Chapter 38

"Yumera, do you have any plans for today?"

"I don't really have any, should we just go back to our territory?"

At breakfast, Patrick and I were discussing our plans for the day. There's nothing good about staying in the capital, so I want to go back as soon as possible.

"I think a messenger from the royal castle will come soon. It's necessary to show our face at the castle; we should take the initiative."

"His Majesty is so busy, he probably has no business with a mere local noble."

I had thought about going to the royal castle to greet the king or the queen, but I really don't want to. They must know I'm in the capital, and I won't move unless they contact me first.

Patrick said in a disappointed tone,

"A mere local noble doesn't single-handedly drive away an army."

"You just ran away on your own, and besides, it wasn't just me; Patrick and Ryu were there too."

"Well, visually, Ryu might have been the most active."

"Visually? Does that mean he was so cute that they lost their will to fight?"

Seeing Ryu's cuteness, anyone would fall in love with peace. But it's strange; the neighboring country's army retreated because they were afraid of us. Was it really because of me? Ryu can't be scary.

Patrick, who had stiffened for a moment, sighed and said,

"Yes, I know Ryu is cute."

"Isn't he just cute?"

"…Anyway, should we go to the royal castle or not? A messenger will probably come today, so give up."

"If you say that, they really will come, so stop it."

I think they will definitely come. I pray with all my might that no messenger from the royal castle will come.

Then, Rita burst into the room without knocking, looking quite flustered.

"We have a visitor."

"Hmm, a visitor from the royal castle?"

"No, not that—"

I thought my prayers had been answered, but it seems they didn't work. Thank you, God.

So, who came? I was about to ask Rita, but the visitor in question barged into the dining room, the door swinging open forcefully.

"I came to visit! I thought Yumera would be here early in the day! As expected, I hit the jackpot!"

Elenora Hillrose, whose existence I had completely forgotten. Maybe going to the royal castle would be better.

Patrick, I need your help. I sent him a pleading look, and he said to Elenora,

"Miss Elenora, Yumera and I had plans to go out today. If you could excuse us—"

"What! Yumera is on a date! You should have told me!"

If there was a right time to say it, please tell me. Well, it's fine; at least we got rid of the troublesome lady. Patrick is reliable.

"Miss Elenora, perhaps another time—"

"Of course, I won't interfere with love! So, where are you going? Just for reference—"

Elenora blushed as she spoke. She usually talks about marrying a prince without hesitation, but to blush over a date. I started to feel embarrassed too.

We hadn't decided where to go, so I answered casually,

"Um... just wandering around the capital."

"A walk? A carriage would be nice, but walking together is also good. The area around the church is quiet and beautiful."

"The church? I've never been there."

"Eh?"

Elenora was genuinely surprised. Come to think of it, I've never been to a church. There was a small one in the city of Dorkness, but I never went there.

The predominant religion in this country is the Sannon faith, which worships the god of light. There are also indigenous religions that worship the four major elements—water, fire, etc.

It's not a strict monotheistic religion, so being irreligious isn't a problem—

"Never having been to a church is unthinkable..."

Elenora covered her mouth. She didn't need to be so shocked...

I don't think Patrick is particularly devout either. When I looked at him, he had the same shocked expression as Elenora.

"Yumera, you've never been to a church?"

"Uh, yeah. Is that bad?"

"There's no reason it's bad, but it's just... so unusual..."

Well, I never had the opportunity to go. What do you do at a church? Pray? Unfortunately, I've never prayed to God... until just now. God, I'm sorry.

I didn't expect such a strong reaction, so I tried to explain.

"Well, I never had the chance to go as a child, and I never had anyone to go with."

I felt a bit sad saying it.

Patrick took my right hand in both of his. Elenora took my left hand and said,

"I'll go with you!"

"Sure, let's go together."

I'm so lucky to have people who care about me. But I really don't want to go to the church of the god of light.

◆ ◆ ◆

The three of us were traveling in the carriage Elenora had come in. I suppressed a sigh so the others wouldn't notice.

The Sannon faith, the church of the god of light, gives me a bad feeling. I'm confident that I'm not well-liked by the light element. It's my weakness and my Achilles' heel.

"Will I be okay? Will I be purified and disappear?"

"Don't worry. With light, darkness... um, that's what the high priest said."

I have no idea what she's trying to say. And a high priest? Does she know such an important person?

"Do you often go to the church, Miss Elenora?"

"I go every week without fail. I know everyone there."

I was surprised to learn that Elenora is so devout. I turned to Patrick, who said,

"I've only been to the capital's church once. I used to go often in our territory."

"Why did you stop going?"

"The capital's church, being the headquarters of the Sannon faith, is so grand... and the atmosphere is not welcoming to non-nobles."

We're going there now? My stomach started to hurt.

Elenora looked out the window and said,

"We're almost there. Patrick, the church is open to everyone."

I peeked out the small window. The grand building was so large that it couldn't fit in the window. I've seen it from a distance before. That's the church.

It's impossible for commoners to enter. And I don't want to go in either.

When we got out of the carriage, Elenora led the way to the church entrance.

"Let's go!"

I resisted by walking as slowly as possible. I could just wait for them to go in and then leave.

But Patrick walked beside me. Stop it, slowing down for a slow-moving lady isn't very gentlemanly, is it? A considerate man should just go ahead.

"What's wrong, Yumera? Do you really dislike it that much?"

"Not really... but you'll probably open the door for me, right?"

"I can open a door anytime..."

He pulls out chairs for me and puts his jacket on me when I'm a bit cold. Sigh, Patrick doesn't understand women. Just being kind isn't enough. I like him.

Going to the church with such a fiancé... Wait, is this a wedding ceremony?

It's better to enter separately to show that we're not together.

I quickened my pace to the church—

"Ouch"

"Yumera?"

I hit my forehead on something. It hurt quite a bit, which is strange because I usually don't feel pain when I bump into things.

I extended my hand and felt an invisible wall.

Patrick did the same but didn't seem to touch anything. He looked puzzled, moving his hand around.

Elenora, who had grown impatient waiting for us, came back.

"Come on, how long are you going to keep me waiting... Yumera, you're amazing! Your pantomime is so good."

"It's not that."

Elenora reached out to the same spot but didn't feel anything.

A wall that only I can't pass through. Am I being rejected by the god of light? Fine, I'll take on this challenge.

"Only Yumera can't pass through this wall. Is it a magical barrier or something... What are you planning to do?"

"Just a light punch."

I don't know what this is, but if I can touch it, it must be physical, which means I can punch it, and maybe even break it.

I, Yumera Dorkness, will not be defeated by an invisible wall. This is a matter of pride.

I clenched my right hand and got ready.

A young priest rushed out of the church, shouting,

"W-wait! I'm turning off the magical barrier!"

It's too late. I punched with all my might.

I announced the character design in the activity report.