The holy city of Trumpethall was unmistakably luxurious and sacred at first glance. It was almost as if it demanded to be felt that way.

The pristine white color with gold leaf decorations here and there, and the various sculptures and ornaments carved by artists were undoubtedly beautiful. But like a body draped in designer clothes, the lack of substance could not be hidden.

Beyond the opulence of this grand and majestic city lay an undeniable tackiness that made its presence felt.

For instance.

The buildings related to the Goddess Church were generally tall, while other buildings were relatively low. The horizon drawn by the buildings in view was always dominated by the Goddess Church. And quite prominently so.

So much so, it reminded me of my old hometown, adorned with red crosses at night.

This was, like in the old medieval times, legally enforced. Just as nobles wouldn’t allow buildings taller than their mansions, high-rise buildings that challenged the authority of the Goddess Church were not permitted.

Thus, any glamorous and conspicuous thing one finds in this city belongs to the Goddess Church, leading to an expected yet uncomfortable lack of freedom.

It’s not bad, per se.

Employing a vertical image as a means to elevate their authority is a classic tactic. Even the Crownhall’s royal family boasts their power and vitality through the largest palace.

But it’s a bit off-putting that such posturing comes from religious figures. It’s not reverence that springs from the heart, but authority amplified by power and greed.

It’s a bit… uncool.

It’s like watching a heavily armored steel knight, three meters tall, shooting a mini bow the size of his palm.

I stirred the tea in my cup with a teaspoon and said,

“Don’t you think so, my lady?”

“…It’s a delicate matter to discuss.”

The lady turned away with a troubled expression.

The rhetoric of a noble lady carries tenfold the information behind it. If one were to translate that dialogue, it would imply, ‘To speak of such things in a coffee shop in the holy city takes guts. But I lack such boldness. Be cautious.’

Clink. The teaspoon scraped the edge of the teacup.

“Seeing as you’ve asked to speak privately, it seems you’ve made up your mind. What is it that you wish to ask of me?”

“⋯⋯Yes.”

The setting for this conversation was created at Young-ae’s request. Expecting a serious discussion, I sent Pingbares and Akshin-chan to casually tour the city.

It would be quite beneficial if, while I converse with Young-ae, the two could inquire about the whereabouts of the Benet Party.

Yes, that’s just an excuse.

I sent them away in case Akshin-chan might blurt out something like ‘She’s seducing your dad.’ Pingbares was only attached because it seemed odd to send her alone.

Yuna, who has become a butterfly, still seems unaware of the news. Perhaps she’s nearby.

“I am.”

Having organized her thoughts, Young-ae began to speak. Her sky-blue hair, reminiscent of a wintry landscape, shimmered undissolved by the sunlight and spread out beautifully.

In that brief moment. On the short journey from her head, down her spine, to her mouth. Young-ae’s expression peeled away to reveal another layer. I watched the change with interest.

Young-ae, who had trembled in fear at the misfortune that struck her life, had pieced together fragments of information given to her and placed her bet.

The gleam in her frosty eyes was that of a gambler’s resolve.

“I have been banished from the Julius Ducal Family to prevent any trouble within the household.”

“Oh? And then?”

A more interesting story than expected emerged. I leaned forward from the back of my chair, a sign of my attentive listening.

It’s time to hear her story.

—

I knew at first glance that the magician before me and his companions were extraordinary.

The mad magician and Akshin-chan, seen through the bars of the prison, were frankly a comical sight…

But from the moment they revealed their status as the eldest of the Julius Ducal Family and remained unchanged in demeanor, I knew they were eccentrics. People who don’t care about worldly status fall into four categories.

They are either ignorant, of higher status, strong enough not to care about status.

“You won’t do. Let me show you the destructive power of joint locks.”

“Th-that, aaah──!!”

⋯⋯Or slightly off their rocker.

The Julius Ducal Family. Along with Redburn and Baekryeom, it is one of the empire’s three great families. Naturally, their influence is incomparable to other nobles, with only the royal family above them under heaven.

Yet, the sight of them applying an armbar to a young girl without hesitation in front of Young-ae, to put it very mildly… was impressive.

