Chapter 450: The Idol of Aurena in The Holy Capital. [Release Version] (Patreon)

<8066 human, beastman, elf, dwarf, half-elf, half-dwarf followers gained>

<Total follower count updated. Total followers of [Young Sunfang Dragon, Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor]: 48023>

<Multiple proficiency requirements fulfilled. [Stage Fever Lv. 8] [Territory Release Lv. 4] gained>

“So, that’s Aureolis’s capital, huh?”

Poking my head out of the window of our moving RV, my eyes stared up and down at the giant white walls. Made entirely out of fairnite, they were extremely resilient against magical attacks but would easily fall against conventional siege weapons or a rank B or A physical fighter. Regardless, they protected what was behind them well enough to call themselves a wall.

“Yes, we are finally here,” Fleindia answered before she pointed for me to come down to the ground floor. “The official name of the capital city is ‘Aureolis City,’ but rarely does anyone call it by its full name. If people mention Aureolis, we speak of both the holy capital as a whole and the city where the ‘Auellaeggia’ is.”

“The ‘Seat of Her Followers,’” I replied, using the direct translation of the name ancient Folschreck used to call Aureolis’s papal basilica, to whichFleindia nodded in satisfaction, glad I remembered her lectures. “Not as imposing as I thought it would be.”

“Of course. The outer walls act as the city’s border and protect its farm lands from minor threats; they weren’t made for sieges. Unlike the walls of Gransromus and Griffonpeak, these walls are only meant to stall and inconvenience armies, not halt them.”

Once downstairs, I smiled wryly as I saw the students all looking down and exasperated, the very image of a group of students returning from vacation back to school. Bad memories were tied to this place, as this was where the demonkin robbed them of a normal life by kidnapping them into this world.

“Everyone, please, prepare yourself. We will need everybody’s aid to ensure Lady Hestia’s plan succeeds.” Fleindia tried to encourage everybody, but aside from Tamae, Kyouya, and Nishio, her words were all but ignored, especially by Asaka.

“I know.” Asaka sighed. “However, will this even work out? Feels like those old farts will just twist everything we do to make Hestia look bad. Did you forget? I lost my entire ‘Saint candidate’ schtick to Hestia’s usurpation and by becoming Ilsaphone’s lackey. They will just treat me as an enemy if I enter this place; and even if I don’t, they’ll just confront us with those facts.”

Since Aurena failed to dispel the misunderstanding that she was an enemy to Marsven, the latter’s religion was frowned upon by many nations that had the Church of Aurena as their primary religion. Their priests were disliked while dark mages were tolerated, purely since they made good spies and rogues. Now, what about the seat of Aurena’s faith? Dial it up to 100. Then, what about a Saintess of Marsven’s wife? Push it up to 200.

“The majority of the people here live with the church year round. I would expect them to hogtie us and burn us on a stake like some witch,” Tatsuya added sheepishly.

“Haha!” In a burst of laughter, Yorshka slapped him on the back, causing his body to slam into the table. “I can’t believe you actually remembered that threat! Elrick really imprinted that into your head, huh? Well, can’t blame any of you for that. This will be difficult. If we could only get in touch with Elrick, it might be easier to explain, but the truth still stands—I resigned from my post after Hestia usurped your unique skills and Elrick left them once he was forced to reveal his vampire nature. We’ll be labeled as traitors.”

“This is a complete PR nightmare.” Kazumi massaged her head.

“However, at the end of the day, while these things will make us look bad, they can’t ignore another truth,” I stated. “I am a blessed of Goddess Aurena. I am [The Light]”

“People worship and speak fondly of your name. People that you have saved and inspired see you as a real blessed,” Theodore reminded everybody, having accompanied us as Artorias’s religious representative and someone to support my position. “Aureolis cannot ignore this fact. If the Prince of Envy’s posse and allies try to twist it, then we must hit them back. That newspaper report is one truth that we must turn around.”

“And that is why we are here,” Renee stated, coming down the stairs. Wearing a new set of armor Grimnir had made for her, using the materials from merfiends in a traditional Yeosian armor design, it exuded elite knight vibes, perfect for her role today and up until we defeat our target. “The new Champion of Yeostar and a Saintess of Erithia. In life they were friends, and now, their blessed will fight together to free the Goddess’s religion. We will dispel any fraudulent statements, raising the flag for Her Holiness’s first—Ah, hey!”

