Battle Race in the Fantasy World

EP.139 Ah Monsters! What an Excellent Evaluation Tool!

– Commander Priscilla Franz. Escort the Saintess westward. Ensure that those ferocious monsters do not dare to touch even a hem of the Saintess’s garment. And there, deliver righteous judgment with the divine sword to the beasts that harm people. –

At the Pope’s message, Commander Priscilla knelt and vowed.

That wherever the Saintess goes, no being would dare to cause her harm.

That anything that harms people would fall silent before her sword.

Afterwards, she departed from the Church’s headquarters with some of her subordinates from the St. Elfreda Knights.

The knights and priests who left earlier would be preparing at the Academy.

The schedule was to depart westward and join the Imperial Legion.

‘What kind of situation could it be for the Empire to ask even the Church for help?’

It was an incomprehensible situation. She had thought the west was already settled.

The Alliance had publicly declared that they would pursue peace with the Empire, hands and feet raised in surrender.

That meant there was no force anywhere in the west that could threaten the Empire.

But recently, she heard news that the Imperial Legion had headed west.

She wondered what had suddenly happened, and now there were even reports of casualties mounting.

‘I heard the reason was a large-scale monster uprising… I don’t understand.’

The Imperial Legion struggling against monsters? It’s impossible to imagine.

No matter how large, strong, ferocious, or intelligent monsters might be, they’re still just monsters.

Before human wisdom and numbers, all of them eventually fall.

Let alone mere monster hunters, we’re talking about the regular Imperial Legion.

To think they’re being overwhelmed by monsters’ activities and suffering casualties.

As Commander Priscilla, it was utterly difficult to accept.

“Commander. We’re near the Academy. They said they’d bring out the Saintess if we wait here.”

“Is that so? Then let’s wait a moment. She’ll be out soon.”

While waiting for the Saintess, the holy knights whisper in low voices.

Their topic, of course, was about this western monster uprising.

“I never expected the Imperial Legion would struggle.”

“Were there many ferocious monsters in the west? This is the first I’m hearing of it.”

“As you say, brother, monsters do inhabit the area, but not to that extent.”

The holy knights continued to express doubts about this aspect.

No matter how strong the monsters are, they’re still just ‘monsters’. For the Legion to request support…

“Commander. There she comes.”

Where the member pointed, the Saintess was approaching, accompanied by escorts and priests.

Hmm-.

Suddenly, Priscilla’s sense of the powerful quietly awakens her.

It tells her that a formidable opponent is coming along with her.

“…We have one more guest.”

“Pardon?”

“You’ll see when you look.”

The members wondered what the commander was suddenly talking about.

The tilting heads soon straightened as they saw a young man’s face and exclaimed, “Oh!”

“Brother Kyle!”

“It’s been a while, everyone. Have you all been well?”

As Kyle smiles and waves happily, the knights smile back.

Though neither a priest of the Church nor a holy knight, the reason they welcome him as much as their own:

He was the one who had brought winds of change to the once-frail priests of the Church.

*

“Oh… So, you’re saying they’re all coming along too.”

“That’s correct.”

It wasn’t just the holy knights who had come. Behind them, a few priests could be seen as well.

This would have been unimaginable in the past. The priests’ stamina was far too weak.

Even if they had gone along, it was obvious they would have been panting and exhausted after just a few healings.

Just as with magic and swordsmanship, ultimately, the user’s physical condition is crucial for holy power as well.

If the body can’t support it, they’d tire themselves out using it and end up unable to do anything.

‘But… wow. They’ve all improved quite a bit in just a few months.’

He couldn’t quite bring himself to say they were good or excellent.

If this was considered good, then how would one even begin to describe the knights or other skilled individuals?

To put it in words, one might say they’ve barely entered the realm of normalcy.

Still, this level is acceptable. They should be able to go, perform some healing, and not collapse.

Among the things Kyle had requested, besides the basics for core and strength,

There were also other exercises to increase overall stamina.

“These days, everyone is doing basic running as a routine.”

“That’s good. Cardio is the most difficult and bothersome, but it’s also the most effective.”

“It seems that other foundational aspects have also been firmly established.”

“In that case…”

“Yes. As Brother Kyle suggested, we’re thinking of moving on to the next phase.”

At Commander Priscilla’s words, Kyle smiled and nodded.

Her judgment, as one of the Empire’s Top 10, should be trustworthy.

Now it was time to move beyond just bodyweight exercises and cardio, and start handling equipment.

A devout heart ultimately comes from a strong body.

That part, which Kyle had proposed and the Cardinal had spread, had taken root quite thoroughly.

“If the Commander thinks they’re at that level, then go ahead. We can’t stick to just bodyweight exercises forever.”

