<<Previous Chapter Index Next Chapter>>
Translator: Wisteria
Proofreader: Silavin
Shiki, the region I’m in charge of, is in the countryside and a little peculiar. In that, it houses a slumbering sealed monster, natural disasters rarely occur and its inhabitants themselves are rather unusual.
Half of the population consists of people native to the land with most of them being seniors, and the other half, are screw-ups who did something in the past and were banished here. For example, the place we’re headed to at the moment is one such place.
“Lady Violet, Shiki has only one priest and one sister. The priest isn’t present today.”
“I see.”
The location was the church. It was a very conspicuous structure near Mr. Green’s field, and as it had caught Lady Violet’s eye, I decided to show her around.
Though Shiki may be in the countryside, it has a church of the national religion. Looking as impressive as my own mansion, I’m told it was once a place where a lot of people of faith gathered. But it now houses only two people. The reasons being the decline in population and the land depreciating in value.
“There are all manner of residents in Shiki. Most of them are original inhabitants of the land and… I may have no right to say this but…”
“‘The rest are people who have made mistakes in the past,’ is what you’re trying to say. There’s no need to stand on ceremony for my sake.”
Mistakes. She’s being considerate as well by putting it that way.
Yes. Shiki is a place that many, who are driven away from the city, drift into. They aren’t people who committed serious crimes like murder but people who fall under, ‘Establishing proof of their crime is a pain, but their existence itself is even more of a pain’ or ‘Any move from them spells trouble’ and so on.
“Which means, this church has people who violated the doctrine or embezzled donations, is that right?”
“Well… why don’t we meet them first? Though I’d prefer if you keep in mind that everyone has a history.”
“Hmm? If you say so Lord Clo… wait why are you en guarde?”
You will find out very soon. I asked Gray to move Lady Violet away from the door and gave him instructions to protect her in a way no harm befalls her.
I breathed in. I steeled by resolve and opened the church door,
“You blackhearted traitor!!”
“Hmph!”
“Lord Clo?!”
I deftly dodged the drop-kick from the sister who leapt at me the moment I opened the door. I heard noises of activity inside, so I took precautions just in case, but as I thought she really came at me with a kick.
Still, the sister spun midair, touched the ground and yelled ‘Ha!’, pushed herself off the ground with just the strength of one arm and pulled off a clear landing.
“Hmph, to think you’d dodge a kick from a servant of God… you’ll be subject to divine retribution, Clo.”
And I wonder if it’s fine for a so-called servant of God to drop-kick someone out of the blue.
“Good morning, Sister Cyan. It’s always a pleasure to see you in high spirits!”
“Oh, morning, Gray. You’re as pretty as ever.”
“Thank you.”
However, the person in question didn’t seem bothered in the least and was busy greeting Gray. Though I am used to it, she never stops marching to the beat of her own drum.
“What did you mean by calling me a traitor, Cyan?”
Cyan Sears. With deep blue hair and aqua eyes, she was the only sister in Shiki.
Clad in habit (very similar to the black gown worn in the world of my previous life), she didn’t have the hood on, her hair fell to her shoulders and there was rather a big slit in the skirt.
A bit shorter than Lady Violet, with relatively toned muscles and good athletic abilities, she was a warrior sister. Incidentally there aren’t many of them in existence.
“Heh”
What’s with that, ‘This guy has no clue,’ sorta laugh. All thanks to you, I’ve had Gray laugh at me similarly at times.
Just then, Cyan pointed a finger at me as if to say, ‘Let me clue you in,’ and proceeded to speak.
“You got married without consulting me and the priest, of course that makes you a traitor!”
“Like I care. Say that after you manage to seduce the priest at least once.”
“Whoa, so you’re the rumored bride!”
She ran away after being cornered.
She’s still weak when it comes to the priest. I mean she should know how I’d respond, but she still starts off so aggressively. I suppose the reason is because she knows I can take it.
“You’re much too beautiful for Clo! If you hold a marriage ceremony, I’ll be there to offer you my blessings!”
“Eh, ah, thank you?”
“I’m Cyan Sears. I’m a sister of this church, I look forward to getting to know you!”
“Y-Yes. Likewise. Ah, I’m Violet…”
“Then Io it is! I’m in your care!”
“Io?!”
Ah, Lady Violet is getting caught up in Cyan’s pace. She’s probably not had anyone of this personality type around her before, she must be doing her best just to keep up.
“Alright then, I’ve got to go and hand over some poultice to Mr. Green. See ya later!”
Saying so, Cyan left the place carrying nothing in hand.
Don’t tell me she was waiting just to land a drop-kick on me. As it happens, when Cyan leaves the church unattended, there’s no one else to look after the place, but it’s never locked. It may look like a security risk, but everyone is used to it and there’s been no incident so far.
“Lady Violet, you seem to have a lot on your mind, is anything wrong?”
After Cyan, the storm had left, Violet stood bewildered looking in the direction of her exit.
“Oh, that Sister just now… Ms. Cyan, her attire was different from usual, was it not?”
“It would appear so. I’m not acquainted with any other sisters, so I can’t quite comment on that, Milady.”
Ah, I can guess what Lady Violet wants to say. Even if it wasn’t against the doctrine, there must be quite a number of inconveniences to dressing that way.
“As I understand, with the exception of parishioners, doctrine states that members of the clergy like priests and such, excluding a few, are to not wear under… no, I’m probably mistaken. If not she wouldn’t be able to move about in that manner.”
“…? Ah, I see. Lady Violet, I dare say you’re right.”
The inconveniences that come with such clothes. Though I do know the answer to that question, I find it difficult to open my mouth.
Come to think of it, Violet could have also ended up that way. My imagination… took a weird turn. I ended up recalling what happened last night.
“Members of the clergy are prohibited from wearing undergarments, so Ms. Cyan is also not wearing any.
“…”
Ah, Lady Violet looked in the direction Cyan left, unable to accept what she had just heard. There are many such people with different kinds of mindset living here, I wonder if she will be alright.
