Chapter 538 The Twin Sisters

Arthur’s words weighed heavily on the council chamber.

Many nodded silently.

His analysis matched their thoughts exactly.

“Exactly.”

Irus spoke up.

“As Arthur said, the Demon Lord Army would never act out of foolishness. The Demon Lord leading them was chosen for the role! So they must be planning something behind this—something we still know nothing about……”

She glanced around at everyone present.

Irus declared solemnly:

“This is grave.

We may have less time than we thought. We can no longer wait and let the enemy seize the initiative. We must form the Demon Continent Expeditionary Force and launch a counterattack as quickly as possible.”

“As for the timing——

it will be the day the Heroes reach the peak of their power.”

……

On a major road leading to Bongisto.

A contingent from the Central Church had set up camp beside the road.

Two young girls dressed as clergy slipped outside the camp, standing on tiptoes gazing east.

“Rumia, Rumia! Can we see the city over that mountain?”

“No, Lucia. We still have many, many days until we arrive.”

“Rumia, what’s ‘many, many days’?”

“Um…… Rumia doesn’t know!”

“Lucia doesn’t know either. What should we do?”

The twin sisters looked at each other.

Seconds later, they spoke in perfect unison:

“Let’s ask Krut——!”×2

……

On the other side,

a young priest was being harassed.

Though fat and petty, the man before him was indeed a Bishop of the Church.

“……Krut! Are you even listening?!”

“Apologies, Bishop Bovorn. I am listening.”

“Hmph……”

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Bovorn glared at Krut unhappily.

“You’d better not be humoring me. A country boy like you would never rise to importance in a lifetime—His Eminence the Cardinal only gave you such an important role because you’re from the same hometown as that lord, and close to the young ladies.”

“Be grateful for this favor.”

Krut’s mouth twitched.

“Yes, you’re right.”

“Don’t just pay lip service. If anything happens to those two young ladies, it’s on your head!”

“Y-yes, you’re absolutely right……”

To dump all the responsibility on me? How convenient.

“Hmph. Remember: once we reach headquarters, I’ll arrange you in logistics. Stay by the young ladies’ side at all times and protect them.”

“Uh, Your Excellency… isn’t that a bit……” Krut hesitated.

“Have you a problem with that?”

Bovorn shot him a glare.

“Those young ladies are blood relatives of that lord! Can you take responsibility if something happens to them on the battlefield?!”

“But… shouldn’t we ask for their opinions first……”

“Don’t be absurd! Such matters are for us to control—we can’t let anyone act recklessly——”

“Krut——!”×2

Twin voices called out from nearby.

Krut turned and saw the twin sisters running toward him.

“Rumia? Lucia?”

Krut sounded surprised.

“What brings you two here?”

“Krut, are you busy……?” Before Rumia could ask her question, she noticed the fat bishop Bovorn beside Krut.

“N-not at all!”

Bovorn quickly interjected.

His fat face was creased with a smile, his eyes nearly buried in fat.

“We were just chatting! Anything you need, simply ask. I, Bovorn, am at your service~!”

But……

the twins completely ignored his enthusiasm.

“Then Lucia may ask Krut.”

“Yes, Rumia may ask Krut.”

The two girls circled Krut, one on each side, and asked in unison:

“Hey, hey~ Krut, how much longer until we arrive?”

“Rumia wants to see Hulim soon.”

“Lucia wants to see Hulim soon too.”

“Uh…… so that’s what you wanted to ask.”

Krut smiled helplessly.

“Rest assured. We’ll arrive in about one week.”

“One week?”

“It’s one week!”

The sisters held each other’s hands and pressed their cheeks together.

“Wonderful~!”×2

“Speaking of which……” Krut’s eyes flickered, and he suddenly spoke again.

“Rumia, Lucia—would you like to stay in the rear once we reach headquarters?”

The twins looked up at him at the same time.

“It’s safer in the rear, you see~?”

“No. Lucia doesn’t like staying behind.”

“Rumia doesn’t either.”

“We want to go to the battlefield with Hulim.”×2

Krut spread his hands in mock distress.

Bovorn panicked on the spot.

“W-wait! Please wait, young ladies! The front is far too dangerous! It’s for your own safety!”

“No way. The rear is boring. Lucia hates being bored.”

“Rumia hates it too.”

“Uh, b-but……”

“Is something the matter?”

A calm voice came from nearby.

As soon as Bovorn saw who it was, he rushed over as if finding a lifeline.

“Cardinal! Please, persuade the young ladies of House Heyerar……”

The Church Cardinal quickly grasped the situation.

The serene middle-aged cleric stepped forward slowly.

“Cardinal Jarius.”

Krut greeted him quietly.

Jarius smiled and nodded.

He turned to the twins and asked:

“Rumia, Lucia—you don’t want to stay in the rear?”

The twins nodded vigorously.

“Rumia wants to fight like little sister!”

“Lucia wants to fight like little sister too!”

“Impossible! How could you?!”

Bovorn paced anxiously.

Jarius waved a hand to calm him.

With his gentle, unchanging smile, he said:

“I see. I understand. In that case……

would you two join the main force’s medical team with the Church’s clerical corps~?”

“Y-your Excellency Cardinal?!”

Bovorn stared at Jarius in shock, unable to believe he’d agree.

“Medical team?”

The twins tilted their heads.

“Can we be with Hulim?”

“Of course~.”

Jarius replied with a smile.

“Our duties may differ, but we shall fight upon the same battlefield.”

“That’s wonderful, Lucia!”

“That’s wonderful, Rumia!”

The twins cheered and pressed their cheeks together again.

“Just like Hulim~!”×2

“Wait a moment, Cardinal!”

Bovorn was beside himself with panic, throwing aside his usual formality to object directly:

“This is far too reckless! Please, reconsider——”

Jarius glanced at him with a faint smile.

“……”

At that look, Bovorn’s words died in his throat.

Though still confused, he fell silent.