This statement was totally unexpected, and Bishop Forbin's expression was laughably stupid.
Seeing Bishop Forbin's reaction, Longji thought that since no one could resist the decision of the Holy Church, his reaction was understandable. Longji smiled wryly and repeated with unshakable determination:
"I said I refuse. They are the heroes who saved our country. I will not allow anyone, even the Holy Church, to harm them."
“W-What! Are you crazy?! You can’t be unaware of the consequences of rebelling against the Church! Do you want to be branded a heretic?!”
Hearing Longi's words, Bishop Forbin was so shocked that he stammered and roared loudly. The surrounding Temple Knights also looked at each other in confusion.
"Bishop Forbin, the central government shouldn't be aware of their great achievements, right? When the principality was attacked by a deadly poison and on the verge of extinction, it was thanks to them that they saved it. According to the reports I received, they also saved the brave men and the town of Ur, didn't they? Yet, the church has designated them as heretics? This decision is insane. Therefore, I, Longy Forward Jergen, object to this designation of heretics and petition the church to consider their rescue of Ankaji and reconsider this designation."
"H-Hush! This matter has been decided! This is God's will! No disobedience allowed! Lord Jegan, if you continue to protect heretics, you, no, Ankaji will also be considered a heretic! Is that okay?"
Bishop Forbin roared with a frantic look in his eyes, looking unbelievably like a clergyman. Langji looked at him calmly. Shiji had come up to Langji at some point, and asked with a surprised expression:
"...Hey, is this okay? You're going to be an enemy of both the Kingdom and the Church. As a lord, is that the right thing to do?"
Langji didn't answer Hajime's question, instead looking towards his subordinates who were watching the situation unfold. Hajime's gaze followed his gaze. The subordinates noticed their gazes and closed their eyes for a moment. Then, as if realizing something, their expressions showed a resolute determination. Their eyes blazed with fighting spirit, their expressions clearly saying, "If you want to fight, we'll do it!"
Bishop Forbin seemed to have seen their intentions, and his emotions became even more agitated. His face flushed with anger, and he issued a final warning:
"You don't regret it? Lord Jegan, you're doomed. No, not just you, but your subordinates and everyone who helped them will all be doomed. They will all die under divine punishment!"
"There won't be a shameless person in Ankaji who would betray the hero who saved them. Divine punishment? I always thought that the God who punishes shameless people is the God I believe in. Does the Bishop believe in a different God than I do?"
After hearing what Longi said, Bishop Forbin was probably too angry. He had a blank expression on his face and raised one hand, ready to give the order to attack the Knights Templar.
At that moment, whoosh! There was a sound of breaking wind, and something flew towards him, striking the helmet of a Templar Knight with a clang. Looking down, he saw a small stone. While it didn't cause any harm to the Templar Knight, it still raised the question of "Why did this thing fly?" However, this question was quickly answered as the stones continued to fly, hitting the Templar Knight's armor with a clang.
Looking in the direction where the stone flew from, many residents of Ankaji had gathered and surrounded the Temple Knights.
They saw a mysterious light appear in the oasis and the Knights Templar marching hurriedly past, and the crowd came to watch out of curiosity.
Kaori, the "Apostle of God," diligently treated them; Hajime and his companions bravely ventured into the Great Labyrinth to retrieve the potent elixir, the "Serene Stone." Seeing Hajime and his companions surrounded by the Temple Knights, and their beloved lord stepping in to protect them, the onlookers couldn't help but wonder, "Have the Bishop and his companions gone mad?" To help their lord and benefactor, the crowd, filled with hostility, pelted the Temple Knights with stones.
"Stop! People of Ankaji! They are enemies of God, declared heretics! It is God's will to crush them!"
Seeing the residents' murderous intent, Bishop Forbin shouted loudly, hoping to clear up the misunderstanding. Forbin thought that they simply didn't know that Hajime and the others were considered heretics. As long as he, as the bishop, informed them of the facts, they would soon calm down.
In fact, after hearing the words of the Holy Church Bishop, the residents looked at each other in confusion and stopped throwing stones.
