Chapter 16

In the city of Art stands a huge tower called the Star Tower. It is the headquarters of the Star Church, the archbishop of the continent, and the Pope, Elena Ekarlate, sits on the top floor spreading gospel about the stars and guiding her followers.

A first-time visitor to the city will be awestruck by its immense size and grandeur.

The star tower was built as high as the technology allowed in order to get as close to the stars as possible.

It was completed about a hundred years ago. The beautiful, meticulous decorations are the result of a famous artist’s passion.

The cost of building the tower had been enormous, but the power of the Star Church had grown to the point where it could easily afford it.


“How is the investigation of the collapsed Shrine of Woe going?”


This is the Pope’s office. The upper echelons of the Star Church have been gathered to discuss matters of high importance.

Elena, dressed in a extravagant red outfit, asks the people gathered there. The Pope of the Star Church is required to wear a 『red robe』 to show that he has the blood of the red robe.

Bishop Nicaragh steps forward and answers.


“The removal of rubble is still in progress. We haven’t been able to reach the interior yet. It’s going to take a while longer.”

“I want to confirm the authenticity of the prophecy. Hasten the work.”

“Yes!”


As Nicaragh steps back, Cardinal Ilgachev, who advances to take his place, shouts out.

He is a descendant of the green robe. He wears a green outfit to show it.


“What do you think you are saying! I can’t believe this is coming from her holiness the Pope. It is a prophecy written by the founder of the Star Church and passed down through generations of red robes. How can you doubt it?”

“I do not trust anything left behind by those people who tried to brainwash me. I trust only what I see and hear with my own eyes and ears. Ilgachev, who’s side are you on, my late predecessor or me? Answer me now.”


Elena glares sharply at Ilgachev.


“……..I am a loyal servant of Lady Elena. It is my greatest joy to serve the Pope.”

“Then, good. ――When the seal on the Shrine of Woe is lifted, disaster will descend upon the world. It’s hard to believe, but it’s better to be prepared.”

“Yes. We, Laflorencia, the church’s elite force, will surely eliminate any enemy we face!”

“Same for the Inquisition, we will wipe out all the foolish heretics who defy your eminence.”

“Good, keep up the pace and continue to reinforce your forces. We have to be ready for whatever comes our way.”

“Ha!”

The two commanders kneel in reverence.

The 『Laflorencia』 unit, which is made up of especially faithful people selected from the church’s guards.

The 『Inquisition』, which is made up of a group of fanatics who are absolutely obedient to the Pope’s orders and never question them.

These two armed groups have slaughtered countless heretics as the Pope’s loyal pawns.

Ilgachev advises again. He steps further forward than before.


“Lady Elena. Now is the time to complete the Star Church’s supreme treasure, the 『Starball』. The completion of the Starball, which has been a long-time wish of the previous Popes, is at a standstill right before our eyes. I request your immediate permission to resume the demonic essence infusion process that has been suspended!”

“We can’t let that happen lady Elena. We must not complete such a terrible thing. Rather, we should begin the process of removing the demonic essence immediately. We will be ready soon.”

“Nicaragh! What are you saying! To call the Church’s greatest treasure, the Starball, a terrible thing, is a statement bordering on heresy! Stop all of these foolish preparations immediately!”

“I’m just being honest. It’s simply too much for mortal hands. It’s a danger to our very existence. A lump of evil that will not only bring forth greatness, but also ruin!”

“Silence! Inquisitor, arrest him at once! I, Ilgachev, the Cardinal, command you!”

Ilgachev, enraged, orders the commander of the Inquisition to take action. But the commander of the order, Ikona, remains unmoving.

“Cardinal Ilgachev. We, the Inquisitor, obey only the orders from Lady Elena. Firstly, I’d like to ask for Lady Elena’s judgment.”

“Ts, Lady Elena!”

“I don’t think this is the right time to make a decision about the Starball just yet. It carries a terrifying power, but that means it can also be a threat in return.”

“To think even Lady Elena would say such things! It is your duty as Pope to complete the Starball. When it is finished, the great Star God will guide us!

