hidden1

At this distance you

can cleartly hear the

voices from the other

side of the wall...

[????]

...Was it really

necessary to involve

an outsider in this

situation? Answer me!

[High Priest Zhed]

Is this about the

accident? You know that

I've disagreed with the

actions that have led to

the mana leakage.

Even though I thought

it was a reckless decision,

I've closed the shrine and

did my best to cover up this

unfortunate accident.

I'm not blaming you. In

fact, I'll admit it: that was

our mistake. We caused

the monster infestation by

letting the mana leak.

But that's not related

to what I'm asking you!

Do you really think it's

alright to allow an outsider

to speak to our pope during

such a tumultuous time?!

Why not? I thought it'd

bring her great comfort.

She is very confused as to

why the Holy Ground has been

closed, and she cannot know

what is happening there.

Again... I strongly

disagree with what is

secretly going on over

there. I know that I can't

officially oppose this

course of action, but...

There's nothing to worry

about! It'll all be over before

you know it. Besides, it's

too late to turn back now,

so I warn you: don't you

dare do anything foolish.

Someone's coming!

You'd better step away

from the wall and feign

ignorance as best you can!

[High Priestess Niren]

Oh! You must be the one

High Priest Be- er, Zhed,

told me about. It's very nice

to meet you. High Priestess

Niren, at your service.

I hear that you had the

privilege of speaking with

our pope, and that she had

a wonderful time. What did

you think of her, hm?

Ah, I know what you mean...

Usually, most outsiders tell

me that they expect our pope

to be a wizened old man.

But that's not the case

here in Arunafeltz.

Usually, our pope is chosen

by her resemblance to our

goddess Freya. She must

have silvery blond hair, snowy

skin, and divinely colored

eyes. You saw, didn't you?

I'm curious: what kinds

of things did you and the

pope talk about? As you know,

we priests are forbidden from

leaving Arunafeltz, so...

You relate the details of

your talk with the pope, but

you make sure not to mention

anything about the Holy Ground

as High Priest Zhed had asked.

Ah, that's fairly

interesting, your land.

Tell me, how did you come

to know Bekento, er, I mean,

High Priest Zhed?

[

(Bekento?)

.........................

That's all? Hm? That's

pretty funny. *Sigh* I believe

he trusts people too much...

But that's only my opinion.

If you don't mind...

I want to give you a bit of

advice. Don't get too close

to High Priest Zhed. If you

do, you might end up getting

yourself in trouble.

High Priestess Niren left

as soon as she said those words.

What could she possibly mean?

For now, you may as well

talk to High Priest Zhed.