Chapter 241.2

If I asked Arcana, I was sure she’d be able to find the location.

“No need. I’ll leave the appointment with the Pope to you.” (Anos)

Saying that, I drew a magic circle that covered the bas.e.m.e.nt and the destroyed church.

With , I reconstructed and completely restored the entire building.

“Oh… Ohhh… What a miracle… This is truly the work of the G.o.ds…” (Mirano)

The bishop prayed on the spot once again.

“As the Almighty Radiance wills.” (Mirano)

I wasn’t quite used to the way he spoke, but I took that as him agreeing to arrange a meeting for me.

“Then tomorrow, I’ll drag Ahid back as a gift for the Pope.” (Anos)

As I was about to leave the church, a thought suddenly occurred to me and I stopped.

“By the way, is there a decent inn around here?” (Anos)

The bishop, looking apologetic, replied.

“…Given that tomorrow is the Festival of Sacred Song, many pilgrims have come to Jiorhaze. The churches and inns are likely already full. However, if you wish, I will arrange for a room to be made available. How many would you need?” (Mirano)

Hmm. Vacating a room would mean driving out other pilgrims and church members.

“That won’t be necessary. Is there a vacant lot I could use? I don’t mind if it’s underground.” (Anos)

“There is a dragon landing site nearby that is under my authority. Please, feel free to use it as you wish.” (Mirano)

“Thanks. I’ll happily make use of it.” (Anos)

“As the Almighty Radiance wills.” (Mirano)

The bishop bowed respectfully and offered a prayer, then we went our own way and left the church.

Outside, a single girl was waiting quietly.

“Arcana,” I called out, and she turned towards me.

“Where are the sacred grounds of the Divine Dragon?” (Anos)

“Follow me.” (Arcana)

As we followed her, the faint sound of a dragon’s song grew clearer and clearer.

Eventually, we arrived at a raised square.

In the center was a huge, shallow, wide pit with a ma.s.sive bonfire.

The flames, reaching several dozen meters high, were consuming a tall pillar.

Which was most likely made from dragon bones.

Surrounding the bonfire were people singing a hymn unfamiliar to me.

“Hey, isn’t that Ellen and the others?” Eleonore pointed out.

“It really is them. I wonder what they’re doing here,” Sasha added, her expression puzzled.

In front of the altar, among what was likely Jiordal’s choir, were the girls from the Fan Union, singing along with the others.

Even though today was their first time hearing Jiordal’s sacred song, they were singing it joyfully.

As the song ended, the girls shook hands with the choir.

“What a wonderful voice you have, Ellen. I heard you girls were part of a choir as well. Where are you from?” (Choir woman)

“We’re from Dilhade. It’s a country beyond the canopy…” Ellen replied, pointing up with her finger.

“Beyond the canopy?” (Choir woman)

The choir woman looked puzzled.

“You idi—! Ellen! Are you sure we can say it?!” (Fangirl A)

“O-Oh, right. Umm… Haha…” (Ellen)

Ellen tried to laugh it off, and the choir woman smiled gently.

“You’re such a funny girl. I’m Irina Als Amina, leader of the Jiordal Choir.” (Choir woman —> Irina)

“I’m Ellen Mihace of the Demon King’s Choir.” (Ellen)

The girls in the fan union introduced themselves one by one, and shook hands with Irina.

“If you had come to Jiorhaze a little earlier, we would have loved to ask you to sing the Sojourner’s Psalm at tomorrow’s Festival of Sacred Song.” (Irina)

“The Sojourner’s Psalm?” (Ellen)

“Are you not familiar with it? During the Festival of Sacred Song held in the holy land of Jiorhaze, there’s a ceremony where pilgrims from outside the city are invited to offer new songs to this land. This is what we call the Sojourner’s Psalm,” Irina explained as Ellen and the others nodded attentively.

“It’s one of the most important ceremonies of the Festival of Sacred Song, which began when a saint who once visited this land sang a song that turned into a G.o.d, and drove off calamity. The continuous influx of new songs from outside is the sign that the G.o.ds are protecting us, and that is the will of the Almighty Radiance Equis.” (Irina)

“That sounds a bit complicated, but the idea of a song becoming a G.o.d is wonderful.” (Ellen) Irina smiled, seemingly pleased with Ellen’s answer.

“I believe you will be able to hear the sacred song wherever you are in the city, but if you would like, you can come and witness it here tomorrow. May the Almighty Radiance bless you all.” (Irina)

Irina prayed as she finished speaking.

The fan union girls bashfully bowed their heads and came down from the stage where the altar was.

“Looks like you’ve found something fun to do.” I remarked, and the Fan Union girls flinched, shrinking back in embarra.s.sment.

“Ah! Anos-sama… W-We’re terribly sorry for acting on our own…” (Ellen)

“Don’t worry, I won’t interfere with your free time. Besides, you did well. That was your first time singing that song, wasn’t it?” (Anos)

“Yes… but it was an easy song to sing. Irina-san and the others are part of the city’s choir, and while we were watching them sing so beautifully, they invited us to join them.” (Ellen)

So that was how they ended up singing with them.

“Singing is popular in Jiorhaze. Through song, the draconids communicate in various ways.” Arcana explained.

“Um, will we have free time tomorrow as well?” one of the Fan Union girls asked.

“Do you want to watch the Festival of Sacred Song?” (Anos)

The Fan Union girls nodded eagerly.

“Ah! But… If there are other things we need to do, it’s totally fine!” (Ellen)

“This is a rare opportunity to experience Giordal’s culture. We’ll all go watch it tomorrow.” (Anos)

Ellen’s face lit up with joy.

“Yay! Thank you so much!” (Ellen)

The Fan Union girls high-fived each other happily.

“But there’s one thing you’ll need to be careful of,” I said, causing Ellen to look at me curiously.

“I heard that one unsavory character might try to disrupt the festival.” (Anos)