Evan D. Sherden's People (4)
The end of November had come one whole month since Leo's party had entered the dungeon. Of course, Leo had declared that they wouldn't return until they cleared the 60th floor with Mikhail D. Airok, so that was to be expected.
"Alchemy self-study is getting harder without Grandpa Bernard…" However, Evan, who had enough confidence that they could break through at least thirty more levels of dungeons, was worried that they were too late.
"They must've started on the 45th floor. Considering the time they need to adjust to the environment changes since the last dungeon cataclysm, it wouldn't be surprising if they took them half a year."
"No, they cannot be so weak."
"…"
Raihan Drukas, the older member of the Dungeon Knights, smiled bitterly as he tried to appease the anxious Evan. Evan seemed to have realized how strong he was these days, but he still had some misconceptions. He recognized he was strong but acknowledged that it didn't mean he was stronger than other people. He put in the effort to make sure not to convince himself of his specialness. Though for Raihan, Evan was the most special person in the world.
"They are the strongest group on the planet who have hunted down the resurrected Rose Queen. Is it even possible for their bodies to be damaged? However, if they are moving carefully so as not to be hurt, their progress will have slowed down, especially somewhere as far down as the 50th floor."
"Yeah…" The deeper the dungeon went down, the wider it became. The difference between the first floor and the twentieth was about three times in size. Then what about going past that? Evan didn't know exactly, but he could believe the stories of people wandering around a floor for months.
"Also, as it widens, the amount of traps will increase. It's no wonder that it would take them time to get past all of that."
"That's right. I know all of that…but Grandpa Bernard is in that party."
"…I do not doubt that Sir Bernard will be able to serve as a perfect dungeon guide," Raihan responded firmly, narrowing his eyes. He knew that Bernard didn't lose out to Evan when it came down to determining the location of the party and identifying the existence of traps and monsters.
"I can't help but be worried about him."
"What you learned from Sir Bernard wasn't only alchemy, but guidance skills as well, correct?"
"Well, yes…"
"Hahaha." In the end, Raihan couldn't help but laugh at Evan's appearance as he continued to worry.
"No need to be so concerned. Everyone will return safely."
"Will they? Why did Grandpa Bernard say such things?" Evan murmured quietly and proceeded to pout in a very cute manner. Raihan let out a laugh as he resisted the urge to ruffle Evan's hair.
"Then, if you would excuse me. I will be back in time for the afternoon training time."
"Are you going on a date?"
"It's embarrassing, but at the request of Miss Serpina, I gave a lecture on divine power to the priests of the Earth Church…the response was quite good, so I was asked to do it again." Although it had been a long time since he retired from the official priesthood, Raihan still knew how to deal with divine power and magic. His divine magic was at a level that exceeded the majority of priests in the church of the dungeon city. Therefore, he had much he could teach the priests of the Earth Church. However, Evan was stunned as he listened to him.
"Hey, she has such a roundabout way to meet you."
"…That misunderstanding is no good."
"Even though you know everything, you can't notice? Who are you? You know you were seen walking with Hannah before. It'll be difficult if you don't make up your mind." Raihan only laughed in response.
"Well… she may have a little crush on me, but I have something else to focus on right now. Love is an extravagant feeling for me."
"What the hell?"
"I won't apologize."
"Huh?!" Evan was so strong that both Shine and Raihan had to try hard to keep pace with him somehow, so they had inevitably set all other things aside. Evan wasn't even aware of the fact!? Raihan only shook his head.
"I'll be late if I wait any longer. Then, I'll be back."
"No, what else do you have to focus on?!"
***
Two hours later, Raihan was in the assembly room of the temple of the Earth Church. He was meeting with the priests of the church.
"Thank you all for being here today."
"That was great. It was possible to see unity beyond the limit of religion." Normally it was just a meeting between young priests to show off each other's theories of how to apply divine power. Today, however, the bishop had also participated. Despite the nervousness running through the room, the bishop seemed to be satisfied.
"Haha, well, I am excommunicated. I can't represent the church."
"It is a law that a human chosen by the whole body can't be excommunicated. Well, I will talk about this problem next time…I'll look forward to the next meeting." After briefly shaking hands with Raihan, the bishop left with priests flocking around him.
"It was a good time, Mr. Drukas."
"We'll see you next week, right?"
"It was a useful discussion." Raihan was very popular among the priests of the Earth Church, especially the female ones. It made sense; wasn't he a regular among regulars in Yo-ma Great War 4?
"Hmm, everyone has a lot of problems."
