“Thank you for the meal.”
“Mhm, I ate.”
“Hmph, you haven’t gotten rusty. It was pretty good!”
After that, Kent (Male) and his companions finished lunch while exchanging small talk with the Saintess.
“Well, now that my belly is full, let’s get started. You come with me too. This is a command from God.”
“Yes, as you wish.”
Fuuko (Female) asked the Saintess to accompany her. The Saintess did not object, citing it as a command from God. She didn’t even ask where they were going, and simply accepted Fuuko’s words.
“Then, could you wait a moment while I gather those who will accompany us?”
“There’s no need. I don’t need guards either, I’m just going somewhere to talk.”
“I-I see. Understood.”
The Saintess of this country holds a very high position, wielding power second only to the King within the Duchy. Therefore, when she moves from the sanctuary, guards and attendants are usually required, which takes time before departure. However, Fuuko stated that it wasn’t necessary and they would depart immediately.
“It’s been a while since I’ve walked around town like this.”
“You must be a busy person, Saintess. I also have someone like a sister who is a Saintess, and she seems busy too.”
“Oh, oh, Kent (Male)? That someone would call you Saintess sounds rather heartwarming.”
The Saintess seemed to be enjoying walking around town after a long time. Seeing her, Kent thought that Saintesses must have busy positions in both kingdoms and duchies. However, she interpreted his words differently.
“The business will be over quickly. I’ll take a slightly longer route to help this usually sedentary Saintess get some exercise.”
“Oh God, if you move your body suddenly like this, you’ll be too sore to move for a while. Please go easy on me.”
Fuuko (Female) thought it wouldn’t be interesting to arrive at their destination directly, so she decided to take a slightly longer route and stroll through the town as they moved.
“We’ve arrived!”
“God, this is the Ducal Castle, isn’t it? Did you have business at the castle?”
“Yes, very important business!”
After strolling through the town for a while, they arrived at the Ducal Castle. The Saintess couldn’t understand why Fuuko had chosen an unconventional route to the castle.
“Hey, Fuuko (Female). Did you forget something?”
“Hmm, it’s not like I forgot anything, but I’ll explain later. Let’s just keep moving!”
Kent thought that since Fuuko was revered as a god in the Duchy, she probably had access to the castle. So he asked if she had forgotten something there, but her reaction suggested otherwise.
“Well, if it isn’t God. I’m glad to see you are safe. With the Saintess accompanying you, are you heading to see the Duke?”
The guard guarding the gate of the Ducal Castle noticed Fuuko (Female) and the Saintess and, with a deep bow, asked the purpose of their visit.
“Well, something like that. You don’t need to guide us, just let us pass.”
“Yes, please proceed.”
They were able to enter the castle easily thanks to Fuuko’s familiarity. She took the lead, heading towards their destination, with Kent (Male) and his companions following behind.
“It’s… God.”
“We were worried when we heard you were missing, so it’s a great honor to see your esteemed face.”
“God, you’re safe, aren’t you?”
As they walked through the castle corridors, people they passed by were often surprised to see Fuuko, some even praying.
“How about that? This is the dignity of a god!”
“Seeing that, I can only believe you’re truly a god.”
“Right? Right?”
Fuuko (Female) tried to impress Kent with how she was revered by the people. Seeing everyone they passed bowing their heads, Kent couldn’t help but acknowledge her immense influence within the Duchy.
“Still, there are so many expensive-looking things displayed in the corridors too.”
“Indeed. I argued that more of the collected taxes should be distributed to the common people, but the current Duke tends to use them for his own benefit, and most of these items here have been replaced.”
As Kent commented on the expensive paintings and vases decorating the hallway, the Saintess seemed concerned about the Duke’s extravagant spending.
“The Royal Castle was amazing, but the Ducal Castle looks even more expensive.”
“Oh? When you say Royal Castle, do you mean the one in the neighboring country?”
“I think so.”
The decorative items in the Ducal Castle were so obviously expensive, even to an amateur, compared to the Royal Castle in Kent’s home country. When he mentioned this to the Saintess without thinking, her expression changed instantly.
“God. Kent (Male), are you from the Kingdom?”
“Yes. I’m just a humble part-time job at a bakery. Nothing more, nothing less, for now.”
“It might be rude to say this in front of him, but you’re not perhaps a spy from the Kingdom, are you?”
Upon hearing that Kent was from the Kingdom, the Saintess immediately suspected him of being a spy or something similar.
“Ah, that’s not it. I can swear on God.”
“Even if you say ‘on God’, it’s a bit problematic when God herself is swearing to herself… You wouldn’t do anything that would disadvantage God who is working for the country, would you? As a Saintess, it’s right to follow God’s will, so I apologize for looking at you with suspicion.”
Since Fuuko, the god of the Duchy, answered with confidence, the Saintess, though feeling doubtful, decided she shouldn’t question it further.
“This is the Duke’s Audience Chamber. At this time of day, the Duke is likely to be here. Since I didn’t give prior notice this time, I will confirm and let you know. Please wait here for a moment.”
After climbing stairs and walking down long corridors, they finally reached the Duke’s location. Since Fuuko was guiding them and they had arrived unannounced, the Saintess went to confirm with the soldier standing guard outside the room to see if she could meet him. The soldier, after hearing from the Saintess, contacted someone inside the room and began a brief preliminary discussion.
“Apologies for the wait. I’ve conveyed your message, so you should be able to have an audience with the highest priority.”
“Of course, considering I came in person.”
Since Fuuko, a god, was present this time, the Saintess had arranged for a top-priority audience. Fuuko also seemed to accept this as a matter of course.
“Thank you for waiting. God, Saintess, and your companions. The Duke is ready, so please proceed.”
After a short while, the guard protecting the room granted them permission to enter, and a large door opened.
“Wow, this is amazing.”
“This audience chamber is large enough to hold about 300 people at once. God, Kent (Male), and Hanako (Female), please follow behind me.”
The audience chamber was spacious, with a red carpet laid from the door to the throne. The Saintess led the way, followed by Fuuko, Kent (Male), and Hanako (Female), as they proceeded deeper into the room.
