The Human Saint Is Bored, So I Was Summoned To Another World

Kuro here! It's been a while…

Well, I think I've been able to pass a season in this world. Why, you ask? Maybe because I've noticed a change in the atmosphere of the people here at the Holy Palatial Gardens. If I may describe the general mood, I'd say they are restless and excited. From the window of the guest house where I'm staying, I could see the maids and guards scurrying here and there with their respective loads: be it weapons, laundry, food, or other stuff.

Also, I am beginning to see a lot of white-clad women walking around, and important-looking people coming along with them as well. They were not here before; or at least, they seldom appear, especially near this place. That is because, in the Holy Palatial Gardens, allowing this great number of people—and even males, tells me that something big is going on.

I wonder what are they doing here?

"Oh, those pretty ladies wearing white are the nun-templars. They usually assist in the conduct of the holy services, Mister Defender—"

"I told you it's Kuro!" I'm already getting pissed being called names by this stupid paladin, Marquise Monfort. "Would you like it if I start calling you a "Lunatic Paladin"?"

"Ooh...a 'Lunatic Paladin', huh? That sounds cool."

"A lunatic is a crazy, or weird, person, just to mind you."

Marquise Monfort laughed, "Yep, I know. But I like the sound of that word."

I was surprised by that answer, I could only stare at her in silence. From that moment I realized, there's something weird with this person. Oh, and yeah, I almost forgot that I'm stuck in this world of idiots...

"Haaa..."

"That's quite a long sigh you got there, Mister Kuro." Marquise Monfort patted me, "It's not good, you know."

Well, I'm getting exhausted by the weird standards of this place...if only I could tell her that.

"Ah, anyway, where are you going?" I asked her since I noticed that she was dressed in her full uniform as a paladin of the Saint, "Off to some war, or something?"

"Oh, this? Well, I'm off to do some patrol check today." the Marquise answered, "This will be the third Seasonal Mass service and I need to make sure that the security is in proper working order."

"I see…a 'seasonal mass', huh? Is that the church service at the start of every season here?"

"Yep, you're right. It's a pretty popular event, so we from the Paladin Corps have to double on our efforts in securing this place. Actually, I also asked the Arles militia for their cooperation this time."

"Hmm…looks like you're quite short-handed?"

"Terribly so." To be honest, this is the first time I saw the Marquise Monfort in her professional 'mode'. If a person like her has to go serious like that, then it could be a real pain. "Anyway, Mister Kuro, want to come with me? Did you already attend your seasonal mass?"

"No, not yet." I replied. Actually, as I am raised in a different religion, I'm kind of uncomfortable in this kind of situation. But well, since I'm in another world, I guess I could try and experience how they do church services here…

"Well, you wouldn't want to miss this one!" Marquise Monfort forcefully grabbed my hand. "The Braunhauer Ducal House will be coming, so I need to make sure you'll meet them. Eris would be glad as well!"

"Err…uh, what are you saying?" I need to make sure that there would be no terrible misunderstanding as to what my intentions are in coming with her. "No one's marrying anyone!"

"Come now, no need to be shy! I only said that you'll meet them; nothing else!" In the end, the paladin was able to persuade me; partly because I wanted to also try and check out Chersea's religious customs by myself.

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Now I understand why the Marquise Monfort is serious this time.

"…"

"Yes, this is what happens every time there is a change of season." the Marquise Monfort said once we came to the ramparts surrounding the Holy Palatial Gardens. All I can see is a vast sea of…humans, as far as my eyes can reach. The only place that is empty is the interior of the palatial gardens where we just came from; virtually, all space that can be occupied is filled with people.

Some had already pitched their tents right outside the grounds below the fortifications of this place, and there are more coming in from the horizon: most were on foot with their families, some were riding carts, others are in carriages.

"Well, the 'Seasonal Mass' is something of a pilgrimage that happens every start of the new season." the Marquise explained, "Those who have the means and are religious always strive to undertake the journey to come here, and those who can't try, attend at least once in their lifetime."

Oh…I can remember a religion back from Earth that has the same tenet. Anyway, this 'Seasonal Mass' piqued my interest, so I continued asking questions, "You say 'Seasonal Mass'; do you mean that Her Holiness would be the one to celebrate it?"

"Well, sort of." the paladin replied, "Actually, it's the highly-respected GMTS of the Saint's Cathedral who would administer the sermons, rituals and blessings. Her Holiness would be there, but only her presence is required."

