The Fate X Dungeon
Ch#16 - Two 'Germs'
The Estonians are a religion that makes 12 Heroes a role model, and is the oldest religion in the human continent. The theocratic state of Estodia was the center of the creed, which was in the northwestern region of the Human Continent.
Unlike the Ingglis Mountain Cluster located in the middle of the continent, Estodia was located quite close to the region of darkness in the north. Make it one of the countries that stand at the forefront, in the face of conflict between humanity and the nation of darkness.
As a country chosen by Heaven to spread glory and compassion, they are entrusted to hold supreme authority in decision-making, against the law throughout the states of the human continent. It is stated in the law of the unity of mankind.
The great contribution they made in human conflict did not escape the contribution given by the Heroes. Because of their knowledge, Estodia established a temple hall to gather the seed bearers of heroes, to be built and directed to be true heroes.
According to the teachings of the Estonians, when a person is born carrying the seed of a hero, then that person must accept his destiny as a hero. Stand up to help the world, and to help humanity. That was also the reason, why only heroes were able to put up a great resistance against the Demon King, which was the real calamity of mankind.
Osyria is one of the most visited cities, and is the home of a heroic foundation under the supervision of a temple hall. Because it is the 2nd largest holy city in the Democratic Republic of Estodia, thousands of congregations are always seen in and out of the city door every day.
The area of 12 Heroes is one of the most famous areas in Osyria, and is the location of his storage of evidence of the history of Epic 12 Heroes. It consists of the main Temple, and 12 Branch Temples representing all the members of the 12 Heroes.
Although crowded during the day, the temple complex of 12 Heroes will also be quiet at night. After the curfew, the Moon perches majestically in the night sky. Monks and nuns who took care of the temple, also slept in their rooms. Few people were still busy in the temple until that time, and one of them was a mysterious cloaked person who had just stepped into the temple hall. His figure could not be seen due to the robe covering his body, from toe to head.
In front of the entrance of the congregation hall, he looked left-and-right. Then opened the double door with both hands, while being careful not to make any noise. In the middle of the spacious assembly hall, an old man with a striking appearance was seen gathered in front of the stone pulpit, while holding both hands together in front of his chest.
The identity of the old man could be seen from the elaborate robes worn by him. When witnessing the scene before his eyes, the mysterious newcomer opened the hood of the robe covering his head, then said.
“What is the head pastor so busy during the day, that he has to wait for the night to pray?”
The voice that sounded from him, was in line with the beauty of the face shown behind his cloak. Exposed to the moonlight that barged in through the sidelines of dinging, her face shone beautifully.
The beautiful woman who was a mysterious newcomer before, smiled gently at the old man who was still solemn with his activities.
With an adult natured around her, the woman walked up to the old man who remained restless, and behaved indifferently. Short hair in golden color, fluttering in the wind, although there should be no air entering in the room.
The old man who was called the head priest, only glanced at the sudden arrival of the woman who met him. Despite being ignored, the mysterious woman even gave a small smile, while shaking her waist to look at the back of the old priest's head.
The atmosphere that followed was just silence. No voice, no conversation. The woman with the skin of the face was as clean as the moon, standing quietly waiting, with no intention of disturbing the head priest, who might be praying.
Feeling that the woman continued to give him a calm look, the head priest finally gave up. He turned irritated, replying to the woman's gaze.
“What does this foolish girl want, until she returns to the place she has thrown away? Go, if you come here to greet me!” The old priest sounded sniffy.
Instead of being offended by the head priest's rude treatment, the woman suddenly sprang up giving a warm hug to the old priest who was speechless, speechless.
Although the treatment and attitude given to her was very harsh, the woman knew clearly that the head priest was unable to express her feelings.
The mixed feelings, and hard to express, spilled out like a dam broke. The old man's eyes began to glaze over, from behind the glasses.
The scene looks like a child, who is reunited with his father, having run away from home for years. Seeing them like this, it was clear that the bond between the two was so warm.
“Hey, come on.. Why cry, instead of asking me to go?” said the jade-eyed woman, peering at the teary-eyed head of the priest in her arms. “The congregation can be shocked later, if the head priest of the hero temple behaves like this.” he added teasingly.
The woman's last statement calmed the feeling of the head pastor who was faltering. He hurriedly distanced himself, taking off his embrace. Even if he looks like a clumsy old man, it is undeniable that he is the chief priest of the temple of the 12 Heroes, the most dignified in the human continent.
