Chapter 95

Aldis, having reunited with Rona, returned to the capital with Solte.

Rona's appearance, which looked like a large beast, naturally drew attention.

There was a bit of a fuss with the guards at the entrance, but thanks to Solte, who was known as a candidate for the Holy Maiden, they were allowed to pass.

One of the reasons was that Aldis, who was leading the beast, was well-known throughout the capital.

Rona, who was being drawn to the bustling market and the delicious smells wafting from the stalls, was pulled by Aldis, who delivered Solte to the church.

"That's right... I made you worry, Sister Solte."

The priest who came to greet them was the same one who had guided Aldis when he first visited the church.

In the quiet dining hall past lunchtime, they sat at a table: the priest on one side, Solte and Aldis on the other, and Rona crouching at their feet.

"Oh, Goddess... Please forgive my ignorance and immaturity."

When Aldis explained the incident with the mercenaries, the priest clasped his hands and began to pray for forgiveness from the Goddess.

Aldis thought the priest was praying to the wrong entity.

However, he knew that pointing this out would only cause trouble, and that believers often acted this way.

So he kept his thoughts to himself.

"I'm fine, so please don't worry too much."

Since Solte herself said this, it wasn't Aldis's place to say anything.

"Then, what were those guys really?"

From the circumstances and the mercenaries' actions, it seemed they were acting on someone's orders or request.

According to the priest, the documents for hiring guards were forged.

The mercenaries who attacked Solte had used a forged request letter to pose as guards.

While some claimed it was a simple mistake, the investigation led by the priest quickly identified the culprit.

"I don't know. The monk who is believed to have written the problematic request letter is already in custody. Since only a limited number of people handle the church's request letters, it was easy to identify the suspect. However—"

"However?"

"The motive is unclear. Those conducting the interrogation assumed it was for money, but from what you've told me, it seems unlikely that the mercenaries received the forged request letter by chance."

"What about the monk's confession?"

The priest shook his head.

"He has remained silent since his arrest. However, with the situation as it is, the interrogation will become more intense. I believe he will start speaking the truth within three days, but it remains to be seen what he will confess. It might not be a simple case of a monk's misconduct."

"What do you mean?"

The priest's gaze turned probing.

"I am beginning to suspect that there might be someone else pulling the strings behind the scenes."

Aldis could see a hint of caution in the priest's eyes.

"I see."

Aldis dismissed it with a nonchalant response.

"Anyway, I understand the situation. Or rather, I understand that the background is still unclear. In any case, it's a matter for the church to resolve. It's not my place to say anything."

With that, Aldis stood up, as if he had finished his business.

"Wait a moment!"

Solte stopped Aldis as he was about to leave.

"You haven't received the reward for completing the request. Priest, what about the reward?"

"Oh, I have it right here."

The priest lifted the leather bag he had placed on the adjacent chair, making it visible to Solte.

"I don't need it."

"Eh?"

Ignoring the confused Solte, Aldis started walking towards the dining hall's entrance.

"What do you mean? It's the reward for the guard—no, the porter. Why don't you need it?"

"If I say I don't need it, I don't need it."

"Why not?"

Solte grabbed Aldis's arm, stopping him.

"I don't have the right to receive it."

Aldis explained to Solte, who refused to let him go.

"You do have the right. You brought me back safely, didn't you?"

"It was just luck. If Rona hadn't been there, it might not have worked out. It was my mistake to put the person I was supposed to protect in danger. That's why I can't accept the reward."

"But that's... because I followed them on my own..."

"Even so, it was my responsibility to create that situation."

Solte, with a frown, seemed unwilling to back down.

After a fruitless exchange, Solte raised her voice, which was unusual for her.

"No! You should receive the reward. Regardless of what happened, I'm back safely, and you protected me the whole time. 'It is not human to not reward labor.' You have an obligation to accept the reward, Aldis!"

Aldis, who was momentarily taken aback by Solte's stubbornness, sighed and suggested a compromise.

"Then give the reward to Rona."

"Eh? To—Lady Rona?"

Solte, who had almost called Rona "Lady Divine Beast," quickly corrected herself.

"Right. Rona saved me from danger, so she has the right to receive the reward."