Lady Erbasillion was released from prison with the help of the mad magician’s party.

The mad magician asked for a moment to wait. He said there was something to find in this village. Being indebted, I had no choice but to comply.

In that spare time, Young-ae examined the remnants of the battle that had taken place between the mad magician’s party and the villagers.

The once mighty paladin and the many villagers were nowhere to be found. Only a very few corpses remained, rolling on the ground.

Young-ae seriously considered the possibility that the mad magician and the villagers were in cahoots. But that seemed oddly off.

“…”

He checks the remaining bodies. There were no significant external injuries on them. They died without a wound. There was no sign of magic such as flames, frost, or earth having been manifested.

Could this be an illusion spell?

So many people taken down by illusion magic, which is considered to have low practicality…

At least some in this party must have reached the realm of fables. Otherwise, it makes no sense. Why would such a powerful group be traveling on this deserted mountain path? And why did they save me?

My head was a mess.

The oddly friendly demeanor of the leading magician confused her. It was different from hospitality. It wasn’t about trying to curry favor for the power and backing of the young lady.

If that were the case, they wouldn’t have spoken and acted so freely.

The mystery unraveled at the Elmest domain. The young lady’s confusion also found its end there.

“I have some… connection with the current Duke of the North. We’re close, I suppose. So I can afford to look after you to some extent.”

The magician’s strange kindness stemmed from his friendship with the Duke of the North. Yet, his manner was informally intimate. Like that of a friend known for a long time.

The young lady’s father, the Duke of the North, is a cold-hearted man.

He chases practical benefits over emotions and is closer to ice than to people. It was he who sent the young lady to that distant monastery. To have a close relationship with such a father?

“That gentleman, he’s a bit difficult, isn’t he? Stubborn or obstinate, would you say?”

…To the point where he can openly point out such character flaws?

What should I do?

The young lady had prepared herself when leaving her domain… or so she thought. She had decided to accept a life spent in the monastery for the rest of her days. She was sure of it.

But it seems it was not resolve, but resignation.

As a faint glimmer of hope appeared, her heart raced uncontrollably.

Perhaps she could carve out a better life for herself. Not a life withering away in a monastery, but starting anew, freely, with a different status…

If she were to be a bit more ambitious, perhaps the magician could persuade the Duke of the North, and she could reclaim the life she cherished in her homeland. If she could meet again with the cruel yet beautiful snowy landscape.

Rather than meeting death in a distant foreign land, to be quietly buried in the snowfield where she was born. To be embraced by the bosom of Mother Earth…

She observed. The young lady incessantly observed and analyzed the mad magician from within the jolting carriage.

He was pleasant, occasionally chilling, and difficult to read, but simple. Like a hermit who never steps out of the tower, he was ignorant of the world.

There were gaps in the basic common sense that one should naturally know and feel if they lived outside. This was a vulnerability that must be remembered.

And when they decided on the holy city of Trumpethall as their next destination.

Also, when the mad magician chose to have a private audience with her.

The young lady made up her mind. She felt destiny. She needed a better life, and this was a clear opportunity sent from heaven. Even if it was a rotten lifeline, she wanted to grasp it.

In fact, she detested the monastery.

So…

Young-ae stood straight, wrapping herself in an aristocratic grace.

It’s not a haughty air of disdain for others. It’s a loftiness that expresses her own nobility. Her blue eyes shine.

“I am aware that the goodwill directed at my father does not necessarily extend to me. Therefore, what I am about to ask of you is by no means an unreasonable request.”

I understand the situation perfectly well.

Since my exile was my father’s will, if you intervene, you will conflict with him. I know you would not want that. So.

“Just allow me to meet one person. His name is Daki-ten Julius, and he is my uncle.”

It’s an intriguing request. The mad wizard peeled away his intentions bit by bit, like playing a puzzle game with questions.

“Where is he?”

“He’s a wanderer who roams the world, but during the festival, he will set foot in this holy city of Trumpethall.”

“Who is he?”

“He once ascended to the position of Cardinal, a devout believer with steadfast faith and conviction, now serving as a military chaplain.”

“Aha…”

So it continues.

The mad wizard recalled a long memory. When Prince Irid gathered experts from across the empire to save Centra, there was one timid military chaplain.