“I don’t believe that I have any such obligation at all. It’s just a huge lump of demonic essence. The Star God always shines above our heads.”


She assured him and brushed aside his complaints. But inwardly, Elena was undecided. The construction of the Starball was interrupted near its completion. She doesn’t know if it’s a good idea to complete it. Rather than being a calamity, Elena can only see it as darkness itself. Normally, it should be destroyed immediately.

However, that immense power can also be used as a weapon. If the prophecy is true, the power of the Starball may be necessary. Once they start to remove the demonic essence, there is no turning back. A broken vessel cannot be filled with water again.

Ilgachev, who leads the radical conservative faction, insists that it must be completed immediately. The reformist Nicaragh complains that the Church does not need too much power. He advocates that, should a disaster befall us, we must use the wisdom and efforts of all mankind to repel it.

Currently, demonic essence is used as a material to blend into magical tools and armor.


“……The Starball will remain the same. Ilgachev, we’ll have to wait and see if we can resume work. Nicaragh, be ready to start the removal process. I’ll determine what is to be done in the near future.”

“――Yes”

“Understood. But I would ask you to take action as soon as possible.”


Ilgachev glares at Nicaragh, who urges her to remove the demonic essence until the very end, revealing his killing intent.


“Ikona, I want to have a few words with you, so stay behind. The rest of you may go. ――May the stars guide us.”

“――Let the stars guide us all. Let there be light in every living being.”


Following Elena’s benediction, all the people present prayed.


When Ilgachev and the others left, Elena and the head of the Inquisition, Ikona, are left in their place.

Elena beckons him over, and Ikona approaches with a blissful look on his face. He reverently takes Elena’s hand and kneels down, waiting for her to speak.

Taking great care not to let her voice leak out of the room, Elena tells him in a whisper.


“Ikona, the green robe――investigate Cardinal Ilgachev. We have information that he is using his pawns to obtain demonic essence in private. The Starball is under the jurisdiction of the man who is the descendant of the 『green robe』. Be extremely careful to prevent the Ilgachev faction faction from getting out of control.”

“’Why don’t you immediately arrest him for heresy and question him? It doesn’t matter what the crime is.”


Ikona presents an aggressive proposal. Usually, it is not an exaggeration to say that the moment the Pope suspects you of something, your demise is confirmed. They could produce as much evidence as they wanted afterwards.

Elena shakes her head. Even though she is the Pope, she does not command all the members of the church.

The only ones that can move with freely with direct control are the Inquisition and the elite troop Laflorencia.

Under Elena, there are the cardinals and bishops, and those individuals have people under them. There is no doubt that any attempt to crush Ilgachev would provoke a backlash from the conservatives who are connected to him. There must be enough evidence to convince all the believers.


“That would lead to infighting. We don’t have hard evidence that he’s guilty. But there are rumors that he is sheltering a bounty target and helping with his evil research. My faithful servant Ikona. Get reliable proof that he is a heretic.”

“Leave it to me. Anyone who opposes Lady Elena is a heretic. We will find proof.”


Elena nods and quietly stands up. She suddenly remembers something and turns her head to Ikona.

Unlike earlier, there’s something mischievous in the air around her.


“By the way, Ikona, is it true that a person appeared in the city claiming to be a hero?”


Elena has received this information from a reliable source. She claims to be a hero and has begun to challenge the underground labyrinth.


“Yes, indeed, it seems that a girl claiming to be a hero has defeated the bounty targets Salvadore and Russ Nubes. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I’m sure she is quite capable. If you are not pleased with her, we will take care of it at once.”


Elena dismisses Ikona’s suggestion with a giggle.


“There’s no need for that, rather, I’m interested in her. Wouldn’t it be more dreamlike to have a hero ward off a terrible disaster rather than the Starball? ……..I’d like to meet her once if I get the chance.”


Elena puts on a age-appropriate, peaceful expression. There is no dignified papal appearance there.


“Lady Elena, a person with an unknown identity like that――’”

“All right, director Ikona. Check their background and report to me when you know that they’re clear. You understand?”

