Chapter 391 – Clumsy Provocation

“No. But, does it hurt my heart if the saintess sleeps in such a shabby place?”

Roman was standing next to Atra with a distance similar to the distance Majella usually showed.

Just like that.

I made eye contact with the elf called the saint of the Federation.

And something next to him was also staring at him.

‘Is this a spirit raised by a saint?’

It has the shape of an eagle, with green leaves gathered together to replace the wings and body, and the legs and beak are woven with the roots of an old tree.

This unique feeling is probably the same spirit as Alice’s Tero.

“”···.””

I know what is going on here without even having to talk to each other.

Roman can easily see that the meaning behind the gaze that is focused on him is not always pretty.

The same goes for the elves around them who show off their homogeneity by wearing the same clothes.

Even before you know your identity, you have a feeling of rejection towards being born as a human being.

– ···There are cases where you don’t want to show it, but isn’t it bound to be revealed unconsciously in small actions or the way you speak?

This was Majella’s opinion on the day I asked what the saint of the ‘Blan’ lineage, who had a bad reputation among other races, was really like.

That one word echoed and lingered in Roman’s head.

‘The cubs opened their eyes and said…’

The values ​​and common sense I have had since I was born on the outskirts of the empire. Let’s point out the elements that are particularly different from that.

On this continent, blood and racial discrimination are as blatant as authoritarianism, and awareness of them is as light as a cloud compared to my previous life.

An elf shouting supremacy? A blacksmith who says that anything other than dwarf-made weapons is trash?

It’s not like that for everyone, but it’s a common picture.

Currently, there are situations in the continent where discriminatory words and actions are beneficial rather than causing harm to the speaker.

“···What about that?”

The person who created silence by interrupting his speech was also a saint.

It was also the saint’s responsibility to break the silence with his voice.

“I would like to introduce you. I am Roman, a platinum adventurer who has agreed to serve as my escort during this schedule on behalf of Majella, who is busy with church work.”

“Adventurer… Do you mean that human man is the platinum?”

“That’s right. He is the pride of the empire and also has a good relationship with our church.”

At the mention of platinum, the atmosphere of the elves lined up behind the saint shook like a wave.

The saint continued his thoughts while fiddling with the circlet around his head.

Complete understanding of the current situation.

‘I thought she was a saint and looked like a gentle sheep… But she also had a fox-like side. ‘She was treated like a joke.’

Unlike Atra, who introduced Roman with a smile.

Joo Verois Blanc clearly expressed her displeasure.

“I never thought that the saint would choose this method. I wrote the letter lightly because I believed in the trust we had built between us, but it would be difficult if you misused it like this.”

“The Church of the Empire is truly short-handed. I want you to know that there is no malice in this approach.”

“···Even so, it is difficult to laugh it off.”

The saint’s heart was as light as a feather as she responded to the saint’s words, which seemed almost like a rebuke to her.

What if Atra’s original plan goes according to? There was something she felt was essential to meet the saint in the capital and bring about a proper cooperative relationship.

After properly explaining the process and reason for hiring Roman as an escort and apologizing. The saint’s standard picture was to conduct negotiations with a one-step attitude in return.

However.

That plan changed after just a few words with Roman above.

‘Is this kind of behavior a sacrifice in Brother Roman’s eyes?’

It was not considered wrong. It’s a phrase that makes you reflect on your actions.

At Roman’s words, Atra was able to once again contemplate the parts that had turned her eyes to the pressure that the title of saint gave her.

‘Is this why the Goddess encouraged you to accompany me?’

If things had gone according to the plan she had envisioned, she would have had to concede various conditions along with an apology.

Factors such as the denomination’s interests cannot be easily decided on the spot. She may have been swayed one way or another about her own situation or her personal history.

– Does Atra, who sacrifices himself to cut out Nema Natas, not fall into that category?

– If a good picture does not come out of the negotiations, I will do something. You don’t have to worry, as we will do our best to meet Atra’s purpose as much as possible.

I don’t know what kind of emotion Roman had in saying these words.

Perhaps the meaning is just the shell, without any real meaning.

In my head, I think I shouldn’t just take that one word and cause trouble.

But where does the cross of faith in Atra’s heart and mind shine?

Those words shook her heart with the appeal of a golden ladder from the sky.

She really felt the feeling of being saved.

– Please leave your feelings like tension to me. You are showing your usual warmth to everyone.

The image of Roman raising the corner of his mouth with his hand to give an example came to mind.

Atra felt the heat rising from her face and followed the flow.

I let go of my tension and opened my mouth.

“Saint. The reason I asked Brother Roman to escort me was not simply for safety reasons.”

“Is there any reason for me to listen to that story now?”

Juberoa Blanc wrinkled his eyebrows and made a ticking voice.

Nevertheless, Atra smiled.

The saint decided that his usual emotional attitude was not working, so he straightened his furrowed eyebrows.

“It is for the sake of peace on the continent. However, it is not our intention to coordinate the battle lines between the Empire and the Federation, and we have no intention of commenting on that.”

“Hmm… Even though the goal is peace, you won’t talk about war?”

“This is a sensitive topic, so I hope this continues in a location with as few listening ears as possible.”

The spirit of a saint that does not feel like acting, showing a completely different atmosphere and attitude from the past.

Juberois Blanc became cautious.

‘Did that guy do some trick?’

It was simply a hunch.

The saint’s eyes turned to Roman, who was standing quietly next to Atra.

‘Platinum… He’s a human who hasn’t even lived for a few years.’

I was disappointed that I couldn’t read her popularity using her own magic, but there was a direction I could understand from her.

