NOVEL WEB Chapter 320 (Self Edited) – Holy City’s Decision
Chapter 320 (Self Edited) – Holy City’s Decision
It was early in the morning in the Holy City. Many shops weren’t opened yet, but the purpose of those who came to the Holy City wasn’t to go to the shops.
Although the traffic flow wasn’t severe, there was no difference that they were coming all the way here. Inevitably, only believers gathered, and they were visiting the shrine. It was only natural because it was still early in the morning.
As the sun started to appear, people started to be moving at the same time or even earlier, and they quietly prayed at the shrine. They hoped for what they were now and their daily life to continue today. They would like to express their gratitude from the heart.
However, because of such a situation, the city was basically free from hustle and bustle even though it was still early in the morning. It wasn’t until later that the shops began to open and the believers from far away finally reached the Holy City. In other words, the Holy City in the morning was chilled with silence.
Normally, that should be the way.
“Eii, you don’t know what to say!? Fine, I’m going alone, so I’m leaving!” (Hildegard)
“I told you, you can’t do that. It’s not that you don’t understand why.” (Satya)
Basically, the morning prayers were done freely. There was no need for Eleonora to visit the shrine. She was the lord of the Holy City, though it might only be by title. As expected, Eleonora also went to the shrine and prayed as part of her daily routine in the morning.
Then, after returning, she would do her daily work, but… she involuntarily let out a sigh to the two voices that could be heard even if they were far apart. She hoped they would settle down while she was praying, but she didn’t seem to say that. She thought that would fuel the fire, then she let out another sigh.
“Both of you, I can hear your voices, alright? No one will come here, so please, calm down.” (Eleonora)
She said so as she entered the room, and two pairs of eyes directed its gazes at Eleonora. They were frustrated and annoyed. Eleonora wasn’t scared by their powerful eyes with different emotions. It wasn’t because of her prayer, but it was a habit.
It wasn’t common to feel so instinctively when she had been with God for hundreds of years.
“I don’t think I can calm down, you know!?” (Hildegard)
“That said, I’m calmed though. It’s just too surprising to be with Hildegard in the first place.” (Satya)
“What did you say!?” (Hildegard)
“That’s proof that you aren’t calmed down. To begin with, I could hear your voices from outside, alright. You’ll probably look calm, Satya-sama, but you’re not calmed at all.” (Eleonora)
“H-hmm… is it really? For you to say that… am I already too old?” (Satya)
“It would be surprising if you’re not old, Satya-sama.” (Eleonora)
“Oh my…. what a terrible thing to say to God you worship. Don’t you think the same, Hildegard?” (Satya)
“I don’t really care. I just have no time to entertain your sitcom. I’ve decided to go, so I’ll take care of it myself.” (Hildegard)
“I told you, it’s not good. It’s not that I don’t understand your feelings.” (Satya)
It seemed Satya managed to calm down, but Hildegard was still as she was. Well, it wasn’t like ‘she’ couldn’t understand Hildegard’s feelings.
It wasn’t until near dinnertime yesterday that they realized Soma and Aina wouldn’t come back. They were busy yesterday and had no time to confirm those two until then. Besides, if it was Soma, such a thing wouldn’t happen.
But when it was about dinnertime, they had to ask Hildegard for help, and she returned to ‘her’ room and screamed. That Soma and Aina were gone. However, at first, Hildegard thought that those two were at fault, but… when she looked around while feeling indignant, she found out something was wrong.
It was around that time when Eleonora joined the search for the two. To be honest, Hildegard wasn’t as young as Eleonora, and she was optimistic because of her thoughts, but it soon turned into her impatience. When she looked around the Holy City, she couldn’t find them.
What troubled her was there was no sign that Aina was away from Soma. Strictly speaking, she concluded so when she couldn’t find Aina… anyhow, she couldn’t find both of them.
Eleonora’s eyes were originally used to observe humankind. Therefore, there was nothing that could escape her eyes, but… Soma was an exception.
Since Eleonora saw the soul of the person rather than the person itself, Soma, whose soul was at a higher level than hers, couldn’t be seen. Moreover, since Eleonora could observe the world, she wasn’t good at observing only a small location. In short, if Soma was nearby, it wouldn’t be possible to capture the existence of those who were nearby.
Because of that, it was presumed that Aina’s existence couldn’t be captured, as Soma’s existence couldn’t be captured in the first place. Eleonora had completely lost sight of them.
