There were no problems along the way, and the group was on its way to its destination without any problems.

　All of the places they were heading to were said to be places associated with the Goddess, but in reality, they were all remote and remote.
　It's not that there are any fine buildings, nor are there any people from the church stationed there.
　It was a land that would basically never be visited by humans for months, although there were regular cleanups going on.

　The group first headed northwest from the royal capital, near the border with the Union of City States.
　After five days of slow progress, the line of carriages rested for the night in a town near their destination and left early the next morning.

　When they arrived at their destination before the sun had yet to rise, the monks and nuns who accompanied them proceeded to clean up the area and make the necessary preparations for the festival.
　After lunch, the preparations were ready and a solemn prayer vigil was held.

I've never seen such a large scale prayer service before. How about you, Priest Dawlett?

　As he watches the people who are already preparing to clean up and take down, the blessed-eared priest asks the other priest standing next to him with deep emotion.

'Yes, that's right. I've had the privilege of leading a few jocular ceremonies, but never on this scale. It's just like a duke's family.

　The priest called Dorette replied, recalling the prayer service that had just been performed.

　Even though it is a prayer service, the Duchess herself rarely performs it.
　The monks had prepared a prayer table, and she only had to offer a few minutes of prayer.
　The hardest part is the preparation and, above all, the risk of going to this place.

　In the past, the monks had to travel by themselves and risk their lives, but they couldn't force a noblewoman to do so.
　As a result, she had to travel in a carriage surrounded by a large number of guards and maids and leave all the preparations for the trip to others.

　Some people in the church have questioned the meaning of the purificatory ritual in which everything was set up.
　But there are few who would argue this in the face of the reality that the purgatory of the noblewoman is a very tasty source of income for the church.

　No one in the church can live on haze.
　The church was like a dressmaker selling dresses to a noblewoman, and the church was selling a purgatory to a noblewoman.

　The church was like a clothing merchant selling dresses, and the church was selling products to noble ladies.
　The amount of money donated by the duke's family was equivalent to the amount of money donated to the church in the capital in a year.
　The amount of money was equivalent to one year's contribution to the church in the capital.
　The church had no reason to refuse it, even though it was a hindrance to their daily work, because of the number of priests and monks mobilized.

'How are the preparations for the dismantling of the building?

'Yes. The size of the jury-rigging is large, but there are more people than that. It's going extremely well, thanks to the dukes helping us out, too.

　Satisfied with Father Blessed Ear's answer, Priest Dorlet continued his words then.

'If there is room, I will give the guards a moment to pray in turn.

'Oh, that's a good idea. I'm sure the guards will be delighted.

　Ordinary citizens do not have much of a connection with prayer meetings.
　It is difficult for them to take a long time off work and risk their lives to go to a prayer meeting.
　In the case of mercenaries, they may be able to avoid the risk of death by accompanying a few companions, but they will not be able to earn an income during that time. Unless you are a very religious person, you wouldn't go that far.

　But the mercenaries and private soldiers who are escorting us this time will visit the three places needed for the prayer rituals as part of their job.
　I am sure they will be happy to benefit from the fact that they can perform the rite while earning an income and performing their duties.





　With the kindness of the priest Dollet, the guards take turns praying for a small group of people while they prepare to move out.
　But while almost all of them were willing to pray to the goddess, there was one mercenary who never left the duchess's side and was devoted to guarding her.

　He is a young man with black eyes and black hair, dressed in a short, wisteria robe.
　He was known as the 'Magician of a Thousand Swords' in the royal capital, and he was the one who had recently won the Fuyo Cup (Lotus Cup) despite being a magician.

　Father Blessed Ear instantly suppressed his eyebrows, and walked up to the sorcerer who was exchanging words with the duchess with a good-natured smile.

''You said you were Aldis-san, as I recall?''

'Oh ....... What about you?

　When his name was called, the sorcerer turned around and asked Father Blessed Ear.

I have received the rank of a priest in the Church of the King's City. I had the pleasure of meeting you long ago when you were escorted by Sister Sorte.

"...... Sorry, I don't remember that well.

　Apparently, I don't remember Father Blessed Ears.

'That's fine. We only met twice, and our time was short.'

