Chapter 63: Reunion with the Saintess
[space_man][space_man]On a day when the snow had stopped and the sky was clear, Eld and Marie headed to the Guild after a long time. They were about to take on their next request around noon when, despite the forecast, it started snowing again. Eld and Marie had no choice but to give up on taking a request and decided to have lunch.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The place, which also served as a tavern at night, was not a place they usually frequented. This was because there were several restaurants outside that offered better food for the same price. They only used this place on days with bad weather like this.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]However, this time it turned out to be fortunate. While they were eating, someone called out to them.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’s been a while. Eld, Marie.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]When the two turned towards the voice, they saw Saintess Moira standing there. Unlike at the party, she was wearing a nun’s habit. Behind Moira was a man, and a little further away were several other people in similar attire.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Moira-sa…… no, I was told it was okay to call you Moira, right? It’s been a while. Would you like to sit down?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld urged her.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”You bastard! How dare you speak to the Saintess like that!”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The man behind Moira suddenly threatened Eld. Eld’s eyes widened, and Moira rebuked the man.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Orpha, I gave him permission. Besides, they also have the same Title. They are equals, so there’s no problem even if I didn’t give permission.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”But Moira, you are the higher-ranking 『Saintess』. You are in a different class from those with newly acquired Titles.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Titles also have ranks. The fewer the number of characters in the magic script, and the more attribute names or colors included, the higher the rank. Marie’s Title has three characters, while Eld’s and Moira’s have two. However, Eld’s is ranked higher because it contains two attribute names. However, this is not commonly known. Therefore, it’s not unreasonable to think that the inherited Saintess is higher in rank.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’m sorry. This is Orpha. He’s the High Priest of the Afdedi Church and my partner.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Partner?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie tilted her head at the unfamiliar introduction.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yes. We’re going to get engaged after this pilgrimage is over.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira said shyly, her hand on her cheek. Marie noticed that her expression was slightly clouded.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Oh. I thought people in the church didn’t get married.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld said while drinking the soup in his cup.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I don’t know about other churches, but wouldn’t it be strange for people in a church that worships the Goddess of Love to not know love and not get married? The Goddess of Love often also serves as the Goddess of Marriage.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld nodded in understanding.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Anyway, have a seat. If you’re here, it must be about a request, right?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld urged them to sit down again. Moira called out to her nearby companions, and they sat at another table. Moira and Orpha sat at Eld and Marie’s table.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well then, as I mentioned before, the request is for escort. We’ll also be going to the Ibert Mountain Range, but first, we’ll be doing missionary work for the Afdedi Church in this territory, so I’d like you to accompany us on that as well.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira started speaking as soon as she sat down.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”So the main purpose is missionary work. Well, that’s fine. Is the Ibert Mountain Range last?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yes. We’d like to follow this route.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Orpha spread out a map, and Moira pointed to the marked route.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’s designed to be efficient. The last stop is the village at the foot of the Ibert Mountain Range. Certainly, if the weather is good, we should be able to complete the circuit in about two weeks.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie said while looking at the map. Eld agreed. However, this year was a year with heavy snowfall. It was doubtful whether they could complete the circuit even if they doubled the number of days.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Are you going to do missionary work even on a day like this?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld said, looking outside.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yes. We can travel in this kind of weather, but outdoor missionary work might be a little difficult. In that case, I think the duration will be extended.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira said with a troubled expression.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I didn’t expect this much snow to have accumulated.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It seems to be a year with heavy snowfall. It can’t be helped.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]When Eld said that, Orpha clicked his tongue.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Orpha!”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira scolded him.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”My apologies. Certainly, the budget is not a problem, but when unexpected things happen……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Orpha apologized honestly. Eld wasn’t sure if he was short-tempered or just nervous, but he thought he didn’t want to get involved with him too much.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”When do you want to leave? If the snow isn’t a problem, we can leave tomorrow, though it might be a problem for us.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld looked at Marie. Marie nodded as well.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”We’ll also be doing missionary work in this town, so we’ll probably leave around noon. The forecast says it will be sunny tomorrow. Since we still have to do the Guild procedures, it looks like the contract will have to be signed tomorrow.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well, I guess that’s fine. We’ve been waiting for over a month, so we’re ready on our end.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld said with a laugh.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”That’s good to hear. Then, I look forward to working with you starting tomorrow.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Moira bowed her head. Orpha just nodded with a somewhat displeased expression.
[space_man]
[space_man]
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Hey, do you think Moira is really okay with getting engaged to that Orpha guy?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie asked Eld when they got home and were checking the luggage they had prepared.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Hm? Why?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”When she said she was going to get engaged after this missionary journey, she seemed embarrassed and…… well, kind of unhappy……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well, I don’t know. Whether she’s okay with it or not, there’s nothing she can do about it.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld said, tilting his head.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well, yeah, but…… I just wonder if it’s okay……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”If you’re worried, why don’t you ask her? You’ll be spending at least two weeks together, so you’ll have a chance to ask, right?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Hmm…… I think Eld is better at asking those kinds of personal questions……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”You want me to delve into a woman’s heart? That’s impossible. Besides, engagements and stuff are traumatic for me.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld let out a dry laugh, remembering how he had postponed his own proposal due to his own selfishness.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Hehe, you’re right. I’ll ask her if I get the chance.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Are you that worried?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yeah…… Something about it……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld groaned, crossing his arms.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Personally, I was more concerned about the number of people wearing glasses.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]He said, recalling the people who had sat at the other table when they met during the day. There were about six of them, and five were wearing glasses. He hadn’t looked closely, but Eld had seen that the five of them had colored eyes.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’m a little curious. That Orpha guy has black hair and black eyes, so maybe that’s why he wasn’t wearing glasses and I thought it was a uniform, but he wasn’t wearing the headgear that the others were wearing. Oh, Moira wasn’t wearing any headgear either. So maybe it’s different depending on their rank?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”You could ask them if you get the chance.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie said with a laugh.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yeah, maybe I will.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld laughed too, and threw the luggage he had finished checking into the subspace.