Volume 8 Chapter 2: The Whereabouts of the Jewels

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Author: 夜州 (Yashu)

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Cain doubted his ears upon hearing the roles of Hero, Paladin, and Sage.

The Hero had been Yuuya, Esfort’s founder and first king, as well as Cain’s mentor. The other two had been Cain’s parents.

(Maybe someone was summoned? But how did they get summoned in Baisas… I’ll have to go check with Hinata.)

“What’s up, Cain?”

The king asked Cain, who had stood up so energetically.

“No, the Hero, Paladin, and Sage… shouldn’t appear normally. But maybe––––. Please let me go check. If it really is those three, I will then go to Kermes.”

Cain said forcefully, but the king shook his head.

“Underage military service being unacceptable is something the Founder-sama decided. I will not overturn that. No matter how strong you may be.”

“He won’t stand on the front lines. What about if he devotes his attention to healing magic? And there should be no danger like that either.”

Duke Eric made a suggestion. While Cain could, in fact, eliminate all the enemy forces alone, if he stood on the front lines, his social position might be discovered, which might lead to a war between Esfort and Baisas.

The king considered Duke Eric’s words for a bit, then reluctantly gave his permission.

“All right. We’ll reach out to a few other adventurers than Cain too. They will, of course, also be keeping an eye on you, Cain… I can’t even imagine what you’d get up to on your own.”

Everyone chuckled at the king’s words. Actually, the things Cain had done were uncountable. Usually, they were within the country, but this time, he would be carrying out activities on foreign soil.

“Understood. Then I will also get ready.”

After they had made a few more agreements, Cain was dismissed, and he headed back to his mansion, where he changed his clothes.

He would have to ask the pope or Hinata about the summoning jewels. But, he wouldn’t be able to meet the pope that easily in his normal clothes.

In order to be able to come and go within Marineford as he pleased, he donned the white robes and put on the mask.

“I’ll be able to go where I like with these clothes.”

A genderless voice resounded in the room.

If he didn’t make use of his position as Apostle of the gods, it was obvious that he would not be able to walk around freely in the church’s main temple, but instead be chased by the church knights.

So, using his position, he would meet the pope or Hinata.

The place Cain Transferred to was near the main church.

While Cain could actually have transferred directly all the way to Hinata’s room, and she likely wouldn’t say anything, he decided to walk in majestically as the Apostle of the gods.

Tension ran through the church knights on guard at the entrance at Cain, whose robe covered even his head and was wearing a mask.

“You, suspicious-looking person! You can’t pass through here without permission!”

One of the church knights stopped the other one, who had reached for the sword in its sheath hanging from his waist, with a wave of his hand.

“A-Are y-you perhaps… t-the A-Apostle-sama…?”

Cain gave a small nod in reply to the nervous knight’s words.

“I thought so, please wait a little! I will have a guide sent for immediately. Hey, make sure you’re not rude! This person is the Apostle-sama!”

“Eh!? The Apostle-sama!?”

One of the guards ran off into the church.

Soon after, a priest came outside to greet Cain.

“We welcome you, Apostle-sama. Both the Pope-sama and the Saint-sama are here, so I shall guide you there.”

“…Thanks.”

The knights stood to attention at the voice emitted from Cain, and watched him go inside.

All members of the church Cain saw as he walked along behind the priest knelt down, lowered their heads, and put their hands together in prayer upon seeing him.

Cain frowned at that, but aware that his position was that of Apostle of the gods, he simply walked along slowly behind the priest.

“I sent a messenger ahead to the Pope-sama and the Saint-sama. They will meet you in the Pope-sama’s room.”

He had been able to pass on inside much easier than he had thought, which on the contrary, made Cain wearier.

He wondered whether it was okay to let a suspicious man wearing a slightly lavish robe and a mask through so easily.

“Do you not doubt my being an Apostle?”

The priest guiding him turned around with a huge smile on his face at Cain’s question.

“I could immediately tell you’re the Apostle-sama. I can see the divine aura flowing from your robes. Also, I was there when the Pope-sama was elected.”

“…Is that so. Thank you very much.”

“Not at all, I am the one who is more grateful than anything to be able to speak with the Apostle-sama. The atmosphere in the church has become much better ever since the current Pope-sama was elected… That is also thanks to you, Apostle-sama.”

The priest turned forward again and started walking after giving a bow.

Cain slowly followed him. They went up many flights of stairs, until the priest stopped in front of a fancy-looking door on the very top floor.

“We have arrived. Please wait a moment.”

When the priest knocked on the door and said that the Apostle was there, the door was practically torn open.

“It’s been a long time! Apostle-sama!”

Pope Denter flew at Cain, hugging him.

“Eh!?”

A voice came from behind Pope Denter, who was still hugging the surprised Cain while smiling.

“Pope-sama, that’s rude towards the Apostle-sama. Apostle-sama, it has been a long time.”

“Oh. Right, right. I’m sorry, Apostle-sama.”

Moving away from Cain, Pope Denter bowed while scratching his head.

“No no, I was just a little surprised…”

“Me too!”

Hinata also hugged Cain in the gap left by Pope Denter.

“Eh!?”

Pope Denter told the priest stunned by the trio’s behaviour that he could leave, which he then did after giving a bow.

“Hey, Hinata. You can’t just go hugging him out here in the corridor. You’ll have plenty of time later.”

Hinata also regretfully let go of Cain, her cheeks slightly red.

“…Please excuse me. So, let’s go inside.”

Prompted by Hinata, Cain went into the room. Only Pope Denter and Hinata seemed to have been in the room, so Cain sat down in an empty chair.

“So, what’s up all of a sudden? Oh, it’s that, isn’t it…”

Said Pope Denter, as if having guessed.

“Actually, the Baisas Empire has invaded the Beast Kingdom of Kermes. And, the trio of the Hero, Paladin, and Sage appeared there. However, the summoning jewels should be in the treasury here in Marineford… I wanted to ask about them.”

“I thought that was it. We have also already heard about that here in the Holy Country. So, we hurried and searched the treasury… The treasury had been ravaged when the previous pope was assassinated, and one of the things we lost were the summoning jewels.”

Cain grimaced at Pope Denter’s answer.

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