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Chapter 156: The Inquisitor of the Sun God and Magician of the Magic Tower (3)

He enjoyed the conversation with the deity and wished to meet again.

Even more surprising was that this came from the mouth of a non-believer barbarian.

Aquaz simply couldn’t comprehend it.

“Why is that?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Aquaz quickly shook her head.

Though Ketal found the reaction odd, he didn’t give it much thought.

‘Talking to a god must be quite unusual.’

Well, Shadrenes had been shocked, so it wasn’t different for Aquaz.

That he had such an experience made him feel good again.

Ketal cheerfully said,

“I hope you get to try it once. It’s an enjoyable and fun experience.”

“…”

Aquaz responded with silence.

“Hmm. Anyway, it seems we made a pointless trip.”

Aquaz had come to help the sanctuary of Kalosia, but everything had already been resolved.

Her visit ended up being meaningless.

“No, it’s fortunate that it was resolved without any major issues.”

“Does that mean your pilgrimage is over now?”

“No, it doesn’t.”

Aquaz denied it.

“The world is still chaotic.”

Evil continued to invade the world.

The sanctuary of Kalosia was just the first target; minor incidents were still ongoing.

“So, where are you heading next?”

Ketal asked, though it was a question without much meaning.

‘Following a pilgrimage sounds fun, but I want to enjoy something different soon.’

A pilgrimage of the Sun God’s devotee.

It would probably involve a journey against evil.

He had had enough of evil.

He wanted to enjoy something different now.

At this point, the elven sanctuary attracted him the most.

He was curious about what differences there would be compared to a divine sanctuary.

Ketal asked the question without much thought.

But Aquaz’s answer stopped Ketal’s brain momentarily.

Aquaz spoke.

“The city of mermaids.”

* * *

“…Mermaids?”

After a brief silence, Ketal spoke, his voice trembling slightly.

“There are mermaids?”

“Yes, there are.”

“They must live underwater, right?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Aquaz replied as if wondering why he asked such a question.

Her expression suggested it was as obvious as birds flying in the sky.

That attitude made Ketal’s heart tremble even more.

He tried to calm his emotions and asked,

“Are the mermaids asking for help?”

“I don’t know the details, but it seems there’s a problem. There’s a coastal city that has been trading with the mermaid city.”

They had been trading without issues for decades.

But suddenly, all communication with the mermaid city was cut off.

They sent ships and people, but no one returned.

Even skilled mercenaries couldn’t make a difference.

Judging there was a problem, the city’s lord requested help, but the chaotic world left no resources to aid a remote city.

Thus, Aquaz planned to visit that city and help.

“I see.”

Ketal nodded.

“So that’s it. It’s an unknown problem.”

“Right.”

“It could be dangerous for you as well.”

“It’s possible, but I don’t mind. It’s a pilgrimage I’ve committed to.”

Aquaz said calmly.

Ketal shook his head.

“No, it’s far too dangerous. You could be in serious danger.”

“I appreciate your concern, but I…”

“Great. This is perfect! I’ll help you.”

“…What?”

Aquaz’s eyes widened.

It was an entirely unexpected statement.

“Y-you’ll help?”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

“No, but it will be an extremely challenging journey. We’ll have to sail and face unknown enemies. The distance is considerable, and the travel time alone will be significant.”

Aquaz stammered.

“Moreover, I can’t afford to give you any reward.”

Her pilgrimage was a personal journey unrelated to the church.

With no support for her pilgrimage, she had no means to offer a reward.

Her personal funds were nearly depleted.

Ketal laughed heartily.

“It doesn’t matter. I didn’t come to the sanctuary of Kalosia expecting a reward. I came because Heize asked for help of my own accord.”

Although Heize had desperately refused Ketal’s help, it somehow turned into Heize asking Ketal for help.

“You are my friend, just like Heize. I can’t just stand by and cheer while my friend embarks on a dangerous pilgrimage. I don’t need a reward. I would like the opportunity to accompany you on your journey.”

“…Ah.”

Aquaz’s voice trembled, her face filled with deep emotion.

To accompany a friend on a dangerous pilgrimage without any expectation of reward—what a noble act.

Aquaz was genuinely moved.

She felt ashamed of herself.

‘I misunderstood such a person.’

She silently apologized to Ketal in her heart.

“If you really mean it, thank you so much. Please let me know if it becomes a burden at any time.”

“No, it’s perfect timing for me as well.”

Ketal smiled brightly, genuinely happy inside.

‘Mermaids!’

A fantasy race with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a fish.

Ketal had always been curious about mermaids since childhood.

‘Are mermaids mammals or fish?’

Or perhaps, they could uniquely be amphibians.

‘Do they breathe like whales on the surface, or do they breathe underwater?’

If they had gills, where would they be located?

In most myths, female mermaids are depicted as beautiful, while male mermaids are depicted as ugly.

Is that really true?

How could they live in the deep sea with a human upper body and a fish lower body?

They were one of the most contradictory beings in the world of fantasy.

Ketal had always wondered how mermaids could exist.

