This feeling started to arise on the fifth day of her stay in Dawn City. It was already the twenty-second day, and that feeling mixed with worry and a little depression was still lingering around her, and she couldn't get rid of it no matter what.
She was not treated badly. On the contrary, she and several of her companions were arranged in the best room in the church. Three meals a day were served to them. Even two hundred years after she lived, the food was enough.
It must be exquisite. If there are other requirements, the friendly officiants and priests will also try their best to meet them.
They were allowed to enter and exit the cathedral freely and move around the city as they pleased. However, the white-robed bishop prevented them from leaving the holy city of the Theocracy on the grounds that "the surrounding situation was not very safe." Therefore, those who went to find the remaining companions
The task has been put on hold until now.
This is all because of Ariel, a celestial being who came to this era because she thought she was trying to help "Lord Stark" achieve his ideals.
That day, they arrived at the city under the hill. Before they had time to reveal their identities and intentions, they were invited into the cathedral by the enthusiastic chief priest. Then, the group was regarded as "messengers of God" and received the ultimate reward.
High standard hospitality.
In a sense, the officiant's understanding was actually correct. The Caleb Celestial Clan around them was indeed the attendant of the "Lord of Light", and to see a Celestial Clan descending into the mortal world with their own eyes was a big surprise to most priests.
, is also an experience that is rare to have once in a lifetime.
On the other hand, for Elena, who had spent several years in the church, both the city itself and the priests and nuns from two hundred years ago had a sense of intimacy and familiarity that made her feel at ease. It was tiring.
After a long journey, it is quite tempting to be able to "go home and rest".
Therefore, Elena accepted the other party's invitation and lived in the city. She planned to take this opportunity to better understand the continent where "Lord Stark" mentioned by Ariel was still alive, and what she loved.
The history of the church. But as time passed, the young nun vaguely realized that the St. Leon Church she saw was a little different from the one she had come into contact with.
The church in her impression is a group that is generous, gentle, and willing to help anyone in trouble. Maybe not every member is like this, but her teacher, the white-robed Bishop Callan Orfield, and those kindly teaching people in Dawn City
The nuns who passed her, and even the priests in each branch who were always smiling, allowed her to maintain a relatively good impression of the church.
But what she sees now, the St. Leon Church "two hundred years ago", is completely different.
The priests are still friendly to them. However, the vast majority of them have a negative impression of the Oron Empire, and they do not hide it at all. In the eyes of those people, the empire oppresses and exploits its own people, while coveting its neighbors.
They are villains on the territory of the country. They are messengers of justice who exist to defeat the empire and liberate the people within it and the surrounding countries that are threatened by it.
Ariel's arrival made them more convinced that their "mission" was approved by God. The three people traveling with the Celestial Clan also received the title of "The One Who Brings the Glory of God" and received the courtesy that matches it.
Bell was very satisfied with this, but neither Old Grum nor Elena herself believed that this was a purely good thing.
So on this day, the young nun came to Groom, hoping to get some valuable advice from Peron, who had experienced more than a hundred years of life.
"There is an old saying, how much you give, how much you expect in return." The old Belon stroked his long and thick beard and said to Elena who was sitting next to him, "I wonder if that Heavenly Clan understands that excessive
If expectations are not met, they will turn into resentment.”
"I think...Ariel...should not care about that." The girl replied thoughtfully, "But what do Uncle Groom, those bishops and priests want from Ariel?"
"Needless to say. The messenger sent from the heaven by Saint Leonos, this is an excellent symbol and name." The old Belon coughed twice, looked around, and then lowered his voice, "Little girl
, you should feel that these Theocracy people are planning something, right?"
Elena pursed her lips and stroked her long light blue braid. It took a while before she answered, "...Is it the Empire?"
"It's good that you know." Groom nodded seriously, "So, if these Theocracy people fail, the responsibility may be thrown on us. At that time, we have to - prepare
Run away."
"Can't we find a way to stop them?" Elena frowned. Although she had experienced many trips, she also knew that it was unrealistic to achieve this task with the four of them. "We are not Saints at all.
Lord Leonos’s envoy... Besides, we have other things to do.”
As for explaining her origins to the bishops, she has naturally tried it before. Unfortunately, many times, especially when driven by specific interests, people will only choose the facts they believe. Even if they are from Saint Leonos.
Believers are no different.
The old man from Belon stroked his beard and narrowed his eyes to look at her.
"This is none of my business. Although I'm a little worried about that little girl An, I estimate that 80%...or 90%, that kid Elio is accompanying her." Groom stood up and opened the cabinet on the side -
—The cabinet itself is kept at a temperature slightly higher than freezing water with magic, and there is a small barrel of fresh ale inside. He unscrewed the stopper, poured himself a full glass, and then took a sip, "Actually, for me
To be honest, life here is quite good. Don’t worry too much, little girl - Anke said that history will not change its course just because of a few people. So, since we are all here, why not enjoy life for a while?
Yes."
He opened the door and walked to the next door with a cup in hand, probably looking for Bell or others to drink and chat. St. Leon Church does not prohibit alcohol, and with the temperament of the old Belon people, it would be easy to find a few friends with similar temperaments.
Strange. When he was approaching the door, he suddenly turned around and glanced at the young nun who was still sitting in the original position. "I know you are not that easy to persuade. If you really want to do something, little girl, just ask that person."
It must have come from heaven.”
"Ariel..." The young nun unconsciously fiddled with the braids hanging down to her chest. It wasn't until the old Belon completely disappeared from sight that she began to think seriously about the other party's proposal.
Elena understands that the ultimate goal of that Celestial Clan may be completely contrary to her. But for now, she is probably also tired of the reverence of those Theocratic people and the behavior of using her as a symbol.
After all, the Calebs are born warriors, not gods to be worshiped by others.
She was mentally thinking about how to persuade the other party and how to get Bell to give up his comfortable life and leave the city with her. No matter which one, it didn't sound like a simple matter.
"Forget it, let's take it one step at a time." The nun shook her hair and decided to find an opportunity to talk to the heavenly clan first. As the "Messenger of God" herself, Ariel received better treatment than them - of course
, the "protection" received is also more stringent.
But the girl is not too worried.
As a nun who has visited almost all of the church's holy city - even though it was more than two hundred years later - Elena believes that it is not an impossible task to find a few exploitable loopholes.