Cardinal Bella (2)
Cardinal Bella wasn’t actually referring to the temple administrator when she said “the person in charge,” but because I didn’t know the situation, I gave her a completely off-base answer. Priest Chillan must have realized my reply had nothing to do with why he’d come here, because he quickly latched onto my side.
Cardinal Bella slipped her arm through mine as she spoke. Priest Chillan, who had been radiating goodwill, froze solid like a block of stone. Seeing this, Priest Ando couldn’t hold back his laughter and let out a quiet snicker from behind us.
“This way, please.”
Her entrances were flashy, but her exits were just as dramatic. She waved enthusiastically at everyone before we finally managed to break away and step inside the temple. Her attendants followed quietly behind us.
Because of the preconceptions that came with the title of Cardinal, I had never imagined she could create such a relaxed atmosphere.
“You really don’t know who she is, do you?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Hehe~ I thought so.”
It felt strange to be having a casual conversation with a Cardinal of all people. Walking arm-in-arm with her was even more surreal. I wondered if this incredible sociability was Cardinal Bella’s true ability and talent.
“Oh, right! What about that person?”
The “person” she meant was undoubtedly Princess Reciel.
“She’s waiting for us inside the temple.”
“But is it really true?”
“Pardon?”
“You know. That thing.”
“I’m not sure what you’re referring to…?”
When I failed to catch on, she leaned in closer with a slightly frustrated expression and whispered directly into my ear.
Even from a distance her beauty was overwhelming, so when that face suddenly drew near, my body stiffened on instinct. For a moment I wondered if she was trying to seduce me, but her expression was so bright and innocent that I couldn’t be sure.
“Are you asking whether the appearance of a demon is true?”
“Yes!”
“I was told that Bishop Saul has already relayed all the details.”
“I did read the report~ But there isn’t enough evidence to simply take it at face value. Priest Arthur, do you truly believe one appeared?”
“Yes.”
“Have you seen it yourself??”
“No. I haven’t.”
“Then how can you be so certain?”
“Because I trust Bishop Saul. He has no reason to lie about something like this, does he?”
Cardinal Bella replied to my words.
“If it hadn’t been a demon, he wouldn’t have suffered such a loss. And if he held a grudge, he’s the type of person who would prefer to settle it himself.”
“It’s precisely because he’s my master that I can speak about him with confidence. Besides, I believe this matter ultimately comes down to personal faith. No matter what I say, if you decide not to believe me, it’s meaningless.”
After saying that, I decided I shouldn’t speak any further about my master.
“Mmm~ You’re quite the formidable priest. And Bishop Saul has raised an excellent disciple.”
“……”
Even if she was praising me now, it didn’t instantly dissolve the unpleasant feeling I’d had earlier. She must have read the emotion on my face, because she burst into bright laughter.
“…Are you close?”
“Yep. But it’s one-sided on my part.”
“Pardon?”
I wasn’t sure what she meant by one-sided closeness, but she seemed unwilling to explain further and smoothly changed the subject.
“By any chance, Cardinal, do you have any knowledge about demons?”
As a Cardinal, she probably knew far more about them than I did. But surprisingly, she shook her head and said she didn’t know much either.
“We can’t predict what else might emerge from the Labyrinth in the future.”
“I’ve never been to the Labyrinth. What’s it like?”
Cardinal Bella was full of curiosity. She asked me many questions about myself and even more about my master. The strange remark about one-sided closeness had already seemed odd, and now that she seemed more interested in random topics than in the demon or Princess Reciel, I grew a little suspicious.
‘I thought she would ask about the demon or Princess Reciel…’
After explaining what I knew about the Labyrinth in response to her questions, we arrived at the place where Princess Reciel was waiting.
“She’s waiting inside.”
“Hello~ I am Cardinal Bella, who serves the Sun God~ It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness.”
The same friendly energy she had shown us was still in full force with Princess Reciel. Cardinal Bella approached her with a sparkling smile and immediately linked arms with her.
“…It’s nice to meet you.”
Princess Reciel didn’t even blink at Cardinal Bella’s eccentric enthusiasm, calmly returning the handshake. She showed no reaction to the holy power that naturally flowed into her either.
“Why don’t we sit and talk?”
Cardinal Bella gazed at Princess Reciel with sparkling eyes after the princess had casually brushed off even her ultimate technique.
“Do you know why I came all the way here today?”
“I do.”
Anyone who assumed she would have a gentle personality just because of her delicate appearance would be shocked if they saw Cardinal Bella now. She was suggesting they get straight to the point and speak without reservation from the very beginning.
“The Holy Empire hopes to use Your Highness to check Prince Loras and prevent him from ascending the throne. The only concern was whether you possessed the capability to actually restrain him.”
“I can do it. No—I will do it.”
Asking about Princess Canaby here was essentially saying, “We would rather support her than you.” It was a direct jab at Princess Reciel’s pride, and I was secretly quite surprised. Sure enough, the princess’s brows twitched with clear displeasure.
“As far as I’m aware, the person Cardinal Bella should be evaluating is Reciel—me. That question seems unnecessary. Therefore, I will not answer it.”
She was decisive. No matter what she might have said, I doubted there could have been a better response than this. Showing jealousy toward her sister while the Holy Empire was searching for Princess Canaby would have been beneath her, and expressing open anger toward the Holy Empire would have been just as foolish. The best reply to a question that didn’t deserve an answer was no comment at all.
Cardinal Bella seemed pleased with Princess Reciel’s answer and smiled brightly.
“I see. What are your thoughts regarding Prince Loras?”
And Princess Reciel expressed her hatred for Prince Loras without the slightest hesitation.
“Even so, you share the same blood. Isn’t there any part of you that feels reluctant?”
The Holy Empire wanted Prince Loras dead. It would be problematic if, after receiving their support, she later showed mercy because they were half-siblings.
Prince Loras had tried to kill the only family Princess Reciel truly had. There wasn’t a single speck of forgiveness in her heart for him.
“Dealing with Prince Loras will require considerable power. Even if we provide support, we cannot help too overtly due to external perceptions.”
“The Holy Empire supporting me. That alone is enough. Its meaning will be enormous.”
One shouldn’t think the Holy Empire’s support was limited to mere material aid. Even if they couldn’t openly take her side, the fact that they were quietly backing her from the shadows was what mattered. The Holy Empire’s endorsement would shake the citizens of the Deltrack Empire. After all, there were countless believers of the Sun God within the empire as well.
“The Holy Empire has never interfered in another empire’s succession struggle before. This will be a tremendous opportunity for Your Highness. And since you seem to fully understand that, I feel much more at ease.”
The image of the delicate, beautiful woman with the gentle voice who had captivated everyone at their first meeting was fading away. The true saintly side of her was slowly emerging.
“…??”
Cardinal Bella smiled as innocently as if she were at a playdate, completely ignoring Princess Reciel’s stiff expression. Seeing the princess’s face growing darker by the second, I asked Cardinal Bella a question to calm the mood.
“What will happen with the support for Her Highness?”
“So the decision to provide support had already been made.”
If they had already decided to help, that made sense. They wanted to form a connection with Princess Reciel in preparation for when she became Empress of the Deltrack Empire. That was why they had sent the exceptionally sociable Cardinal Bella. Only now did I fully understand why she had been chosen for this visit.