Part 9
「It looks like an interesting guest has come, doesn’t it, swindlers?」
「Muh!?」
Baduta readied his spear and looked up overhead.
Diablo also glared that way.
There was someone standing still in the sky.
Having no foothold whatsoever, they were in the sky. Their red mantle fluttered in the wind.
──Is that the 《Deep Crimson Wings》!?
It was equipment that was just as rare as the 《Curtain of Dark Clouds》 that Diablo had equipped. It was bestowed with the effect of 《Flight Magic》.
They shouldered a gigantic gun that was likely to be about their height in length.
──That guy, could it be, they’re the 《Magi Gunner》 from before!?
Baduta shouted.
「It is fine if those words are directed at me! However, if you are insulting this honorable person, consider that head of yours gone! Lamnites!」[1]
「Add a "-sama" to that, you damned swindler.」
Diablo only realised it now.
──A woman’s voice!?
That person that wore the vivid red mantle came down from the sky.
As he thought, it was a woman.
*Fuwa* Her feet touched the sand. She handled the 《Deep Crimson Wings》 perfectly.
She was a woman glowing with sex appeal.
She looked to be the same age as Diablo.
And then, she was similarly self-important and arrogant.
Making only a single glance at Baduta, she turned her gaze to Lumachina.
「I (Yo), am the master that governs this Zircon Tower──Farnis Lamnites[2]. Are you the High Chief Priest?」[3]
Her scarlet lips faintly curved.
Diablo felt a sense of discomfort from her speech and conduct.
Rem whispered into his ear.
「......This person, calling herself with "yo", and "master (aruji)"......It seems that she considers herself not as the Feudal Lord but as a king.」
「Hnn, I see.」
Faltra City’s Feudal Lord Galford was self-important, but he had an attitude of being in court service.
Lamnites’ attitude was that of a king himself.
──A setting where such a strong person was the Feudal Lord wasn’t in the game though?
Lumachina put her hands together.
「It is just as you say, I am Lumachina Weselia, the High Chief Priest. Nice to meet you, Feudal Lord Farnis Lamnites.」
「Fu......To think that the big boss of the swindlers, would be such a young girl.」
「What would you mean by, swindlers?」
「Even though you can’t do anything significant, you demand nothing but donations. I will not tolerate parasites in my territory. It means I do not approve of your religion.」
「EH!?」
「If you pay the taxes, I will allow you to do business though.」
「Just what are you saying!? The Lifelia King Dalesh Sandros should have decreed that building the chapel was the Feudal Lord’s duty, and that the Church would be tax free......」
「Hahn! As if I care about that coward’s incompetence! If he has any complaints about me, the king should try coming all the way out here!」
──I see, so the current Lifelia King has never come to the former Demon King territory which has been judged as dangerous. And so, the Feudal Lord’s rampage couldn’t be stopped.
Moreover, Lamnites’ strength was suitable for her attitude.
Taking a guess from her earlier attack through the use of her Magi Gun and her relationship with Baduta, it was certain that she was over level 100.
In the game, even if his opponent was a party of six level 150 Players, Diablo was able to win.
However, that was because there was compensation due to the difference of numbers, and above all, it was because he used a countless number of items. He has already used up all of the rare potions that were in his pouch.
──I’m also interested in what kind of specifications the 《Magi Gunners》 of this world have. While I don’t know that, I can’t carelessly fight against her.
The foundation of 《Magi Gunners》 is "once they fire a bullet with a magic spell enclosed in it, that magic spell activates".
With the initial specifications, they were able to rapid-fire as much as they liked.
Although the bullets were consumable goods, the destructive power per unit of time was in such a different league that the game balance was broken.
Diablo had also been tormented by the pay-to-win Players’ "banknote stack smacks".
──That reminds me, there was a Ranker that blindly fired a doubled barrelled Magi Gun that excessively focused on might, wasn’t there. It was dangerous since they shaved off about half my HP in an instant. Though I did annihilate them since they were a couple that had a 《Wedding Ring》 on!
Several adjustments were made, and in the most recent version, the Magi Gun’s rapid-fire ability was made more moderate, and its might also received a drastic nerf.
Even so, since there wasn’t any MP consumption during battle, it was plenty strong──is what Diablo thought.
Lumachina replied to her.
「I understand that you have an opinion about the Lifelia King. However, aren’t the people of your fief suffering?」
「That is because these swindlers here are demanding unreasonable donations.」
Having the conversation place on him, Baduta grimaced.
