MAGIC SWORDSMAN CHAPTER 107: INFINITE LOOPS ARE SCARY, AREN’T THEY?

　The next day after getting information from Lily and making purchases.

　Esther and I were moving toward the Persimo collection quest.

　The destination this time was a dangerous place, unlike the royal capital.

　Toru checked his bag carefully to make sure that Pino had not snuck in before leaving home. [T/N: Pino is Toru’s pet slime.]

“Even so, Lily-dono’s spirit as she said Amy’s name was dark.” (Esther)

“Yeah. What could have happened?” (Toru)

“I was curious, but I didn’t have the courage to ask.” (Esther)

　Esther smiled bitterly.

　Yesterday, after Lily said, ” Kill them and don’t hesitate” Esther and I were so shocked we couldn’t move for a while. It was as if we had been put under the spell of mental magic. Her words were filled with such strong emotions.

“It was as if she had the intimidating presence of a B-rank adventurer.” (Toru)

“Oh…. By the way, Lily-dono was said to have the ability equivalent to A-rank.” (Esther)

“Oh, is that so.” (Toru)

　Certainly, Lily’s intimidating aura at that time was similar to the devil that stealthily appeared in the Royal Capital. There is no doubt her ability is equivalent to an A-ranker.

“Then why is Lily still at B-rank? Was it because she couldn’t take the rank-up quest or something?” (Toru)

“I don’t really know, but rumors say she had quite a few chances.” (Esther)

“Then, did she fail the quests?” (Toru)

“Apparently, she declined to be promoted.” (Esther)

“Huh.” (Toru)

　It is said that adventurers who reach C-rank are said to have a much richer life.

　The rewards for the quests are also unparalleled.

　Even I, a D-rank, am getting a reward that gives me no problem with my living expenses.

　Even B-rank adventurers can earn enough money to last a year without having to work, just by completing a single quest.

“If she had reached A-rank, she would have had enough money to last a lifetime, and she could have been a hero of this country. What a waste.” (Esther)

“Maybe Lily-san wasn’t interested in money or the title of A-rank.” (Toru)

　Lily’s interest is focused on magic.

　Recently, there is a slight interruption due to my “home cooking”. Still, she doesn’t look like she’s interested in money or titles.

　It was when we were walking toward the east gate. I suddenly felt something strange and I stopped. Esther stopped at the same time.

“Hey Toru. We were walking towards the east gate, right?” (Esther)

“Yeah.” (Toru)

“ When did we take a wrong turn?” (Esther)

“……let’s go.” (Toru)

　When we noticed, Esther and I were walking again in a familiar alley.

　To get to the east gate, all you have to do is walk straight down the main street. We don’t have to go back all the way. However, now we are standing in the back alley.

　The reason why they took the back road was obvious.

　—We are called by the God of Fate.

　We started walking again and soon came to a familiar building.

“So, we really got here, huh?” (Esther)

“Yeah, we are at the Church of Nesis.” (Toru)

　You can’t reach this place if it is not fated.

　In fact, I hadn’t been here since I chased out the attackers of Finlis.

“Anyway, why am I a believer of Agni being called here?” (Esther)

“Well, since we’re here, let’s pray for safety along the way.” (Toru)

“Of course.” (Esther)

“I’m sure we’ll be back here anyway even if we turn around…” (Toru)

(Infinite loops are scary, aren’t they?) (Nesis)

　What kind of god would mumble a line like that and let it loop endlessly without showing any guilt?

　It took me some time, but it’s no use because if I don’t greet her, I can’t move on.

　I sighed and opened the door of the Church of Nesis.

　Kneeling in front of the altar and putting both hands together.

(Please, I pray that we can return safely from this trip.) (Toru)

　It was at that moment that I made my prayer.

“It’s a very special thing for you to pray to me.” (Nesis)

　When I opened my eyes, I found myself standing in a blank space. The culprit who had forced us to come in was standing in front of me, looking quite arrogant.

“…Did you stop giving the login bonus?” (Toru)

“Well, do you want that? It can’t be helped. So, this time, I’m going to give you a special Nesis-chan doll.” (Nesis)

“Oh, no thanks.” (Toru)

“Why!? This is a very special charm!?” (Nesis)

　The day I receive this amulet of the God of Fate, it may save my life, but I will surely suffer a terrible fate.

　If you look closely, the doll was made of straw.

(What is that? Do I have to hammer a nail into it? Maybe I want one.) (Toru)

　Perhaps seeing through my thoughts, Nesis hurriedly tucked the doll into her pocket and sat down on what looked like a sofa that would bring a human being into ruin.

“The reason I called you here is to give you a present from a certain individual.” (Nesis)

“A present?” (Toru)

“Yes. I refused at first, but they insisted, so I couldn’t say no.” (Nesis)

　Relying on Nesis was like relying on a bad credit card. You never know what kind of price you will be asked to pay later on.

　The “person” must have had a compelling reason.

“Are you thinking something bad?” (Nesis)

“No, I’m not thinking about anything.” (Toru)

“It was their fault in the first place, you know? I’ve lost the timing to lend a hand because they’ve been watching for a long time. I refused to help him because I didn’t want my servant to be touched by others. Then they asked, ‘Then why didn’t you let the other ‘people’ go through with it?’ I was just too embarrassed to say anything.” (Nesis)

“…” (Toru)

“Well, that aside, I’ll give you this.” (Nesis)

　Nesis took out a silver bracelet from her pocket.