Chapter 54
I looked at Joanie pitifully as she eagerly ran up to the woman who looked like a nun, wagging her metaphorical tail.
How can she be so fearful during battles, yet so reckless in situations like this? It’s quite contradictory.
Does she only react strongly to immediate, visible threats? Observing her behavior like this makes me feel like a behavioral psychologist.
Although, I’m far from being an expert, let alone having ever studied the subject.
I wonder if there are any professions like that in this world? I haven’t really seen anyone who specializes in counseling or psychology.
People here always seem to rush to the priests whenever something goes wrong.
‘You got hurt by a monster’s attack? Oh dear! Quickly, go see the priest for treatment.’
‘There’s an epidemic spreading? Contact the church immediately!’
‘Father, forgive me, for I have sinned….’
That’s how it goes. Priests in this world are treated as some kind of panacea for everything.
Anyway, I guess Joanie doesn’t understand that in the wild, the dangers aren’t just limited to monsters or beasts.
It’s fortunate that the person camping at the clearing was a nun from the Edel Church. If it had been some unsavory group, things could’ve gone really badly.
While I tied our horses to a nearby tree and prepared for camp, Joanie happily chatted away with the nun.
“Sorry for the late introduction. My name is Celine. I serve Edel as a nun. Please feel free to call me Celine.”
“My name’s Joanie. You can call me whatever you like!”
“Yes, Joanie. …Have you been guided by Edel?”
“Guided by Edel…? Ah, yes! I have. How did you know? Sometimes, people don’t notice….”
“Hehe. If one were unable to see the grace so deeply engraved upon you, they wouldn’t be worthy of serving Edel. And also…”
The nun’s gentle gaze turned towards me.
“This young lady here has received just as much grace as you have, Joanie.”
“Eh, Kana?”
“Is Kana her name? What a lovely name.”
“Ah….”
Hearing my name mentioned, I tilted my head slightly.
While Joanie exchanged some words with Celine, she then turned to speak to me.
“Kana, this is Celine. She’s a nun from the Edel Church.”
I could have guessed that just by looking at her.
Since she’d been formally introduced, I couldn’t just ignore her. I greeted Celine with a polite nod.
Maybe not all of them, but every priest I’ve met so far has been a good person or at least someone of decent character.
And Celine seemed no different.
Of course, I’ve only known her for less than an hour, so I can’t be certain, but from what I’ve seen so far, she doesn’t appear to harbor any malice.
Maybe I can afford to lower my guard a little.
“Isn’t it scary to camp alone in a place like this? I’d be too scared to sleep properly….”
“Hehe… Joanie, you’re kind. Don’t worry. With this—”
“Wow…!”
“If I borrow the power of Edel, there’s nothing to fear.”
Golden light emanated from Celine’s hand, illuminating the darkness.
The light shimmered and spread outward, like fireflies dancing in the night, encircling the clearing where we stood.
“Is that… a barrier?”
“Hmm—it’s not quite a barrier. It’s a holy spell, but it works similarly. So, yes, you could see it that way. Tonight, I’ll be watching over you, so rest assured.”
“Um… isn’t that tiring for you…?”
“I’ve received such abundant love, so something like this is a breeze.”
‘Hmm….’
I carefully observed the light surrounding the area.
It wasn’t as bright as when it first emerged from Celine’s hand, but its soft glow seemed to create a protective wall around us.
Curious, I reached out and poked at the light, finding that my finger easily passed through it without any resistance, going beyond the barrier.
I’d seen other priests create these safe zones before, but those were meant to completely separate the inside from the outside—no one inside could go out, and no one outside could come in.
But with Celine’s spell, there didn’t seem to be any problem moving from the inside out.
It’s unlikely that it’s been set up without any purpose, so it probably prevents entry from the outside.
This is quite interesting.
“Kana, do you find it fascinating?”
“…”
Joanie was watching me, a warm expression on her face, as I continued to poke and prod the barrier.
…That gaze is kind of annoying.
