Chapter 1 - I - The seasonal mass

 

Kuro here! It’s been a while…

 

Well, I guess I’m able to pass a season in this world.

 

“…”

 

Why, you ask?  Maybe because I’ve noticed a change in the atmosphere of the people here at the Holy Palatial Gardens.  If I may describe the general mood, I’d say they were restless and excited.  From the windows of the guest house where I’m staying, I could see the maids and guards scurrying here and there with their respective loads:  be it weapons, laundry, food, or other stuff.  Also, I’m seeing a lot of nuns walking around, and important-looking people coming along with them as well.  They were not here before; or at least, they seldom appear, especially near this place.  

 

That was because, in the Holy Palatial Gardens, allowing this great number of people—and even males, tells me that something big was about to happen.  I wonder what are they doing here?

 

“Oh, those pretty ladies wearing white are the nun-templars.  They usually assist in the conduct of the holy services, Mister Defender—”

 

“I told you it’s Kuro!” I’m getting pissed being called names by this stupid paladin, the Marquise of Monfort, “Would you like it if I call you a ‘Lunatic Paladin’?”

 

“Ooh…a ‘Lunatic Paladin’, huh?  That sounds cool.”

 

“A lunatic is a crazy, or weird, person, just to mind you.”

 

The Marquise of Monfort laughed, “Yep, I know.  But I like the sound of that word.”

 

I was so surprised by her answer, I could only stare back in silence.  From that moment, I realized, there’s something weird about this girl.  Oh, and yeah, I almost forgot that I’m stuck in this world of idiots…

 

“Haaa…”

 

“That’s quite a long sigh you got there, Mister Kuro.” the Marquise of Monfort patted my back, “It’s not good, you know.”

 

Well, I’m getting exhausted by the weird standards of this place…if only I can tell her that.

 

“Ah, anyway, where are you going?” I asked, since I noticed she was dressed in her full uniform as a paladin of the Saint, “Off to some war, or something?”

 

“Oh, this?  Well, I’m off to do some patrol check today.” the Marquise showed me her armor and equipment, “This will be the third Seasonal Mass service and I need to make sure that the security is in proper working order.”

 

“I see…a ‘seasonal mass’, huh?  Is that the church service at the start of every season here?”

 

“Yep, you’re right.  It’s a pretty popular event, so we from the Paladin Corps have to double on our efforts in securing this place.  I also asked the Arles militia for their cooperation this time.”

 

“Hmm…looks like you’re quite short-handed?”

 

“Terribly so.”  To be honest, this was the first time I saw the Marquise of Monfort in her professional ‘mode’; all the times I’m with her, she’s always joking around.  “Anyway, Mister Kuro, want to come with me?  Did you already attend your seasonal mass?”

 

“No, not yet.” I shook my head.  Honestly, as I am raised in a different religion, I’m kind of uncomfortable with this kind of situation.  But well, since I’m in another world, I guess I could try to experience how they do church services here…

 

“Well, you wouldn’t want to miss this one!” the Marquise of Monfort grabbed my hand and pulled it towards the direction of the Saint’s Cathedral, “The Ducal House of Braunhauer will come, so I need to make sure you’ll meet them.  Eris would be glad as well!”

 

“Err…uh, what are you saying?” I had to make sure that there would be no terrible misunderstanding what my intentions were, in connection to coming along with her, “No one’s marrying anyone!”

 

“Come now, no need to be shy!  I only said that you’ll meet them; nothing else!”  In the end, the paladin persuaded me; partly because I also wanted to check out Chersea’s religious customs myself.

 

 

Now I understood why the Marquise of Monfort was serious this time.

 

“…”

 

“Yes, this happens every time there is a change of season.” the Marquise of Monfort said once we came to the ramparts surrounding the Holy Palatial Gardens.  All I could see was a vast sea of…humans, as far as my eyes could reach.  The only empty place was the interior of the palatial gardens; virtually, all space that could be occupied was filled with people.

 

Some had already pitched their tents right outside the grounds below the fortifications, and there were more coming in from the horizon:  most were on foot with their families, some were riding carts, others were in fancy carriages.

