Episode 200 The Second Continental Summit (1)
"It's been a while, Saintess. But to personally welcome us like this, I'm honored."
"Hehehe, it's nothing. This is nothing compared to all the hardships you've endured."
Saintess Liesta, who smiled at Heinrich's awkward chuckle, turned to the other party members and spoke in a gentle voice.
"You've all worked hard. I've been hearing about your exploits, but it's reassuring to see you all safe and sound. Especially since I heard there was a big incident recently…"
She was talking about the battle against the White Giant in Geos's hometown.
The Church couldn't help but be sensitive to it, as they had detected the moment it emerged from the scar of the abyss.
"It was definitely difficult. Unlike before, I couldn't detect any premonition because it was a monster that crossed directly from the abyss. It must be because I'm still lacking."
"It's only natural that it's difficult for a human to fully comprehend God's will. But I believe that the fact that you were there at that time was also God's guidance."
One of the giants that had appeared so far had been killed after inflicting heavy casualties on the imperial army, and another one had appeared in the Rohan Duchy and then been chased back to the Northern Mountains by the Main God Church's elites.
But there was no way they could have stopped such a monster in Lesque Kingdom's barony, which was much weaker than the Empire.
They couldn't even imagine what kind of monster it would have become if the hero party hadn't been there, after devouring countless lives and despair.
…Of course, they still weren't sure if their encounter was truly a coincidence or if it was guided by something.
'I'm worried because we received a lot of help from Chehai, and I've grown attached to the children. And the orphanage near the giant was completely destroyed.'
Immediately after defeating the giant,
The hero party tried their best to clean up the mess, but reality wasn't that simple.
Isea had evacuated as many people as possible from the danger zone when the giant had invaded the village, but there were also many casualties before she could even react.
The villagers grieving the deaths of their loved ones, the injured groaning in pain from their wounds sustained during the evacuation, and those sitting in despair amidst their destroyed homes.
It was a complete disaster.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, the giant's body, its core removed, started to crumble rapidly and completely disappeared in a few hours, so they didn't have to deal with the aftermath of removing the hundreds of tons of waste that had occupied the village center.
Only the overwhelming traces of destruction remained.
The party was finally able to leave the village after taking various measures, such as healing the injured, after Geos actively stepped forward to support the village's reconstruction and even pressured Baron Regas, the lord of the land.
From the baron's perspective, there was no way he couldn't pay special attention when a high-ranking noble like a count offered to help with the restoration of his territory, which he had to take care of anyway.
"Ah! I've kept you for too long. You must be tired. I'll guide you to your lodgings."
"Come to think of it, you're right. Thank you for your consideration, Saintess."
They couldn't continue their conversation for long, as it was almost dinner time, so they agreed to talk again tomorrow and parted ways.
"Saint, Saintess. Then we'll be going. Let's go, Heron. To greet the princess."
"Yes! I understand, Master. Have a good night!"
Only two days remained until the start of the summit.
It was currently evening, so only one day was left after the night passed.
Naturally, all the participating countries had already arrived at the Roselia Cathedral, and the Azeria Empire, represented by Princess Riley, was no exception.
"Then I'll also…"
Geos also headed towards where the Lesque Kingdom's envoy was, after hearing that they wanted to meet him.
He didn't have any lingering attachment to the kingdom or his nobility, but it was true that it was convenient to have a title.
And he had to maintain his position as a noble of the kingdom to support Chehai and his family, who had experienced the recent disaster.
"Hahaha! I can finally taste the cathedral's food again! I'll be going before the dining hall closes!"
And after Harley also left with the guide, only Heinrich and Liesta were left, excluding their attendants who were at a distance.
"Then, Heinrich? Would you like to talk in my office for a moment? I just got some good tea, it has a wonderful aroma."
"Hmm, sure. But Liesta, are you sure you're okay? I've been wanting to say this, but you look very tired."
"…Hehehe, the summit is only two days away, how can I rest? I need to check everything multiple times to make sure there are no problems."
A dark shadow suddenly cast over her face, which had been smiling the entire time.
'Huh? So she's not just offering me tea…'
Just as he subtly stepped back, sensing something,
Grab—
Liesta, who had returned to her usual smiling face, grabbed his wrist.
"We finished the preparations with the help of others, but I'm still feeling uneasy because I have a lot to handle on my own this time. I'm so glad you're here, Heinrich!"
The Saintess's golden eyes gleamed.
Her grip tightened as if she wouldn't let go.
"There's not much time left, so we need to double-check everything, just in case… Especially since there's the Talia Kingdom issue this time, I think there might be some troublesome problems…"
It was true that Heinrich and the Saintess had divided the work during the first summit and discussed the parts that were difficult to decide on right away.
Of course, it was only possible thanks to the help of the working-level staff, including the cardinals.
They would probably take care of the lacking parts this time too…
"You'll… help me, right?"
But it seemed like this girl, with her excessive sense of responsibility, wasn't satisfied with just that.
"…Alright. I was planning to double-check the security anyway. It was my job originally."
How could he ignore those pleading golden eyes?
She had been subtly relying on Heinrich, who was in a similar position, since before, so it wasn't strange for her to act like this now.
'I've done this once before during the first summit, so it won't take long to check again.'
Her face brightened as he agreed, and she pulled his arm with a cheerful expression.
"Thank you! I knew you would say that, Heinrich! Come on, let's go! We have a lot to check! Especially this time, with the Talia Kingdom issue, I think there might be some difficult problems…"
Saintess Liesta dragged him to her office, firmly gripping his arm with both hands, as if escorting him.
'…It'll really be over soon, right?'
