Volume 2 - Ch 10
My fist thrust towards the churchs solid barrier.
Ouch!
I heard the barrier creak but no other changes overall. No way, did I lose?
A young priest came rushing from the church in a hurry.
Right now Im trying to deactivate the barriers magical device. After I deactivate the barrier, Count Dolknes will be able to pass the invisible barrier.
Uh-oh, that wasnt me using my strength to the fullest. If I get serious, this kind of barrier would break pretty easily.
Yosh, time for revenge. I close my eyes and concentrate. I focus all my strength on my right fist.
Its time for you to taste my Yumiela Punch.
Okay, let me explain. Yumiela Punch is a punch that only I can deliver. Its amazing.
Usually I either consciously or unconsciously suppress my power since it affects my surroundings. Its the best technique to suppress my maximum power.
I feel the magic flowing inside my body. The enormous amount of power circulating isnt just because of my power alone, but natures magic as well which is in sync with my body and power.
As I thought about how I could sense the flow of magic in the world, I felt someones hand on my shoulder.
When I turned my head, I saw Patrick.
Yumiela, the barrier will be deactivated soon.
Eh, really?
So far, the wall-like barrier was still there, I could feel it with my other hand. I purposely thrust my hand as I complain to Patrick.
Isnt the barrier still there eh? Its gone?
Just in time, it was a close call.
The barrier that had been enduring my thrust just disappeared. Its not fair to win and run away after.
I want a rematch! I demand a rematch!
Surprisingly you were no, you are just a regular sore loser.
Im not a sore loser by any means. I just find it unbearable when I think Ive lost.
Patrick, you were being a horrible distraction from my earnest fight with the barrier. Ill make you taste my Yumiela Punch.
As I gnashed my teeth and scowled at Patrick, my head was getting colder.
Its bad enough that I tried to break the barrier, but its bad enough that the churchs barrier kept me away from entering the church. What if the Inquisition takes me away?
But when theres a strong barrier, one cant help but feel like breaking them. As I pondered whether I would be forgiven, the young priest said.
Count Dolknes, welcome to our church.
Theyre letting me inside the church? I thought the barrier didnt want me in?
As we ushered inside the church, we were greeted by stained glass windows that sparkled under the sunlight. However those stained glass windows gave the place that could be referred to as a cathedral a sense of sacredness.
The young priest guided us without stopping towards a distinctive chamber where a near-elderly man was already waiting for us.
This is the first time that we meet. Welcome to the Balshaines central church, the head church of Sanonism, Im Gerald the Cardinal.
Nice to meet you, Im Yumiela Dolknes.
I know hes an important person, but I dont know how important a cardinal is. The highest? I believe there are more than one cardinal.
I thought Count Dolknes didnt like the church. Im glad that you decided to visit us.
Ah, no, nothing like that, I just havent had the opportunity to do so
Thats good to hear. I was a little concerned since weve been trying to invite you since your time at the academy but our invitation kept being rejected.
Eh?
Im pretty sure there was no contact from the church while I was attending the academy. It would be bad if I had rejected another nobles invitation to go together.
The cardinal shifts his attention to Eleanora who stands next to me and says.
Eleanora-san, you said that Count Dolknes turned down your invitation.
She did, High Priest. Ive invited her to join us many times
Eh?! I never heard of it.
Eleanora had been quite persistent in inviting me to go out and play and Ive successfully evaded her by various means. Dont tell me that was her way of inviting me to go to the church?
Ive said it a million times! Yumiela said wed go on our next vacation.
No way, it is. The cardinal and I just stood there frozen. Patrick had to hold his chuckle.
I didnt know that was an invitation to visit the church.
I guess I asked the wrong person to deliver my message.
Eleanora had a look on her face that said, I dont know what youre talking about. Uh isnt this the cardinals fault? If it were me, I wouldnt trust Eleanora with an important message.
With a wry smile the cardinal says.
Theres a good reason why we asked Eleanora-sans help. Sanonism isnt unrelated to noble politics , you know. It would be unreasonable for us to summon the Count. But it would be easy on you if you were accompanied by our alumni, Eleanora-san.
Alumni?
Ah, I see.
Sounds like he figured out my relationship with Eleanora with just a few words from our conversation. Its hard to watch the melancholy with a bitter smile.
Eleanora-san, your friend
I know! When I think someone is my friend, then theyre my friends! I learn it from High Priests teaching!
Im sorry, it was my mistake.
No, I think its a lovely theory on how to make friends.
The cardinal isnt that bad at this. But I believe Eleanoras persistent behaviour came from her natural constitution. I wouldnt be able to do it if I didnt believe in myself.
I can say with confidence that shes the reason why all of this happened.
Yumiela-san is very fond of me too, so I guess were perfect for each other!
Thats sounds like Eleanora.
The cardinal looks like he has something to say to me but Eleanora is being loud so I couldnt hear him well. Patrick seemed to have understood my struggle and helped me.
Oh Id like to look around the cathedral but Miss Eleanora, could you show me around?
Of course I can. Lets go Yumiela-san!
Yumiela would like to have a word with the Cardinal. Im sorry but the two of us
W-well! Im sure Patrick-sama is a wonderful man but for me Edwin-sama is better moreover, Yumiela-san
Eleanora was squirming and her face turned red when she said it.
Its not like that. You have the wrong idea. Patrick didnt like you like that.
