Chapter 117: Queen Maker (17)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 117: Queen Maker (17)
As had been the case lately, Cloud defeated Lorraine in their duel. The moment their lips were about to meet, he felt a flow of magic aimed at him.
An attack? Or observation?
With his dulled senses, Cloud could only feel the flow of magic, not discern his opponent's intent.
Still, he could at least trace the flow back to its source.
Cloud pulled his lips away and whipped his head around. Just as he was about to track the magic, it vanished.
Observation, then.
The fact that they hastily withdrew their magic the moment he turned his gaze confirmed it.
Who was it?
Mages were exceedingly rare. They required not only high intelligence but also a talent for magic.
The only mages currently staying in Lupus were Leslie, Eri, and the mage from Lorian’s party—just those three.
That meant one of them was likely the culprit.
Based on motive alone, the mage from Lorian’s party was the most probable suspect. From their perspective, Cloud was as good as an enemy.
“What? Why’d you stop all of a sudden?”
Lorraine looked puzzled as he pulled away just as their lips touched.
Cloud asked her, “I have a question for you. Does the mage in your party know how to use observation magic?”
“The mage? You mean Grace?”
“I don't care if her name is Grace or whatever. Can she use observation magic?”
“Uh, oh? I… I don't think so?”
Startled by Cloud shaking her by the shoulders, Lorraine answered without thinking. A moment later, a surge of indignation washed over her as she wondered why she had to answer such a thing.
She was about to say something, but Cloud silenced her by placing his index finger on her lips.
?!
The touch of his finger on her lips startled Lorraine, and she froze on the spot.
Ignoring her, Cloud continued his train of thought.
The remaining candidates are Leslie and Eri… but from what I know, Leslie can’t use observation magic.
Eri, on the other hand, had [Clairvoyance].
All the circumstantial evidence pointed to Eri as the culprit.
Except for one question.
Why would Eri do that?
Why would she use [Clairvoyance] to find him?
Surely it wasn't to spy on him. Did something happen?
No.
If that were the case, there would be no reason to dispel the magic so hastily.
Unable to come up with a plausible reason, Cloud pressed his forehead and sighed.
Whatever the reason, the important thing was that Eri had seen him and Lorraine kissing.
This meant a very troublesome and complicated situation had just been created.
She wouldn't have told Katarina right away, would she?
It wasn't like Eri and Katarina were close.
She probably wouldn't go out of her way to stir up trouble within the party.
Though I'm sure I'll get an earful.
He’d have to endure that.
But what kind of excuse can I even make?
He couldn't tell them about his plan, so he had to come up with a plausible excuse…
It was already becoming a pain.
While Cloud was racking his brain, Lorraine frowned at his scowling face.
What? What's wrong with him?
It wasn't enough that he stopped the kiss as soon as it started, but now he was frowning too?
Don't tell me I have bad breath?!
Still in a state of bewilderment, Lorraine had already forgotten Cloud's earlier question.
She cupped her hand over her mouth and breathed into it, sniffing.
I don't think it smells that bad…?
Besides, she had brushed her teeth before coming.
No, then what's the problem?
While Lorraine was genuinely pondering this, Cloud, having finished his thoughts, spoke up.
“Let’s call it a day.”
“What?”
Lorraine’s fine brow furrowed.
“What’s with that look? Isn't it better for you if we stop here?”
“Not at all. How many times do you think you've messed with me? A little teasing from you is nothing to me now, you know?”
“For someone who says that, your reactions are always fresh.”
“Sh-shut up! Anyway, beating you is more important to me. So let's get this over with and duel again!”
“I said I’m not in the mood.”
Cloud shook his head.
“Wh-what…?”
Lorraine looked shocked.
Her clenched fists trembled.
“…Are you tired of me too?”
As Cloud shook his head, the image of her older brother, who always shook his head saying he was busy, overlapped with him. A wave of disappointment washed over her, dampening her spirits.
What's with her all of a sudden?
Seeing Lorraine suddenly dejected, Cloud felt perplexed.
Was saying he wanted to end early today really that hurtful?
What should I do?
It would be weird to suddenly say a duel was fine now.
Maybe she’ll go back to normal in a little while?
He tried to be optimistic, but nothing changed.
When Lorraine’s mood showed no signs of improving with time, Cloud scratched his head and said to her, “Anyway, I'm not in the mood today, so let's just take a walk.”
“…Huh?”
Her downcast face was now colored with confusion.
Confirming that he no longer felt the flow of magic, Cloud snatched her hand.
“I said, let’s go for a walk.”
He began to walk, leading her along.
“Uh. Uhh??”
Lorraine’s eyes widened, but she let him pull her away.
*
How did things end up like this?
Lorraine wondered as she walked around the completely collapsed ruins of the royal palace.
Cloud, holding her hand, was describing what the palace used to look like, but his words didn't reach her ears.
Her attention was focused solely on his hand touching hers.
Ah, I'm going crazy!
Why was she so nervous just from holding hands?
He’d done things far worse than this before!
“…and that’s what happened… What, are you not listening?”
“Huh…? N-no. I’m listening!?”
“Why are you yelling? It's nighttime.”
“Because I want to…!” Lorraine shouted in a small voice. Was she getting testy because he pointed out she was being loud? Cloud let out a hollow laugh.
After that, their walk continued.
They paused in front of a pond in the royal garden.
“This place is still intact?”
All the plants in the garden had withered and died, but strangely, the pond had maintained its clear water.
