177-171 To the magical independent city of Nerdar

Early in the morning, when the three horses were still unpopular, the three horses were about to leave the Holy City, but after realizing that they didn't have anything to identify themselves, they stopped at the Adventurer's Guild before heading to Rockford.

'A facility that's free for twenty-four hours would be handy... although it must be hard for those of us who work there.

After seeing the three of us off, I decided to go back to my private room once, but on my way back, I was called out from behind.

'Luciel-kun,'

Good morning. Ms. Lumina.

It was Lumina who was in the spot where I turned around.

'Ah, good morning. I heard you returned last night?'

Yes. I'm sorry I didn't get to say hello. I'll be leaving the Holy City again soon after I eat.

'That sounds like you're busy. If you have the time, I thought we could have a mock battle if you have the time... if I may ask where you're headed this time?

Lumina-san changed the subject while looking really disappointed.

Normally I wouldn't mind at least a mock battle, but in a situation where I can't recover from an injury, I have no choice but to refuse.

''I'm going to Nerdal. In fact, since my magic attributes have increased, I was asking for the Pope to properly study magic for once.

'Well, you're going to learn some other attribute of magic and then you'll change your job?

Can a healer only use the holy attribute?

I tell him, a little muddled with that thought.

''That's pending too. I wish I could become a job that can use holy attribute magic, but that's exactly what I'm hoping for, like a holy knight or something.

''Huh, that's interesting. If that's going to be a reality, then we'll be fighting over Mr. Luciel in the Holy Order.

...It's a little scary to imagine.

I remembered the invitation to join the circle, and I could see a future where I was going to be more cutthroat and fought over than that.

I shake my head, dismissing the fantasy.

'That's how popular you are. Then I'm off to training.

Lumina laughed and cheered as she was about to go on.

''Yes, good luck with that. Oh, I've recently seen villagers turning into demons, but they suddenly turn into demons, so please be vigilant even within the village when you go on an expedition.''

I appreciate the advice.

Lumina-san then headed off to the training grounds.

'I'm sorry, I can't think about the kissing and all that until after everything is taken care of.

I bowed to Lumina-san who had left.

I joined Estia, Nadia, and Lydia at breakfast, and even though the War Maiden (Valkyria) Holy Knights were there, they were still exposed to numerous stares since the workplace had few women.

Nadia and Lydia seemed to be used to being watched, but Estia was still pale today.

'Estia, did you sleep last night?'

I haven't been able to sleep much.

He shook his head and covered his face with his hands.

'Well is that because of the Melatni thing?　Or is it something else?

...both.

That little voice that he managed to squeeze out seemed to be laced with trepidation.

''I see. I'll tell the Pope about it. In the meantime, let me hear about Melatni's case when you've calmed down. And I'm not asking you to get used to this situation. Good luck. If you can't do anything about it, don't hesitate to cry to Forenoire and the Pope.

Yes.

At my outrageous statement, he turned his face, which he had covered with his hands, to me and nodded with a smile.

That awkward laugh made me feel a little more energized.

'Alright Nadia, Lydia. I am very sorry for for forcing the two of you to accompany me at this time. I think I was hanging on to my consideration for the two of you.

I said my apologies to Nadia and Lydia, gaining momentum from Esther's story.

However, just as I was about to bow my head deeply, I noticed the eyes of the people around me and decided to stop at just a bailout.

''It's true that I was surprised, but I've actually wanted to visit Nerdal for a long time. That's why I'm very happy to have this opportunity to talk to you. Thank you as well.

'Your sister and I both like to read the Heroic Warfare books, and that's how we found out about the floating city, but unfortunately, in Brange, we needed the King's permission to be allowed to travel to Nerdal, so that wasn't possible for us, being daughters of the Viscount family. So I'm really pleased.

The two of them didn't really care about my apology.

On the contrary, they seemed to have a strong interest in Nerdal, and on the contrary, there was a section where they seemed to want this development to happen, and they thanked me for it.

The guilt I felt a little while ago was lifted because I understood that he was saying it from his heart, not just words.

At the same time, I realized that I hadn't seen the expressions on both of their faces.

I felt like I was once again reminded of how little room I had left for myself.

''Well it's nice to hear you say that. When we get to Nerdal, I'll have you two study magic as well. But basically, you'll be free to spend your time there.

Are you sure?

You're going with me as a squire, aren't you?

They were surprised, but Nerdal was calling it a non-combat.

'Yeah. Still, we don't basically force anything. But I do ask one thing of you. When you arrive in Nerdal, I want you to head immediately to the fountain in the center of Nerdal. We may have to fight there, so just be prepared for that.

