Traveler

We're about 20 minutes away from Augustine, Miss Beam.

Oh! No less from you! You really know the roads around here!

You praise me too much, Beam. I'm just familiar with this route. Ah, but that's the past now...

Since the riots, the country is in chaos. Augustine is even more chaotic because it's the center of the storm. I really don't dare to take jobs there anymore.

I'm so sorry... I asked you to take me there in this situation...

I won't do it for anyone else, but for the sake of our family's favorite star, little Beam, I'll gladly do it!

Heehee! It was the right decision to ask for your help! You're taking me there and also telling me about what happened here!

(The sudden appearance of a new religion, Vivi's attacks on civilians, and the pope's movements are unknown... It is already very impressive that ordinary residents of the Empire understand the situation to this degree.)

Oh, this little thing doesn't even have to be mentioned. But, Beam, why do you want to go to Augustine when tensions are so high?

Well... because I have to? You see, it is, after all, my hometown.

He should have left after my repeated urging. I'll send his daughter a gift bag next time!

Okay... Now the question is, where do I go first? To Audrey or Levia? Hm, I can also go back to the abbey and see the kids...

, You children of the devil! Sons of heathens! Why have you come to our territory?!

I, I... Sorry... I got separated from my mother... I-I will leave right now!

Separated? The words of the infidels cannot be believed! You have brought disaster to the land of the gods! None of you are innocent!

Ah... I see! You are lying, aren't you? You're disguised as a child, but you're actually a spy of the God Eaters, aren't you?

No, no... I really... really just...

Shut your mouth! I'll prove my loyalty with your blood!

, Stop. I don't know what the situation is, hitting a child is an atrocity that even the gods won't allow.

Hah! Who are you?! Seeing as how you're dressed, you're a foreigner, aren't you? Don't get involved in the internal problems of our great Augustine Empire!

It seems the situation is more serious than what Uncle told me. (The rivalry between the Church of Augustus and the God Eaters, and the people caught in the middle... Sigh, what a headache.)

D-Damn it! I'll let you go today! One day, my Lord's judgment will come upon you heretics, and those who help them!

Are you okay? The bad guys have been chased away by me, big sister Beam!

Um... Thank you, Sister Beam.

Hehe, you're welcome! Okay, first, can you tell me what problems you're facing right now?

Oops, I accidentally got hurt. Can't let any little girl see this...

Hello, sir over there, can you help me with the wound?

Thank you. The wound won't be seen this way.

Here's a front-row ticket to my concert. Please take it!

Stop! Who goes there?! This is an area for the Calamity refugees! State your purpose!

So, this is the place? Great! I almost thought I was in the wrong place because the layout of the building has changed.

... Why are you asking?

Sorry, sorry, I'll get back on topic. This child should be a resident of this place. It seems she got separated from her mother and accidentally went to the precinct of the Church of Augustus.

Can you let me take her in and walk with her to find her parents?

Well... even if you say so, I don't know this child... And you're an unfamiliar face too...

Little girl, have you ever seen this big guy guarding the entrance to the street before?

Yes, I've seen him a few times when my mom was dragging me through the line to be checked.

That what she said, hm? Don't worry, I won't stay long either. I'll return the child to her parents and I'll leave, okay?

...Okay. I will let you pass after you register your name and fingerprints.

We are in the residential area, I think. Little girl, do you recognize the path to your home?

I think I should turn left here... no, a right turn, and then straight ahead for 300 meters... or 500?

...Better leave it to me.

How much, boss?

...I don't know you. Pick your own fruit. If you want to buy it, the electronic scale is over there.

500 for one piece of ordinary intel, right? Is the price still the same? The last time I bought information was 4 years ago, so correct me if I'm wrong.

... If it's about the movements of the Church, God Eaters, or the noble faction, it's 5,000 a pop. We're in times like these after all.

I'm interested in what you mentioned too, but what I want to get from you now is something else. Little girl, can you come over to me?

Huh? This child...

You know her! That's great, I'm looking for her parents. She got separated from them. Her home address information is fine too.

...There is no need to give me the fee this time. But I can only tell you the approximate location of where she lives.

Huh?

Her parents are my regular customers... Intelligence officers of the God Eaters. What I have is only the general area of where they live.

...It wouldn't happen to be in the area under the control of the God Eaters, would it?

That's correct. Anyway, just be a good person and send this little girl there. I believe they won't make things too difficult for you.

Oh my... It's turning into an even more complicated situation again.

Who are you?! This is the territory of the God Eaters! Uninvolved persons are asked to leave quickly!

Calm down! I'm not one of you, but I'm not a bad guy either. I'm here to bring this kid...

