Chapter 216

*Swoosh—…….*

Just then, he felt the carriage’s speed gradually decrease.

The landscape, which had looked like wet paint swept in one direction, gradually regained its original shape.

Gordon smiled and said.

“Well, it seems we have almost arrived.”

*Creak—*

The carriage came to a complete halt at the entrance of the Eddinger Campsite.

The entrance, if it could even be called that, was merely a pathway unblocked by a loosely tied wooden fence.

Still, perhaps because there were quite a few people staying inside, it was bustling with many carriages despite being a fairly wide open space.

Roan, Espard, and Tyrmi put on the robes they had, while Yusina and Sion borrowed robes from the Paladin Merchant Group.

Gordon bowed his waist to the group and greeted them.

“Thank you so much for your hard work coming all the way here. Thanks to you, we were able to travel safely and enjoyably.”

It was fine to have traveled enjoyably.

‘But I think it was actually more dangerous because of us……’

However, Roan felt slightly guilty at the word ‘safely.’

Since if the Paladin Merchant Group had come separately, they wouldn’t have been attacked by the Order of Jelsroin for no reason.

“A-Ah, ahaha! U-Us too!”

“Thank you for your concern!”

Judging by the atmosphere, the others seemed to think similarly to Roan.

“Yes, we plan to leave after attending to some business at the campsite for a moment. When you return to school, you can take the carriage next to this one. And…….”

Gordon pulled out pouches he had prepared in advance from his breast pocket and distributed them to the students.

“Here~ This is the allowance for the off-campus volunteer service!”

Inside the pouch was indeed the promised 200 talants.

‘Well, since I received 2,000 talants for catching heretics, I don’t feel much emotion about it.’

Actually, caravan escort services were originally known to have rather low rewards.

Instead, rewards not written on the request sheet were usually given separately.

Gordon grinned and spoke.

“And, there are gifts specially prepared by the Paladin Merchant Group for you all.”

He led the group to the carriage they would ride when returning.

Although most caravan members were inside the campsite so they couldn’t meet, they exchanged greetings with a few people, and then Gordon pulled out several items from the luggage carriage and displayed them.

“You just need to pick one item that you like from here!”

“Wow!”

“Hahaha, do you like them?”

“Really!”

Gordon smiled satisfyingly as he watched Yusina and Sion, whose eyes were sparkling.

Off-campus volunteer services also served the purpose of building friendship between the caravan and Acherandir students.

Therefore, the caravan also set aside quite decent items as special rewards if possible.

“Hmm…… which one should I pick…… I’ll take this one!”

Yusina squatted down for a moment to examine this and that, but her contemplation was not very long.

It was a green brooch that sparkled beautifully in the sunlight.

Gordon nodded.

“Ah, the Brooch of Fresh Greenery. It will make your body lighter in the forest.”

“Yes, I thought so!”

Yusina smiled brightly.

Expressed in player terms, it granted a movement ability bonus in forest terrain.

‘It is the most common among those.’

Even if it was a bonus, it wasn’t that large.

Perhaps because Yusina was a fourth-year, she didn’t make an effort to choose a particularly good item.

……And in truth, what looked pretty in her eyes was the most important thing to Yusina anyway.

On the other hand, Sion spent a bit more time contemplating than Yusina.

Roan stealthily approached her and asked.

“You don’t know what to choose?”

“Ah, Roan. Yes, in my view…….”

It was likely still difficult for her to analyze the approximate performance or effects of the items.

Roan picked one up with a casual hand.

It was a short white cape that was much shorter than an ordinary cloak, barely covering the back.

‘Sturdy Clergyman’s Cape.’

Naturally, Roan knew its name as well.

Since it lacked a special name, it didn’t have immense effects, but it was an all-around good item for beginners.

It was also a normal enough reward that she didn’t have to worry about a Saintess candidate’s dignity.

“This much should be fine. It will block basic magic and help in utilizing holy power.”

“Wow! Thank you!”

Sion chose the cape without hesitation at Roan’s explanation.

Hearing it, it was exactly what she needed.

“Haha! As expected, I can’t beat young master Darc. You are precise.”

Even Gordon, who would normally explain when the player chose an item, did not add any words this time.

“Can I try using it right now?”

“Of course, Saintess candidate.”

Removing her robe for a moment and draping the cape, it matched Sion’s bright appearance exceptionally well.

Sion also spun around once, looking down at herself as if she quite liked it.

As could be seen from the clothing of the shorts-girl Sherry or other students’ attire, Acherandir was a relatively free school, so wearing this much was not an issue.

It was enough to dress up properly only for certain events.

Meanwhile, Yusina was feeling slightly regretful in the background.

“Ugh, I should have contemplated a bit too! Then Roan would have chosen for me!”

“……Why would I choose for a fourth-year senior.”

“Boo, you’re too much~”

It was not a very productive regret.

In any case, only Roan was left now.

In fact, Roan had no need to contemplate much.

Not only did he know all the displayed items.

‘There aren’t many items that suit me.’

Since they were items prepared for Acherandir students, most were holy-refinements/clergyman-only items.

Of course, since he would obtain the Balance of Light and Dark now, he could choose those if he went out of his way, but it was literally ‘out of the way.’

Roan picked up the one he had spotted beforehand.

It was a fairly long and thick staff, slightly taller than Roan’s height.

But when Roan chose the staff, Gordon’s gaze turned peculiar.

