Chapter 58

――――――It was the day before Kena arrived in Felskeiro.

That day, whether it was good or bad timing, Scalgo and Maimai were at the church for a brief meeting to discuss the personnel arrangements for the annual school event held in conjunction with the Combat Festival. Although the participants are decided in advance every year, they met just to confirm.

"Is the guard sufficient?"

"This year, since the princess is participating, a few knights will be assigned. Adventurers who participate every year have already inquired before the recruitment even began. I would like to ask for Mother's help too..."

"Are you trying to hire Mother with a pittance? That's too much to hope for, Maimai."

"We pay the appropriate price for adventurers every year! If Mother is an adventurer, she should accept the same price."

"Well, that's true..."

Scalgo, who had to agree with his sister's forceful argument, knew that their mother would not refuse their request outright.

The content of this annual school event is a survival practice held outside the capital. The reason for holding such a class before the Combat Festival is due to several factors specific to this period.

First, the threat level of monsters around the capital decreases as adventurers gather in Felskeiro. Most inns fill up early, and many adventurers stay for a long time. They clear monster extermination requests around the capital to earn their lodging fees. While safety is not guaranteed, the presence of monsters around the capital is reduced. Additionally, the festive atmosphere intensifies about ten days before the festival, causing the entire school to relax and become unable to focus on classes. The school has no choice but to integrate into the festival by opening the schoolyard for student-run stalls. This leaves teachers, other than the supervisors, free to assist with the survival practice. Participants sign a waiver stating that the school is not responsible for any fatalities during the practice. Despite the presence of teachers and adventurers as guards, there are always some accidents that result in fatalities each year. Not all teachers are experienced in outdoor life; some are reclusive researchers. Maimai, as the principal, rarely leaves the capital due to various reasons. The responsibility for the practice is handled by former adventurers and knights who have retired to teaching positions.

The church sends a group to provide medical support. A veteran and three to four novice monks or nuns are dispatched to acclimate them to the practical atmosphere. Since most spend their lives in the capital without traveling, the survival practice serves as good training. Given the recent incidents of monsters rampaging and attacks in the capital, it can be inferred that the participants were exposed to a tense atmosphere.

After a somewhat vague discussion, the two left the church's office and moved to the cathedral. Maimai was returning to the school, and Scalgo was seeing her off. They noticed that the usually bustling cathedral was enveloped in silence. The cathedral, known for its beautiful architecture and stained glass, is a tourist attraction and is open during the day when there are no services. The doors are open from the end of the early morning service until the start of the evening service. Normally, the voices of nuns explaining the cathedral and the solemn voices of priests conducting simple services for devoted believers would echo, but none of that was happening. Before either of them could turn their heads to investigate, they saw the cause.

At the entrance of the cathedral, where light streamed in, stood a tall figure of a demon race.

Draped in a mysterious black coat, the demon race male had his hands in his pockets. His presence alone made everyone in the cathedral hold their breath and tense up, watching the situation unfold. Scalgo and Maimai understood the aura he exuded; it was similar to their mother's, indicating he was a Transcender.

The demon race slowly surveyed the cathedral, his sharp gaze stopping on Scalgo and Maimai. He murmured, "Hm?" and approached them. Scalgo, feeling the need to be polite to a Transcender other than their mother, stepped in front of Maimai.

"Hmm, are you Scalgo and Maimai?"

"Yes... yes..."

Scalgo, who was about to greet him, was taken aback that the other party knew their names. It was possible that their mother had mentioned them, so he responded cautiously. The question was what business the Transcender had with Kena's children. The demon race, with a sly smile, delivered a shocking statement.

"I am Opus, Kena's old acquaintance. You don't need to remember my name, but... "

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