Chapter 2 – The Inn
In an instant, the church was full of hustle and bustle, with the church officials running around in a frenzy. It’s hard to describe how it felt to realize all of this was because of Lynn.
We were led into one of the church’s side rooms. Well, Lynn was led there, we were just along for the ride. Some of the church’s knights were there as guards, but they didn’t talk to us. I knew Lynn could handle this, but just like anyone else, she felt nervous about the whole situation.
I held her trembling hand tightly.
“R-Relius… Wh-what should I do? I… what’s gonna happen now?”
“There’s a chance that… you’ll have to take the path of a Knight or adventurer…”
It was all I could think of after she got that blessing. She got abilities that would make her instantly famous, enough to get an invitation from the Knight’s school. To be specific, that invitation was certain.
Alternatively, she could make money as an adventurer, but… Lynn was originally going to succeed the inn. I couldn’t have imagined this kind of development.
“I… I don’t want to do either. I’m afraid of ― of fighting.”
I’d like you to switch it with me if can, but that’s not possible. I envy her blessing, even if she doesn’t feel the same way about it. I didn’t know what to say anymore.
After a while, the door opened. Someone dressed in a grand costume showed up, out of breath.
“I… I am the Bishop who manages this church… You’re Miss Lynn, right? The Hero who received the favor of God?”
The Bishop was more excited than I would have expected. He stood in front of Lynn and stared at her while still breathing hard.
“U-uh, uhh, y-yes, but…”
“Great! This has already been reported to the nation! If you’re talented as we imagine, you can definitely protect the church as a Hero, and the nation itself from the Monsters of the Evil Gods. Let’s go! ”
“W-wait… I mean, I―”
All her life, Lynn had never experienced fighting a monster. That’s why I was frightened at the proposition. The Bishop gave her an odd look, noticing she wasn’t nearly as happy as he was.
“Why do you look so sad?”
“Do I really have to fight as a Hero?”
The Bishop raised his eyebrows at Lynn’s words
“Of course you do. God decided you have that talent, and gave you that occupation and Treasure.”
“B-but I’m just a normal person―”
“This occupation and Divine Treasure given by God determine your role in this world. Fulfilling that role is how you show gratitude to God for giving you this power. You have been appointed as a Hero, so you need to live up to it by fighting against the monsters that appear all over the world!”
The Bishop was as excited as Lynn was frightened. Unlike those who were grateful to God on a regular basis, we weren’t all that religious, so our worldviews would differ in that regard. I raised my hand with a modest objection to the Bishop.
“I’m sorry, Lynn is still very overwhelmed by this. Why don’t you give her some time to think about her future? We live in Migratory Bird Inn, so… can you accept her reply later?”
The bishop finally seemed to have noticed I was there.
“Is that so… N-no, I’m sorry. Certainly, it’s better to consult your parents first. Migratory Bird Inn, is it? I understand. See you later, then… Oh, before you go, can I have something?”
The Bishop relaxed with a warm smile, which Lynn returned.
“W-what is it?”
“May I have your autograph, Miss Lynn?”
The Bishop’s eyes were shining.
◆ ◆ ◆
After giving him her autograph (something Lynn definitely wasn’t used to), we left the church. We were walking side by side in the street, but the city’s atmosphere had completely changed.
“Hey guys, it looks like the Hero has come out!”
“Yeah, Excalibur was once used by the famous Knight leader, Sir Arthur!”
As we walked through the city streets, everyone was already talking about Lynn. Every time she heard them mention her, she looked at the ground, frightened.
“Wh-what should I do, Relius?”
“I’m trying to think… but I’m not really sure what we’re supposed to do, either.”
I was being honest, I had absolutely no idea. At any rate, I figured it was best we got out of there, so we went home quickly. When we got there, Lynn’s parents noticed us. There were already many adventurers in the cafeteria on the first floor.
“Oh, you two are back. You’re late… Hmm? Lynn? Did something happen?”
Lynn’s father, who was standing in the kitchen, looked at her with concern.
“Dad.”
“Lynn? Sorry, give me a moment.”
He came back after speaking to the other chef.
“It’s hard to talk about it here.”
Her father nodded and looked at the stairs. Our room was actually one of the inn’s rooms, on the second floor. We went there, but Lynn was still gripping my hand tightly from anxiety. Her father could easily tell she was terrified.
“What happened, Relius?”
“Well, it’s like this…”
I told him everything that happened in the church. When I mentioned her Divine Treasure and occupation, his expression became grim.