Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Quest
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Bishop Davit arrived at the vineyard on the outskirts of Rom, at the fork in the road leading to Riverpool, around the time the sun was nearly setting.
He rode in a slow cart pulled by an ox, dressed in shabby clothes, with no attendants—a truly pitiful sight. In a situation where everything seemed suspicious like it did to Jade, it was highly suspect, but to a stranger, it didn't stand out much.
"You made it safely, Priest Jade. Thank goodness. Thank goodness."
Davit expressed relief with an expression almost like he was about to cry.
Jade sensed anxiety in his relieved demeanor.
"Why did you come alone? Where is Priest Danel?"
Jade asked.
Davit didn't answer easily.
"Let's go inside first. It's a long story. But where are the other two...?"
"I have a long story too."
As soon as they entered the vineyard warehouse, Jade pressed Davit to explain the situation. He still hadn't let go of his suspicions about Bishop Davit.
Davit didn't start with Danel but brought up his meeting with Cardinal Lorenzo first. At that moment, Jade was already bracing himself for bad news.
After sending Jade off with Autis and Franco, Davit had a brief, meaningless exchange with Cardinal Lorenzo. It was discussions about this year's Mass plans, cathedral expansion plans, the church's activities, and Holy Emperor Dionysius's provincial tour. To be precise, it was just a schedule consultation for those discussions.
"I pretended everything was normal and went along with it, but he must have grown suspicious seeing my flustered responses."
Davit said, blaming himself.
"No. Cardinal Lorenzo probably already knew to some extent the moment he showed up at the cathedral. More importantly, what about Priest Danel?"
Jade cut him off before Davit could recount the entire arduous journey here.
"Priest Danel..."
Davit hesitated, and Jade anticipated what came next.
"...has passed away."
"How?"
Jade asked with surprising calmness, even to himself.
"They say his house caught fire and collapsed this dawn."
"Was the body confirmed?"
"They said identification would be delayed because the house collapsed. But according to the homeowner, two people went in and neither came out—one was definitely Priest Danel. He didn't know who the other was. That part is a bit suspicious, though..."
The other one was probably Bryon, so it actually fit. But Jade didn't believe it.
"He must have seen wrong. I know that homeowner—his eyesight isn't great. He can't even recognize people properly. Once when I visited the priest's house, he suddenly demanded I pay back rent, mistaking me for the neighbor. He even claimed any woman around five years old was his daughter.
"I wish that were the case."
Davit pretended not to believe but had already accepted Priest Danel's death.
When Jade glared at him as if blaming him for Danel's death, he averted his gaze and asked,
"But where is Autis? Why is only Franco collapsed over there?"
Franco was still unconscious, lying in the haystack.
"Autis is dead."
Jade said curtly. Before Davit could even be surprised, he recounted what happened in the underground tomb. The emperor came, explained the situation so far, and as they were about to leave, Autis suddenly turned and tried to kill the emperor...
Franco had apparently been knocked out when the true-natured Autis struck him on the head with a stone. Considering the other soldier was crushed to death by a stone and the other had his throat slit, he was lucky.
The terrified Emperor Benclaus proposed abandoning the Holy Grail expedition and returning to the palace together.
"If a demon like that is involved, who knows what mastermind is behind it. This isn't the time!"
Jade refused. Partly because he had an appointment to meet Priest Danel, but also because he feared the emperor's impending judgment.
"Since I was young, Priest Danel taught me Rom's history from various angles. He shared an interesting statistic: the ones who killed the most Rom citizens weren't the barbarian soldiers endlessly harassing Rom's borders or the heretics' followers, but Rom's own army."
The emperor acknowledged it.
"You're talking about my great-great-grandfather's time. The army was sent against citizens protesting for lower taxes. Over ten thousand died then... But people said the emperor quelled the rioters by divine will and prevented Rom's downfall."
"You know what I'm worried about."
"Right now, Rom's citizens are furious as if I've sold the Rom Empire to the Eastern Kingdom."
Benclaus continued with a long sigh.
"I might have to muster the army soon. And the enemy won't be the Eastern Kingdom."
"If I leave, Your Majesty will have an excuse regarding the Holy Grail. So if madness blooms in your heart, make me the scapegoat."
Jade didn't relay that part of the conversation to Davit. He only said that after parting with the emperor, he carried Franco out of the underground tomb, and Franco regained consciousness just enough to guide them to the vineyard.
"My God, Autis? He was an excellent inquisitor for the Rom Priesthood."
Davit said in surprise.
"Did you know he was the murderer who killed my parents?"
Jade asked.
Davit knew of the tragedy Jade experienced as a child, so he was equally shocked.
