Chapter 39

My fist pierces the sturdy barrier protecting the cathedral, the headquarters of the Sannon religion in the capital.

"Ouch!"

The barrier seemed to creak a little, but it didn't budge at all. No way, did I lose?

A male priest who had rushed out of the church hurried over.

"We are currently stopping the barrier's magical device. We will be able to let Lord Darkness in as well."

It's not like I was using my full strength just now. If I were serious, I could easily break a barrier like this.

Alright, time for a rematch. I close my eyes and focus my mind, concentrating all my strength into my right fist.

"Finally, it's time to use the Yumiera Punch."

Let me explain: the Yumiera Punch is a punch I deliver. It's incredibly powerful.

Usually, I hold back my strength, both consciously and unconsciously, to minimize the impact on my surroundings. This is a straight punch using my full strength.

I can feel the flow of magic within my body. The vast circulation of power doesn't just end with me; it resonates with the natural magic around me.

I sense the world's magic revolving... and just as I think it's the right moment, a hand is placed on my shoulder.

Looking to the side, I see Patrick.

"Yumiera, the barrier is gone now."

"Really?"

I extend my hand where the barrier was, and it still feels like a wall. I complain to Patrick while touching the barrier.

"It's still there... Wait, it's gone?"

"Close call, but we made it."

The barrier that withstood my punch just disappeared. Winning and running away is cheap.

"Rematch! I demand a rematch!"

"Yumiera, you're surprisingly... no, normally a sore loser."

I'm not a sore loser. I just can't stand being thought of as one.

Patrick, interrupting my serious battle with the barrier, is really unfair. I'll give him a Yumiera Punch.

As I grind my teeth and glare at Patrick, my head gradually cools down.

Trying to break the barrier was bad, but it's worse that I was blocked by the church's barrier. What if I get put on trial for heresy?

However, it's human nature to want to break a strong barrier. As I ponder whether they'll forgive me, a young priest says:

"Lord Darkness, the Cardinal is here. Please come in."

Can I really enter the church? Wasn't there a barrier that would reject Yumiera?

◆ ◆ ◆

The stained glass windows, shimmering in the sunlight, greeted us as we entered the church. Even though I know they are just objects, they exude a sense of sanctity, and it's called a cathedral.

The priest leading us bypasses the cathedral and heads to another room. There, an elderly man is waiting for us.

"Nice to meet you. Welcome to the central cathedral of the Sannon religion, Balshain. I am Cardinal Gerald."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Yumiera Darkness."

I can tell he's an important person, but I don't know how important a Cardinal is. Is he the top? I think there were multiple Cardinals.

"I thought Lord Darkness disliked the church. It's a great honor that you came."

"No, it's just that I didn't have the opportunity..."

"That's good to hear. I was worried because your invitations during your time at the academy were declined."

"Huh?"

I don't remember any contact from the church while I was at the academy. If I had declined them along with other noble invitations, that would be bad.

The Cardinal looks at Elenora, who is next to me.

"Elenora, you said Lord Darkness declined, right?"

"Yes, Your Eminence. I invited Yumiera many times..."

"What!? I never heard that."

Elenora had persistently invited me to play, but I had dodged her invitations using various tactics. I never thought those were invitations to the church.

"I told you many times! 'Yumiera, let's go play next time during the break.'"

It turns out I was wrong. Yumiera and the Cardinal are both stunned. Patrick is trying to hold back his laughter.

"I never thought that's what it meant."

"Maybe I asked the wrong person to deliver the message."

Elenora looks confused. Is this... the Cardinal's fault? I wouldn't entrust an important message to Elenora.

The Cardinal smiles wryly.

"There was a reason I asked Elenora. The Sannon religion is not entirely separate from the politics of the nobility, so we couldn't forcibly summon the Earl. However, if Elenora, a classmate, invited you, it would be a natural flow to come here."

"...Classmate?"

"...Ah, I see."

He seems to have understood our relationship from my one word. His wistful smile is painful to see.

"Elenora, a friend is someone you consider a friend—"

"I know! If I consider someone a friend, they are a friend! Your Eminence taught me that!"

"I'm sorry, it seems to be my fault."

"No, I think it's a lovely and affectionate theory of friendship."

The Cardinal is not to blame for this. I think Elenora's persistence is a natural trait. It's hard to think otherwise.

She confidently says:

"Yumiera likes me too, so we are perfect friends!"

"...That's how you see it, Elenora."

The Cardinal was supposed to have something to say, but Elenora's noise makes it hard to hear. Patrick helps out.

"Ah, I want to see the cathedral... Elenora, can you show me around?"

"Of course! Yumiera, come too!"

"Yumiera has something to talk about with His Eminence. Sorry, but you two—"

"Well! Patrick is a nice person, but I have Edwin... and Yumiera..."

Elenora blushes and stammers.

No, that's a misunderstanding. Patrick isn't interested in you.