“This is where the royals held their weddings and engagement ceremonies. An enormous amount of divine power must have been poured into keeping this pond clear. That’s how it managed to survive the catastrophe.”
“Why would they have weddings in a place like this? It seems inconvenient.”
“It looks like this now, but the garden was quite beautiful back then. I guess that’s why.”
“Hmph…”
Lorraine gave the garden a cursory glance and nodded. The meaning of this garden and its past beauty were of no concern to her.
She just wanted to finish looking at the pond and continue their walk.
But even after a while, he showed no sign of moving.
“Hey. Why are we still—”
Just as she turned her head, unable to wait any longer, Cloud kissed her.
“Mmph?!”
What? I thought we weren't doing this today? Why all of a sudden…
While Lorraine was bewildered, Cloud moved his hands. She fully expected him to grab her butt or her chest. But his hands wrapped around her slender waist.
And very gently, at that.
She was even more confused by his intentions.
Why was he suddenly acting like a gentleman…
In that instant, the words Cloud had just spoken flashed through her mind like lightning.
—This is where the royals held their weddings and engagement ceremonies.
Ah…?
Aah?
Aaaah?!
W-wait a minute.
What is this?
This is weird.
Why is this atmosphere developing?
We’re not like that, are we?
We just fight, kiss, and grope each other a little…
Wait, have we already done everything?
The thought that she and he had already crossed every line without her realizing it made Lorraine’s mind go blank.
While she was still reeling, Cloud pulled his lips away.
Her lips now free, Lorraine was about to demand what he thought he was doing.
But she couldn't.
The moonlight softly illuminated the night sky.
Beneath it stood a man so handsome he could have stepped out of a master's painting.
His brilliant red hair drew the eye, and his handsome features held it captive.
His ruby-like red eyes did not lose their light even in the darkness.
Cloud.
He was looking at her, backlit by the moon.
Lorraine swallowed hard.
How is this guy a commoner in any way, shape, or form…
This is cheating.
She found herself staring blankly at his face.
Waiting for him to say something.
How much time had passed?
Finally, Cloud’s lips moved.
The corners of his mouth lifted.
“Did I make your heart flutter?”
He wore a mocking expression.
“..?”
Lorraine stared blankly for a moment.
Then she realized Cloud had been teasing her. Her face flushed red with shame, and she threw a punch.
“You son of a bi—”
*
The Archbishop.
The chief administrator responsible for the vast diocese of an entire kingdom.
It was a position of considerable power within the church, holding significant authority across the entire continent that believed in the one God, Iries.
Their authority was such that they were the ones to receive the oath from the new king at his coronation.
And the Prona Kingdom not only lacked a coronation, but it had not even elected a new Archbishop.
This was an opportunity for Lorian’s faction.
If they could make the Archbishop one of their own, they would gain a significant voice within the Prona Kingdom.
Thus, Lorian was currently in a secret conversation with a certain bishop.
“So, what you're saying, Hero, is that you will make me the Archbishop, and in return, I am to say something in your favor at the coronation.”
“It would be even better if we could maintain a close relationship not just at the coronation, but afterward as well,” Lorian said, looking at Bishop Vedic.
Bishop Vedic.
Among the bishops of Lupus, he was the most senior and the most likely candidate for the next Archbishop.
Bishop Vedic stroked his white beard.
“You’ll make me the Archbishop… You speak of interesting things, Hero. But I see no reason why I would need your help.”
“Bishop Parua.”
The hand stroking the white beard stopped.
Lorian’s smile deepened.
“He was the former Archbishop's favorite, wasn't he? Thanks to that, he has quite a few supporters.”
“…The former Archbishop was a man of great fairness and integrity, so that was inevitable.”
“Does it not make you anxious?”
“What is there to be anxious about? All things will proceed according to the natural course of events.”
“The natural course… a fine phrase. But tell me. If we follow your words, was the descent of the Four Heavenly Kings also part of the natural course?”
The smile vanished from Bishop Vedic’s face.
“Imagine it. The sight of Bishop Parua being elected Archbishop. The sight of you, Bishop Vedic, bowing your head to him.”
“…”
“If you wish, I can erase all those sources of anxiety for you.”
With that, Lorian placed a small box he had set on the floor onto the table.
“Open it.”
Vedic opened the box as Lorian instructed. It was filled to the brim with gold coins and jewels. He stared at it for a moment before closing the box again.
“What is this?”
“This is one form of help I can offer you, Bishop. If we were to form a close relationship, I could offer much more.”
“…”
Vedic stroked his beard in silence. Seeing this, Lorian slowly rose from his seat. There was nothing to be gained by appearing to rush him.
Before leaving, Lorian said one last thing to Bishop Vedic.
“If we do form a close relationship, I can promise you much more assistance. I trust you will make a wise choice.”
With those words, Lorian pulled up his hood and departed.
As Vedic stroked his beard, gazing at the spot where Lorian had been, a cleric who could be considered his confidant approached and bowed his head.
“First Hero Cloud, and now Hero Lorian has come to see you, Bishop Vedic. It seems we need not worry about the vote. Congratulations.”
“Enough of that. Congratulations for what…”
“More importantly, what will you do now?”
“What do you mean?”
“I was asking which of the two you intend to support, Hero Cloud or Hero Lorian.”
It was a sensitive issue, so the cleric asked with sufficient caution.
Despite this, Vedic looked at the cleric as if he were absurd.
“Do you really need to ask to know the answer?”
“Pardon?”
“You lack faith. Tsk.”