachings are able to spread their teachings to this whole continent.

But unlike Wilderystal Continent, Elverwad Continent does not prohibit the religion teachings. In the first place, unlike the other three continents, Elverwad does not have a kingdom for it's governing purpose. So no one has the authority to rule over the whole Elverwad continent.

She will spread the Astraea's teachings at Liasr Town if what she said is the truth.

Sylphie continues to explain her activities.

"We will be conducting sermon inside Liasr Town's church tomorrow. Those breads will be given for free to those who attend the sermon."

"!?"

I stop eating the bread midway after I heard that. So the breads that I just ate are supposed to be given to other people tomorrow!?

"Ah, but I made quite a lot so I'm sure there will be some extras after the sermon."

"I- I see."

I finish my 2nd bread but decide to not take the 3rd one.

Ekirschteria looks at Sylphie and starts doing his fingerspelling again.

Sylphie then looks at me.

"Kir-san wants to know what you are doing here."

Why the escorted priest need to become the translator for the knight who is protecting her though...

It can't be helped. Guess I'll have to use that convenient excuse...

"I- I want to go there to become an adventurer..."

"Adventurer....? Wait... may I ask what is your age??"

Sylphie said that after being surprised by my statement.

"I'm 8 years old this year."

"EIGHT!?"

Sylphie shouts unable to hide her surprise. But she immediately regain her composure back.

"S- sorry. I was surprised to find out how young you are..."

"No, I don't mind."

I say that because it is an expected reaction. It sounds that strange for a little girl like me aiming to become an adventurer.

"A lot happened.. so I need to become an adventurer and support myself..."

"... I see...."

Sylphie looks a bit sad and does not ask questions anymore. Well, it will be troubling for me if she ask further questions so I'll just leave it at that.

A few minutes later, I can see the big gate at where the carriage is going to.

"You can see the gate, right? That is Liasr Town"

Not too long after Slyphie's statement of introduction, the blue carriage that was carried by 2 white horses arrives at the border of Liasr Town.

The guards there notice the carriage and make way for the carriage to enter.

"Welcome to Liasr Town."

Some of them even greet the people inside of carriage instead of inspecting them.

... So easy!!

I am currently inside the blue carriage and they let me enter the town without even interrogating me.

It feels like my thoughts about how to enter this town was all for nothing. But that's probably because I'm with Sylphie and Ekirschteria.

As I think that, I begin to look at the people inside the town.

I see many people from different races like elves, dwarves, beastmen and some other races that I can't identify. There are sure lots of different demi-human races in this world huh....

Few minutes later, the carriage arrives at a church.

Sylphie asks me to stay inside the carriage since it won't take much time.

From inside the carriage, I can see Sylphie talking to a male priest and Ekirschteria handing over the box filled with milk bread to the nuns.

Not too long after that, both of them come back to the carriage. Sylphie then suggests three of us to go to bath house. But Ekirschteria tells her that we need secure places in the inn first before going to the bathhouse... that's what Sylphie told me since I can't understand his fingerspelling.

... there is bathhouse in this world huh. I obtain a very important info.

After reserving 2 rooms (1 for me and 1 for both of them) in the inn, we go straight to the bath house. It seems like we need to pay 1 silver coin per room to take a bath there for 1 hour. That's quite... expensive.

I want to pay for myself but Sylphie stopped me and paid 3 coins for all 3 of us to enjoy.

I am kind of surprised but they don't really separate the gender for the rooms here. But since I can take a bath using hot water here, I don't really mind.

Then I notice the clothes that I have. My tattered clothes and clothes I got from the bandit. I don't feel like wearing them after I took the bath. And I prefer to not wear my tattered clothes to avoid getting attention.

The shower here use magic to pour out water and control the temperature of the water. I use Overtake on the shower and put "Cleanse" magic formula in it. Then I wash all my clothes clean using the modified shower for about 20 minutes.

Yup, it's good to have clean clothes to wear.

I want to repair and modify my tattered clothes to become less conspicuous but it will take too much time so I just focus on drying all my clothes using my Overtake instead. Of course I return the magic formula of the shower back to normal afterwards.

Afterwards, we go to the inn and have some dinner since the inn also have dining area.

Sylphie insists on paying so I choose to eat the cheapest meal set consisting of 1 slice of ham and salads. It costs 3 bronze coins and Sylphie also order the same thing. For some reason, Ekirschteria did not eat at all.

Either they are frugal despite their appearance or they are being considerate of me...

.....

....

...

"Good night."

Sylphie says that to me before she went back to her room.

Now I am alone in my room. I want to change to pajama but I remember that I don't have my pajama anymore so I'll just sleept with these stolen clothes.

I already put my things on the floor. All that's left is to sleep.

I go to the not-so-fluffy bed(compared to the bed in my house) and pull the blanket over my body.

"1 night for 6 bronze coins huh..."

Taking a bath in the bathhouse is surprising more expensive than staying in an inn. Looks like people here clean themselves by either using Cleanse magic or wipe their body using towel and a bucket of water.

Well, since I need to wake up early tomorrow, I need to sleep soon.

As I close my eyes, I just realize that this is first time I am able to sleep peacefully after that incident.

That incident...

I remember my family... especially my mother..

And then... I remember the splattering red....

I remember the beastmen and their voice.

"I wanted him to taste the feeling that I experienced that day. That feeling feeling when you got something precious stolen from you."

Then I remember Midora and his voice.

"The reason is simple... it's because I'm justice.. and all of you Kingdom's dogs... are evil."

Kaina's cheerful face and voice come to mind.

"Good morning, Shion-sama!"

"T- there's no way I would dare to do that!"

"C'mon Shion-sama... don't even joke about that. If Kaina is here, she would not take it as a joke."

Then Kaina's face becomes expressionless and says something to me.

"There is nothing more you can do."

*sniff*

Before I knew it, tears already come out from my eyes.

Don't think about it.

I try my best to do that. And yet, the memory of what happened 2 days ago becomes more vivid instead.

"*sob* Haa...!"

Being able to relax makes it easier for me to remember that painful memory.

I continue to sob on my bed until I completely fall asleep.