By Zephyria 
A long time ago, during an Academy class, I learned about Divine objects.
It was said that Philix’s Divine Relic could distinguish between the King’s blood kin and those who were not. However, its appearance or form was never passed down to outsiders.
Whether the six Divine objects truly existed was a problem that troubled many theologians until recently. Even hearing confirmation from God’s own mouth that such things existed was perplexing.
Marianne, her hair sticking up like a five-year-old’s, clutched the objects in her hands and grumbled.
“Divine objects… Divine objects are those things, right? The national treasures of each kingdom, secret treasures kept in the deepest chambers, things whose appearance and abilities are completely unknown… How are we supposed to find something like that? Are we going to tour the kingdoms in the name of the Sierran Empire?”
“Does the First Prince just watch that happen…? If we’re going to represent the Empire, he needs to be dealt with. We can’t just wait until he’s made Crown Prince…”
Steam rose from Hugh Benson’s thoroughly soaked hair. It was a heat unsuited for the cold weather. Benjamin offered the blanket he had been holding to cover Marianne to Hugh, but it was refused.
This time, I asked Ruben.
“Can’t we ask Emperor Your Majesty to retrieve the Divine objects?”
“Well… Father borrowed Philix’s Divine Relic once before. Since then, we’ve been granting trade tax reductions to Philix for over twenty years. To bring back Divine objects from the Five Kingdoms, we absolutely need the support of the Dukes, Marquises, Counts, and Barons. The ducal families adjacent to the five kingdoms are Withrow, Kiadris, and Duke Yeldidus Family…”
“…Ah.”
“…If only there was some kind of proof.”
It would have been nice if we could have dragged God along.
The Sierran Empire had a casual belief in God. Many believed in God, but even more did not. Even those who believed in God were content with thanking God for creating the world; they did not speak of God saving them. This was because many humans were already helping and living for each other.
Therefore, the citizens of the Sierran Empire rarely prayed to God. I grew up that way. I spent my time drinking tea with my blood kin and playing with friends during the time I would have spent praying. It was the same for me, for Marianne, and for most of the professors at Shierun Academy.
Since they didn’t believe in God, the number of people who heard Divine Revelations was small. With such a small number, the words of those who spoke of Divine Revelations were distrusted. The temples were merely service organizations for those who lived by self-sacrifice, and revering God was just one of the long-inherited traditional rituals.
If the Second Prince, who had just returned from a trip to the desert, claimed to have seen God directly, who would believe him?
There was a significant chance he would be criticized, with people wondering if he had gone mad.
Our group consisted of eleven people.
It was a decent number for undertaking training by crossing the desert, but it was a small enough number to conspire easily. Furthermore, five of them were mercenaries known for taking any commission for money, two were holders of the Single Ascent Title, and the rest were just younglings who had recently graduated from the Academy.
To receive the Emperor’s help, we needed sufficient circumstantial evidence.
However, we had nothing.
Despite so many Martial artists being dragged away into the mountains, all that remained were trivial traces.
The disappearance of the Sierran Imperial Knights was a very serious matter, but if they had trusted their skills and split up to ascend the Yuil Mountains, only to be attacked by a large horde of monsters, death was a plausible outcome regardless of their skill level.
The kidnapping of Owen’s mercenaries was Owen’s problem, and Sierran could not interfere as they pleased. It involved the great noble families of Owen. Unless the Owen royal family extended an offer first, Sierran could not act freely.
We were the ones who had gone through such hardship to secretly infiltrate a mansion heavily enchanted with various magic. We could neither demand Divine objects openly nor steal from the royal castle in secret. There seemed to be no way forward.
As we pondered this, the mercenary captain Leon approached Ikyun and spoke.
“It would be best to eat first before thinking further.”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Had they already set up tents?
Beneath the vast expanse of stars, we sat around with steaming bowls in hand. The sounds of camels drinking water nearby could be heard continuously. The laughter of spirits resembled the sound of a stream flowing through a valley.
Finely crumbled jerky added seasoning, and the black bread softened nicely in the hot broth, giving it a pleasant texture. The hot, fluffy potatoes mashed in my mouth. I silently worked my spoon.
One of the mercenaries who shared our meal spoke up.
“I’ve been on pilgrimages about twenty times, but this is the first time I’ve actually seen God. It must be because I’m with Your Highness, right…?”
It was Ann.
Though her words were lighthearted, I didn’t want to respond curtly to a joke made to ease the mood. I just smiled wryly and let it pass. John, who had scooped a large ladle of stew from the pot and refilled his bowl, picked up on her comment.
“That’s right, it was just… As soon as I saw him, I knew it was God.”
“I thought it was more like seeing a noble.”
“…Hmm?”