Wait. You! Why do you smell like the Church of Augustus gang? That child... did you take her away from us?!

(Ugh... I didn't think that there would still be traces of the magic used during the previous battle. This is bad.) Wait, I'm not an abductor like you think I am...

I'm not going to believe the claims of underlings of the Church of Augustus!

Geez, why are all the God Eaters people such blockheads? They didn't even give me the chance to explain the situation... This style couldn't have been that person's influence, could it?

That person? ...You're not referring to me, are you? I received a report of an invasion of a ''Church of Augustus member'' and came to take a look. I didn't expect it to be you.

... It's been a long time. You're still as straightforward as ever, Gryph.

Mm, indeed. Long time no see.

...I see. This child's parents are our people. Understood, we will inform her family.

Thank you, big sister Beam! Please come and play at our house when you're free!

I'll definitely come visit you again when I have the chance!

...So, why did it turn out like this?

How is it?

Why did you and Guinevere leave the Church? Why did you establish the God Eaters? Why the head-on conflict with the Church of Augustus?

I have an unending list of questions. But what I want to know most of all is... Why the Empire? My home has become such a mess.

Because... times are moving on and everything is changing. Since you left the Empire six years ago, many irreparable things have happened.

Is there no way to return things to the way they were? There is always a point of compromise, right? You can let me be the go-between too, it'll be okay. Let's all sit down and talk...

, Beam. You've missed too much already. We, and they, are long removed from what they once were.

Your friend Gryph doesn't exist anymore, and the one standing in front of you is the second-in-command of the God Eaters. For the safety of the territory, I will have to ask you to leave.

Is this what Guinevere means to accomplish? We're not even allowed to see each other?

I will pass on your regards to her, the chief missionary of the Church of Augustus, Cardinal Beam. You should be reporting back to Levia, right?

As long as you are in the Church, I will be your sworn enemy. The next time we meet, I hope it will not be on the battlefield.

Has she gone? ...Well, let's get rid of the bindings around you first.

I hope we don't encounter something like this again on the way to the Church... The missionary identity is really troublesome.

(Traces of the battle still remain around the cathedral... It seems the conflict between the Church of Augustus and the God Eaters is more intense than I thought.)

Another lost lamb? We just so happen to need more men. You have come just in time.

Unfortunately, I am no ordinary citizen. Do you recognize this token?

, The papal seal?! F-Forgive me!

No need to be so nervous. It's been a long time since I've been back here. You said you need manpower? What problem did you encounter?

Yes! We have some problems with our defense at the boundaries, and we need someone to help adjust the corresponding positions.

I see. Leave it to me then.

No, no, how can someone of your noble status do such lowly work?

Watch your words. There is no distinction between noble and lowly work. Besides, it is more efficient to leave this kind of work to someone who has magical knowledge.

I've got my chores out of the way. Time to go see other old friends... But I have a bad feeling.

Stop! This is the private area of Her Holiness the Pope, no one is allowed in!

This is the seal of identity issued to me by the pope. I am Beam, a direct missionary by order of the Pope, and I have something important to discuss with her.

Even so, no one is allowed to have an audience now. This is by order of Her Holiness.

...Okay, but if the pope asks, tell her I was here.

(...What in the world is going on?! This tense atmosphere within the Church, and the Levia's own reluctance to receive an audience, even internally...)

(At this point, I can't wait for the opportunity to understand the situation anymore. I'll ask my old friend about it while the Church hasn't noticed me yet.)

Senko, are you there?

Beam? Even you are back?

How can I still go around leisurely when so much has happened in my own hometown.

You were a participant in that event, right? What happened in the sealed boundary? What about that news about Vivi going on a rampage?

Sorry, even if it's you... I am reluctant to discuss it.

...Others are not willing to tell the truth, and I understand, but why you too, Senko? Weren't you the closest person to Vivi? Why...

Enough! Don't make me recall it!

W-Wait! I didn't mean to upset you!

I detected a powerful crystal fluctuation... was it caused by the two of you?

(Oh no, our fight just now seems to have attracted the people on patrol!)

Miss Senko... Huh? And Beam?

It's been a long time, Vivi. Sorry, but this doesn't seem to be the right time for pleasantries.

Miss Senko? Why are you... fighting with Miss Beam?

...It's all my fault. Sorry, I will go to the abbey to reflect on my shortcomings and make a confession. Please allow me to excuse myself.

, Miss Senko! I, we, must we continue to ignore each other like this?

...Please, I simply am too ashamed to talk to you. Give me some more time.