However, Langji said with dignity:
"Dear people of the Principality, please listen to me! They have just cleansed our oasis! Thanks to their dedication, our oasis has been restored to its former glory! And they will also cleanse all the polluted land and crops for us! Let our Ankaji return to its original state! I cannot explain further here, please judge with your own heart! Do you want to kill the heroes who saved our country, or do you want to protect them? ... I choose to protect them!"
Bishop Forbin thought to himself, "How could they rebel against the authority of the church just because of a few words from you?" and was about to laugh at Longi, but the next moment, his expression froze.
—Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Residents expressed their opinions by throwing stones.
“Wha-what!?”
Bishop Forbin stammered again, and the inhabitants shouted at him:
"You're kidding! Don't even think about killing our benefactor!"
"The Church has done nothing for us! Yet they want to harm the apostle who saved us. They must be mentally ill!"
"What heretics?! I think you are the heretics!"
"There must be something wrong with the heretic identification system!"
"Protect Kaori-sama!"
"Follow the Lord!"
"Lord Kaori! I dedicate my life to you!"
"Mr. Adventurer! Please escape now!"
"Hey, someone go get Captain Biz! Get him to dispatch the 'Kaori-sama Service Team'!"
It seems that the residents have deep gratitude and respect for Langji and Kaori, as well as Hajime and others who went to collect the Jingyin Stone.
Their gratitude and reverence surpassed even the most profound faith. Their hearts were high, and they were determined to protect Langji, Kaori, and the others before them. No, their faith was undoubtedly just as strong, but they simply trusted in their own gods, who would never harm Kaori and her companions, the "Apostle of God" who had saved them.
Simply put, the residents' "faith" outweighs their "trust" in Bishop Forbin. Whether or not such trust existed in the first place is unknown...
Upon learning of the situation, the residents gathered one after another. Their individual strength was certainly far inferior to that of the Knights Templar, but the overwhelming anger and hostility caused Bishop Forbin, the deacon, and the Knights Templar to retreat in fear.
"Your Excellency, this is Ankaji's will. Could you please obey my request?"
"!...Don't think that this is the end of it."
Bishop Forbin gnashed his teeth in rage, glaring at them one last time before turning and leaving. The Knights Templar followed him in panic. As if to vent his rage, Bishop Forbin walked away with resounding footsteps towards the church.
“…Is this really okay? It might be too late to say this now, but it’s okay if you don’t worry about us, okay?”
"Hajime was clearly the person involved, yet he was left out until the very end." He said this to Langji with a confused expression. Kaori and the others were also worried that because of their relationship, Ankaji would face danger from the Kingdom or the Church.
However, Langji replied as if he didn't care:
"I've told you, haven't I? This is Ankaji's Will. Everyone who lives in the Principality is grateful to you. If I let you be killed for my selfish reasons... then I'll be the one killed by Ankaji's Will. I don't want my beloved country to be in an armed rebellion."
"Even with that level of force, they can't kill us..."
Hearing Langji's words, Hajime scratched his cheek and replied. Langji also agreed and said with a smile:
"I suppose so. In other words, you're even more terrifying than the Church. I chose to side with you, not only because you're heroes who saved the nation, but also to avoid becoming your enemy. You can wield incredible magic, easily destroy unknown monsters, and even conquer a large labyrinth in a matter of days. You disregard the Church's authority, even treating a hundred Knights Templar as nothing. Furthermore, I've received reports of you defeating tens of thousands of monsters head-on, instantly slaying monsters that even heroes would be at a disadvantage... Oh, it's truly terrifying. I've inherited the throne of lord from my father for quite some time, but I believe the decision I just made is one of the wisest I've ever made."
As for Hajime, even if Longi handed them over to the Church, Hajime had no intention of considering him an enemy. However, Longi had considered the possibility of hostility, and after weighing the Church against Hajime and the others, he had likely chosen the latter. While it was for the sake of the country, his actions were, after all, a violation of the Church's authority. It's certainly fair to say it was a wise decision.
Although Hajime had been aware of this for a long time, he never expected that being labeled a heretic by the church and the ensuing conflict would be avoided suddenly because of someone other than himself. Hajime couldn't help but reveal an indescribable ambiguous smile.
