The Prince Seems Changed
It seemed that Prince Loras had changed. It looked as if he were controlling monsters. Two suspicious testimonies had reached me through his soldiers, yet I hadn’t taken any immediate action. I didn’t want to think this way, but… It’s safer to examine the situation from every possible angle.
I was considering the possibility that this might be a trap manufactured by the prince’s own side. Of course, the odds were higher that it wasn’t. They didn’t strike me as meticulous enough to deceive me—they weren’t exactly masterful actors. If Prince Loras truly does have something to hide… isn’t it possible he could be the culprit behind that incident?
Naturally, there had been no visible connection between Prince Loras and the relic. Since I still hadn’t recovered the item, I often found myself speculating about the culprit even during everyday life. Hearing the latest news about the prince had suddenly planted the suspicion that he might be the one.
“What if the prince took the Holy Relic?”
Things were becoming far more complicated than I cared for. Even if I filed a report upward, I doubted the contents would ever reach the Pope. The thought filled me with skepticism, and I kept readjusting my grip on the pen. After agonizing for a long while, I decided that sitting here doing nothing was pointless. I pulled out a fresh sheet of letter paper and began to write. Because this letter had a definite recipient, I believed it would turn out far better than the first one.
“It would be good if you could help…”
At first I thought of consulting Sister Melody and Princess Reciel. But both of them were already busy with their own responsibilities. Bringing up something this uncertain could lead to a serious mistake.
Princess Reciel would immediately declare that the prince has dabbled in heresy and demand he be driven out, while Sister Melody would fly into a rage at the mere word “heretic” and charge straight in.
So I decided to ask for help from the most trustworthy person in my network. I wasn’t sure whether he would find the matter interesting, but if he agreed to assist, no one would be more reliable. I would be able to set my mind at ease.
It’s also exactly the scale of incident that would suit his involvement.
A heresy problem involving Prince Loras, tangled up in the imperial succession? The Deltrack Empire would have no choice but to deny it for the sake of their honor. This was far beyond what I could handle alone. The same went for Princess Reciel and Sister Melody.
This is something I should pass along to the higher-ups.
The fact that I already had far too many tasks demanding my attention was another problem. I couldn’t afford to dwell on Prince Loras’s affairs right now.
The birds had been chirping noisily since dawn, and then welcome news arrived.
“A letter has come for Priest Arthur, Bishop.”
“Hmm, from Arthur?”
The bishop removed his glasses, accepted the letter, and immediately opened the envelope.
“What does it say? Does it mention when he’ll return??”
It had been many months since Priest Arthur was dispatched to the place where the Labyrinth had opened. As anyone could see, his absence left a noticeable gap, so many of the younger priests were eagerly awaiting his return. The longer he was gone, the more the temple felt the impact of his missing presence.
“Are things still difficult these days?”
“Pardon?”
“If it’s too much, I was thinking of requesting another priest be sent.”
“If a new priest arrives, what happens to the position when Priest Arthur returns?”
“Who knows?”
I wondered whether Arthur would ever return from that place to this quiet countryside.
“Oh, please don’t be so vague!! I’m anxious. Priest Arthur isn’t… he isn’t staying away for good, is he?”
“Hmm. It seems he’s adapting well there. I wonder if there’s any real need to call him back.”
“No! The patients ask for Priest Arthur constantly. I barely managed to calm them by promising he would definitely return—if you say he’s never coming back, it’ll be a disaster!”
“The patients?”
Even as a boy he had stood out for his cleverness. As he grew, that cleverness had blossomed into true genius. Had the patients somehow recognized that special quality in my disciple?
“People who must go will go. Clinging too tightly isn’t good for them. It only becomes a burden.”
Given Arthur’s genius, the place where he was now suited him far better.
“…Would it truly be better for Priest Arthur to remain there?”
“Of course. Better than here.”
I knew that those left behind couldn’t help feeling hurt. Watching the young priest’s eyes brim with tears from missing Arthur so badly, I found myself resenting my absent disciple.
This rascal has shaken everyone’s hearts and then flown off without a backward glance.
There was only one way to meet someone who had already left.
“Would you need a letter of recommendation, by any chance?”
“Pardon? A recommendation?”
“I mean the Labyrinth Temple where Arthur is serving. With my recommendation, you could go there whenever you wish.”
“!!”
Hope and determination flooded the eyes of the priest who had been drowning in the sorrow of being left behind.
Ah, youth. Pure youth.
It had been a long time since I witnessed the fiery passion young people could possess. The sight warmed even my old heart.
“May I think about it for a little while?”
“By all means. I have my own schedule, so I can’t write it immediately.”
“Your schedule?”
“I can’t very well recommend our lovely priest without first confirming what sort of place I’m sending them to, can I?”
“Are you… perhaps going to the Labyrinth Temple yourself?”
“Yes. I believe I should go at least once to see the situation for myself.”