"Um... If you say it's fine..."

Solte, still hesitant, agreed.

With a look of confusion, she took the leather bag from the priest and stood in front of Rona.

"Then, Lady Rona, please accept this."

"Woof!"

Rona's exaggerated bark.

The golden-furred beast took the leather bag in her mouth and turned to Aldis.

"Shall we go?"

"Aldis, thank you for helping me despite the sudden request. If you ever need help, please visit. I'll do my best to assist you."

"Sure, if I feel like it."

Aldis, who didn't really want to visit a place dedicated to the Goddess again, gave a lukewarm response to Solte and a different message to the priest before leaving.

"Keep an eye on Solte for a while."

The priest, meeting Aldis's gaze, sent him off with a challenging look.

"Of course."

---

"That felt kind of unpleasant, didn't it?"

Aldis and Rona had stepped out of the church and onto a bustling street lined with market stalls.

In the crowded city, they kept their voices low.

"That's just how it is. We probably won't meet again, so don't worry about it."

"True. But I wouldn't mind seeing Solte again. I don't like that priest, though. He looked at you with suspicion. Did you do something to attract his attention?"

"That's unfair."

"Of course, you didn't do anything, but you wouldn't be looked at like that for no reason—oh, that looks delicious. Hey, Aldis, let's buy that. I have money, see?"

Rona, who had somehow taken the leather bag in her mouth, offered it to Aldis.

Aldis bought the grilled chicken thigh for Rona and handed it to her, then bought one for himself and bit into it.

The simple seasoning of salt brought out the rich juices of the meat, which spread throughout his mouth.

Whether it was the quality of the meat or the skill of the cook, Aldis knew he couldn't have made it taste this good.

By the time Aldis finished his portion, Rona had already eaten five.

"You've always been the type to make enemies easily. Or rather, you don't care if people become your enemies."

Aldis, who looked tired, responded with a pout.

The cause of his fatigue wasn't the nagging Rona.

"Grace said, 'A good commander reduces his enemies before fighting.' You should pay more attention to reducing your enemies."

"I know."

The reason for the fatigue of the boy known as one of the "Three Great Demon Hunters" was—

"That's just your way of giving a half-hearted response—oh, I want that. Aldis, buy that for me."

Rona kept pushing the leather bag into Aldis's hands during their conversation, causing their journey to their destination to stall.

Sweet and crispy pastries, fresh and juicy fruits, meat rolls with rich sauces.

Each item was reasonably priced, but Rona's appetite was far beyond that of a human.

The silver coins in the leather bag quickly found their way into the pockets of the stall owners.

"Still, that priest doesn't seem to be a clear enemy yet. Maybe he thinks you were in league with those mercenaries."

Aldis laughed, finding the idea absurd.

"That doesn't make sense. Solte was the one who brought me the request, and we only met once, months ago. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have gone near the church."

"People like that have narrow minds. Besides, anyone who worships a madwoman can't be normal."

"I agree, but by that logic, Solte isn't normal either."

Aldis asked with a teasing tone, and Rona responded nonchalantly.

"Solte is different. She gives me sweets."

"Don't judge people based on whether they give you sweets. You trust people too easily."

"Solte is a good person. Even without sweets."

"Where does your confidence come from?"

Aldis, feeling the urge to sigh, asked a dismissive question, and Rona showed a smug look.

"Maybe it's my wild instinct?"

Aldis looked at Rona with a bemused expression.

"Wild instinct, huh..."

The golden beast carried a large shopping bag around her neck.

Every time she saw something interesting at a stall, she would stop and beg, "Aldis, buy that."

Frustrated by their slow progress, Aldis told Rona, "You can buy it, but eat it later," and made her carry the shopping bag, putting all the purchased food inside.

This improved their speed somewhat, but the shopping bag on Rona's neck kept getting bigger.

The only reason the food wasn't spilling out was that Rona kept nibbling on it.

Walking, talking, and occasionally dipping into the bag to eat, Rona's behavior was no different from a rich young man aimlessly wandering the streets, indulging in street food.

Especially since there was nothing about her that suggested a wild beast.

Aldis, sending a cold glance, snorted.

"...You have no credibility at all."