I Pretended To Have Amnesia and the Hero’s Party Becomes Obsessed

15 – 2. Cowards (5)

Ahollotal, a city that does not require myths.

Without invoking the name of a god or borrowing the narrative of a hero, the 40-meter high walls are a greatness in themselves.

Those who seek this place would often open their mouths in awe at the wall that seemed to swallow the sky. When the sun happened to hang on the edge of the wall, there were even those who kneeled with subdued expressions.

It was a sight that revealed why the church had gained jurisdiction over this city from the empire.

If a priest proclaimed that wall as the glory of the heavens, who would not believe in the heavens?

The believers of this world’s religions understood the concept of landmarks quite well.

However, landmarks only seemed impressive to tourists.

To the locals, they were nothing more than the scenery of everyday life. No, they sometimes became a nuisance and obstacle.

I looked up at the towering walls. And, pressing on the handlebars, I looked down at the people below.

Namely, the sorry state of our mercenary squad.

“So, I heard that the governing bishop has recently changed and he has completely prohibited the entry of outsiders?”

“…Yes, sir.”

The pitiful young lad nodded. The dark circles under his eyes seemed to have formed a long time ago.

“So, even though all of you have arrived, you were forced to wait outside the walls?”

“…Yes.”

I felt my blood pressure rise.

Have you ever considered giving a bribe?”

“We, of course, tried!”

It was Faye, not the young lad, who answered my question. Since our reunion, she had stuck close to me and didn’t let go, showing a resentful expression.

“However, there’s something off about them! Despite claiming to offer a better price than usual, they didn’t even blink an eye. When I asked them to arrange a meeting with the bishop, they said that’s not possible too…”

Pea’s mouth twisted in frustration.

“Completely stubborn and behaving like thugs, there was no way around it.”

I could only narrow one eye at those words.

“Who was in charge of negotiations?”

“It was Clebans.”

“Well, that explains it, this stubborn…”

“Unintoxicated Clebans.”

Upon hearing that, I couldn’t help but tighten my expression.

An unintoxicated Clebans was synonymous with a perfect priest.

But he failed in negotiations?

I pondered for a moment and then nodded.

“Let’s go to the cathedral for now. Let’s see just how stubborn they are.”

***

Once upon a time, I dreamt of becoming a knight. It was during the time of Clara’s teasing.

Even though it seemed like there was nothing to it, it felt like there was a lot to gain from it.

Even now, my earthly goal is to devour life, and being a knight seemed to perfectly align with that goal.

However, despite that, the dream didn’t last long.

It was thanks to Clara revealing the truth.

“Is Rem a fool? There’s no way he can become a knight. Knights can only be those who have mastered the laws of the sacred.”

“Then, how do you master the laws? Are you joking right now? There’s no way you’d teach the laws to a wristless orphan.”

“Oh, and just in case, I’ll tell you this. Don’t even think about secretly learning the laws. Not only you, but anyone who teaches you the laws will lose both their eyes.”

…Through that incident, I could grasp one truth about the world.

Religious people, excluding Clara, were either stubborn or bastards.

“I cannot allow it.”

And until now, I haven’t found an exception to that.

I stood guard at the gate and faced a holy knight.

His armor emitted a subtle light, but due to the shadows of the wall, the light appeared even brighter than reality.

As if he had adorned himself with holiness.

I could sense our comrades behind me being awestruck. However, I remained nonchalant.

They knew that their training involved only such actions, and I could tell just by looking at them.

I tilted my head and asked, “Why?”

“I cannot say.”

“Blocking off the city suddenly, and not being able to explain the reason, do you think that makes sense?”

The knight’s hand rested on the hilt of the sword.

“It’s the Bishop’s command. Leave, mercenary.”

I felt my face contort, but I managed to speak while avoiding showing my expression.

“We are currently carrying out the orders of the Empire. If you wish, we can show you evidence.”

It wasn’t a lie.

While we didn’t receive direct orders from the Empire, we were assisting the party of warriors who did.

“…The clergy is not a servant of the Empire. The Bishop’s command takes precedence over anything for me.”

And then, the knight drew his sword slowly. Tapping the ground, he said, “So, disappear from my sight right now. If you don’t disappear by the time I finish counting to ten, I’ll consider you heretics and cut your throat.”

I found myself speechless.

But, whether or not I agreed, the knight began counting slowly.

The only thought that crossed my mind as I looked at him was whether I should just charge in.

“…Alright.”

However, in the end, I chose the sensible option. I turned on my heels, nodding.

In many ways, the clergy and common ground were incompatible.

No matter how skilled a mercenary may be, if their body is broken, they must seek refuge in the cathedral.

Now, I had to retreat.

That’s what I thought at that moment.

“Rem~”

I looked at Clara with a puzzled expression as she approached from a distance.

Surely, she must have said to wait for something to be dealt with…?

As if she could read my thoughts, Clara smiled wryly.

