Volume 7, Chapter 29 – The Peaceful Temple

Five days after departing from the town of Dalha, we finally arrived at the Temple of Flame.

Because it was called the Temple of Flame, I had imagined it would be bright red or have bonfires lit all over the place, but in reality, it was nothing like that.

It was a massive white building with a pair of spires soaring on the left and right, a dome in the center, and blue accents used on the roof and other parts of the structure.

It was a very beautiful building, but looking at this exterior, I doubt anyone would think it was the Temple of Flame unless they were told.

“This is the Temple of Flame…?”

“Yes. This is the Temple of Flame, the holy land of our Yellow Planet Federation of Emirates.”

I see. Being a holy land, it seemed to be kept meticulously clean, and the building itself appeared to be well maintained.

“How many people live in this temple?”

“No. No one lives in this temple.”

The one who answered was Khalid-san.

“Eh?”

“A Barrier surrounds this temple, and no one can enter its grounds.”

“Um? Then where are we supposed to pray?”

“The President, the Emir, and everyone else offer their prayers at the entrance gate.”

I see…?

Reаⅾ oո KаtRеαⅾiոɡCafе

“Um, then who is cleaning it so nicely?”

“No one is. By the power of the Fire God, the temple is kept perpetually clean.”

I see. So that’s how it works.

“Now, allow me to guide you.”

We were led further until we arrived in front of the entrance gate of the temple.

Though it was called a gate, there were no actual doors—just a pair of pillars marking a place that would look exactly like a gate if doors were attached.

“Saint-sama. Beyond this point lies a Barrier, and no one can enter. Even if one tries, as you can see…”

When Khalid-san reached out his hand, there really was something like an invisible wall, and he was unable to put his hand through to the other side of the gate.

“It’s true! It’s like Onee-sama’s Barrier!”

Lu-chan said this while patting and touching the area where the Barrier was.

“It seems this really is a temple.”

Chris-san and Shizuku-san also reached out to touch the Barrier with curious expressions.

Let’s see, I’ll try touching it too.

I reached out my hand to the area everyone else was touching.

Oh? Ooooh? I feel my energy surging more and more!

Rеαԁ oո КatReaԁіոɡСаfе

“Fiene-sama…”

“I had a feeling this would happen…”

“Yes?”

“Onee-sama! Your hand is inside the Barrier!”

“Eh?”

“As expected of Saint-sama.”

Oh, it’s true.

Since it’s making me feel energized, I guess the Barrier is Holy-Attribute, and because I have Holy Absorption, it has no effect on me.

Ah… don’t tell me…

Having a bad feeling, I looked back.

Ah, just as I thought.

Behind us, Khalid-san and the soldiers who had been watching everything had all gone completely Bitan.

“””The God is great! The God is great! The Saint is the Apostle of God! Gratitude for the Saint’s salvation!”””

No. Yeah. Whatever.

“God forgives you.”

Rеаd οո КаtReаⅾiոgСαfе

After somehow calming everyone from Yellow Planet who had gone Bitan, I offered my prayers using the method I had been taught.

◇ ◇ ◇

Having finished our prayers, we were taking a lunch break in a spot slightly away from the temple.

Today’s lunch was Ma’am’s special béchamel stew.

The four of us, Sara-san, and Khalid-san joined our table.

The others said they preferred Yellow Planet cuisine, so they were off to the side grilling and eating skewers.

As for me, the food in this country didn’t quite suit my taste, except for that stewed dish, but I suppose it’s soul food for the people living in this land.

Well, they might just be being polite.

“Saint-sama. This dish called béchamel stew is very delicious. Is this a dish from the White Moon Kingdom?”

“Yes. This is primarily a commoner’s home-cooked meal. It’s said that the taste differs from household to household.”

“Is that so? It’s hard to believe something this delicious is a commoner’s dish.”

Saying this, Sara-san brought the stew to her mouth with a look of delight.

Of course it is. Because Ma’am’s special béchamel stew is the most delicious béchamel stew in the world.

“It’s wonderful that home cooking can taste this good. I also find this stew to be magnificent.”

As he spoke, Khalid-san also took a bite of the stew.

Rеаⅾ οո ΚαtRеαdіոɡСafe

“By the way, Her Highness Sara, what kind of dishes serve as home cooking in your country?”

Smoothly steering the conversation toward the woman he’s interested in… just what I’d expect from him.

“Let me see. My country is vast, so it varies by region, but in the Imperial Capital, a dish of meat stewed with tomatoes and onions, served alongside steamed rice would be a taste of the common people.”

“Is that a dish similar to the Saluna of our country?”

“No. It doesn’t use as many spices as that. It is a food with a softer flavor.”

“I want to try eating that too!”

Just when Khalid-san was trying his best to woo her, Lu-chan interrupted.

Yeah, too bad for you. Well, once food becomes the topic, Lu-chan is bound to jump in.

“Well, Lumia-sama. Then I, Sara Blackrainbow, give you my word. Once we have reclaimed the country from the evil ones, I shall personally see to it that Lumia-sama gets to enjoy the delicious cuisine from all across the Black Rainbow Empire.”

“Yay! Thank you very much! Onee-sama, Shizuku-san, and Chris-san are coming too, right?”

“Yes. Of course. I shall make arrangements so that Saint-sama can certainly enjoy them as well.”

Lu-chan showed a happy smile for the first time in a while.

Yeah. How should I put it… it seemed like the food here didn’t suit Lu-chan either. It can’t be helped.

Also, Khalid-san… I think you’d have better luck if you picked a topic other than food next time.