Seeing the Ankagi residents gathering to show their concern, and seeing Kaori and the others smiling happily despite their confusion, Hajime couldn't help but think that this was also the result of him listening to Aiko-sensei's advice and not choosing a "lonely way of life".
Two days had passed since the commotion at the church.
Hajime and his companions had purified the agricultural land and crops from pollution, and were now standing on a high platform, gazing at the oasis that had been restored to its former glory.
Before them, the lake shimmered, and many people gathered around it, their smiles and energy restored. Couples lay on the lakeside grass, watching their children play in the water. Teenagers fished from the pier, and couples chatted in small boats on the lake. Despite the diverse crowds, everyone was smiling.
They were about to leave Ankaji today. Their original plan was to buy some local fruit once the contaminated area had been regenerated, and then depart quickly. However, the lord's family, the people at the lord's mansion, and the residents of Ankaji warmly urged them to stay, so they stayed for two more days.
Hajime and the others were so well-received in Ankaji that if left alone, they might even see them off. So they asked Longi to appease the crowd. They had asked Longi to hold a farewell banquet at the lord's mansion. Now, Hajime and the others had come alone to the gate to take one last look at the oasis.
"Hey, if you keep going like this, you'll be really conspicuous. Please change your clothes, or at least put on a coat to cover it up."
Hajime turned back and prepared to leave, while speaking to Yue and the others beside him.
"...Hmm? Tired of it?"
"Eh? Is that so, Hajime-kun?"
"No, Yue, Kaori. The master's eyes don't say that. The master simply doesn't want to attract attention."
"That's right, after all, you can't wear something like this out."
Shia spun around in a flamboyant circle. What Shia meant by "this kind of outfit" was something like what she'd wear for belly dancing.
The top is a belly dance top that exposes her navel, and the bottom is harem pants and a large circle skirt. The outfit is very provocative and if you dance in it, you will definitely attract everyone's attention.
It seemed to be Ankaji's dress. It was a gift from the lord's wife to Yue and the others. When Yue and the others put on the dresses and showed them to Hajime, Hajime's eyes instantly turned into those of a beast. It seemed Hajime was completely unable to resist such clothing, because not only Yue, but even Shia, Tio, and Kaori couldn't help but stare at them.
Since Hajime hadn't shown any reaction to girls other than Yue, Shia and the others had become obsessed with it and kept wearing this outfit by Hajime's side all day. This made Yue unable to take it off, so she kept wearing this outfit that made Hajime's rationality collapse, seducing him sexually all the time.
As a result, even at this moment, just before departure, they were still wearing sexy clothes. Ever since Hajime's unexpected kink was revealed, they had been actively focusing on it these past few days. Hajime's expression was a mixture of joy and fatigue. As he walked towards the door, he was also worried about how to get them to wear normal clothes.
Two days after leaving Ankaji——
When they were about to reach the road to Holyard, Hajime and his group, driving the Brijet, encountered a caravan that was being attacked by thieves.
There, Hajime and Kaori will reunite with people they never dreamed of.
Volume 5 Finale
In the heart of the royal palace of the Kingdom of Heilig, in the cafeteria used by knights and soldiers, there was a female student who looked upset - Yuka Sonobe.
Yuka raised her already narrow eyes and glared around the cafeteria. Several young men who looked like soldiers were caught in her gaze and couldn't help but tremble in fear.
“Not here either? Ahhh, those guys just disappear at this critical moment!”
Yuka grabbed her light brown hair roughly, looking very anxious. The young soldiers were startled again by her and turned back to avoid her.
"He's not at the training ground, the dorm, or the cafeteria... so he's out on the streets, right?"
Yuka muttered to herself as she turned and headed towards the guardhouse at the main gate of the palace. Her footsteps were so forceful that it seemed as if the ground was shaking.
"Yuuka!"
Yuka was moving forward with great momentum when someone called her. Miyazaki Nana came running towards her in a hurry.
"I don't have any here, what about yours?"
"They're not in the cafeteria. I just ran into Tamai-san and Taeko, and they're not there either. They're looking for them in other facilities right now, but... I don't think they're in the palace."
