Chapter 183 (2/2)

So he really is Sophie's younger brother.

「I see. I've met Sophie a number of times. What does she say about me?」

Shuva gave a strained laugh.「She says you're extremely intellectual and perceptive for a boy.」

Okay. I thought for sure she wrote that I'm a sophistic, c.o.c.ky brat.

「This must be Lavia, and Lady Paula.」

Uh, oh. He just referred to her as “Lady”.

Sophie probably told her brother about Paula's extraordinary healing capabilities. Perhaps Sophie suggested they go to Agiapole because her brother was here. It was definitely possible that she pushed him to recruit Paula to the Church.

「It is an honor to meet you.」

Shuva quickly closed the distance to grab Paula's hand, but Hikaru moved in front of her. Seeing Hikaru's menacing eyes, Shuva panicked.

「Ah, I'm sorry. I don't plan to do that.」

「What do you mean by that?」

「It is up to the person if they want to join the Church or not. I don't have the right to say anything. My sister, who's known as one of the best healing magic users in the Church, said Lady Paula possesses rare abilities. I couldn't help myself. I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable.」Shuva said, bowing.

He's an honest guy at least, unlike his sister. It's clear that I'm younger than him, but he's polite.

Most people might say that Sophie herself was an honest and wonderful woman, but for Hikaru she was as enigmatic as Selyse. It was hard to imagine what went on their minds.

「I'm honored by Lady Sophie's words, but by Hikaru-sama's side is where I belong.」Paula said with a smile.

「It sure looks like it!」Shuva said.「Hikaru, if you have any problems while here in Agiapole, don't hesitate to tell me. I'll do anything I can to help.」

And then he left. It felt like a refres.h.i.+ng wind just blew past. Hikaru was wary of him at first, but in the end, he didn't have a bad impression about the guy.

「Even though he's a monk, he still treats me with, an adventurer, with the proper etiquette.」

In this country, hierarchy was clear through the designation of colors. Monks were the lowest-ranked people, but merchants and adventurers were treated as someone with even lower status.

Usually, monks, who were always bossed around by the Reds and Blues in the tower, would be acting more arrogant in front of normal citizens. Yet not a trace of such behavior could be seen from Shuva. He was humble, just like Saint Rusalka.

「There's good people here too.」Paula said.

「My impression of this city improved somewhat.」Hikaru couldn't help but admit that.

The next day.

A Red Priest nodded satisfactorily as he watched the things brought to his room.

「Ah, finally here. From now on, I live in the tower. There's no higher honor than this.」

「I completely agree.」Gelop said, laughing together with his lackeys.「By the way, I heard this room belonged to a priest who got fired—」

「Ss.h.!.+」The Red Priest raised his forefinger to silence him.「Choose your words carefully. Said priest embarked on a long journey, resulting in less personnel to spread the word of G.o.d, and so I was chosen.」

「Ah, yes, exactly!」

「Be more careful from now on.」

「Understood.」

「Good. I must say, you brought some good stuff.」The priest regarded the beautiful bookshelf by the wall.

「Of course. It's a congratulatory gift for your ascendance to Red Priest, so I got you a fine quality items.」

The things brought in were Gelop's donations—in other words, bribe.

「Just keep this up.」the priest said. He meant “Give me more bribes”.

「Is the priest here?」

A woman with deep-blue hair that swayed as she walked entered the room.

「Lady Katina!」

It was the Pope's senior secretary, Katina. Gelop knew her, but his followers didn't. Since she wasn't wearing any gray, red, or purple, they a.s.sumed she was an ordinary citizen.

「On your knees, you fools!」Gelop ordered his men.

Gelop himself hung his head low. Katina was one of the people closest to the most powerful person in this country, a person beyond reach.

「Wh-What brings you here?」The priest seemed to be panicking as well. He might've expected a Purple to come, but certainly not Katina.

「First, I wish to congratulate you for your promotion to Priest.」

「Thank you very much. I will do my best to serve—」

「I have a small request.」Katina cut him short.

The priest couldn't possibly refuse her.「What would that be? If there's anything I can do, I'll give it my all—」

「I want you to meet an adventurer.」She didn't let him finish again.「His name is Hikaru. He has black hair and black eyes. I want you to recruit him to our side. In other words, make him your p.a.w.n.」

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