第１５５２堀：残っていた人たち (Part1)
Chapter 1552: Those Who Remained
Side: Lyushi
We arrived at what turned out to be a surprisingly large Lithia church.
Amidst a landscape of crumbling buildings, it stood out as the only place that seemed well-maintained.
That said, it wasn’t exactly pristine like other churches; there were soot marks and mud-like substances caked onto the walls.
However, there was no trash on the ground, and the atmosphere suggested that cleaning was a daily, unwavering ritual.
"Lyushi, what’s wrong?"
As soon as I stepped off the bus, Yuki-sama noticed me freezing as I stared at the church and called out to me.
"Oh, sorry. It’s just... compared to everything else around here, it’s surprisingly large and clean."
"Hmm. Indeed, it is. Was someone actually maintaining the Lithia church?"
"No, I haven't heard anything about that... Come on, Lilishe, didn't you say some of the church staff stayed behind?"
Ah, I do remember hearing something like that.
I turned my gaze toward Lilishe-sama.
"That’s right~. We received quite a bit of support from Lithia, so we expanded the church. Vinoshia did, anyway. They used that to draw in support funds. There was talk that we utilized that connection to hire local sisters, too. Right, Rurua-chan?"
"Yes. We had reports that the internal situation in Vinoshia was dire, so we hoped that if we could at least increase employment through the church, it would help. I had requested that of the priests we dispatched to this region."
I see. Vinoshia’s motives were greedy, but the church had seized the opportunity to find a way to save the people of Vinoshia at all costs.
So, this is another way of doing things.
Lately, I’ve been hearing so much about various forms of governance and strategies from Yuki-sama—ways to gain advantages for oneself and those around them—that I’m learning a great deal.
Back when I was in the village, I was so thoughtless.
No wonder the village chief and his cronies found me such a nuisance; it all makes sense now.
Of course, I haven't forgiven them for what they did, but if that hadn't happened, I wouldn't be here now, by Yuki-sama’s side. I can't help but think that.
Wait? Does that mean the dark guild members who were pulling strings behind the scenes were also involved in my meeting Yuki-sama?
Well, I’m going to crush them anyway.
I’ll be grateful for the outcome, but I’ll still make sure to end them in one strike.
While I was lost in these thoughts, the conversation moved forward.
"I see. And so, that priest took as many believers and citizens as possible and fled to Hinsua?"
"Yes. Even so, there were still citizens left in the Vinoshia royal capital, so there were sisters who said they would stay behind to help them. I suspect those are the ones..."
While Rurua-sama was speaking, the Hinsua soldiers who had gone ahead emerged from the church. Among them were the sisters. Seeing them, Lilishe-sama rushed forward.
We were surprised to see Lilishe-sama running—a rare sight indeed—but Yuki-sama didn't seem flustered at all, simply walking slowly to follow her.
"I knew it! I couldn't find you anywhere, so I figured you were here~."
"Oh, Sister Lilishe. Wait, I suppose I should call you Priest Lilishe now. I’ve been waiting for you."
"You can just call me Sister. My, you’ve grown so much~."
I could hear their conversation. It seems they were acquaintances from when Lilishe-sama worked in the Hinsua region.
"Grown? It’s only been a few years, Sister. I’ve just gone from a teenager to my twenties."
"To me, that’s plenty~. Coming all the way to Vinoshia like this... it’s just like you~."
"Haha, I can't deny that."
"Oh, stop trying to act like such an adult. The old you would have just retorted that you were helping because you wanted to help."
"Please, don't bring that up. But yes, that’s true. I’ve been out here doing my best. There were times I thought I could have done more from the rear, just like you, Sister..."
"And?"
"But I decided this was enough. After all, you brought Sister Lilishe and those people like Rurua-sama here, didn't you?"
"Nfufu~. You know me so well. That’s right, leave that kind of rear-guard support to your big sister."
Lilishe-sama looked incredibly happy, and the sister didn't seem to have any regrets.
...Well, looking at her clothes, they were torn and patched, so I could tell it had been a struggle, but it wasn't just her; the sisters behind her were dressed the same way.
Yet, even with their clothes in tatters, they didn't feel unclean.
"Thanks to the hygiene management you taught me, Sister Lilishe, things changed quite a bit. Fewer people saw their conditions worsen, and the support supplies were truly a godsend."
"It’s nothing~. That was about all I could do~."
Hm?
I feel like I just heard something incredible.
Until now, they had been saying that even Hinsua couldn't reach into Vinoshia.
"The Danaddemi Trading Company really pushed themselves to the limit for us, too."
"They sure did~. They helped us whenever we asked~."
Ah, so that’s how it is. That explains why Bamai-dono and Lilishe-sama were so close.
Lilishe-sama had been using her own unique routes to provide aid to abandoned lands like Vinoshia all along.
I’m sure there are places we don't even know about.
As I was admiring this, Yuki-sama, who was standing next to me, gave a small cough.
"Let’s pause the emotional reunion for a moment. Won't you introduce us?"
"Oh my~, I’m so sorry~."
"My apologies."
"No, I’m the one who was being rude, but this was to ensure we could begin medical treatment as quickly as possible. Please understand."
Yuki-sama explained politely.
Yeah, I think this all the time: he’s the consort, yet he’s so humble.
Usually, someone in his position would be demanding people prostrate themselves or using much harsher language, even I think so.
...I can see why his wives think he should be more majestic or authoritative.
Well, that’s exactly why Deryu-sama and I stay by his side.
I’ve seen plenty of idiots who think he’s a soft pushover and try to demand ridiculous things.
That said, Yuki-sama isn't actually that soft, but it’s a waste of time for him to turn them away, so we step in and chase them off, telling them that unlike them, he is very busy.
Anyway, I digress. I was worried these sisters might make the same mistake, so I kept a close watch.
"Right then~. This person here is Yuki-san, the consort of Weed, who has been sending us support supplies through the Danaddemi Trading Company all this time~."
"T-the consort? And Weed... the place where Sister Lilishe was stationed..."
"That’s right. He’s the husband of Seraria, the Queen of that land."
"I-I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart for all the supplies you’ve sent until now. Th-thank you so, so much. I-I never imagined someone like you would speak to a mere sister like me. I am truly honored."
I thought they would have known who Yuki-sama and the others were from the start, but I suppose it’s normal for someone like him not to speak to people like them.