"Oh, Serpina." The priests surrounding Raihan ebbed away when Serpina returned. Everyone in the world already knew that she held affection for Raihan, so it was impossible even to consider flirting with him unless you intended to talk to her.
"It was a lot of trouble, Miss Serpina."
"I'm sorry, I wish I could've told you in advance, but the bishop suddenly joined me…now, let's go for a cup of tea." Serpina shook her hands to expel the priests and folded her arm over Raihan's.
"Is this okay?"
"It smells good." Serpina sat across from him after pouring him a cup of tea, holding a similar teacup in her hands. There were only the two of them in a small space, so he couldn't help but remember what Evan had said before.
"It seems that the bishop was amazed at the divine power you exhibited this time. Even though you aren't a proper priest, your divine power is absurdly powerful…"
"Ah…that's, of course, part of the influence from the protection I received as a child, but exploring the dungeon also had a huge impact," Raihan responded softly, a bit taken aback but the sudden topic he hadn't expected.
"That's right, the dungeon. Your magic power must've increased by reaching the 20th floor."
"It's a natural law. Isn't it the same for the priests of the Earth Church?"
"That's actually…the number of priests sent into the dungeon is limited. If all the priests had entered the dungeon to grow, the power of the church would be stronger than it is." Serpina explained with a sigh. In the first place, the priests didn't like being sent into the dungeon, given the risk of death and pain that was offered. No one ever voluntarily entered, and when one's turn came, they did so begrudgingly. There was even a case of a priest who never went.
"And the fact is that the only active role for a priest to play is in healing, right? So the proportion of priests who achieve reasonable contributions to level up isn't high." Until now, even if the priests couldn't grow, no one had a problem. The bishop, however, had learned of the Rose Queen incident and began to wonder if that was alright. Then he had learned of Raihan's ability and had been greatly shocked. Maybe sooner or later, new guidelines related to priests entering the dungeon would be created.
"…But is that possible? If you don't raise your level, isn't it that you can't go further down?"
"There is a magic tool to solve that problem that priests will use."
"Huh, something like that…" Raihan didn't know, but in the first place, such a thought as not levelling up due to a lack of effort had never occurred to him. Serpina's cheeks inflated as she watched him.
"Will you not compare them with Evan? He is one that has been chosen by God."
"I apologize, I was rude."
"…Because you are always with him, your common sense has been completely distorted, right? I understand it because I've seen it several times." Serpina said so with a laugh, and Raihan had no choice but to smile in response.
"I was surprised to hear that you cleared the 20th floor this time."
"Well, it actually wasn't that difficult. If you go into the dungeon with Evan, you will realize it yourself."
"I think it would be enough to be with you."
"Well…"
"I'm just joking. I know you're busy." Serpina laughed and sipped her tea. Then, she put down her empty mug and gazed at him, her red eyes sparkling.
"Even with Evan or you…I am also going to enter the dungeon this time. I will be with Hannah. Did you know she's training?"
"I remember hearing it before…you're going in now? It's too dangerous. If there is no one to help you, I will somehow get permission…"
"Thank you for worrying, but I decided to try it with just two people. I have been recognized as a priest." Serpina snorted. Raihan had heard Evan speak of Serpina, so he was convinced by her confidence. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but worry.
"I must also speak to Evan. Both you and Hannah are important to him, so if he finds out…Miss Serpina, if you could delay your schedule just a little…"
"Who are you more worried about?"
"Yes?"
"Who are you more worried about, Hannah or me?" It was a difficult question to answer. When Raihan firmly closed his mouth, she looked dissatisfied.
"That's stupid."
"Sorry, but…"
"No, that's it. I was wrong. Right now, there is only one person in your head, but I'm trying to forcefully squeeze myself in."
"Would you please refrain from expressions that could lead to a misunderstanding?!" Raihan shouted in fear. Serpina smiled at his reaction and stood up.
"I never thought to beat Evan anyway…I knew I wasn't behind Hannah, so I'll be satisfied with that."
"Miss Serpina, I'm truly sorry, but now I…"
"I don't know everything. But…" Serpina hugged him briefly before she opened the door for him.
"It's not only Evan who can change you. I'll prove it someday."
"…Yes." Countless people had been changed by Evan. The priests of the Earth Church, including Raihan and Serpina, as well as Bernard and Hannah, and his own family members. There were countless people he had influenced through his actions. None of them knew what would be the outcome, but they were sure it would be a better future than before.
'Oh, really, why do I have to suffer through this ordeal…!'' Raihan was an exception, as he suffered an active offensive from two women.