"Huh? GMTS?"

"Yeah, the Grand Mother Templar Superior. I call her 'GMTS', for short. Their naming styles are terrible here."

Oh, that's fresh, coming from you.

Well anyway, for a second, I thought that watching Her Holiness deliver a sermon is something interesting. However, Marquise Monfort's words quickly crushed my anticipation.

"Haa…and because of the change of season, we at the Holy Paladin Corps are busy once again. I mean, this is one of those times that we can't let our guards down…there'll be a lot of trespassing incidents once again."

Marquise Monfort was shaking her head in disbelief, but it's not like it's something that she has control to begin with. I mean, people come to this place out of their religious zeal. However, one can't help that someone else from the bad side of the society would come along, mingle with the religious adherents, and do some nasty things while here.

And considering that, according to the Marquise, this is the only time that males are allowed free entry into the Holy Palatial Gardens. I'm pretty sure the crooks would take this as an opportunity to strike.

That panty-thief incident is still fresh in my mind…

"Ah anyway…" I tried to change the topic, "Lady Monfort, you said it's the new season. May I know what season it is this time?"

"Well…" the Marquise looked up into the sky as if to ascertain her answer, "If I'm not mistaken, these clear drops of rain indicate that we just entered the 'Season of Crystals'."

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The 'Season of Crystals'. If you remember, there are six types of season in Chersea; this is one of those. Last time, if I remember correctly, was called the 'Season of Sleep'—which is an 'All Saints' Day'-like time in this place. And so, the second one to come after I arrived here, is the 'Season of Crystals'. The name itself is pretty much simple, it is because the rainwater drops are crystal-clear, that's why it's called like that.

However, this season still reminds me that I'm not in my old world.

I mean, look, it just defies Earth physics. Rain is indeed pouring gently, but if you noticed in our conversation, it's as if we don't feel it at all. Indeed, the only time I noticed it was raining is when the Marquise said 'clear drops of rain'. Now that she mentioned it, the entire place is soaking wet, but for some reason, everyone else—including us, are as dry as a fresh paper.

"Why is that?" I tried asking the Marquise.

"Hmm? Isn't it the way it's used to be?" she answered, with a puzzled look on her face, "Ever since I was young, rains during this season won't get us wet. But if it falls to the soil, it would soak thoroughly that it becomes ideal for planting new crops."

I kind of expected her answer; she grew up in this world, after all. However, well, it's interesting. Maybe I should look into this strange phenomenon, provided I have the proper equipment for it.

Well moving on, the 'Seasonal Mass', according to Marquise Monfort, is something like an equal to our 'Christmas' back on Earth. It is actually a long festivity; taking place for at least several 'long sleeps' before ending with the 'Saint's Benediction'—the time when everyone would sing praises as 'Her Holiness asks the heavens for their blessing'.

Honestly, I don't know what that last part meant, but I seriously doubt that the Saint would actually go to heaven and meet with God…

Or I could be wrong. After all, this is another world…

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For someone like the Marquise Monfort, I couldn't believe that a person like her could be entrusted with this kind of work. I mean, ever since I came here, the only impression I had with her is that she's an idiot.

Or you just can't take her seriously, something along those lines.

"…"

However, watching her how she does things really puts my views on her in the wrong perspective. The way she handles her soldiers and how they respect her already tells a lot, but seeing her how she resolves some fights breaking out with ease proves that the Marquise is a person fit for her job.

My respect for her just went up a notch.

We went around the entire northern section of the ramparts, the walls facing the direction of the town of Arles. From what I saw, I think the ladies of the Paladin Corps were assigned in the perimeter surrounding the Saint's Chambers and the Library, which is near the spot we checked. She made sure that her soldiers stood on-guard in their proper places, so as to prevent trespassers from coming in the 'off-limits' areas of the palatial garden.

I remember that the Marquise Monfort also asked the Arles militia for help, so I asked her about their whereabouts. She told me that she assigned them at the grounds where the dignitaries and visitors are coming in, working together with some other royal guard corps from the nearby human kingdoms in keeping the order, as well as beefing up the security.

It's one pretty tiring work, seriously.

Anyway, after confirming that everything's in order, the Marquise then turned to me and asked, "So, ready to attend your first seasonal mass, Mister Kuro?"

Honestly, I'm halfway spent, but I guess I can't turn her down since the Marquise seemed excited to have me come along. So, not wishing to disappoint her, I replied, "Yeah sure, just take me with you there!"