Since he was young, the chief priest, Claire Ephonus, has dedicated his life to serving in the temple of heroes and studying the history of heroism in detail. His knowledge of the 12 Heroes was the best.
Therefore, in front of everyone, he must look calm and dignified. However, all of that was meaningless when it came to his two beloved 'daughters', he felt his dignity as the head priest was wiped out before them.
“Indeed who is to blame for this?! How worried do you think I am when you hear of your death?” said the priest with a sour face, while taking his eyes off. She did not want her emotions to be seen by a woman who was already like her own biological daughter.
“Hahaha, who would have thought the story would be made that far. The fucking council is something. Old man, at least I know, now this holy council already considers me a threat, and is serious about getting rid of me.”
“Whatever comes to me, I don't care. Their actions just look like a fad in my eyes. The desire to reciprocate and make calculations, with them also does not exist, but another story, if they touch Mary. They'll see the real hell, I swear to myself.”
“Jeanne.?” The scattered killing aura, could only leave Claire stunned. Although he was not the object of his anger, considering the woman who had once been given the title of Saintess because of the holy aura he had, his daughter was now more like a demon crawling from hell. Unknowingly, Claire also felt her body shiver.
“Ah, forgive me. It's hard to calm my feelings in these conditions. Other than you, Mary is the only family I have.”.
The head priest Clair shook his head at Jeanne's words. He understood very well the nature of his two daughters, Jeanne and Marianna. Although Jeanne was known to be a hard person, she would be gentle to those who were precious to her.
“I understand your feelings, but reflecting from the actions of the sacred council on you, it feels that the information circulating cannot be trusted one hundred percent of the truth.” Clair said as he patted Jeanne on the shoulder.
“True, it's just. The quiet Mary, took the initiative to find me. I should have met him immediately, when he appeared as an adventurer, but I was a fool for being too busy with my work as a Guildmaster.”
Jeanne's words sounded sad, as if blaming herself.
“So little Mary is now an adventurer? Aish, I don't know, is your sister brave or innocent.”.
Janne nodded in agreement by Clair's remark, then said—
“Sometimes Mary did become very brave, even I forgot that she was an innocent and innocent girl. Ever since hearing that the group had not returned on such an easy mission, my premonition became uncomfortable. After investigating it over and over again, only one answer made sense in my head. The sacred council that had harmed Mary, for considering her as a barrier stone in their eyes.”
“Make your assumptions right, but let it be the worst possible thing that can happen. Besides, there's a rumor I've been hearing lately. He said the men, sent by the holy council, had been massacred entirely in a small village to the south. As I recall the name of the village is... Arunn.” He told Jeanne.
Jeanne's eyes grew wide when she heard what her foster father had said. A little doubt he asked.
“What does the holy council want in that small village?” Claire just shook her head because she couldn't answer that question. However, in the mind of the woman, she gained some clarity.
As one of the Guildmasters of the merit union, Jeanne was able to access the information well, through the informants who cooperated with the guild. And coincidentally, Arunn Village was the last location where Mary was seen.
“Could it be the executors sent by the sacred council?” ask Jeanne a little worried.
Claire was silent, upon hearing the question this time. She knew Jeanne's worries, as the woman carried the name of the executor in her question.
The executor is a secret unit owned by the Holy Council, and contains powerful people who have transcended the realm of heroes, even though they do not carry the seeds of heroes. You could say, the executor is the mainstay for the Kekeocracyan Estodia.
If the executor was indeed sent to arrest Mary, then the situation would be very bad.
That's how Jeanne was in her heart. On his face was now implied anxiety on his expression. He was the most understanding person, with the ability of the executors.
The woman who once occupied the 5th seat in the forbidden unit was named Calamity Chapter. Nicknamed as Jeanne ‘Sang Iron Maiden’. And the people who fill the unit, it is true like a catastrophe (Calamity), as the name implies.
“It seems like there is no choice anymore, I will check this Arunn village myself. At least, the informant who worked for me said that Mary had been seen there.”
“Do you want to go?” ask Claire. As a parent, he was very worried about his daughters, but he was also unwilling to act selfishly and interfere in their way of life.
“That's. At least, as long as the situation has not gotten worse. I still have to find her, even if it's just her body.”.
Jeanne's words sounded creepy, but it was just a way for her to express her feelings. Claire knows that.
Since there was nothing to talk about anymore, Jeanne immediately turned around, leaving the assembly room.
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