“Just came by out of boredom. Can we enter Aholroth soon?”

I reflexively turned to the bulky paladin. Implacable, he continued reducing the numbers.

I licked my lips and looked back at Clara.

“I’m sorry, but it seems we need to leave here for now.”

The smile vanished from Clara’s face.

“… What does that mean?”

“The Bishop who just arrived in Aholroth seems to dislike outsiders. He’s asking us to leave immediately.”

I briefly explained the situation and, awkwardly smiling, tried to guide her.

“So, for now, let’s step back…”

“It’s okay, Rem.”

She interrupted me and held my hand. With a radiant smile, she said,

“I’ll handle it.”

“… What?”

Without waiting for my response, she approached the paladin.

The paladin looked Clara up and down and said,

“Are you from the clergy? But, I still can’t let you in. It’s the Bishop’s order…”

“Please make way.”

When he spoke to me, his tone was completely different.

Though he used formal language, there was a chilling condescension beneath it.

Whether he sensed it or not, there was fervor in the paladin’s voice.

“Dare… to know who I am and give me orders…”

Clara smiled slyly and took a necklace from her bosom. It was a relief of a woman praying on a golden plate.

The moment he saw it, the paladin’s eyes widened.

Thud!

And, the next moment, the paladin was kneeling on the ground. Unable to raise his head, he trembled as he spoke.

“H-humble servant, I greet the daughter of the Almighty… I failed to recognize your noble presence…”

“Do I need to say it twice?”

The paladin’s body trembled again. Over his head, the cold voice flowed down once more.

“Make way, paladin.”

“But, Bishop Atreus…”

Clara’s pristine white hand touches the helm of the holy knight, lifting it to meet her face.

“Do you believe in the name of the god Atrius?”

“Well, there’s no way…! I am but a servant of the heavenly deity…”

“However, you address me as his daughter and prioritize the words of a mere bishop over me.”

The steadfast hand of the holy knight begins to tremble. Clara, with glowing red eyes, speaks.

“I will say it one last time. Choose your path.”

Clara adds with a smirk, “Make yourself and your family lords, before turning the land into a battlefield.”

And as if she has completed her task, Clara turns to me. Wiping the hand that touched the helmet with a handkerchief, she smiles broadly.

“It’s settled, Rem.”

I could feel our children behind me, witnessing the scene with shock. I understood them.

To them, Clara was just a beautiful priestess.

However, as I watched that scene, I felt an immeasurable joy. No, it was more than just joy.

I finally felt as if I had reunited with Clara.

Arrogant and wicked,

The girl that no one could oppose.

Not a human but the chosen existence of a god.

As she did in the past, she grabs my arm.

“I said I’m fine, didn’t I?”

***

“I will briefly meet with the bishop. Please continue with your tasks.”

As Clara crosses the castle gate, she says this and goes somewhere with the holy knights.

Thus, we were left behind.

However, there was no time to be dazed.

The most crucial part of this situation remained.

I rented an entire large inn, kicking out all the guests. Locking the inn’s door tightly, I turned to our children and the remaining warrior party members.

No, precisely, I looked at Parsley.

“So, who was it with?”

Parsley, looking somewhat anxious, shrugs her shoulders. Eventually, with a face that indicates she doesn’t understand, she asks, “What do you mean?”

“It’s cargo talk. If we just hand it over, it’ll be over, won’t it?”

Finally, comprehension dawned on Parsley’s face.

If my memory serves me correctly, only the leader and Parsley knew the real whereabouts of the cargo.

And now that the mercenary group has arrived in Ahrolotte, there’s no reason to hide the cargo any longer.

As our children looked at Parsley with sparkling eyes, it seemed that they understood my words and realized the urgency of completing the task and resting as soon as possible.

Fortunately, Parsley’s answer was what we expected. She smiled faintly and flicked her finger.

“Are you talking about this?”

At the same time, a long black box appeared in the air.

It was exactly the same as what we had seen before starting the transportation.

Indeed, it was the warrior party that had been moving the cargo.

I nodded my head and spoke.

“Then, who should we deliver it to now? Do we have someone we need to meet separately?”

Parsley tilted her head.

“No, there’s someone coming to collect the cargo if we wait. They probably caused quite a commotion when they entered, so they’ll be here soon…”

Knock, knock,

The sound of tapping on the window.

Everyone’s gaze turned towards the dove that was pecking at the glass. If my memory serves me correctly, it was Irene’s transparent dove.

“Just wait a moment, please.”

As my memory served me correctly, Irene opened the window and greeted the dove. She untied a note from its ankle and quickly read through it.

“…!”

Soon, a perplexed expression appeared on her face.

A sense of unease started to creep up my spine.

Could it be…

Irene turned pale and looked at us.

“The person who was supposed to collect the cargo has passed away. They were found dead in their residence…”

It felt as though something was starting to go awry.