“Yes!”


Elena exits the room with no intention of hearing what Ikona has to say.

She decides to think about the prophetic texts, leaving the hero for a later time.

There is another statement in the prophetic texts. 『Gather demonic essence to complete the Starball, then the Star God will descend. With the guidance of the Star God, great salvation will come to the people. The darkness will surely recede.』

The first red robe, who founded the Star Church, discovered that the crystal of magic power, demonic essence, can be extracted from the corpses of the demons that appeared in the underground labyrinth.

Furthermore, the red robe announced that by condensing the demonic essence and creating a divine relic, they could bring the Star God to this world. He said the god has entrusted him with a great mission. If we can fulfill this mission, we will surely be saved, he preached to his followers.

The Star Church began to work with all its might to bring about the God’s decent. In order to collect the demonic essence efficiently, it established the guild system, opened up the underground labyrinths that had been sealed away, and began to encourage exploration activities.

By giving out rewards, large numbers of adventurers are encouraged to challenge the labyrinth and gather demonic essence for the guild. By supervising the adventurers, the church could control the flow of demonic essence as much as possible. The founder of the church, 『Red Robe』, devised up and constructed this system.


Elena, who has the blood of the red robe, did not question the prophecy in the beginning. Her father and his entourage had indoctrinated her from a young age, and she believed it to be the truth. She was convinced that she, too, would eventually follow the teachings and bring salvation to the people.

But when her father suddenly died, the circumstances changed. Elena was forced to take over as the Pope at a young age. She had to succeed even though she was still in the middle of her education.

When Elena became the Pope, Ilgachev and Nicaragh were decided to take overlook her education.

Ilgachev was busy with the funeral of the previous Pope and sorting out the chaos, and Nicaragh, who was still hiding his reformist views, was put in charge.

Nicaragh began to instill reformative ideas as he has been waiting for. He stressed the importance of thinking with a broader perspective and cracked Elena’s deluded way of thinking.

When Elena began to think independently, many of her predecessors’ entourage panicked. Deciding that there was no time to spare, they forced a ritual that had been carried out in secret for generations.

Elena, who had sensed the uneasy atmosphere, had taken insurance beforehand. She had made an arrangement with Nicaragh to always know her whereabouts.

Aware of the situation, Nicaragh and the rangers who had received the request interrupted the ritual and rescued Elena.

The previous entourage was branded a heretic and executed at Elena’s command. The brainwashing ritual ended in failure.

This ritual had always been performed since the first red robe’s death, and it was a way to ensure that their wishes were faithfully carried out.

A cursed ritual that forcibly drowns out the will and thoughts of the person in question and passes on the soul of the founder. Elena was able to escape the predicament at the last moment.

From then on, Elena began to question the Star Church. She had grown suspicion of the prophetic texts that had been passed down from generation to generation.

There is nothing wrong with the teachings of the Star Church. She doesn’t think it’s evil. However, the amount of devotion to the Starball is abnormal. The insane idea of making sure she carries on the will and makes sure it’s completed. Her predecessors’ entourage did not question it.

Ilgachev’s obsession with it also seems abnormal. In the first place, why did they have to create such a system? This makes it seem as if the church exists only to create a Starball.

There is no one to answer Elena’s questions. Should she complete the Starball or destroy it? The young Pope, Elena’s struggle continues.


(Should I complete it or destroy it? ……I don’t believe in the prophecy, but I can’t just ignore a looming calamity.)


Elena laughs as she remembers the legendary fairy tale of the three heroes.


(If the hero in question is real, it would help. A savior who has appeared to fend off the calamity. …Is that too convenient?)

◆


“Aa, the freshly baked bread is delicious. This soup is excellent too. Is it from pumpkin. The master’s cooking is really good.”


Yuusha devours the bread and brings the soup to her mouth. A smooth, rich taste flavor in her mouth.

She determines her next target. The fried eggs are tempting, but she decided on the ripe, red tomatoes.

She sticks her fork into it and takes a bite, being careful not to let the juice drip.