On Earth, such speculation was meaningless.

Since they were mythical beings, people could interpret them however they wanted.

But here, mermaids were real.

How did they live, and in what form did they exist in the sea?

It was a chance to resolve his childhood curiosity.

His heart was pounding with excitement, and it showed in his demeanor.

“So, are we leaving right away? I think it would be good to move quickly.”

“No, not yet.”

As Ketal urged, Aquaz hastily shook her head.

“Since we’re here, I think we’ll help with the restoration work of the sanctuary before we leave.”

“Ah, that makes sense.”

Thinking about it, Ketal hadn’t finished helping with the work either.

He calmed his excitement a little.

“So, we’ll leave in a few days.”

“Probably. In the meantime, you should finish your tasks as well.”

“Alright.”

Ketal nodded.

“Let’s do that.”

The discussion was concluded.

Aquaz expressed her gratitude again.

“Thank you, Ketal. Even though I can’t offer any reward, you’re willing to help… I won’t forget this kindness.”

“It’s something I want to do, so don’t worry about it. Come to think of it, I should introduce myself to your companion as well.”

Aquaz was not alone.

Next to her was a magician from the Magic Tower.

Aquaz seemed to realize something and made a sound of realization.

“Come to think of it, there’s that person. Hmm…”

“What’s the matter?”

Aquaz had a slightly awkward expression.

She shook her head.

“No, it’s nothing. I’ll go inform that person. We can do the introductions tomorrow.”

* * *

The next day.

Ketal and Aquaz met again.

Between them stood the magician from the Magic Tower.

Aquaz introduced Ketal to the magician.

“This is Mr. Ketal, whom I mentioned yesterday. He’s a friend of mine and has the power to face demons, so he’ll be a great help on our journey.”

Aquaz looked at Ketal.

“And Mr. Ketal, this is Mr. Baker, a magician from the Magic Tower. He’s part of the Starrail School, which studies the stars. He has reached the realm of a superhuman and has been a great help on our journey.”

“Oh.”

Ketal’s eyes shone.

It was the first time he had properly seen a magician from the Magic Tower.

Although he had met the Tower Master, he wasn’t a typical case, and he didn’t have time for a proper conversation with the alchemist in the capital of the Denian Kingdom.

Ketal smiled.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ketal.”

Since they would be on a long journey together, Ketal intended to get along well.

But Baker had an unwelcoming face.

“…I’m a companion traveling with Aquaz. We’ve been together for several months.”

Baker spoke with emphasis, as if stressing that his relationship with Aquaz was much closer than Ketal’s.

Ketal didn’t mind.

“I see. You must be very close. I look forward to working with you.”

Baker frowned at that attitude.

“…It seems barbarians don’t understand subtlety. Let me make it clear. I have no intention of getting close to someone like you.”

His expression was filled with deep disdain and contempt.

“How dare a barbarian try to get close to a magician from the Magic Tower? Know your place.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll have to try harder.”

Despite the clear rejection, Ketal didn’t seem to care.

Instead, he wore an amused smile as if he found the reaction entertaining.

This made Baker even more flustered.

Just as Baker was about to hurl another insult at Ketal, Aquaz sighed.

“Mr. Baker.”

“A-Aquaz.”

Baker flinched and his expression quickly turned to one of confusion.

“You agreed yesterday, didn’t you? Mr. Ketal and I are friends. Please don’t act like this.”

“…Sorry.”

Baker’s voice instantly turned meek.

He glanced at Aquaz.

“…Take care. That’s all, right? I’ll be going now.”

Baker hurriedly left.

Watching his retreating figure, Ketal spoke up.

“He doesn’t seem to like me.”

“Mr. Baker was uncomfortable with you joining us. He eventually accepted it, but… I didn’t expect him to act this way in front of you. I apologize for the unpleasant experience.”

Aquaz looked genuinely sorry as she bowed her head.

“Truly, I’m sorry. If this makes you uncomfortable, you can still refuse to join us.”

“I don’t mind. Is it because I’m a barbarian?”

“No, that’s not it.”

Aquaz hesitated for a moment, then sighed and spoke.

“It’s just that he has a lot of interest and attachment to me. He probably doesn’t like the idea of anyone else joining our journey.”

“…I see.”

Ketal smiled.

“It’s love.”

“…Probably.”

“Love stories are always interesting.”

“Not for me…”

Aquaz shook her head.

“Seeing Mr. Baker’s reaction, it seems there will be more conflicts. I’m sorry to make you uncomfortable. You can still refuse if you want.”

“Refuse?”

Ketal laughed as if the suggestion was absurd.

“Why would I do that?”

The Inquisitor of the Sun God.

And a magician from the Magic Tower who loved her.

What an interesting story.

It only made him more curious.

“Love stories are one of the joys of fantasy.”

Ketal grinned widely.

Aquaz wore a perplexed expression.

“…It seems you’re enjoying having an entertaining spectacle.”

“That’s a misunderstanding.”

“Is it really?”

“Absolutely.”

Ketal nodded energetically.

Aquaz looked at him with a dubious expression.