"He... him? But he... Oh, my God. Then receiving the Holy Emperor's baptism was because of that incident...?"
Davit belatedly realized and clutched his forehead.
"My mistake. It was a secret mission, so I couldn't trust those around me and brought him from elsewhere. I thought he was thoroughly vetted, but this happened."
"It's not the bishop's fault. You can't uncover a demon through investigation. But we can't involve or bring anyone else along for this anymore."
As Jade stood up, Davit was startled.
"What do you mean? You don't plan to leave alone right now, do you?"
"Yes. Alone."
Jade had many questions for Danel and more than one or two things to discuss. That thought had kept him going until now. But suddenly, everything was gone.
'Priest Danel is dead? Something's wrong. Either Bishop Davit is lying or plotting something like Autis!'
Davit asked with an innocently naive face incapable of scheming.
"Why? Did His Majesty the Emperor command you to go alone?"
"The opposite. He suggested I abandon the Holy Grail expedition."
Davit shook his head.
"Then follow that advice. No, Priest Jade. Not now, at least."
Davit glanced at the still-collapsed Franco, as if worried he might wake and overhear.
"Let's be rational. First, we need to confirm Priest Danel's status for sure. If he's alive, we discuss with him again. If he's passed, we recover the body and start over from square one—it's not too late."
"You're right. We need to confirm Priest Danel's life or death. But somehow, it feels like that's out of my hands now. It even feels like I need to get out of here."
"What kind of feeling is that?"
"If Priest Danel was murdered, I'm next. He said he felt someone chasing him and kept moving like a fugitive. Just before we parted, he even asked which route I'd take."
"Surely Priest Danel didn't..."
"Priest Danel prepared for me to be alone."
"Did he foresee his death?"
"I don't know if he foresaw death or planned to hand this over to me and step back from the start. He could have gone straight from Jerba to the Eastern Kingdom, but he made sure to meet me and His Majesty, and even arranged companions for me."
'Right. The priest went to meet Saf? Is Saf okay?'
Jade shook his head to dispel the worry.
"Neither went exactly as intended, but I get the intent. I have to go alone. If Priest Danel is alive, please tell him that."
Bishop Davit said worriedly,
"You look like you've given up on everything. I recognize that face. Many young people come to confession looking like that when forcibly drafted into war."
Jade smiled weakly.
"Then I should confess to you, Bishop. Even without the Holy Grail expedition, I can't stay here. Especially after this morning's events. For the past three years at Jerba Monastery, I've wondered: What enlightenment am I seeking here? God won't answer my prayers, and is it right for someone unqualified like me to hear others' prayers in the monastery?"
"You've lost your faith?"
"Not lost—abandoned. At first, I thought God was punishing or testing me. After Mitchell's murder, I denied God. After that, just confusion."
Jade thumped his chest. The book tucked inside felt hard.
"During the days coming to Rom, I thought a lot. So I made a decision. If thoughts clarify more when moving than brooding, and answers come from confronting rather than avoiding, then I must seek the Holy Grail."
Jade clasped his hands as if he already possessed the Holy Grail.
"Even if I remain as I am when I hold the Holy Grail, I might escape the chaos. Even if it's not a divine relic but a calamity."
Davit nodded, looking at Jade's resolute face.
"Is there anything I can do to help?"
"No."
"It's a hard path alone. How about at least going with Franco?"
"I'm sorry, but after seeing Autis like that, even if you chose him, I can't travel with anyone."
"I suppose so. I apologize for that. I can't apologize enough."
"It's no one's fault."
"Ah, there is one thing I can do."
Davit continued gladly, having thought of something helpful.
"To go to the Eastern Continent, you'll need to cross the Mediterranean. Head to Pisa Port. I know a captain. The Mediterranean is swarming with pirates now, and there are many unexplained accidents, so most ships refuse the eastern route. But with a letter of introduction from me, you can find a captain who will sail."
"Thank you, but I'll take my own path."
"Where to?"
"First, to the Red Desert."
Davit looked puzzled.
"Why take such a harsh route? Worried about pursuers?"
"That's one reason."
Jade didn't mention the bigger one.
Davit didn't ask more.
"Understood, Priest Jade. Take care."
Jade skipped a long farewell and left the vineyard.
Jade walked alone. Looking back or ahead, it was so quiet and desolate that not a single human shadow was visible. After spending the past few days with Priest Danel, being suddenly alone felt lonely.
'I said too much.'
Jade regretted confessing his lack of faith to Bishop Davit. And yet, it also felt relieving.
'I don't know if God exists. But demons have appeared before me time and again. Then, do angels exist?'
Jade intended to confirm that from now on.
'If an angel bound for five hundred years is really there, what should I say?'