Senpensekai no Madoushoshi

ure to apologize.”

“That’s good.
But, I was thinking about something……”

Toslin scratched the tip of her nose.
Whenever she makes this gesture, it’s because she’s working herself up to ask something she finds hard.

“Is it okay that you didn’t do a baptismal rite?”

I figured that question would come up sooner or later.
But even though I knew it was coming, I still didn’t have an answer.

“……”

What would have happened if I went through with the ceremony as well? Did I go through a dramatic change like the others? And if that change did happen…….will I be able to accept it?

“I don’t know”

I’m torn.
And I let Toslin know it.

“I see”

I long for adventure.
A life of freedom.
I long for it even now.
But when my family welcomed me home and I got another taste of my normal, everyday life, I understood that a life like this was also hard to come by.

“Well think it over carefully.
You’ve got plenty of time.”

“Eh, really?”

If I was going to become an adventurer and follow after Toslin and the others, I figured I would have to come to a decision in the next couple of days.
Otherwise they’d have to leave for another city…….

“Weren’t you paying attention to what Aronda-san said? Aren’t there only a few adventurers in this town right now? If that’s true, then we’re going to be in high demand.
Add that to the fact that we’ve formed a connection with the church, and there’s no way we’re going to simply throw a situation this sweet away to head to another city.”

There’s also the fact that Toslin and the others are all orange level adventurers now.
Aronda-san had mentioned it before, “This is my first time ever awarding someone the orange rank,” so there can’t be that many adventurers who surpass level 15 here.
Especially in such an out of the way town like this.

“Oh yeah, there’s that too”

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“That?”

“Obviously I’m talking about that Knights of Iris.
I’m supposed to be a member.
Carol too.”

“O-Oh….that……”

I feel like my head is going to explode each time I hear someone call it that.
If I’m going to have a chivalric order protecting me no matter what, can’t we at least come up with a better name?

“I said I’d do it not really thinking much about it at the time, but watching Saluena’s behavior up until now, I’ve realized she’s really serious about this.”

“Yeah……serious is one way to put it……”

I’m the closest one to her, so I know Saluena a little better than Toslin does.

That’s why I would rather use the word earnest here.
Saluena is earnestly doing what she can to form a chivalric order.
All just to protect me.

“But, um……Toslin.
Are you really okay with this? If not, I can talk to Saluena……”

Toslin and I both looked in front of us where Carol was throwing a tantrum about how hungry she was and how she couldn’t walk another step all while riding on Saluena’s back.

“No, it’s the other way around.
I don’t dislike it.
Honestly I’d rather welcome it.”

“Eh? Really?”

What are the advantages of being in a chivalric order where there are only four members including the commander and deputy commander? While I was wondering that, Toslin looked down at me as if she were watching the bumbling assistant to a master detective.

“Can I call you Iris-kun?”

“Y-Yes”

I rarely ever get addressed with kun, so it feels fresh.
Plus the person using it is a beautiful woman like Toslin, so it really made my heart beat.

“Right now you are in a very important position.”

“I am?”

“You haven’t figured that out yet?”

I looked at her blankly and so a chop fell on my head.

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“S-Sorry……”

“Good.
Now didn’t the church send out an order to have you protected no matter what?”

Toslin regained her usual expression and continued on in a whisper so that nobody around us would overhear.

“They said they were thinking about dispatching the Priestess Senshidan¹, you know that’s a big deal right?”

“Y-Yeah…..somehow”

The Priestess Senshidan is a group made up entirely of priestess warriors like Rose-san.
With the Goddess’s protection, these warriors have the ability to move between any nation without things like politics to fence them in.

And according to Aronda-san, the church was about ready to mobilize this powerful force for the sole purpose of protecting me.
Even I think it’s amazing.
Or maybe terrifying is a better word there.

“Well I certainly know it’s a big deal.
The bigwigs of the church.
So if I stay here and help protect you……the size of my reward will be enormous.”

Hey, are you aware of this? Toslin? Right now, you’ve got a really evil look on your face.

“Ahaha, I get it.
A proper Toslin-like motive.”

“Well, now you know why.
There are also some extra benefits in it for me too.
So I don’t have any choice other than to join this chivalric order.
At least if I want to get some sword training from Saluena.”

“I see…..then you might end up staying here forever.”

“Yeah.
Personally, I’d have to say I hope I do.”

“Me too”

I nodded.

Staying together forever.
An incredibly sweet thought that brings my mind to ease.
But then why…..does it also give me a slightly hazy feeling?

I thought it was something I desperately wanted, but now that it’s in reach, I can’t help but get confused because something feels off.

The two of us continued down the cobblestone road, absentmindedly watching as the Water Dragon’s Tail made sport of any clouds that got too close.

1.
So this is apparently the name of a group.
In English, it literally translates a group of priestess warriors, so I did not know this was supposed to be a proper name.
Even as I translate this and read on, I’m still doubting this is an actual name.