Chapter 30

The next day, the three of us headed towards the church located deep in town.

It's a bit run-down, but there's a symbol, not a cross, so it seems this is the right place. There's no stained glass, but among the buildings in town, it stands out quite a bit... However, it's quite old and dilapidated. I did a bit of research, and it seems this building has been here since the town was founded, making it the oldest.

This town is quite large, and when it was expanded, the lord's mansion and other buildings were moved and renovated. Various guilds are in relatively new buildings.

As a result, the church, which has been here since the old days and hasn't been renovated, is quite old. ...Is the religious organization strict in this world? Or do they not have the money to renovate, or is it neglected because it's far from the Holy Kingdom?

The three of us stood at the entrance, looked at each other, and pushed the large door. It creaked open.

"Excuse us."

"We're intruding."

"..."

When we opened the old but grand door, we saw old chairs and tables lined up, with a statue of a goddess in the center. The floorboards were a bit worn, and some creaked when stepped on.

This church seems to need immediate repairs. The cleaning isn't thorough... I mean, it's a church, so a single cast of the holy magic <Purification> should do the trick... But it's too neglected, isn't it?

"What, do you have some business here?"

A middle-aged priest appeared from the back. However, he was holding a bottle of alcohol and his face was flushed. Drunk priests exist in every world, it seems.

"You really do look like a drunk priest."

"Hey, brother! Sorry, my brother..."

I had thought about it, but it's not a good idea to say it out loud. I crossed my arms and, while looking around, quickly covered my mouth when my brother spoke.

Naga also hid my brother behind him and bowed his head.

"Sorry."

"Apologies."

"It's fine, it's fine. To the young lady and the priest, too. Just as he said."

Naga and I apologized, but the priest waved his hand, indicating he didn't mind, and approached us.

Upon closer inspection, his clothes were clean and not tattered. Despite being drunk, he seemed quite normal... I can't understand this person's thinking.

"Sorry, sorry. I couldn't help but say it."

"No problem. It's the truth. So, what brings you to such a place?"

"We've come to deliver this."

When we got close, he plopped down in a chair, so we sat across from him at the table and handed over the letter.

The task was just to deliver the letter, and it wasn't really necessary for all three of us to come.

For some reason, we were instructed to deliver this letter and show our faces. I don't know why.

"I see. Have you heard the contents of this letter?"

"No."

"Sigh... It's troublesome, but it's a request. I have no choice... You need to listen to a sermon."

"A sermon? Why?"

"You don't have a church in your village, so you've never heard one, right? It's not a bad idea to know some general knowledge. Of course, the main purpose is probably different. You two, sit down; this will take a while."

He put down the alcohol bottle, took out a book, and began the sermon in a clear voice.

---

Long ago, the world was a single continent.

People lived peacefully on this single continent, but then demons descended.

The demons created monsters that threatened human survival.

This led to a grand and fierce battle for the world. People fought the demons.

However, not all beings were human. Some followed the demons.

The conflict intensified and eventually turned into a struggle between humans and non-humans. In the midst of this, a god descended to Earth.

The god said, "Stop fighting."

As long as the demons existed, the fighting could not stop. Upon hearing this, the god defeated the demons.

However, the fighting did not end.

The god said again, "There is no reason to fight. Stop the conflict."

The monsters did not disappear. Non-humans were the demons' minions. The fighting could not stop. The god was conflicted.

The god made a decision. To stop the fighting, the continent was divided.

One race per continent.

By physically separating them, the god saved the non-humans and stopped the fighting.

People were moved by the god's actions and built a temple in the center of the continent to honor the god.

To ensure the god could return at any time. Eventually, the temple evolved, and in the name of the one god, a country was established.

---

We listened to a one-hour story about the world's god and the founding of the Holy Kingdom in the form of a myth.

"Well, what do you think? Did it sink in a bit?"

"No, isn't it about stopping the conflict? I heard there are lingering animosities between races. What's the point of this teaching?"

"Haha, exactly. The Holy Kingdom itself doesn't recognize non-humans. But... this teaching is what is passed down in human countries."

So, there are different teachings in non-human countries.

This kingdom has a lot of mixed-race people, so it doesn't fully accept purebloods, right? But, this teaching seems to fuel the conflict between humans and non-humans.

Non-humans can't accept being called the demons' minions.

"I don't think I can follow this. Did you believe in the god and train in the Holy Kingdom?"

"Haha, do I look like a serious priest?"

"No, not at all."

"I believe in the existence of the god. The myths may be distorted, but they are based on truth. If you're curious, you should investigate. It's quite interesting. And, I have no intention of working for the Holy Kingdom. Their methods are dirty. These churches in various places are used to identify talented children and take them to the Holy Kingdom for education, to increase the number of believers."