「After having the chapel confiscated, and having to pay the tax one way or another, I had no choice but to seek donations from the followers. Even Priests have livelihoods to sustain after all.」
「Hnn......Wasn’t God supposed to produce bread and wine?」
「Th, that is......」
Lumachina shook her head left and right.
「Even if it’s possible for Kami-sama, it is impossible for people to do. We are people that believe in Kami-sama and no Kami-sama himself.」
「Hohou? So you are sermoning me......These High Chief Priests or whatever are quite remarkable, aren’t they. If you are that remarkable, let’s test out if you truly have God’s divine protection!」
Lamnites readied her shouldered Magi Gun.
She turned it towards Lumachina.
「What are you......!?」
「Tsk!」
Diablo was about to use magic.
As he thought, it was the Warrior-type’s time to shine when it came to short distances. Baduta had thrust out his spear faster than him.
「You damned insolent fool!」
The spearhead struck empty space.
Lamnites landed in a spot ten steps away.
Fast.
Before Diablo could fire his magic, Baduta had thrust his spear, and Lamnites had jumped backwards.
──These guys, they’re strong.
It was a speed that made him admire them.
Lamnites let out a loud laughter.
「Aーhahaha! In the end, even you all don’t believe in your God! That is why you tried to protect the High Chief Priest. If there truly was a God, wouldn’t God have protected her even if you did nothing!?」
「That is sophistry!」
Baduta howled.
Diablo ended up secretly agreeing.
Lumachina shook her head left and right.
「You are misunderstanding Kami-sama to be "some kind of powerful armor or something". With such shallow understanding, you do not have the qualifications to talk about anything.」
「I......am misunderstanding? Did you say, shallow!?」
She scowled.
However, Lumachina was composed.
「Listen well──Kami-sama watches things on the grand scale. If you commit a misdeed, eventually, the rebounding calamity will return to you......Or to your descendants. However, let us say for instance that you shot me right now and I died──That might be because my sin had been judged. I might have been called to Kami-sama’s side. It is impossible for people to understand Kami-sama’s doings.」
Lumachina had turned her gaze this way for only an instant.
──I see, since she had the ideology that "God cannot be understood", is that why she accepted such an absurd "setting"?
No, judging from her speech and conduct, Lumachina is smart.
Isn’t it about time for her to notice his lie? In that case, just how much has she realized?
Could it be that she got as far as knowing that Diablo was a shut-in gamer that was only doing a Demon King role play!?
No, no, that’s impossible......
He was bad with people whose depths couldn’t be read.
Lamnites snorted.
「Hnn......In that case, the ones that rely on something like that are morons! Are there guys that rely on arms with uncertain movements on the battlefield? The calamity will eventually return you say? How stupid! You simply have to strike back at that calamity or whatever.」
「It isn’t that sort of......」
「You all, you take advantage of the insecurities of the masses, and are swindlers that only pluck their money.」
「The healing and miracles of good harvests certainly are there, you know?」
「It is fine for those that have a use to receive proper compensation. I acknowledge that because it is a business. But that is only if they properly pay the taxes!」
Lumachina breathed a sigh.
The conversation between her, who was deeply pious, and the completely utilitarian Lamnites did nothing but follow parallel lines.
If it went on too long, the Magi Gun would be turned towards her again.
Baduta went between them.
「Lumachina-sama, leave it at this for today. Lamnites, we haven’t used the chapel, nor have we done any tax evasions. I don’t believe we have done any faults to be reproached by the Feudal Lord, have we?」
「Hmph......To begin with, I had no business with you. Even that High Chief Priest over there was just an extra. The reason that I brought myself over here for was, to search for "the fellow that used strange magic" on the colossal Demonic Beast from before.」
──So it was me!!
Diablo instinctively made a displeased face.
Considering Lamnites’ speech and conduct, it looked like things would become troublesome no matter how things fell.
Baduta swung his head to the side with a fine performance.
「I also came here to search for them but......There is no one that knows about it.」
「Hoho～u?」
Lamnites’ eyes were fixed on Diablo.
He felt like he would unconsciously avert his gaze. It felt like being glared at by a bad-looking guy in town. Such a weak attitude wasn’t Demon King-like.
So instead, he glared back.
「You, what do you plan on doing once you find that Magician?」
The ends of Lamnites’ lips curved into a grin.
