Published: August 2, 2025
Today, three chapters are updated simultaneously.
This is the third chapter.
The next morning.
“Thanks for staying up late to help yesterday.”
“No, thank you for letting me stay over.”
“It’s no problem. Here, this is the reward money for the five of you from yesterday.”
“Thank you very much.”
I received a small hemp sack from a female member of the security squad and left Kerevan’s outpost, heading into the town.
The soft early morning breeze, with still few people around, gently brushed against my cheek, cooling my body.
“Haa…”
I somehow felt a bit drained.
Just last night, I was running here and there… but thanks to that, the search for Mr. Pedro was successful. Once we got back to Kerevan, I left the rest to the security squad in the outpost, and it seems his injuries were not as serious as I had feared. By this morning, he was out of life-threatening danger. I’ve heard beastmen have strong vitality, but maybe it’s even beyond what I imagined.
Of course, he needs rest for a while, and the pain in his waist will take time to fade… but as everyone present said, as long as he’s alive, there’s room to start over.
I was just glad the worst outcome was avoided. It will be tough, but he has acquaintances who made a special search request for him, so I’m sure he’ll be okay.
“Oops.”
I almost dropped the hemp sack I was holding. From clenched fists came the sound of silver coins.
For bandits, if caught alive, a reward of 2000 soot per person is paid even if there’s no bounty. The surprisingly high reward isn’t just because they’re dangerous; it’s designed to guarantee profit and encourage adventurers to voluntarily hunt bandits.
By the way, captured bandits are sentenced to prison work, and the reward money is earned by the captured themselves through this prison labor. So the five I handed over will probably be taken somewhere to live that kind of life.
Knowing Mr. Pedro is alive, perhaps stuck and forced to reflect and repent, he was unusually honest in the end… Let’s pray he serves his sentence safely, reforms, and can reintegrate into society.
“…Huh?”
As I walked aimlessly, I passed in front of a building that looked like a church. Compared to Gimul’s church, it was about the same size but had a more splendid gate and many decorations such as banners. Within the grounds, a middle-aged man in clerical robes was cleaning, accompanied by about five younger monks, so it was probably a church.
…Come to think of it, when I first came to this town, the guards told me about it.
This town has two churches for the same god: the Genesis Church and the Divine Radiance Sect.
I usually don’t pay much attention, but the church I attend in Gimul is simple and austere—the Genesis Church, which values poverty.
“Are you lost, by any chance?”
Oh.
Maybe because I was staring at the building, the middle-aged man approached.
“Sorry, I’m not lost… but is this a church?”
“Yes, that’s right. This is the Divine Radiance Sect’s church.”
“I see. It’s the first time I’ve seen such a magnificent church, so it surprised me.”
“I see, I see. Such churches are rare. …Well, if you like, you can look inside the chapel.”
“The chapel? I’m a follower of the Genesis Church, though.”
“Those who worship the same god are brothers in faith. Differences in sect are trivial. The gods love us without discrimination. If you have time, you should come pray.”
“…Then, I’ll take you up on that.”
I wasn’t in a hurry, and I felt it rude to refuse the invitation, so I decided to follow the man.
We climbed a solemn stone staircase into a building with a crimson carpet laid inside.
Monks passing by gave me nods with welcoming smiles.
“This is the chapel. Come inside.”
The door opened. Inside, polished brass candlesticks stood in rows, forming a path to the altar, where statues of the gods were placed. On either side of the path were calm-colored benches, probably for worshippers.
There was no one inside yet.