A group pulling a wagon rumbled past, making a clattering sound.
Most of them were wearing work clothes, but a few were dressed in robes of monks or priests.
This was on the way back to the guild with Branch Manager Neil and me.
“Those people just now…”
“Ah, they’re from the reflux faction of the Baal Church. They seem to be transporting supplies to the frontier villages.”
T/N: “還流派 (kanryuuha)” literally translates to “reflux faction”. It implies a return to a previous state or doctrine.
The Branch Manager answered for Neil, who remained silent.
The Baal Church? That Baal Church?!
“But isn’t this country sort of… built because of the Baal Church?”
Why are they openly active within Garcia?
“What, you don’t know, little miss? When Garcia became independent, those guys couldn’t abandon their faith, so they formed a separate organization.”
Huh?
How are they different from the Baal Church in the Dao Empire?
Seeing my puzzled face, the Branch Manager gave a more detailed explanation.
“Well, put simply, they got rid of the damn human supremacism and declared a return to the original doctrine of worshipping Baal, the god of fertility. They called themselves the ‘Reflux Faction’.”
Thinking about it, in my past life there were so many factions in every religion.
We continued the conversation while walking slowly to match the Branch Manager, who was using a cane.
“So there was pushback, then…?”
“Of course there was. They are still part of the Baal Church, after all. But these guys, as you can see, they’re now transporting support goods to the frontier villages. And during the founding of Garcia, they provided meals to refugees separately from the government.”
…I had completely thought of the Baal Church itself as a completely harmful thing, but I have to rethink that.
It’s not that simple, it seems.
“And so, thanks to that, there are parts that now recognize them as separate from the Baal Church of the Dao Empire. Of course, not everyone is convinced, though.”
The charitable work had some effect, it seems.
But it’s not so simple that they’ll be trusted just because of that.
“Can I ask one more thing? The first prince openly says he worships the Baal Church, but is he part of the Reflux Faction?”
It’s a good opportunity, so I ask what I’ve been wondering about.
“Of course, that’s how it is. I don’t know where it came from, but there are rumors that he hates other races. Even so, he’s personally been aiding the Reflux Faction’s charitable works, so in fact, his support is not low. But…”
The Branch Manager trailed off.
It seems that the first prince’s support is not as desperately low as I had thought.
“The royal family has never shown any religious color and did not take sides with any specific religion. But suddenly now, the first prince goes all in on the Baal Church. It feels suspicious, doesn’t it?”
This is said to be a consideration for the multi-racial nature of the nation.
There are many people with no religious affiliations, but I’ve heard that elves and dwarves have nature-based religions, and beastmen worship great ancestors.
In the Garcia Kingdom, freedom of religion is a founding principle.
The Branch Manager suspects that the first prince is connected to the Empire, and that Dao Empire spies and operatives are operating within the country under the guise of the Reflux Faction.
“But no matter how suspicious it is, there’s no evidence. Furthermore, the country guarantees religious freedom in consideration of race relations, so there’s no justifiable reason to remove Prince Edgar from the candidate list for the throne. It’s a dilemma.”
Religion is complicated.
It has to do with people’s delicate inner feelings.
It seems they can’t make an exception just for the Baal Church.
“That’s why I’m counting on you, little miss. If something were to happen, it would be better to keep the influence under control if the first princess, Lily, becomes queen.”
The Branch Manager concluded with those words.
“Is Neil still spacing out?”
We had returned to the Branch Manager’s office.
The Branch Manager muttered in exasperation at Neil, who was still frozen.
He walks if I push his back, though.
“Hey, Neil?”
He doesn’t respond even when I wave my hand in front of his face.
Losing patience, the Branch Manager steps forward.
“This won’t do. Let me.”
The Branch Manager strongly slapped Neil’s cheek several times.
That looks painful.
“Huh!? Where am I!? Was the thing about Katia-san’s aura being super-grade and burning the target a dream?”
Neil had recovered.
He was speaking differently than usual.
“Get a grip, it wasn’t a dream. Also, your way of talking has returned to normal.”
“Shoot!?”
“Maybe that’s just how you talk normally, Neil?”
“Embarrassingly, that’s… that’s right. I corrected it when I joined the knight order, but sometimes it just comes out…”
“If you don’t mind, it’s fine to speak normally in front of me.”
We’ve only just met, and I’m not a noble either, so there’s no need to maintain stiff formalities.
“I said that to him before, that he doesn’t need to be formal in front of people who know his original way of talking–”
“If Katia-san says so, I’ll do so without holding back!”
“This guy…”
A vein popped out on the Branch Manager’s temple.
Why didn’t he listen when the Branch Manager said that before?
“You’re being quite obvious, Neil. So, that’s what it is, right? But it seems little miss hasn’t noticed anything at all. She’s a tough one. You’re definitely going to have a hard time.”
“N-no, it’s not like that! Ah, but she hasn’t noticed? I feel a bit relieved.”
“This coward…”
What kind of conversation is this?
What do they mean by “that’s what it is”?
…Anyway, let’s get back to the topic.
The rank thing.
“So, what will my soldier rank be?”
