Chapter 263: The Five of Us Headed to the Church to Register for Crito Participation

[A/N: I added Milestones Chapter. There you can see the milestones for bonus Chapters!]

Now then. In the afternoon we also took separate actions.

The common-sense slot members Esty-san and Dura-san would go with us to the heraldry official to register as participants.

The other children were mostly lounging around. Originally they lived a life of spending the afternoon idly, so even when coming to play somewhere far away they were still lounging. Rafilia-san and Letree-san would be able to look after them.

There were seventeen rodent girls in total, yet all of them were trying to sleep densely packed in one place. It was impressive that the three races had already become close without distinction.

Those on the outside kept moving toward the inside because they wanted to be sandwiched by companions and get warm. Those on the inside stayed motionless because they didn’t want to give up the warm positions.

As a result there was no large movement, but they were constantly slowly wriggling and squirming.

Even though it looked loose, it was a harsh trial in which the weak were pushed outside.

Koron.

Do your best, Raba...

The dog girls formed a ring surrounding the rodent girls. They were watching so that the rodent girls wouldn’t wander off somewhere.

The fairies were sitting on tree branches chatting. Several of them were lying on the rodent girls’ heads, enjoying the swaying.

I thought I couldn’t see the cat girls, but only their tails were hanging down from the roof of the bus carriage. They seemed to be napping on the roof.

From the roof the pasha pasha sound of water splashing could be heard, so Capybara-sama and Capybara-chan were probably bathing.

Rui seemed to be chatting with Rafilia-san, so perhaps she was being taught various things about this world. Mirai-chan was being held by Rafilia-san.

"I was also a saintess. Matching with Rafilia-san!"

I heard that voice, but Rui, you are a sex girl.

Rafilia-san is a real saintess who has even possessed a goddess. You’re different...

Now then. Because Lucia is with the stay-behind group, accidents or incidents probably won’t happen.

’Lucia. We’re heading out. Call us if anything happens.’

’Nn.’

I, Iria, Fullru, Duran, and Steisan departed fully equipped.

I equipped the golden armor, and Fullru wore the rusted armor.

Iria also put on armor. The first time I saw Iria’s armor, it was more fantasy-style than medieval European style. As expected it wasn’t bikini-shaped and covered her whole body. However, she still seemed to prioritize mobility, and thick clothing worn underneath was visible at the elbows and knees. Perhaps because the plate was thin the silhouette was slender.

The silver armor constructed in streamlined form looked white depending on the angle. It was elegant, as if her whole body were wrapped in a white lily dress.

I mounted Iferaski, Iria mounted Ranjou, Fullru mounted a horse made of wind, Duran mounted Kaka, and Steisan mounted Pipi.

Iria equipped a shield with a white hourglass crest drawn on a blue field, and the remaining four equipped wooden shields with the capybara crest.

From now on I would call myself Sahar, and Fullru, Duran, and Steisan would be set as knights serving Sahar. It’s a little complicated, but I am the only one who knows that Duran’s true identity is Dura-san.

Originally each of the five of us would be accompanied by several attendants who would carry spears and banners and take care of personal needs, but there were no such people.

Letree-san proposed "The numbers match perfectly, shall we serve as attendants?", but according to Iria "A knight’s attendants are knight apprentices. If it were Letree-san and the others it would look unnatural," so unfortunately I only accepted the sentiment.

On the way to the royal capital Fullru voiced the question "Isn’t it unnatural that we have no attendants?", and Iria answered with a self-mocking empty laugh, "You are my companions. It’s not strange even without attendants."

Ah, come to think of it, Iria is an exiled knight.

Let’s win the Crito and make everyone look back at us like in a web novel!

While thinking of a false name for Fullru, we headed south of the royal capital.

There was an arena south of the royal capital, and the cathedral of the Lyute Church closest to it was apparently being lent out as a workspace for the tournament executive committee. Knights who seemed to have the same purpose were occasionally heading in the same direction or returning the opposite way.

Eventually we arrived in front of the church.

The cathedral was far larger and more solemn than the Ralm Church that had been in Monvan. In later ages it would without a doubt become a World Heritage Site. Pure white stones were stacked high as if piercing the heavens.

When looking up from close by it was impossible to tell what the tip was like. Instead the gaze approached the sun so the eyes were dazzled, and naturally a feeling of reverence welled up.

Countless pillars were carved with sculptures of angels or saints, and on top of the pillars statues that looked like demons for warding off evil were lined up, looking down on the ground with sharp eyes.

"This is mainly directed at Masaharu, but the Duke Gish we are about to meet is an extremely fine person called ’the knight among knights.’ Be sure not to be rude."

"Ah. Understood."

I have no intention of getting friendly with men, so from here on I’ll leave it to Iria and stay quietly silent. I’ll only open my mouth when prompted to speak or when spoken to.

The gate was open, and a man stood on each side. Judging from their plain brown everyday clothes they were not clergy but national officials.

The man on the left directed his gaze at Iria’s shield.

"Lady Silver Flash Princess Iria Nawayoru, correct? Leave the horses in the garden in front of the cathedral and proceed ahead."

Ohh... The name got through via the crest.

As instructed we dismounted from the horses in the garden in front of the cathedral.

Fullru and Esty-san, unaccustomed to armor, lost their posture, but I, Iria, and Dura-san instantly reached out and supported them. By coincidence we ended up in a formation that looked like we were forming a circle.

"We are strong!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Damn. Even though it’s the second time no one joined in.

However.

"Pii!"

"Ka?"

"Pii!"

"Pii!"

Iferaski, Kaka, Pipi, and Ranjou cried out.

I was a little happy.

"Um. Masaharu-san. You said it earlier too, but what is that?"

"It’s a phrase for getting fired up that’s passed down in my and Rui’s country."

"Does that mean we also say it together? If you don’t explain it, it looks like Masaharu-san is suddenly talking to himself in a loud voice."

"I see. Then from next time everyone say it all at once. If you can’t say it it’s a punishment game of breast groping."

"Understood, but only Masaharu-san benefits, doesn’t he?"

"Understood. You really only come up with worthless ideas."

"Um. Understood."

"Understood. Even though it’s fine to touch anytime..."

"Alright. Then inside the cathedral—We are strong! Yes, everyone failed to say it! Punishment game!"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Even through the armor I can tell everyone is looking at me with cold eyes.

We parted from our beloved horses and entered the cathedral.