"The Contract – This World’s System That I Don’t Understand"
According to Ingrid, this "contract" binds the involved parties under the na of the gods. Naturally, such a system didn’t exist in FBO.
Between the "Duel Pieces" and now this "contract," anything related to the gods suddenly renders my ga knowledge useless.
"Never thought I’d end up coming here like this…""Has Libertà-sama visited the cathedral before?""…Yeah, a long ti ago."
I told Nell and Amina that we were going out to run so errands. But the place Ingrid and I actually headed to was the Grand Cathedral—the sa one that had served as an evacuation shelter for the capital’s citizens during the Stampede.
The towering structure was so massive that, back in the ga days, I might have seen it more often than my own parents’ faces.
In the ga, it was a major respawn point, but in this world—where resurrection isn’t even a known concept—it’s purely a place of worship for the gods. When asked if I’d been here before, I couldn’t exactly say "back in the ga," so I just vaguely confird that I had.
Fortunately, Ingrid didn’t press further.
Co to think of it, this was treated as a respawn point in the ga, but does this world even have revival magic? Back then, revival spells were just another ordinary skill to resurrect on the spot, but how does that work here?
If "resurrecting the dead" were possible as a skill here, things could get pretty insane.
"Libertà-sama?""Ah, my bad. Let’s go.""Yes."
Either way, I’m not in an environnt where I can train healers, so I’ll shelve that thought for now.
I kept staring at the cathedral until Ingrid tilted her head and asked if sothing was wrong. Shaking my head, I pretended it was nothing and followed her inside.
After the recent chaos, I expected it to be crowded, but most of the evacuees had already left, so it wasn’t too packed.
"Welco. Are you here for prayer?"
In front of the cathedral’s massive doors stood a knight clad in white full-plate armor. Unlike the kingdom’s knights, this one was a "Holy Knight," serving the cathedral directly.
According to the ga’s lore, only the most elite among the faithful could attain that rank.
Passing through the entrance they guarded, we stopped before what looked like a reception desk.
The sister who greeted us wore the sa black habit as in the ga.
"No, today we’d like to request a Contract Ceremony.""Pardon , but the Contract Ceremony is a sacred act with the gods. As such, it’s not sothing just anyone can—""I am Ingrid of House Grülle. Here is our crest, as well as a small donation. Please use it in service of the gods.""Ah, this is indeed the Grülle crest… Understood. I’ll confirm with the high priest. Please wait a mont."
In the ga, this place was just a respawn point where NPCs silently watched players revive and pass by.
The lore investigation team had scoured the cathedral for hidden events, but nothing was ever found. Even the self-proclaid "top detective" among players boasted that he couldn’t find anything here—there were barely any NPCs, and accessible areas were minimal.
So speculated that triggering events elsewhere might unlock sothing here, but in reality, there was nothing.
Just a place to respawn.
Yet in this world, apparently, donating money does make things happen.
The bag Ingrid handed over contained 5,000 Zeni—about 500,000 yen.
Contracts are a staple in fantasy settings, but here, according to Ingrid, the ceremony is a sacred ritual only permitted for those with substantial donations and established credibility.
I provided the money, while House Grülle, it seems, is a regular participant in these contracts. They’re so obsessively devoted to keeping promises that they’d stake their lives on it—so much so that the high priest recognizes them on sight. No appointnt needed, as long as you donate.
Apparently, even royalty has to book in advance.
"Oh! Lady Ingrid! It’s been too long!""High Priest, it’s good to see you well.""Hmm, if you’re here, then…""Yes, we’d like to request a Contract Ceremony.""Normally, it wouldn’t be so simple, but for House Grülle… Very well. The ceremony will comnce in one hour. In the anti, draft the contract terms with the scribe.""Understood."
So they really do have face recognition privileges here.
Wait, just what kind of family is House Grülle?
Ingrid had described them as nothing more than a lineage of overly earnest bureaucrats, but this treatnt screams VIP.
There was no "Grülle" family among FBO’s nad characters. And in the ga, characters with strong church ties usually held major positions.
…Did they get wiped out before the main story?
"…? Libertà-sama, is sothing wrong?""No, just impressed by the service.""Our only rit is our sincerity."
If soone took advantage of that sincerity… well, it wouldn’t be impossible.
I glanced at Ingrid, but oblivious to such possibilities, she just tilted her head blankly as usual.
So I played along, murmuring about how polite the high priest was.
"Now, let us formalize the contract’s terms before the ceremony begins.""Yes, please.""Understood.""This contract will be between Ingrid Grülle and Libertà—is that correct?""Yes, that’s correct."
