Chapter 46 - 48: Foiling Another False Accusation (1/2)
We arrived at an outstanding church within the castle town.
”He-Hero of the Shield!?”
I was greeted by an extremely bitter face.
Just how much do you reject me to show such a face.
As I expected, due to the **** accusation scandal will I be refused entry to the church?
”Do not be alarmed.”
The priest from the church came and scolded the sister who scowled at us.
...Something feels off, but there is nothing I can do about it.
”What do you need from our church?”
”Ah, my companion received a strong curse so I would like to purchase strong holy water.”
This guy did not openly antagonize me so let's stay neutral.
A price list is hanging from the wall.
”Then, please give an offering.”
Are you asking for an offering because I am supposed to know the price from the price tag?
”How much is it?”
”The effects from the cheapest to strongest holy water is 5 silver, 10 silver, 50 silver, and 1 gold coin.”
I was expecting them to add sanctions but...
”It doesn't seem like a good idea to negotiate for discounts in front of god, so I'll take the strongest holy water you have for 1 gold.”
”Naofumi-sama you shouldn't get such an expensive thing just for me.”
”It's fine. I already said so before. I cherish you. Compared to Raphtalia, one gold coin is nothing.”
”T-thank you very much!”
I give the gold coin to the priest while Raphtalia is thanking him.
”Understood”
The priest instructed the sister to bring a bottle of holy water.
...I check the quality of it with the Judge Skill.
Quality : Bad
I glare at the priest who makes a confused face.
The priest then checks the holy water and his expression changes.
”Why did you bring something so low quality ?”
”but he is...”
”God is merciful. Repent for you barbaric act of satisfying your own sense of justice right now.”
”I-I am sorry!”
”I apologize. Our church has been rude”
”I won't complain if you give me my money's worth”
”I appreciate your benevolence.”
The priest personally goes to get the holy water.
I check the holy water again.
Holy water of curse removal.
Quality: High Quality
”Well, this is what we came for.”
I receive the bottle of holy water.
”Is that water delicious? Give Firo some too!”
”This is not for drinking. This is Raphtalia's medicine. Is there something wrong with you that requires it too?”
”Yes. Firo is always energetic!”
”Then it is not necessary.”
”Huh~?”
I turn to the priest while Firo has a question mark floating above her head.
”I am grateful. Later, please say the same to that sister at the Hourglass of the Dragon's era. That person is trying to make a fool of me.”
”I understand. They are shameful displays unworthy of a person of faith.”
”.....I see.Well, Good-bye”
”Thank the guidance of God.”
I feel that the priest is a pretty good person.
This country would be a better place if there are more people like him.
I leave the church with thank kind of impression.
”Ah! There you are!”
For some reason Itsuki, Ren, and their followers run up to us after we leave the church.
What do these guys want.
Everyone is gathering in the castle town, what kind of situation is this.
This time Itsuki isn't wearing low quality equipment, he is wearing all high quality equipment.
Itsuki is looking at me with displeasure and speaks first.
”You theif! you stole the achievements and rewards of my work”
”What!?”
Why would I steal Itsuki's reward?
”Me too. The request that was meant for me was taken by you.”
I don't know what they are talking about. And then I remember, that plagued village that I helped may have requested help from them.
”I may have taken Ren's job, but I don't know about Itsuki.”
”Are you playing dumb?”
”I just said I didn't know.”
”Wait wait. Even if Naofumi does not confess, I want to talk first.”
”Don't talk as if I am a criminal.”
”Did master do something?”
”I did not do anything! At least nothing that I remember!”
While soothing Raphtalia and Firo, I glare at Itsuki and Ren.
”Anyway, explain the situation.”
”Then I'll start”
Itsuki started explaining his circumstances to me.
It seems Itsuki received a request to investigate and if necessary exterminate feudal lords causing problems in the northern area, the fellow dressed in armour that stood out was his companion and went to receive the reward from the guild that requested his help.
However, it was said that the reward of the request that the Hero of the Bow was already paid, and Itsuki concluded that the only person to do something like that was me.
”You know, Shogun-sama... While you are hiding in the shadows and defeating evil, never revealing your true nature, people won't know who did what. I know revealing you are a hero is your hobby but there are many rumours going around.”
”Sho-Shogun!? Wh-What are you talking about!?”
”Placing a sword on your waist and pretending to be an adventurer. Shogun-sama.”
Itsuki seems to remember and starts shouting at me. Yup, that's the attitude toward requests that is giving Itsuki a problem in the first place.
No one will identify you as the Hero of the Bow with that kind of appearance.
Because of that, your recognition by the country has become either the Hero of the sword's or Hero of the spear's.
Why the hell am I actually evaluating something like this, it's meaningless.
Being a secretive hero judging evil is cool, but it is not recognized by the world.
While I am still an university student, I understand that appearances are necessary for society to acknowledge you.
If somebody wants to take Itsuki's recognition for his job all he has to do is announce he is the one who did it.
I mean that kind of hero will exterminate evil because he wants to, not for money or fame.
...It's a painful topic. In the sense of being a Saint.
”Did you resolve the request as the Hero of the Bow? It is only in the town where the tax is high did I hear it was you. And at that time it was because I was there.”
”Because I was keeping it a secret.”