A Heart No Longer Bound by One

Herman let out a small chuckle at the owl Silvestina had sent. So that's why you've been lazing around here like some idle bum?

"Lazing around, huh... I'm actually doing my job properly, you know."

Her reply carried a mocking tone, but Herman paid it no mind and asked, "So, any information?"

The question carried the clear implication that he wasn't in the mood for friendly banter right now. Silvestina's voice grew serious in response.

Herman nodded at her slightly exasperated words. "If you say so, Tina, then that's how it is."

The information network she had built with her Unique Magic was the best on the continent. If even she couldn't dig anything up despite going all out, then the target must have buried himself exceptionally deep.

That... was probably because of Jenkinson, wasn't it?

Herman smiled at the thought. The reason Greg was particularly prickly toward her was likely because he saw her as one of the main culprits behind dragging his son into the priesthood. But Herman had felt it clearly in that room. At the root of that boy lay the same thing that existed within himself.

Anyway, I suppose I'll be staying here and waiting for now.

Without information, there was no point in moving. With that thought, Herman crushed the head of the devil he had captured. The surrounding worshippers trembled violently, but he paid them no attention. In time, they would come to understand anyway—that the threat known as devils had vanished from their lives, even if only for a little while.

"Shall we head back then?"

"...I still don't understand why you chose that man's house as our base, but very well."

Lina looked quite displeased, yet she still prepared to depart. While staying in Eve recently, Herman had been purging the devils lurking in the surrounding villages. Devils hid within everyday life, secretly gnawing away at human society. Dealing with them was, in Herman's own way, how he paid his rent.

The question came from Silvestina at that moment.

"What is he up to..."

Herman understood the intent behind the question. But...

"Well, I suppose. Jenkinson is a man too, after all."

He didn't particularly want to point that part out. He knew it all too well. Jenkinson was, in the end, a noble. In time, he would have to set aside his priesthood and inherit his family line.

--

Just past the border of the Abnaigel region lay the Ofrel territory. It belonged to one of the undisputed great powers of the continent. Within the militaristic Yura Kingdom, it was counted among the wealthiest regions, ruled by Gimor del Ofrel—the man known as the richest on the continent.

Greg, who had come to visit that place, wanted nothing more than to return home as quickly as possible, even as he sat through the meal.

"I went to great lengths to welcome you. It seems we'll be seeing quite a bit of each other from now on."

Yet the man sitting ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠across from him, Gimor, seemed to feel differently. He had deliberately brought in a chef formerly employed by the royal family, laid out a truly extravagant feast, and waited for Greg.

"...Well, if my son is happy with it, I have no objections. But are you confident?"

Greg asked while sipping the expensive Holy Kingdom wine that had been offered to him. This union would be something the Yura Kingdom, Rucella—no, to be coldly objective, the entire continent—would have to watch with caution. It was the joining of two families from among the three most renowned mages on the continent. That alone was terrifying enough. Add to it the Ofrel family's wealth and the Abnaigel family's military might, and it became even more formidable. Naturally, checks and interference would come. And in utterly ridiculous ways.

But...

"Confident, you say... Isn't that something you should be asking the other party?"

Gimor didn't seem concerned at all. How could they possibly stop this? In that moment, he would gain the overwhelming financial power and military might of these two houses. And... the Holy Kingdom's vaunted war forces as well.

"...Fine. If the two of them truly wish to marry, I will give my permission."

In the end, Greg's approval was given. Of course, it came with the premise that both parties actually wanted it.

"Excellent."

Gimor's face lit up with genuine joy at the positive response.

Limia ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠will be delighted.

Gimor grew curious. If this union truly came to pass... what would become of the continent? That too was intriguing. But more than anything else, what truly stimulated Gimor's curiosity was something entirely different.

What kind of child would be born from the union between that monstrous priest and his own daughter?

It was that very curiosity that had made Gimor so proactive in this marriage discussion.

--

Anyway, you've rested well enough by now, haven't you?

It had already been a full week since arriving in Giner. Late at night, an owl flew in, and I smiled as I listened to its message.

Rested, huh... Indeed, the work I'd done here hadn't been all that different from a vacation.

"It wasn't bad at all. So, is this the next mission?"

What could it be that made her speak like that? Bishop Silvestina rarely spoke this way, so it only piqued my interest more. A difficult task also meant it was one that required my particular abilities.

I see. At that moment, I already had a rough idea of where she was going to send me.

"Hmm... Very well. So where am I headed?"

Having heard this much, it was practically the same as her having told me ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠everything already, yet I calmly waited for her to continue.

The city of pleasure, Sabron. A city located in the distant Lutel Principality, infamous for its depravity that had long since crossed all bounds. More than that...

This mission was personally assigned by His Holiness?

It seemed His Holiness wished to spread the faith quite aggressively. Even as I thought this, I nodded.

"If that is the will of the divine, then I shall obey without question."

If it was the will of the gods, I would simply follow. At my answer, Bishop Silvestina fell silent for a moment, as if deep in thought. The owl tilted its head, and then her question came.

Something good, she said.

"I'm not sure if it's exactly good. But today, I thought of her."

Bishop Silvestina fell silent at those words. I gave a light chuckle and continued. I knew what she was worried about. But... this time, it was a little different.

"Strangely enough, it didn't hurt."

Bishop Silvestina showed interest in those words. Yes, why indeed? I pondered it carefully on my own. And eventually, I found something resembling an answer.

"It's probably because... she wasn't the only one I thought of."

In that moment... the moment I recalled her.

I had also been thinking of another woman at the same time. How ridiculous.

Bishop Silvestina sounded flustered, but I simply laughed. Ridiculous as it was, when I imagined a future of marriage, I had unconsciously pictured another person alongside her. That woman was truly a mysterious one.

The first time I saw her, I had treated her with clear malice. I had subdued and humiliated her for interfering with my work. Yet she had shown me goodwill. I had received goodwill with goodwill before, but never had malice been repaid with kindness.

Was that why? Even yesterday, while being saved by Drina, I had thought of her. I hadn't realized it then... but today, I was certain.

She had, at some point, become someone far more important to me than I had ever imagined.

At her relieved words, I nodded.

"I can't stay trapped in the past forever."

So... I suppose it's all right to let you go now, isn't it?

Sera.

With that thought, I closed my eyes.

She had said that before heading to the battlefield. That bright smile... was still vivid in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my memory.

Why had I forgotten those words? No... perhaps I simply couldn't imagine myself following them.

But she had clearly said it.

Be happy. She had told me to be happy.

Am I really allowed to be happy?

I kept asking myself. Was someone like me truly permitted to be happy? Even when I asked myself, the answer never came clearly.

But...

"In that regard, there is something I wish to report to His Holiness."

Bishop Silvestina asked in a puzzled tone, and I answered.

"In two years' time. After that, I wish to retire from the priesthood."

I had made a choice in order to become happy. Because... I believed that was what she had wished for.

--

Silvestina was shocked by the answer. Retire from the priesthood? This guy? It was a truly refreshing shock. She had known he would quit someday, but two years seemed far too soon no matter how she thought about it.

"For real?"

I see...

Though she knew that, from the Church's perspective, she should try to stop him, Silvestina thought...

"All right. I'll pass it on."

This was the right thing for this child. She remembered how hard he had worked for the Church all this time. Even after going through all of that... this boy had truly given his all. It was fine for him to find some peace now.

"I'll make sure to deliver it."

That was why Silvestina sincerely hoped this child could rest. Because perhaps, this was the best possible choice for him.