Chapter 10

VOL . 2 CHAPTER 10: CONVERSATION WITH THE CARDINAL

My fist thrust towards the churchs solid barrier .

Ouch!

I heard the barrier creak but no other changes overall . No way, did I lose?

A young priest came rushing from the church in a hurry .

Right now Im trying to deactivate the barriers magical device . After I deactivate the barrier, Count Dolknes will be able to pass the invisible barrier .

Uh-oh, that wasnt me using my strength to the fullest . If I get serious, this kind of barrier would break pretty easily .

Yosh, time for revenge . I close my eyes and concentrate . I focus all my strength on my right fist .

Its time for you to taste my Yumiela Punch .

Okay, let me explain . Yumiela Punch is a punch that only I can deliver . Its amazing .

Usually I either consciously or unconsciously suppress my power since it affects my surroundings . Its the best technique to suppress my maximum power .

I feel the magic flowing inside my body . The enormous amount of power circulating isnt just because of my power alone, but natures magic as well which is in sync with my body and power .

As I thought about how I could sense the flow of magic in the world, I felt someones hand on my shoulder .

When I turned my head, I saw Patrick .

Yumiela, the barrier will be deactivated soon .

Eh, really?

So far, the wall-like barrier was still there, I could feel it with my other hand . I purposely thrust my hand as I complain to Patrick .

Isnt the barrier still there eh? Its gone?

Just in time, it was a close call .

The barrier that had been enduring my thrust just disappeared . Its not fair to win and run away after .

I want a rematch! I demand a rematch!

Surprisingly you were no, you are just a regular sore loser .

Im not a sore loser by any means . I just find it unbearable when I think Ive lost .

Patrick, you were being a horrible distraction from my earnest fight with the barrier . Ill make you taste my Yumiela Punch .

As I gnashed my teeth and scowled at Patrick, my head was getting colder .

Its bad enough that I tried to break the barrier, but its bad enough that the churchs barrier kept me away from entering the church . What if the Inquisition takes me away?

But when theres a strong barrier, one cant help but feel like breaking them . As I pondered whether I would be forgiven, the young priest said .

Count Dolknes, welcome to our church .

Theyre letting me inside the church? I thought the barrier didnt want me in?

As we ushered inside the church, we were greeted by stained glass windows that sparkled under the sunlight . However those stained glass windows gave the place that could be referred to as a cathedral a sense of sacredness .

The young priest guided us without stopping towards a distinctive chamber where a near-elderly man was already waiting for us .

This is the first time that we meet . Welcome to the Balshaines central church, the head church of Sanonism, Im Gerald the Cardinal .

Nice to meet you, Im Yumiela Dolknes .

I know hes an important person, but I dont know how important a cardinal is . The highest? I believe there are more than one cardinal .

I thought Count Dolknes didnt like the church . Im glad that you decided to visit us .

Ah, no, nothing like that, I just havent had the opportunity to do so

Thats good to hear . I was a little concerned since weve been trying to invite you since your time at the academy but our invitation kept being rejected .

Eh?

Im pretty sure there was no contact from the church while I was attending the academy . It would be bad if I had rejected another nobles invitation to go together .

The cardinal shifts his attention to Eleanora who stands next to me and says .

Eleanora-san, you said that Count Dolknes turned down your invitation .

She did, High Priest . Ive invited her to join us many times

Eh?! I never heard of it .

Eleanora had been quite persistent in inviting me to go out and play and Ive successfully evaded her by various means . Dont tell me that was her way of inviting me to go to the church?

Ive said it a million times! Yumiela said wed go on our next vacation .

No way, it is . The cardinal and I just stood there frozen . Patrick had to hold his chuckle .

I didnt know that was an invitation to visit the church .

I guess I asked the wrong person to deliver my message .

Eleanora had a look on her face that said, I dont know what youre talking about . Uh isnt this the cardinals fault? If it were me, I wouldnt trust Eleanora with an important message .

With a wry smile the cardinal says .

Theres a good reason why we asked Eleanora-sans help . Sanonism isnt unrelated to noble politics , you know . It would be unreasonable for us to summon the Count . But it would be easy on you if you were accompanied by our alumni, Eleanora-san .

Alumni?

Ah, I see .

Sounds like he figured out my relationship with Eleanora with just a few words from our conversation . Its hard to watch the melancholy with a bitter smile .

Eleanora-san, your friend

I know! When I think someone is my friend, then theyre my friends! I learn it from High Priests teaching!

Im sorry, it was my mistake .

No, I think its a lovely theory on how to make friends .

The cardinal isnt that bad at this . But I believe Eleanoras persistent behaviour came from her natural constitution . I wouldnt be able to do it if I didnt believe in myself .

I can say with confidence that shes the reason why all of this happened .

Yumiela-san is very fond of me too, so I guess were perfect for each other!

Thats sounds like Eleanora .

The cardinal looks like he has something to say to me but Eleanora is being loud so I couldnt hear him well . Patrick seemed to have understood my struggle and helped me .

Oh Id like to look around the cathedral but Miss Eleanora, could you show me around?

Of course I can . Lets go Yumiela-san!

Yumiela would like to have a word with the Cardinal . Im sorry but the two of us

W-well! Im sure Patrick-sama is a wonderful man but for me Edwin-sama is better moreover, Yumiela-san

Eleanora was squirming and her face turned red when she said it .

