Chapter 76 - Seventy-Six ... A Forester’s Invitation

Chapter 76: Chapter Seventy-Six ... A Forester’s Invitation

Chapter Seventy-Six ... A Forester’s Invitation

"Here, catch."

While Jan was resting at the camp, Agphiel, who had stepped out for a moment, suddenly tossed him something.

"What else? It’s an apple."

"What’s this for...?"

"You need to practice controlling the power of your blessing, don’t you?"

"Ah!"

The blessing he had received from the Ruler of Life was a fine thing, but the power was far too strong. Lately he had been breaking everything he touched, from the grip of his longsword to his gauntlets.

"Hold the fruit gently. The way you’d hold your newborn child."

"I’m not even married..."

"It’s just an example. And a man your age, and still no children? I’d have thought that even without a wife, you’d have a bastard or two by now."

"..."

Seeing the sour look on Jan’s face, Agphiel shrugged and urged him on.

"It was a joke. A joke. You’re no fun. Now hurry up and try holding the fruit."

"Understood."

It seemed like an odd exercise, but it made a certain sense. Jan slowly closed his hand around the apple in his palm.

However...

Crunch!

Unable to control his strength, he smashed the apple to pieces.

"Again."

Crunch!

"Again!"

Crunch!

"Hm. Fruit is hard to come by out here. Try to be a little gentler."

"It’s, er, not easy."

Agphiel clicked his tongue.

"If you don’t get used to this strength quickly, something terrible could happen. It might be best to avoid physical contact with people as much as you can until you’ve gotten the hang of it."

"Hm..."

It was true that people touched one another quite a lot. If he failed to control his strength at the wrong moment...

Ugh.

He had imagined it without meaning to, and something truly horrible flashed before his eyes.

"I’ll be careful. A mistake would be a disaster."

"Yes. A good attitude."

"By the way, what is Rhomara, the seat of the Papal See, like?"

Jan tossed the crushed apple to the ground as he asked.

Since they would soon be entering the Papal See, he needed to learn what he could about it. He had to know exactly how different it was from what he knew, and how much had changed, to guard against anything unexpected.

Agphiel cleared away the apples scattered on the ground as he answered.

"A huge city, and a very prosperous one too. You’ll be quite surprised when you see it."

"Because of its size? I’ve heard it’s enormous."

"Well, they say more than a million people live there, so it’s practically a kingdom of its own. But its true worth lies elsewhere. Rhomara holds an immense wealth of the old empire’s legacy. When you see the mysteries, the culture, the art, and the advanced crafts that fill the place, you can’t help but be amazed."

"I see."

Rhomara, the seat of the Papal See.

It had been the capital of the old empire.

Unlike so many cities of that age, it had never been sacked and destroyed.

That was why, in Jan’s memory, it was a city so highly developed that it truly deserved to be called the city of a thousand years.

Even in his past life, it had been the one great city of the west that no other could rival.

"It must be very advanced indeed, Master Agphiel."

"You’ll be amazed when you see it. Heh heh. But don’t expect too much. In the end, every place where people live is the same."

"I’m sure. By the way, I wonder who will show us around the Papal See. It’s not as if I know anyone there."

Right away, he was worried about stationing his army and finding food and lodging.

If he knew someone there, he could move more quickly. If all else failed, he thought he might ask the Lufen Company, which was investing in the transit hub in his lands. Agphiel answered, unconcerned.

"What are you worried about? Isn’t the bishop right over there?"

"You mean Bishop Graham?"

"Yes. He’s a bishop, isn’t he? Bishop in name at least, so he must have connections inside the Papal See."

"Hm..."

It made sense, so why did it feel so unreliable? Just then, the ever-perceptive Bishop Graham poked his head in.

"Hm? Did you call me?"

"Now, now. No one called you."

"Our lord was just saying he’s relying on you, bishop. When it comes to the Papal See, you’re the man, aren’t you?"

"Heh heh! That’s right! Our old mage knows a thing or two!"

Apparently the praise had put him in a good mood. Bishop Graham jingled his glittering gold and laughed happily.

"Heh heh. Leave it all to me, my lord! I’ll give you a splendid tour of the Papal See!"

"Yes, yes. Thank you very much. I’m counting on you."

What a reliable bishop.

Jan quietly turned away, thinking he had better look for another way as well.

But just then...

"Stop! How dare you trespass in this forest!"

The soldiers turned toward the shout.

"Insolent lot! Thieves!"

A man covered in hides came charging over in a rage from some distance away.

At first he looked like an angry bear, but the closer he got, the more his fury drained away.

The forest had hidden it, but up close, the group turned out to be much larger than he’d thought. And judging by the dwarves and the armored knights, they looked very much like nobility.

"How dare we? Insolent?"

"Er... who... might you be?"

The man, who seemed to be a forester, stared with eyes as round as a frightened rabbit’s, which didn’t suit his appearance at all.

"Th-this forest belongs to House Bardo. M-may I ask where you’ve come from?"

"You fool! Can’t you see this banner? This is the great and faithful Gold-rank lord of House Lupton!"

"And I am Graham, bishop of the diocese of Lupton!"

"Hiik! I-I’m sorry. This lowly one can’t read, so he didn’t recognize the crest."

Hearing the names, the forester threw himself flat on the ground.

It seemed he had picked the wrong people to shout at.

A bishop, and the Gold-rank lord of Lupton. Why on earth would such lofty people come down into a remote forest like this?

’Huh?’

Then a thought suddenly occurred to the forester, and he raised his head.

"Um, could you be the worker of miracles, the Gold-rank lord of Lupton?"

"..."

Who would have thought he’d hear such an embarrassing title out here? Without meaning to, Jan covered his forehead with his hand.

"That’s right, you fool!"

"This lowly one! This is the faithful and great worker of miracles, his lordship himself!"

"Ohhh! My lord. My lord."

With that, the forester bowed deeply.

A bow brimming with reverence, quite unlike a moment ago.

"It seems your fame has spread even this far. Ha ha."

"Stop teasing me, Master Agphiel."

"Why? Everyone’s so pleased. Nothing is better for those who serve a noble than their lord’s good name."

"Hm..."

There was nothing for it. Sighing, Jan helped the forester to his feet.

"Too much courtesy is worse than none. You’re embarrassing me, so get up."

"Oh, thank you, my lord."

The forester got up awkwardly. But instead of leaving, he hovered hesitantly, glancing at Jan as if he had something to say.

"Might you be on your way to the Papal See, my lord?"