There was no particular problem on the way, and the party headed for に.
It is said that the places that go to the remote areas are all related to the goddess, but the fact is that it can only be said that they are far from humanity. Although there are no fine buildings or church people resident, it is cleaned regularly, but it is basically a place where people do not visit for months.
The group first headed near the border with the City-State Union, heading northwest from the royal capital. The row of carriages, which progressed slowly over five days, rested overnight in the town near the destination and left early the next morning.
When the destination has arrived before the sun has risen, the accompanying monks and nuns prepare for the surroundings and prepare for the festival. Soon after noon, preparations were completed, and the crab purification was performed.
"This is the first such large-scale prayer. How about a priest Dolet?"
While watching the movement of those who are already preparing to clear up and withdraw, the Father of Fukumi deeply asks the other Father to stand next to him.
"Yes, I've managed the prayer a few times, but this is the first time I've ever done so. It's like a duke."
The priest, Dolet, replied, reminiscing the purification worship that had been performed so far.
Even though it is a prayer service, there is very little that the Duke actually does. Congratulations You just pray on the prayer table prepared by the monks and pray for just a few minutes. The two major issues are the preparation before then and, above all, taking the risk to this land.
Originally, it would have been meaningful for the monks to travel alone with danger alone, but it is impossible to force a noble daughter to do so. As a result, they travel in a chariot surrounded by a large number of escorts and booth operators, leaving all local preparations up to man.
Presentation There are voices inside the church that question the significance of a clean-up prayer service. But few can claim loudly in the face of the fact that the aristocratic daughter's prayer service is a very good income for the church.
You cannot live by eating haze as a church person. The church was like selling clothes to aristocratic daughters, just like a dress merchant sells a dress.
A large amount of donations have been made from the duke's family through this purification service. That amount was equal to the amount donated to the royal church in a year. You can see how much the Duke is focusing on this prayer service. Even if many priests and monks were mobilized and hindered their daily work, the Church had no reason to refuse this.
"Are you preparing for withdrawal?"
"Yes, the scale of the prayer is large, but it's bigger than that. Thanks to the help of the dukes, it's going very well."
Satisfied with Father Fukumi's answer, Priest Dorlet continues to say so.
"If you can afford it, give your guards prayer time in turn."
"Oh, that's a good idea. The escorts will be delighted."
For ordinary citizens, the prayer service is not very relevant. It is difficult to leave for work for a long time and go to the prayer service at the risk of life. Mercenaries may be able to avoid the danger of life by accompanying some companions, but they will not be able to make any money during that time. Unless you are very religious, you won't do that.
However, the mercenaries and private soldiers who are escorting this time have decided to go to three places necessary for the purification worship as part of their work. If you can pursue worship while fulfilling your duties while earning income, you will be delighted to benefit from it.
With the kindness of Priest Dorlet, the escorts keep praying in small groups, while preparing for withdrawal, replacing them in a timely manner. But while almost everyone was willing to pray to the goddess, there was only one mercenary dedicated to escorting without leaving the Duke's side.
A young man with black eyes and dark hair, dressed in a slightly shorter mauve robe. Fuyo Cup In the Imperial City, it was called "The Swordsman of the Thousand Swords" and was the last person to be a magician at a recent spell.
Father Fukumi, who was about to frown, instantly suppressed it, and walked with a spontaneous smile to the magician who was speaking with the Duke.
"Sure, you said Aldis, right?"
"Oh ... you are?"
The sorcerer turned around with his name called and asked Father Fr.
"I'm a priest at a church in the royal city. A long time ago, I've seen him when I was escorted by Sister Solte."
"... Sorry, I don't remember well."
Apparently, Fukumi is not remembered.
"I don't mind, I only met twice and the time was short."
"What's the use? If it's escort, don't me, but the people who are bundling the dukes' private soldiers."
"No, it's not a big business. Did you hear that escorts are allowed to pray to the goddess in turn?"
A thousand swordsman turns his eyes to the person who leads the private soldier, and Father Fukumi blocks out his business.
"Oh, I heard from Salte earlier."
"Is Aldis still not praying yet?"
Even though the other guards are willing to pray to the goddess, only one thousand sword sorcerer does not show his soul.
"... I have to be on Minerva's side."
The questioned Senjutsu magician answers the reason for the escort of the Duke's daughter, but his face has an unpleasant expression that cannot be hidden.
"There may be other escorts. Isn't it okay if you offer a few minutes of prayer?"
"No, please refrain"
The swordsman of the Senju screamed clearly and rejected, still not accepting the words of Father Fukumi, who still ate.
"Why? It's a unique opportunity to send a daily thanks to the goddess?"
"Teacher, don't worry about me, I'll be with Rona during that time."
The Duke, who had been listening to him sideways, offered his care, but the sorcerer looked even more grumpy.
"Everyone should decide who to pray to.
"Wow!"
Gold When the magician of the thousand swords begins to feel nervous about his expression, the beast of the color at his feet barks to obstruct the words. After seeing the beast, the magician of the thousand swords apologized again to Father Fukumi after a slight silence.
"... No. I'm not allowed to do that. Don't worry about me."
"... I see. Okay, it was rude to say too much. Then I'm done."
Father Fukumi also gave up and encouraged further conversion.
"How did you do that?"
Emotions may have appeared on Father Fukumi's face, who quit the Duke's daughter and returned to Dorlet. Dorlet, who seemed to have noticed something unusual, called out to care.
"No, it's not a big deal ..."
"I don't like my expression to say that. I'll talk to you if you have any concerns or concerns."
"Thank you. It's very difficult for everyone to understand the greatness and preciousness of the goddess."
When Father Labor Fukumi talked about his interaction with the Thousand Swordsman, Dorlet uttered a slightly annoying expression.
"Yes, sadly, there are quite a few people who don't understand the goddess' heart, but one day they'll surely know the goddess's awesomeness. I can only preach the teachings of God, and it's okay, surely the day will come when he will reach you. "
"Yes ... I hope so."
But while saying so in his mouth, Father Fukumi's heart is never clear.
Thorn A tone with the expression that a thousand swordswoman showed when talking about the goddess. There was no doubt that he was not happy with the goddess.
It is not just conversations that are caught by Father Fukumi's heart.
Even a few years ago, the Senjutsu Magi sent a gaze at the goddesses and the mural goddess as if they were revenge. It's as if you're hostile to the goddess. Father Fukumi, who had thought in his mind, was pierced by Dorlet's casual tweet.
"But 'Is it all right to decide who to pray for?' ... It's as if there's someone other than the goddess to pray ..."
"that is……"
Shock runs through Father Fukumi's body. Pieces of incongruity that were disjointed were combined and engaged exactly as if they had derived an answer. At the same time, cold sweat oozed into my back.
"No way ..."
There is only one pillar in this world called God. That is, the goddess Acera, the root of all mothers.
However, Father Fukumi knows that once there was only one god different from the goddess. Grace, an evil god that was destroyed by the goddess in the War of the Gods long ago.
At the same time, they also come to believe in worshipers who worship the evil gods and wield chaos and evil in the world.
"What happened? Your complexion is bad."
"No, it's okay"
Supporting the staggering body with energy, Father Fukumi pushes his fearful thoughts into himself while forcing his created smile to the dolet. The idea that a thousand sword sorcerer might be a follower of evil gods.