What can I do for you?　When it comes to guarding, it's not me, it's the person who unites the duke's private army--

'No, it's nothing serious. Did you hear that the guards are also allowed to take turns praying to the Goddess?

　The sorcerer of a thousand swords was about to say it as he turned his attention to the person leading the private army, when Father Blessed Ear interrupted him to say his business.

''Ah, I heard from Sorte earlier.

'I don't think Mr. Aldis has prayed yet?

　Even though the other guards are willing to pray to the goddess, only the Thousand Swords Magician shows no signs of doing so.

'...... I have to stay by Minerva's side.

　When asked, the thousand sword sorcerer replied because of the duchess' escort, but there was an uncomfortable expression on his face that he couldn't hide.

''There must be other guards. Wouldn't it be fine if you could offer a prayer for just a few minutes?''

No, thanks.

　Not taking the words of Father Fukumimi, who was still biting down, seriously, the Thousand Swords Magician clearly uttered a rejection.

''Why? This is a unique opportunity to deliver your daily gratitude to the Goddess, right?

'Master, don't worry about me. In the meantime, I'll have you follow Rona.

　The duchess, who had been listening to the conversation beside her, made a witty offer, but the sorceress showed an even more unhappy face.

"It's up to each person to decide who to pray to. I'm sorry, but I--

Woof!

　Just as the Senken sorcerer began to show signs of irritation in his expression, the golden-colored beast at his feet howled as if to interrupt his words.
　The Senken sorcerer locked eyes with the beast, and after a slight silence, he once again uttered an apology to Father Fukumimi.

''...... No. I will still refrain from doing so. Don't worry about me.

...... I see. 'Okay, I don't want to be too hard on you. Then I'll leave you to it.

　Father Blessed Ear also gave up on encouraging further conversion and withdrew.





'How can I help you?　What's on your mind?

　Father Blessed Ear Priest's face must have shown emotion as he left the duchess' presence and returned to Dorette.
　Dawlett, who seemed to have sensed the change, called out to him as if he was concerned.

''No, it's not really a big deal. ......

You don't look very good in spite of that. If you have any concerns or problems, I'll be happy to help you.

Thank you. ...... It's quite difficult to get all people to understand the greatness and preciousness of the Goddess.

　When Father Blessed Ear told him about the exchange with the Thousand Swords sorcerer, Dorrette looked a little troubled and uttered some words of exertion.

''That's right. It is sad to say that not a few people are not able to understand the mind of the Goddess. But I'm sure they will understand the wonderfulness of Goddess one day. We can only preach Goddess' teachings with sincerity. Don't worry, I'm sure the day will come when your words will reach him.

Yes ......, I hope so.

　But even though he says so with his mouth, Father Fukumimi's mind never clears.

　The expression and thorny tone of voice that the Senken wizard showed when he mentioned the goddess' story.
　There was no doubt that he was not pleased with the goddess.

　The earlier conversation wasn't the only thing that stuck in Father Blessed Ear's mind.

　When they had met a few years ago, the Thousand Swords Magician had looked at the people praying to the Goddess and the Goddess of the mural as if they were avenging her.
　It was as if he was looking at the goddess as an enemy.
　That's what was going through Father Blessed Sacrament's mind, when Dorette's casual murmur pierced him.

The actuality of this is the fact that it's a good thing that each person can decide who to pray to,....... You're talking as if there's someone else to pray to besides the Goddess ......

It's ......

　A shock runs through Father Blessed Ear's body.
　The pieces of the discomfort that had been disparate were put together and interlocked perfectly, as if they had come up with an answer.
　At the same time, a cold sweat oozed down his back.

'No way. ......'

　In this world there is only one pillar of existence called God.
　That is, the Goddess Eicera, the Mother and Root of all.

　But Father Fukumimi knows that there used to be only one other goddess.
　A long time ago, in the Divine World War, the evil god Grace was destroyed by the goddess in opposition to her.

　At the same time, he also realized that there were followers who worshiped the evil god and worked in secret to spread chaos and evil in the world.

What's wrong?　You look pale.

'Yes, no ....... I'm fine.

　Propping up his wobbly body with his energy, Father Blessed Ear Priest forced a smile at Dorette while shoving the thoughts that he was afraid to say into himself.
　The idea that the sorcerer of a thousand swords might be a follower of an evil god.