“You’re trying to give a speech, again? Cut it.” It was Neill, punching her friend from behind. “We already know all that from the debriefing and explanations. They cannot denounce Hestia and that she got brainwashed or whatever, unless they also denounce you and Fleindia. If that also doesn’t work, then they also have to denounce the others allies we have—me, her sister and 2nd dragon princess of Kargryx, and a Saint of Xohulotel in Kushlek’zar.”

“Sheesh, you didn’t have to smack my head, you top-heavy muscle head! Without my helmet, your hits actually hurt!” Renee chastised her friend, looking more free and loose now that the summit was over.

“Oh? I see we’re back to this, flattie! You’ve been made a Champion, you got to train with some dead knights, and you also got some levels on your skinny body, but you cry about such a weak hit? Oh, Yeostar is shambles cuz of you! He can’t talk, and you just had to go and embarrass him!”

“Don’t speak about my god with that gecko’s mouth! Pah!”

… They really missed their fighting, huh? I’ve once again got a look at their dynamic. Too bad Rita had to stay behind in the subspace for this — those three were a comedic trio. Well, it was for the best. The first day had to go by smoothly.

“Well, aside from the fighting, Rhea is correct,” Nishio interjected to stop their fighting, addressing Renee by her first name. “We have our cards, they will have theirs. In fact, we don’t even know how they will go about this. Will they be welcoming? What did they tell their followers? The moment the New Year’s concert was over, we made a beeline for the city, ignoring any towns or villages on the way here. We don’t know the general sentiment for Hestia-san among the followers. As such, we can’t all be down. This is the first time since we joined up with Aurora where all of us can be useful.”

“You can say that twice more!” Kyouya agreed. “They can try to hand wave our claims away as us being brainwashed or fallen from grace or whatever all they want, but the fact remains that we lived in Aureolis city for over seven months! We didn’t go down to the farms, but we know the inner walls well enough. We know our trainers, we know the knights and tutors, and we know plenty of the priests. Just like Miss Fleindia, we have our own connections.”

Tamae nodded. “All of this is for us to go back home. We have a place in this battle. All of us trained for this. Haruka and I can’t fight, but we can still support the rest of you. Don’t look nervous, everybody!”

“Haaa, you say that as if it would be that easy, Tama-chan …” Kazumi let out a long-winded sigh.

“The newspaper painted Fleindia as kidnapped and lost.” Sitting next to her, Kohaku pulled out the latest newspaper from the Empire. “‘The Saintess of Erithia, Fleindia, was majorly wounded during the Event Quest expedition. Sacrificing herself to protect the Heroes of the Goddess and their guardian knights, she was left behind in Ankor-Nazta inside the dungeon. The Empire has no further news on her whereabouts; however, if any responsible citizen does, please, share this information with your local guard station or lycerepth order.’ The writing style is similar to the other releases, so Yuuko-chan must be writing it, again. At least, we can confirm they are all right, but it’s clear information was left out here.”

“Like why did the other Heroes of Aurena return to the Empire, but those who stayed with Hesti-chan didn’t. Was there a fight?” Misaki added while polishing her bow and arrows, probably to destress.

“All those concerts, training, politics, and planning are for these days to come. Through the merch, ticket, and food sales, we’re finally back in the green. We have manpower and capital now,” Haruka chimed in. “What does it matter what they say? We just need to prove we didn’t get threatened. That we chose to be here. Even if it becomes difficult for us, the end game will be worse.”

“Fighting the Prince of Envy himself …” Daichi frowned. “Not to mention that sin heir we fought at that underground market that’s supposedly on Vifi’Yok’s level. And there is a chance one of her fellow Warbringer comes over. Not to mention, the possibility for just about any of the other princes of sins showing up isn’t exactly zero. How can we not be all nervous? I’m just a smith now, I can’t keep up with everybody’s fighting.”

Even Daichi is losing the fire? We haven’t even started yet and everybody is being so pessimistic. Some optimism is needed.

Morale wasn’t terribly low, but I guess this was similar to going into an important exam or interview. You just get nervous and overthink things, similar to what I always do.

“We’re here!” A woman’s voice came from the outside. It was Ellaine’s. “Everybody, we’re in front of the gates now. Please, come on out.”

That was Yorshka’s and the students’ signal for us to come out and identify themselves. Fleindia, Renee, and I had to stay inside the RV, as was proper. Once they were done, I heard the gates opening and we were let in. Going back to the upper floor, I looked out of the window, noticing the land around us truly was only farmlands.

