Chapter 5

Having obtained the class of 'Priest,' I was appointed as the No. 2 in this group, despite being a newcomer.

This personnel decision was likely discussed while I was growing. Even the older catgirl and demon girl didn't oppose it.

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From then on, we followed Abby, who was walking ahead of us, down the cobblestone path toward the outskirts of the town.

"Where are we going?"

The catgirl answered my question.

"To the entrance of the dungeon. There are plenty of adventurers. Plenty of injured people. And plenty of potential customers."

"The dungeon... and adventurers...?"

'Dungeon' and 'adventurers.' It's like a game. It's too perfect to be a joke. It's not funny.

If only the status could be visualized, it would be even more game-like, but it's not that advanced. I tried staring intently and focusing, but it didn't work.

...But more importantly.

"It's hot..."

It was freezing at night, but now during the day, it's so hot I feel like I'm melting.

After walking for a while, we eventually saw a wall that towered so high it seemed to touch the sky.

This is the wall that surrounds the sandy country of 'Zaarlant.' Beyond it lies a vast desert. There's another country beyond that desert, but I don't know much about it. That's from Diethart Becker's memories.

"Amazing..."

The wall must be about twenty meters high. I've never seen such a magnificent wall in Japan.

As I gazed at it in amazement, the demon girl said suspiciously,

"Is this the first time you've seen a wall?"

"Yeah."

"Where are you from? Pureblood humans are rare these days. Where did you come from?"

I said without thinking,

"Lower Saxony."

"What?"

If Zaarlant is the westernmost country on the continent, then Lower Saxony is the easternmost country.

The demon girl tilted her head with a complicated expression.

"I've never heard of it."

That's not surprising for an uneducated kid.

Needless to say, it was Diethart who came from Lower Saxony, not me. I don't know why a kid who looks about ten years old would travel from one end of the continent to the other. I can guess it wasn't for a good reason, but that's all I know.

Approaching the incredibly high wall, we could see the entrance to a cave formed by large, square rocks stacked together. This is the entrance to the dungeon called 'The Shivering Dead.'

There are no guards, but there are a few people who look like adventurers around the area. They all seem lightly equipped and somewhat suspicious. It's hard to put into words, but there's something to be wary of.

Abby said,

"I'll go get some customers. Ashita and Eva, you two stick with Di. Make sure to protect him!"

"O-Okay."

Ashita, the demon girl, replied. Eva, the catgirl, just pouted silently. These two seem to be relied on a bit more as the older members.

Abby disappeared for a moment, and the demon girl and catgirl led me into a narrow alley lined with large stone buildings.

Some younger kids brought over a wooden box and told me to sit on it, so I did.

While watching this, the catgirl seemed displeased and glared at me.

"Can you... summon a snake...?"

Her tone of confirmation was tinged with unease.

"A snake? Oh, the snake of Asclepius..."

I thought for a moment. According to Diethart's memories...

---'The snake of Asclepius.'

The goddess of healing and vengeance, 'Asclepius.' In the Bible, she is called 'The Pale-Lipped Woman,' and her true form is said to be a 'snake.'

It is said that priests who use healing magic invariably keep a 'snake' and that when they cast a spell, a snake pattern appears on a part of their body. The catgirl is referring to this 'snake.'

"Hmm..."

I rolled up the sleeves of both arms and focused on my two wrists.

---Snake, show yourself.

Then, dark snake patterns coiled around both of my wrists appeared.

"Is this it? No problem..."

I felt a slight dizziness and almost collapsed on the spot.

"Di!"

The dwarf kid caught me as I was about to fall. While holding me tightly, she shouted loudly.

"Eva! Why did you make him summon a snake for no reason!!"

"N-No! I didn't tell him to do that! He did it on his own!!"

When a priest casts a spell, the snake of Asclepius is said to take the caster's consciousness as a cost.

"...The catgirl is right. I was careless..."

While putting my hand around the waist of the small dwarf girl to gently stop the argument, she gritted her teeth.

"Eva, I'll tell Bee about this..."

"But I didn't...!"

"..."

The dwarf girl fell silent. She looks young but is incredibly stubborn. She was rubbing my back while glaring at the catgirl and demon girl as if to intimidate them.

Leaning on the dwarf girl, I rested my body for a while.

During this time, the dwarf girl kept rubbing my back.

I don't know what her intentions are, but this dwarf girl is unusually kind. So, I decided at this moment.

"...Hey, I haven't asked your name yet..."

"Zoe. You can call me Zoe or Zoi, whichever you like..."

The dwarf girl's name is Zoe. She's been very kind to me since we first met. And since I'm part of this group, I need allies.

I decided to make Zoe my ally. I decided to favor her.

It's good to have a mental anchor. Especially in a difficult situation. Who you like and who you dislike. Who you favor and who you bully. Who you make an ally and who you make an enemy. It helps stabilize your mind.

For now—

I decided to give the demon girl and catgirl the less favorable roles.

Trash goes in the trash can. That's how it works.

My mother loves such cause and effect. She would surely approve.

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---I promise to be fair. However, I do not promise to be impartial.

From the words of 'Asclepius.'

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Suddenly, the words 'fairness' appeared in my mind.

'Fairness' is one of the 'Precepts' of a priest.

The 'Precepts' are sacred as long as you use your power. You won't lose your life for breaking them, but if you continue to break them and are deemed to have completely 'broken the precepts,' you will lose your power.

(And what else...? Service... compassion... love... detachment...)

'Fairness,' 'Service,' 'Compassion,' 'Love,' 'Detachment.'

These five are the 'Five Virtues' or 'Five Precepts' of a priest. They are the reason why a 'priest' is trusted in any situation.

That's right.

It's not 'me' or 'Diethart.' It's the position of 'priest' that Abby values.

Mother, have mercy...

Please have mercy on my current unfortunate situation.

Leaning against the wall and sitting on the wooden box, I closed my eyes and prayed. Daily 'prayer' is what makes a priest a healer.

My mother is petty and jealous. I can't get divine power without offering prayers.

Zoe and the demon cat were arguing loudly, but their voices faded into the distance.

'Prayer' is also necessary to improve concentration.

After a while—

I was gently shaken on the shoulder and opened my eyes to see Zoe, who looked very apologetic.

"...They're here."

Nodding, Zoe stepped back, and I saw Abby approaching with two adventurers.