Chapter 02
“Well, I suppose. It’s not like she’s really a saintess or a savior, is it?”
“How would I know? The temple announced it, so I just take it as such.”
The temple had not yet announced my disappearance. They were probably worried that if my absence became known outside, the ‘Resurrected One’ might be taken away by the Imperial Family, nobles, or even foreign powers.
The proof was that despite the flood of visitation requests sent my way, they had used my own will as an excuse to accept none of them.
Besides, it had only been three days since I escaped the temple, so they’d believe they could find me quickly. Their thinking was predictable.
But they couldn’t hide it for long. Eventually, wanted posters would go up on the streets, and soon an official search party would be formed. I planned to leave this city, and if possible, this country, before that happened.
Thanks to the numerous treasures the priests had brought to win my favor, I had ample funds for my escape. Also, the ‘unofficial’ knowledge I had acquired in preparation for entering the Imperial Family remained intact in my mind.
“Customer, we’ve found your luggage carriage.”
Just then, the person I’d been waiting for approached stealthily. He was a broker who operated in the underworld.
Every city has carriages that, for a fee, will transport you without verifying your name or identity. They can also create fake identification documents and help you avoid the eyes of the city guards when necessary.
To survive in the imperial palace, where scheming ran rampant, my parents had taught me early on how to use such a world. They said that those who command must know everything from the highest position to give orders without even having to step forward.
It was fortunate. At least the learning of my lifetime hadn’t become entirely useless.
“I’m sorry. It seems difficult due to heightened security.”
“And the word is?”
“Holy Knights are guarding the city gates day and night. Everyone is on high alert.”
I nodded in understanding. The broker, who had approached me hidden in the crowd, disappeared as quickly as he had come.
Perhaps because I hadn’t held out much hope, I felt no disappointment. Anyone would lock down the city immediately in such a situation. This city, where the main temple was located, saw thousands of pilgrims and tourists pass through daily.
To search the city quietly would take time, so it was only natural to control the entry points first, using whatever excuse necessary. I had expected as much, but I’d checked just in case there was an easy way out.
I needed to return to my lodging first. I pulled my gray hood, much like those worn by ordinary pilgrims, down low and turned around.
Finding lodging wasn’t difficult in a city with many tourists. But just in case, I was moving to a new place every day.
The lodging I moved to today was located on the outskirts of the area densely packed with accommodation establishments. It was a place surprisingly popular with pilgrims because the rates weren’t high.
The reason I knew this was thanks to the tourist brochures placed throughout the temple.
Anyway, since creating a fake ID would take time, I’d planned to get out of the city first. Since I was stuck here anyway, should I go ahead and get the ID made? Could I stay hidden without being caught until then?
Lost in thought, my pace slowed. Then, I suddenly noticed a commotion around me. Looking ahead, I saw Holy Knights patrolling here and there on the streets.
For a moment, I almost stopped walking, but I then calmly faced forward and took a step. The clothes I wore were the kind any pilgrim would wear.
My face? They wouldn’t recognize me. I had altered my appearance with a magical tool for appearance alteration.
This pendant-shaped magical tool had limited uses and duration, so I couldn’t use it continuously, but it was still one of the temple’s treasures. Good thing I’d swiped it.
“Devotee.”
As I was passing them, a low call came from behind. I calmly turned around and met the eyes of a Holy Knight who had separated from the group. His jet-black hair stood out in stark contrast to his white armor.
A Holy Knight with black hair?
“Me?”
“Yes, devotee. I’m sorry, but may I ask you something?”
“Please go ahead, Sir Knight.”
“By any chance, is the establishment you’re staying at that pink building over there?”
“Why do you ask?”
“We’ve received a report that a common criminal is hiding in that building. If you return now, you might get caught up in something unpleasant. Would you mind waiting over here for a moment?”
The place he pointed to had pilgrims gathered with anxious expressions. I glanced over there, then turned my eyes back to the Holy Knight.
“Will it be resolved within today?”
“Of course.”
“Then I’ll come back after taking care of some other business.”
“We may need to request cooperation from the guests during the suppression process. I know it’s inconvenient, but we ask for your understanding.”
It was a request in name only; in reality, he was telling me to wait. I hesitated for a moment, then smiled and nodded.