Judging by the situation, it seemed like he should ask for coffee instead of tea.
____________________
One day remained until the summit.
Even though the main meeting hadn't even begun yet, both the Church, the host, and the participating forces were busy.
After all, an opportunity to see the continent's major forces gathered in one place like this wasn't common, even though they were gathered because of a crisis.
The high-ranking officials from each field were busy day and night, gathering information through exchanges, reviewing their future plans, adjusting their strategies, and so on.
"Tsk— Smack."
But there was someone who was spending his time leisurely, seemingly unrelated to all that.
"No matter how much I eat these days, I get hungry quickly. Is it because of that?"
It was Harley, the barbarian warrior, who was strolling through the cathedral's hallways like a predator.
After having a juicy showdown with the chefs of the Third Central Dining Hall the previous evening to commemorate his return after a long time, he had been enjoying culinary delights since morning, visiting various dining halls in the cathedral, as if he was on a dojo-breaking spree.
It was possible because there were many dining halls, as it was a large place, and he was currently on his way to the training ground for post-meal exercise after a satisfying lunch at the First Central Dining Hall.
'My energy storage capacity has increased. Well, it can't be helped that "Gigantification" requires an enormous amount of energy.'
"Gigantification", which he had acquired after devouring the White Giant's core.
The skill, which had settled in Harley's body along with a massive amount of 'madness', was a straightforward ability that, as its name suggested, enlarged his body.
It was more efficient than forcibly enlarging his body with "Physical Transformation", but it still required a lot of energy to use.
'It also defies the law of conservation of mass. I can only reach about seven meters for now because my proficiency is lacking.'
That was the result of using it in the middle of the night after sneaking into the mountains out of curiosity about the skill.
And he had to hurriedly deactivate the skill and devour a late-night snack because of the rapidly rising hunger.
Of course, even seven meters was enough to look down on an Ogre, the king of the mountains, but it wasn't a satisfying size, considering his recent encounter with the White Giant.
'Well, I'll be able to grow even larger as my proficiency increases. But I didn't expect to run into Patrick there.'
He had reunited with Patrick, the secretary general of the Mercenary Guild, at the dining hall.
He was part of the same faction as Kanbul, the previous Mercenary King who had died in the Immortal King's attack, and he had approached Harley first, offering a deal.
To join forces with him and aim for the position of Mercenary King.
What he had asked for was one thing.
To build a reputation that any member of the Mercenary Guild would acknowledge, while he would take care of everything else.
'And things are going smoothly so far.'
He was currently active as a comrade of the hero, no less than the renowned first Mercenary King.
Unless he died in the process, his current situation was an achievement that any mercenary would acknowledge.
Perhaps because of that, even Patrick's expression was bright when they just met.
As if everything was going smoothly.
'But…'
And he had even shaken Harley's hand and formally greeted him before leaving.
Completely unaware of what Harley could do just from that.
'The difference between his muscle mass and his actual strength. It's not very common, is it?'
He couldn't be 100% sure, as it might be because of some special ability or magic tool he didn't know about, but it was practically certain at this point.
'There are many who have reached a high position. Well, come to think of it, it's not that strange.'
It was only natural, considering the special abilities they received from the beginning and the additional bonus that allowed them to grow rapidly.
The problem was that in most cases, they either dropped out before reaching a certain level or prioritized safety over growth.
'I wonder what kind of unique skill he has. He's switched to administration, so it's not a combat type? If he has a useful support ability like Andrew…'
And as Harley was walking briskly, thinking sinister thoughts—.
"Kkuk, kkuk— So you're Harley. I've seen you before, but this is my first time facing you directly."
A sudden unfamiliar voice called out to him.
"Huh? Old lady?"
An old woman with gray hair, wrinkles, and colorful tattoos all over her face.
She was slightly hunched over, holding a wooden staff with various ornaments hanging from it.
"Kkuk, kkuk, things haven't been going well for us lately. But I'm glad I can finally talk to you directly."
It was Morna, the high shaman and representative of the Calcos Tribal Federation, the origin of the "Calcos-style Combat Tattoos".
"So, can you spare a moment for this old woman?"
"What's the matter, old lady? I'm busy right now!"
He grumbled outwardly, but inwardly, he was quickly analyzing her.
Patrick, the secretary general of the Mercenary Guild, wasn't the only one who had recommended him for the expedition.
This old woman, the representative of the Tribal Federation, was also involved.
Even though he had never been there and had no connection to them.
'I was planning to approach the south soon. She came to me first?'
The coup that had occurred in the south and the representative of Calcos, who was now standing before him nonchalantly.
Could there be a trap…
"Are you interested in the 'Tattoo of the Fighting King'?"
…He decided it wouldn't hurt to at least hear her out.
He wouldn't lose anything from a brief conversation, and even if she was plotting something, he might be able to get additional information from her!
'I feel a sense of déjà vu.'
Patrick had also approached him like this at first.
First, the Mercenary King, and now the Tattoo of the Fighting King.
Those with ulterior motives were coming to him one after another, making sweet offers to entice him.
"Oh! I've heard of it! They say its effect is amazing!"
But Harley, a manly man, didn't care and took the bait.
With a bright smile that would make a timid person cower, baring his teeth.
'That's the ultimate goal of the tattoo tech tree, right?'
It was true that his tattoos hadn't been very noticeable lately because he had been using inhuman powers under the pretext of being a Dragonborn.
And he hadn't even fully mastered "Gigantification", which he had just acquired…
'But it's always good to have more abilities! This isn't an opportunity that comes easily.'
After all, human greed had no limits.