If it was a coincidence created by the system, I'd want to thank the Administrator for such impeccable timing.
'Yes, I've heard of it.'
I feigned ignorance to his question, waiting for Kyros' response.
---That's fortunate.
'But why suddenly bring up the Kingdom of rilseus?'
---I just heard the prayers of a devotee in the Kingdom of rilseus. It seems they're in danger.
The Kingdom of rilseus and danger. I knew what these two things implied.
---It seems they're stranded on an island near the Kingdom of rilseus. Monsters have been sighted in the nearby waters, and it appears there's no one to help. Could you go there?
As Kyros asked, a system window appeared.
[A Sub Quest has arisen!]
[Sub Quest 'rilseus' 1. ]
Objective: The God of Beauty, Kyros, is deeply concerned about the devotees stranded near the Kingdom of rilseus. Set forth to the Kingdom of rilseus on his behalf.
Goal: Arrive at the Kingdom of rilseus within a week (This quest is part of a series)
Success: Discover the next quest clue
Failure: --
Final Reward: ???
[Do you accept?]
[Yes/No]
I skimd through the quest. It was the sa sub quest I had seen in the original work, though this one was part of a series.
It was a coincidence that I had plans to go to rilseus, and now a quest had appeared.
It was perfect timing.
The reward was a mystery, but since my journey to rilseus wasn't for the reward, it didn't matter.
I imdiately accepted the quest.
'Yes, Lord Kyros. Don't worry.'
There was no need to delay my plans if there was a reward for a path I would have taken anyway.
* * * * *
The first quest in the series was simply to reach the Kingdom of rilseus within a week, so there was plenty of ti. After finishing all the paperwork, I began preparing to depart.
"A day's journey shouldn't require haste."
The distance between rilseus and Bahano wasn't far. A day's ride by carriage, closer even than Aldone.
"You're going alone, High Priest?"
"High Priest, is that wise?"
When I inford Zain and Troy of my impending visit to rilseus, they were visibly flustered.
They had never been separated from
before.
"Yes. I'll go alone. If you two were absent, the already busy temple would be short-handed."
With a surge of devotees in Bahano, I couldn't take them with .
"It would be too much for the officers. If necessary, I could summon them using a portal."
When I communicated this plan to Alphius and the other officers, they all insisted I should go comfortably, but I couldn't shake off my concern.
So, I decided to go alone, leaving Zain and Troy behind.
"The seafood in rilseus is said to be exquisite. Why not take
along?"
Zain grumbled, his face turning sullen with disappointnt.
"High Priest, wouldn't it be better if I accompanied you on such a long journey?"
Troy, on the other hand, tried to persuade
with a voice full of concern. But I shook my head firmly.
"It's only a day's journey to rilseus. Besides, Troy, you've been deeply involved with the Aldone temple lately."
In recent days, Troy had been dedicated to helping the Aldone temple. He had a particular fondness for the devotees of Aldone.
"Probably because of the bond ford among those who were trapped together in the underground dungeon."
I had no intention of taking him away from sothing he genuinely enjoyed.
The distance to rilseus wasn't far, the quest deadline was generous, and if needed, I could install a portal in rilseus to summon them.
"However..."
Troy seed about to say more but couldn't find the words to argue.
"If needed, I'll call for you. For now, stay here. Don't worry."
I patted their shoulders and continued my preparations to leave.
* * * * *
The temple would run smoothly in my absence; there was no need for concern.
---My little bird, are you sure you'll be alright alone?
'Yes. I was alone when I first went to Rovel, rember? Don't worry. The children can always help
if needed.'
---Indeed. You've always managed well.
Smiling at Kyros' praise, I boarded the carriage. I could have called for a Royal Carriage, but there was no need; I simply hailed a nearby hired carriage.
"If the situation is uncertain, it's better not to reveal my identity as the head of the Kyros faith."
Once aboard, I opened my inventory and took out the knitting supplies I had prepared earlier.
---Oh, my child! You're not planning to knit, are you?
Kyros exclaid in surprise as I picked up the needles. Why, indeed.
'Yes. Why not?'
---But... your skills are not that great. Without Zain, are you sure?
Even He doubted .
'Don't you trust , Lord Kyros? I learned properly from Zain last ti.'
---Hmm.
Kyros fell silent as I spoke confidently.
'It's a full day's journey to rilseus; I should manage at least once.'
---Well, if you say so.
Kyros sounded unconvinced, but I didn't mind.
"Alright."
I tackled the knitting with determination.
* * * * *
And it was a spectacular failure.
"Why... does the yarn keep unraveling or tangling?"
I had followed Zain's instructions, but I kept failing. The carriage rolled on, stopped for brief rests, and continued again, even as the day turned to night.
The result of my efforts was sothing anyone would agree resembled a rag.
---I told you so, my little bird.
'...I'm sure I did everything as I was taught.'
---It seems you lack the knack for it, after all.
'That doesn't seem right... Is it?'
