After leaving the room Eric casts a spell to return the debris of the wall back to its original form.
Lila is still in shock as she leads him to the dinning hall.
After arriving they see Kazuma and Rizu seated at a table surrounded by nobles. Not wanting to interact with the nobles Eric takes an empty seat
closer to where the knights sit. A tray of food is delivered to them. It's a piece of beef with mashed potatoes on the side. It's a pretty basic meal compared to the luxurious feast his friends are having.
"So this is what the knights eat." Eric says enjoying his basic meal. "Uh… Lila realizes Eric doesn't have the higher class meal.
"Please allow me to get you a tray from the heroes feast." Lila bolts up. "No need, I'll be fine with this." He continues eating his basic meal.
"Heroes." A man in a black robe with blue accents approaches their table.
"Yeah." Kazuma says with a piece of chicken in his mouth. Meanwhile Rizu is stuffing her cheeks with a slice of apple pie.
"I am a Cardinal from the Church of The Sacred Order. My name is Rentt." This man has a round belly and that's his only real detail other than his stomach nothing stands out.
"Nice to meet you." Kazuma says.
"I have come to deliver an oracle from our goddess Celestia. The wisdom she passed down to me was about the Heroes. She asks for your help to defeat Algrim. With the strength the goddess has given you it should be easy for you. I know you've just arrived but only those who have the blessing of Celestia can destroy the demons before they bring us to ruin." Rentt says lowering his head.
"We've been told about the demons and we will help the people." Kazuma says proudly.
"Yes we were summoned so of course we'll do our duty." Rizu says.
"What!?" Eric yells from his table. "Ah there you are Eric."
"You guys have decided to go along with this?" Eric's face twists. "Yeah… We discussed it and since there is no way home we've decided to defeat the demons. Maybe then we'll be able to find a way home." Rizu says.
"You didn't bother to talk with me?" He asks.
"Quiet four eyes you have no place in this conversation even if you are friends with them this isn't your choice." Rentt says to him.
Eric delivers the coldest glare which sends chills down his spine in fact the room seems like it's dropped in temperature.
Rizu and Kazuma are about to explode on the Cardinal but Lila jolts up and beats them to it. "The Church has no right to come in and make demands of the heroes. On top of that you would show their friend such disrespect. Instead of sitting in the Church how bout you join us on the front lines."
Cardinal Rentt is momentarily stunned but quickly comes back to his senses. "You spout about being disrespectful but to bad mouth the Church is the same as disrespecting the goddess herself." He bites back.
Lila shrinks back hearing it. Suddenly she feels a hand on her back. "I don't believe she said anything wrong there. I mean she was obviously hinting at you losing some weight." Eric strikes back and everyone in the dining hall laughs.
Cardinal Rentt retreats for now. Eric starts to leave as well. "Eric." Kazuma calls out. "I don't have the blessing so I'm not a hero so I have no place to complain." He says walking through the door.
Lila follows after him as she exits she can hear Eric talking to himself or rather Tux. "Tux go follow that Cardinal and get me information on the Church of the sacred order."
"Shall I also teach him a lesson for insulting your eyes?"
"No, I'll pay him back later."
Tux nods and a faint mist can be seen floating down the hall.
"Um… Sir Kazumitsu." Lila calls out. "huh why are you acting so formal now?" He asks.
"I have seen your abilities and I will not let some lazy Cardinal disrespect you."
"Didn't you also disrespect me?" Eric says with a devilish smile.
"Yes… Please forgive me." She lowers her head.
"Hmm fine, apologies accepted." He says.
"R.really?"
"Yeah it's fine, not like you could've hurt me anyways." This seems to strike something inside of her.
"I did have you at checkmate." She argues. "I know you haven't checked your sword but next time you clean it you'll understand."
"Huh?" She's confused and pulls out her sword inspecting it. Finally she notices a crack. "You broke through Manasteel…" She has a surprised look on her face.
"Well I'm going to turn in tonight so can you show me to my room?"
"Uh Right." Lila leads him back to his room.
Unlike before Lila shows respect to him. Finally they arrive at his door. "Well Lila now that I've accepted your apology you can tell the king and get back to your job."
"Huh… Um if you don't mind can I ask something of you?"
"Uh… What?" Eric has a quizzical look on his face.
"Could you accompany me tomorrow?"
"I mean I have no reason to refuse." He says.
"Great I'll see you in the morning." She runs off after saying that leaving Eric confused.
After closing the door he walks over to his bed. Sitting on it he can tell they didn't cut any corners.
It doesn't take him long to fall asleep.
Meanwhile Tux is investigating The Sacred Order.
After following Rentt out of the castle. The Cardinal enters a carriage he's mumbling to himself. "That worthless brat. I know the second oracle was to be wary of him and to not let him influence the heroes… but he's just a kid who has no power. We need them to be ready to fight the demons."
A voice floats on the wind. "Rentt the high priestess requests you to the church."
"Huh. On my way." He replies and he and the carriage vanishes leaving Tux behind.
Tux comes to the conclusion that a higher power influenced his actions around Eric and that he has no idea how strong Eric is.