He was unremarkable then, so I paid him no mind. But I remember that piercing blue hair. Could it be blood-related?

“Is that enough? I could indulge you further.”

“If you could extend a bit of leniency, I would ask for your protection until I meet Uncle Daki-ten.”

“That’s not a difficult task. I promise.”

“…Thank you, nameless wizard.”

Young-ae bowed her head. Not too low to seem servile, nor too high to appear rude. Just the right angle. The mad wizard internally admired the precise movement and smiled slyly.

A former Cardinal and military chaplain.

Cardinal, the name for those who have reached the pinnacle of the Goddess Church. If he has held such a position, he must be well-versed in the Goddess. This was an opportunity for the mad wizard as well.

Even better, a former one. Whether he left on his own or due to conflicts with the existing powers, a slightly strained relationship with the current ruling class of the Goddess Church would be most advantageous.

Is it the good deeds that bring fortune, or is it the diligent efforts for one’s tower and research that have sprouted today? It was an opportunity to delve deeper into the secrets of the Goddess.

The mad wizard rubbed his hands together and spoke softly.

“I’ve made a promise, and I will grant that wish… But still, you seem to have a rather cunning side, Young-ae.”

“…Yes?”

“It seems the leniency I need to show is not so minor. You’ve deliberately omitted something, haven’t you? As if I were ignorant of common knowledge.”

“……..”

Young-ae stood frozen as if cast into a snowy wasteland. The wizard, with a soothing smile, slowly traced figures in the air with his finger.

“This ‘Hero Selection Contest’ you speak of. It seems larger than I imagined, and the term ‘hero’ carries significant weight. If there’s no limit to the number of recruits… surely the nobility would take interest.”

Interest, indeed. They would hope for a hero to emerge from within their own sphere of influence.

On my way here, I saw several ornate carriages. I didn’t pay much attention to the noble family crests, but there were a few that the mad wizard had memorized.

The crest of the Redburn Duke.

“On my way here, I saw the Redburn Duke’s crest. It seems he too has come to watch and enjoy the contest. Or perhaps… he’s scheming to ensure his own chess piece becomes a hero.”

“……..”

“Then, from the same ducal line in the north… it’s possible someone might come. Especially the Grand Duke of the North, he’s quite the ambitious one, isn’t he?”

So Young-ae’s request was, in addition to meeting her uncle, to protect her in the presence of the Grand Duke of the North.

It was by no means a difficult favor for the mad wizard, and he was willing to oblige—

‘What I’m about to ask of you is by no means an unreasonable favor,’ she said, clearly playing a visible game. Wouldn’t you want to prod at that?

Young-ae’s complexion grew increasingly pale.

A sadistic urge wriggled within the mad wizard. Should he tease her a bit more? It wouldn’t be bad to have a moment of silence, or perhaps to coax some affection out of her.

Just as he was about to indulge his sinister desires on the young professional Young-ae.

“Mima, Mima──!!”

From that road came the desperate cries of a girl. The mad wizard, startled like a meerkat, sprang up and turned his head.

“What’s this. No, why are you searching for me so frantically… Damn it.”

“……..?”

“Young-ae, that. Don’t worry about the favor. It’s not difficult for me. Even if that gentleman you call uncle isn’t in this city, I’ll find him for you, so just grant me one simple favor. It’s a matter of saving a life.”

“⋯⋯Yes?”

—

In the situation where Bennett’s aggro was fully drawn, all I needed was time.

Time to concoct an excuse for the existence of the Evil God-chan. Not long, just a moment would do. But since Bennett’s longsword was about to bisect Evil God-chan… I needed to stop the fight first.

So I used Young-ae.

“Stop, Bennett! An innocent Young-ae is taken hostage here, so halt! Give me the time to clear all misunderstandings!”

“Na-na-na-na-na, Bennett! Mima’s here, so you’re no match for me!”

“What makes you so smug, huh!”

“Have you finally fallen, mad wizard──!!”

In the midst of the chaos, in the middle of the sacred city’s street, a bizarre hostage drama unfolded. Young-ae’s expression turned into that of a cat soaring through space.