CH 222.1

The royal castle, located to the north of the central square of the royal capital. A guest house has been built on the premises to welcome guests from abroad.

「Although it’s only been a few days, I have been in your care, Saintess-sama. I plan to go back to the country tomorrow」

After squinting at the sun setting over the western ridge, the old nun bows her head to the high school Saintess.

The high school saint was surprised when the muscular old nun informed her of her departure. It was still evening. The old woman is staying at the same guest house as the high school Saintess.

She thought it was too early for her to inform her departure.

「Right, I haven’t told you about it, have I? I’m having a 『Bureiko』 tonight」

With a gentle smile, the old nun continued.

「You never know what might happen. So I thought I would say my goodbye to you as soon as possible, just in case」

「Are you going to do it in this place?」

Her expression turned stiff and there was a mixture of surprise and anxiety in her voice.

『Bureiko』 is a traditional ritual in the eastern country. A woman who declares 『Bureiko』 must welcome all guests from sunset to sunrise.

You could call it an unlimited night visit or a thousand-men spar.

「By mid-afternoon, it will be notified throughout the royal capital. I’m glad to see that the people in charge of this country are so understanding」

The very mature woman folded her thick arms while showing a bold smile. But Shitanaga’s complexion went pale as she felt dizzy at the mention of the entire royal capital.

「Isn’t this usually something only done in towns and villages? No matter how strong your body is, Director-sama, declaring it to the entire royal capital is reckless!」

Despite her disciple’s worries, the very mature woman shrugs her shoulders and spreads her hands.

「No one worshipped our god in the kingdom after all. So there shouldn’t be many people who understand, right?」

But Shitanaga was not convinced. She added another word with a stronger tone.

「How could there not be that many of them! Have you seen the special issue? Even the reporter wrote in his comment that she would like to do it with the Director!」

I’m honored, the old woman said with a grin. That appearance made the vein in Shitanaga’s temple twitch.

「Just why are you doing this?! You haven’t had a 『Bureiko』 for years. And now you suddenly want to hold it in a foreign land?」

The very mature woman restrained Shitanaga with one hand. Then, with a serious expression, she spoke up.

「It’s because this is the kingdom, Shitanaga」

The old nun continued to speak to Master Tongue who looked puzzled.

「Because the person that became the goal of that woman from the kingdom might be here」

An unknown kingdom girl who does not have a rank in the world ranking. However, her skill level is high enough that she can compete for the championship in an A-class tournament.

「Neither the woman from the kingdom nor the person she set as a goal were at the preliminaries. But, they might be in the royal capital right?」

With a carnivorous laugh, the very mature woman brought her face close to Shitanaga. After licking her own lips, she continued.

「How is it? Do you also want to join me? Your skills would get rusty if you don’t keep them working, you know?」

The color of her face changes from white to blue, and she looks down. After a short pause, she looks up with a determined expression on her face.

「I understand. I will join too!」

But, the fist clenched on her lap is trembling.

(There is no doubt that the reason why Director-sama became this forceful is that woman from the kingdom. And if I participate in this 『Bureiko』, I might be able to meet the person that the kingdom woman set as her goal)

She admits that she’s envious of her mentor’s rapid improvement. And if she doesn’t participate in tonight’s Murieko, and that mentor of hers met her goal and becomes even more skilled, then…

(…I will never be able to forgive myself for missing this opportunity, will I?)

That feeling is what drove Shitanaga. The high school girl Saintess, on the other hand, still did not understand.

「Um, if Shitanaga and Director-sama participates, then I also…」

Not wanting to be left out, the high school girl Saintess said so. However, she was stopped by the two girls.

Suddenly, the high school girl Saintess made a shocked expression. Seeing this, Shitanaga realized something and whispered to the old nun.

「The Saintess is ready. We will now head to the audience hall and begin the purification process」

「……I see」

The very mature woman nodded deeply.