Surrounded by the outer wall, you could only see farming villages and small fishing boats swimming through a river. No real town or city in sight from the sides, but looking straight forward, I saw the road leading us straight towards another set of walls. After some time, our RV reached the next goal—the actual papal city.

Unlike the fortress city of Lecartiglio’s capital, Gransromus, which felt claustrophobic to be within, this city felt far wider and open despite having a pretty strong fortified wall. On the other hand, similar to Olivus’s capital, Dianthia, the walls of this place were extremely well decorated, having added gold and yellow coloring to the fairnite wall, making some spots look like murals. You could see Aurena’s angelic form everywhere, with even two statues of her guarding the front gates.

I recognize that temple staring down at us over the walls. That window; it was repaired, but I know that was where Mom and I got thrown out of the dimension rift. That’s where the Prince of Envy lives!

Using [Mana Eyes], I also confirmed there was an extremely thick mana wall protecting the entire city, colored … pearl-white. Fleindia informed me the city’s last-line of defense was this very barrier, made during the last year of the Demon War. A catalyst created by Andira, the Goddess of Fairness and Equality, to defend the forward camp as they killed the last archdemon and pushed the Edjurian influence back into their void.

“I’ve heard the catalyst has been majorly weakened over the years, as it had gained a crack as it defended against a full-on attack by the archdemon. Due to the manner Goddess Andira concocted the orb, it is impossible to repair it through normal methods, and even the most brilliant alchemists for over 2000 years could not fix it. Nowadays, the only way for us to maintain it is through the power of a blessed of Goddess Andira. Even then, it’s only a bandage.”

“The history books wrote that Aureolis wasn’t razed to the ground during the War for the Faefolk, or any random wars over the years, due to this treasure,” Theodore added. “It cannot be removed, it cannot be disabled, and it cannot be tempered with, for it is blessed by Goddess Andira.”

“I heard it works similarly to the shield that used to surround Karhalanetheel’s seal,” Renee commented. “Fitting, for two catalysts made by two of Aurena’s gods. However, unlike what God Istari made for us while he was still mortal, Goddess Andira made this catalyst after she turned into a goddess. However, considering the demonkin can so easily wander back in and out of the city, I presume it doesn’t differentiate which people may enter?”

“It does.” Fleindia nodded. “The seal works only against pure demonic beings. Goddess Andira is a Goddess of Equality, so even back then, she believed in the coexistence between humans and demonkin. Demonkin also are part Peolyncian, meaning they belong to this world. Similar to how the gods cannot do anything directly against them, the shield cannot forbid them from entering. However, spells, arrows, and weapons cannot fly in and out, unless they were blessed by Aureolis’s holy water.”

“That’s why you told Ellaine to leave Klea back,” I mentioned, remembering her leaving the demon and Vifi with Grimnir in the subspace. He was the only one of Aurora to not join us in the city, as he hadn’t finished crafting every piece of equipment yet.

“Correct. We will also have to hand over our weapons and catalysts as a sign of goodwill. Aside from Dame Yorshka’s spear, everybody has to leave their weapons with the knights or within their subspace …”

I sighed, as this was all already said in the meeting. “But, Aureolis knows about the subspace. They can just tell you to empty everything, and since we need to show them our IDs, they will be able to guess how much we can store inside our storages.”

I pulled out my special, royal-issued ID, allowing me to hide my Profile with it. “With distrust comes the need to ask. Do you three think they will ask me to show them my full Profile? That means my secret about being an otherworlder will be fully revealed. I know I offered to reveal it, but now that we are in front of the gates, it makes me feel nervous that we are throwing away any form of surprise.”

“Then don’t,” Neill answered. “Hestia, let me reiterate this. Think like a damn dragon! You are smart enough with eleven minds to think of a suitable excuse, so if they dare even threaten you, then treat them exactly how your mother treated those border guards you told me about!”

If I recall correctly, on our way to Estralia for Yeostar’s divine Quest, Mom and I had to pass a checkpoint belonging to the Kingdom of Astraford, a mage-hating country. The guards wanted to see Mom’s Profile, but as she was vehemently against getting an ID since “she was a dragon and had no need to kneel to human law.” She just scared everybody and nearly killed a few people by freezing them.

I know, I know, and I’m trying to act like that, jeez. Still, I am fully aware of how rude it was to act like a dragon to others. The summit felt awkward when I went full aggressive on the first day, I told myself, even though I still agreed with Sis. It was a good idea.