That didn’t mean she had no idea. It was hard to think that Soma and Aina would disappear without saying anything. So, it meant that they got involved with something. At present, there was only one side that was likely to do such a thing.
Yes, it was the empire.
However, Eleonora couldn’t agree whether it made sense or not even though she had concluded in that way. Even though it was a difficult time, if they went straight to look for Soma and Aina, it could lead to war as it was. In the current situation where preparations hadn’t been completed yet, there was a certain risk of suicide.
However, up to that point, Hildegard had also put up with it. The reason why she couldn’t find their whereabouts was because she had a similar issue.
And she wouldn’t know what would happen if she moved without understanding what was going on and with presumption. Since she understood that, Hildegard had to be patient, but… today Satya had woken up.
It was disrespectful to say so when ‘she’ woke up, but Eleonora had no choice but to think so. Since ‘she’ woke up, it was obvious that Soma and Aina were in the empire.
Hildegard said that she would go to the empire now, but Satya stopped her. That was what happened before Eleonora went to the shrine. Then, the situation remained as it was until now.
“Calm down? How am I supposed to calm down!? For such a thing to happen to Soma… these eyes… these eyes… eh, it seems to be fine.” (Hildegard)
Hildegard suddenly muttered such a thing, as she regained her composure after having her head heated up. Satya shrugged as if ‘she’ was astonished.
“That’s why I told you to calm down. Do you think it’s possible for Soma-kun to be captured by the empire? I’m sure he is sleeping soundly now even though he’s in the empire.” (Satya)
“Yes, I can imagine that as well.” (Eleonora)
Hildegard sat quietly there and let out a breath, probably because she agreed. She looked troubled and looked away slightly.
“Uhm… sorry. I couldn’t find Soma all the time, so I got all heated.” (Hildegard)
“Don’t worry about it. I also couldn’t persuade you properly.” (Satya)
“I don’t see any damage, so I don’t have particular concerns.” (Eleonora)
Besides, since this was Soma, she thought that he would be fine even if he was in the empire. There was no mistake in that. There was nothing good about being impatient, and that was why Eleonora didn’t say anything.
“Well, if our preparations are ready, I don’t mind inciting Hildegard.” (Satya)
“Is it because Soma-san got taken away?” (Eleonora)
“Hmm.. wouldn’t Soma respond to my movement? If I think about it, it would be possible. If I attack, he will understand my intention.” (Hildegard)
“Yes, that’s why. However, we aren’t still ready, and the risk is too high if our side starts first. And I have a question about what happened to Soma-kun.” (Satya)
“Perhaps, Aina-san was the main reason and Soma-san was involved… No, I don’t think so.” (Eleonora)
Eleonora shook her head to deny herself. If Soma was involved, it would be fine to solve it on the spot. That was why she should think that Aina was involved.
However, wasn’t it abnormal when it came to involving Aina? Perhaps, they only wanted to get Soma only.
The disappearance of Soma was certainly a big blow to them, but it wasn’t always a good thing to the other side. Rather, he was more likely to become an insect in a lion’s body. There was no way to know what their side was thinking.
And if there were many things that they didn’t understand, they shouldn’t move around.
“Well, I don’t think you have to worry too much about Soma-kun.” (Satya)
“Hmm…? Why is that?” (Hildegard)
“Their country is particular when it comes to promise and agreement. They have made a statement, but we haven’t responded yet. I don’t think they will do anything unless we react to them or their patience is finished.” (Satya)
“By the way, you seem so convinced…” (Hildegard)
“Of course, if you understand the situation well. However, I think we’re the only ones who have to put it into consideration.” (Eleonora)
“But that’s not absolute, right?” (Hildegard)
“It’s not absolute, but it’s almost absolute. That country once made such a contract with God.” (Satya)
Hildegard was surprised because of that line. She squinted her eyes, wondering what was going on.
“The way you said it… does that mean they did it with the Evil God?” (Hildegard)
“Yes. They had a contract with ‘her’.” (Satya)
Hildegard seemed completely calm this time when she looked away from Satya, who shrugged ‘her’ shoulders, probably because ‘her’ intention had been well received. Eleonora let out a small breath and turned her gaze out of the window.
She really wanted to be spared from the fight between Gods.
Even so, she was thinking more about Soma and Aina. She had no doubt that they were safe. Did she have to be concerned, or perhaps she didn’t have to.
If possible, she wanted to know the situation as soon as possible. With that in mind, Eleonora let out another sigh.