Chapter 38: The Saint Was Horrified to Learn the Elf Was a Slave.

As the main seat of the Goddess Religion, St. Serpia Cathedral housed numerous worshippers.

And because of that, Hera's wariness reached its peak; she pressed her hood down so much that her face, not just her ears, was nearly invisible.

Her reaction felt a bit excessive, but I decided to leave her be for now.

After all, Elves being wary of humans wasn't exactly a new phenomenon.

Anyway,

'Where is Yustia?'

If it were night after the sun had set, she'd be in her room, but during the day, she must surely be doing something...

The problem was, I didn't know what that something was.

Just as Franz was looking around, searching for Yustia.

"Ah, isn't it the Tower Master?"

A Priest approached Franz, looking pleased to see him.

However, Franz himself didn't know who the man was.

To be precise, he wasn't sure of the name, and the face seemed vaguely familiar, maybe.

Regardless, it was certain they had met somewhere, so—

"Father, it's been a while."

Franz greeted him, pretending to remember.

It would be rude to say he'd forgotten who he was.

It wouldn't matter anyway since they wouldn't be talking for long.

At that, a bright smile bloomed on the Priest's face.

"It is an honor that the Tower Master remembers me. Have you been well?"

"Yes, I've been doing alright."

'This is driving me crazy.'

Franz was feeling guilty in real-time.

But he couldn't back down now, so he had no choice but to push through.

"But, what brings you to the Cathedral?"

"Ah, I came hoping to meet the Saint."

Although he had told a small lie, thanks to it, things were proceeding smoothly, so it wasn't too bad.

Well, as for the Priest's face, couldn't he just remember it starting today?

Besides, no one other than himself would know he had lied, making it a perfect crime—no, practically innocent.

"If it's the Saint you seek, she is likely giving teachings to the worshippers. Judging by the time, it should be ending soon. I will convey your message. Please wait here for just a moment."

"Yes, thank you for doing so."

With that conversation concluded, the Priest strode off towards somewhere.

Franz's gaze followed him, and there stood Yustia, with worshippers kneeling before her.

Yustia, bathed in the colorful light streaming through the stained-glass windows, how should I put it? She looked so sublime and beautiful that the title 'Vicar of God' suited her perfectly.

Seeing her like that, Franz felt he understood why so many worshippers followed her.

She didn't feel human; she truly seemed like a gift sent down by God.

How much time passed like that?

The teachings seemed to have ended, as Yustia bowed her head to the worshippers and rose from her spot.

The Priest approached her, and soon her gaze turned towards Franz.

That gaze held a complex mix of welcome and unwelcome.

Perhaps it was because major incidents occurred every time he visited.

Franz gave her a light wave.

After all, it was true he was here to unilaterally borrow her power.

It was a little later that Franz and Hera faced Yustia.

In a corner of the cathedral, untouched by people's gazes, the two and the one stood facing each other.

"I heard you were looking for me."

"Well, something like that."

"You wouldn't have come just to offer prayers... More importantly, is that perhaps Hera next to you?"

Yustia's gaze shifted to Hera, and only then did Hera push back her hood, revealing just her face slightly.

"Yustia, it has been a while."

"Y-yes. It has been a while, but why are you here..."

A considerable amount of bewilderment colored Yustia's face.

An Elf coming all the way to the cathedral, far from the Great Forest, made it a natural reaction.

It was from then that the real conversation among the three began.

Franz and Hera explained everything to Yustia.

From what the World Tree was experiencing, to what the Spirit King had said, and even the possibility that it was an incident caused by cultists.

"Well, I don't know the specifics since I haven't been there myself. But I came to you because there's a possibility cultists were involved."

"So, in the end, you're asking for help, is that it?"

"Well, that's how it turned out."

If it was related to cultists, the Saint's power would obviously be needed, and even if it wasn't related, he thought the Saint's power might be able to restore the World Tree somewhat.

Hmm—.

Yustia crossed her arms and furrowed her brow.

