Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. Chapter 82 - Sanctuary of Restful Purification: Fruits of the Battle

Chapter 82: Sanctuary of Restful Purification: Fruits of the Battle

 

I continued lying in the Saint’s temporary office, which also served as her living quarters.

My serious injuries had long since healed, but the hidden clear condition keeping the Saint alive for more than four days had not yet been fulfilled.

[Time remaining until four days have passed since the monster horde’s assault began: approximately 1 hour]

Originally, the hidden route of the Sanctuary of Restful Purification was structured so that you somehow struggled through the first three days. Once reinforcements from the Kingdom of Lumes arrived, the counteroffensive would finally begin.

However, because the labyrinth had strengthened a phenomenon that never existed in the game, the course of events had been significantly distorted, leaving us with this unexpected period of spare time.

“…Captain, your arm…”

“You really pushed yourself too far…”

Pendrick and Astrimia, sitting beside me, spoke in bitter voices.

Valentin, standing behind them, looked as though he might burst into tears, and Lucius didn’t look much better either.

The atmosphere had become so gloomy that I decided to prove to everyone there was no need to worry.

“You don’t have to pity me that much.”

‘Rustle.’

As I projected my will, the long-sleeved Sky Invader transformed into a short-sleeved summer ceremonial outfit.

“I can make it short sleeves so it doesn’t hang so loosely.”

“…Are you doing this on purpose?”

“What do you mean?”

“…Never mind.”

Astrimia let out a mental sigh before speaking cautiously.

“The children under your care would probably love seeing that, wouldn’t they?”

“…I can’t argue with that.”

The moment Marlin and Abel were brought up, it finally hit me a little that I had done something most people would find difficult to accept.

Next time I performed an act of self-sacrifice, I’d have to make it less obvious.

Perhaps I should offer internal organs or muscles instead.

As long as they weren’t absolutely vital for survival, would it really matter if I gradually hollowed them out?

“Eh, what’s the big deal? Just get a prosthetic arm.”

“Right?”

Bartimir, the only one who remained completely calm, poked the smooth end of my left arm.

“Why are you so composed about this, Bartimir?”

“When I was a black magic test subject, plenty of things got chopped off too. My arms and legs? They’re actually not my originals. They were each transplanted from different demons whose names I don’t even know.”

“…I see.”

Though she had no face, Astrimia seemed utterly dumbfounded and fell silent.

I sat upright and idly swung my feet.

“I knew we got along well. My daughter really is the best.”

“I keep telling you you’re not my mom.”

We exchanged glances for a moment before nodding simultaneously.

The close familial bond of the “Lee” family.

It was just unfortunate that I would most likely never share this sort of connection with Bartimir’s older brothers and sisters.

“By the way, Captain… I don’t think it’ll be long before your name becomes known all across Pletica.”

The social butterfly Pendrick naturally steered the conversation elsewhere.

“Seriously!”

Astrimia eagerly chimed in.

“Even if she’s only a ghost preserved inside a labyrinth, having connections with the historical Saint Seraphina is absolutely something to be proud of!”

“At this rate, won’t people recognize you wherever you go, Captain? You’ll become incredibly famous among Harmony Church followers in particular.”

I answered calmly.

“I don’t mind becoming famous.”

“Hehe. You really are an explorer, Lord Karr.”

“I thought you only loved exploration itself, but you like fame too?

“Of course. If my reputation grows, outlaws will target me and attempt to rob me.”

“…”

Looting inside labyrinths.

A delightful mechanic that increased exploration difficulty.

I had killed the deceased Black Sword Guild Master because leaving him alive would’ve made exploration impossible, and for the siblings’ safety.

But there was no way to prevent attacks from outlaw expedition teams.

“Everyone, rejoice. From now on, our explorations won’t just become harder because of labyrinth mechanics. They’ll become much more difficult because of people too. And that means the sense of accomplishment and fulfillment will grow just as much.”

