Sword Saint’s Disciple Vol 2 Chapter 3

2-3. Rank and Commission

A group pulling a cart that made rattling sounds pa.s.sed before me.
Almost all of them are in work clothes but some are wearing nun’s habit and priest uniforms.
I, together with Branch Leader and Neil-san, are on the way back to the guild.

“The people just now…”

“Yeah, the guys from the Reflux Sect of Baal Religion? It looks like they’re carrying relief goods to pioneering villages.” Branch Leader answered instead of the impa.s.sive Neil-san.

By Baal Religion, you mean that Baal Religion!?

“Eh, but wasn’t this country founded as a consequence of Baal Religion?”

Why are they inside Garschia like it’s something common!?

“What, Ojou-chan doesn’t know? When Garschia Kingdom was founded, they’re the guys who can’t throw away their faith and made a different organization instead.”

What?
It’s different from Dao Empire’s Baal Religion?
Branch Leader must have seen my expression still full of doubts because she gave a detailed explanation.

“Well, that full of s.h.i.t Human Supremacy Doctrine was abolished. Those guys declared that they will go back to the true doctrine and deified the original G.o.d of Harvest, Baal. That is why they are called the Reflux Sect.”

Speaking of which, there were also many factions of religion in my previous life.
The conversation continued while we walked slowly according to Branch Leader’s pace as she use a cane.

“Then, the rebellion—”

“Obviously. They have no difference from Baal Religion. But right now, they carry relief goods for new villages established in reclaimed wastelands. They also distributed food to refugees during Garschia’s founding.”

…I always thought that Baal Religion itself is completely evil, but it seems like I have to change my mentality.
It is not something so one-sided.

“The result is that they are now recognized as a different organization from Dao Empire’s Baal Religion. Of course, they were not the only group who agreed to that decision.”

The charity works appear to be effective to some degree.
But if it’s only that much, it is not enough to let them gain trust.

“May I ask one more thing? The First Prince publicly declared that he is a believer of Baal Religion, is it the Reflux Sect?”

I asked about my doubt since this is a good chance.

“Obviously, I do not know where it came from, but rumors that he hates other races spread. The charity works of the Reflux Sect helped him so the First Prince’s support is actually not low. Still…”

Branch Leader hesitated.
The First Prince’s support is not as hopelessly low as I imagined.

“The royal family never publicized any religious color until now, they did not support a specific religion. Then the First Prince suddenly came with Baal Religion. Isn’t it suspicious?”

They say that it was a consideration towards a country with varied races.
There are many people without religion, elves and dwarves believe in nature, and I heard that Werebeasts have a lot of religion where they worship their great ancestors.
As a general rule, you are free to choose your own religion in Garschia Kingdom.

As for Branch Leader’s suspicion, the First Prince may be allied with the Empire. There is a possibility of being Dao Empire’s spy and the Reflux Sect is just a cover to conduct activities inside the country.

“However, there is no evidence even if it’s very suspicious. In addition, the country promised religious freedom in consideration with the other races, so there is no reason to disqualify the First Prince as King candidate. What a dilemma.”

Religion is so complicated.

Because it is related to a person’s delicate part.
It looks like they also can’t make Baal Religion as an exception.

“With that situation, I’m expecting on you, Ojou-chan. If you think it’s possible, you need to crush his influence so First Princess Lily can be the King.”

Branch Leader ended the conversation like that.

“You’re still like that, Neil?”

We returned to Branch Leader’s office.
Branch Leader grumbled as she had enough of Neil-san, who is still frozen.
But Neil-san walked when I pushed his back.

“Oi, Neil-san?”

There is no reaction even if I waved my hand in front of him.
Branch Leader became impatient and stepped forward.

“You’re getting nowhere. Let me do it.”

Branch Leader hit Neil-san’s cheeks rather hard.
It seems painful.

“Wha–!? Where is this-ssu!? Is it a dream that Cathia-san is an Aura Master and burned a the target with a blade-ssu!?”

Neil-san came back.
But his way of speaking is different from the usual.

“Get ahold of yourself, it’s not a dream. And your speech, it turned back.”

“No way!?”

“Is your original manner of speaking like that? Neil san.”

“It’s embarra.s.sing-ssu…. I mean, it’s embarra.s.sing. I corrected it when I entered the Knight Order but it goes out sometimes…”

“If it’s alright with you, you can talk normally in front of me.”

We are know each other after all.
I am not really an important person so he doesn’t need to be formal with me.

“Even I said that to you before. There’s no need for formal speech if the person in front of you already knows—-” (Branch Leader)

“If Cathia-san says so, then I won’t hold back-ssu!” (Neil)

“This b.a.s.t.a.r.d…” (Branch Leader)

A vein popped in Branch Leader’s head.
Why didn’t he comply when Branch Leader asked before?

“Aren’t you very straightforward, Neil. In other words, it’s that? But Ojou-chan doesn’t notice at all. What a hard nut to crack. I’m sure there will be a lot of hardships.”

“N-no, that’s wrong-ssu! Ah, but she didn’t notice-ssu? I’m somewhat relieved-ssu.”

“This incompetent…”

What kind of conversation is this!?
This is that, and that is what??

…Let’s go back to the discussion.
The one about ranks.

“Then, what will be my soldier rank?”