Its literally written on his face. Anyone with a brain could see that even though he thinks its troublesome. Is it too much to ask for anyone to see it or is it too much to ask for anyone but Eleanora?
Im sorry, Patrick. Your sacrifice wont be in vain.
Eleanora followed Patrick who left the room first with her eyes firmly on me.
Im going.
Okay.
The cardinal and I nodded at each other tiredly. Now, I understand that I wont be treated as a heretic, so I lowered my caution level.
He catches his breath before he begins to talk.
Ano, how much have you talked?
I havent heard anything yet.
So thats how it is. Eleanora-san is a hopeless child, I have no doubt that she is a good child, but lets not talk about this. There is a certain topic I wish to talk with the Count.
Onto the business it is, huh. I swallowed my words and focused on him.
Im here as a representative from Sanonism. I have no intention to show hostility towards you within the church. And I wont force you to believe in our faith.
Oh, this was unexpected. Is he a God or something?
I even thought that I have to fight the God of Light someday. So far our situation is in favorable condition, there hasnt been any interference as it has been in the past.
But there were a few things that were bothering me.
But I was born with the darkness attribute, is that okay?
That wont be a problem, while there are attributes with different compatibility, when it comes down to importance, theres no hierarchy between them. Other than Sanonism who worship the God of Light you may have heard about Water Town, right?
Yeah. I heard theres a place to worship God of Water there.
Thats right. We as believers dont persecute other faiths. God of Darknesss name has been lost but theyre a well-respected God.
Its not that Im a believer of the God of Darkness. Ive heard people talk about their faith in four major attributes God, but Ive never heard anything related to God of Darkness. He said that the God of Darknesss name is lost, but maybe there wasnt a name from the beginning.
The cardinal smiled graciously and continued.
Darkness exists because there is light and light exists because there is darkness. Darkness is essential to our Gods existence. I respect you for your unparalleled skills regarding the dark attribute that you possess and I already told this to Eleanora-san
I havent heard anything about this either.
I see.
We sighed together. Was that what Eleanora was trying to say in the carriage on our way here? If she had properly told me, I wouldnt be so on guard.
Theres one more thing Im worried about. Its the barrier.
By the way, my entry to the church was blocked by a barrier.
Im sorry to hear that. The magical barrier device has been passed down from generations to prevent the monsters from trespassing. We found out from todays incident that it also blocked those with dark attributes from entering.
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The barrier is really strong. I dont think any monsters would be able to break it.
Im glad to hear that. Since you cant see the barrier and everyone can walk through them just fine, it makes some people doubt the barriers existence. Im glad the barrier got your seal of approval, Count Dolknes.
The barrier was really tough. And before I could deliver my Yumiela Punch the barrier disappeared, I would love to have a rematch. My pride was hurt and whether I had any pride left or not, one way or another Id get my rematch.
When I was trying to figure out how to convey this to him, he said.
I would appreciate it if you would let me know in advance when you will visit the church in the future. Today was a lucky day since I was able to deactivate the barrier, but I wont be always available.
From the way he speaks, theres a main magical device that helps generate the barrier. Id like to borrow it for a moment but Im sure they will refuse.
Also, Im trying to hide my greed and lightly encourage my rematch by trying to appeal to the churchs benefits.
All right. While were at it, why dont we try to examine the barriers endurance?
On our way home inside the carriage, I feel a little down.
Sigh,he got away with it.
In that case, how will you take responsibility if you did not only break the barrier but the magical device too?
My pretending-not-so-interested with the magical device had failed. Just like what Patrick said, the Cardinal was worried that the original device might break. After all Its a legendary device that has been passed down for generations in Sanonisms main church, please have a little more confidence.
Well, lets give up the barrier. For now.
Also, something must have happened between Patrick and Eleanora when they went sightseeing in the cathedral. Hes been staring at my hand for quite some time.
Whats wrong with Miss Eleanora?
N-nothing!
She answered while shaking her head. To me, it was obvious that shes hiding something.
I already know something mustve happened, you dont need to hide it. You can tell me.
Eh? Really? Then the diamond rin
Miss Elanora, its still a secret for Yumiela. She doesnt know yet.
As expected, its easy to trick Eleanora but Patrick interrupted.
What was she trying to say? Diamond ring?
Isnt a diamond, you know, just a sparkling stone?
J-just sparkling stone?!
Isnt it just sparkle? If it doesnt have any other function then you dont really need it, like a diamond ring.
I can never understand why a stone that just sparkles is worth that much. Id rather wear a brass knuckle than a diamond ring.
Eleanora might have been offended since she wore a few jeweled accessories. She held her mouth with both hands in disbelief.
Sorry, we had to make a quick stop.
Suddenly Patrick stands up and opens the carriages door, getting out quickly.
Wait, Patrick, where are you going all of a sudden?
Im going to take a look around the shop.
Before I could ask what kind of shop he was looking for, Patrick had already walked into an alley. Moreover, my voice couldnt reach him as I was inside the carriage.
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I thought about going after him, then again I guess he had some errands to do. Im not a clingy girlfriend. He must be happy.
Patrick left the carriages door open and he closed the door as he returned to his seat.
Haa, Patrick-sama must be having a hard time with his girlfriend being so insensitive. Nevertheless, I understand. Its impossible now.
Eleanora gave me a look of pity. Remarkably unconvincing one at that.