"I thought so. I just ran into Aikawa and the others, and they also said they couldn't find it. Ahhh, seriously, where the hell are those guys going at this hour?! They're not fit to be Ai-sensei's bodyguards!"
Nana held her head and roared.
The two of them - to be more precise, members of the Xiaoai Guards - are searching for the Temple Knights led by David, who is also a member of the Xiaoai Guards.
Three days ago, Aiko had a dinner appointment with the students but failed to show up. According to Pope Ishtar, who arrived in her place, Aiko had heard that she might be able to overturn Hajime's designation as a heretic, so she hurried into the main temple. Due to the necessary inspections and paperwork, she couldn't return immediately, but she should be back in two or three days.
Shizuku, who had previously met Aiko, told Yuuka and the others that she had an important announcement to make at dinner, so Ishtar's explanation surprised everyone. The Ai Guardians, figuring they should go find Teacher Aiko first, requested permission to enter the main mountain, but Ishtar refused, citing the current situation as a barrier to admitting those with connections to heretics. Despite feeling uneasy, Yuuka and the others decided to wait for two or three days, figuring it would be okay.
However, today is the third day, and it is already past noon, but they still have not received any information about their beloved son.
The cable car service to the mountain has ceased, and even after inquiring with church officials, they were unable to find out the reason. Unable to contain their frustration any longer, Yuka and the others decided to contact David and the other Knights Templar to inquire about the situation.
I had clearly seen David and the others yesterday evening, but this morning they were nowhere to be found. All I could think of was that they were out on the street, but given the current situation, it was unlikely these doting parents would be out and about.
"...I have a bad feeling."
Yuka gritted her teeth, thinking of the strange atmosphere in the palace recently and the disappearance of people around her one after another. She suddenly felt very scared, as if a bug was crawling on her back.
Just at this time--
"Yuuka? Nana is here too."
Shizuku came over. She called out to Yuuka and Nana, but also looked around as if she was looking for someone.
"Mr. David and the others... I don't think they found anything from the looks of you."
"Yes, it seems you haven't seen the captain either."
Hearing Yuka say this, Shizuku lowered her head with a worried look on her face.
From that day on, Aiko wasn't the only one who disappeared. Captain Meld and Princess Liliana, along with several servants including Shizuku's personal attendant and friend, Nia, and the knights and soldiers she'd become familiar with through training, all disappeared for some reason.
"Hey, Yuuka, Shizuku-chan...are they okay?"
“…”
Nana seemed a little timid when asking the two of them, but they were unable to answer immediately that everything was fine as usual.
Something happened.
An inexplicable feeling of unease robbed the two of their composure.
(If he were here at this time...)
(If that guy were here at this time...)
Shizuku and Yuka unconsciously gazed in the same direction—the distant western sky—and their thoughts were of the same person: a reckless, irrational, and aloof boy, yet incredibly reliable.
This was a dimly lit room, a fairly spacious one, filled with countless ghostly figures. None of them moved, simply standing there in silence.
These figures, devoid of any human aura, were arranged in an orderly fashion in the room. Inside, there were two more figures, both brimming with life, undoubtedly human.
However, if you ask if they can be described as "normal people", the answer is "no".
Because their eyes are too crazy.
"Alright, we're finally ready. Ahhh, I can't wait! The moment I've been eagerly anticipating is finally here. It's so wonderful to be summoned to this world! I'm so happy now!"
Loud laughter echoed all around. Though the words spoken were positive, like happiness, their tone contained immeasurable malice and ridicule, as well as twisted, mad fragments of emotion.
The figure beside him stared at him with cold, emotionless eyes; it was clear that they had no camaraderie. However, despite his indifference, the faint smile that played at the corner of his mouth was just as full of malice and mockery as the laughing figure.
At the same moment——
In the kingdom at the southern end of the continent, a very shocking scene appeared.
A vast array of monsters, probably exceeding a hundred thousand, lined up in neat rows. The ominous aura emanating from them revealed that each possessed power at the depths of the Orcus Great Labyrinth. This scene embodied the very concept of devastation.
What was surprising was that several of the monsters had people riding on them, which showed that this group had not gathered here by chance.
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