"Nice! Then let's go on with it!" she pulled me like a child as we dove into the sea of humans.

Even though she's the captain of the Saint's Paladin Corps, the Marquise Monfort and I weren't spared from the pushing and the shoving of the people who came to see and be blessed by Her Holiness. The lines are getting mixed up the nearer we get to the colossal Saint's Cathedral.

"Hey! Watch it!"

"Oof, don't you have a pair of eyes, you dolt!?"

"Make way, you damned bastards!"

"My apologies, my good sirs!" the Marquise would say from time to time, especially if she happens to hit someone with her c.u.mbersome armor.

Well, for someone who's there for a holy service, those words are surely ironic. Not that they could help it, but maybe they should tone down in their words since this is supposedly a holy place.

Chersea and Earth have a lot of things in common, I guess, even in hypocrites.

"Man, I didn't expect that going to the mass would be this difficult!" I commented, to lighten the mood.

"Haha! Do you also have things like this in your land, Mister Kuro?"

"Yep, but not this chaotic. There are days where the church-goers' attendance is low, you know." I answered, half-shouting. The noise of the crowd is drowning our voices, so I have to keep up.

"Hah! Now that's what I'd like to see!" she cheerfully replied, "Your place must have a lot of bad people, huh?"

I sure heard that, but I just kept my silence. I wanted to explain to her about the existence of 'atheists', and the 'not-so-religious folks' back on Earth, but I guess it would take a really long time before she's able to make sense out of it. This world hasn't got out from the connotation of 'irreligious people = bad people' just yet.

Seeing events like this is a proof of the strong faith of the people in this land for their god.

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Anyway, we continued pushing forward. The Marquise was walking in front of me, so I couldn't see the people ahead. The forest of bodies and hands kept on hitting me, but we trudged on. I was forcing my way every time I feel that the armor of my paladin escort is getting too far from me; I feel like I will get lost the moment we get separated.

"OOF!"

"Sorry!"

"Hey!"

"!!!"

I stopped the moment I hit the armor of the Marquise; apparently, she also stopped walking.

"What happened, Lady Monfort? Why did we stop?" I asked her, but she didn't answer. Instead, the paladin was focused on the person in front of her, a middle-aged man wearing a nice, dignified-looking dress. He has a stern look on his face, and his expression is rather scary.

Anyone could tell that he's angry.

"What are you doing lady?! You've been pushing and shoving me!"

"My apologies, Your Grace!" the Marquise bowed apologetically, "It wasn't on purpose, I assure you!"

"Hmph!" the man, angry and indignant, glared at us. "Every change of season is getting worse than the previous one! Is this how the Paladin Corps conducts itself now? You are pathetic as a leader, Lady Monfort!"

"!!!"

I was unable to hold my mouth any further. "Hey, look here you—" but, the Marquise Monfort quickly stopped me from lashing out. Well, you know I'm not someone who's quick to fights. But, I'm tired and stressed out by this mob, so my guard is down. And when you hear someone talk like that to your friend when you just saw her efforts a few moments ago, I guess, anyone would get pissed.

"And who's this insolent young man?" the man turned to me. "Is he a commoner? This is the first time I met a commoner who doesn't know of his proper place! Why did you bring someone like him here?"

"What, you got a problem with me, old guy?" I snapped back; I'm utterly pissed right now. The Marquise was trying to push me back, away from him. However, I persisted, "Can't you see everyone's pushing and shoving around? The Paladin Corps are exerting their very best to keep the situation under control, and here you are expecting preferential treatment! Are you some kind of an entitled yet senile senior citizen?!"

"Wha—" Apparently, he was shocked to hear my words. The old man was reacting wild, with matching deep breaths too. Honestly, he looks like he's over-reacting to me. "Why, THIS IS PREPOSTEROUS! I've never seen such display of utterly rude behavior!"

"Ah! Please forgive us, Your Excellency!" The Marquise repeatedly said. She was panicking, and kept on bowing before the old guy.

"Lady Monfort, pray that you tell me who is this rude fellow." The man insisted.

Rude? As if bad-mouthing the hard work of the Paladin Corps isn't rud—

"Ah, he's a good friend to Her Holiness, Your Grace, and an ambassador from another place. That explains his simple clothes, for it is their custom there!" Marquise Monfort answered for me, covering my mouth to shut it for a while. "This is also his first time attending a seasonal mass, so I'm showing him around."

"And where is such a place?"

