Episode 11.9-10 (1/2)
They camped out that night, then the next morning, Lecan and Eda visited the temple.
It's because Nike suggested that they could go out of town at noon once they were done having the talk if they visited the temple in the morning. Nike herself had gone back ahead to the town to take care of her business.
The temple's gate is made of stones, with two huge statues installed on both sides.
The statue on the right is in the shape of a human with a wand on its right hand and a wheat head on its left.
The left statue is that of an ominous looking magic beast. Must be for warding off evils.
Both statues have magic put under them. Probably for protection.
They climbed up stone steps and reached an entrance at the end.
There's a huge sturdy hinged door installed, both sides wide open.
There are more smaller hinged doors inside, all of them are also opened wide.
Lecan and Eda climbed up the stone steps passing through two doors.
They reached an open space with an altar and people offering their prayers on their own.
A man who seemed to be a temple staff member stood.
”I'm Lecan. Heard that the temple is calling for my pupil, Eda, so here we are. We want an audience with third-rank priest, Casis.”
A young priest was called to guide them to a room where they waited before a plump priest soon came. His chubby face is all smiles.
”Well, well. You must be Eda-san then?”
”Please ask that to Lecan.”
”Haa?”
”You can give your name.”
”Un, I got it. Yes, I am Eda.”
”Is that right. I'm glad to meet you. And you must be her escort, Lecan-san. Good work. You can go back now.”
”Very well, I'll take Eda back with me. Farewell.”
”W-wait a minute. Where do you think you're going. Eda-san will have to stay here.”
”Eda is a pupil of mine, also a party member. I'll be in her company if you have a business with her.”
”This is our temple's problem. It's not something the likes of mere adventurers should concern themselves with.”
”Is that all you have to say?”
”Haa?”
”I'm asking if your business with Eda is done.”
Smiles immediately disappeared from priest Casis's face. The smile soon resurfaced, but his squinted eyes had a callous glint on them.
”Haha. Oh I see now, that's how it is. What a blunder on my side, please excuse me. Oy.”
A boy who was standing by behind priest Casis presented a small pouch to him. Priest Casis dangled that small pouch with the tips of his fingers before Lecan.
”Take it and off you go now. May god Ceres protection be with you.”
Priest Casis haphazardly drew some sort of holy mark in the air with his left finger to bless Lecan.
”Really. Okay, we're heading back, Eda.”
”Un.”
”Hold it right there. You really don't get it do you. This pouch contains the blessing of god, see. It's worth several days of your labor. You get this pouch in exchange for Eda-san.”
”<Appraisal>”
”Eh?”
Lecan was hit by a sudden curiosity if he could <Appraisal> the pouch, thus he did.
”Hou. One big silver coin huh. Well then, here's one big silver coin for you priest Casis. I'll take Eda with me.”
They were already standing so he took Eda's hand toward the door.
Priest Casis was in the way, so Lecan shoved him aside. Priest Casis got taken aback before his face was dyed red.
”I take it this means you're obstructing the temple's responsibility, do you.”
”What's your business with Eda.”
Priest Casis's face went over the color red to darkish. But he took some deep breaths and slightly regained his complexion back.
”There's a possibility that Eda-san has been bestowed with god Ceres' blessing. We shall examine whether that is true or not, and if it is, we shall provide Eda-san with the appropriate treatment, training and service.”
”Is that examination be done by yourself here.”
”You savages really have no idea how to revere a respectable priest, do you. Though I see little point in teaching the way of temple to you and your ilk, the verdict to ascertain blessings is made by more than three priests.”
”In accordance to Article 35 of Ceres Temple Law, I demand the attendance of two or more third-rank priests in the hearing.”
Priest Casis looked up at Lecan with a loathful look on his face without answering back to him for a while, but he eventually turned around toward the door.
”We'll send a messenger to inform you when it's ready. Wait here until then. Don't go wandering around anywhere.”
”Priest Casis.”
Called out by Lecan, priest Casis who was walking toward the door halted.
”There's this terrible noise whenever your breath passes through your throat. Your fat may be clogging it up. Might be a good idea to slim down a bit.”
The door was shut furiously, scattering some splinters in the air.
<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka.com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel.>