His face clearly shows he finds it troublesome. Maybe it's an exaggeration, but everyone except Elenora can see it.

Sorry, Patrick, your sacrifice won't be in vain.

Elenora, who is constantly looking at me, chases after Patrick, who has already left the room.

"...They're gone."

"Yes."

Yumiera and the Cardinal nod in unison, looking tired. From the flow of events, I understand that I won't be treated as a heretic by the Sannon religion. I can lower my guard.

He takes a breath and starts talking.

"Where were we?"

"I haven't heard anything yet."

"That's right. Elenora is a troublesome child, but she's a good one... Let's move on. There's only one thing I wanted to tell you, Earl."

Finally, the main topic. I swallow and focus on his words.

"As a representative of the Sannon religion, I want to convey this: Lady Yumiera Darkness, the church has no intention of being your enemy. We certainly won't force our faith on you."

This is an unexpected outcome. Is this person a god or something?

I thought I would eventually have to fight the God of Light. The idea that I can continue as I have been, without interference, is too good to be true.

However, there are a few points that concern me.

"I am a pure dark attribute, is that okay?"

"No problem. While attributes may have compatibility, there is no hierarchy. Besides the God of Light Sannon... you know the City of Water, right?"

"Yes, I've heard it has a temple dedicated to the God of Water."

"That's correct. The Sannon religion does not persecute other beliefs. The name of the God of Darkness may have been lost, but we respect his deity as well."

I'm not a follower of the God of Darkness. I've heard of the four major attributes' deities, but I've never heard of a deity of darkness. He says the name was lost, but maybe it never existed.

The Cardinal smiles elegantly and continues.

"Light exists because of darkness, and darkness exists because of light. The God of Light Sannon requires darkness to exist. We show respect to a noble lady with a rare dark attribute... I told Elenora this much, but—"

"I never heard it."

"Of course not."

We both sigh in unison. If Elenora had properly delivered the message, I wouldn't have been so wary. It sounds like something to be grateful for.

There's one more thing that worries me: the barrier at the church entrance.

"Also, I was blocked by the barrier at the church entrance."

"I know, I apologize. It's a barrier magic device passed down in the Sannon religion, said to prevent the entry of monsters. Today, we learned it also blocks dark attributes."

"It was a very strong barrier. I don't think any monster could break it."

"That's reassuring. The barrier is invisible, and people can pass through it without noticing, so some doubted its existence. If we can get your seal of approval, it will add credibility."

The barrier was really tough. I wanted to break it with the Yumiera Punch, but it disappeared before I could. I want a rematch to restore my pride. The credibility might be lost, but I hope they can understand.

As I think about how to convince them, he says:

"Next time you come to the church, it would be helpful if you could let us know in advance. Today, I was here to deactivate it, but that won't always be the case."

From his tone, I can tell there's a magic device that generates the barrier. I want to borrow it for a bit, but I'm sure they'll refuse.

I need to hide my desire and suggest a rematch in a way that benefits both sides, in a light-hearted manner.

"Understood. By the way, how about a durability test for the barrier?"

◆ ◆ ◆

On the way back in the carriage, I was a bit down.

"Sigh, I was outsmarted."

"If the barrier and the magic device itself were destroyed, how would you take responsibility?"

My attempt to act like it wasn't important failed. As Patrick said, the Cardinal was also worried about the original magic device. It's a legendary magic device passed down in the religion, so I wish they had more confidence in it.

Well, I'll give up on the barrier for now.

Also, Elenora has been acting strange since we visited the cathedral with Patrick. She's been staring at my hand.

"What's wrong with Elenora?"

"Nothing, nothing at all!"

She shakes her head. She's clearly hiding something.

"I already know, so just tell me."

"Ah? You do? The diamond ring—"

"Elenora, it's still a secret to Yumiera."

As expected, Elenora took the bait, but Patrick interrupts her.

What was she going to say? A diamond ring?

"Is a diamond just a shiny stone?"

"J-Just shiny!?"

"It's not just shiny. It doesn't have any other functions, and a diamond ring is the most unnecessary thing."

I don't understand why a stone that just shines has so much value. I'd rather wear a medicine bag.

Elenora, who wears a few pieces of jewelry, might be offended. She covers her mouth with both hands and is speechless.

"Sorry, we need to make a stop."

Patrick suddenly stands up, opens the carriage door, and gracefully jumps out while the carriage is moving.

"Hey, Patrick, where are you going?"

"To look around some shops."

Before I can ask what kind of shops, Patrick disappears down an alley. His voice can't be heard from the carriage.

I considered chasing after him, but he probably has his own business to attend to. I'm a capable woman who doesn't hold him back. Patrick would be very satisfied.

I close the carriage door he left open and return to my seat.

"Sigh, it's tough being a lover who is insensitive. Yumiera, even I can tell that was impossible."

Elenora looks at me with pity. I don't agree at all.

Don't worry (??), there will be another chance for a rematch.