An ordinary profession creates the world's strongest

Seeing his granddaughter's serious personality, Simon smiled slightly and looked out the window.

In front of his sight, he finally saw the nostalgic capital.

After arriving at the Kingdom of Heilig, Simon sneaked away anyway.

He used his skilled magic to deceive his nagging granddaughter and blend into the crowd in the royal capital.

Incidentally, he was currently wearing a traveling robe on the outside and a priest's robe underneath. He had secretly brought out the family heirloom, the "Space Expansion Bag," and within this national treasure, Simon's proud escape tools were stored.

"Hmm~ The damage is quite severe. The demons are truly heartless."

Although people, things and scenery have inevitably changed over the past ten years, the changes caused by "destruction" are heartbreaking.

Amid the sounds of reconstruction everywhere, Simon walked through the streets with a strong step that didn't look like a 76-year-old.

"...The headquarters is indeed gone, but the atmosphere is quite..."

Seeing people living optimistically and positively, Simon wondered, is the prestige of the headquarters so insignificant?

Simon was puzzled by the strange feeling.

The letter did not provide details about the collapse of the main altar, but one can imagine that it was important information that could only be shared with the successor Pope.

That's why Simon wanted to see with his own eyes the living conditions of the people in the royal capital, but... to be honest, it was beyond his expectations.

Simon thought to himself, "I must find someone to ask." Seeing that the craftsmen who were repairing the building were about to take a break, he went up to them and started a conversation.

When he asked, the content surprised him greatly.

Good Lord Esid and the fake Bad Esid? A pillar of light descending from the sky? An army annihilated by tens of thousands?

"...I wonder who came up with this wicked plot. Does he have a grudge against Master Esid?"

Simon's eyes were sharp. He knew that this story was meant to plant a seed of fire in the hearts of the people. Various questions could not help but surge into his mind.

At this moment, the sound of quarreling was heard. Looking in that direction, it seemed that a group of men were quarreling.

"Here we go again, what happened this time?"

A craftsman who had just been talking to Simon said with a frown.

"Does this happen often?"

“It’s been happening a lot lately because things like that happen in the church and everyone is feeling uneasy.”

It seems that the collapse of the church did not have no impact at all.

Soon, the argument turned into a fight, and then someone was pushed and bumped into the exterior pillar of the building under renovation. The pillar shook and the building materials on it fell.

The craftsman yelled "Danger!" and at the same time—

"—"Tian Jue"."

A subtle whisper echoed, and multiple shimmering barriers caught all the falling objects. To prevent damage to the building materials themselves, the barriers even sank slightly as they caught the falling objects, softening the impact.

"Was that what the old man did just now?"

The skill of omitting the chant and immediately deploying the barrier was extraordinary, and Simon instantly became the center of attention. People then saw that Simon was wearing pure white priestly clothing under his robe, which had been carelessly opened.

"Holy, the priest of the Holy Church?"

"No, no, I'm the one..."

After losing all the clergy, a new priest appeared in the capital. The people of the capital naturally looked like they had found hope, and the news spread quickly. Simon hurriedly tried to hide... but it was too late.

After finally sneaking out to check on the situation in the capital, Simon was about to be discovered by his granddaughter and taken back! Simon was extremely anxious. The people of the capital came closer and asked, "Please guide us!"

"Hmm, is that the end?"

When Simon was about to give up the incognito interview, a majestic young voice suddenly came.

"People over there! What are you arguing about? Are you fighting again!?"

A young woman with swaying light brown hair came running briskly. Upon seeing her, the crowd shouted, "Apostle!" The woman flashed a look of disgust, then saw Simon, standing in the center of the crowd. Simon, startled at the words "Apostle," continued to look at her for help.

(Little girl! Help me! Get me out of here!)

(I don’t know why, but the old man seemed to want me to take him out.)

What an observant girl.

"Everyone, although these are difficult times, please don't fight too often. I heard that the new Pope will be arriving soon, so let's all work hard together!"

As soon as the girl finished speaking, the people of the royal capital bowed their heads respectfully and looked at Simon with expectant eyes.

Simon was sweating profusely, and at the urging of the girl's gaze, he walked out of the crowd early.

For the next while, the girl quickly took him to a sparsely populated place.

"Oh, I'm saved. Thank you very much, little girl. May I know your name?"

"Huh? Ah, no, it's nothing serious."

The girl looked away embarrassedly, scratched her cheek, and gave her name.

"My name is Yuuka, Sonobe Yuuka."

"Miss Yuuka, I thank you again. By the way, I heard them call you Apostle-sama..."

"Yeah, but it's no big deal. I'm just one of many people."

Yuka gave a wry smile and Simon narrowed his eyes slightly at her.

"It's an honor to meet you, but the Apostle is actually going on a patrol? It seems the capital is quite short-handed."

"It's true we're short-staffed, but it's simply because there have been more conflicts. I think they're feeling uneasy about losing the church, which was once their spiritual support. Since they've lost so many people... those with abilities must do what they can."

After saying this, Yuka looked off into the distance—to the east. Then, she murmured faintly, "Otherwise, there's no point in me staying here..."

Simon, who had sharp ears, heard her words clearly. He looked at the girl before him, who was called the Apostle, and said:

"What is it, Yuuka-chan? You have such a cute expression on your face. Could it be that the man you like is in the Empire?"

"I, I don't like him! It's not like that! What are you suddenly saying?!"