“Understood. But more than that…”

As Kyle looked at her with an expression that seemed to ask if she had more to say, Commander Priscilla continued.

“I didn’t expect Brother Kyle to be traveling with the Saintess.”

“Ah. As it happens, I also have some business in the west.”

“Business, you say. Would it be impolite to ask what kind?”

“Let’s just say it’s partly family business, and partly a request I’ve received.”

Hearing that much, Priscilla nodded as if she understood the gist of it.

“More than that, it’s fortunate. With Brother Kyle here, the Saintess won’t be bored.”

“C-Commander?! That’s…!!”

“Whenever she comes to the Church, she talks so much about Brother Kyle.”

“It’s not like that! B-Brother Kyle! You know, right?! I mean…”

“Of course I do. I’m sure you’ve said many nice things. Thank you always, Saintess.”

As he smoothly deflected the situation, the Saintess’s face turned bright red.

She then lowered her head deeply, deliberately avoiding Kyle’s gaze.

‘Saintess. I didn’t know you could make such an expression.’

Priscilla smiled inwardly as she looked at the Saintess.

The Saintess, who had never been like this before, suddenly acting this way could only mean one thing.

‘At first I wasn’t sure, but seeing her reaction now, it seems I was right.’

Affection. No, perhaps even beyond that – love. Yes, that must be it.

There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s quite natural.

Isn’t this the age when one is most curious about the opposite sex?

In the Church, love between men and women is not something shameful or sinful.

Rather, it’s blessed as the greatest gift God has bestowed upon humans.

This applies not only to ordinary people but to everyone in the Church as well, without exception.

“Uuugh…”

Leaving the flustered Saintess behind for a moment, Priscilla approached Kyle.

“I’m telling you this just in case. That is absolutely not a flaw.”

“…I understand what you mean.”

“I’m glad you understand. Please treat the Saintess well, so she doesn’t get hurt. Brother Kyle.”

Perhaps it was because she had been assigned to escort the Saintess quite often.

Commander Priscilla was just like an eldest sister worrying about her younger sibling.

“…Yes. I understand.”

Thanks to this, Kyle’s burden tripled.

‘It’s my karma. What can I do? I’ll have to navigate through this on my own.’

Things had gotten so bad that he’d even been having nightmares lately.

Four women would appear, each holding a piece of equipment hostage.

Shouting, ‘Who do you like more? Decide!’ – that kind of terrifying content!

“Ah. Commander Priscilla. About what you asked last time.”

Kyle whispered carefully into Commander Priscilla’s ear.

And after hearing whatever he said, her expression brightened.

“Really?”

“Yes. When I asked back home once, it seems that person is indeed the one.”

“That’s amazing. I never thought we’d actually find them.”

“Well, the people of Jonathan always remember those they’ve acknowledged.”

“I see. But why bring this up so suddenly now…”

“Actually, Commander.”

Kyle briefly explained to Priscilla his reasons for heading west.

To summarize, his father had headed west, and there might be someone related to Priscilla’s ‘request’ there as well.

So, he said, they might be able to fulfill what they’ve been hoping for if they go there.

“Ah…!”

Priscilla’s already bright face grew even brighter.

Anyone watching might have mistaken her for a woman who had just met her long-lost first love.

“Thank you. Thank you, Brother Kyle. Just as the Saintess said, you truly are a godsend.”

Enough already. What godsend? It’s nothing like that.

If one receives something, they should naturally give something in return.

He was simply faithfully adhering to the principles of Jonathan, that’s all.

*

“Excuse me, Brother Kyle.”

While moving to use the teleportation magic circle.

Priscilla, who had briefly separated from the Saintess after chatting with her, approaches Kyle.

“Yes, Commander. Do you have something to say?”

“I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier. Didn’t you mention that Jonathan moved to the west?”

“That’s what I said, yes.”

“From what I’ve heard, the people of Jonathan rarely move, let alone go north. For them to have moved like this…”

“If the people from my hometown have moved, it’s only natural that the Imperial Legion is struggling.”

Hearing Kyle’s response, Priscilla couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

It feels like all the questions she had been harboring were suddenly resolved.

She had been wondering why the Empire was having such a hard time against monsters.

The fact that they rushed there after hearing news from Jonathan made it instantly clear.

‘Perhaps this escort mission will be much more challenging than I initially thought.’

She thinks about emphasizing to her knights that they must be fully prepared and must never let their guard down.

As the commander of the knights and the leader of the escort team, Priscilla considers this her duty.

She prays that nothing unfortunate happens and that they return safely.

‘Ah. I wonder if monsters will attack as soon as we arrive through the teleportation circle? That would be quite thrilling.’

Meanwhile, Kyle, who was walking beside her, was actually hoping for something to happen.