***
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***
“Celine’s holy spell must have fascinated her,” Joanie said with a satisfied smile.
“It would seem fascinating to most people.”
Joanie smiled as she spoke, recalling how Kana poked at the barrier like a child playing with a new toy.
Even though Kana now looked as if nothing had happened and continued to stare at the campfire, Joanie had seen it all.
‘She really is still a child at heart.’
Joanie found it cute how Kana pretended not to care, but she also felt a little guilty for bothering her.
But she couldn’t help it.
You know how uncles can’t resist teasing their nieces and end up making them cry?
It’s just like that—I couldn’t help but mess with her!
Joanie internally justified her actions.
While Joanie continued smiling, Celine suddenly asked her a question.
“Are you two also heading to the Holy Kingdom?”
“Yes, we are. Wait, ‘also’? Does that mean you’re…?”
“Yes. I’m also on my way back to the Holy Kingdom.”
“That’s perfect! Since we’ve met like this, would you like to travel together to the Holy Kingdom?”
Joanie eagerly suggested, utilizing her natural friendliness, but Celine gave a hesitant smile, delaying her answer for a moment.
“It’s a kind offer, but shouldn’t we ask for Kana’s opinion as well?”
“…Oh, right.”
Realizing she had gotten too excited, Joanie calmed down a little.
Meeting a picture-perfect nun like the ones straight out of a comic book made her lose her composure….
Joanie coughed awkwardly.
She had a feeling Kana wouldn’t care and would probably say, ‘Do as you like,’ but it wouldn’t be polite to include a new traveling companion without even asking her first.
Even if it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, and it’s simpler to report something afterward than ask in advance, Joanie knew that repeating such behavior could erode trust.
And she didn’t want to break the bond she had worked so hard to build with Kana.
“Kana, Kana.”
“…Why do you always call me twice?”
“Well, doesn’t it sound more affectionate? Just calling your name feels too cold.”
“Not really….”
“Is that so? Anyway, Kana, Celine here is also heading to the Holy Kingdom. Would it be alright if she traveled with us? You know, it’s more fun when there are more people traveling together.”
“I’m not really sure about that.”
Kana responded indifferently.
As Joanie opened her mouth to try to persuade Kana again, Kana spoke up first.
“Do as you like.”
It was exactly what Joanie had initially expected her to say.
“She’s a nun, so I’m sure she knows the way to the Holy Kingdom well.”
No one had even questioned it, but Kana made a statement as if she were explaining herself.
Does she really want to maintain her aloof persona?
Well, whatever!
Joanie beamed brightly, having received permission.
“Kana said it’s fine too!”
“…I didn’t say it was fine.”
“You hear her, right?”
Kana, who had begun to understand a bit of Arkish, tried to refute Joanie’s words, but Joanie remained steadfast.
“Um… is that so?”
Even Celine, who had been listening, was taken aback and asked cautiously.
“Of course! Kana isn’t yet fluent in Arkish, so she can’t express herself properly. Just now, she meant to say, ‘It’s wonderful! I won’t object!’”
“I-Is that so…? I suppose she’s not very fluent in Arkish, but…”
She doesn’t look like someone who would say something like that, though.
Celine swallowed her words.
To her, Joanie and Kana seemed like quite an unusual pair.
Joanie was lively, whereas Kana was reserved.
Based on their personalities, Joanie seemed like the one who should be leading, but it appeared that the one in control was actually Kana.
That didn’t mean Kana was deciding everything on her own, though.
‘There must be a reason why Lady Edel is watching over them.’
Celine’s eyes sparkled with a golden light as she grew more intrigued.
“Alright, then. I’ll be in your care.”
Celine spoke while avoiding Kana’s disgruntled gaze.
Thus, the three of them became traveling companions, and thanks to Celine’s holy spell, they spent a comfortable night together.
The next morning, after having a simple stew made from the Rain Buffalo meat they had caught the day before, they tidied up the clearing and prepared to set off.