The Branch Manager answered while sitting in her chair.
“It’s B rank, the highest for an initial placement. Usually, it’s decided after a few mock battles.”
The Branch Manager continues to speak while writing documents.
“Looking at that fire magic and aura-combined sword, it’s obvious to anyone that mock battles are not necessary. Even without that, your swordsmanship was polished and refined. I’m exercising my authority as branch manager to exempt you from mock battles. We have to get you to the royal capital quickly, so show your strength in actual battles.”
“Thank you very much.”
I seem to have met their expectations.
Good.
And he seems to be considering my schedule as well.
“B rank… suddenly above me… uh…”
“Ah, um, Neil?”
Neil was looking dejected.
“Leave him be, Neil is still C rank. It’s pretty high considering he’s 18.”
So Neil is 18 years old.
One year older than me.
If I calculate my mental age, it’s… no, let’s stop that.
Next, well then…
“I don’t really understand the strength of each rank…”
I should at least ask about that.
The Branch Manager folded her arms.
“Well… Do you know the Royal Army is small?”
“Yes.”
I heard about that from Neil a little while ago.
I always seem to be asking people.
“Because they have a small number of people, they prioritize quality. The rank you need to be eligible for the army is D or higher. By the way, the lowest soldier rank is G.”
I don’t know the distribution of the ranks, but it must be fluid.
Hearing that, C rank is definitely quite high.
“With B rank you’re already in the elite class. You can be proud. However, it’s said to be the highest rank that an excellent soldier can achieve. A rank and S rank are for celebrities, high-ranking officers, and hero-class people.”
In other words, there is a large wall to overcome past B rank.
Hmm.
“Now, about your first job… Neil, how long will you be in town?”
As if she has finished saying what’s necessary, the Branch Manager changes the subject.
“Ah, yes, ma’am. Spike-sama said that the next king will be announced at the Royal Capital Martial Arts Tournament in two months, so… I want to start moving within the next two or three days.”
Neil answers in a completely casual tone.
He recovers quickly.
“Hmm, I see. Then–”
Then, there was a knock on the door.
“Branch Manager, are you here? I’m from the Intelligence Department.”
Intelligence Department? What is that about?
“Enter. There are other guests, but I presume you’re aware.”
“Of course, I am.”
From the sound of the conversation, it seems to concern us as well.
A man opens the door and enters.
Um, this person…
I’m not sure, but he might be Nanashi (Mr. Noname from before).
His hairstyle and aura is different from before.
He is dressed like a townsman.
“Nanashi-san! …Right?”
“Ho, you can recognize me even on the third time. Impressive, Katia-dono.”
So I was right.
But what is going on with this person?
I can’t tell his age at all.
“Eh, Katia-san knows him, so he’s from the Intelligence Department who came with us from the royal capital… is he?”
“You haven’t changed, Neil-kun. I’m disappointed. Also, it’s okay to use your usual way of talking, and please call me Nanashi. It’s a bother.”
Nanashi makes a sarcastic comment to Neil.
And then, the Branch Manager interrupts.
“I get that you’re acquainted, so state your business.”
“You’re always so impatient. I have brought a job that is suitable for Katia-dono. It’s not a compulsory mission, but I would like you to take it as much as possible.”
A job for me?
What could it be?
“Hey, if it’s via the Intelligence Department then could it be…”
The Branch Manager seems to have an idea.
“Yes. A hideout of thieves suspected to be involved with a noble faction aligned with the prince has been discovered.”
Thieves?
And it appears to be involved with noble corruption.
It seems like the first enemy I’ll fight as a soldier will be humans.
“So, why is that a job suitable for me?”
“Before that, what do you think the thieves are stealing?”
Nanashi asks.
What, is it not…
“Is it not just property or food?”
Nanashi’s mouth twists into a wry smile.
“You’re wrong. What they steal is… people. Especially vulnerable women and children.”
P-people?
That was an unexpected answer.
“And they are taking aim at the frontier villages which are hard to secure. And they are selling them to the Dao Empire by using a route the nobles created. Of course, some of that money goes into the pockets of the nobles. Their destination is slave traders or brothels. Ugh, it makes me want to throw up.”
Nanashi speaks with an expression that makes it hard to tell if he really is disgusted.
On the other hand, I am truly disgusted.
I have heard that the early stages of the frontier villages are often overwhelmed with dealing with monsters.
“Oh, your eyes have become intense, Katia-dono. Have you decided to take it?”
Hearing that the target was the frontier villages which are familiar to me, a sense of crisis suddenly rose.
Calm down.
I definitely don’t like them.
But I need to calmly assess if it’s a job I can handle.
“…First, I’ll hear the whole story. Branch Manager, Neil, is that okay with you?”
“Yes, that’s fine. But as the Guild Branch Manager, I want to assign this matter to someone as capable as possible. Please remember that.”
The Branch Manager nodded.
“I’m fine with it too. I’ll leave it to Katia-san’s decision.”
Neil also agreed.
“Is that alright? Then…”
Hearing that, Nanashi slightly narrowed his eyes and began his explanation.
