Vol 6 Chapter 2.1 (1/2)

Vol. 6 Chapter 2 Part 1

The party cut through the wind and continued to fly.

It had been a few hours since they left Bayreuth. They took breaks and continued their journey, making it past the Melt mountains before sunset

They had to go around the mountains, and it took longer than if they had just gone straight through it. It was inevitable, since the dragons were not full grown and the party did not want to anger the Melt mountains guardian, the Mist Garuda.

The elder dragons that Vizzy brought had yet to reach adulthood.

She had intended to bring adult elder dragons, but it was breeding season. It was not possible to remove them from Rashugum.

That was why she had brought the younger ones, who werent ready for breeding yet.

Aside from their sizes, they werent that different from the adults. However, their smaller stature made an impact on their flying abilities.

They werent as fast as the adults, nor could they fly very high.

If the elder dragons were adults, it would have been possible to fly over the Melt mountains easily.

There was a variation in the packs colors, because there werent enough green elder dragons the fastest ones. Aside from that, having a set of dragons with different specialties was better for an emergency.

We should set camp here tonight.

Just in case, Ill set up aBarrierandWall.

Right. Ill pitch a tent.

s.h.i.+n took out a tent for camping from his Item Box.

It wasnt a personal-sized tent, but for a party or a group. Since the tent comes out fully a.s.sembled, theres no need for extra work.

Still, some players enjoy a.s.sembling tents during game play.

The tent was large enough for a party of 6, the party limit, to the extent that they could all huddle up and sleep together. However, in this case the tent was divided into two sections. Men and Women.

There was simple bedding provided inside, with adequate temperature control. Obviously magic was involved.

its from Berett.

A message arrived from Berett, as s.h.i.+n set up camp. He had asked for more information about the church from the Golden Company that Berett managed.

s.h.i.+n looked over the information.

The firm had a branch in the city of Sigurd, where the churchs headquarter was based. Berett had ordered his workers to spy on the churchs movements. So far nothing was out of the ordinary.

The church had gained support from several different regions, after being involved in revival movements post Dusk of the Majesty.

There were many religions across Eltnia, like those who wors.h.i.+pped indigenous G.o.ds and heroes. Still, church followers made up the majority of the population.

The Pope was at the top, with several cardinals and priests below him, dispatched across Eltnia and its many smaller countries. Due to the volume of followers and the expansion of the church organization, Sigurd alone felt like its own city state.

Of course, other countries did not approve of this way.

That was why the churchs knights acted like a standing army, clearing out the monsters in the area as a way of keeping balance with the surrounding countries. Rumor has it, that there was even a special military force composed of only Chosen Ones.

Some individuals also possessed their own Chosen Ones.

Perhaps Bulk and Elines relations.h.i.+p was just another form of that.

Im sure that theyre already there. Who knows what theyre doing.

It was hard for s.h.i.+n to decide whether Millies abduction was Bu lk acting out rashly, or the will of the church.

He felt like it was probably the former, but when he also considered Millies abilities, it was entirely likely that the churchs upper echelon had their own personal agenda.

Berett had already been notified that a child with special abilities had been abducted by a father of the church. It would take some time though for the details to become clear.

They were up against the church though. It would be irresponsible to drag in those who were not involved to begin with.

Was Bulk alone? Were there others? It was necessary to make it clear.

Regardless of who was responsible whether it was just Bulk or a few others it had to be stopped. And it had to be stopped at all costs.

Its impossible to know how Millies doing, or how much the church really knows.

The inside of the church has more intense security than castles around here. Besides, on this continent, the church definitely has the most Chosen Ones. Even if we have friends in the Golden Company, its not going to be easy.

If it were just a numbers game, the adventure guild had an advantage. However, the church had more Chosen Ones under its command that were free to do as they pleased.

This force was quite potent, especially since the extent of each individuals abilities were unknown. The church could easily take over any of the countries in the vicinity.

If all of the church is in on it, it means that we have to take everyone down thats annoying. Should we take them down all in one sweep?

There shouldnt be too many of them. Perhaps that would be easier for us to maneuver.

s.h.i.+n was talking to himself, and Schnee responded while cooking.

This was if the church was in on it, or if the upper echelon of the church had been a part of it. If this were the case though, the church would have to go down.

Wait, wait, wait! s.h.i.+n, I mean you guys, are starting to sound a little crazy!

Tiera had to intervene.

Of course Tiera was upset about Millie.

However, it was worrisome hearing s.h.i.+n and Schnee practically declaring war on the entire church.