I suddenly rembered that I was particularly bad at tasks that required dexterity -- origami, drawing, sewing, and such. And the sa was true for
in reality.
---It's alright, my child. You have plenty of other talents.
'Yes, thank you for your comforting words.'
My energy drained away. I carelessly shoved the tangled ball of yarn into my inventory.
A full day had passed since I left Bahano. It was almost ti to arrive at the Kingdom of rilseus.
The landscape of the Kingdom of rilseus ca into view through the window.
The first thing I saw was the vast sea. It was my first ti seeing the ocean since arriving in this world, and it stirred a strange feeling within .
"It's erald-colored."
The sunlit waters shimred beautifully.
Soon after, a bustling port filled with various ships followed. People were swarming -- so boarding ships, others unloading cargo.
It was a scene befitting rilseus, whose main inco ca from mariti trade.
Before long, the carriage that had passed the checkpoint ca to a halt.
"Thank you."
I paid the coachman double the fare for the decent ride and stepped out of the carriage. Then, the salty scent of the sea hit my nostrils.
"Sohow, it's refreshing."
I looked around with a pleasant smile.
I had arrived at Seus Village, on the outskirts of the Kingdom of rilseus.
The buildings of the village were mostly white, giving
the feeling of being on a journey. It was during such musings that a quest was updated.
[Sub Quest 'rilseus' 1.
Cleared!]
[Sub Quest Reward will be granted.]
[A New Sub Quest has appeared!]
[Sub Quest 'rilseus' 2. ]
Objective: Having arrived in the Kingdom of rilseus within the deadline, it's now ti to investigate the rumors spreading throughout the Kingdom.
Goal: Investigate the rumors of the Kingdom of rilseus (This quest is part of a series)
If successful: Clue to the next quest found
If failed: --
Final Reward: ???
[Will you accept?]
[Yes/No]
I imdiately accepted the quest. Then, I asked Kyros.
'Lord Kyros, do you happen to know the na of the isolated island where the believers are?'
---It's certainly called Kettin Island.
Kettin Island. Just like in the original work. I clearly rembered that monsters had appeared in the waters near Kettin Island, isolating the people there. I think the monster was a giant lobster.
Suddenly, I recalled Zain praising the taste of rilseus' seafood.
'I'll have to try it after clearing the quest.'
With that thought, I surveyed the village. According to the quest, the standard procedure to 'investigate rumors' was to head where the crowds were.
So, I passed through an alley and headed towards a crowded place.
"Fresh seafood available!"
"Freshly caught clam octopus here!"
Upon reaching the market, which was redolent with the sll of fish, I saw people bustling about.
I mingled among them, taking in the sights. The fastest way to catch a local rumor was to visit the region's tavern.
So, I looked around for the sign of a tavern.
Thump!
It was then that I bumped shoulders with soone quite forcefully.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
Since I was looking elsewhere, I apologized to the person I had collided with.
The man I bumped into seed to be in his thirties, with a sharp look about him.
"Are you blind? Watch where you're going!"
He shouted at
and then passed by.
Did he really need to get so angry even after I apologized?
Or maybe it hurt him a lot. As I pondered this, Kyros' voice struck
like lightning.
---My child! That man, he stole your purse!
"What?"
---I saw it! That scoundrel passed you, chuckled, and then slipped the purse into his pocket. He definitely stole it from you!
"No way."
I couldn't believe Kyros' words. So, I imdiately searched inside my robe, and indeed, the purse I had brought was gone.
"Wow. Is this for real?"
I had been pickpocketed?
I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity. Roughly running my fingers through my hair, I then shouted.
"Stop right there!"
I started to chase through the crowd. The pickpocket was already on the run.
"Brown hat, you thieving rat!"
It was difficult to make my way through the dense crowd, but my shout made people start to give way.
The pickpocket had a head start, so there was so distance between us. But I didn't give up.
Should I release my divine power?
The rising irritation made
consider such drastic asures. But there were too many people around. A mistake could harm innocent bystanders. I had to think of another way.
Should I call Troy?
Should I set up a portal to catch the pickpocket?
"Damn it, do I really have to worry about a pickpocket?"
Anger surged within . It wasn't just about the money. I could easily procure more. I could ask the children to bring
money through the subspace.
What infuriated
was that I had fallen victim to sothing I thought would never happen to .
"Ah, that bastard is running too fast!"
Still, I was slowly closing the distance.
"Stop, you thief!"
The pickpocket kept glancing back at
as he ran. Then, suddenly, he turned into an alley. That scoundrel!
Thump!
At that mont, the pickpocket was sent flying by a kick.
A single kick knocked the pickpocket out cold, and he fell to the ground. Then, the person who had kicked the pickpocket erged from the alley.
Seeing him, I stopped in my tracks.
Neat black hair, golden eyes, and thick rimless glasses. A young man in his early twenties, dressed head to toe in black priestly robes.
"If you block the way, what will you do, brother?"
This man was one of the Seven Apostles of Diego Church, Rawin.
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