Joanie stomped out the fire and poured water over it as she joked around.
“You can never be too careful with fire safety. This is the kind of education that really shines in moments like this.”
“You’re absolutely right. Fire safety is very important.”
“Ah, ahaha…You heard that?”
“Yes, it’s a wonderful teaching. I should share it with the children at the temple.”
Joanie, who had suddenly been appointed the honorary fire safety officer of Silia Online, laughed awkwardly.
She hadn’t expected anyone to be listening to her mutterings.
Having thoroughly ensured fire prevention and repacked their luggage, the group prepared to set off on their journey… only to encounter an unexpected problem.
“Huh? Celine, where’s your horse?”
“My horse?”
“Yes. The horse you rode here.”
“I don’t have one, though…”
“Huh?”
Joanie was shocked by Celine’s unexpected statement.
“Then how did you get here?”
“I walked.”
“Walked, you say?”
“Yes. Thanks to Lady Edel, it wasn’t all that difficult.”
“…Lady Edel must have been quite athletic in her day.”
“Pardon?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Is there some doctrine that forbids you from riding a horse?”
“Of course not. It’s just that I ran out of travel funds. Embarrassingly enough, I miscalculated my expenses….”
Celine laughed softly, and Joanie awkwardly mirrored her.
But this was a problem. It wouldn’t matter if they had an extra horse, but they only had two.
Hearing Joanie muttering to herself, Celine scratched her cheek.
“Well, it’s fine if you two go ahead without me.”
“…No! I won’t abandon a companion!”
“A c-companion…?”
Joanie’s eyes widened.
Celine instinctively took a step back, overwhelmed by Joanie’s intensity.
Completely ignoring her reaction, Joanie sharply turned her head toward Kana.
“Kana! I’m sorry, but can we ride together?”
“…What?”
“Celine didn’t come here on horseback. It’d be awkward for us to just ride away, so how about you and I share one horse, and Celine rides the other?”
“You two can just ride together.”
“That’d be too harsh on the horse. It’s better if I ride with light Kana.”
“Then I’ll just run alongside. You two can each have your own horse.”
“Ah, Kana! Are you really going to be this heartless?”
Joanie and Kana argued, neither willing to back down.
Even though Celine couldn’t understand what they were saying, she could sense the tension between them.
“Fine. Then I’ll ride with that nun, Celine.”
“…That’s not allowed!”
“Why not?”
“Just because!”
“If you’re honest about your reasons, I’ll think about it.”
“…This is a perfect opportunity to stay close to Kana! There’s no way I’m missing out on this!”
“Just die.”
“Kyah! Didn’t you say you’d think about it? Kana, you liar!”
Kana picked up a branch with a blank expression and began chasing Joanie.
Joanie screamed as she ran away, and Kana chased after her.
Caught between them, Celine could only blink, bewildered by the sudden chase.
The impromptu chase ended with Joanie collapsing to the ground after taking several hits from the branch.
“I should’ve known when you so recklessly suggested traveling together.”
“Kana, you agreed too…”
“I knew you’d pester me if I said no.”
“Well, that’s true… Ow! Why’d you hit me again?!”
“Because you’re annoying.”
Kana snapped the branch she’d used to hit Joanie and tossed the broken pieces aside without hesitation, then gestured toward Celine.
“Get on.”
“M-me?”
“Yeah. I did agree, so I have to take responsibility.”
Kana muttered listlessly, tapping the saddle as if urging her to hurry up.
After Celine awkwardly climbed on, Kana lightly nudged Joanie’s side with her foot.
“Hurry up and get up.”
“Ugh… my whole body aches…. Maybe if Kana goes hoo~ and heals me, I’ll get better…?”
“Just stay on the ground forever, then.”
“I-I’m up!”
‘…What an amusing pair.’
Watching them bicker, Celine suddenly realized she was smiling.
‘Even if it weren’t Lady Edel’s will, I might have ended up traveling with these two anyway.’
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