「If they’re a useful fellow, I will make them my subordinate! If they won’t obey me, then I thought I would teach them the difference in our strength!」
「You damned troublesome fellow.」
He unintentionally let his true feelings leak out.
He thought she might get mad, but surprisingly, Lamnites smiled looking delighted.
「Fufufu......If they were such a powerful person, they would eventually stand before me.」
──I’m already standing here though.
She had most likely noticed.
However, Lamnites stopped the conversation. She turned her gaze towards the west.
「It seems that my subordinates have caught the sand ship that did such a foolish act. Let’s end the conversation at this. We shall continue another day.」
She kicked up sand, and flew into the sky.
She flew towards the west of Zircon Tower City.
Rem talked with an exhausted voice.
「......Fuu......It seems that you’ve caught the eye of quite a troublesome person.」
「Don’t say that. It will make you all the more tired.」
Diablo shrugged his shoulders.
Shera happily laughed.
「She was a person who said things that I didn’t really get.」
──I want to follow her example, being so carefree.
Baduta once again knelt to Lumachina.
「Once again, I would like to apologize for the numerous impolite events. It seems that it was also due to my subordinates’ ineptitude. Please, would you allow me to invite you to my residence?」
「Thank you. I also have something to talk to you about.」
「I will immediately prepare a sand sleigh.」
Diablo’s group──Or rather, they were treated as Lumachina and her attendants, got on board a camel drawn sleigh.
They headed towards the northern side of town.
Translator’s Notes:
[1] Pronounced Lam-ni-tes.
[2] Original: ファニス・ラムニテス
[3] She refers to herself with "yo" 余, a kingly way of saying “I” or “me”
Part 10
A gentle time continued for a while.
The camel kicked sand away with its thick legs.
Since the wheels of a carriage would sink, it seemed that sand sleighs were used here.
Baduta grasped the reins, and Diablo’s group of four sat in seats.
There was a large building facing the main street.
It was made of stone just like the other buildings in the vicinity, but it had a solid flagstone base, and a belfry towered above it.
Even though it was in the middle of the desert, stained glass was set in the walls.
It was a splendid chapel.
However, local knights surrounded its vicinity. They were keeping watch so that no one would approach it.
Lumachina put a hand to her mouth.
「Is that, the chapel?」
「Yes. Though, it was shut down by Lamnites’ instructions......」
Baduta answered her.
The Feudal Lord branded the Church as swindlers, and did not allow them even a single privilege.
「Why would she go as far as shutting it down......」
「That chapel is originally something that the previous Feudal Lord constructed in accordance with the King’s decree. Therefore, its ownership is in the hands of the Feudal Lord. If we are to use it, pay the rent──That is what she told us. It was the market price amount but......it was much too high to pay from donations......」
「And that is why it isn’t being used.」
「There were voices from the townspeople saying that they wanted to make use of the chapel but......As you saw, Lamnites has that sort of personality.」
「How troubling.」
Lumachina cast her eyes down.
Rem muttered.
「......I have never heard of a Feudal Lord that would say such things towards the Church. However, paying rent in order to use it is a requirement that I can agree with.」
「That’s trueー」
Shera nodded.
「......How was the Church in your homeland, the Greenwood Kingdom?」
「Eh? I guess there was the Sacred Tree?」
「......Erm......What about the Priest’s bedroom?」
「They slept in their own house. The current Priest-san’s real job is a tea shopkeeper. It’s like they become the Priest-san only when there is a festival or when prayers are needed.」
「......Is that adequate for them?」
「Pretty muchー」
Since they weren’t exactly meshing together in their conversation, Diablo cut into the conversation.
「The reason why it was enough for the job of Priest to be done as a side job is because the population of the Greenwood Kingdom is low, and there aren’t many important ceremonial occasions there. Seeing as how Elves live long lives, their birth rate is proportionately low.」
「......I see. So that is why being Priest can be done as a side job.」
「In the Lifelia Kingdom, the Church does not only deal with prayers, but is also entrusted with money, and possesses the function of educating children. Even if they share the same name of being a Church, the duties differ according to the country’s population and systems. It just means that there is no use in simply comparing them.」
「......As expected of you, Diablo. It is surprising how high your level of discernment is.」
「This is normal.」
「......It is embarrassing but, I only know of Faltra City and several of the neighboring towns. I have never gone outside of the Lifelia Kingdom after all.」
「Fumu, I see.」
In this world, there was no TV or Internet, and the price of books was also high.
