The Blessed Hero – Journey around the sacred grounds – Cathedral of Beginnings 2 –

"Lelia, are you okay?"
Arthur worries about Lelia, who sees the contents of the box and her face turns pale and her body trembles as if she is frightened.
Lelia manages to calm her down by repeating some deep breaths.
"Phew... Yes, it's okay. So, Pope, this is..."
Lelia manages to control her breathing and manages to suppress her turmoil.
If this is the same thing that Lelia knows about...
Lelia's concerns must have been within her expectations. Moruen speaks about the contents of the box in a calm, soothing voice.
"This is something different from the one managed by the royal family---but since no one but Lelia-san would know about it, let's talk about that first. Is it alright with you, Lelia-san?"
"……yes"
With Lelia's approval, Moruen turns to face Arthur and the others.
“There used to be a technology called “Slave Crest”.”
“Slave crest?”
"Yes, as the name suggests, it is a magic that forces the inscribed person to follow orders and turn them into slaves. It seems that the technology was developed to be used against criminals and prisoners of enemy countries, but there is no end to those who misuse it. , is currently banned in many countries, including Liechtenstein, or allowed to be used only under strict national control.”
"That kind of magic..."
“In this country, all books and tools related to slave crests are managed by the royal family, so it’s only natural that you don’t know about them.”
Saying that, Moruen took out a metal cylinder and a magic tool from inside the box.
"This was made by diverting the technology of the slave crest to comply with the pledge I talked about earlier."
"So are we going to use it?"
"No, this is not for everyone."
Hearing those words, the princesses felt relieved.
I don't think Moruen will act like Bodwit, but they can't shake their resistance as they know best about the effect of the slave crest.
"This is to solve the problem that Arthur said earlier, 'There is no meaning in pledges if those in power know about the existence of the hero.' I will have people in a position use this tool to exchange oaths."
"What is the content of the pledge?"
“The period is from when you leave this temple until you complete the power of divine protection through the sanctuary. You must not take any action that benefits the hero and the princesseds for any reason."
"────Troublesome phrase"
Arthur and Lelia try to follow Roa's overly frank impressions, but Moruen doesn't seem to care, but rather laughs happily and caresses his chest in relief.
"Hahahaha, that's true. But there's a reason for this oath."
"What do you mean?"
“If we completely ban ``acts that benefit the hero and the princess''... for example, well, if you're a noble, you won't even be able to enter the territory, or even legitimate negotiations and transactions will be impossible."
"……So that's it"
"So if you try to forbid only special treatment, you'll end up with this kind of phrase. Also, in this generation, like Lelia-san, there are times when heroes and cousins are chosen from those who have a position, so we have made a pledge not to treat them as special. Since time immemorial, I have used this method to protect the secrets of the heroes.”
A vow using magic, this would solve Arthur's second concern.
But that shouldn't be the only problem.
"Is there another way to keep us from revealing our position and not being noticed by people who didn't make that pledge?"
"Of course. I'll talk about that next."
Moruen stood up and manipulated his office desk, and the bookshelf started to move, leading to a staircase leading to the basement.

"Follow me, please"
Following Moruen down the dark stairs.
There, instead of sunlight, a soft blue light illuminates the road.
The group was bewildered by the unusual magical power that filled the place, as if the space itself were glowing, with no lighting.
However, the hero Arthur and the holy magic user Lelia were familiar with that sensation.
"Goddess' power..."
"That's right. The place ahead is the place where the Goddess's power is particularly strong in this temple... No, perhaps that is incorrect. The chapel was built on top of what lies ahead—we're here."
At the end of the stairs was an old-fashioned door.
When Moruen in the lead opened it, it was filled with an incomparable blue glow.
"here……?"
"The only exception to the sanctuary I talked about earlier... is the place where all the hero's journeys begin. You will make a pledge here, and I will send you to a suitable place with transfer magic."
A circular space spreads beyond the door, and an elaborate magic circle shines in its center.
“This magic circle was created by the Goddess. By having the hero and the princesses take an oath here, you will not be able to reveal your identiy until you have completed the tour of the sanctuary. The people involved will no longer be able to connect and recognize you with the "Hero" and "Princess", Also, no matter how deeply you are connected, you will be recognized as different people when the power of the covenant is working and returned to who you are out when the covenant is broken.."
"Such a thing..."
Arthur and the others were surprised at the unrealistic effect of distorting even the perceptions of the people involved.
"Of course, it's all thanks to the power of the Goddess--- Then, everyone, there are five circles in the magic circle, can you stand in each of them?"
Arthur and others standing on top of the magic circle. The power of the goddess flows into their body.
"You must be feeling the Goddess's power. It doesn't matter in your heart. Please accept that power while remembering the pledge I just told you about. Then the contract will be fulfilled and the teleportation magic will be activated."
As he closed his eyes and took the vows, he felt the power of the goddess rooted in the deepest part of himself.
At the same time, the magic circle shines brightly.
"I don't know where it will be sent, but the goddess should decide the best place for everyone."
"Understood. Thank you, Lord Moruen."
"No, I just fulfilled my duty. I can't help you in any way, but I hope that you all have a happy future."
"Yes, thank you"
With those words, Arthur's bodies were enveloped in light.
“──Did they arrived already?”
When the glow subsided, Arthur and the others were no longer there.
Moruen takes a deep breath after confirming that.
A feeling of self-reproach that could not be hidden appeared in that expression.
(I hope they have a safe travel --- although that is only my wish)
There is not a single lie in what Moruen told Arthur and others.
But he didn't tell all of things to say he wasn't cheating.
The real reason for imposing the oath
The true purpose of this trip
 What is "Hero"
Even though Moruen knew the answer, he didn't dare to tell him.
"Arthur and the others will know the answer as they travel around the world."
(Ten years until the Demon King is resurrected... In reality, he will finish visiting the sanctuary sooner than that, but this old body won't last long anyway. I can't even know...)
Moruen prays to the goddess for the safety of Arthur and others, knowing that he is self-satisfied.
"Even if you know there's nothing you can do..."

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