“……Has the rain let up a little?”

While sipping tea, we had been chatting for a while when I suddenly noticed the sound of the rain had softened since earlier in the day.

It was still coming down, but maybe it was starting to lighten?

Hearing my words, Teresa moved to the window, opened it, and checked outside.

From here, only the courtyard was visible, and it was a little hard to tell just by looking, but the sound of the rain had definitely weakened.

Yesterday, it had sounded like someone was dumping buckets of water everywhere.

“Yes… at this rate, it looks like the rainy season might end tomorrow or the day after.”

“I see. Then we might be able to begin work in the Church District at the start of January, in winter.”

“We’re digging and demolishing, right? Is the Knight Order handling it all?”

Repairs on roads and bridges outside the town sometimes fall to the 1st Unit of the Knight Order due to the threat of monster attacks, but the Church District is in the middle of town, where it’s safe.

I remember the site being fairly deep. Digging that far down isn’t something a small group could do; it’ll need quite a bit of manpower.

Relying only on the Knight Order might be a bit much…

“2nd Unit and the Adventurer’s Guild will also help with securing the perimeter, but yes, that’s the current plan. So far, there have been no reports of undead emerging from underground, and even with my divine protection, I haven’t detected any enemies—but that doesn’t guarantee it’s safe, right? We can’t send civilians into a place like that.”

“…I see.”

Apparently, they do plan to destroy the place, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s still a mysterious area.

Even if someone is watching the well, there haven’t been any real investigations done inside. They probably want to avoid involving unrelated townsfolk in work where safety isn’t guaranteed.

Well… the core has already been destroyed, and there’s no need to rush.

“What’s going to happen to that area once the work is done? The orphanage is going to be torn down, right?”

“Yes… including the orphanage, most of the adventurer-oriented shops in that area are planned to be shut down. The church will remain, but I imagine it’ll change quite a bit.”

Seriana laughed cheerfully.

I’ve heard that churches are technically a necessary organization within a territory.

Aside from dealing with Holy Coins, they also function as hospitals and places for locals to gather.

Of course, the lord and the magistrate run similar facilities, but not every citizen aligns with the ruling side.

Rather than forcing them to use official facilities and risking backlash, it’s probably better to let them use the church’s services and keep them in town.

The church understands that too, which is why they manage to get along decently with the authorities. But in remote areas where the lord’s influence is weaker, the church’s power can be pretty strong.

The old Lortle area is a prime example of that.

The term “Church District” wasn’t just for show—authority over that block was firmly in the church’s hands.

Things have been gradually improving since Riana took over the capital of the territory, but still, for a long time the town had revolved around the church, and even Liesel had avoided interfering.

She likely had confidence she’d eventually take control, but it just shows that they were a force that couldn’t be underestimated.

However, the recent incident gave her the perfect excuse to intervene.

No one knows yet how the church in this town will be handled going forward, but there’s no doubt they’ll start making moves—personnel included—into that district.

Still…

“I see… So it’s all going away.”

Not just the orphanage—those shops in that area were places I used to work when I was a kid.

I don’t have any fond memories of it, but still, I spent most of my life there. I couldn’t help but feel a bit nostalgic.

“Yes, it’s going away. They haven’t decided exactly how the area will be used yet, though… Isn’t that right, Teresa?”

Seriana turned to Teresa as she said this.

It was a little unusual for Seriana not to be fully informed, even if it hadn’t been officially decided.

“Yes. The branch leaders of each guild have been gathering and discussing for the past ten days or so, but nothing has been finalized. There are several proposals, but because it’s such a prime location, the guilds are fighting over it… Until Lord Alec and Captain August return, the decision may be postponed.”

“It’s a spacious area, and more importantly, it’s very accessible. I could step in myself… but perhaps I’ll let them keep negotiating a little longer.”

I see…

She had been getting reports, but Seriana was on vacation and had stayed in her room this whole time.

The Church District, huh…

As Teresa said, the area is close to the central plaza, spacious, and within easy reach of both the commercial and adventurer districts.

Both the Merchant’s Guild and Adventurer’s Guild are still expanding, and their current headquarters seem to be getting cramped—they probably want a nearby branch office.

And it’s not just those two guilds. I imagine there are plenty of other groups who’d like a central base in the city.

Up until now, the church had monopolized that land, so nobody could touch it. No wonder no one wants to let this chance slip away.

Even if they split the land between guilds, it would just turn into a mess…

It doesn’t feel like this will be settled through talks alone.

So they’re all waiting for Liesel to come back and exercise her authority.

I nodded in understanding—and just then, my eyes met Seriana’s as she glanced over at me.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Sera ・Blessing・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind’s Garment】 Blessed Item・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】+1【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Lung of the Dragon】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Serpent’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】【Red Sword】【Monkey’s Arm】・8 cards

Seriana・【Area Identification】・【】・0 cards

Elena・【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec・【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・10 cards