Vol 6 Chapter 2.2 (1/2)

Vol. 6 Chapter 2 Part 2

s.h.i.+n and Schnee decided to go in head on.

Palmirack was a guild house that emulated a temple. Supposedly several travelers gathered there as a destination to train.

The facilities were still around to do that, and regardless of being old or young, male or female, people came. Travelers and merchants also came to gossip, so the training grounds were always bustling.

I dont think it looks that different from before.

I agree.

Even though the number of people there was different, it was similar to how s.h.i.+n remembered the place. The main difference was that there was someone collecting money from those who wanted to enter the training ground.

But the map hasnt updated itself.

In order to know the interior, wed have to sneak in.

s.h.i.+n had a.s.sumed that the map would change once they were closer to Palmirack. The map didnt budge. They were still able to map out the area though, so it was possible to explore.

While they wanted to barge in, Palmirack was a Rokuten guild house. You couldnt tell how functional its facilities were, and it was not prudent to try to break-in in broad daylight.

Even s.h.i.+n didnt know all that the building was capable of.

On top of that, Palmirack was Cains base he had several architecture-related bonuses. Of the 6 guild houses, it was supposedly the most dangerous one. s.h.i.+n had to be careful.

s.h.i.+n, Schnee, and Yuzuha pretended to admire the building like tourists, as they circled and marked on the map the places that looked easy to get in through.

Hm?

What is it?

Theres a high-level person there. She might be a high-ranking priest.

From straight ahead where s.h.i.+n and Schnee were, a priest that looked different from the others headed towards them.

It was a woman, with light green hair and brown eyes. Given her beautiful physical appearance and the thin pointy ears just barely visible through her long hair, one could a.s.sume that she was an elf. Her movements were graceful and at level 206, she was different from the average priest.

h.e.l.lo.

Oh. h.e.l.lo.

The elf priest approached s.h.i.+n, unlike the other priests who ignored them.

Are you sightseeing?

Yes. This is our first time in Sigurd. We had been talking about stopping by here.

Thats wonderful. My name is Lilis.h.i.+la. If you have any questions, please feel free to talk to me or any of the other priests.

Im s.h.i.+n. This is Yuki and Yuzuha. Thank you for your kind words. But, why are you talking to us? Were surrounded by other tourists.

Thats because you are with a High Elf.

Lilis.h.i.+las words surprise s.h.i.+n.

Theres no way to tell the difference between an elf and a High Elf just from looking. Yet, Lilis.h.i.+la had correctly a.s.sumed that Schnee was a High Elf.

Im sorry if I alarmed you. Im able to tell the difference between an elf and a High Elf. Its hard to explain its quite instinctive.

I see. I couldnt tell you the difference between those two, so I had thought that there might be some kind of distinction.

Its quite an impressive skill.

He asked Schnee via Mind Chat, but even Schnee says that telling the difference just from looking is incredibly difficult. Its not as if you could tell the difference based on status or level, or aura.

I have yet to meet anyone else who can do this.

Though e lves were said to be quite sensitive, perhaps her sensitivities are unique.

If theres anywhere you havent seen yet, Id love to be your guide.

Are you sure? Arent we in your way of work?

Id say that its part of the job description to show the church to those who havent seen it before. Besides, I love conversing with those who visit here.

s.h.i.+n would have preferred to see around on their own, but he considered the idea of gaining new insight by talking to a priest.

He asks about the churchs history and other things, and ventures onto other topics of interest.

Lilis.h.i.+la, if you dont mind me asking, are you perhaps trained in the martial arts?

Yes. In case the civilians need protection. Thats also part of the job description. However, the church also has their own guards. Why do you ask?

I also have some training. I could tell that you dont make any unnecessary movements.

I see. But of course, its expected of those who had fought alongside the Balmel guards.

did you know about us?

s.h.i.+n was taken aback and stopped.

Yes. Im terribly sorry. Truth be told, I approached the two of you because you are you.

Lilis.h.i.+la bowed down. She didnt seem to be dangerous.

News travels fast.

But of course, it is known that if a Chosen One can communicate through Mind Chat, distance is not an issue. Balmel is one of the important cities that protects the Sacred Land. We too, make efforts in order to gain new knowledge. Besides, as an adventurer who fought together with Princess Rionne to defend Balmel, s.h.i.+n-sama is quite well-known. Regardless of being able to hear through Mind Chat, it would have reached my ears eventually.

Schnee nodded proudly.

They had made some efforts to hide their faces when entering Sigurd, but they werent usingHidingper se. Perhaps someone had seen them?

I see. So then. What is your purpose? I dont want to waste your time if youre trying to convert us.

Of course, that wasnt the case, but it had to be said.

No not at all. But of course, I would welcome you into the church with all of my heart. This is a different matter. Its really not appropriate here. Id love to welcome you to my chambers.

Alright.

s.h.i.+n decided that theyd get more useful information if they followed Lilis.h.i.+la, rather than saying no.

This was the kind of action that could only be afforded by those with unbelievable status and skills. He knew that no matter what theyd be able to get out of a sticky situation. After all, Palmirack was just a very strong building that could easily be destroyed, if necessary.

Schnee didnt argue either. She trailed one step behind s.h.i.+n.

Behind Lilis.h.i.+la, they stepped through several doors and climbed down several flights of stairs. They were eventually at a corridor full of doors.

Living quarters.

It seems that the priests sleep here.

While walking, s.h.i.+n verifies lights and all of the utility functions were functioning.

Lilis.h.i.+la opened one of two doors that were side by side, and invited the two in.

It was a large s.p.a.ce. The size of a 2DK apartment.

The kitchen was quite expansive, and this s.p.a.ce was built with one bathroom and two smaller rooms.

s.h.i.+n and Schnee sat down after being asked to sit.

Lilis.h.i.+la brought out tea.

Here.

He took a sip after saying Thanks.

It must have been harp tea. It had a soothing taste and scent.

What did you want to talk about?

I wanted to discuss a certain priest belonging to the church. I believe that when the Flood in Balmel occurred, a Chosen One of the church was separated. You must know of this by now.

s.h.i.+n was reminded of what Rionne had told him.

Thats right, if Im not mistaken, he left to escort someone. I also understand that the church overall frowns upon this matter.

Absolutely. That should never be the case to begin with. But of course, we also had not antic.i.p.ated such acts of barbarity.

It became clear that the incident at Balmel was beyond the imagination of Lilis.h.i.+la and the church as well.

Do you know whos the mastermind?

Yes. I understand that hes trying to place the blame on the others, but the person behind it all is Father Bulk Elbach. Hes a member of the church here.

Lilis.h.i.+la answers Schnees question. But it was not as though Bulk had given the orders directly. He seemed to have prepared an escape route for himself.

BulkIm sorry to interrupt you. Isnt this Father also involved at Bayreuths church?

s.h.i.+n was connecting the dots.

Yes. I understand that Father Bulks quite involved in a church in Bayreuth. Not just that, I believe that its a church for commoners, and not the elite. Why, do you know something?

No. I just wanted to make sure of something Ill explain later. Please continue.

Sure. s.h.i.+n-sama. Yuki-sama. I have a favor to ask of you. I need your help in capturing Bulk. I can reward you with anything within my capability.

Is this a personal request?

Under normal circ.u.mstances, I would be asking as a member of the church. However, theres a reason that I cannot do that.

s.h.i.+n had a.s.sumed at first that she was asking on behalf of the church. He was wrong. This must have also been a reason they were invited to her private quarters.