And this tip came quickly into play when we all had to step out for the inspection. Ten knights of Aurena were all standing before us. They had their hands firmly around their weapons, ready to fight in the blink of an eye.

“Step out and put your weapons down!” one of them shouted.

“You hear that, Kush? You think they will attack us if we say ‘jikla’ to them?”

Turning around as I now stood outside the RV, feeling the cold chill of winter biting the skin of my face, I noticed my other companions on this trip. Aside from those formally inside the RV, there was also Saori, Tasianna, Ellaine, Master and the saurians, and the wyvern twins. This was our party for the basilica.

Laughing out from the comment he made, the knights eyed Krim-Slak with full hostility. They knew we were coming, after all, so why wouldn’t the guards at the front gates warn the inner city about us? About me? Public enemy number one—Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor.

“I would suggest you remove your hands from those weapons!” The first to step up was Renee. “What are the Knights of Aurena thinking? Threatening three blessed of the Goddess? To whom have you sworn your oaths to?”

“I am Saintess Fleindia Alsternich, Saintess of Goddess Erithia. I have visited the Holy Capital many times for my duties, but this is the first time I have been forbidden even entry into the main city. What orders have the Order of the Knights of Aurena been given for such a blatant insult?”

“S-Saintess Fleindia?” Some of the knights were baffled, lowering their guards. “We thought—”

“I am Champion Rhea Renee Sealight, daughter of Sir Royce Sealight, and the newest Champion of Yeostar! Upon my duty as a blessed of the Light Pantheon, I have come to the Holy Capital to pay my respect. Explain yourselves!”

“Champion of Yeostar!” All but one were now hesitating. The one who stood in the middle.

I stepped forward, ignoring the laughing Krim-Slak, the growling twins, the murderous glare from Sis and Tasianna, instead I looked at Master looking at the situation with the curiosity of a scholar, Ellaine’s nerves affecting her expression, and Akast’s nodding head, as if he knew what had to be done. Yet, most importantly—

[“This is our first step towards fulfilling Aurena’s request. Let us do this for Eshe.”]

—Saori was now by my side once again. With my first partner, I had the confidence I needed to do what I had to.

I am an Idol, the first of her kind! A combination between a Saint and a Champion. With the charm to soothe people but also the strength to overcome every challenge, I now will proceed with the faith war against the poisoned Holy Capital of Aureolis!

“I am Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor!” I stated, loud for anybody to hear. “I am the direct Idol of the Goddess, the first of her kind! As a blessed of the Light Pantheon, I request entry into the Holy Capital to do my duty. You will lay down your arms, knights.”

I glared at the person standing before me. I did not need to appraise him. I did not need to learn why he wasn’t shaking. I did not need to know who was behind this helmet. All that mattered was that he was an obstacle.

“Would you, please?” I finished my request.

The man kept his hand on the blade, remaining silent while the rest of the knights were shouting about how they found the “traitor” and “sinner” from the newspaper, but I did not react to them. If they moved a muscle, then somebody else would deal with them.

And you know that. Make your move, cosplayer.

“Let them pass.” In the end, the knight I stared at raised his hand away from his blade and gave an order to the rest. “Our opinions, nor those of our superiors, do not matter here! A Champion of Yeostar, Saintess Fleindia, and the new ‘Idol’ have requested a meeting. We are obliged to follow up, otherwise we would insult our Goddess and her subordinate gods! Move!”

“Wh-what, but you—” One of them wanted to complain.

“Are you a god?” he asked, silencing everybody. “No, of course not. Nor are we blessed. We are knights. We do what is needed to ensure the Goddess’s good name is kept! So … welcome them to the city!”

“Welcome to Aureolis! Welcome to Auelaeggia!”

“Good!” He then turned to us, holding his hand out. “IDs, please. Please also hand in any weapon or catalyst to the knights. You will receive them all back once you return. ‘Heroes of the Goddess,’ you will also empty out your storage.”

Ever since the Shiterno blessed ambushed me, all of us knew everything would now be going according to the Prince of Envy’s plans and expectations. The blessed were questioned and we managed to learn a cloaked figure had approached them when they were searching for me, informing them that I would be in Artorias.

The news of “fireslingers” looking for the [Divine Inferno] Saintess quickly spread as others learned that he new blessed of Shiterno was also a dragon. While it wasn’t widespread enough to be an interesting rumor, it still caught the ears of our enemies. They sent them after me, and then relocated them to that blackmarket for the ambush.

