01x21 - Pagan Village and Priest's Contract

[bunniefuu]

-Now, that's how you drink!
-You're quite the drinker, huh?

Well, well...

She can do it.

Come on.

Be a man, and don't let
your companion beat you like that.

-Drink up! Come on!
-Why, thank you.

Wow, this beer is amazing.

Isn't it?
The lady who owns this bar, Iima Ranel,

is famous around here.

She has the power of three men
and the appetite of five men!

Stop feeding the traveler such lies!

Here's your fried lamb and garlic.

I was just about to praise you.

Which means what you said right now
was the opposite of praise!

You know,

she used to travel alone,
carrying a brew kettle on her back.

-What? No way...
-Yes, I did.

That was back when I was
even younger and more beautiful than now.

I was born in a coastal town
to the west of here.

But in places like that, you're destined
to be swept away by the waves.

The waves? You mean pirates?

That's right. When I ran for my life,
the only things I took with me

were the brew kettle I carried on my back
and a bag of barley.

I don't know what I was thinking.

-Have a drink with us!
-Oh, thanks.

That's why I started brewing beer
with my kettle, barley,

and river water.

And who else would pass by her
but the count and company,

who were checking up
on the battlefront against the pirates?!

The count told me that

he wanted me to travel with them
and brew beer for them.

Realizing that this was her chance,
the young and ambitious maiden,

Iima, followed after the count!

So, did you become his personal brewer?

Oh, of course not!

The only reward I received

was the right to sell my beer
as "certified by the count."

And that's the beginning of
the bizarre tale of the beer-selling lady.

Call it "the wandering maiden brewer"!

In order to sell as many as I could,

I never drank my own beer myself.

But when I came to this village,
I drank it for the first time.

Then I got completely wasted
and fell for my now husband.

But this village is a nice place too.

-Enjoy your time here.
-Thank you.

This sure is a wonderful bar.

It'd be hard to find one
this nice even in Endima.

-I know, right?
-You have good taste!

And the beer is good too.

This village must really be
blessed by God.

-Oh, pardon me.
-No, it's not your fault.

It's true that this village owes a lot
to the late Father Franz.

-But still...
-In the end, we can't.

-We still can't defy Lord Truyeo.
-That's right!

Lord Truyeo?

This village's guardian deity.

He's a god of harvest and the reason
why our village is named Tereo.

I see. A god of harvest, huh?

-Then I'm guessing he is a wolf?
-A wolf?

Don't be ridiculous!

Wolves are the devil's servants.
They can't be gods.

-Tell me more...
-Lord Truyeo is a snake.

-He's a snake deity.
-A snake?

They say the weather at his head
is different from at his tail.

It is also said that he swallows the sun
for breakfast and the moon for dinner.

He's on a completely
different level than others.

By the outskirts of the village,

the hole that Lord Truyeo dug
to hibernate in is still preserved.

A hole?

Legend has it that
whoever enters it gets cursed.

Even Father Franz was scared of it
and told us to never enter the hole.

It's on the slope of a hill.
Did you not see it on your way here?

Now that you mention it...

You know there's a town nearby
called Enberch, right?

For generations, the people at
that big church have been so irritating.

Right now,
someone called Mendes is in charge.

Enberch was originally under
the protection of Lord Truyeo like us.

But the missionaries talked them into

siding with the church!

-One more!
-Then more people started coming in,

roads were paved,
and it turned into a big town.

The church is very powerful, after all.

That's right!

And since they've become more powerful,
they've been trying to convert us.

At first, they said they'd leave us alone
if we built a church in the village.

But they started making us
pay heavy taxes in exchange for

turning a blind eye to Lord Truyeo.

Heavy taxes, you say?

But then about 30 or 40 years ago,
Father Franz came around.

But right now,
Ms. Elsa is in charge, right?

Yeah, that's the thing...

I went there to have someone
pray for my safe journey,

and I was so surprised to meet
a young lady wearing a cassock.

I don't blame you.
It just doesn't make sense.

Father Franz took Elsa in
over ten years ago.

But she doesn't have to take over
as priest just because of that, you know?

-You're a merchant from a distant land.
-Y... Yes.

Then don't you know anybody
with power within the church?

Someone with power?

That's right! Somebody who can do it.

-Stick it to those guys in Enberch...
-Hey!

What in the world
are you telling the traveler!

My bad.

Sorry about that.

But as someone
who travels, you understand, right?

-Each village has its own problems.
-I understand.

We want travelers to enjoy
the village's food and drinks.

And when you move on, we want you to tell
others that this village was a nice place.

Yes, I agree.

Well then,
you guys' final task of the day is to

drink and liven up the mood!

Or so I wanted to say...

But it seems your companion is passed out.

She had a little too much fun.

I'll take her back to the inn
before she embarrasses herself.

After all,
she's technically still a maiden.

-Thanks for the meal!
-See you!

ORIGINAL STORY BY ISUNA HASEKURA

You overindulged yourself.

