They were messengers who brought the word of God into the world, enlightening people and guiding them along the right path. Thus, they were the voice of God—and even God's incarnations.
They were the Holy See.
Thinking of how familiar she was with the Holy See and its near-ubiquitous presence, Fatenai recalled that every noble's estate had a church, and that the Holy See presided over her own awakening ceremony—or rather, every noble's awakening ceremony.
Or rather, whenever anything involved Allentia, the Creator God, they did their utmost to make their presence felt.
As soon as Merlin finished speaking, Fatenai remembered the unpleasant events at her awakening ceremony. Frowning, she pulled up her hood, its wide brim hiding her face.
More importantly, she didn't know which parish these Holy See officials belonged to. Those appearing in the ownerless forest might have come from the Heivag Fief—especially since Merlin's remark about it being "unfavorable" had put her on edge.
Just as she warily pulled up her hood, the rustling of leaves sounded as they were parted, and a group of people approached.
The person in front wore a white robe, adorned with sacred patterns in red and yellow. Following the patterns upward, Fatenai saw a tall, thin old man with graying hair, holding a golden staff. His expression was as rigid as a mold used by an artisan. When he looked at Fatenai, Helise, and Merlin, he looked down on them.
Besides the old man, there were at least ten holy knights around him, clad in silver armor.
"Are you adventurers, on land watched over by the sacred Allentia?" Though his phrasing was devout and humble, his words betrayed an air of superiority. Fatenai was long accustomed to the Holy See's ways, but she found Helise's struggle to contain her anger both novel and amusing. It was truly astonishing to see a girl who had such trouble holding back her emotions force herself to stay calm.
"We're mages," Helise said coolly, correcting the Holy See's mistake.
There were only two kinds of mages: nobles and commoners. The former supported the Holy See, while the latter were looked down upon. Although commoner mages had been striving to step into the limelight in recent years, their uneven abilities made it difficult for them to achieve much.
That was why Fatenai had barely heard of these mages before.
It was also why the Holy See wasn't particularly wary of commoner mages—in truth, it simply looked down on them.
Fatenai suddenly narrowed her eyes. She recognized the Holy See official.
He was the priest of Wittier Parish, formerly an acolyte in the Heivag Fief. Fatenai had met him a few years ago, when he came to the estate to pray for her gravely ill mother. She remembered his stern face, and now hoped that someone so conceited wouldn't remember her.
"Mages? Commoners?" the priest said slowly. He glanced at them and reached his conclusion. Helise trembled with anger, so Fatenai tugged at her, hoping neither side would start a dispute. "I hope your activities won't interfere with Allentia's arrangements."
Helise frowned. Perhaps Fatenai's reminder had made her realize that she couldn't openly defy the Holy See and that arguing would serve no purpose. In the end, she chose to remain silent.
But as they passed, the priest stopped and turned to look at Fatenai. "Who are you?"
Fatenai had a bad feeling. She also realized that a lock of her platinum-blond hair had slipped out from under her hood. The Holy See might seem to respect others, but its people never bothered with reason. They were feudal lords who stood above kings, nobles above all other nobles.
"What does that have to do with you?" Helise tried to protect Fatenai, but another voice cut in. They all turned to see Wickel, who looked at the priest. "Don't forget why you came here."
"Wickel." The priest's voice faltered. "You're still alive?"
A trace of disdain appeared in Wickel's eyes. He stepped in front of Fatenai and Helise, looking down at the Holy See's people. "I won't die as long as trash like the Holy See still exists."
Wickel's voice was fierce, like a beast's. It was the first time Fatenai had heard the usually well-mannered adventurer speak so harshly. She could even see his stone-hard muscles tense.
As soon as he finished speaking, the holy knights rustled into motion. Their boots, studded with metal plates, scraped against the ground as they drew their swords and fixed their eyes on Wickel. To them, this blasphemer needed to pay.
"Enough." The priest stopped them, much to Fatenai's surprise. Then he continued, "Wickel, you don't believe in God, and one day you'll pay the price you deserve. But we've always hoped you would embrace God. Those are the bishop's words."
Wickel said nothing. His expression made his resolve clear. The priest knew he wouldn't gain anything by staying, so he chose to leave.
The Holy See's people had come and gone in a flash. Soon, only their group remained. Fatenai fell into thought. Who exactly were the commoner mages' enemies? The Holy See, the nobles, or both?
Every one of these commoner mages had a story behind them, especially Wickel, who interested Fatenai the most. But she wouldn't go asking the Holy See about him.
Besides, she had nearly been recognized just now. By the Holy See's standards, that made her a betrayer of her faith—though she had never admitted to believing in Allentia in the first place.
"Those disgusting holy rollers," Helise said, unable to hold back once they were out of sight. "They're probably already pretending to investigate the Black Mist, then they'll go back and spread rumors to make us look bad."
Fatenai was a little curious. "The Black Mist?"
"Legend has it that it's the substance responsible for Rose Month, one of the most fundamental elements of Mana. You'll learn about it at the university," Helise explained. "But Wickel, is it really wise to attract the Holy See's hatred like this? They already think very poorly of you."
"It doesn't matter. I have plenty of identities, and there's no way everyone will recognize me." Wickel waved a hand, his expression relaxing. "But, Lonai, have you offended the Holy See before? You've made enemies of Beast Speakers and the Holy See. That's impressive, in a way."
Fatenai was at a loss for words. "Thanks for the compliment, but I've had little to do with the Holy See. Maybe I just look like someone that priest knows."
Even in the forest, she had nearly been recognized twice. Fatenai decided she wouldn't go anywhere near a proper city for the next few years.
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