For some reason, she seemed to find it difficult to make a decision easily.

"Yustia, I know I have no right to say this, but could you help us just this once?"

At Hera's earnest plea, the furrow in Yustia's brow deepened.

After a moment, a sigh escaped Yustia's lips.

"Haaa—, alright. I'll help you."

"Yustia...! Thank you truly...!"

Hera smiled brightly and bowed her head deeply.

Just as things seemed to be wrapping up nicely, Yustia's words weren't finished.

"But please keep just one thing in mind."

"Wh-what is it?"

Hera replied in a flustered voice, and Franz also tilted his head in curiosity.

"Please keep it a secret that I helped you all. Do you know how much trouble I was in because the news spread that I went to help you last time, Franz? Of all things, I went in my pajamas, so the Pope, His Holiness, and the worshippers, everyone was whispering."

Yustia's sharp gaze turned towards Franz.

He definitely bore full responsibility for this incident.

Since he was the one who had arbitrarily abducted Yustia.

At that, Franz awkwardly scratched his head.

Of course, he could make excuses endlessly if he wanted to.

Cultists had caused an incident, and because of that, Yuna had been on the verge of destroying the world.

It hadn't been the time to fuss over whether the Saint's attire was pajamas or if she was naked.

But that was merely the perspective of a third party; the person involved could certainly find it embarrassing.

In the end, there was only one thing Franz could do.

"I said I was sorry back then too..."

"Please be careful this time. The Goddess Religion is also going through a very sensitive period, so everyone is being cautious."

"Alright, I understand what you mean."

The 'sensitive period' Yustia mentioned was likely because the Emperor had declared all-out war against the cultists.

While he was merely assisting as the Tower Master, the Goddess Religion was confronting the enemy head-on.

Anyway,

'She seems to be doing okay.'

He had been worried that this incident might shake Yustia's mental state, but thankfully, that didn't seem to be the case.

Of course, since things hadn't even started yet, he would have to keep watching her.

Regardless, since Yustia had decided to help, all they needed to do was wait for the right time and make their move.

It was then.

"Yustia, I am truly grateful for your help, but..."

Hera spoke in a somber voice.

The moment he heard it, Franz realized something was going wrong.

He tried to stop Hera's mouth, but...

"I have already decided to become Franz's slave, so there is nothing I can offer, but if there is anything you desire, would you tell me? I will ask the other Elves for help to grant your wish."

Hmm.

Too late.

Somehow, he'd had a bad feeling, and these kinds of feelings never seemed to be wrong.

Franz's hand, which had been moving towards Hera's mouth, slowly rose to cover his forehead.

And simultaneously, Yustia's horrified gaze turned towards Franz.

"Y-you...! Made Hera a slave...?!"

In the end, Franz had to spend a long time explaining things to Yustia.

'But does this even require an explanation in the first place?'

'I refused, but she insisted on becoming a slave of her own accord.'

Franz felt quite wronged, but having agreed to accept Hera as a slave, it couldn't be helped.

So, well, he just had to quietly accept reality.

* * * * *

Late evening, after the sun had dipped below the mountain ridge and the sky took on a deep indigo hue.

Franz, Hera, and Yustia stood facing the Great Forest.

"Wow... This is my first time seeing it up close. It's really huge, isn't it?"

For Yustia, visiting the Great Forest for the first time, it was simply amazing, but Franz, on his second visit, could clearly feel it.

'There definitely has been some change.'

There were noticeably more fallen leaves on the ground than before, and correspondingly, the number of leaves on the trees had decreased significantly.

If this was the influence of the World Tree, then there definitely seemed to be a problem.

And,

"Franz, did you feel it?"

"Yeah, I felt it."

The ominous mana swirling throughout the entire Great Forest confirmed its connection to the cult.

It seemed bringing Yustia along had been the right decision.

Soon, the three stepped forward.

Into the depths of the Great Forest, which had transformed from a sacred forest protected by the World Tree into an ominous one.

Completely unaware of the events that would unfold.