Yuka seemed quite flustered and retorted with a blushing face.

Simon played dumb and responded:

"No, I'm just stating what I saw. Your expression clearly shows that the man you love is leaving on a journey, and while you'd like to go, you can't for many reasons. So, at least you're missing him from afar."

“So specific!? No, no, you’re wrong. I’m… I’m just…”

Yuka wanted to say something, but then realized she couldn't tell anyone else about it, so she shook her head and tried to leave quietly. She thought she had hidden it well, but her worry was written all over her face.

"I'm leaving now. I don't know what happened, but I want to be a little older—"

"If you can, would you mind telling me?"

Simon interrupted her. Yuka was speechless for a moment. The reason she didn't refuse immediately was probably because the old man's eyes were very gentle.

"Don't look at me like that. My job is to listen to people, okay? When I see young people with worries, I can't just sit there and do nothing. What do you think? If you talk about your worries, you'll feel better, right?"

Even so, Yuka still felt hesitant, after all, it was not something she could say to a stranger.

Simon persuaded again, his tone without any coercion, only a warmth that seemed to envelop people.

"You and I only met once, and there's nothing shameful about telling it to an old man like me who doesn't have much time left. It's me, who has lived a long life, whose life is filled with shame!"

Hearing the old man in front of her say this in a funny tone, Yuka couldn't help but laugh.

This old man is really hard to dislike, perhaps because he gives people a kind and amiable impression.

Yuka had an urge to try to talk to the old man. Under normal circumstances, she would never have such an idea.

"Ahaha, then could you please listen to me for a moment? It's not really a problem."

Yuka sat down on a nearby bench and let out a breath.

Then, he expressed his inner thoughts to the old man, a stranger to him but to whom he gave a warm feeling.

"I was saved by someone, twice... The first time, he saved my life."

Looking back, it was the moment when a terrifying monster made of only bones swung its sword at his head without hesitation.

——Don’t be afraid, as long as you stay calm, those dead bones are nothing!

The aura of death that he clearly felt was dispelled by him, who was not only the weakest but even despised as incompetent.

"The second time, it saved my heart."

Looking back, Yuka once suffered a setback, but she picked herself up and wanted to contribute her own strength. However, the fear of death and the trauma deeply rooted in her heart would not disappear so easily...

——People like you can’t die.

The young man who had climbed from the bottom of the abyss said this to Yuka. Even though it was completely groundless, Yuka was convinced that she would not die. She had no reason to believe it, but she believed that as long as she lived diligently, she would not die.

As a result, the trauma faded, giving Yuka the courage to face the difficulties, which even she herself found incredible. When the royal capital was facing a fatal crisis, it was because of his words that Yuka was able to take immediate action.

"I wanted to give back and prove to him that his saving me wasn't in vain. Even though he probably wouldn't care at all, I wanted to give something back."

Yuka looked up at the eastern sky again and sighed.

"But I was completely useless and didn't have what he needed... He was so far away from me, even moving forward."

"Didn't you tell him that you wanted him to wait for you?"

Hearing Simon's question, Yuka smiled and said:

"That's impossible. I told you that he and I don't have that kind of relationship."

"Is that so?"

Simon looked at Yuka's profile and seemed to be surprised.

Yuka paused and explained the reason for her melancholy.

"So I feel ashamed of myself for not being able to repay you... See, this isn't really a worry, right?"

Yuka gave a wry smile.

Simon stroked his chin and asked:

"So, Yuuka-chan watched her benefactor leave, thinking, 'At least I should do what I can,' right?"

"Well, I guess so. Many of my companions can't fight either... I can fight a little, but I'm staying here just in case... Like I said, I'm helping with patrols because we often get into trouble... Although none of that has anything to do with him."

Simon nodded, then smiled broadly and praised highly.

"Yuuka is amazing. She's able to 'never stop and do what she can,' which is not easy."

"No, no, it's not a big deal..."

Being praised by Simon in person, Yuka felt like she was talking to her own grandfather. Her cheeks naturally flushed and her eyes wandered around.

Simon narrowed his eyes, looked at Yuka with a smile, and continued:

"People stop quickly, no matter who they are. Even doing what you're capable of... is actually quite difficult. That's why you're so amazing, Yuuka-chan. This old man thinks you should keep going."

"Should I continue?"

"Yes, one day, your benefactor will stop. Maybe he's tired, or maybe the journey is over. I'm not sure which, but he will definitely stop. Then, just like you are doing now, you will just do what you can."

Yuka opened her eyes wide, as if a light was shining into the darkness in her heart, the gears inside began to turn, and she thought slowly.

“…What I can do.”

Simon silently watched Yuka as she tried to find the answer.

The peaceful time passed, and soon——

Yuka whispered:

"...My hometown is a Western restaurant...er~a restaurant."

"oh."

"Our shop is quite well-known in the local area and has regular customers... I like our shop so much that I originally planned to take it over."

Hearing the word "originally", Simon's face suddenly became sad, but he said nothing and continued to listen.

"My cooking skills... I'm embarrassed to say this, but I'm confident. I'm also good at making coffee and tea. So... if, if his journey ends, we can all go back together..."

Simon seemed to be hallucinating. He saw the shadow of sadness flying away from Yuhua's expression.

Yuka smiled happily, and Simon also smiled.

"Well, I'm going to invite him to our restaurant and treat him to our proudly prepared Western cuisine, so he can eat his fill."