Sir Hero, It’s Time to Train!

The large mountain range dividing the eastern and western continents had a profound impact on the residents’ living conditions.

However, there were few superhumans who could freely cross this vast mountain range.

As a result, ordinary people typically circumvented using roads that led to the south or north or traveled mainly by sea.

This led to the development of maritime trade between the eastern and western continents.

Growing with this maritime trade was the western continent’s Rondel Kingdom. Its docks were always bustling with numerous ships.

A man and a woman, who had just disembarked from one of these ships, found themselves slightly amazed by the atmosphere of the port, so different from their hometowns.

Soon they regained their composure and blended into the crowd.

As they quietly walked among the throng, the young man, Ail, cautiously asked the woman walking beside him.

“Lady Rachel, is it really alright not to go to the place the Order investigated?”

In response to Ail’s question, Rachel nodded slightly.

“Yes, it is not that place.”

“But didn’t the saintess initially designate the Rangar region of the Rondel Kingdom?”

The investigation into why the Latima’s Chalice had broken was conducted in top secrecy.

Although the appearance of a new cup along with a revelation from the Goddess was fortunate, it was too much to announce it to the laypeople.

If the newly appeared Latima’s Chalice was seized by a hostile faction or another order, it could shake the very roots of the Latima Order, making it a significant issue.

Thus, the upper echelons of the Latima Order carefully conducted an investigation, with the cardinal and some high-ranking priests examining the distinct holy energy of the Latima Order that had appeared across the continent.

What they discovered was the Rangar region in the Rondel Kingdom, where the holy energy was detected.

For the Latima Order, which mainly operated in the eastern continent, detecting such a powerful holy energy, akin to that of the saintess, in the western continent could only mean one thing.

They had found the holy relic of the Latima Order, the “Latima’s Chalice”.

While they were preparing an investigation team based on this discovery, Rachel decided to travel with only a single escort, arguing that a larger entourage might burden those they sought to find.

Of course, the significance of that one escort was enormous because it was Ail, the foremost holy knight of the Latima Order.

Nevertheless, Ail could not help but feel uneasy.

He was concerned as Rachel insisted on staying in Rondia rather than heading to the Rangar region, and he was not in a position to refuse.

Understanding Ail’s uneasy feelings, Rachel smiled and said, “Do not worry. The Goddess has told me that He will soon arrive at this place.”

“Coming here?”

Ail’s expression became peculiar as he processed the statement. Although it sounded like a vague prophecy, it was an absolute command that Ail could not ignore.

Since Rachel, who had direct communication with the deity, had spoken, doubting her would equate to doubting the deity itself.

Unlike hearing it from a high priest, which might have been questionable.

“Then should we just wait here for now?”

“Yes, it won’t take long.”

“So, we don’t need to search?”

“It will naturally connect. There’s no need to rush.”

“I will comply.”

With Rachel’s insistence, Ail couldn’t help but follow.

“In that case, since we are in Rondia, should we visit the Aries Order?”

Traditionally, the Rondel Kingdom held the Aries Order, based on the Goddess of Beauty, Aries, as the state religion.

The state effectively utilized the order for governance, while the order grew by leveraging state support, forming a mutually beneficial relationship.

“Courtesy dictates that we should pay respects, but…”

Unlike the Aries Order, the Latima Order was an independent and autonomous entity, not bound by the state.

Consequently, there existed a small city, known as the Holy City, which concentrated the grand temple and various facilities of the Latima Order.

Moreover, since the holy city of the Latima Order was located at the eastern end of the continent, it was practically worlds apart from Rondia, located at the western end of the continent.

Should the saintess of the Latima Order unexpectedly appear in Rondia and visit the grand temple of the Aries Order without pre-arrangement, it would undoubtedly raise suspicions.

Moreover, visiting the Aries Order would draw attention when they needed to carry out their plans secretly.

“Lady Rachel, frankly, I’m a bit concerned.”

