Chapter 278 (Self Edited) – Investigating the Holy City
“Alright, let’s continue with the date!” (Hildegard)
Hildegard suddenly said such a thing about two hours after they finished eating breakfast.
Soma glanced at Hildegard for a moment, but immediately returned his gaze forward. She covered her mouth to stop the words coming out.
“Is that so? I don’t know when or with whom you want to date, good luck, alright.” (Soma)
“I have decided to do it with you! Or rather, it was yesterday that we…!” (Hildegard)
Those words came into mind. Having a thought of ‘Aah, I see’, she meant that continuing to explore the Holy City. He thought that he had to do it someday, but…
“If you don’t use proper words, the intention can’t be transmitted, you know?” (Soma)
“Stop with that fair argument…! It doesn’t matter what you think of me!” (Hildegard)
“I have no objection to that, but I’m saying that it doesn’t make sense.” (Soma)
“Waa, waa, I can’t hear you–!” (Hildegard)
He sighed, looking at her holding the ears and screaming like a child. He wasn’t sure if it was five years ago, but now, she was fine, but… she was just an adult woman. At the very least, he would like her to say and act according to her appearance.
“I don’t want to be told only by you when it comes to behavior.” (Hildegard)
“Hmm? Why is that? I’m doing things according to what I say, right?” (Soma)
“Tell me which mouth says that again. Anyhow, what are you going to do?” (Hildegard)
“Hmm… well.” (Soma)
To be honest, that wasn’t a bad proposal.
Given the free time, Soma decided to do the first thing and that was to find out anything useful in the given books. Although he had no spare time, it would be nothing but a fool if he waited for information to be given naturally. The range of the investigation that he could reach should be investigated in advance, and that was the reason.
However, he had been looking for useful information for the past two hours, but he couldn’t find any information that seemed to be more useful that he expected. Although he was reading it simply, he wouldn’t overlook if something that seemed to be useful was written. In other words, there was no important written.
However, it was natural in a sense. The book given to Soma was originally sought only for himself. In short, it was all about Divine Arts and Magic, so there was nothing written that would be useful in this case.
There were many things that he hadn’t read yet, but Soma wouldn’t read the books in this current situation. That was why he was thinking about doing something else.
“Well, it’s just right, so I wonder if I’ll go for a change of pace.” (Soma)
“O-ooh…? So, are we really going?” (Hildegard)
“Why are you having a doubt even though I said it?” (Soma)
“Th-that’s not it! However, I don’t expect you’re going even though you said that… well, that’s fine! We’re going!” (Hildegard)
He sighed at Hildegard, who seemed to be strangely motivated while still feeling suspicious. He didn’t really intend to go to the Holy City, but did he remember that area? Well, if he forgot, all he had to do was to look at the places all over town…
When she stood up vigorously and quickly headed to the floor, Soma shrugged his shoulders. After rearranging the book he was reading, he followed her.
—
It was natural, but it seemed that the Holy City wasn’t much different from what he saw yesterday.
However, considering that the Devil possession appeared here yesterday, it seemed good to have this kind of atmosphere. The lack of the anxious feelings probably meant that Eleonora and others did their best.
“…Well, does that mean nothing has changed?” (Soma)
“Hmm? What do you mean?” (Hildegard)
“It’s a bit about most people don’t know, but it’s getting worse than yesterday.” (Soma)
“Aah… Surely, you’ll see more Paladins than yesterday. It’s not noticeable because they are dispersing to the extent that it doesn’t look unnatural. It looks like they are trying to hide their presence as much as possible.” (Hildegard)
It was true that the Devil possession had appeared in the city even though there was no damage to the surroundings, and it wasn’t known to the residents. Then, it was natural to strengthen the vigilance that there might be another occurrence.
After all, they were called Paladins as they hadn’t neglected to prepare for that. It was said that the Devil possession appeared about once a month, but it was no wonder that unprecedented things happened at this time.
“But if the same thing really happens again, I feel like Ingrid will react in some way, but… as expected, isn’t it boorish to say that?” (Soma)
“Well, she is probably aware of that. You don’t know about her skills, but based on the experience, it seems that you know that you can trust Ingrid’s intuition. And even if you don’t know her well, you know that it’s fine since there’s Eleonora. Well, I should think you know that.” (Hildegard)
“Hmm… yes, but that is that. Is it more reliable than pride as a knight? In fact, not everything can be predicted, right?” (Soma)
“At least, she needs to be involved, and it’s not something clearly stated. Even if her intuition is activated, she may overlook it while doing something else, and… it’s even more especially because you’re here now.” (Hildegard)
“Hmm? How is it related to me?” (Soma)
“Just as it was yesterday, you will most likely do something whenever it happens. Perhaps, her intuition should work stronger.” (Hildegard)
“Hmm… I know that, but it’s not omnipotent.” (Soma)
While talking about such things, they walked around the Holy City as they did yesterday.
But it wasn’t exactly the same since they had a different purpose than yesterday. Yesterday was just an interest-oriented walk but today was an investigation.
Today was to find out what was happening.
It was necessary to do that because of what they heard from Ingrid. The Devil possession couldn’t originally appear in the Holy City. Moreover, it was directly confirmed by Eleonora.
This was synonymous with Satya’s word. What God had told them was absolute, and there must be some basis.
At the time when God was manifesting, it wouldn’t be strange if something like that happened. Therefore, the problem was that the Devil was able to appear here in spite of that.
The reason might have already been investigated and known by Eleonora and her group. However, it should make sense for Soma and Hildegard to investigate.
That was all about, and… they had a reason why they didn’t ask them. This was because it was easy to get in the way if there was an unnecessary preconception. It was more meaningful to investigate without knowing anything.
Anyhow…
“Hmm… I can’t find anything.” (Soma)
“Well, it is probably because we’re looking vaguely. It’s not easy to find it in the first place. Besides, it has already been a day. It won’t disappear because it’s something, but it’s fading. Moreover, it’s a fact that it can’t be explained by itself.” (Hildegard)
“That’s what it is, isn’t it?” (Soma)
He couldn’t find anything when he looked for it. It didn’t make any sense.
A Devil appeared at the place that was under God’s protection. As Hildegard said, the trace couldn’t disappear easily.
If there really was something like not being found…
“Oh my…? Aren’t you guys…” (I?????)
They turned toward the familiar voice. What was reflected in the field of view was a familiar figure, and it was undoubtedly Ingrid who had a surprised expression on her face.
But Soma wasn’t too surprised because he somehow felt that way. A person who drew conclusions by intuition rather than reasoning for clues that couldn’t be found. There was only one conclusion that could be drawn by combining the two facts.
That was…
“…I see, trouble is coming.” (Soma)
Some exhaled as he muttered.