NOVPUBLeader.
Boss.
Elga von Leones was fully aware of the weight behind that role.
To bring together and govern people raised in vastly different environments with differing perspectives, a leader was essential.
Look at any group of animals, and there will always be one that leads.
In that sense, Elga was the boss now.
“So, we need to decide where we’re going for our honeymoon. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip, after all, so let’s each share our suggestions.”
It was a slightly drowsy tea time, following lunch.
Elga intentionally brought up a complicated and potentially contentious topic to the young ladies and the Queen, who were elegantly sipping tea while gazing at the garden from the palace terrace.
Perhaps irritated at having her rest disturbed, Queen Ayra lightly furrowed her brow.
“Elganes, bringing up such matters during a break? That’s not like you.”
Even Mirna von Draco, who rarely took the Queen’s side, gently set down the teacup she was holding and crossed her arms.
“You must be really enjoying your role as the temporary head wife. Can’t sit still for even a moment, can you?”
‘These damn girls...’
Elga had been facing numerous difficulties in recent days, trying to manage this strong-willed and highly opinionated group of women.
Of course, if she were to back down now, she wouldn’t be fit to lead.
A leader is always rigorously tested and judged by those they command.
Instead of losing her temper, Elga responded with composure and calm.
“Like I said earlier, there’s less than a fortnight left until the wedding. We already agreed to take a vacation for our honeymoon after the wedding and the reception. So now it’s time to decide on a destination.”
At that moment, Professor Stella was the first to raise her hand.
“How about we just think about it when the time comes?”
“Are you joking ri—?”
Elga almost snapped, but shut her mouth just in time. The elves of House Bellhawk were notorious for their spontaneity and distaste for planning.
Some of the long-lived races didn’t feel the pressure of time [N O V E L I G H T] and found making plans a nuisance. Maybe that’s what happens when you live many times longer than the average person.
Then Narmee raised her hand.
“I want to go see the ocean! The sea! We already saw tons of forest up north, didn’t we? Can’t we head west or south and go see the water?”
At that, her twin sister Mirna Draco furrowed her brow.
“Rather than the ocean, I’d prefer a mountain retreat full of peaceful temples. We should focus on spiritual reflection before undertaking this monumental challenge of a harem marriage.”
The sea and the mountains.
Polar opposites.
‘They’re twins, and even they can’t agree. Well, at least they voiced their preferences.’
Now the only one left was their cousin, Ayra.
“Ayra, what about you?”
“Hmm... I prefer culture over nature. I think it wouldn’t be so bad to visit a historic city that’s been around for centuries and explore its attractions. Teo, surprisingly, doesn’t have much experience with things like that.”
“A city, huh...”
A city. A mountain. The sea. The opinions weren’t converging at all. At that moment, Stella, who had made the most noncommittal suggestion earlier, tilted her head and asked with a touch of complaint:
“And what about you, Elga? Where do you want to go?”
“Me? I think I’d be happy anywhere with wide grassy fields and lots of blooming flowers or autumn leaves.”
Elga gave an intentionally vague and noncommittal answer. A leader ought to listen more than assert. So she had already resolved to yield her personal wishes for the sake of the others.
However, consensus was nowhere in sight, and the table, once set for a tea party, had now become a mock battlefield centered around a world map.
“So I’m saying the western coastline or the southern shores of the continent would be best.”
“No, I think the eastern mountains are better...”
At this rate, it might never end.
With a slightly troubled expression, Elga stared at the map. To think that she would have to live under one roof with women of such wildly differing tastes.
‘Maybe it’d be faster to just unify the continent.’
Just as the raised voices were starting to overwhelm her, Stella Bellhawk, who had been observing the whole discussion, suddenly let out a sly, mischievous laugh—“Ehehehehe.”
Everyone stopped talking and turned to look at the elf. After stopping her giggles, she raised a finger and pointed to a spot on the map.
“There is a place where you can enjoy all of that at once—sea and mountains, a historic city, grassy fields with beautiful flowers, and even a touch of romance.”
As her neat fingertip pointed to that spot on the map, the others began to nod in agreement one by one, saying, “Yes, if it’s there...”
Who would’ve thought the day would come when all their opinions aligned.
Elga said, “Not bad, Professor.”
“Girls, I didn’t survive in this world just for show, you know? Now, all that’s left is the groom’s opinion. Where in the world is Teo right now, anyway?”
At Stella’s question, everyone glanced around at each other and blinked.
It had already been two days since he was supposed to return, and the half-fairy hadn’t contacted them nor shown any signs of coming back.
Elga simply cracked her knuckles.
“When he gets back, I’m gonna rip him to shreds.”
***
“Gyaahh!”
“Comrade, are you okay? Why are you screaming all of a sudden?”
“N-No, I just got a sudden chill.”
“Must be the mountain air!”
Maybe.
A high mountain peak.
As we passed over the final hill, a vast plain came into view, dotted with buildings that had been cultivated and maintained for hundreds or even thousands of years. Beyond them, the sea sparkled under the blinding sun.
“I’ve never seen the sea before!”
Marmar, who had been gloomy all day over her friend Narnar’s situation, visibly brightened at the breathtaking sight.
“So this is the smell of the sea... It’s strange.”
Just as Marmar said, the ocean had a unique scent.
A refreshing, yet slightly briny smell filled with the taste of salt.
It had been so long since I’d seen the sea that the unfamiliar scent made the dormant parts of my brain light up.