“Are you really…… going with that?”

He seemed not to have expected him to choose that of all things.

There were quite a few visibly flashy accessories and items useful for clergymen.

Because the staff Roan chose was thick and rough, without any decoration, to the point it looked almost like a club.

Furthermore, from this staff, not only was there no holy power, but not even mana or dark mana could be felt.

Roan thought of the staff’s name.

‘The Colorless Rough Staff.’

It was a staff belonging to the so-called ‘Colorless’ series, which unlike other staffs had no built-in energy, requiring him to fully charge it with the power he used to wield it properly.

Instead, compared to items of the same tier, its capacity was much larger, and Roan targeted exactly that point.

Although ordinary characters would have to suffer quite a bit just to charge it.

‘For me, it is rather welcome.’

That did not apply to Roan, who drew dark mana almost infinitely from Harden’s secret warehouse.

Roan nodded, wearing a highly satisfied smile.

“Yes. I will go with this.”

*Shudder—!!!*

At the same time, the people watching the scene all turned pale.

Roan asked in wonder.

“Why are you all behaving like that?”

“Hmm…….”

An atmosphere where everyone seemed to have a lot to say, yet no one stepped forward readily.

Everyone’s gaze shifted to one place.

It was none other than Tyrmi.

“Hmm.”

Tyrmi realized she had been tasked with a heavy responsibility and took a step toward Roan.

Even then, Roan quite liked the staff’s substantial grip and was gently stroking it.

Tyrmi placed her hand on Roan’s shoulder and spoke.

“You must not beat anyone with the staff.”

“…….”

*Stop—*

Roan stopped his hand that had been pleasantly stroking the staff and looked up at Tyrmi with a bewildered gaze.

‘Who does she take me for, a habitual offender of violence!’

It was truly unfair.

If anyone heard, they would think Roan beat someone up every single day.

“Who would I possibly beat? I am a devout clergyman who loves peace more than anyone.”

Roan pleaded with sincerity.

Calling himself a devout clergyman was a lie, but saying he loved peace more than anyone was the truth.

……It was just that the world drove Roan to be unable to do so.

Sion asked dubiously.

“Um…… then will you not beat Demona or Hector either?”

Roan answered immediately.

“`Those guys must be beaten a little to preserve peace.`”

“““…….”””

Everyone was at a loss for words at his extremely confident and assured tone.

‘B-But that might actually be true.’

Sion, who usually hung out with those two, understood more or less.

‘Well, it might not be a lie…….’

The others also understood for some reason.

At any rate, the most suspected side effect (?) of Roan obtaining that staff was fortunately a groundless worry.

Gordon clapped his hands to tidy up the cluttered atmosphere and spoke.

“Well, then I shall take my leave! I wish you a safe return to school!”

“Yes, and may you also travel safely, Mr. Gordon!”

“Hahaha, thanks to you, I believe I will!”

Indeed a heartwarming farewell.

However, the group still had one more farewell remaining.

— Saint Espard! Saint Espard!!

Someone called Espard in a loud voice.

As Roan and the others shifted their gazes toward the voice, a man wearing the distinct attire of the Holy Emperor’s Palace was running toward them.

“Oh, it seems they’ve come to pick me up.”

Espard wore a smile mixed with regret.

Although it had been enjoyable traveling with Roan and visiting Acherandir, his alma mater, for a few days, it was now time for Espard to return as the Saint of the Empire.

“Uncle, are you leaving now?”

“I’ll miss you…….”

Not to mention Yusina, Sion also seemed to have grown very attached to Espard over the two days.

Indeed, since he was exceptionally sociable and treated Sion kindly, it was only natural.

Espard gave a farewell greeting with his signature refreshing smile.

“Only when there is a sad parting is the next meeting more joyful. I hope Lord Hiloa’s protection is always with you. Professor, farewell to you too.”

“Goodbye.”

Although Espard occasionally showed clumsy sides unfitting for the name Saint of the Bell, his farewell was full of elegance.

Espard stroked Roan’s head and left a separate farewell.

“Roan, it was truly good to see you after so long. Become a master of the bell who surpasses me.”

“Do not worry.”

“Finish the ring purification safely and carefully too.”

“Yes.”

“And do not fight with friends.”

“……Of course.”

“And listen to the professors—”

“……Are you not leaving?”

Roan scowled slightly and asked.

He was grateful for the worry, but it was a whole bucketful of worry as if he were his parent.

‘Even my real mother didn’t worry this much in the dream!’

Especially for Roan, who had met his mother, Charlotte, last night, it was even more bothersome.

“Ahaha, I must go, I must. Then, goodbye for real!”

Espard finally moved his steps with regret only after getting scolded by Roan.

Yusina and Sion waved their hands widely to send Espard off.

“Roan, you wave too~”

“Why me…….”

Roan also waved in an awkward posture as Yusina forced his arm up and waved it.

“Haha-haha!”

Espard’s boisterous laughter.

[It feels a bit empty now that the old gentlemen are gone.]

Bell, who had been quiet in the bag, spoke.

‘They call that: you might not notice a presence when they enter, but you notice when they leave.’

[Oh…… Master, you know a lot of cool sayings, don’t you?]

Roan was slightly curious about what it normally thought of him, but he did not ask.

Instead, he pulled his hood lower and shuddered slightly.

“Uh? Roan, you…….”