What is this priest thinking, giving us such a sermon... I really can't understand. Furthermore, he's criticizing the Holy Kingdom. I can't understand what the guild master wants to convey either.

"...So, there are few who can use healing magic?"

"Yes. There is healing magic in elemental magic, but few can use it. Among those who learn light magic, about one in five can learn healing."

"Even if you can use light magic, most can't heal?"

"Yes. Moreover, even if you can use healing magic, it's difficult to spread the faith without a lot of mana."

"...Why?"

"The difference between light and holy magic's healing and other elemental healing is the scars. Light and holy magic remove scars, but other elements don't. However, healing that removes scars consumes a lot of mana. The presence or absence of scars affects donations and is a matter of life and death for the Holy Kingdom. That's why they spread the faith and gather promising children. Churches are built in various countries for this purpose."

"Adventurers can use it, right? I don't think many have scars... Is it not that difficult to learn?"

"Adventurers have money and are valued as healers. Of course, there are healers who don't use light magic. However, there are definitely many who can use light magic. Every year, on the first day of the month of their birthday, the church gives a sermon and distributes holy water. Drinking this holy water several times can make a child with potential learn light magic. If you want to drink holy water outside your birth month, it costs money."

Drinking holy water awakens potential... Ah, it's like touching the elements to learn magic.

They teach light magic to identify talent. It makes sense to sell the ability to remove scars as a miracle. Some people would pay a lot to have their scars removed.

"Holy water... If you can learn from it, maybe you'd come to listen to a silly story. So, you want us to believe this story. That's pretty ruthless."

"...Yeah. I'll let you have a taste once."

The priest brought a water pitcher and glasses from the back.

The liquid poured from the pitcher looks like water, but if the story is true, it's holy water.

"Here, drink it."

"...It looks like just water."

"Indeed... A cup of this to learn magic sounds suspicious."

"Just drink it quickly. Whether you have potential or not will be clear."

I sniffed the contents of the glass. There was no smell... Well, there's no choice but to drink it. After exchanging glances and nodding, we tried to drink it in one go... but couldn't.

"...Cough, what is this..."

"Cough..."

"What's wrong?"

My brother and I couldn't drink even half and put the glass down.

Naga looked puzzled and was looking at us. His glass was empty, so he must have finished it.

"Hmm... What do you think of this water?"

"It's water... Is there something special about it?"

"Right, right. If you think it's just water, you probably don't have much potential. Of course, if you're a young child, there's still a chance, but you're fully grown. Even if you learn light magic, it will be difficult to learn healing."

Naga, who finished the glass, also thought it was just water. However, he doesn't seem to have much potential.

My brother and I exchanged puzzled looks.

"Naga... Seriously? This is just water disguised as Tabasco. It tastes terrible. There's no way you could drink it."

"Huh? It's just concentrated Calpis. It's too sweet to drink straight."

"The big one is no good. I don't know what Tabasco is, but if it tastes spicy or bitter, you don't have the potential. You definitely won't learn it. In the future, don't drink holy water if it's offered. If it tastes that bad, you might have the potential for dark magic. But, it will be troublesome if you're found out. Your beast blood is also noticeable."

"...I see. You're checking not just potential but also race."

"Can't you like it?"

"Don't you say that. You're a clergyman."

"Exactly. So, the small one... too sweet to drink?"

Unlike when talking to my brother, the priest's eyes were observing our reactions.

It's too late to lie, so I answered honestly.

"Yes... It's even sweeter than honey and makes my chest feel a bit uncomfortable."

"You wouldn't feel that sweet unless you know holy magic."

"...Is holy magic an advanced magic?"

"Yes. It's an advanced magic that only those with potential can learn among those who use light magic. ...If you wish, I can write a recommendation letter to the Holy Kingdom."

"I don't want to."

"I see. ...Holy magic is valuable. I'll let it slide because it's me, but other clergy might cause trouble if they find out. If you don't want that, come back when you feel like it. If you help out, I can think of some ways to handle it."

"Understood. I'll try to visit occasionally. ...For now, should I help with some cleaning?"

"Yes. I can't cast <Purification>, so I'll leave it to you. Once a week, if possible."

This might get complicated.

...Should I consider that the guild master moved to make us understand this? Is it just because they need help... I still can't read this priest.

If I believe this priest... there are no holy magic users in town-level churches? No, the magic learned depends on potential, so it's possible this priest can't use holy magic?

Anyway, I'll try to visit the church once a week. My brother and the others... Ah, they will apparently come along. For now, we have time until lunch, so let's split up and clean.