As I stood there taking in the scenery, Professor Balan let out a low, sly chuckle.
“Roman, the ancient city, has a history spanning over a thousand years. If Gracia, the City of Light, is solemn and silent, then Roman, the City of Salt, is passionate and full of life.”
Because mountains and sea came together in one place, abundant resources had led to the founding of a thriving city since ancient times.
After many historical events, it became a major spiritual and tourist destination as the headquarters of the Church of Light and Salt.
It would’ve made the perfect honeymoon destination...
Of course, I wasn’t here on vacation. I didn’t have the luxury of time. I had to finish everything here before sunset and get back to the ladies.
Otherwise, I really would be torn to shreds.
━Hiooong...!
Torn to shreds by what?
I don’t know either! That’s why I have to hurry!
Early in the marriage. During my wife’s pregnancy. And right before the wedding.
If you mess up during those times, you’ll hear about it for the rest of your life. And I had five wives. Even if each of them said just one thing, that’s five things I’d have to hear.
Feeling slightly nervous, I picked up my pace and said,
“Thankfully, there’s a dimensional gate on a mountain near Roman, so we’re saved. Now, let’s head to the address written on this note.”
Narnar’s note.
...Narnar had handed me that note and then harmed herself.
Though she survived, the blood loss was so severe that she went into shock and lost a large portion of her memory.
Of course... they say she’ll recover with time and treatment.
Still, there had to be a reason why she gave me that address, despite the risks.
For now, I’d scout out the location on the note and assess the situation. Then, once I met with the monk Basago—no, Theodoros—again, I’d be able to learn the full picture.
As we descended the mountain, Balan said,
“To think that Basago would betray us... That, ugh, conniving little bastard—I, Balan de Sabrnac, actually saw it coming.”
Betrayal, huh?
I pulled my hood low over my face to avoid being recognized and answered in a neutral tone.
“We still don’t know for sure if it was betrayal. Jumping to conclusions might only make things worse. We should confirm everything carefully.”
We walked through the city.
The title of “ancient capital” was no exaggeration—the streets here were more elegant and refined than any other place in this medieval world.
Looking at the marble temples made it feel like I was on a sightseeing trip in some European country. The roads were paved, and the paths were all straight and neat.
Everywhere you looked was a photo-worthy tourist spot. Roman was packed with historic landmarks and attractions.
“Comrade, look over there.”
At that moment, Marmar pointed to a group of people.
They had spread mats on the ground and were chanting strange incantations while performing bizarre stretches.
What the heck is that?
Balan explained in their place.
“In Roman, it’s not uncommon to see people offering spiritual and sensory prayers like that on the streets. I came here once myself, back when I still had human fears.”
So Balan had been here before.
Thanks to her knowledge of the area, we arrived at the address Narnar had written down in no time.
***
“It’s an empty room. Looks like no one’s lived here in a long time. I wondered if there might be a hidden passage, but... nothing.”
Professor Balan surveyed the room, where only the curtain fluttered in the breeze, and gave her assessment.
The room was barren, with not even a single piece of furniture—just a bare window.
The homeowner spoke up.
“We renovated it recently. You folks on pilgrimage, right? You should stay in this room. Someone who almost became a Holy King once lived here. It’s good luck, you know?”
The landlady was talkative and nosy—a classic auntie type. Apparently, people in Roman were generally loud and liked to chat.
Thinking I might be able to glean some information, I cautiously asked,
“By any chance, that person who almost became the Holy King... was his name Theodoros?”
“Oh, so you knew! Well, he was famous. No idea what he’s doing now, but I used to feed him rice and side dishes sometimes... He was like a son to me.”
So it was true—Monk Basago had lived here.
Theodoros Gospel. Once seen as one of the Church’s twin lights alongside Saint Priga of Nightfall.
If Priga was the candidate for Saint in the City of Light, Gracia...
Then Theodoros had been the candidate for Holy King in the City of Salt, Roman. For some reason, he lost his position and was consumed by the Grand Demon Basago.
Naturally, Priga became the Saint and the face of the Church. And Basago, for some other unknown reason, became the monstrous monk of Angmar in the original novel, bringing ruin to the kingdom and the world...
That’s about all I could piece together for now. 《Calm Thinking》 had stopped functioning at some point, but I was probably right.
I said,
“I already suspected Theodoros hadn’t told me everything. I’ve just been too busy to follow up.”
It was time to go see him.
But before that, I should return to Monarch City and explain everything to the young ladies. Be honest about what’s still left unfinished.
Just then, I heard a large commotion from the floor below the old villa. Footsteps—armored boots on the stairs. Moments later, several people burst into the empty room.
The landlady’s face went pale.
“W-Why are the Inquisitors here...?”
They all wore chest badges in the shape of a cross—the insignia of the Church’s Inquisition, directly under the Holy See. Ordinary folk would be terrified at the sight.
The one who seemed to be the leader removed his helmet and approached me with a slight nod.
“I am Priest Spada. We’d like to escort you to a more appropriate place, Sir Teo Gospel.”
How did they know I was here?
I’d taken every precaution to keep this secret.
The young man who introduced himself as Spada continued,
“The dimensional gate at the high peak has not been activated in decades. Only two people in the world can use that magic—the Queen of Angmar and you.”
I see.
So my shortcut ended up exposing me.
“We’ve been instructed to treat you with the utmost courtesy. The Archbishop of Roman, Lord Anti-Ekk, wishes to meet you personally...”
