Chapter 139: The Holy Land Brahham (2)
Under the blazing sun, in the desert,
Shiron and Lucia walked, surrounded by individuals wrapped in black cloth as if they were being besieged.
At first glance, it appeared as though they were escorting criminals who had committed some nefarious deed, but such measures seemed excessive for those who hadnt actually done anything wrong.
However, Shiron accepted the situation positively.
Its fortunate that unnecessary friction hasnt arisen.
Shiron recalled an incident that happened just a few minutes ago.
The Templars, cloaked in black cloth, [Guardians of Brahham].
From the initial encounter, the atmosphere was anything but friendly. It was natural for the guardians protecting the holy site to be wary of unidentified strangers.
Recalling this common sense, Shiron understood their circumstances and, wanting to move freely within Brahham, hoped to smoothly overcome any friction with them.
So I even added that were pilgrims, which seemed like the most plausible reason for entering the holy site
Upon hearing this, their leader offered to escort them to the holy site.
Lucia, being present, deemed their kindness unnecessary, but Shiron didnt reject their offer.
He judged that their escort wasnt just about protecting pilgrims from outside dangers.
Lucia shared Shirons sentiments.
Are they really escorting us?
Though they were being led towards the distant white city walls, not seeming to take them to an undesired location, Lucia couldnt help but be wary of the suspicious individuals encircling them at a distance of ten to twenty steps.
Suspicious
Lucia, highly alert, scrutinized the individuals wrapped in black cloth. Around the waists of the [Guardians of Brahham] surrounding them, there were invariably valuable weapons that had been enchanted.
Even the Sky Knights, the empires most prestigious knightly order, from veterans to new recruits, wielded enchanted weapons. However, the aura of prosperity emanating from them wasnt solely due to their weapons.
Perhaps because of their activities under the desert sun, the [Guardians of Brahham] were draped in black cloth, though their hands and feet were inevitably exposed.
Aside from the clinking armor hidden beneath the black cloth, a glance at their shoes or gloves made it clear they were likely enchanted, no less than their weapons.
Proof of this was unlike Shiron and Lucia, who left footprints in the sand, these individuals left no trace of their passage.
Could it be lightweight magic, or perhaps a mild levitation spell?
Lucia, quickly assessing the strength of their enemies, stayed close to Shirons side. She was on high alert, ready for combat at any moment, firmly resolving not to repeat the mistakes made during their time in the Alhyeon Room.
Unknown lands were generally dangerous.
Even the empire, renowned across the continent for its law and order, advised caution in sparsely populated areas. The desolate desert made it all too easy to kill unsuspecting visitors and rob them.
The desert, nearly deadly from the heat, was precisely where Shiron had openly sought help. It was certain a challenging crisis would arise.
Sure enough.
Look at this.
The circle of [Guardians of Brahham] surrounding Shiron and Lucia began to widen. The concentric circle, which was twenty steps across just a moment ago, doubled in size.
As Shiron stepped forward to bow and enter, he had remained quiet, but as their vigilance increased, he found himself increasingly wanting to reach for the sword at his waist.
At that moment
Just as Lucias hand was about to reach for her scabbard,
Thump- Shirons hand gently patted Lucias back.
Theres no need to be tense.
Theyre just doing their job.
Their job? To monitor us so they can attack at any moment?
No.
Lucia whispered, while Shiron spoke loudly, deliberately ensuring that the surrounding individuals could hear him.
Did they understand Shirons Imperial language? One of the individuals encircling them turned to look back at Shiron. In response, Shiron waved with a friendly-looking face.
If you know their intention, its a factor that can be easily overlooked.
What are they intending?
Im not exactly sure myself, but considering they havent attacked us first, maybe theyre trying to provoke us on purpose to see if were truly dangerous before we enter the city?
In Reincarnation of the Sword Saint, the Guardians of Brahham were known to not react unless attacked first.
Shiron responded with a smile to the greyish-blue eyes peeking out from between the black cloths.
