Interrogation (1)
My persuasion didn't seem to be softening her resolve at all. I thought she was being foolish, yet I also felt a surge of anger at the Holy Empire for blacklisting someone so loyal. I couldn't keep meeting her while constantly watching over our shoulders, so I needed to do something about that list. Fortunately, once I began serving Princess Reciel, that particular worry would no longer be mine.
“Still…”
Since she showed no sign of yielding, I had no choice but to resort to my final argument. I hadn't intended to go this far, but watching her refuse to accept the obvious left me no other option.
“Serve Princess Reciel and rise to a higher position. Wouldn't that allow you to help me far more effectively later on?”
“Ah~!”
Even Marichel couldn't deny that a mercenary repaying a debt was far less useful than someone with real authority doing the same while serving the princess.
“As expected of a priest—your way of thinking is completely different. I never even considered something like that.”
“Haha.”
My awkward laugh made her suddenly look glum.
“But what if it doesn't work? I can't believe someone like me would catch the princess's eye.”
“I'm certain of it. Just prepare yourself.”
I suspected Princess Reciel would make her move before long.
Dawn broke. Marichel, who I thought would visit her sister late at night, ended up staying the night at my lodging. She claimed it was simply too late to go without disturbing her sister's sleep. Since we could meet again in just a few hours once the sun rose, there was no real urgency. Princess Reciel, who had gone to bed early, woke around lunchtime and began preparing to leave.
“Are you really going to live there? I can arrange separate quarters for you.”
“I'd prefer that if possible, but I've already received far too much help from the priest. I can't keep relying on you for everything. Besides, many people already know that Priest Arthur and I are close.”
“Meaning there could be eyes watching.”
“Exactly. That place may be uncomfortable, but it's certainly safer. No one will find me there. The only reason I made it this far was because I disguised myself as a man and used makeup no one would ever expect.”
She knew she couldn't stay hidden from the Deltrack Empire's gaze forever.
“On the day my sister returns, we'll go back to the Deltrack Empire together. Until then, I plan to gather people who can support her. This incident made me realize just how lacking my own foundation was.”
Despite everything she'd endured, Princess Reciel showed no sign of despair. If anything, she seemed more determined than ever, which made me resolve to do my part as well.
“I'll be waiting for good news.”
“Right. I'll have to prepare somehow and enter the Labyrinth again. I owe you a great deal. Once things settle down a bit, I'll send someone to share updates on our progress.”
While we were talking, Marichel stepped outside first. Princess Reciel glanced at her and asked me in a low voice.
“Is there some problem with her sister?”
“It's not exactly a problem, but they haven't talked much. The sister has some strange misunderstandings. She says she wants to become independent quickly so she can stop being a burden.”
“Hmm…”
After a brief silence, the princess spoke as if she understood the situation.
“I think I get the gist.”
“From what I've seen, Marichel cares deeply for her sister. If the sister suddenly declares she wants independence, Marichel won't oppose it, but she'll probably struggle with it.”
“I'll handle this matter. It seems appropriate.”
“I leave it in your hands.”
I didn't bother asking if she was confident. Given that she was in a similar position to the sister, I was certain she could guide them better than I could.
The recent humiliation the Holy Empire had suffered was everyone's fault. No one had stopped it, so naturally, we needed to make an example of several countries. If we simply let this pass, those people would look down on us. The damage caused by closing the healing centers? We believed they should endure it, given everything we'd done for them so far. We also assumed their resentment would turn toward their own countries for provoking the Holy Empire.
“There have been many complications, but the priests are growing increasingly unsettled by the closure of the healing centers. I believe it's time to rescind the order.”
Quite some time had passed since the order to close the healing centers was issued. Not everyone had obeyed without question, but most priests had complied. As a result, diplomats from various nations who had secretly contacted us chose to prostrate themselves before the Holy Empire's power.
“They were more stubborn than expected, but this has been a sufficient opportunity to remind everyone of the Holy Empire's might. I consider it a success.”
“Wait a moment. Are you all really planning to let this end peacefully?”
Keeping the healing centers closed any longer was too risky, judging by public opinion. Ironically, though the Holy Empire acted like a bully toward neighboring countries, the one group it watched most carefully was its own citizens. Therefore, once we felt our pride had been restored, we intended to reopen the centers immediately. The only problem was that the neighboring nations, distracted by the Deltrack Empire's schemes, had failed to offer an apology.