Its not like that . You have the wrong idea . Patrick didnt like you like that .

Its literally written on his face . Anyone with a brain could see that even though he thinks its troublesome . Is it too much to ask for anyone to see it or is it too much to ask for anyone but Eleanora?

Im sorry, Patrick . Your sacrifice wont be in vain .

Eleanora followed Patrick who left the room first with her eyes firmly on me .

Im going .

Okay .

The cardinal and I nodded at each other tiredly . Now, I understand that I wont be treated as a heretic, so I lowered my caution level .

He catches his breath before he begins to talk .

Ano, how much have you talked?

I havent heard anything yet .

So thats how it is . Eleanora-san is a hopeless child, I have no doubt that she is a good child, but lets not talk about this . There is a certain topic I wish to talk with the Count .

Onto the business it is, huh . I swallowed my words and focused on him .

Im here as a representative from Sanonism . I have no intention to show hostility towards you within the church . And I wont force you to believe in our faith .

Oh, this was unexpected . Is he a God or something?

I even thought that I have to fight the God of Light someday . So far our situation is in favorable condition, there hasnt been any interference as it has been in the past .

But there were a few things that were bothering me .

But I was born with the darkness attribute, is that okay?

That wont be a problem, while there are attributes with different compatibility, when it comes down to importance, theres no hierarchy between them . Other than Sanonism who worship the God of Light you may have heard about Water Town, right?

Yeah . I heard theres a place to worship God of Water there .

Thats right . We as believers dont persecute other faiths . God of Darknesss name has been lost but theyre a well-respected God .

Its not that Im a believer of the God of Darkness . Ive heard people talk about their faith in four major attributes God, but Ive never heard anything related to God of Darkness . He said that the God of Darknesss name is lost, but maybe there wasnt a name from the beginning .

The cardinal smiled graciously and continued .

Darkness exists because there is light and light exists because there is darkness . Darkness is essential to our Gods existence . I respect you for your unparalleled skills regarding the dark attribute that you possess and I already told this to Eleanora-san

I havent heard anything about this either .

I see .

We sighed together . Was that what Eleanora was trying to say in the carriage on our way here? If she had properly told me, I wouldnt be so on guard .

Theres one more thing Im worried about . Its the barrier .

By the way, my entry to the church was blocked by a barrier .

Im sorry to hear that . The magical barrier device has been passed down from generations to prevent the monsters from trespassing . We found out from todays incident that it also blocked those with dark attributes from entering .

s

The barrier is really strong . I dont think any monsters would be able to break it .

Im glad to hear that . Since you cant see the barrier and everyone can walk through them just fine, it makes some people doubt the barriers existence . Im glad the barrier got your seal of approval, Count Dolknes .

The barrier was really tough . And before I could deliver my Yumiela Punch the barrier disappeared, I would love to have a rematch . My pride was hurt and whether I had any pride left or not, one way or another Id get my rematch .

When I was trying to figure out how to convey this to him, he said .

I would appreciate it if you would let me know in advance when you will visit the church in the future . Today was a lucky day since I was able to deactivate the barrier, but I wont be always available .

From the way he speaks, theres a main magical device that helps generate the barrier . Id like to borrow it for a moment but Im sure they will refuse .

Also, Im trying to hide my greed and lightly encourage my rematch by trying to appeal to the churchs benefits .

All right . While were at it, why dont we try to examine the barriers endurance?

On our way home inside the carriage, I feel a little down .

Sigh, he got away with it .

In that case, how will you take responsibility if you did not only break the barrier but the magical device too?

My pretending-not-so-interested with the magical device had failed . Just like what Patrick said, the Cardinal was worried that the original device might break . After all Its a legendary device that has been passed down for generations in Sanonisms main church, please have a little more confidence .

Well, lets give up the barrier . For now .

Also, something must have happened between Patrick and Eleanora when they went sightseeing in the cathedral . Hes been staring at my hand for quite some time .

Whats wrong with Miss Eleanora?

N-nothing!

She answered while shaking her head . To me, it was obvious that shes hiding something .

I already know something mustve happened, you dont need to hide it . You can tell me .

Eh? Really? Then the diamond rin

Miss Elanora, its still a secret for Yumiela . She doesnt know yet .

As expected, its easy to trick Eleanora but Patrick interrupted .

What was she trying to say? Diamond ring?

Isnt a diamond, you know, just a sparkling stone?

J-just sparkling stone?!

Isnt it just sparkle? If it doesnt have any other function then you dont really need it, like a diamond ring .

I can never understand why a stone that just sparkles is worth that much . Id rather wear a brass knuckle than a diamond ring .

Eleanora might have been offended since she wore a few jeweled accessories . She held her mouth with both hands in disbelief .

Sorry, we had to make a quick stop .

Suddenly Patrick stands up and opens the carriages door, getting out quickly .

Wait, Patrick, where are you going all of a sudden?

Im going to take a look around the shop .

Before I could ask what kind of shop he was looking for, Patrick had already walked into an alley . Moreover, my voice couldnt reach him as I was inside the carriage .

s

I thought about going after him, then again I guess he had some errands to do . Im not a clingy girlfriend . He must be happy .

Patrick left the carriages door open and he closed the door as he returned to his seat .

Haa, Patrick-sama must be having a hard time with his girlfriend being so insensitive . Nevertheless, I understand . Its impossible now .

Eleanora gave me a look of pity . Remarkably unconvincing one at that .