Then Hakama called out to him. "Hey. Guardian God."
He looked at her questioningly.
"Why do you want to know about the world?"
He paused slightly. "It's a secret."
"A secret, then," she repeated quietly.
Cedo looked down at the fire. The distorted ones won't die out — that was what Kagura said, and they really do exist in this era. Originally they were only supposed to appear where the pollution was severe. But something has clearly changed here.
Hakama frowned. "Guardian God. You had such a terrifying expression just now."
He caught himself immediately and apologized. He had simply been lost in thought.
At least the distorted ones haven't overrun the world, he noted to himself. People are living here, even thriving. First I need to understand how they fight the distorted ones now. I'll deal with my own problems gradually.
He was silent for a moment and then asked, "By the way. Maybe we should stop with the guardian god."
Hakama looked at him in surprise. "What should I call you?"
"Just Cedo."
She bowed her head slightly. "Lord Cedo."
He smiled. "Without the lord."
"Cedo," she repeated quietly.
The next second they heard the clatter of hooves. A horse was approaching them.
Argus reined in his mount and apologized for disturbing their rest. He looked at Cedo. "May I speak with you?"
Cedo raised an eyebrow slightly. "Who are you?"
"The captain of the seventh squad of royal paladins from the capital," Argus answered calmly. "My name is Argus."
"A paladin?" So that's what they're like, Cedo thought.
Then Karina jumped out from behind Argus, clutching the hilt of her sword, and shouted sharply, "How dare you speak to the captain of the paladins like that? You should at least stand up when you address him. This is unacceptable."
Argus sighed wearily. "That's enough, Karina."
He stepped forward again, apologized for speaking without dismounting, and asked, "Can we talk?" Extending his hand, he added, "First, I'd like to know where you're from and where you're going."
Cedo answered calmly, without standing and without looking up from his meal. "We're from Kodama village. We're heading to the capital."
"From Kodama village?"
At that very moment Karina jumped down from her horse, drew her sword and shouted with a frown, "Our registries don't record the birth of any lesser being in Kodama village. How did he even get there? A damned lesser being."
Cedo froze, his mouth slightly open in amazement. Do they keep birth registries? In this country people are kept on a short leash.
Then Argus said calmly, "No."
"Huh?" Karina cried in surprise.
He tilted his head slightly and explained. The clothes the girl was wearing were a specialty of Kodama village — Kodama fabric. They knew about it in the capital. It was famous for its high quality and sold for a good price. Children's clothing made from that fabric was rarely found on the market, so most likely the girl was telling the truth about where she came from.
Karina objected stubbornly, but Argus was already reaching slowly for his weapon. "However. He is different."
With those words he pointed his sword at Cedo and continued, "I have never seen clothing like that. What country are you from? Bandit attacks are common on the road from the village to the capital. They use children to steal goods, pretending to be peaceful travellers, and then striking. Perhaps you're playing that same game right now."
Hakama screamed in horror. "That's not true. We're not bandits."
"That remains to be proven," Argus replied coldly.
The next second Hakama sharply concentrated the energy in her palms.
"Don't do anything you might regret," Argus warned at once.
At that moment several magical swords silently closed around Hakama's neck. She jerked in fear and stared at him. He bowed his head slightly and noted calmly, "So she possesses sacred power. Looks promising."
This is the power of a paladin, Cedo noted to himself. Clearly, he really is strong.
Without lowering his sword, and still looking at Cedo, Argus ordered, "Now it's your turn. Answer me. Where are you from? Your future depends on your answer."
Cedo looked at him seriously, was silent, then sighed loudly and said, "I am from the village of Kodama."
"What?" Karina shouted indignantly. "That's a lie."
Argus put the sword back in its sheath and said calmly, "I understand."
"What? Captain?"
Argus looked at Hakama. "Is this true?"
Hakama looked away, and then said firmly, "Cedo is the guardian god of Kodama village."
Argus turned. A guardian god? "I see," he said aloud.
He walked back to his horse.
"Is the interrogation over?" Cedo asked.
"Yeah." Argus swung up into the saddle. "I'm just doing my job. I apologize for being rude."
Karina went on being indignant. "Captain?"
"You're going to the capital?" Argus asked.
"Yes," Cedo answered.
"Then we'll meet again. If you need help, you can ask for it. That's by way of apology for today."
"Captain!" Karina shouted.
Argus rode on. "It's time for us to go. See you later."
Karina looked after him indignantly. "Is he serious right now? Captain!"
They set off, but Karina did not calm down. "Why did you just let them go? He looked wildly suspicious. And a lesser being, too."
Lesser beings, Argus thought. Then he added quietly, "I wouldn't be so sure which of us was weaker."
Karina was so surprised she cried out. Ria, riding beside him, agreed with the captain. "He's right."
Karina looked at her in surprise. "You too, Ria?"
"You're wrong," Ria answered. "Didn't you feel it?"
"I tried to get close to him three times," Argus said. "He reacted faster than I could even begin. I wanted to do to him what I did to that girl, but the spirits refused to help me."
"Mine too," Ria added.
"That means—" Karina began.
"That means there is a huge gap in sacred power between us," Argus said. "The only one among all the paladins capable of such a thing is the Grand Captain, at the very least."
Karina clenched her teeth. "I didn't notice anything."
"He is far superior to us. That's all," Argus added calmly. "You've only just joined the squad. There's no need to worry."
Ria asked about the distorted one at Kodama village. "Do you think it was him?"
"Most likely."
"And we're really just going to leave him?" Karina asked.
"We don't know who he is, but he doesn't seem like a bad person to me. Let him roam free for now. It's more important to return to the capital. The problem with the distorted one was solved faster than we expected. Let the guild deal with the bandits. We're counting on them."
So, the village's guardian god, Argus thought. If he becomes our ally, he could be useful in solving serious problems.