After we sent them back to Carmaniate with my message to not mess with me, I quickly understood that, from this point onwards, I had to play by his rules. I was in enemy territory now, unlike so many other times. Even Maagneil’s little scheme wasn’t at the level where my heart couldn’t stop pumping. This wasn’t even the main event yet and I was already shivering.

This was the first “Villain Stronghold.” Right into the pit of vipers.

“They don’t seem to like us …” Tatsuya stated after we finished the procedures and entered the city, noting the people looking out of their windows.

As Theodore mentioned, the inner city of Aureolis was completely devoid of any manatech, looking far more like the many farming villages we saw on the way here than any other city we’ve visited. However, unlike the villages, the density of buildings and the people we could see seemed to exceed that of a small town. This was no city population- or even size-wise.

They all depended on the walls and mana barrier to protect them. From the look of it, all of these people were similar to the grey-robed priests serving the white-robes back at Church of Aurena temples. Their duties was to assure this city continued working, even to their own detriment. Naturally, everything was fine as long as their religion and Aurena looked down on everyone else, right? Right?

Wrong!

“Renee. Fleindia. Come.” I pointed up to the ceiling as I opened the door. “In his palms? Working around his rules? Nonsense, all of that, am I right?”

“True!” Both agreed.

Holding onto both, I flew us all up on the roof of the RV before we raised our hands into the sky. Although we hadn’t exactly planned this, it seemed both of them understood exactly what I wanted. After all, it was customary of Aurena’s Saintesses to do so whenever they visited a religious building. Renee and I weren’t Saintesses, but it didn’t matter now … then again, Renee never learned the spell, so uuuuuh.

“The Goddess watches over us ♫

In her name, we pray, we sing, we love ♫

For her merciful light, protects us all ♫

Purify the ground, wherever her feathers touches ♫”

With Fleindia standing in the middle, she conjured a white magic circle, letting it fly up in the sky as Renee and I poured our mana into, letting it grow large enough to encompass the entire city.

“Oh, Goddess!” Renee’s face tensed up, looking like she was in pain. She was using up too much mana.

“I’ll handle the rest. This is what I am best at,” I told her. “Hold your hands up, and keep up the play. We got everybody’s attention.”

More windows were opening with some people even leaving their houses. All of them stared at the giant white circle. Nobody was panicking, instead some immediately went onto their knees, pray-singing along with us as white particles left their bodies.

This is my statement to all who doubt me! To the people of Aureolis! To the Prince of Envy!

I put music on, using [Aerokinesis] to imitate a church jingle I could remember. The solemness was what I needed as I sang the last part of this spell.

“Oh Goddess of Light, Aurena. I bid you, hear our prayers of gratitude and ardent worship so it may empower you evermore in your duties of overseeing us. I beg of you to hear us and grant upon us your blessing of light, Prayer!”

<[Blessing of the Goddess of Light (Major)] inflicted on [Young Sunfang Dragon, Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor]>

“Praise the blessed! Praise the Goddess! Praise the blessed! Praise the Goddes.”

From an unwelcome start to cheers and prayers. The silence of this city was immediately dispelled by us, for no idol deserved a quiet crowd!

<[Stage Fever (Modate)] inflicted on [Young Sunfang Dragon, Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor]>

Goddamn, the high from that buff is coming. Yup! I hear all of you! I hear all of you!

As we arrived at the basilica’s entrance, the cheers of the people couldn’t not be quietened before we were let in by some knights. We all got off, being guided by some shrine maidens into the main halls where a group of priests were already waiting for us. According to Yorshka and a few students, the people standing in front of us, flanking an empty throne, were the cardinals of this place. They served as the voice and hands of the pope.

That guy isn’t here?

Knights flanked us from each side. I couldn’t tell who was a demonkin or Edjurl sympathizer, but I really felt like I was inside the pit of vipers now. Everybody’s eyes glared daggers at me. I was not welcomed here.

“We at Aureolis wel—”

“My name is Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor, Third Princess of Kargryx!”

To ensure the vipers didn’t bite back, a mongoose had to bite before the snakes could react. As a dragon, that meant making the most explosive entrance ever!

“I am the first Idol of the Goddess, officially named a Champion! With my right as a blessed and Her Holiness’s blade, I denounce the papacy and their role as the leaders of our religion! Hear me! I demand the reinstatement of blessed as the leaders of our brothers and sisters in faith!”

“Huh!”