“I understand your concern well, Ail. That’s why I’ve devised a little plan. Can you assist me?”

“Pardon? What sort of plan?”

Ail flinched at Rachel, who gave him a mysterious smile.

“Could you lend me your ear for a moment? It’s a message from Lady Latima for Ail.”

“In truth, it’s just Lady Rachel’s words.”

Ail was bewildered by the outrageous request. Seeing Ail not consenting to the idea, Rachel’s lips pouted.

With a deep sigh, Ail stepped closer to Rachel and lowered his head.

Since he was significantly taller than her, he had to bow his head to offer his ear as she requested.

Upon seeing Ail obliging her whims, Rachel gave a bright smile, carefully glanced around, and whispered into his ear.

“I overheard something on the ship; it seems this time the Aries Order is…”

As the words continued, Ail’s expression changed several times.

Watching Ail step back, Rachel placed her hands on her hips, exuding confidence.

“… Are you telling me to go and do that now?”

“You must.”

“May I ask why?”

“It is also the will of the Goddess.”

“….”

Ail couldn’t help but be dumbfounded at the saintess who so casually invoked the deity’s name.

“Furthermore, it’s an opportunity to spread the name of the Latima Order in the east. It is also a form of missionary work.”

Indeed, her point wasn’t incorrect.

If her plan were to succeed, it would be a tremendous opportunity to publicize the Latima Order in this region, or at least within the Rondel Kingdom.

However, with this, there was still one small problem.

“Will the Aries Order allow it?”

“They will.”

“I’m uncertain what gives you such assurance.”

“Well…”

Rachel smirked and declared, “Religious orders are simpler and more prideful than you might think.”

Ail couldn’t quite rebuff her. While regular worshippers might not know, high-ranking officials often held a strong rivalry with other denominations.

Especially with other sects that had similar doctrines or believed in similar deities.

Both the Goddess of Beauty, Aries, and the Goddess of Flowers and Nature, Latima, shared many overlaps.

Both were goddesses, and both pursued beauty.

While the Aries Order pursued ‘crafted beauty’, the Latima Order sought ‘natural beauty’.

Despite being on opposite ends of the eastern and western continents, they often clashed at grand gatherings, such as the once-every-three-years unification of all religious orders on the continent.

It was often problematic when seated closely amongst other sects since they caused disruptions.

“The issue is, should I step forward, they might produce someone similar—or possibly someone superior.”

“It is fine. You’re young, Ail. Youth is a great advantage. Also, that youth has its restrictions, meaning it won’t be a problem.”

“Sigh…”

Indeed, he was young.

If Rachel took up the role of the saintess at fifteen, Ail became the foremost knight of the Latima Order at twenty-two.

He was reputed never to have met a match in his twenties throughout the eastern continent.

Thus, this youth was a weapon… if there were an ‘age restriction’, he was confident in facing anyone here.

Even so, it remained a concern.

‘Meeting the destined individuals might work, but can we really proceed with this?’

Rachel’s words, endowed with the oracle of the Latima goddess, bore no falsehood, giving them confidence that they would meet those they were seeking.

Yet, the issue was what came next. In truth, not visiting the Aries Order would be the best option, but it was absolutely against etiquette.

This encounter was, in many ways, an exchange between religious orders, and ignoring customary decorum would not only tarnish the dignity of the order but invoke the disfavor of the deity.

For a believer, demonstrating courtesy to not just their own God, but toward other deities was imperative.

“Phew. Understood. I will proceed as advised.”

Coming to terms with the inevitable, Ail reluctantly nodded in agreement.

“Ail, I’m confident, will surely humble the Aries Order.”

“Hold on, lady Rachel. We’re not here to confront the Aries Order. We’re here to find someone…”

“Well then, let’s go. The Aries Order will take care of our lodging.”

As Rachel tugged his arm and led the way, Ail found himself sighing repeatedly.

It was as if they were out for a leisurely outing rather than a mission to find someone.