Where Peace Ends

Yohane took Elza with him to visit the jeweler.

When it came to gems, the right move was leaving them to someone who knew gems.

He recalled exchanging the gemstones he'd acquired in Spartia at this same shop.

He stepped inside and spoke to the owner, who was mid-appraisal. The man's gaze shifted their way.

When he saw the chest brimming with pearls and coral, his eyes widened for just an instant. Yohane didn't miss it.

After a long, drawn-out negotiation, they settled on 205 gold coins.

No matter how fine the quality, uncut gems were still uncut gems.

He judged this was the best compromise they'd get.

Pocket money from a vacation side trip—looked at that way, it was more than enough.

"That went well. Though I was surprised when you started haggling one coin at a time at the end."

"The quality's good. By the time the jeweler cuts and sells them, the price will be ten times what we got."

"Ten times… You're right, though. People who want these things don't spare any expense."

They talked as they walked.

He needed to visit a few places to order restocks for items that had sold out at the shop.

He placed orders for iron and bronze goods at the blacksmith, then bought potions and the like at an alchemist's.

By the time they'd made the rounds, it was midday.

"That's most of them. Let's eat."

"Sounds good. What are we having?"

"The stalls in the square should do. The usual work for you?"

Elza was a cleric, but he'd heard the Church of the Creator King didn't have any particular dietary rules.

He ordered fried potatoes and river fish for four at the stall.

They'd cool a bit, but the two on house-sitting duty deserved something brought back for them.

Oil sizzled as the ingredients hit the fryer.

The line moved quickly, and soon it was Yohane and Elza's turn to collect their order.

They also bought bread and drinks, then sat down and dug into the fried food.

Bamboo skewers were included, which kept their hands clean.

"The vinegar and salt really come through."

"I think I actually prefer it this strong."

"Yeah, I'd have to agr—ow, hot."

"What are you doing?"

They traded impressions between bites, taking in the scenery around them.

This was what lively looked like.

People streamed past in every direction, and stalls packed the square to capacity.

When they finished, they tossed their scraps and stood up.

The moment they moved, the seats they'd vacated were filled.

"Let's head back."

"Understood."

They returned to the shop.

Coming in through the back, they found Azu and Alexia still going at their sparring match in the rear courtyard.

Azu moved swiftly, constantly pressing the attack.

Alexia deflected everything with minimal movement.

Azu couldn't seem to break through Alexia's ironclad defense.

Yohane watched for a bit, then called out when they separated. Azu lowered her weapon.

A wooden training sword.

"Welcome back. That was fast."

"Not really. Looks like you two haven't eaten, either."

"Huh, is it that late already?"

Azu looked up at the sun.

It was well overhead. Noon had come and gone.

"I didn't even notice…"

"You were certainly absorbed."

"It was just so much fun."

"I bought food, so go wash up first."

"Yes, right away."

Azu and Alexia headed for the bath.

He left the food in the kitchen. They'd find it.

He peeked into the shop, but everything seemed fine, so he left it to the employees.

Settling into a chair, he finally felt the tension drain out of him.

In a few days, the shop's stock should be back to normal.

What to do from here, though.

Even attending the auction would require some kind of qualification, and there was no shortage of other things to deal with.

Azu and Alexia came downstairs in light clothing.

Casual outfits, but they were indoors. It was fine.

"Thank you for the bath."

"A midday bath is rather nice, isn't it?"

"I picked up stuff from the stalls. Go ahead and make it your lunch."

They spread the food out on the table.

Since Yohane and Elza had already eaten, they just sipped the plain hot water Elza had prepared.

It was shaping up to be a peaceful day.

 

＊　＊　＊

 

While Yohane was passing the time like that, blood was being spilled elsewhere on the continent.

In a building constructed underground, hidden from prying eyes, several knights lay slashed and bleeding.

On the backs of their cloaks was the symbol of the sun.

Only two stood unscathed.

One was Kiyo, the undead who had once crossed paths with Azu. The other was the Ash King, now transformed into an aberration.

"Another dead end?"

"But not without purpose."

The Ash King said this and pressed deeper inside.

The back opened into an altar where a single girl knelt in prayer.

No—she was being forced to.

A closer look revealed her eyes had been gouged out, the tendons in her feet had been severed, and her hands were bound together to hold them in a posture of supplication.

At her feet lay a strange pattern. She was muttering the same words over and over.

No one who saw this would call it prayer offered to a god.

Yet this was what was being done for the sake of the Sun God's power.

"Vile as ever. They haven't changed a bit."

"Let's put her at ease."

The Ash King placed his hand on the girl's head.

The pattern at her feet shattered and vanished, and the girl collapsed.

She was already gone. She'd been kept alive by force solely for the prayer.

"How many does that make now?"

"More than ten."

"We crush them and crush them, yet never reach the source. No matter. We are no longer human. Time is on our side. We need only arrive before the revival."

"If we destroy every last one of these Sun God facilities, the Apostle will have to show himself."

"It would be simpler to march on the temple directly."

Kiyo stroked his skeletal jaw as he said this.

The tedium of the work was wearing on him.

"The time for that hasn't come. The day I ride with my knights will arrive soon enough."

"True. True indeed. And when it does, I intend to rampage to my heart's content."

"Every enemy of my lost goddess will be annihilated."

The Ash King draped a cloth over the girl's remains.

"Sorry it took so long."

With those words, he departed.