 

Think of it as a concert of an insanely popular band back on Earth…then multiply it by at least ten times.

 

“Well, the ‘Seasonal Mass’ was a pilgrimage that happens every start of the new season.” the Marquise explained while silently counting the carriages, “Those who are religious and have the means to do it always strive to undertake the journey to come here, and those who can’t try, attend at least once in their lifetime.”

 

Oh…I can remember a religion back from Earth that has the same tenet.  Anyway, this ‘Seasonal Mass’ piqued my interest, so I continued asking questions, “You say ‘Seasonal Mass’; do you mean Her Holiness would be the one to celebrate it?”

 

“Well, sort of.” the paladin replied, “Actually, it’s the highly respected GMTS of the Saint’s Cathedral who would administer the sermons, rituals, and blessings.  Her Holiness would be there, but only her presence was required.”

 

“Huh?  GMTS?”

 

“Yeah, the Grand Mother Templar Superior.  I call her ‘GMTS’, for short.  Their naming styles are terrible here.”

 

Oh, that’s fresh, coming from you.  Well anyway, for a second, I thought that watching Her Holiness deliver a sermon was something interesting.  However, the Marquise of Monfort’s words quickly crushed my excitement.

 

“Haa…and because of the change of season, we at the Holy Paladin Corps are busy once again.  I mean, this is one of those times that we can’t let our guards down…there’ll be a lot of trespassing incidents once again.”

 

The Marquise of Monfort was shaking her head in disbelief, but it’s not like it’s something that she had control to begin with.  I mean, people come to this place out of their religious zeal.  And considering that, according to the Marquise, this was the only time that males were allowed free entry into the Holy Palatial Gardens.  I’m pretty sure the crooks would take this as an opportunity to strike.  One couldn’t help that someone from the dangerous side of the society would mingle with the religious adherents and do some nasty things while here.

 

That panty-thief incident is still fresh in my mind…

 

“Ah anyway…” I tried to change the topic, “Lady Monfort, you said it’s the new season.  May I know what season it is this time?”

 

“Well…” the Marquise looked up into the sky as if to confirm her answer, “If I’m not mistaken, these clear drops of rain show that we just entered the ‘Season of Crystals’.”

 

 

The ‘Season of Crystals’.  If you remember, there were six types of seasons in Chersea; this was one of those.  Last time, the season was called the ‘Season of Sleep’—which was an ‘All Saints’ Day’-like time in this place.  And so, the second one to come after I arrived here was the ‘Season of Crystals’.  The name itself was pretty simple:  it was because the rainwater drops were crystal-clear, that’s why it’s called like that.

 

However, this season still reminds me I’m not in my old world.

 

I mean, look, it defied Earth physics.  The rain was indeed pouring gently, but if you noticed in our conversation, it’s as if we didn’t feel the water at all.  Indeed, the only time I noticed it was raining was when the Marquise said ‘clear drops of rain’.  

 

“…”

 

Now that she mentioned it, the entire place was soaking wet, but everyone else—including us, was as dry as a fresh paper.

 

“Why is that?”  I tried asking the Marquise.

 

“Hmm?  Isn’t it the way it’s used to be?” she had a puzzled look on her face, “Ever since I was young, rains during this season won’t get us wet.  But if it falls to the soil, it would soak thoroughly that it becomes ideal for planting new crops.”

 

 I kind of expected her answer; she grew up in this world, after all.  However, it’s interesting.  Maybe I should look into this strange phenomenon, provided I have the proper equipment for it.

 

Well, moving on, the ‘Seasonal Mass’, according to the Marquise of Monfort, was something akin to our ‘Christmas’ back on Earth.  It was a long festivity; taking place for at least several ‘long sleeps’ before ending with the ‘Saint’s Benediction’—the time when everyone would sing praises as ‘Her Holiness asked the heavens for their blessing.

 

Honestly, I don’t know what that last part means, but I seriously doubt that the Saint will go to heaven and meet with God…

 

Or I could be wrong.  After all, this was another world…