Volume 7, Chapter 15 – To Dalha

We stayed in the town of Sharikla for five days, spending our time doing Enchantment work and inspecting orphanages and hospitals before departing for Dalha.

The orphanages and hospitals were much like those in Eibra. Judging only by what I saw there, they seemed to be managed very well.

If things are like this in other towns and not just the capital, they must have plenty of resources.

I haven’t been to the orphanages in Izar, so I don’t know for sure, but I wonder if they’re similar?

I don’t know the full reality of the situation, but I think it’s wonderful that orphaned children can avoid living in poverty.

Now, as for the ship carrying us toward the town of Dalha, five naval ships accompanied us as escorts from Sharikla. Apparently, caution is necessary because monsters occasionally appear in the waters ahead.

The sea we are in is actually a massive bay, and it seems the Yellow Planet Kingdom itself is a giant desert peninsula.

The country to the east, across the bay, is Green Cloud, a producer of spices.

Furthermore, the southern and western parts of the Yellow Planet peninsula are mountainous with high cliffs, making them unsuitable for habitation.

Consequently, towns have developed primarily along the eastern coast, where the trade route to Green Cloud runs.

Dalha, where we are heading, is the southernmost point of that trade route and is located closest to the open ocean.

Rеαԁ oո КаtRеαԁіոɡСаfe

In short, Dalha is the gateway for the spice trade.

Spices are likely transported in the order of Dalha, Sharikla, and then Eibra, with taxes levied at each town, causing the price to rise.

Additionally, because it is close to the open ocean, monsters occasionally drift in and attack ships.

“But isn’t five naval ships a bit overkill? When we came from the White Moon Kingdom, there was only one,” I remarked.

“Fiene-sama. The King White Moon we arrived on is a ship designed to carry royalty. Naturally, it is equipped with gear to fight monsters and possesses armor, so it will not be outmatched by ordinary monsters.”

“I see.”

Chris-san explained it to me, and it all clicked.

I hadn’t noticed the armor because I wasn’t looking, but now that she mentions it, there were those huge bow-like weapons mounted on it.

“Saint-sama. This ship is a high-speed vessel. Its primary design is to outrun monsters rather than defeat them.”

“I see. Is that so?”

Khalid-san chimed in from the side.

Reаd οո ΚatRеaԁіnɡCafe

“But what about the other ships escorting us?”

“They shall fulfill their role as a distraction quite splendidly.”

“Eh?”

Between this and what happened back in the desert, why are the people of this country so obsessed with self-sacrifice?

“To be able to serve as Saint-sama’s shield… there is no greater happiness.”

“Eeeeh.”

◇ ◇ ◇

The morning of the third day since leaving the port of Sharikla arrived.

We are expected to reach the port of Dalha by this evening.

The escort ships aren’t very fast, so our ship is also proceeding slowly and calmly across the gentle sea.

Reаd оn ΚatReadiոɡСafе

When I heard the talk about monsters appearing, I thought it was a flag, but it seems my fears were unfounded.

After all, if monsters appeared that frequently, this wouldn’t be able to function as a trade route.

And so, while I was enjoying my usual sunbathing, Sara-san called out to me.

“Saint-sama, you certainly love sunbathing.”

“Yes. It feels so nice.”

“I… see. It’s so cold that I don’t really feel like doing that…”

“This robe I got from the Temple is excellent. Something like this doesn’t feel cold at all.”

I told Sara-san this while lightly tugging at the hem of the robe I was wearing.

“It is a robe bestowed by God, after all. I wonder if the Holy Knights’ cloaks are similar?”

“Um, probably?”

“That is wonderful.”

Rеad on KаtReаdіոɡСafе

Saying so, Sara-san gave a beaming smile—all while flexing her biceps and making her muscles twitch.

Um… no matter how I look at it, I think you’re cold because you’re wearing an outfit that shows off your muscles.

“By the way, Saint-sama. When you aren’t sunbathing, I often see you throwing stones into the sea. What is that for?”

“Eh? Oh, that. To raise my Enchant Skill Level, I enchant the stones with Purification Magic and then throw the finished ones into the sea.”

“Then, is pouring the seawater—which you had the crew pump up—back into the ocean with a cup also for that?”

“Yes. To raise my Medicinal Enchantment Skill Level, I enchant the seawater with Purification Magic and pour it back into the sea.”

“I see! As expected of Saint-sama. To think you don’t neglect your training even at a time like this!”

With that, Sara-san flashed a sparkling smile, flexed her muscles again, and began praying to me.

No, well. How do I put this?

How on earth am I supposed to react to this?