But of course, it wasnt as if s.h.i.+n and Schnee were going to attack the church right now, at this instant. Still, it was nothing to joke about.

Well, Im sure that itd be easy for the two of you.

Unlike Tiera, Wilhelm couldnt hide the astonishment in the tone of his voice.

Of course he was still bitter, but time had cooled down his temper. In comparison to before they had taken off, he had controlled his emotions much more.

You too Wilhelm-san, please refrain from saying absurd things

It cant be helped. If were getting Millie back, the end result will be the same for anyone who gets in the way.

Wilhelm glared towards Sigurd.

s.h.i.+n agreed.

The only two that he knew would be a handful, were Father Bulk and his loyal pet Eline. Aside from those two, s.h.i.+n and company did not know; what other war potentials they had, why they were after Millie, and why they possessed Exvaine.

One thing was for certain, and that was s.h.i.+n and his partys purpose.

They had to get Millie back. That was it.

The enemy could be the whole church, or part of the church. It didnt matter. They knew what they had to do, and they had the strength to do it.

s.h.i.+n heaved a sigh like he was letting out all of the heat in his body. He loosened his shoulders.

Its not like we need to make decisions right now. We should eat. Sorry Tiera.

He hadnt lost his cool, but he was aware that he was more aggressive than usual.

He apologized to a concerned-looking Tiera and tried to focus on something else.

But when master and s.h.i.+n say such things, its never to be taken lightly. Besides, dinner is served. Master, how did you do that.

Schnee had never stopped working throughout the conversation.

s.h.i.+n looked over at what Tiera was talking about. The table was set and the food was ready.

Oh, this is nothing. Vizzy! Dinners ready.

Schnee called on Vizzy who was tending to the elder dragons.

Vizzy fed the 5 different colored elder dragons, and s.h.i.+n and his party couldnt help her.

The dragons each bit into their own pile of meat, that would have come from at least one cattle.

Sorry for the wait~. Wow~. What a feast~. It doesnt feel like were camping out~.

Vizzy walked towards s.h.i.+n and the party, and smiled at the meal.

Aw Schnee~ this is impressive. Im glad that youre finally able to show off after all that practice while s.h.i.+n was gone~.

She had known about Schnee leveling up at cooking.

Vizzy, did you see Schnee often during that time?

Yes~. We cooked~ wed knit too~. By the way~ did she give it to you yet~?

Give what?

What do you mea~n!

Vizzy was cut off abruptly.

Schnee had stopped her from finis.h.i.+ng her thought by blocking her mouth.

It was out of the blue, and Vizzy tried to get out of Schnees hold. after all, she works for Cashmere in the Rokuten. Shes much more adept than most upper cla.s.s Chosen Ones.

Schnee however had been born and raised for combat. Vizzys resistance was useless, given the cla.s.s difference.

Mmmmm! Mmmmmm! Mmmm. Vizzy was growing weaker. She was out of breath.

UmSchnee?

Yes?

I dont know what Vizzy was about to say, but can you let her go now? Shes starting to look a little limp.

Vizzy didnt look a little limp. The moment Schnee let go of her, she gasped for air.

Ah, haaaa, Schnee that was heartless~.

You really should keep your mouth shut.

Really~? But you worked so hard Okayyy~. I wont say anything anymore~.

Schnee was raising her right arm with a gritty smile on her face, and Vizzy raised both hands as a gesture of surrender. Schnee was smiling, except she wasnt.

Not only did this exchange ease the tension, but it left s.h.i.+n aghast.

Perhaps Vizzy understood what was at stake, and she was trying to lighten the mood in her own wayperhaps

I dont get it, but lets eat.

Once they were finished eating, they prepared for the journey ahead and went to bed. No one was on guard duty. They had set up bothBarrierandWallspells, and no one stood a chance against this party.

At the rate that they traveled, it was possible for s.h.i.+baid to join them and for the party to arrive in Sigurd by the end of tomorrow.

Contact had been made with Berett already. If any new information were obtained through the Golden Company in Sigurd, itd be relayed to s.h.i.+n promptly. While he doubted that anything new would come up overnight, he still had the investigation continue.

The dawn came and the party was heading toward Kilmont.

They had left early in the morning, so before noon, they were a field away from the royal capital of Kilmont.

(I can see the capital. We can get off our ride soon. How about you?)

(Im ready. Ill leave the capital now. Where should we meet?)

s.h.i.+n and s.h.i.+baid were communicating via Mind Chat, and had a meeting place set. They would head back to Kilmont after getting Millie back.

