Unlike the religious roles Journey was familiar with in reality, the priest and nun ranks within the Edel Church were equal in status.

Therefore, their authorities and abilities were no different.

“So, why even bother separating them?” Journey asked, to which Celine replied,

“The rank is the same, but their gender is different.”

“Is it because it interferes with their duties?”

“Well, that’s not entirely untrue, but mainly because they handle different tasks. For example, caring for orphaned children falls to us nuns.”

“Ah... I see.”

“Mm… but, truth be told, the boundaries have blurred quite a bit compared to the past. So perhaps it might be simpler not to separate them, as you suggested. Maybe I’ll bring it up when I return…”

“No, please don’t! I was just making a comment… Please, don’t!” Journey frantically waved her hands, and Celine chuckled softly.

“It was a joke.”

“One more joke like that, and I might get dragged away for heresy.”

“Oh, I doubt it. Edel is merciful.”

“I’d really like to believe that.”

Journey sighed and hugged Kana, who was sitting in front of her.

“Ooh, soft Kana, you’re the best…”

“Let go unless you want to fall.”

“Just a little longer. Sniff, haa... Oh, this is so goo—ack!”

Journey, who had been trying to sneakily rest her chin on Kana's head, let out a scream.

Kana, who took advantage of Journey's moment of relaxation, scoffed and gave a derisive snort.

“When I say stop, I mean stop.”

“Y-yes, ma’am…”

She thought Kana was all soft and squishy…

Journey stuck out her tongue, rubbing her sore jaw from the unexpected blow.

Celine rarely initiated conversations herself, and Kana, not only wouldn’t initiate, but hardly spoke at length even during them.

Therefore, unless Journey was bantering or sharing small talk, the journey was generally quiet.

As they rode, they occasionally crossed paths with others—rugged mercenaries, merchant caravans piled high with goods, and even nobility from nearby small kingdoms.

People would eye them warily, but as soon as they noticed Celine’s attire, they would invariably relax and greet them warmly.

Days passed in this manner.

Then, one day, as Celine squinted at something in the distance, she cried out in a bright voice,

“Ah, I see the Holy City...!”

“Wow! Finally!”

Journey lifted her head, her face lighting up with excitement.

Just as Celine said, a towering wall slowly emerged on the horizon, growing larger and more impressive. Journey was left momentarily speechless by the sheer grandeur of it.

“You’ve never been to the Holy City before, have you?” Celine chuckled.

“No…? Oh, yes… I’ve heard of it, but this is my first time seeing it. It’s incredible.”

The Holy City was less a country and more like a city centered around the Sacred Grounds.

In truth, there was no other city within the Holy City besides Sedes.

It was just that its size dwarfed most territories to the point they couldn’t even compare.

“Is that also a Sacred Law?” Journey pointed to the structure.

“Yes. It’s a holy barrier created by Edel’s divine power emanating from the Sacred Grounds.”

Unlike other cities that built walls to fend off foreign invasions, Sedes had erected a giant holy barrier that served the same purpose.

For it to enclose an area that vast…

Hmmm, it seemed impressive, but Journey wasn’t quite sure just how impressive.

As she looked up at the distant holy barrier, Kana’s reaction was a bit different. She had a weary expression, staring at the barrier with a face that looked utterly fed up.

Sitting side by side on their horses but with completely different reactions, Celine chuckled as she watched them both.

 

Entering the Holy City was simple.

“Is it really okay to let us in this easily?”

It was so simple that even Journey felt compelled to ask.

To call it “simple” almost felt like an understatement. All they’d done was exchange brief greetings with the Holy Knights standing at the open entrance, and then they were inside the barrier.

“You’re my companions. Since I vouched for your identity, it was easy to enter,” Celine explained simply.

“So, it’s more complicated for others?” Journey asked.

“Oh, of course. Didn’t you see the people in line earlier?”

Journey recalled the merchants who had entered the Holy City before them.

“Oh… I thought it was just because they were merchants. You know, to prevent smuggling forbidden items or something.”

“Hmm, I’m not too familiar with the entry management as that’s handled by the Holy Knights, but yes, it’s definitely more complicated for others.”

“I see… But wait, does this mean…?”

“Yes?”

“Could it be that Celine’s someone really important?”

“…Haha.”

Journey was shocked at Celine’s mysterious laugh.

“Was that true?!”

“Of course not. I’m just an ordinary nun.”

