Episode 10: "There's no use in grumbling endlessly, you know."
"Hmm, so Romi recently became an armed priest?"
"Yes. Until then, I was an apprentice priest at the Yalda Temple."
Temporarily, but Romi joined Lala's journey.
Romi lived in the temple from the age of ten, learning the duties of a priest. At the age of fourteen, she chose the path to become an armed priest.
"Why did you become an armed priest?"
Recalling the recent events, Lala tilts her head. Judging from the name, armed priests likely require a certain level of combat ability. However, she doesn't seem particularly skilled in physical activities.
"Well, armed priests need to meet three conditions. First, they must have the basic knowledge as a priest. Second, they should be able to use holy magic to some extent. And third, they need to possess a certain level of combat strength."
"The criteria seem vague."
"The recognition of armed priests is usually left to the temple heads in each region."
Because of that, Romi explains with a subtle expression, some temple apprentices come from afar to temples where it's easier to pursue their desired path.
"Now, back to my story. The first and second conditions were something I could fulfill without much trouble."
"Knowledge and holy magic, right?"
"Yes. Those naturally develop as you work as an apprentice priest."
Romi says this with a somewhat proud expression. Lala, avoiding eye contact due to Romi's well-endowed chest, nods as if she understands, even though the meaning of holy magic is not entirely clear to her. She plans to ask Eel about it later and makes a mental note.
"As for the crucial combat strength, I had my magical skills evaluated instead of handling weapons."
"Oh, so magic was acceptable?"
"Actually, it wasn't supposed to be. But when I incapacitated an armed priest who had come to inspect Yalda's priests using only magic, I got permission."
"Wow..."
Sticking out her tongue a bit, Romi says with a cute smile. In other words, she forcefully subdued them with overwhelming magical power. Despite her appearance, she's quite unconventional, Lala mutters in her mind.
"So, you officially became an armed priest, and your first mission was to investigate the Black Wolf's den?"
"Well... y-yes. Thank you for helping me."
"No need to be so humble."
Casually spoken words from Lala seem to pierce Romi's heart. She lowers her face, struggling to find words.
"But..."
"W-what is it?"
The color of Lala's gaze changes.
In her moist blue eyes, Romi embraces herself.
"Is Romi really fourteen? And yet, you're so tall—"
"Oh, please don't say that~. Among the kids in my year, I'm the tallest..."
Pouting, Romi complains. Among the three present, Eel is the tallest, followed by Romi and then Lala. In terms of age, it's Eel, Lala, and Romi.
"Gods are so unfair..."
"No, Almerida-sama is fair to all people!"
"Almerida...? Ah, the Kia Kurumina religion..."
Being cornered by Romi, who speaks confidently, Lala is taken aback.
"Hey, Romi, I wonder if I pray to Almerida-sama, will I grow taller?"
"Well, um, I'm not sure..."
Unable to say no, Romi can't resist Lala's sparkling eyes. She's a fundamentally kind person who finds it hard to say things that might hurt others.
"Hey, you two. Chatting is nice, but we're about to enter the Walking Fish's habitat."
As if throwing a lifeline to Romi, Eel's voice interrupts. The surrounding grass has grown tall, reaching Lala's waist. Eel holds the rod reins, alert to the surroundings.
"We're going to hunt Walking Fish?"
"Yes. It's a guild request."
Romi nods and prepares her staff to help.
"In the name of the Holy Light Goddess Almerida, I, the Apostle Yezh, beseech. Open the third eye that surveys evil across the land."
She speaks words filled with power. In Lala's eyes, the magic gathering around her is visible, and she sees Romi covering her eyes. By the time she finishes speaking, Romi's raven-colored eyes have a hint of blue.
"Is that holy magic?"
"Yes. It's called the 'third eye' that perceives the existence of magical beasts."
Answering the question briefly, Romi scans the surroundings.
Soon, she seems to find the target, and a smile appears on her face.
"Eel-san, there are two ahead."
"Convenient, that eye of yours."
Pointing straight ahead, Romi impresses Eel, who then expresses his admiration. Handing the reins to Lala, She draws his sword and starts running.
"Eel-san is a skilled mercenary, isn't he?"
Watching her run through the grass with her red hair fluttering, Romi lets out some words.
"Well, he's been a mercenary for quite a while."
Though Lala says it with a knowledgeable look, she doesn't know much about Eel. After all, they've only met two days ago. She realizes she doesn't even know his age.
"Romi is fourteen, right? So, let's say I'm eighteen. ...I wonder how old Eel is."
Judging by appearance, he's in his mid-twenties. There's a possibility he's approaching his thirties. The interfering factors of his tall stature and well-built physique make it difficult to estimate his age.
"Welcome back. Missed one."
While Lala contemplates, Eel returns holding a magical beast.
"What's with this... creepy creature?"
"What, this is the Walking Fish."
It's a thick fish-like creature, about the size of Eel's arm. Even when cut halfway through the head, it still moves tenaciously. What catches the eye the most is the strangely thick four legs growing from its flank.
"This one is quite tasty. It's agile, making it a bit challenging to catch, but it fetches a good price."
Saying this with a licking gesture, Eel makes Lala turn pale. Her emotionless black eyes, the big mouth opening and closing, the unpleasant body odor—all of it triggers a strong aversion.
"Is this... Walking Fish? I've had it occasionally at the temple, and it was delicious, tender and tasty."
Cheering, Romi turns towards Lala, who looks shocked. Romi touches her cheek and looks at the Walking Fish with a dreamy expression.
"We need three for the request, so we have to catch more."
"Ugh. We have to catch more..."
Showing a thoroughly disgusted face, Lala expresses her aversion to Eel.
"Ugh. Well, it can't be helped."
But she quickly regains composure, and by activating her nanomachines, she shows that she can handle it. Her blue eyes glow as a gust of wind blows through the grassland.
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