第１８７９堀：聖職者は物理 (Part1)
Chapter 1879: Clerics are Physical
Side: Nina
"Oh, so Nina is the one coming to greet me?"
Enora says this while leading her group.
"The interior is packed with guards and the like. You understand there’s surveillance, right?"
"Well, yes. If anything, it’s reassuring because it confirms that the real people are actually inside. So, are they genuinely trying to meet me?"
"Naturally. You’ve been introduced as one of Yuki’s wives, so it’s necessary to exchange greetings. If you look at it from the other side, it’s only logical."
"Ah, right."
Enora seemed to be doubting Giadana based on her earlier conversation with Viria and Yuki, but she had missed the perspective from the other side.
The Kingdom of Giadana is currently on the brink of being swallowed by the influence of the Clearstream Church.
With that perspective in mind, the King of Giadana would never make a hostile move.
On the contrary, now that they’ve caught a glimpse of light, they will cling to it with everything they have.
"Enora, you’re surprisingly narrow-minded. Well, I suppose that’s why you once charged in solo?"
"Ugh. Don’t bring up unpleasant memories."
It’s certainly an unpleasant memory for her, too.
She was, quite literally, covered in blood and on the verge of death.
"So, stay calm and handle this."
"I know. Yuki warned me, too."
Hmm, that’s Yuki for you. He understands his wife well.
"Alright, I’ll guide you. Though, it’s just right there."
I lead Enora and the Weed medical unit through the chapel doors.
Inside, people aren't sitting in the pews to pray, but rather gathered as if for a casual chat.
To an outsider, it just looks like a gathering of middle-aged men.
Though, if they knew their true status, they might just faint.
"Oh, Nina-san, and who might these people be?"
The first to notice us is Archbishop Dodona, the master of this church.
Well, since he’s facing the entrance, I suppose that’s to be expected.
At his words, the people sitting with their backs to us turn around.
"Oh, you’ve arrived, Enora."
Kishua is the first to call out.
"Sister Enora!"
Viria rushes over to us.
It’s good that she went to Enora first. Enora immediately places a hand on Viria’s head and pats it.
"You look well. I’m glad to see you’re doing just fine."
"We see each other all the time, don't we?"
Indeed, the Virias here are Doppelgangers, and they share information daily at the inn.
The same goes for Aslin and Firia, who are off investigating the southern regions.
It’s a bit overprotective, isn't it?
No, sharing information is vital, and it’s important for maintaining mental stability, too.
But, conversely, it also serves as mental care for the sisters like Enora.
As I’m thinking this, Ena slowly approaches us...
"Enora-sama, I apologize for interrupting your conversation with Viria-sama. May I introduce you to the King of Giadana and Prime Minister Daeda?"
"Ah, my apologies. Please, go ahead."
Following Ena’s prompt, she immediately takes her hand off Viria’s head and follows Ena’s lead.
As for the members who came with us, I’ve instructed them to wait on standby.
I watch the greetings from behind.
"Allow me to introduce her. She is one of the finest healers Weed boasts, a leader in the medical field, and the wife of our Weed consort, Yuki-sama: Enora-sama."
It’s a rather pompous introduction, but I suppose when dealing with a King and a Prime Minister, you can’t get away with anything less.
Being important is truly exhausting.
I think being at my level is just right.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, King of Giadana and Prime Minister Daeda. I am Enora, Yuki’s wife."
Enora offers a bow that is concise, yet elegant and refined.
Yes, being trained since childhood certainly comes in handy.
I’ve been taught those kinds of manners myself, but I could never pull it off like that.
"A pleasure to meet you. I am Perada, King of this Kingdom of Giadana. And this is..."
"It is a pleasure, Enora-sama. I am Daeda, serving as the Prime Minister of this country."
They return the greeting with a bow that is short but equally polite and graceful.
Incidentally, there are knights stationed within the church, looking ready to move at a moment's notice.
As for their actual ability... well, let’s just say it’s predictable.
Comparing them to Weed’s troops is absurd.
...And they are even inferior to the medical unit Enora brought with her.
Though, the medical unit Enora is leading this time is composed entirely of demi-humans per Yuki’s design, so they happen to possess superior combat prowess as a result.
"I apologize for having to hold our discussion in a place like this. Ah, I am Dodona, merely holding the grandiose title of Archbishop of the Clear Church."
"No, I have heard that Archbishop Dodona has supported the activities of Viria, Nina, and the others. And, though it might be rude to compare, I also hold the rank of Bishop within the church."
"Ho. A Bishop at your age?"
"That is surprising."
"Yes."
"Haha, it is embarrassing to admit, but due to family connections, I serve despite my immaturity."
Well, normally, it would be impossible for someone of Enora’s youth to be a Bishop.
But in the Heiden region, she is a Shrine Maiden of the Spirits and carries the bloodline of the legendary Enol family.
"Even so, it is not a position one is simply handed. It must mean that Enora-dono is exceptionally capable."
"Indeed. We have spoken with Yuki-sama as well, and he would not recognize someone for that position based on connections alone, let alone send them to us."
Yes, they are both right.
There is no way it’s just a name or the shadow of her parents.
Admittedly, she falls short of Rurua in medical knowledge, but she can perform Extra Heal, and in hand-to-hand combat, she approaches the level of Deryu.
"Ah, we can vouch for that. Not only is she skilled in medicine, but she has the physical strength to back it up. She is the perfect person for this matter."
Kishua seems to share the same opinion and supports Enora.
"This matter, you say?"
Archbishop Dodona’s face darkens slightly at those words.
Well, that’s to be expected.
After all, he has just been informed by the King of Giadana and Prime Minister Daeda that the organization his students founded is, for all intents and purposes, illegal—or rather, engaged in wicked deeds.
The rumors of discrimination against demi-humans have been proven to be almost entirely true.
The possibility that they were hiding demi-humans and treating them like princesses was never zero...
...No, it was zero.
Even as I say it, it’s impossible.
If they cherished them that much, they wouldn't have acted in a way that led to the persecution of demi-humans in the first place.
"It is regrettable for you, Archbishop Dodona, and I’m sure it is something you do not wish to believe, but..."