“What the Deltrack Empire did cannot be overlooked! Especially that insolent child of theirs—what do you intend to do about him?”
The Holy Empire's stance was that the Deltrack Empire, the root cause of all this, could never be forgiven.
“That's right. We must extract that bastard's blood as payment for this incident!”
The fury was immense because this affair had caused them considerable embarrassment. They were determined to deal with Prince Loras, the true instigator.
“The issue is that we have no method. As you all know, the Deltrack Empire has offered no apology.”
“That's precisely what makes it more infuriating! They calculated that we wouldn't be able to act forcefully because of the Labyrinth!”
Amid the outbursts, the Pope, who had been listening calmly, finally spoke.
“In fact, the Deltrack Empire has secretly contacted us.”
“?!”
The cardinals and priests, who had assumed the Deltrack Empire had done nothing, were shocked.
“What? They've contacted us?”
“How shameless! What did they say?”
“They requested that we verify whether Prince Loras truly colluded with heretics.”
Everyone was dumbfounded by the Pope's words.
“Wasn't that exactly why we sent a request to the Deltrack Empire in the first place, only for this mess to occur?”
“Correct. And the one who made this request wasn't the Deltrack Empire itself, but the Emperor.”
“Pardon? Isn't the Emperor's word the same as the Deltrack Empire's?”
Since everyone assumed the Emperor and the empire were one and the same, the Pope's statement left them bewildered.
“Could it be that the Emperor…?”
“Punishing heretics is a sacred authority granted to us by God, but interfering in the internal affairs of other nations is not a priest's place.”
“……”
Though they clicked their tongues at the Pope's words, no further questions about the Emperor were raised. In the now-quiet conference room, one figure spoke up.
“I don't understand all this complicated talk. If the Emperor asked us to verify whether someone is a heretic, then we simply need to do so.”
It was Cardinal Oron, who oversaw the Inquisitors. Everyone fell silent at his voice. The Pope, as if expecting this, asked calmly.
“Will you take charge, Cardinal Oron?”
“Yes. I'll send the children. However, the verification process may be somewhat… intense. I ask for your understanding.”
“Haha! When dealing with heretics, that's only natural. You may proceed as you see fit.”
At the Pope's permission, the cardinal smiled, and those around him held their breath as if chilled to the bone.
“One after another… Time really has passed, hasn't it? In the old days, no one would have even dreamed of pulling something like this.”
“Ugh… What… is this…”
“Did the Holy Empire look easy to you? Since you're about to become the empire's heir, did you think the Holy Empire was beneath you as well?”
In a dark, deserted space, two men conversed. One spoke leisurely, while the other knelt on the floor, cold sweat pouring down his face. It was no wonder—he was tightly bound with ropes around his limbs.
“You… Who the hell are you? How dare you… do this to me…”
“Did I hit your head too hard? Why can't the boy speak properly? Tsk. Healing really isn't my strong suit.”
Since the man couldn't regain his senses, the interrogator reluctantly healed his head. A proper conversation required the other party to be coherent.
“I never thought I'd have to drug such an insolent brat.”
Killing him would be troublesome, so the man clicked his tongue regretfully.
“This is… divine power… You're a priest?”
After receiving treatment, the captive's speech became slightly clearer. He asked the question without fear, and the middle-aged man grinned.
“If you knew my true identity, you wouldn't leave here alive.”
“Did you bring me here to kill me?”
“I'm still debating whether to kill you or not. You certainly have plenty of reasons to die.”
“I have no reason to die!”
“In this situation, you should realize that lies won't work on me.”
Thud!
“Agh!”
The man struck the captive's back with his staff. The prisoner shouted in fury.
“I am the one who will become the crown prince of the Deltrack Empire! Do you really think the Holy Empire can get away with this?!”
“Why wouldn't we? You're replaceable in the Deltrack Empire. But the Holy Empire? Opposing us would mean the Deltrack Empire throwing away its own future.”
“The Holy Empire uses its strengths to threaten neighboring countries. Is it really a priest's place to close healing centers over a minor provocation and kidnap people for intimidation?!”