... It seems the truth is more complicated than I could have imagined. Something happened between Senko and you, right?

Well... it's a long story. Anyway, before I explain everything to you, let me say this on behalf of the Church.

Welcome back, Priest Beam.

Levia... She actually did something so outrageous to you?! If I had known, I would not have accepted her assignment!

There is no point in pursuing blame now. I just want to bring back stability to everyone in the Empire, but...

Since that day, Her Holiness and everyone in the God Eaters has tightened the control of information, and I can only grasp the situation through some methods.

...Ah, an intelligence broker? But the civilian side seems to lean more towards the power of the God Eaters.

About that...

, Your Holiness! There is an urgent matter that needs your help!

Is there an emergency?

T-The residents of the civilian area had a verbal altercation with our clergy, and that led to a conflict. The people there told me it looks like innocent people have been injured!

I see. The medical priests and myself are needed. I'll gather them now and go straight to the location.

There is room for delay when it comes to saving lives... Miss Beam, could you please go to the storehouse to pick up some medical supplies instead of me?

Of course, let me handle this little thing. But after this matter is resolved, I want you to keep telling me more inside info!

Thank you... You still look like the helpful Beam I remember.

Share some manpower with me! I'll come when I'm all prepared!

Who are you? The Retribution Army, the Pope's direct troops, are on official business. Please do not approach.

I told you... I am Vivi, the Holy Lady. I am here to lend healing assistance! I can already see that someone is injured over there!

We didn't call for support. Moreover, I will not let you pass without a direct order from Her Holiness the pope.

The wounded are not from the Church... Did you strike defenseless civilians?!

Those sinners are the enemies of our people. They support the God Eaters.

, I am accompanying Her Holiness the Holy Lady, the direct missionary of Her Holiness the pope, Beam! Stop what you are doing immediately! Cease striking at civilians!

Neither you nor Her Holiness the Holy Lady has the authority to give us orders.

Ugh, !

, So this is how things are. I was really angry from the time I came back.

M-Miss Beam?

Every single one of you said you would make changes and then you're not willing to let me know why these changes are happening... It seems I can't keep playing by your rules anymore.

Perfect timing! I'll let out my frustrations on you guys!

You are betraying the Church and the pope by doing this!

, The first to betray my expectations are you people, right? Stay right here.

Vivi, let's hurry up and treat the wounded civilians.

Thank you for your help, Miss Beam. Everyone was treated in time and left this place.

That's good... I was worried about wasting time on those Retribution Army guys.

But... how is this going to end now? We probably have no excuse to escape blame after we lashed out at Her Holiness' men...

The only one who fought was me. If they want to hold someone accountable, it will be me.

What? But...

I have a feeling that Levia and Guinevere don't care about our fellow countrymen anymore. The only person who can improve it in the Church at the moment is you.

...What about you?

I'm planning on leaving again in the near future. This time, I am not a ''missionary working under the pope,'' but a traveler seeking a solution to the plight of the Church.

See, since we can't find allies at home, there may be people outside who agree with our view. I believe that you can save our fellow countrymen.

I understand... Miss Beam, remember what I said about the ''methods''? The location of this method can be your first target.

Oh? Interesting... Beam's traveler blood is heating up in anticipation. What's the place?

It's where my friend is. It's also powerful help that can definitely break the stalemate, Teslovik.

...Ah, are you a member of the band of thieves terrorizing the surrounding area, as the residents say?

What? Who are you? I don't need you to be all up in my business!

That tone of voice, nine times out of ten, huh... Anyway, I'll fix your attitude.

Spit out the location of your accomplice, or you will be punished worse.

Eek! I-I'll tell you!

Hm... It's probably you, huh? The other gang member.

What?! Woman, are you not afraid of death? How dare to get involved in our business?!

I'm curious. Which course did you attend to acquire your out-of-date gangster posturing?

Y-You dare laugh at me?! Damn it!

Damn it! If my boss were here...

Good, connect and send the next target function. It's been perfectly reproduced. Then, ''please'' take me to your boss.

Boss! Help!

Wow... You look like you got blown away by the wind when you begged for mercy. So, you are the boss of the band of bandits?

You were able to defeat two of our three brothers. You are a respectable opponent. Very well, I am none other than their big brother.

Oh? So you ARE able to communicate. Then I'll give you a chance. Surrender now, and you won't have to suffer any pain.

Hmph, we are gentlemen who respect women, and we are by no means cowards. While walking on this thorny path, we surrendered our shame.

Another battle? So be it. I'll just consider it extra exercise.

Then, the boss of the underwear thieves, join us!

So it's a lingerie thief! Even more classless than I'd thought!