That was my job, wasn't it?

Of course, I know that. But I also know

you intentionally ordered
all the expensive dishes.

You're a stingy male, you know that?

But more importantly, I want to lie down.
I can't breathe...

Hey, we're almost there.
Don't fall asleep!

What happened to your companion?

She's just drunk, that's all.

Oh, that reminds me. Take this.

Wh... What's wrong?

-What is this?
-I got it from the innkeeper.

It apparently works for hangovers.

I'm sure this would wake me up
even if I was drunk for 100 years.

This village is quite laid-back.

-Stores probably won't open until later.
-In that case...

Staying awake will only make me
cold and hungry.

We only need to sleep once a day.
That's how God created our bodies.

Well, I'm a wolf.

Jokes aside, something feels off.

-What?
-Well.

-I'm curious about the villagers' income.
-What do you mean?

Normally, a farming village can't relax
just because they're done harvesting.

Even more so, if they are
taxed heavily by Enberch as they say.

So, why...?

It must be a miraculous village.

"Miraculous"? Even though the villagers
have no interest in the church?

-How ironic.
-What? Ironic?

-Oh, you said that word without knowing?
-What makes it ironic?

I see.

Well then, let me teach you about
the church's definition of miracles.

I don't like how condescending you sound,
but I'll hear you out.

The term "miracle"
has a special meaning within the church.

They believe miracles are

superhuman phenomena that are caused by

God's holy spirit.

If the church approves of your miracle,
you are called a saint

and you become an object of worship.

Do they really have to
get the church's approval?

The church decides whether or not
they are telling the truth and whether

it is a work of God and not the Devil.

So, what kinds are there, specifically?

I've heard of people calming a storm,

instantly healing the sick,

turning water into wine...

-Wine?
-Don't just react to alcohol!

Anyway, the church calls phenomena

that are impossible for humans
and can only be acts of God, "miracles."

I was also called a god, you know.

The amount you eat and drink
sure is god-level.

You fool. I have also shown humans
"miracles" just for fun.

Interesting.

Well, most of the miracles performed
by the church are rigged.

Compared to the real miracles that you do...

I guess I know where I'm going today.

I might be able to get
some info about the abbey.

But why am I working harder than you,
when it's your homeland we're looking for?

You won't be able to move around
as freely when I'm with you, right?

In such a small village like this,
there are eyes everywhere.

I would like to act on my own,
if I was allowed to.

After all, I want to go to the abbey
and get information as soon as possible.

All right. I'll be back
around noon at the latest.

Remember to bring back gifts.

-Good morning, Mr. Lawrence!
-Good morning.

Thank you for yesterday.

We're there every day,
so stop by the bar again.

-Where are you headed today?
-I'm going to turn my wheat into flour.

Oh, the miller's place, huh?

Be careful he doesn't steal your flour.

If you want to make bread out of it,
come to my place.

-I'll bake you something delicious.
-Okay, I'll look forward to it.

-Oh, Master Lawrence!
-Don't call me "master."

-Is your millstone open right now?
-You can count on me!

I mill all of the wheat from Tereo,
you know.

-It'll cost about three Ryut.
-That's quite cheap.

-Oh, really?
-Some places are triple that amount.

Really? I assumed it was expensive.

The villagers are always reluctant to pay.

I guess it's the same everywhere.

You were a miller too?

No, I used to collect taxes
on behalf of someone else.

Like the taxes you have to pay
for slaughtering one whole pig.

I've never heard of that.

Washing the meat and bones dirties
the river and produces lots of waste.

The taxes pay for that cleanup,
but nobody wants to pay it.

I ended up having to beg them to pay.
It was such a hassle.

I understand that feeling.

By the way, you mentioned that
you mill all of Tereo's wheat, right?

What?

Are you interested
in doing business with Tereo?

Well, if circumstances allow.

Then you should give up on that idea.

Merchants are known to never give up.

As expected! But we're under an agreement
where Enberch buys all our wheat.

Does that mean this village
is owned by Enberch?

We're equal. Enberch buys our wheat,

and we buy things other than wheat
from them.

Not just that, when we buy alcohol
and clothing from them, it's tax free.

Isn't that amazing?

If that's true, that's amazing.

That's more than just being "equal."

Entering such a favorable agreement
with a town of that size is unthinkable.

How did that happen?

Plus, I had heard that

this village is heavily taxed by Enberch.

-That was all in the past.
-Really?

-Do you want to know why?
-Of course.

-Sorry, I actually don't know.
-Come on!

But I do know who made the change.

It was Father Franz, right?

How did you know?

Just a merchant's instinct, that's all.

Wow!

-As I thought, you are an amazing guy.
-Praising me won't get you anywhere.

-More importantly, is my wheat ready?
-Oh, that's right!

When you make bread out of it,
make sure to sift it well.

Understood. Oh, that reminds me.

I saw you this morning.
It seems you get along with Ms. Elsa.

So you saw me, huh? I can't sleep here
during the winter, you know?

