Chapter 51

Having finished their mutual business reports earlier than usual, the members of the Six Saints all focused their gazes on the young "demon" that Ines had brought to the meeting.

This young boy had been invited to the Holy Misra by the Pope of the Misra Church and wished to receive training to become stronger, Ines explained.

──A "demon" traveling to the Holy Misra.

No one in the room failed to understand the significance of this.

They also understood the reasons why he sought power.

However, their reactions varied.

First to speak to the boy was Sig, the Sword Saint.

"Roro, is it? You want to receive training at the capital's training facility, right? How old are you?"

"……I don't know……"

In response to Sig's question, the boy shook his head.

"……You don't know?"

"……Yeah. I don't even know where I was born… but I think I'm over ten… I heard I was found about ten years ago. …Maybe I'm around twelve…"

"……I see."

Sig said only that and fell silent.

To Sig, the boy in front of him, who spoke with a lack of confidence, seemed very unreliable.

The boy's body was slender and small, and it was easy to imagine that he hadn't been given proper meals during his life up to this point. This only made Sig wonder if the boy was suitable for wielding a sword.

Next to speak was Dandalug, the Shield Saint, who was sitting next to Sig.

"……So, what kind of training do you want to receive? Given your circumstances, it's not impossible to start training at your age, but it will be very tough. There was one guy like that in the past… but he was a bit special."

Dandalug scratched his head as he looked at the boy standing in the meeting room. His impression of the boy didn't seem much different from Sig's.

"──I have some thoughts on this. Would everyone be willing to listen?"

Ines placed both hands on the heavy round table in the center of the room and looked around at the six people present.

"……Ho ho, this is unusual, Ines.

You making such a statement in this meeting.

Interesting. Would you care to explain?"

The Magic Saint, Oaken, stroked his proud white beard and laughed pleasantly.

"Then, let me explain.

As you know, we will set off for Misra with Lady Rinneburg in three months.

I want Roro to gain as much strength as possible by then.

However, we don't have much time.

So──"

◇◇◇

"──In other words, a rotation system?

All of us will take turns looking after him every day?"

Dandalug grunted, crossing his arms as he listened to Ines's proposal.

"Yes, I think that would be best.

It will require a lot of effort from everyone here, but I believe it's the best approach."

"Well, I don't mind putting in that much effort… but, Roro, is it?

Are you okay with this?

Let me tell you, the training we'll put you through is quite tough.

Some people give up on the first day.

Pain and hardship are to be expected."

"……Yeah… I think I can handle it…"

The boy answered in a small voice, but his lack of confidence only made Dandalug more uneasy.

"Ines, what do you think about this kid──no, since you brought it up, you must think it's okay… but are you really sure…?"

"Yes, based on the impression I've gotten from living with him for about a month,

I believe Roro can endure the training.

Moreover, we don't know what will happen after we go to Misra.

We can imagine that there will be some danger.

It will be difficult, but I want to prepare as much as possible.

I ask for your cooperation."

"Well, I understand the logic… but, you know, what do you think, Sig?"

Dandalug looked to Sig for agreement, but Sig only shook his head silently.

"──I'm against it."

The one who spoke up was Mianne, the Bow Saint.

"Demon is a target for extermination in Misra.

Why… why does a child have to go to such a dangerous place?

It's like going to die.

Ines, Lady Rinneburg, the King…

Why do they allow such a thing… I can't believe it.

──Hey, you.

Roro, right?

If you're being forced to do this, say you don't want to.

There's no point in being considerate of others for no reason."

Mianne, pouting in dissatisfaction, said this to the boy standing in the room.

"……No, that's not it.

I said I want to go to Misra.

Ines and Rinne are not bad."

As Roro defended them, Mianne looked at Ines.

Ines met Mianne's gaze and nodded.

"From what I've heard from Lady Rinneburg, the final decision is up to Roro.

The King also said to respect his opinion.

Roro's decision to go to Misra is his own.

His desire to receive training at the facility is also his own.

I am not interfering with that."

"……If you say so, I suppose it's true.

But it still doesn't feel right…

…Making a child decide such things…"

Mianne muttered, turning her face away from everyone in dissatisfaction.

"Ho ho, I'm in favor.

You can't know until you try.

Ines's proposal seems to be the best way to test the boy's various potentials."

Oaken looked at Roro and gave a thumbs up with a wink.

"I agree.

It will help him determine what he can do.

I will do my best to cooperate.

However, I can only teach him the necessary knowledge for self-defense, as it's too late to start training as a cleric now."

Sain, the Healer Saint, who was sitting next to Oaken, also smiled gently at the boy.

Encouraged by their opinions, Dandalug seemed to make up his mind.

"……Well, it's fine.

As Oaken said, we'll find out by trying."

"Right, there's no point in talking about it here. If we're going to do it, let's just do it."

Sig followed suit.

Finally, Karu, the Stealth Saint, quietly observed everyone and spoke to Dandalug.

"It seems everyone has given their opinions. Dandalug, can you take the vote on this matter?"

"──Am I doing it today? Fine. Then….

For the next three months, we, the Six Saints, will all train Roro here.

Is there anyone who objects?

If not, I'll go to the Adventurer's Guild immediately to arrange the procedures."

"……No objections."

"No objections, ho ho."

"No objections."

"No objections."

Four out of the five other members responded to Dandalug's call.

However, one person remained silent, staring at the wall of the meeting room.

"……Hey, Mianne? Do you have something to say?"

"──────Yes.

I have complaints. I'm not convinced.

But if he's okay with it… there's nothing I can do."

"Roro, are you okay with this?"

"……Yeah."

Finally, Ines confirmed with Roro, who nodded quietly, just as he had when he entered the room.

"Well, it seems we've reached a conclusion.

Starting tomorrow, for convenience, we will treat this boy as a disciple of all of us.

──We are incredibly strict, so be prepared, Roro?"

With that, Dandalug ruffled the boy's head, who was much smaller in build, and laughed.