“Ah, um…”

“These tomatoes are great. Oh, Matari, if you don’t want those, I’ll take them.”

“Th, that’s what I was looking forward to–”

“You’re lying. I wouldn’t take other people’s. I still have some of my strawberries left.”

“No, it’s not that. Um”


Matari looks like she wants to say something. Pinky is grinning Next to her.

Yuusha ignores her, and boldly chews on the carrot stick.


“Fufu, you look like a small animal when you do that. Here, I’ll give you these fried sunflower seeds. They’re sweet and delicious.


She offered Yuusha the seeds and she silently takes them from her and throws them into her mouth. She chews them with a crunching sound and spits out the seed shells.


“You just barged in on your own yesterday. You need to go back to your home.”


After Yuusha collapsed from exhaustion, she woke up and saw Pinkie. Apparently the Pink wasn’t a dream.


“If you’re cold to your friends someday you’ll meet a terrible fate. Right, Matari.”

“Uh, uhmm. Ye, yes, that’s right.”

“See, Matari-chan also said so.”


Edel looked smug as she stretched the end of her words.

Yuusha stared at Matari with her eyes and remembers yesterday.


“When the hell did you become one of us? I don’t get it. First of all, you have your dead friends. Go ahead and get along with them. Somewhere out of sight.”

“Oh dear, you’re so unpleasant. The sorcerers are wanted everywhere. I can’t believe that you’re turning one down.”

“Cause you’re pink. My eyes hurt. Your clothes are pink. Your hat is pink. Your bed is pink. Even my dreams were pink!”


Yuusha’s sleep was the worst. The pink nightmare had consumed her spirit. At the end of the dream, she was even dressed in a pink costume. When Matari saw it, she rolled one the floor while laughing. It was just a dream, of course. It didn’t make any sense at all.


“What’s wrong with pink? It’s bright and gentle, isn’t it? It’s a wonderful color that warms the heart.”

“All in moderation. Do sorcerers like to be monochromatic? There was also that weird all-black guy.”


Yuusha is reminded of the black hat chick. The outlaw puppeteer was green.


“Let’s see. That being said, a lot of people prefer a consistent color.”

“Also, a lot of sorcerers have twisted personalities, don’t they? Everyone I’ve met so far has been a freak.”


As Yuusha says that, Edel looks unhappy.


“That’s prejudice. If you are going to say that, I know a brave little hero too. She’s a pretty amusing little girl when you make fun of her.”


Yuusha’s blood pressure rises as Edel suddenly pokes her with a finger. But even with the provocation, Yuusha tries to keep her composure.


“……Fufun, I won’t get mad about that. I’m an adult.”

“Oh, dear. Well, I’ll just take these strawberries then.”


Edel plucks a strawberry from Yuusha’s plate and eats it. A large, sweet-looking strawberry that Yuusha had saved for last.


“This bitch! How dare you steal my precious strawberries! I won’t forgive you for this!”

“Here you go.”


Edel takes the strawberry she was supposed to have eaten from her palm. There’s a certain look on her face.

Yuusha silently takes it from her and turns her face away.

Edel straightens her posture and lowered her head.


“……..I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to tease you. Let me ask you again. I want to join you. I’m sure I’ll be useful to you.”

“…..Huh? Oh, All right. I don’t refuse those who come and don’t chase those who leave, so, if Matari says it’s fine, I’ll let you join us.”

“Ee, ee! Me!”

“Yeah. I leave it to you.”


Yuusha dumped the entire thing to Matari. She already knew her decision and did it intentionally.


“W, well. It would be very reassuring to have the sorcerer join us. That’s why, please treat me well!”


Matari makes a quick decision. She is a woman who decides quickly. Yuusha thought it would be good to pretend to think a little more, but did not say it.


“Thank you very much. It’s good that you’re so honest. You’re different from a certain twisted little girl. Then from now on, I’ll be happy to take care of you for many years to come.”

“Same here, please teach me various things! Edel seems to be familiar with the labyrinth. I look forward to working with you!”