“People who say that are rarely ordinary…”

“Really, it would have been the same even if you were with another priest or nun.”

Celine deftly changed the subject, avoiding Journey’s skeptical gaze.

“By the way, do you two have a place to stay tonight?”

“No, we’re new to the Holy City and don’t know where anything is. Could you recommend a good place?”

“Well, with the Descent Festival around the corner, most inns are likely already booked…”

“Already?! It hasn’t even started yet!”

“That’s how significant Edel’s descent is.”

“…”

Journey was momentarily speechless, taken aback by the faith practically oozing from Celine’s words.

Then again, even in reality, it was near impossible to find accommodations or transport during peak season.

Thinking of it that way, it wasn’t hard to understand.

“Yes, that makes sense!”

Though, in the meantime, Celine’s mind was elsewhere.

“An empty inn…”

“Uh… Maybe if we search thoroughly, we might find one or two?”

“I can’t promise anything. Even if we do find one, it’ll likely involve a lot of walking around.”

“Ugh… Do we have to sleep outside…?”

“There is an emergency shelter provided by the Church for those without accommodations…”

“Really?!”

“It’s a temporary shelter, though, so it might be a bit rough. Are you okay with that?”

“…That doesn’t sound promising.”

Journey hesitated to answer, daunted by the foreboding tone.

Seeing is believing, as they say, so Journey and Kana followed Celine’s lead to the Church’s temporary shelter.

Journey, upon seeing it, declared, “This won’t work.”

Then she asked Kana, “What do you think?”

Kana silently shook her head, not even bothering to speak.

The temporary shelter was a large tent capable of housing dozens, with no place to wash and no privacy.

Not wanting to sleep in such conditions, they both turned away from the tent.

“This really is a ‘temporary’ shelter.”

“It’s all we have left since the free lodgings are already packed with pilgrims.”

“No choice, we’ll have to search for an empty inn…”

Journey resolved that, at the very least, she couldn’t let Kana sleep in such a place.

“Kana is precious. I have to protect her.”

Determined, she was about to bid farewell to Celine when Celine clapped her hands, having thought of something.

“Ah, how about this? If you’re willing to share a room, I can offer you a spare room at the temple.”

“Of course!”

Journey, eyes lighting up, eagerly nodded before Celine could change her mind.

“I should be the one asking if it’s okay with you! With all your help getting through the checkpoint and now offering a place to stay… I feel almost guilty.”

“Haha, it’s no trouble. I’m glad I could return safely with you two. You even put up with discomfort for me.”

Snort—

The horse, feeling Celine’s gentle touch, blew a puff of air.

After getting Kana’s confirmation, Celine was about to lead the way when she stopped and turned back.

“Oh, but there’s one thing you should know—”

 

“Haa…”

Kana stared with a complicated expression at the item in front of her.

It wasn’t that she didn’t know what it was.

If anything, she knew all too well, which was the problem.

As she looked down, lost in thought, Journey peeked over with a mischievous smile.

“Kana, aren’t you going to put it on?”

“….”

…She had to.

…She didn’t have a choice.

“Kana in a nun’s habit… I’m really looking forward to it…!”

Drumrolls.

Kana ignored Journey’s antics, sighing once more.

Yes, what lay before her was a nun’s habit.

She wasn’t a nun, so why did she have to wear a nun’s habit?

“Why, you ask? You agreed to wear it to stay here. That was the condition, remember?”

“…I didn’t say anything.”

“It’s written all over your face.”

At that, Kana instinctively raised her hand to touch her face.

Naturally, her hand came away with nothing.

“Haha! Did you really think it was written there?”

“No.”

She only checked because she wondered if her expression was that easy to read.

Despite saying that, Journey clearly didn’t believe her.

Kana gave up trying to convince Journey and fiddled with the habit.

Back when they were despairing at the thought of staying in the temporary shelter, Celine had offered them a room at the temple.

Only, the room was in the convent, so they had to wear the habit to stay there.

She had agreed, thinking it wouldn’t be a big deal, but now that she was face-to-face with it, she found herself reluctant…

It wasn’t particularly revealing or outrageously styled, but why did she feel so uncomfortable?

Knock knock.

“Are you two ready? It’s almost time for dinner.”

“Oh, just a moment! Kana’s not dressed yet! Kana, it’s almost mealtime. If you don’t hurry, you won’t eat. Or shall I dress you myself~?”

“Ugh…”

Finally giving in to the urging, Kana squeezed her eyes shut and picked up the habit.