Published: August 31, 2025
The latter half contains violent expressions.
If you dislike such content, please skip from the line “Iron hammer on the demon's subordinate!”
Correction made on 2/11.
The scene depicting acquisition of the eavesdropping skill was removed on 4/7.
This is Satou speaking. The saying "Man plans, God laughs" truly resonates with me.
Just yesterday, I was enjoying a peaceful afternoon that was completely different.
Now, the afternoon series: the turbulent chapter begins...
◇
A few streets away from the street of stalls stood the Parion Temple.
Until now, I had only been to the main street on East Street where the stalls are.
A small crowd had gathered in front of the temple.
“What do you think is going on?”
“I’ll go and find out.”
Zena suddenly dashed over. Her quickness is definitely soldier-like.
The tall female priestess from yesterday was talking to Zena.
Zena was fluttering her hands nervously in front of her. She seemed a bit embarrassed.
I wonder what they were discussing?
I walked closer and only caught the latter half of the conversation.
What I overheard was:
“...So how about the Garuleon Temple in East Street? That temple also has a military contract, so treatment shouldn’t be an issue. It’s in East Street, but if you have a male companion with you, strange people won’t come near.”
“Yes, even so, as a military magic soldier, I’ll beat up any guy who tries to hit on you.”
According to Zena, a messenger from the Royal Capital’s temple had come to the shrine maiden’s place, so they couldn’t spare their hands. Moreover, the female priests could only use magic to heal injuries or cure minor poisons and illnesses, so they recommended another temple.
...Passing the buck!!
◇
In the end, we decided to go to the Garuleon Temple in East Street.
Not that I was dissatisfied or anything.
Even though I’m getting used to it, strolling through a European-style old town with a quietly cute girl is quite enjoyable!
Along the way, we passed a park about 100 meters wide.
At first glance, it looked like grass, but it was just weeds. In the trimmed plaza, elderly couples with toddlers were resting on benches, and about ten young people were practicing martial arts.
“Zena, what kind of training do military soldiers do?”
I asked casually.
“Well, soldier training is basically the same everywhere, but for magic soldiers, they take care not to run out of magic power. More than half maintain a state where they can use magic at full strength.”
So their training is spread out.
Indeed, magic users who run out of MP are useless.
“Magic soldiers and mages have different roles depending on their element. People outside the army are often surprised to hear this, but except for fire element, they rarely use direct offensive magic.”
That makes sense—fire is good for attacks. But fire can also boil water, right?
“My wind magic is valued for wind protection to block arrows, air cushions to defend against battering rams, and whisper winds for communication. Flight and aerial reconnaissance would also be good, but no one in the Count’s Domain can use flight.”
Come to think of it, Zena’s goal was to be able to fly using flight magic.
“If I can fly, I’d love to try a date in the sky.”
I said it jokingly, but Zena blushed deeply and stammered, “P-please look forward to it!”
She’s cute, but I worry she might get tricked by a bad guy.
◇
Several cats were curled up in the shade of the street trees. Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve seen stray cats since coming here.
“That cat is so cute~”
Zena ran over excitedly.
I’m a cat person too, but that’s why I can’t disturb a cat’s nap!
So I changed the topic.
“By the way, I’ve never seen a stray dog in this town.”
“There’s a rumor that stray dogs become dinner for the poor district’s people…”
“That can’t be true, right?”
“No, it’s false.
That rumor existed, but the Gabo Fruit is said to cause poisoning if eaten by dogs. So since people started eating that fruit, stray dogs have disappeared.”