On the way back to Volton, inside the carriage pulled by Tsubaki, we were having a discussion regarding how to treat Akane-san.
We would have teleported back if it weren’t for a request, but we still wanted to avoid suspicion by returning too soon after an escort request.
「If we were to consider the security between taking shelter at Margrave Volton’s castle and my house, it would definitely be the latter.」
「Indeed. The performance of the security golems has greatly improved thanks to Titan, and when Kaede is at the mansion, intruders and the like can’t slip through.」
「No one can escape Kaede’s threads, after all!」
Certainly, because of Titan, the AI of the security golems have developed remarkably. Two golems are stationed at the gate, and another two go around on patrol. Together, the four golems protect the mansion.
When Kaede is at the mansion, she encloses the mansion grounds with her threads to make a boundary. Few monsters can avoid this boundary.
「Also, given that Marnie-san and I are Beastkins, we have good ears and noses.」
「That’s right, the Rabbitkin are primarily a timid race, so we wouldn’t miss trespassers because of our large ears.」
Furthermore, when Laeva and Marnie are at the mansion, they could detect intruders with their sharp senses, characteristic of Beastkins.
「Living in Margrave Volton’s castle would likely be stressful, too.」
Living in a castle is a high hurdle for a Japanese person. Although Margrave Volton is a friendly person, it would cause mental tension even then.
「The current Akane-san can’t protect herself, can she?」
「It would be desirable for her current level to double, at the very least.」
It’s the same for the two other heroes; Their levels were low and it didn’t seem like their status growth was being amplified by divine protection. Going by levels, their current strength is around the same as those of a full fledged adventurer, but that’s it. It’s probably at the level where one could or couldn’t reach C rank.
When I said that to everyone, Sophia and the girls denied it.
「Takumi-sama, that’s different. Takumi-sama is extraordinary, but the people you acknowledge as companions and your familiars level up and gain skills easier. Furthermore, even our growth rate isn’t normal. All things considered, I believe that this effect of the divine protection is also allowed because of Goddess Norn-sama’s favor.」
「That’s right, Master, even a Rabbitkin like myself, who was looked down on by other Beastkin, had grown to a level where I can pass as a full-fledged adventurer.」
In return for being poor at magic, the Beastkin boast exceptional physical abilities. And according to Marnie, among them were the Rabbitkin, exceedingly agile but are much weaker than even average Humans in strength, and even more so to other Beastkin, so they are a race looked down on. Instead, the Rabbitkin, both male and female, are exceedingly attractive in appearance. Although, Beastkin do not regard appearances highly.
In any case, Marnie’s growth is not normal either. Marnie is a beautiful woman in the eyes of any race and she has a dynamite body, so I thought it would be useful for self-defense, but her abilities have grown to be those of a full-fledged adventurer. But that didn’t mean she wants to fight proactively. It seems she wants to be my personal guard, like Sophia.
「Lulu-chan is there too.」
「Lulu-chan, huh……」
Yes, the 10 year old Catkin girl, Lulu-chan, was a slave since her parent’s generation in Sydnia. To Sydnia, if the parents are slaves, their children automatically become slaves too.
「A way to protect her from the zealots is necessary.」
Still a child, Lulu-can who hasn’t received any sort of combat training had become a traitor to the Light God Faith. She’d be helpless if she was attacked.
「To be protected by his Majesty is another way.」
「Indeed, his Majesty would likely protect Akane-san and Lulu-chan. But that would be no different from being confined in a castle.」
Inside the carriage comfortably pulled by Tsubaki, a definite answer couldn’t be found in our discussion.
「Religion is so troubling.」
「Troubling?」
Seemingly curious, Sophia asked me.
「Yeah, be it with the Genesis Faith or with the Light God Faith, I think there is no problem believing in a god if it can give you peace of mind. But Humans are not the only ones that live in this world. At that point, the Light God Faith and I are incompatible. However, to Sydnia and Triaria, the way of thinking that the other countries and I have are tainted by teachings of heresy and are therefore bad. We have our justice, and they have theirs. I believe that “Justice” is something that changes depending on where you stand. When it comes to religion, though they’re the minority, the people with radical ideologies come out when they can’t make concessions to each other’s views.」
「Because they are only the minority, they are united.」
「Yes, and they become even more radical. Like the zealots of the Light God Faith targeting us called the Light God Faith’s 『Kamui Unit』.」
「So then you are saying that if our actions are in accordance with Kamui, it would be us moving on God’s behalf.」
I don’t believe that the entire staff in the Genesis Faith’s church are righteous. It is an organization, so I imagine people become corrupt if they come together. Conversely, I do not think that all priests of the Light God Faith are bad. With exception to the radical zealots, the only thing that I think the Light God Faith must change is their doctrine on Human supremacy. If it wasn’t for that, there wouldn’t be a problem even if they worship idols of gods other than Norn-sama.
「Indeed, if it’s just believing in another god, there wouldn’t be a problem if it supports the people’s hearts. Human supremacy is where we are in conflict.」
「At the end of the day, it’s really that.」
In the doctrines of the Light God Faith, God first created the sea, the earth, and sky. Then, on land, God created Humans in his likeness, and prepared plants and animals for their nourishment. Later on, a wicked god manifested and created monsters and fairies. Then Beastkin were born from animals beasts, and Elves and Dwarves were born from fairies. The Light God Faith truly believe that the races aside from Human race are beings created by the wicked god, and it was the Humans’ God-given mission to control and rule over the other races.
In the Genesis Faith, after Goddess Norn created the world, she gave birth to Humans who have average abilities, Beastkin who excel physically, Elves who have high affinity with spirits, Dwarves who are stubborn and dexterous with their fingers, and Mazoku who have high aptitude for magic.
Goddess Norn’s miscalculation was likely the outbreak of monsters as a result of having created a world where magic power exists.
There seem to have been various causes for the monster outbreak.
Animals and insects that changed after growing up in places with dense magic power.
Ghosts exposed to magic power, generating undead monsters.
Magic cores created from magic power condensing and binding to inorganic materials, turning into golems.
Accidental opening of a dimensional tear bringing forth demon-type monsters.
Under the influence of evil spirits, monsters such as Goblins, Orcs, Ogres, Trolls were created.
Monster nests, land indelibly stained with thick magic power, were also a miscalculation of Goddess Norn.
In monster nests, magic power accumulates so monsters spring forth. Furthermore, the with high reproductive capabilities of monsters, the speed of their propagation is quick, making monster extermination difficult. When a lot of monsters live in it, that land is affected by even more magic power.
The history of mankind in this world is a history filled with battles to clean up monster nests and expand inhabitable land.
「You’re right. We also have to help them learn the Stealth skill.」
I think it’s the simplest countermeasure.
Before long, the town of Volton came into view in the distance.
***