"S-Somewhere in the land of the elves, Your Grace."

"Hmph!" the man stared down on me for a few moments that it became awkward; I thought he'll get even more angry. But in the end, he only waved his hand as if shooing us away and said, "For someone who's a diplomat from the land of the elvish barbarians, your uncivilized friend there doesn't know to keep his tongue in check. Anyway, be thankful that we're in no condition to make war. Take him away from me, lest I got infected with such barbarity."

This guy is getting on my nerves…

"Thank you, Your Excellency." Marquise bowed, and she forced me to bow as well, much to my surprise. I don't like bowing my head to an arrogant person like this guy, but well, I guess, she doesn't want trouble while a holy service is going on…

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"Hahaha!" the Marquise was laughing heartily the moment we reached a quite wide place to relax inside the cathedral. Actually, she used her connections with the nuns-templar inside so we can get the best place; this spot is so good that a nun-templar is actually serving us tea and snacks.

"That's really a close one, don't you think, Mister Kuro?"

"What did just happen?" I asked, quite confused.

"Look here, you almost got your head lopped off, you know?" Marquise Monfort replied, "If that person learns that you're a foul-mouthed commoner mingling with the nobility, then you're dead."

"Huh? Mingling with the nobility? Aren't those people around him commoners too? I mean, all those pushing and shoving couldn't be the work of a dignified aristocrat."

The Marquise stared at me like I'm some weird being, "What are you saying? Those are all nobles!"

"Ha?! That crowd back there?"

The Marquise nodded.

"…"

"And that guy we just met is one of the bigshots in all Chersea, you know?" she continued, "That's the Duke of Fen, the chief senator from the Kingdom of Nerfes. He's a person that doesn't like the idea of aristocrats being treated as equals of the commoners; as such, he's taken steps to make sure that the common folk would fear and respect him."

I fell silent when I heard the word 'chief senator'. Yep, that sounds like a bigshot right over there.

To think that I almost crossed fists with him…

"And also, he's the father of Her Holiness."

I choked on the tea I was drinking. What the f.u.c.k—

"Ah anyway, Mister Kuro, though you're quite an asshole back there, I'd like to thank you for standing up for me and my girls." The Marquise suddenly had a change of tone.

Honestly, that put a bit of surprise to me.

"Heh, looks like I wasn't wrong about my observations on you." the paladin commented. "I'll know that Eris will be in good hands if she marries a man like you."

I spat another round of tea I was sipping.

"No one's talking about marriage here, Marquise."

"Don't mind my ramblings." she replied, smiling mischievously. "If you want, you may take me as your mistress too. I can lop heads off cleanly with my sword, so your security is assured with me around."

The f.u.c.k is this paladin's saying?

Well, her random statements aside, I always get annoyed when someone insults the work of others. They underestimate the result even though that person did their best to produce good work. Ugh, even back in my workplace, it's virtually the same! You'll even find yourself answering office memos on some obscure or fake issues being thrown at you.

If only I had the power of the gods, I'll obliterate such people. They're pissing me off.

"…"

Hey, it's not like I can help it. It also happened to me.

"Uhh, Mister Kuro?"

"Hmm?"

"For a moment, I thought you look terrible."

"It's my face, deal with it."

"No, I mean, just now you had a scary expression on your face."

It's possible that my irritation leaked out unintentionally and the Marquise saw it.

Ah, anyway…I'll just hope I don't meet that old geezer again.

"Come on, since you are an 'ambassador' for now, I guess you should sit back, relax and enjoy the church service for a while." the Marquise then brought out a bedsheet and a blanket out of nowhere.

"Hey, you're the one who made me an 'ambassador'." I countered, "And uh, aren't you enjoying this privilege too much? Don't tell me you're going to sleep in the entire service?!"

"Oh, you're right!" she laid down the bedsheets on the floor, "Well, this is the Dignitaries' Box—meant for Chersea's famous people, so it's quite spacious for this. Who wants to listen to sermons and watch rituals anyway? They're boring and monotonous."

If I remember earlier, she just asked me if there are a lot of bad people in my world because they don't regularly attend church services. And now this stupid paladin will be sleeping in the middle of a mass?! Aren't you the same, Lady Monfort?

"This, and that are different." The Marquise explained, "Technically, I'm still attending the church, though my mind is off to somewhere."

What's the difference?

"Don't ask too much, alright? Just wake me up when the mass ends; let's grab a snack after this." the Marquise closed her eyes and doze off to dreamland.