Oh dear. I had planned to go alone, but it seemed I had been found out.
Looks like they’ll ask to come along.
Seeing the priest gazing up with sparkling eyes at the mention of the Labyrinth Temple, I felt troubled about how to refuse. And, as expected, the anticipated words left the priest’s lips.
“Could I possibly go with you?”
“Who will guard our Palmore Church if our priest is away?”
“Is it… not possible?”
The dejected expression tugged at my heart. I reached out, placed a hand on the young shoulder, and patted it gently.
“I’m going because of an important matter and thought to handle it while I’m there. I’m afraid it won’t work this time.”
“I’m sorry for asking too much. Please travel safely.”
“Aigo, what a good child. There, there.”
Fortunately the child wasn’t overly greedy and obediently accepted the refusal.
As soon as the priest left the room and I was alone, I read the letter once more with care.
Master,
I hope this letter finds you well. There is a troubling matter I must bring to your attention. Prince Loras of the Deltrack Empire appears to have changed. There are credible testimonies suggesting he may be controlling monsters, and I suspect he could be connected to the missing Holy Relic—or even heresy. This matter is entangled with the imperial succession and far beyond what I can handle alone. I would be deeply grateful for your guidance.
— Your disciple, Arthur
“Prince Loras…”
The Deltrack Empire’s international influence was formidable. The Holy Empire was not in a position to yield, yet neither could we push forward recklessly. Especially not by launching an investigation into a prince on grounds of heresy.
“To an imperial family already fighting over the right of succession, such actions would feel like interference in their internal affairs.”
It seemed the heretics had reached out to a particularly difficult opponent.
“No matter how many times you trample them down and kill them, they keep sprouting up again.”
Would the day ever come when these creatures vanished completely from the world? To achieve that, we would probably have to…
Destroy the Labyrinth.
But that was impossible. It had been impossible three hundred years ago, and it remained impossible now. The best we could do was seal it. I had been living in comfortable retirement, thinking such a task had nothing to do with an old man like myself.
And yet my disciple sent a letter asking for help.
When the disciple one gains in one’s later years calls, what choice does a master have? He was a child I would not mind placing in my own eye without pain, so I intended to go and offer my assistance. Of course, if Arthur knew, he would likely be furious. After all, I had never shown open affection, so he had every right to feel wronged.
“A good heretic is a dead heretic.”
Even if that heretic happened to be royalty, we made no exceptions. I was also quite curious to see how the Labyrinth Temple my disciple was managing was actually being run.
“Just try doing a poor job of it.”
Since I was going as the representative of Palmore Church, if they were causing embarrassment, I planned to grab him by the collar, drag him back, and knock some sense into him. Wasn’t that the true duty of a master? If they had called an old teacher, they ought to bear the corresponding responsibility.
I jolted awake, skin prickling with goosebumps.
“What is it?”
So many ominous things had happened lately that this kind of feeling made my heart pound for no reason. It felt as though something was about to occur. I searched my mind diligently, wondering if I had overlooked anything.
There isn’t anything, is there?
The only remotely special thing was…
“Master?”
It had been some time since I sent the letter, so a reply from my master should be arriving soon. But was receiving a reply supposed to give me goosebumps?
That can’t be??
Yet this uneasy feeling refused to fade.
“Is it because I’m returning to work after so long?”
That seemed to be the only plausible explanation. After safely completing the second subjugation and returning, I had been able to rest deeply thanks to everyone’s consideration. Today was finally my first official day back on duty.
I was looking forward to heading to the treatment center after such a long time and seeing patients again.
“Looking forward to seeing patients pretty much proves I’m a hopeless workaholic.”
Was I actually insane? I needed to get a grip. I had to live a life where work and personal time existed in balance. Even after living two lifetimes, achieving that balance was still incredibly difficult, but I had to keep trying, didn’t I?
Everyone else was enjoying their youth while I was the only one buried in work. I need to make an effort.
Romance wasn’t something one could do alone, so that was out of reach, but my new goal was to protect my own life while living it. In simple terms, I resolved not to become too immersed in work. Once I got drunk on the taste of growth and threw myself into tasks without thinking, even when I tried to spend personal time I had no idea what to do with myself.
Of course, it was still a vague, dream-like resolution that would be difficult to maintain.
“Oh my! You’re finally out?”
As soon as I entered the treatment center, familiar faces greeted me warmly. Their friendly welcomes made my return feel truly real.
“Have you all been well?”
“How formal. We saw each other just yesterday. You’ve been hovering around the treatment center constantly, Priest.”
I had been busy running around and somewhat distracted, but even then I had dropped by the treatment center whenever I could. Since I lived nearby, I would stop in to bring snacks, help out when they were busy, or handle small tasks—spending time that way. When left alone, I had nothing to do but study or pray, so interacting with people was by far the most enjoyable thing.