The ability of the high school girl Saintess is to be able to perform a super high rank cure abnormality status several times a day without any cost.

However, there are some limitations. She cannot choose when to activate it.

Because of the way her body produces holy water, she has no choice but to let nature take its course.

「Well then, I will go ahead. You can join us halfway when you’re ready」

At those words, Shitanaga bowed her head at the very mature woman.

***

The stage now shifts to the kingdom merchant guild.

The guild master and I boarded a golem carriage parked at the back entrance.

On the way to the royal castle, Goblin Jii-chan explained to me what we are going to do.

「In the eastern country, there is a rigorous ascetic exercises they called 『Bureiko』」

Apparently, it is a practice of something along the lines of free-for-all night crawling. The noble that stayed in the guest house announced that this event will be held this afternoon.

Because it only lasted for one night, the guild master hurriedly called me

「Experience is important after all」

By the way, the opponent is the very mature woman who participated in the Divine Tournament. Apparently, the guild master is trying to nurture me.

But to be honest, I don’t think I need to try so hard.

「Oh? Here we are」

The golem carriage stopped at the gate of the royal castle. After Goblin Jii-chan gave a word to the guards, they let us through easily.

We stopped the carriage in the little space that was left at the carriage parking area a little further on.

「There are a lot more participants than I expected」

Goblin Jii-chan frowned a little. He let out a sigh, turned to me, and motioned for me to get changed.

「The only thing you’re allowed to wear is a mask. And no shoes, either」

Even though it was on the grounds of the royal castle, it was outdoors, and we’re in the middle of winter now. I wonder what’s going on.

「We’re heading to the State Guest House now. That’s why we’re naked」

This is a guesthouse where foreign dignitaries reside. Apparently, for security reasons, not a single inch of steel is allowed to get inside.

An idea from the kingdom side came following the event. It is to be naked and wear only a mask.

「If it’s bare naked, they can do a body check just by looking at you. But it’s a long way to the guest house, and we have to walk there naked. That’s where the mask comes in」

Let’s hide our face since it’s embarrassing. That seems to be the idea.

I don’t know who came up with this strange idea, but there’s a part of me that finds it hard to accept. However, since things had come to this point, I had no choice but to do it.

I resolved myself, took off my clothes and opened my mouth.

「I understand, I’m ready to go」

Goblin Jii-chan nodded, and two naked men wearing black ski masks jumped out of the carriage and ran toward the guest house.

「The cobblestones will hurt your feet, so it’s better to run on the grass on the side」

I’m over thirty years old, and I’m running behind a petite, naked, masked old man.

「Uwaa! W-What the heck!?」

「Kyaaahh!」

Men in ski masks running naked through the streets. The sight of them elicits screams from the men and women working in the area.

But not all of them, some just shrugged their shoulders. They must have seen the previous customers and been informed of the situation.

(Damn, it’s embarrassing)

I’m glad I’m wearing a mask. I thought so at first.

However, halfway through the journey, I began to have a subtle change of heart.

(But there’s something about it that makes me feel a sense of freedom)

The dry grass on the soles of my feet. The burning sensation in my body from the shame and running, and the pleasant outside air that cools it down.

On top of that, the feeling of my alter ego being freely swinging around, unbound by any constraints. I felt as if my mind was being purified just a little bit.

(It’s not like I’m not familiar with this feeling, though)

My stride became wider and wider, and I was smiling under my ski mask.

While feeling a little euphoric, I arrived at the guesthouse.

「…They’re clear」

The guard with the spear in his hand at the entrance took a glance at us from head to toe and muttered something to himself.

This must have been the end of the inspection of our belongings, certainly efficient. Unfortunately, my belongings didn’t seem to be considered a weapon.

As I walked down the corridor, I saw a door with a sign that read 『Room for Bureiko』. In the middle of the corridor, there was a sign that said, 『No entry from this point forward』.

「Ohh they’re doing it, they’re doing it」