Even the knowledge on politics and economics that Diablo thought was common sense, the chance to study those was valuable.
Lumachina made an inquiry to Baduta.
「Aren’t you unable to do any divine services or anything with the chapel being shut down?」
「We have constructed a tent on the northern side of town in place of the chapel.」
「May I have you show it to me?」
「......It will be somewhat of a, detour. How about after taking a rest?」
「Right now, please.」
「I understand.」
Honestly, maybe because of the MP consumption, Diablo felt like he wanted to hurry up and eat a meal and dive into a bed. However, he also understood Lumachina’s feelings.
Keeping silent, he rocked in the seat of the sand sleigh.
Zircon Tower was a small town when compared to Faltra City. Without taking much time, they arrived at the northern side.
Several small tents were constructed. There were about 100 of them.
Lumachina rose up a bit.
「This is, all of them?」
「About half of them. The other half are ones that Adventurers and merchants built.」
「Even so, that is a lot.」
「There isn’t enough but......I am sorry, Lumachina-sama. If we get any closer than this, there will be a problem in one way or another.」
「What is it?」
The sand sleigh turned around.
Baduta pointed.
「That is, the line to wait for prayers but......」
In front of a tent that was a size bigger, a line of around 3000 people was made. It had adults and children, men and women, Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Pantherians, and Grasswalkers.
「Because of the earlier 《Sand Whale》 turmoil, it is currently quite large. Normally, it would be around 1000 people.」
「Are there that many followers that would wait like that?」
「There are also people that need to offer their prayers even if they have to wait a whole day. Since the night is quite cold, we tell them to come again the next morning but......most of them don’t leave the line.」
「Why, has it become like this!?」
「This place is former Demon King territory, and it isn’t rare for Demonic Beasts like the one from before to appear. There is no barrier to protect the town either. There are few Priests that come out here, and there are many people that need them. Because of that, the line is created like that.」
「......Is that so.」
Lumachina nodded.
Diablo sent his gaze around.
As he did, there were about three people lined up at a tent in a slightly separated spot. They were dressed up quite nicely.
「Hnn......Answer me, is that also a line it awaiting prayer?」
「......It is.」
Baduta nodded with a reluctant look.
Lumachina tilted her head.
「What is the meaning of this?」
「That is the line only for those that make large sum donations. Lumachina-sama, I ask that you listen to me so that you do not misunderstand. There are not enough Priests, and this place is dangerous region. We are unable to respond to all those that seek prayer. It is only natural to prioritize followers who strongly require it enough to offer up much larger donations.」
「............」
Lumachina cast her eyes downward in thought.
She was smart. She understood that she could not arbitrarily decide that Baduta was corrupt.
Shera frowned.
「Isn’t that just weird!? Isn’t it fine if you make prayers starting from the people that came first!?」
「......Then what would you do if those that had no choice but to rush got belated treatment because of the people that weren’t in that big of a rush?」
Rem answered with a low voice.
「Uーn, it’s a bit pitiable but, isn’t it fair to keep the order of who lined up faster?」
「......That is giving favorable treatment to those who have time. Can you say that it is fair that hard workers that give up their assets get a cold reception more than people that don’t work and give up their time?」
「Ah, uーm」
「......For the Church, they are happier with getting large donations more than having others line up faster. That’s why they show favorable treatment to those that make large donations than those that line up faster.」
Rem’s comprehension was appropriate.
And then, the reason why Lumachina was groaning was most likely due to the case of the mother and child from earlier.
Even in the line of 3000 people, a fair amount of donations was demanded, and there were people that couldn’t even pay that.
Be that as it may, would it be appropriate to say that do Baduta right now?
There was the fundamental problem of there not being enough Priests. It wasn’t something that could be solved with a single honest opinion.
And then, she had come seeking protection from the Cardinal Institution.
──A virtuous person isn’t suited for being a manager.
Diablo talked.
「This is enough, is it not? I have grown tired of looking at lines of followers.」
Appearing to not want to prolong the topic of the line, Baduta nodded.
「You must be tired from your long journey. Lumachina-sama and the people of her escort, it is modest, but we have prepared a place for you to eat and rest.」
Going “Waーi!*, Shera raised both hands.
Putting the policies of the Church aside──He was honestly grateful for the meal and bed.
Lumachina muttered.
「......For 1000 people to line up regularly, that really is a bit too much.」
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