So she lets me sleep in the church.
And so, you know...

When I went yesterday,
I was given the cold shoulder.

But this morning,
she looked as peaceful as a saint.

I was so surprised.

For someone who is so timid,
Elsa has a short temper. And she's shy.

So to strangers,
she bares her teeth like a wild mouse.

But it's been a while since I've seen her
in a good mood.

You saw her at a bad time.

She was already in a good mood
by last night.

But she never mentioned the fact
that you visited.

She tells me everything, even the number
of times she sneezed that day.

That's probably
because I am a man, after all.

Oh, how silly of her.

That's enough bragging.

But Elsa has a lot of respect
for Father Franz

and is working hard to take after him.

So I want to support her.

I understand.

But she was so crabby, so what could have
happened to put her in a good mood?

Why do you ask?

Because my partner's mood changes
as frequently as the mountain's weather.

-I see you have it tough too.
-Tell me about it.

But there's no point in asking.

All there is to it,
is that an ongoing issue was resolved.

-By which you mean...
-That is...

Oops, I was told not to tell outsiders.
Sorry, but...

Oh, that's no problem.

-Well, see you.
-Hey, Mr. Lawrence!

Is it hard being a traveling merchant?

There is no such thing as an easy job.

But right now, I'm having fun.

I see. You're right. Okay!

-Thank you.
-Bye.

How about we give up
on going to the abbey?

-What's your reason?
-This place isn't normal. It's dangerous.

So finding my homeland isn't
worth taking risks for?

Don't say it like that.

My guess is that
the abbey we're looking for

is that church right there.

If my guess is correct...

The abbot was Father Franz.

In that case,
both Elsa and the village elder

must have known that Father Franz was
collecting stories about pagan gods.

And yet, they still played dumb
and said they didn't know.

Additionally,
according to what I heard at the bar,

the people don't respect the church here.

The villagers worship the snake deity.

But they said that the village
owes a lot to this Franz guy.

That's right. Which means Father Franz
did something for the village.

-And I found out what he did from Evan.
-What did the boy say?

This village has a contract with Enberch
that's disproportionately favorable.

That is why the villagers can afford
to be so laid-back.

Apparently, Father Franz is the one
who sealed that contract.

So that brings our attention to

the fact that this village is on bad terms
with the church in Enberch.

With the death of Father Franz,
Enberch wants to nullify the contract.

This village worships a pagan god.

So if they can prove
that this is a pagan village,

Enberch would have an excuse to attack.

But Elsa and the others
had countermeasures ready.

Yesterday,
the village elder received a message.

My guess is that a larger church or noble

agreed to back Elsa up
and recognize her position.

Elsa must have been very anxious,
so this would've been a big relief.

However, I doubt that Enberch
would give up just like that.

Why don't we call it quits?

Considering their situation,
Elsa and the village elder

will try to hide the existence of an abbey
that's connected to pagan gods.

If worse comes to worst,

we'll be exposed as pagans too
and the issue will blow up.

Hey...

Holo,

I want to hear your opinion
before there's another misunderstanding.

What are you expecting
from the stories about pagan gods?

Do you want more information on

the bear that destroyed your homeland?

Or do you want to find out
about your friends?

What if I do? What will you do?

I wouldn't mind taking risks.

Then it's fine.

It's fine. You don't have to
take it that seriously.

-Holo...
-I'm being honest now.

I'd like to slap that girl in the face
and ask if there are any stories left.

For the reasons you mentioned.

Plus, I simply want to know about
stories of Yoitsu.

Wouldn't you be curious about
stories about your homeland?

I guess.

But I don't really like the thought
of putting you in danger

just for that.

Being a softy is one
of your very few good traits.

But it scares me sometimes.

Even when I'm looking
so lonesome like this,

you won't even take a bite out of me.

My goodness, you frighten me.

Even if it looks like a fruit,

you have to be careful,
because it might have a horrible flavor.

That is true. It might be unbearably sour.

But do you dare to say that I'm not sweet?

-I do.
-Really? You have some nerve.

Are you really okay with giving up?

Asking me like that
is a little unfair, don't you think?

Any stories about Yoitsu and my friends

and that infuriating bear.

-I want to hear them in detail.
-Right.

The stories I heard from that bird girl
in Kumersun are far from enough.

It's as if I only got a drop of water
when I'm parched.

What do you want to do?

Will you do it for me?

Leave it to me.

Please leave it to me.

Actually, I have one idea.

Are you serious?

We won't get anywhere
by beating around the bush.

First of all, when I said,
"Will you do it for me?"

I meant, "Will you take a risk with me?"

-But...
-And you valiantly said, "Leave it to me."

I'm so happy.

I have to pull in your reins
every now and then.

Well, I'll let you think up a plan
just in case things don't go well.

So...

I'll just hold onto your hand for now.

All right, let's eat and hurry up and go.

Fine.

Next time, "The Church's Teachings
and Father's Memories."