Since she is one of the Empire’s most sought-after adventurers, there is a high possibility that she has artifacts or skills that can avoid detection magic.

“···Good. There are no suitable positions in Farsten, so let’s go to the capital. I’ll hear from you there.”

“Thank you.”

In fact, Atra, who had just left and wondered what would happen if the ban on guests was announced, let out a sigh of relief.

And when the saint turned her body to show his back to her.

Atra turned her head slightly to Roman, smiled shyly, and drew a V with her hand.

··
··

Atra first visited the church in Farsten with Roman and sent a letter to the church in the empire.

Afterwards, he joined the group led by the saint.

Follow the elves and board the gate in Farsten.

Boarding again without a break in an unknown territory.

The distance I tried to run while holding her was shortened in an instant to the gate.

“Are you not dizzy?”

“Ah… It sure feels a bit weird to travel long distances in succession.”

Roman leaves the gate and takes care of the staggering Atra.

He moved his feet following the crowd led by the saint.

The feeling of being the capital of a federal state was felt from the size of the building containing the gate.

And then there was the sight of a crowd outside and various voices talking loudly.

They show off before they even leave, saying that it is different from other cities they have passed by so far.

“I see something outside.”

“Yes?”

The moment Atra showed doubts about Roman’s words.

Kwaaang ㅡ!!

“Ouch!”

A red light flashed outside, accompanied by an explosion sound, shaking the building.

– Waaaaa!!

And the sound of shouting.

The saint who was leaving the building continued his explanation with a disapproving look on his face.

“It is a prayer ceremony held by the dragon people who have inherited the lineage of flames to receive blessings.”

“I had no idea. We are lucky to have visited on such a special day.”

“There’s nothing special about them. They’re just barbaric.”

“···.”

The subjects they look down on are not limited to humans.

For elves with excessively high noses, that attitude is the default.

Juberois Blanc gave a nonchalant look at the Dragon Man and began to walk in front.

Thud.

From the moment I opened the door and left the building, I could feel the heat in the air.

And the unique environment unfolds.

“Wow…”

It was a picture that even Atra, who had visited the capital several times, would be left mesmerized by.

The dragon people were busy showing off their skills by spouting something from their mouths or flying through the sky here and there.

There were also street vendors lined up trying to sell food, taking advantage of the atmosphere of the prayer festival.

Keep moving forward from there.

Although it was crowded, the elves led by the saint moved along the path, so there were no accidents caused by the crowd.

Still, it was true that it was crowded.

Atra, holding the collar Roman gave her, looked around and followed her.

Reaching a certain point, the saint stopped on the road where the festival was in full swing.

At there.

Juverois Blanc, whose smile was clearly an opportunity, looked at Roman and asked.

“You said the adventurer who came as the saint’s escort was platinum, right?”

“You mean me? That’s right.”

In a strange atmosphere, the saintess stuck her head out from behind Roman.

“Before I was a saint of the church, I, Juberoa Blanc, was a wizard struggling with a thirst for knowledge. I have a personal question.”

“You tell me.”

“I’ve heard so many stories about the great military power of the Five Knights of the Empire and the Platinum Adventurers. But the only way to confirm that fact so far has been through printed reports.”

“Do you want me to show you my power right before your eyes?”

“As expected, the conversation is fast. I have personal curiosity, but I am also anxious about whether I am worthy of being a saint’s escort.”

Atra’s eyes, who had been watching Juberoa Blanc’s words, opened brightly.

“Saint!! Brother Roman is a recognized person in the empire! This is disrespectful!!”

“It’s okay. Let’s listen for now.”

Roman, who had calmed Atra, who was in a rare fever, looked in the direction pointed by the saint.

The floor of the large square was littered with blood stains.

Passers-by around are intoxicated with excitement.

Should I say that they are like the Yongin people?

They engage in bloody fights with their bare fists, dealing with monsters or comically beating up other races that challenge them.

“The Prayer Ceremony is a festival for the Yongin people. As a combative and warlike race, they do not use mana to prove their existence and show off their pure physical abilities.”

“They’re not using each other’s mana.”

“That’s right. Are you interested? Since it doesn’t use mana, I don’t think there will be any casualties.”

It was a lie that the saint told, thinking the other person would know.

A fight between a human and a dragon with no mana? Considering the vast difference, it is no different from telling an ordinary person to go and die.

Even if you refuse, there is an element of shooting. Even if you don’t die in the challenge, if you lose, it is heaven and earth for a saint to push you forward.

The smile on the saint’s lips became sincere and deepened.

“No matter how much of the Empire’s platinum, is it difficult for the dragon people to fight with their bare bodies?”

“Saint-!!!”

When Atra, who was furious at her, tried to demand an apology from her, Roman calmed her down first.

“···.”

Hiding Atra behind her, steam rising from her head.

Roman ignored her transparent provocation and watched the fight with a displeased face.

This kind of awkward and polite provocation doesn’t even fall into the category of scratching compared to the stimulation I’ve faced in my life so far.

“I’m not interested in proof of force. Most adventurers are like that.”

“Hmm?”

“What is the advantage if I step forward? I think you know that being an adventurer is a job that pursues utility. Plus, as a Platinum, I am ridiculously expensive.”

“Do you want money or women and alcohol?”

Roman, who started getting ready by twirling her neck and shoulders, smiled in the face of her saint.

“It is enough for you to listen to Atra’s story properly. In the best way possible.”

The saint’s eyebrows rose at Roman’s action of calling her by her name rather than her saint’s name.

“I’m the saint’s escort, so I’ll promise you that if you get satisfactory results…”