“…Can’t wait.”

“Haha…”

The two lovers laughed awkwardly.

Why were they laughing?

“Lord Karr.”

As silence settled over the room for a moment, Valentin suddenly spoke, his eyes brighter than usual.

“Since you’ve uncovered Lady Artein’s hidden arrangement within Sanctuary of Restful Purification, a labyrinth that holds immense significance for us… Aside from the information fee, we have another reward we can offer.”

Perhaps because it involved the Saint he’d grown up reading about in fairy tales and biographies, Pendrick asked with obvious excitement.

“Really? What kind of reward?”

“First of all, starting today… Lord Karr and your expedition members will be treated as honored guests of our Harmony Church. After all, you’re the expedition that experienced another timeline in which Saint Seraphina survived.”

The Holy Knight, a burly man nearly in his forties, looked unexpectedly adorable with those sparkling eyes.

For some reason, Bartimir, standing beside him, frowned deeply.

“Come on, don’t praise only us. You, Holy Knights, and priests worked incredibly hard too, didn’t you?”

Pendrick smiled warmly, thoughtfully acknowledging the Harmony Church’s own sacrifices.

“Haha, not at all. We merely did what our duty was.”

The Holy Knight with dazzlingly white teeth widened his eyes before awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.

He’d been reacting adorably despite his imposing build this entire time.

Was this some devious scheme to make me become his fan?

‘Crackle.’

Su’eje pleaded with me to please get that overly muscular Holy Knight’s face out of sight.

As a devoted cultist who faithfully followed the Evil Gods’ wishes, I discreetly stepped farther away.

Pendrick then casually asked,

“I’ve been curious ever since before we came here for volunteer work. What exactly does being an honored guest of the Harmony Church entail?”

“A special identification badge will soon be made for all of you. With it, you’ll officially be recognized as honorary Harmony Church followers.”

“I see.”

Pendrick nodded, but his voice lacked the refreshing feeling of having his curiosity satisfied.

Apparently noticing this, Lucius quickly elaborated.

“There are labyrinths and facilities throughout Pletica that ordinary explorers aren’t permitted to enter. For example, District One itself, or the research labyrinths belonging to the Mage Tower in District Two.”

Some labyrinth mechanics restricted entry based on affiliation or class.

That’s why the status of a Harmony Church member whose influence extended throughout Pletica was so valuable.

“Once you become honorary Harmony Church members, you’ll be able to freely enter places previously off-limits.”

Lucius turned to me.

“And Lord Karr… Since you’re a cultist, you’ve needed permission from the Spear of Order every single time you wanted to leave the cultist residential district, haven’t you? You won’t need to do that anymore.”

Until now, I had needed permission every time I left the cultist town.

That inconvenience was now gone.

“Furthermore, if you wish, we’ll provide you with a new residence. You’ll also be free to travel between every district.”

An overwhelming increase in convenience.

From now on, I could freely roam all across Pletica.

This was why a cultist absolutely had to conquer the Sanctuary of Restful Purification.

“Honestly! Lord Karr, the one who led this entire expedition, deserves an extraordinarily generous reward in addition to honorary membership!”

Valentin, who had briefly calmed down, clenched both fists in excitement once again.

“Perhaps… We may even be able to present you with a Holy Relic that currently has no owner!

“A Holy Relic…!”

Just then, Astrimia shook in surprise.

[The Saint is approaching from a distance.]

Truthy kindly displayed the message.

Originally, I could only obtain information about things within my field of vision.

Now its effective range has expanded.

Another side effect of the self-sacrifice ritual.

Along with destroying the Gigantic Destruction Golem’s mana core, Eyes That Perceive the Truth had advanced to the Third Tier without consuming another Mystery.

“As expected of Lord Lidni. To handle things this wisely…”

[Don’t act surprised by something so self-evident. :)]

“Lord Karr.”

A moment later, Seraphina entered after sliding aside the plank serving as a makeshift door.