[The Lions Eye]
A trait that occasionally appeared in those born and raised in Brahham, it enables one to objectively assess anothers strength at a glance.
Perhaps their continued focus on Lucia was for that reason. Whether they understood Shirons Imperial language and his gentle expression as intended, the guard seemed to lose interest and looked forward again.
In the country of Daviard, where most of the territory was desert, Brahham, even though its not the capital, presented a spectacle that rivaled one.
Lucia gazed at the sight with squinted eyes.
Wow
The endlessly stretching white city walls along the horizon made one wonder how the materials were procured.
As soon as they passed the checkpoint, the bustling crowd made one doubt how such a population could exist in a desert where food was scarce.
Dont just stand there; come on in.
A deep, robust voice.
It wasnt Shirons.
My apologies. The sight is just so magnificent.
Shiron, leading Lucia by the hand, responded to the man who introduced himself as Raihan, an envoy from the Daviard-Rien foreign embassy.
I knew the holy site was impressive from what Ive heard, but I didnt expect such a vibrant metropolis.
Is that so?
Yes. I guess I havent seen much besides Lucerne and Rien. Observing the diversity of this foreign land makes my heart flutter like a child.
Thats good to hear.
Raihan coughed awkwardly at the blatant praise for his homeland.
There must be a lot more pilgrims visiting the holy site than I imagined?
Well Yes. Every year, more than sixty thousand pilgrims visit Brahham. Since pilgrimage is not an easy task, most visitors dont hesitate to spend money.
They must make a lot of donations too?
Shiron continued to ask questions to increase his favorability with Raihan, who seemed to be pleased with him, as he began to speak more freely.
Yes. Brahham is the holy site where the great hero Kyries tomb is located. For that reason, even individuals from the longevity race, carrying memories from 500 years ago, bring their lifes fortune as offerings. With such evidence, believers of the right god also generously make their donations.
I see
Lucia muttered blankly, looking towards the golden spire in the citys center.
My tomb.
Lucia wore a reflective expression.
Just before her death.
She had fallen in the middle of a vast plain. She hadnt known it was the place of her death until hearing Raihan and Shirons conversation.
But as she saw, 500 years were apparently enough to turn a vast plain into a barren desert.
Yet, there were still those who remembered Kyries name. Whether her body was interred in that tomb or not, she hadnt checked, but the fact that people remembered and honored her footsteps filled Lucia with a mix of pride and overwhelming emotion.
Following Shiron seemed like the right choice. Had it not been for him, she might never have known such a place existed.
As she indulged in her fluffy feelings, Lucia felt the hand holding hers squeeze tighter. Shiron, considering what Lucia might feel looking at the spire, asked Raihan,
Are there any specific conditions for entering the tomb? Like, can one not enter if they dont believe in the right god, or is there an entrance fee?
Of course.
Raihan stroked his thick beard, looking at Shiron.
One must certainly be a believer of the right god and not of any malicious deity. And, naturally, there is an entrance fee.
How much?
Lucia asked with narrowed eyes. Her emotions had been stirred by the talk, but the mention of an entrance fee abruptly quenched her sentimentality.
Surely youre not overcharging visitors? Since its a tomb managed by followers of the right god, you wouldnt engage in such dishonest acts, right?
If theyre using my name and remains just as a means to make money
Lucia fiddled with the handle of Sirius, her mouth pressed in a firm line, hoping for Raihan to respond with integrity until he spoke.
Of course. There is an entrance fee, but its meant to deter vagrants. Wealth doesnt matter when honoring a hero. It would be around 100 shillings in Riens currency.
100 shillings is
Lucia calculated the value of 100 shillings.
It felt expensive for a mere entrance fee, but Lucia had been accustomed to nobility for too long.
Isnt that the price of a single candy?
Hmm That seems reasonable.
Lucia smiled with her eyes and nodded. 100 shillings was not a small amount, enough to buy two bowls of stew filled with meat, but also it was the price of the lemon candy that Siriel had enjoyed since childhood.
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