11-4 Part 2
The Mysterious Book Says to Raise a
Country Bumpkin
- Pilgrims and the Holy City -
Translator : PolterGlast
「So, what are we taking?」
「Umm, then a job we can do just the
two of us would be good!」
「That makes sense. It'll be easier to
lecture you that way.」
「This guy is hopeless... Somehow I
feel the urge to cheer for Kachua unconditionally...」
「And also something a little
difficult or tough. If it's easy, there's no growth or anything.」
The receptionist pulled one of the binders from the shelf
and started flipping through it. Perhaps he also had expectations for Kachua,
he didn't seem to have any objections to my opinion. He had an
uncharacteristically serious expression.
「This one, and this one... how about
around these?」
Then he removed three request forms from the binder and
lined them up in front of us. They were respectively for small-scale bandit
extermination, magic beast subjugation, and pilgrim escort.
「Shinza, can I be selfish... I (Atashi) want to do this one.」
「Pilgrim escort, huh. It looks like the most lenient job,
though.」
「Heeh, are you really sure about
that? Look closely at the reward section, rookie, this is pretty stingy, you
know?」
The pay was a mere 1000 Crowns; split between the two of us,
it was only a measly 500 Crowns. Considering the schedule is a long commitment
of 5 days just one way, I can't understand the mind of someone who would want
to take it.
「Pilgrims don't have much money, so
it can't be helped. Besides, I (Atashi)
want to try imitating you, Shinza. I want to help people in trouble.」
「So green... crap, I'm getting a
hangover since morning...」
「Then I'll rephrase. I want to help
fellow believers!」
「Dead serious, aren't ya... You see, I'm not really into women who reek of religion, it ain't my
taste.」
Lightly ignoring the exchange between the receptionist and Kachua,
I carefully examined the request form. What part of this is a tough job?
「Ah, don't worry about that, I
guarantee it's a difficult quest. Because of the route they're taking, after
all.」
「What do you mean?」
「You'll know if you ask the client.
Now, I'd like to chat happily with you guys more, but time's about up. Off you
go.」
The receptionist handed us a copy of the request form.
Receiving it, we yielded our turn to the guys behind us. A long-term expedition
of 5 days just one way, huh. It might fit the purpose of raising Kachua.
「Shall we give it a try.」
「Yeah! Hehehe... with this, I can be
with you for 10 days, Shinza...」
「That's right. Let's talk a lot about
potatoes.」
「Eh... Geez, aren't we done with that
already...?」
「I haven't even told half of it yet.
Let's go.」
「E, eeeeh............」
Taking Kachua's hand and narrating trivia about
potatoes, I headed to the meeting place with the client.
「A long time ago, my—grandfather, you
see. He made a small potato field in the garden for me... I grew up watching
that.」
◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
The clients, the pilgrims, were staying at a grand cathedral
in the southern part of the Imperial Capital. Unlike the glamorous
attire of the State Church, they were a bunch clad in light brown hemp robes,
looking beyond simple to shabby.
「Thank goodness... We were stuck for
a long time, unable to find an escort. Please take care of us from now on.」
「Ah... Could it be that you are the
leader of the pilgrims?」
The one who responded to us was a woman. A beauty in her
late twenties with long hair hanging down from inside her robe.
「Yes. I am called Yungwi.
Ufufu, despite appearances, I am a pilgrim priest, you know♪」
「A priest?! Shinza, this older
sister is an important person! Ah, I'll say this beforehand, but you can't say
rude things to a priest, okay?!」
「Why is it a given that I will be
rude?」
「Because you are normally
rude, Shinza!」
「Is that so...?」
I was clearly declared to be so. I see, I just lacked
self-awareness; I was birds of a feather with the guild folks too.
「That's right! Priest-sama, Shinza
is rude, but he doesn't mean any harm, so I'll apologize in advance! I'm sorry!」
「Oh no, we're the ones who want to
express our gratitude. Please take care of us from now on, Kachua-san♪」
Let's omit a little. Thus, we escorted the pilgrims and left
the Imperial Capital. The escort targets were a battered wagon and 24
devout believers.