A battle... a skirmish should not be a problem.

This time I will be useful to you.

The two of them seemed to be very dependable, as they seemed to be imposing that they were indeed high-ranking adventurers rather than noblemen's daughters.

After we finished eating, we stepped into the Pope's room again before Lumina-san and the others arrived.

''So it's Forenoire. Why do you bite your head off as soon as you meet me?

I was about to speak after I entered the room when Forenoire, who had walked up to me, suddenly bit me sweetly on the head.

Ignoring my voice, Forenoire didn't stop biting me.

After that, I gave up and was in a state of being done whatever Forenoire wanted to do to me, but she was apparently satisfied and moved to the Pope's side.

'I beg your pardon in front of the Pope, sir.

Good. I'm sure he's sad to say goodbye to his partner.

The Pope laughed at that and forgave me.

'Brulew.'

Forenoire was a bit unfaithful when he heard that.

'The only people present here at the moment are the four of us, the Pope and Forenoire.

''Well, since you'll be keeping Forenoire for the time being, we'll leave this one with you as well.

Is this a key?

'Yes, sir. 'Yes. It is a magic tool, the key of the hermit. When you turn the key, it reveals the stables, and if you enter the stables, the effect is that the forenoir is fed and cared for.

You have something useful.

'Yes. It comes in handy when I travel. I'm going to Nerdal under the guise of this expedition, but since I can't yet predict how long I'll actually spend over there I'll leave it with the Pope.

'Hmm. You can leave the matter of the forenoir to the mistress.

As expected, there was a limit to how much he could make the Pope stay in the room with the Pope all the time, and besides, it would be stressful for Forenoire.

You can leave the management to Estia, but I was also afraid that that would cause Estia to become dependent on Forenoire.

That's why I asked the Pope to manage it.

''Thank you. Also, on one point, I would like to ask you to reiterate that Estia is shy and is not used to the gaze of others.''

Good. It is usual for those who have the Spiritual Blessing to be consulted by those who have the Spirit King's blessing.

When I asked him to oblige this morning, the Pope laughed and nodded at me.

I resisted the urge to be dumbfounded at the sight of him and asked him to transfer the matter to Nerdal.

''Well then, it's a rush, Pope-sama, please transfer me.

Hmm. Now follow me.

The Pope looks at us and moves to the room to the right, so we follow him.

I thought he was going to use transfer magic between the Pope's rooms, but apparently that wasn't the case.

There were no windows in the next room, just a magic circle on the floor, except for the burning candles attached to the candelabra.

'This dimly lit place?'

That's right. It was designed to prevent the magic in the air from mixing with it.

It must have been Lord Leinster who created this.

It really surprises me. But if that guy was taking spacetime magic, wouldn't he have been able to do spacetime detachment?

When you think about it, wouldn't he have been able to do something about the evil gods?

Once I had thought of that, I followed the Pope's instructions and moved to the center of the magic circle.

''When we get to the other side, you can give me this and we'll be fine.

Then he handed me a letter.

'Who should I deliver this to?'

'He is the head of the magic guild that controls Nerdal. I'm sure he can help you.

Thank you.

The Pope laughed and nodded and poked his staff into the magic circle.

The moment the magic circle began to emit white light and dyed everything white, I felt a very strange sensation.

It was as if I was staying in the air.......as if I was experiencing a true weightlessness, that kind of feeling of not having my feet on the ground!

And when the light gradually subsided, it was a dimly lit room, very similar to the place Pope-sama had sent me to.

When I meditated and detected signs and magic power, just to be sure, I didn't feel any of the Pope's magic power.

Instead, I could see that there were many signs, and I realized that I had transitioned.

''Are you two okay?''

'Yes. It felt a little weird, but it's all good.

I'm fine too.

They answered that, and after making sure it was okay, I opened the door in front of me.

I ducked through the door and exited to a room that was so beautifully lit by daylight that I thought it was beautiful enough to marvel at.

'This is awesome,'

'It's wonderful. I've never seen such beautiful decorations in my life.

We're already in the Celestial City it's really beautiful.

Lord Leinster, you're too exceptional to be a reincarnation.

"There are eight rooms and more than enough room for all the countries in the world.

I can't keep looking at it forever, so I check my surroundings.

Then, there were seven other doors similar to the one we had made, and seven others.

After looking at a total of eight doors, I'm not sure if all of them are transporter squads, so I decided to dismiss that thought and embark on a search.

''Let's first look for the center of Nerdal, or the Church of Magic,''

Yes, sir.

A little anxious, but enthusiastic that the job would blossom safely, I opened the door with the entrance and the plate hanging on it.