“It’s about time for you to return.”

[Time remaining until four days have passed since the monster horde’s assault began: approximately 5 minutes]

Before I knew it, that much time had already passed.

Bartimir helped me stand.

Looking directly into my eyes, the Saint spoke again.

“I feel terribly guilty. You sacrificed even one of your arms… And yet we’re unable to offer you any special reward. I searched the entire sanctuary, but we simply couldn’t find anything of real value.”

Truthfully, I hadn’t expected anything.

I hadn’t conquered Sanctuary of Restful Purification for material compensation.

“Instead… I’ll bestow a blessing upon you.”

The Harmony Church members adamantly refused, so Seraphina blessed only the members of the Moonlight Expedition Team.

Warm Repose.

A Mysticism that maintained a clear, healthy state of mind.

She poured enough divine power into it for it to last roughly ten days.

“…What will happen to this labyrinth from now on?”

After placing her hand atop Bartimir’s head and granting him the final blessing, Seraphina carefully asked,

“Will it reset as scheduled?”

Although she was referring to the disappearance of herself and everyone here…

Not the slightest tremor entered her voice.

Even if I confidently nodded and told her the labyrinth would reset at midnight…

Her expression probably wouldn’t change.

But what if I answered this instead?

“It won’t reset. Not anymore.”

“…What?”

Seraphina’s eyes widened slightly.

It wasn’t an extreme reaction.

But it was satisfying enough.

“Didn’t I tell you? I intended to rewrite history.”

In actual history, after Seraphina’s death, Artein spent several months grieving before completely rebranding the Church of Protection.

The Harmony Church.

A faith devoted to harmony among all people.

The Harmony Church’s ideals of serving the peace and happiness of innocent people were born from Seraphina’s death.

“But because you’ve survived… This labyrinth will now follow a history different from reality.”

People had a fitting name for benevolent alterations to history.

Alternate history.

Usually, it existed only as a “what if” but the Sanctuary of Restful Purification was different.

“Unlike in the future, Lady Artein will continue pursuing protection solely through strength. The Church of Protection will also keep its original name instead of changing.”

“…”

I looked into the Saint’s eyes as they began trembling more and more intensely.

“So long as Saint Seraphina remains alive… The history unique to the Sanctuary of Restful Purification will continue forever. That altered history itself is your reward.”

The hidden reward of the Sanctuary of Restful Purification.

“If I may ask… Whenever we return to this labyrinth in the future… Would you be willing to treat us free of charge?”

A lasting friendship with history’s greatest cleric.

And unlimited free healing.

Free treatment from Seraphina, a Ninth-Tier priest, was such an outrageous benefit that any other explorer would turn green with envy if they found out.

Moreover, simply having a relationship with her carried enormous weight when dealing with the Harmony Church.

“The standard clear condition nursing patients for five days will never change. But since our expedition fulfilled the hidden condition… We’re free to come and go whenever we wish.”

“I see…”

“So? Will you treat us for free, just like the other patients?”

“…Of course.”

A bright, refreshing smile bloomed across Seraphina’s face, which had been slightly tense until now.

Even I, someone born unable to properly understand other people’s feelings, could clearly recognize the emotion blooming there.

“If it’s Lord Karr and his companions… Then naturally I should treat you.”

‘Hummm.’

Not long afterward, a white gate appeared beside the Saint.

The ghosts within the labyrinth couldn’t see it.

But perhaps she sensed its presence somehow.

Seraphina bowed to us.

“Farewell. You foolish explorers and church followers from the future. I won’t offer any grand words of gratitude. Because I’ll continue welcoming you from now on.”

Likewise…

I didn’t say goodbye either.

We will continue meeting in the future.

Forcing an awkward smile onto my face…

I stepped through the gate.

Sanctuary of Restful Purification.

The history of the sanctuary, once destined to perish…

Had been completely rewritten.

At least… Within this labyrinth.