“It looks like it might be a long wait. Would it be alright if I went to take care of some personal business? I think I can manage at that shop over there.”
The place I pointed to was a small general store catering to lodgers. The Holy Knight, having confirmed the location, narrowed his eyes.
“…Yes, do so.”
Suppressing my impatience, I walked calmly, but I could feel eyes on my back. I bit my lip and frowned. The appearance alteration magic was working well, and I’d just moved lodgings this morning. There was nothing in the room that could identify me.
…Where did they pick up my trail?
As I flung open the door to the general store, the smell of old dust wafted out. I strode inside.
The owner of this general store was an elderly man with poor hearing and failing eyesight. It wasn’t a place run for the sake of business, but rather one that operated on the shop’s long history.
Passing by the worn-out display items and old portraits, I saw the owner sitting by the counter.
“Hello, I’m sorry, but I’ll be using the back door.”
The old man nodded, not even properly understanding what I’d said. Near the back door, there was a small room where a revered High Priest had once visited and had tea.
Since it was a must-see spot for pilgrims, the old man naturally assumed I was there to see that room. I pressed a coin into his hand as a thank you.
Beside the small room, there was a back door leading to a narrow alley behind the building. It was an escape route I’d noted just in case right after securing the lodging, and a designated meeting point if trouble arose.
“Hello, proprietor.”
Just as I grabbed the back door handle, I heard a Holy Knight’s voice from inside the shop. I didn’t hesitate and opened the door. A passageway that looked like barely enough for one person to pass appeared.
The moment I stepped inside, something sprang out from the darkness.
[You’re late!]
Ah, thank goodness. You were quick to come here.
“Hurry, save the complaints for later.”
[This way!]
The fist-sized creature took the lead. I adjusted my cloak and quickly followed behind it. I could hear a commotion from inside the shop, but I didn’t care. They wouldn’t catch me anyway.
Why? Because I have a formidable ally.
Looking at the plump squirrel tail fluttering busily ahead of me as it ran hard, I grinned.
—
Upon exiting the passage, I changed my appearance once more. It was a waste of the limited uses, but better to be cautious.
After that, I immediately entered the lodging establishment farthest from there and secured a room. Only then did I let out a sigh of relief. Not knowing where I’d been exposed, there was a limit to running around in circles within the city trying to escape. I needed to find another way.
[Eugh, my fur got dirty…]
The squirrel’s fur was all mottled from running through the city’s back alleys on my behalf. I gently stroked the squirrel’s head with my index finger.
“I’ll wash you soon. More importantly, did you find out anything?”
[There was a hole that stray dogs used, but they said it was recently discovered by humans and blocked.]
“Oh dear. Humans are the problem everywhere, aren’t they.”
[Where’s my acorn?]
“Here.”
I held out the bundle of acorns I’d bought while passing by the central notice board earlier. The squirrel’s eyes sparkled as it sniffed the air.
[Plump acorns!]
The squirrel dove into the pile of acorns, hopping around as if swimming. Watching the squirrel, I recalled the first time I’d met it. This squirrel was a resident of the large central garden within the main temple.
And it was just a squirrel. An animal. A beast. A four-legged mammal.
This squirrel was the first being that made me realize I could communicate with non-human things after my resurrection.
So, it was back when I hadn’t been awake as a Resurrected One for very long.
At that time, the manic praises I encountered the moment I opened my eyes filled me with fear and disgust. The accusations and contempt from before my death felt like they’d happened just yesterday, yet everyone was prostrating themselves as if it were all in the past—it was both laughable and detestable.
So, upon awakening, the first thing I wanted was to die again. Both of my attempts were thwarted when the priests found out. After that, all dangerous objects around me vanished.
Later, I chose to shut myself in my room, but at first, it was practically imprisonment.
Perhaps to find a way to persuade me, they left me alone for a few days without provoking me as much as possible. I received only minimal service and was given a chance to think.
Around that time, I regained my senses. I acknowledged the hideous scar left on my neck and accepted that I was breathing. I understood the oracle and gauged the influence a ‘Resurrected One’ could wield.
‘Aneli Roam,’ who had stood on the beheading block, was the villainess everyone wanted to kill, but the resurrected ‘Aneli Roam’ was an apostle awakened by God’s grace. The scar on my neck was the most certain and obvious proof of that divine favor.