After that, we were led to a separate room where a sister, acting as scribe, began writing on what looked like parchnt with a quill.
"Now, the details of the contract—""I, Ingrid Grülle, shall be forbidden from disclosing any information taught to by Libertà-sama to any third party.""…And the duration? If unspecified, it will default to a lifeti."
The sister wrote smoothly, without hesitation, then asked Ingrid if the wording was acceptable. After a nod, she inquired about the duration.
"A lifeti is fine.""Understood. Any other clauses?""Libertà-sama, do you have anything to add?"
This would ensure Ingrid couldn’t leak the knowledge I’d given her.
Rembering how that Dassé guy clutched his head in pain during the duel, this should be enough.
But I had one concern.
"I have a question.""Yes, what is it?"
"How exactly is 'teaching' defined in this contract?""What do you an?""For example, if I say 'tomorrow’s weather will be sunny,' does that count as imparting information? Things like that happen all the ti.""Hmm…""So if I teach sothing and want her to pass it on, would even relaying it be impossible?""…That would likely be the case. It depends on the gods’ will, but this contract covers all knowledge passed from you to Lady Ingrid. If her understanding is overwritten by your teachings, she may be unable to share even that with others."
As I thought—if we’d gone through with this as-is, it would’ve been a disaster.
This could’ve ssed up her daily life.
"Then let’s add a clause: 'Information may be shared with third parties only if explicitly permitted, with duration specified.'"
A conditional exception for authorized disclosures.
"Libertà-sama, are you sure?""Yeah, this works."
This way, adjustnts could be made later.
Ingrid’s expression shifted slightly—just a faint widening of her eyes, but enough to tell she was surprised.
"Understood. Any other changes?""No, nothing from .""Sa here.""Then please proceed with the blood seal."
I only suggested it for practicality, but I guess it is surprising?
More importantly—a blood seal, huh?
Well, given the gods’ involvent, I suppose it makes sense.
The sister handed a needle. Its tip looked sharp.
"First, write your na here. Then, like this—"
Unsure of the process, I hesitated until Ingrid demonstrated.
She wrote her na at the bottom of the parchnt, pricked her thumb lightly, let a drop of blood well up, then pressed it beside her na.
Once the bloody fingerprint was set, she pulled away.
"Your hand, please.""Yes."
The sister wiped Ingrid’s finger with a clean cloth and healed it with a quick spell.
"Can you do it? Apologies, but this must be done of your own will—otherwise, the contract is void.""It can be invalidated?""Yes. If the participant is intoxicated, coerced, or otherwise unwilling, the contract won’t take effect. Once sealed, this parchnt will be offered to the gods, turning to light. That light splits three ways: one to the gods, the other two to you both, completing the contract.""And if it fails?""Divine flas will consu the parchnt, burning until nothing remains—proof of its invalidity.""I see."
So that’s how they prevent fraud.
Clever.
I picked up the quill to sign—then froze.
"Is sothing wrong?"
Should I really write 'Libertà'?
It’s the na I go by now, and I do consider it mine.
But if my past na is my "true" one, should I use that instead?
"Well… I changed my na due to circumstances. I go by this one now, but should I use the old one?""Ah, so nobles renounce their house nas when leaving their families. Your current na is acceptable—as long as it’s not an alias?""No, I live under this na.""Then the gods will permit it.""Got it."
Reassured, I wrote Libertà smoothly, then mimicked Ingrid—pricking my left thumb, letting blood bead up, and pressing it to the parchnt.
"…This will suffice."
The sister inspected both seals, then looked at us.
"Now, a preservation spell will be applied. No further changes can be made—understood?""Yes.""Understood.""Very well."
With a final glow, the parchnt was sealed.
Preservation Magic—a skill that normally prevents item degradation.
So it locks the contract’s state, forbidding edits.
Huh. Other skills might have alternate uses too.
"We’re done. Please wait here until the high priest finishes preparations. Feel free to drink the water provided. I’ll take my leave now.""Thank you.""Thank you.""It’s my duty as a servant of the gods. May Their blessings be upon you."
With the groundwork complete, I’d even stumbled upon sothing useful.
As the sister left, Ingrid spoke up.
"Libertà-sama, would you like so water?""Sure.""Of course."
Now, all that’s left is to wait.
So… what kind of ceremony awaits in this world I don’t fully understand?
I’m curious—but equally nervous.
"Here you go.""Thanks."
Taking the wooden cup, I drank.
For now, I’ll just wait calmly.
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