“Well… Honestly, it’s not our business.”
“What?”
Everyone was surprised by Giselle’s words.
They stopped eating and looked up. The other children looked the same. Giselle seemed embarrassed by the attention but calmly placed her bowl on her lap and continued softly.
“Everyone unhesitatingly said we had to save the captured people… I’m just surprised you’re all doing this now. You know, the higher-ups decide who lives and dies and lead them… Things like that. Honestly, I… didn’t believe it.”
“…That’s.”
“I thought God wouldn’t help with anything, really.”
Giselle was tall and slender.
She had been tall and well-built since childhood, and the mercenaries, praising her physique, helped her learn to wield a sword. Her life was filled with swords, monsters, mercenary work, gold coins, and beer.
She was unfamiliar when she spoke words that weren’t trivial jokes or casual laughter. Perhaps because of that, her voice trembled more than usual.
“I’ve never heard a Divine Revelation in my life, and I’ve never believed in God… Besides, that God… only looked at you all and not at us. That was a bit… Did I dislike it? A bit… I felt that way.”
“…”
“Ah, what am I saying. Since I didn’t speak up first, God didn’t answer. I was scared… Anyway, that’s how it is. It’s good that you are all amazing people. I hope you resolve everything well and become even higher and more amazing people.”
That was true.
Immediately after learning that the captured individuals were still alive, we naturally began contemplating ways to save them. We deemed it no time to be picky, whether the opponent was God or a Magical Creature. We reasoned that we had to find a way to save at least some of them and debated it back and forth.
We believed it was our duty, my duty. That’s what we learned at Shierun Academy.
…It was indeed a grave mistake not to even consider the opinions of the mercenaries who had experienced this with us.
Ruben, who had been deep in thought, spoke in a remarkably gentle voice. I had rarely heard such a sweet tone from him. His quiet, whispering manner somehow made my ears and chest tingle.
“I forgot to ask for your understanding in my haste. I made a mistake.”
“Huh? No, no, you didn’t do anything wrong. I was just surprised that someone could think this way. It’s just so natural… I’m amazed you can think of saving the world…”
“No, it’s true that our strength alone is insufficient. We needed your help just to cross the desert. So, I have a question for you.”
Ruben’s slender eyes curved kindly.
Giselle, facing his gaze, made a clinking sound as her spoon hit her wooden bowl.
But I was the only one who noticed her cheeks flushing slightly. Everyone else waited quietly to hear what Ruben would say. Ruben continued in his sweet voice.
“Would you prefer to continue the pilgrimage in search of a potential God, or return to Owen’s land to investigate traces of the Divine objects?”
“…What?”
“As you said, I am a Prince of the Sierran Empire, so I cannot stand idly by when the citizens are threatened with their lives. Therefore, I feel I must do my utmost.”
Ann reached out and took Giselle’s hand, which had been fumbling unconsciously.
The two female mercenaries held hands tightly and looked this way. It was heartwarming to see the tall girl and the slender girl leaning against each other, their eyes shining. Ruben continued in a calm tone.
“However, you are also citizens of the Sierran Empire whom I must protect and cherish. Therefore, I intend to follow your wishes. If there truly is fate, and if that fate aids me… you might become the key to saving the world.”
“…Surely not.”
“I mean it sincerely.”
Giselle pondered for a long time.
She toyed with the fingers of Ann’s right hand, which she held tightly in both of hers, then pressed the back of her hand, and finally, she pulled at the ends of her hair and chewed on them.
Then, she abruptly turned her head and looked at Leon.
“Decisions like this are up to the captain. The White Lion Mercenary Group will follow the captain’s word.”
“Huh?”
“You said before, if there’s anything we don’t know, ask the captain!”
“No, that’s because you…”
This was the first time I had seen Leon’s eyes widen so much.
His startled eyes soon narrowed as usual. He scratched his head with one hand and looked around. Then, he let out a deep sigh. He tapped the floor with his heel and swallowed a groan from deep within his throat.
“…The pilgrimage route is a place we’ve traveled before… It’s a familiar path. If the sudden appearance of Sandworms was the God’s prank, then perhaps it will be fine from now on.”
“I see.”
“But then again, people are being kidnapped in Owen right now, and most of them are mercenaries… It does weigh on my mind. While other mercenary groups are not my concern, and many are strangers… we are in the same profession.”
“Mm.”
“And, also… right now, here at this Oasis, it’s not far to the Statue of the First Goddess’s Head.”
He covered his face with his large hand. His shoulders rose and fell, then slumped down with a sigh. Despite being rubbed vigorously with his rough hand, his skin was so thick it didn’t even turn red.
“May I go just that far and then report back to you?”
“Yes, do that.”
It was a surprisingly cheerful reply.