The Holy State of Regatya was the headquarters of the Radiance Sect. Its scale was roughly equivalent to Noelle’s capital, the Monarch City-State. With a population that could reach as many as one million, it was quite massive for a city, yet pitifully small as a national territory.
However, because the Radiance Sect’s influence spread across the entire continent, this place effectively served as a neutral zone.
“Is this the cradle of countless mages and heroes?” The big gal following the delegation looked around like a college student at a comic convention, curious about everything they passed.
Her wide, azure eyes reflected people holding various labor tools like hoes, sickles, and ropes. She asked, “Are those people heroes too?”
Hearing her comment, Archbishop Bayona, who had come to welcome the Queen of Noelle, chuckled. “That is correct. Most of them are Awakened who have come to receive the Saintess’s Baptism. At the same time, they are future heroes currently undergoing training.”
“I see. They look like folks similar to me. Are there any opponents worth fighting?”
Miss Leoness glanced at the heroes and hero candidates passing by, seemingly unable to suppress the restlessness in her heart.
She was like an otaku at a convention who had suddenly stumbled upon a stall selling adult comics — she was getting hard. Well, her fists were getting hard.
Archbishop Bayona smiled and said, “Just as the rumors say, Miss Leoness, you are always bursting with enthusiasm, heroic, fearless, and battle-hardened.”
“Rumors about me?”
“Yes. Noelle is, after all, one of the greatest powers on the continent. Any news regarding Noelle spreads across the land very quickly.”
“True. How could my prestigious name not spread to every corner of the world?”
Emir was a warrior who had achieved great military honors in the border regions of Noelle and was currently a top-ranking Commander active on the front lines.
Stories about the big gal and her personal guard had spread to neighboring countries. It was only natural for them to be praised in song or scrutinized in detail.
“So, are there any rumors about me personally?”
In response to Emir’s question, Archbishop Bayona thought for a moment before answering, “They say that as the daughter of a great noble family, you lack those tedious formalities and possess a cheerful, uninhibited personality.”
“What? Are you saying I don’t look like a noble?” Emir furrowed her brows unpleasantly, her expression turning sharp.
Erika suddenly remembered that Emir seemed somewhat sensitive and had an inferiority complex regarding her lack of “nobility.” Perhaps her favorability toward Bayona had dropped significantly because of this.
“What do they mean by saying my personality is ‘off’? Those damned bastards, just let me catch them…”
While the big gal muttered and grumbled with a dissatisfied pout, Evelyn, who had been walking silently, spoke softly.
“Are there rumors about me as well?”
“On the contrary, is there anyone on this continent who hasn’t heard the legends of Queen Evelyn?”
“Is that so?”
“If you hadn’t arrived through a Portal today and had instead made a formal entry through the city gates, I fear the people would have gathered like clouds, crowding together just to catch a glimpse of your peerless beauty and gallant figure.”
Through the explanation of Archbishop Bayona — who clearly only picked the nice things to say — Erika deeply felt that Queen Evelyn’s reputation had indeed reached this distant foreign land. Moreover, it was likely a mix of praise and criticism.
At the same time, the girl couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. She wondered if rumors about her had already spread too. If so, her reputation would be ruined before she even arrived.
Evelyn spoke again, asking, “So, when can I meet the Saintess?”
“Well… Her Eminence the Saintess began a period of continuous, closed-door prayer this week. I am afraid you will have to wait until next week to see her.”
“Are you saying that I, the ruler of Noelle, must wait a week for another woman?”
Evelyn’s already indifferent expression became even more unreadable. The shoulders of Bayona, who was walking in front, slumped. Even without looking back, he could clearly feel her displeasure.
Her aura was being released; it was terrifyingly powerful.
This Archbishop had surely heard the rumors of how Evelyn ruled Noelle with an iron fist and knew she wasn’t someone with a gentle temper.
Worried that Evelyn might say something violent or flip a table, Erika quickly interjected. “Oh, I see. So Archbishop Bayona is here to welcome us on behalf of the Saintess.”
“Ah, ah! Precisely! Although the Saintess could not come in person, I have been ordered to host everyone with the most solemn etiquette. Well then, after everyone has settled into your accommodations today, please head to the welcome banquet immediately.”
***
Inside the banquet hall of the Great Temple, the Sect’s headquarters, a grand celebratory feast was being held for the visit of Evelyn and Emir.
“Doesn’t the Sect advocate for frugality?” Emir said, sounding confused as she looked at her own face, slightly widened in the reflection of the gold-plated wine cup.
As she said, the Sect’s doctrine regarded frugality as a virtue.
But today was the day the highest-ranking VIPs from the great power of Noelle were visiting. It seemed they couldn’t hold the celebration simply. Because the Saintess had not come out to greet them personally, the Sect had to work even harder to show their hospitality, fearing the guests would feel neglected.
“Move faster! Quick, quick, quick!”
“Yes! Speci, forward five! Clear the tableware from Table 3.”
Nuns and priests had begun acting as servers, busily moving back and forth carrying dishes and utensils. Little girls from the choir, dressed in white robes, provided accompaniment with the childlike voices of a polyphonic hymn.
Watching this harmonious scene, the figure of Circir, the nun who was the little tag-along she had grown close to recently, flashed through Erika’s mind.
‘Comrade!’ That girl’s chirping, noisy voice had been echoing in her mind for the past week, to the point where she now seemed to be having intermittent auditory hallucinations.
By this time, the follow-up troops should have already departed from the kingdom, right? Because they were bringing a large amount of luggage and various essentials, they had to travel by carriage, but they would probably arrive here in about a week.
“What is this? This wine is so weak it tastes like it’s been diluted with water. How can anyone drink this?” The big gal took a sip of the flavorless wine, then squeezed one eye shut and stuck out her tongue with an “Ugh—” sound.
Because the Sect’s commandments forbade believers from getting drunk, the alcohol content of the wine here was significantly lower than in Noelle. This made the muscle-bound woman, who enjoyed gulping down wine and eating meat, very dissatisfied.
“And there aren’t even any dancers to liven things up. To be honest, this is boring.”
Emir glanced at the side and the opposite table, then curled her lip. “Besides, do I really have to attend this banquet? All the attention is being drawn away by you and that side over there.”
Feeling mentally exhausted from dealing with the young men or women who occasionally came over with smiles to strike up a conversation, Erika couldn’t help but offer an awkward yet polite smile.
Then, the girl pulled the veil she had prepared earlier back over her face, finally letting out a sigh of relief.