The elder dragons landed a few kemels away from Kilmont.

In the direction from Kilmont, a shadow was approaching.

Someones coming.

Tiera noticed the presence, and she tried to see more closely.

Its s.h.i.+baid. I got in touch with him beforehand.

s.h.i.+n told his party not to worry. They waited.

Within 5 minutes, the shadow emerged.

It was s.h.i.+ns support character no. 4, s.h.i.+baid Etraku, covered in black scales and kicking up the dirt as he trekked to meet s.h.i.+n.

His luggage must be in an Item Box. He wasnt as fast as s.h.i.+n or Schnee, but he sped towards them at well past the speed of an upper cla.s.s Chosen One.

He wore protective gear which was different to the full body armor he originally wore. Only parts of his body such as the hands, feet and waist were protected with armor.

Am I late?

No, we flew. Its no surprise that we couldnt meet at the same time. Sorry that we hurried you.

No need to apologize. I could never stay still, hearing that those with a holy occupation would bring harm to a small child.

s.h.i.+baid let out a fiery breath. In contrast to Vizzy, he scowled and showed his disdain clearly.

s.h.i.+baid showed more enthusiasm than s.h.i.+n and the party. It could be the mix of his personality and his occupation a similar field as a holy knight.

Now that weve met~. We should leave~. Oh, s.h.i.+baid is heavy~, so Schnee should ride with s.h.i.+n~. s.h.i.+baid should~ride the dragon that Schnees riding~.

For some reason Vizzy gave a thumbs up while giving out orders.

I get it. Sorry Schnee.

Its not a problem.

Okay.

There was nothing to disagree with, so s.h.i.+n accepted it.

s.h.i.+baid was heavy. It made sense to switch riders.

If there was any confusion, it was the fact that Schnee should ride with Tiera, since they were the two lightest characters.

Excuse me.

Im sure youll be fine, but you should grab on tight.

Schnee wrapped her arms around s.h.i.+ns waist, and held on tightly. s.h.i.+n made sure that they were secure, and ordered his elder dragon to rise.

If it werent for the dire situation, the ride should have been enjoyable. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

The 5 dragons leapt into the air. s.h.i.+n and his party was now headed straight for Sigurd.

Meanwhile, the church had no idea that the worlds most powerful ability holders were on their tail. Father Bulk had returned, and he was headed to one location.

Eline followed behind him carrying Millie.

The two were walking along a block that was not known to the public. Only powerful men within the church knew of its existence, such as a cardinal or an even higher status.

It was an undisclosed location within the guild house Palmirack, used as a safe house or an experiment room.

The building itself was st.u.r.dy and the walls and floors gave off heat.

Doors would open on their own just from sensing a presence.

Magic was abundant, authenticating individuals across several species.

Spells were active in these chambers that were impossible to recast from before the Dusk of the Majesty, and the leaders of the church held their offices and slept in these halls.

A portion of the equipment in Palmirack was functional, and in a way that people could utilize it.

Father Bulk was walking through corridors that were divided into even smaller sections, where several clearances pa.s.ses were necessary. Unlike the other areas with several rooms, they stopped at one room the size of an entire area. Beautiful decorations adorned the room where Father Bulk stopped.

It was the room of the Holy Woman.

Pardon us.

Father Bulk opened the door without knocking.

For a personal room, it appeared very spa.r.s.e. One look and youd think that it was a prayer room.

It was about 25 mels by 40 mels. The ceiling was 10 mels high. The room was enormous.

The floor in the center was a step higher than the rest of the room, giving off an even greater impression that this was a room for prayer.

Except that there was a bed there. A thin cloth draped from above, surrounding this bed.

You could see the shadow of a pet.i.te woman.

Sorry, did we disturb you? How are you my dearest Saint?

Your sarcasm is ill taken. Stop it.

Bulk bowed elaborately, and this was only making the Holy Woman more disgusted.

Most people would have fallen in love with such a soothing voice, but the disdain was palpable.

Well, well. It seems that I am truly hated. I figured you were lonely, so I brought you your own kind.

My own? ! No!

The Holy Woman held her breath as she processed Bulks words.

Of course, she knew that he didnt mean her own species, when he had said her own kind.

As a holy man, Father Bulk has swayed far from the righteous path. But he would never bring an outsider to a Holy Womans room, just because theyre the same species.

Which meant one thing with regards to her special t.i.tle.

You guess it right.

The Saints expression became grim as Father Bulks words sank in.