I don't know why, but they seem to have an obsession with
the number 12, and I heard pilgrimages are conducted based on multiples of this
12. It was somewhat informative, so I continued the journey while talking about
potatoes to Priest Yungwi and the others.
The destination is the Holy City Fimbul. An imperial
territory where mixed-bloods of elves and humans live. It's a distance of 5
days on foot heading east from the Imperial Capital. Once started, it's
not a bad job. The eccentric carrying a Shovel on his back walked freely
while keeping an eye on the road ahead.
◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇
Fortunately, Kachua was suited for this request.
Deeply religious, she quickly opened up to the pilgrims and created a smooth,
cooperative relationship.
Thanks to that, I could also interact with the pilgrims
without being suspected that much. Currently, we have passed through the
suburbs of the Imperial Capital and are advancing on a highway where
buildings are sparse.
The high sun is warm, illuminating the vast, verdant plains
and making the world shine faintly. Thinking that Zirant is gazing at
the scene I see through my eyes, even a trivial sight looked rich in delicate
subtleties.
「But, is there a need to go out of your
way to hire escorts?」
「Oh my, haven't you heard from the
guild?」
「You see, Priest-sama. There was a
line behind us, so we were told to ask the client directly...」
「Please call me Yung.」
「Then Yung, tell me why you
spent 1000 Crowns to hire escorts.」
The devout Kachua made a difficult face, indicating
that calling her by a nickname is rude. Sorry. If there is an existence I
revere, it is Zirant alone.
Since that day she shouldered half my pain, I have revised
my evaluation of Zirant. The only god I believe in is Zirant.
Well, accurately speaking, a huge dragon-sama.
「Yes, that is because we will proceed
while visiting sacred sites in various places, so we will deviate from the main
highways and enter forests and mountain paths. And one of the sacred sites we
visit includes the Labyrinth of Stakes...」
Kachua showed
strong interest in the word "labyrinth". Turning back to the priest
next to her, she widened her eyes in excitement. After all, Kachua had
always admired adventurers...
「A labyrinth, huh. Not very familiar
with them in the Imperial Capital... But why is this so-called Labyrinth
of Stakes a problem?」
「You see! They say monsters from the
Abyss are more likely to appear in lands close to a labyrinth!」
Even though she's in the middle of an escort job, Kachua
playfully moved ahead, walking backward and shining her eyes towards us. With
the sunlit grassland and small hills in the background,
she looked exceptionally radiant.
「Yes, that is actually the case.
According to one theory, labyrinths are said to be connected to the Abyss. They
bring treasures to this world, but they remain dangerous—something like that.」
「I don't understand that mindset. Why
go out of your way to want to go to such a place.」
「See, you said something rude! We
have to go because it's a sacred site!」
Thinking carefully, I'm the only Zirant believer.
Everyone else here was a devout follower of the State Church. I prefer the
actually existing Evil Dragon Zirant over a god whose very existence is
uncertain, though.
「Let's enjoy the journey rather than arguing.
Shinza-san, thank you for worrying about us.」
「That's true too. But if everyone
were a reasonable clergy member like you, there would be no hardships...」
「Like I said, Shinza, choose your words a little more carefully?!」
「Impossible. There are many idiots in
the State Church. A friend of mine also had their shop ruined.」
It's nothing but a relief that Dulin settled next to Aneue. How
nice it would be if we could swap this Yungwi's position with Aunt De
Neil's...
「Sorry, let's change the topic. Let's
see—shall we talk about potatoes.」
「Ah, that sounds good~, I love
potatoes♪」
「Eeeeh... You're returning to the
topic of potatoes there...」
Because these pilgrims prefer honorable poverty, when I started talking about potatoes, everyone joined in the conversation. No, for some reason, only Kachua seemed dissatisfied, though. The highway under the clear sky was warm, conversations with the pilgrims grew lively, and an enjoyable journey continued beyond our expectations.
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