Branch Leader answered while sitting down on a chair.

“Initially, the highest we can give is B-rank. That is normally decided after winning several matches through mock battles.”

Branch Leader kept talking while writing a doc.u.ment.

“Judging from that sword injected with a combination of Aura and fire magic, it is obvious to everyone that doing mock battles are unnecessary. Even without that, you have refined sword muscles. I will exempt you by the power of my authority as Branch Leader. I have to send you to the Capital quickly, and you can just display your true ability in actual combat after that.”

“Thank you very much.”

It seems like I met her expectations.
I’m glad.
She was also thinking about the time convenience.

“B-rank…to become easily above me…huhu.”

“U-uhm, Neil-san?”

Neil-san became depressed.

“Don’t mind him. Neil is just C-rank, y’know? But it’s very high for an eighteen years old.”

Neil-san is eighteen years old?
A year older than me.
But if we convert my age mentally…
No, stop it.
Afterwards is… ah, that’s right.

“I don’t really understand the strength difference between ranks…”

I’ll ask about it just in case.
Branch Leader folded her arms.

“Right… Did you know that the Kingdom’s army is small-scaled?”

“Yes.”

Neil-san told me that a while ago.
Why are you always asking people to tell you things, self.

“The numbers may be few, but what we want is quality. This applies to those above D-ranks. Incidentally, G is the lowest rank.”

I do not know the distribution of the number of people, but it may be something variable.
From what I heard, C-rank is already high.

“And B rank is already in Elite cla.s.s. Be proud of it. But what do we call those superior soldiers holding the highest ranks? A and S ranks are already celebrities and the bra.s.s of the military, the Hero cla.s.s.”

In other words, there is a big wall between B and A-S ranks.
Hmmm.

“Then, I’ll give you your first job… Neil, how long are you staying in this town?”

Branch Leader only talked about the essential things and then changed the topic.

“Ah, yes-ssu. Spike-sama said that in two months, the King will be announced during the gathering-ssu… We’ll start moving again in two to three days-ssu.”

Neil-san answered in a completely informal tone.
He surely recovered quickly.

“Fumu, is that so? Then—”

At that moment, there was a sudden knock in the door.

“Branch Leader, will you please come? There’s someone from the Intelligence Bureau.”

Intelligence Bureau? What for?

“Let them enter. There are other visitors but they are likely aware of it.”

“Of course, I know that.”

He talks like he is familiar with us.
A man entered when the door was opened.
Uhmmm, this person…
I’m not sure, but this is probably Nanashi-san.
His hairstyle and aura are different from before.
He is completely dressed in a merchant-like clothes.

“Nanashi-san! …Right?”
“Hoh, this is the third time you saw through me. You are right, Cathia-dono.”

It looks like I’m right.
But, what is this person.
I can’t guess his age at all.

“Eh, if Cathia-san knows you, you were the person from the Intelligence Bureau who traveled with me from the Royal Capital-ssu…?”

“Neil-kun is still the same as ever. I feel dejected. Also, your habitual tone is nice. Please call me Nanashi. Because it will be troublesome otherwise.”

Nanashi-san hurled sarcasm at Neil-san.
Branch Leader interjected at that point.

“Now that you’re acquainted, let’s go to business.”

“How impatient. I have brought a suitable job for Cathia-dono. It is not your obligation to do it, but will you accept it as much as possible?”

A suitable job for me?
What could it be?

“Oi, for it to go through the Intelligence Bureau, could it be—”

It seems like something came to Branch Leader’s mind.

“Yes. We suspect the partic.i.p.ation of a n.o.ble from the First Prince faction. The thieves’ hideout was discovered.”

Thieves?
Additionally, they’re related to a n.o.ble’s crime.
The first time I’ll fight as a soldier will be apparently against humans.

“Then why is it a job suitable for me?”

“Before I proceed, Cathia-dono what do you think did the thieves steal?” Nanashi-san asked.

What, you ask…

“It’s not a.s.sets or provisions like usual?”

“That’s not it. Those people stole—humans. Particularly the weak women and children.”

Humans?
What an unexpected answer.

“They aimed at pioneering villages which easily accept offers of help in defense. Then they sell them away to the Dao Empire using a route constructed by n.o.bles. Of course, the n.o.bles receive percentage of the money. Really, it makes me want to vomit.”

Nanashi-san talked with an expression that doesn’t show whether he really thinks it’s disgusting or not.

As for me, I am really completely disgusted.
I heard that land reclamation, especially at the first stage of village development, has a lot of places that need monster extermination.

“Oh, your eyes are glazed with anger Cathia-dono. Do you feel like accepting it?”

A sudden sense of impending crisis filled me when I heard that a newly-established village, something that is familiar to me, is being targeted.
Calm down.
It’s true that I hate those kind of guys.
But I need to calmly judge if the job is something I can accomplish.

“…First, I want to hear the whole details. Is it fine with Branch Leader and Neil-san?”

“Yes, that’s fine. But as the branch leader of this guild, I want to entrust this matter to someone with high abilities as much as possible.”

Branch Leader nodded.

“Me, too-ssu. I will leave it to Cathia-san’s decision-ssu.”

Neil-san also agreed.

“Is it alright? Then…”

Nanashi-san narrowed his eyes lightly when he heard that and began the explanation.