So now they have someone older than Matari. Yuusha is seventeen, Matari is twenty. She doesn’t know Edel’s exact age, but she assumes her to be early to mid thirty years old from the gloss of her skin and the way she talks.

Edel glares at Yuusha, perhaps because she guessed what she was thinking about.


“You weren’t thinking about something rude just now, were you? About my age, for example.”

“No, not at all.”


Yuusha blurts out.


“I’m only twenty-nine. I’m not much older from you two.”

“I’m seventeen, so it’s not even close.”

“I don’t think it’s that different.”


An awkward, strange silence envelops the table. Matari claps her hands and tries to change the subject.


“Then let’s introduce ourselves properly again! My name is Matari. I’m training to be a great warrior!”

“I am Edelweiss the sorcerer. I’m a necromancer. If you are close to death, be sure to call me. I’ll be sure to put you to good use.”

“……What are you saying with a smile on your face?”

“I, I’ll pass.”


Matari responds to Edel’s joke with a pale face.

If she took it one step further her face would turn completely white.


“Ah, I’m a hero. My name is….. My name, uhー, what is it?”


Yuusha scratches her head as she’s thinking. She’s been calling herself a hero for too long, so she couldn’t easily remember her real name. She twists her head while thinking about it.


“Um, Yu, Yuu, Yuusha?”

“Due to amnesia, can’t remember my name? ……Is it like that? Well, anything is fine. Call me whatever you want.”


Yuusha chuckles as her eyes wander.


“….Are you okay? You’re looking a little pale.”

“Of course I’m fine. My stomach is full.”

“……So, what’s your name?”

“I’m just a hero. I’ll tell you as soon as I remember. I have no reason to hide anything.”

“……….”

“What. Is there something on my face?”

“No, I understand. Tell me about it sometime. I’m looking forward to it.”


When Edel backed off obediently, Matari also remained silent.

Yuusha became somewhat uncomfortable and switches the topic to Edel.


“So what do you want, after all? Just killing time?”

“Hmmm, let’s see. That’s part of it. But I’m curious about the magic you’ve used. It doesn’t seem like the kind of magic we use. I’d really like to observe it from up close.”

“You’re honest with you desires. And, after that?”

“I figured when you died, I’d collect the corpse. Don’t worry, I’ll put it to good use. Isn’t it better to be close by to collect the fresh corpse? I don’t often get a hero’s corpse.”


Edel smiles in high spirits, and Yuusha lets out a tired sigh.

She doesn’t know how serious she is, but she’s sure this kind of thing will keep happening. It’s good to be lively, but it’s bound to cause a different kind of fatigue than Matari’s.

So she decided to take the nusiance fee first.


“I see. Then I’ll take your strawberries. They looks so good, it would be a waste if you left some behind on the table.”


Quickly grabbing them, Yuusha puts them in her mouth and chews. It’s sweet and sour and really tasty.


“Wai, Wait a moment! I was saving that for last!”

“Shut up. It’s your fault for not hurrying up and eating them quickly. Stu―pid Stu―pid!”


Yuusha sticks out her tongue to provoke her. For some reason, Matari holds her forehead and looks tired.


“This, this damn brat!”

“If you get so angry, you’ll get more wrinkles, pink old woman!”

“I’m gonna make you a corpse and beat your crooked guts out after that!”


Edel, who had made an amusing face, grabbed at her, so Yuusha stood up to fight back.

It’s extremely noisy to those near, but it’s not particularly noticeable because it’s drowned out by the liveliness of the tavern.

It’s natural for it to be noisy, since all the customers are adventurers.


“So, someone, please stop these people. So, someone―― ”


Matari’s humble request was drowned out by the clamor and never reached anyone else.

Not even the people who were fighting. Matari groaned.

---

Pinky with an interesting face. Yuusha doing an Akanbei. Matari with a tired face. The Zukoke trio is complete.

Akanbei – apparently “facial gesture of pulling one’s eyelid down and sticking out one’s tongue”

Zukoke trio – quick google search gave this wikipedia page