Chapter 88: The Title Conferral Ceremony (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 88: The Title Conferral Ceremony (4)
Myaon’s mind couldn’t keep up with the current situation.
The whisper that reached her ears in such a warm, friendly atmosphere was distinctly out of place.
Unable to offer any response, Myaon only managed to wipe the smile off her face and scowl after several seconds had passed.
Of course, she knew she had to maintain her composure in this situation. No matter how rude the remark, the person standing before her was one of the Cardinals of the Holy Kingdom Rosario. Even if she had heard something absurd, the priority was to calm her heart and engage in a composed conversation.
However, despite knowing that, her face had already crumpled into a deep frown, and the unique temper of the cat-folk began to swell within her.
“What did you just say—”
A blunt voice escaped her lips.
But immediately after.
Myaon stopped speaking.
No.
It wasn’t that she stopped herself.
Speech simply ceased.
The lips that were opening.
The tongue that moved to articulate.
The scowl on her face.
Everything.
Stopped.
“!”
The moment she realized it, Myaon suddenly perceived that the world had changed.
The sunlight, which had been warm just a moment ago, was now stained a deep red.
The subordinates who had come with her to carry out the request were also frozen in red.
The Paladins who had been standing beside Yutia just a moment ago were also motionless.
It was as if time itself had stopped.
What is—
Myaon instinctively tried to look around, but unfortunately, she couldn't move her body either.
All she could see was the sight of lines, like streaks of blood, being drawn across the bodies of her subordinates and the Paladins who had been moving just seconds before.
Feeling an instinctive threat as she watched the lines carve through them as if marking boundaries, Myaon tried desperately to move.
“Listen carefully.”
At the voice coming from in front of her, she unintentionally held her breath and stared straight ahead.
And then she saw it.
In this crimson world, the only person who retained her original colors while looking back at her was the Cardinal of Rosario.
Yutia Bloodia.
Fear began to take root in Myaon’s instincts.
Was it because she had lost control of her body?
No.
Was it because she thought Yutia Bloodia would harm her?
That wasn't it either.
It was simply the Incomprehensible.
A fear that began to be injected into Myaon for no discernible reason, yet felt as though it were only natural, instantly dominated her mind and began to torment her.
As if Yutia didn't care about Myaon’s state at all, she was the only one capable of moving in this frozen world. She approached Myaon without any constraint and met her eyes.
What Myaon saw were red eyes, even more crimson than the red world, and a face that was horribly indifferent.
...In fact, it was because of that indifference that a vivid rage could be felt even more clearly.
Yutia looked at Myaon.
“That person—”
She then placed her finger on Myaon’s right hand.
“—is not someone you can toy with as you please.”
She spat out a clear warning that anyone could understand.
“I hope you understand what I’m saying.”
The moment a thin smile played on her lips.
“—Ah?”
Myaon realized the world had returned to normal.
She stared blankly at the sky.
The sky was blue.
The forest had regained its original colors.
Yutia, who was approaching her, was no longer expressionless but wore a flawless smile like a 'Saintess.'
The only thing that remained the same as before was Yutia Bloodia’s vivid red eyes visible through her smiling squint.
“Since you are guests, I will guide you to the interior of the Holy Kingdom for now.”
After saying that, she turned around without hesitation and began walking toward the Holy Kingdom. Myaon stared blankly at her retreating back.
She still hadn't properly grasped what had just happened.
Or rather, she couldn't even distinguish whether it had been a dream or reality.
“……??”
Just as Myaon wore a look of utter confusion.
“Captain, is something wrong?”
“Hu-huh? Why?”
She turned her head at the voice of a subordinate behind her. The subordinate asked with a somewhat worried expression.
“Well, you don’t look very well. You’re sweating buckets.”
“Oh.”
Only then did Myaon realize her entire body was drenched in a cold sweat.
She was clearly not in a normal state, and then.
“……Ah.”
Feeling a faint pain in her right hand, Myaon looked down and saw a tiny wound there.
A very shallow cut on the hand Yutia had touched in that red world.
The moment she confirmed it, Myaon looked at Yutia.
Even as she boarded the carriage heading for the Holy Kingdom, Yutia was staring back at her with those red eyes visible through her smile.
The sight of Yutia lightly flicking her index finger before entering the carriage told Myaon that the world she had seen earlier was undoubtedly reality.
Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump—!
Myaon’s entire body was dyed in terror.
* * *
Meanwhile, Alon, who had easily passed through the castle gates accompanied by the Paladins, took in his first view of the Holy Kingdom—a place he had only seen in illustrations—and thought:
……It certainly lives up to the name ‘Holy Kingdom.’
The outer castle of the capital wasn't much different from other territories.
However, from the inner castle onward, the streets were kept incredibly clean, and pure white buildings were constructed in an orderly fashion.
Entering a massive cathedral next to the Great Temple, the central building of Rosario, Alon soon reunited with Yutia.
“It’s been a while, Professor.”
“Indeed. Have you been well?”
“Of course, I’ve been doing well. Though sometimes I get sad when your replies to my letters are a bit late.”
Alon couldn't help but smile at Yutia’s lighthearted joke.
Unlike when he met the other Five Great Sins, he didn't feel that much awkwardness with Yutia, perhaps because they had been consistently exchanging letters.
After some time spent exchanging pleasantries.
“So, the title ceremony will be in a few days?”
“Yes. First, the Chief Cardinal, who is currently in prayer, needs to come out. Um… tomorrow, you can hear the explanation of the ceremony’s flow and logistics from the person in charge, and until then, you can just relax.”
As Yutia spoke with a smile, Alon nodded and cleared his throat before speaking.
“Yutia, if it’s possible, I’d like to ask a favor. Would that be alright?”
“Anything. What is it?”
“If possible, I’d like to enter the Room of the Holy Spirit once. Would that be allowed?”
The Room of the Holy Spirit.
It was a special room within Rosario that only those of high rank could enter. According to the setting, one could converse with the Goddess Sironia, whom Rosario worshipped, inside that room.
...However, naturally, an ordinary person couldn't just walk in and talk to a goddess.
At most, only those chosen by Sironia or those of Bishop rank or higher with extremely deep faith could hear even a faint whisper of her voice.
In fact, unless one was the Saint of Rosario, almost no one could hear the voice of the god.
In other words, even if Alon entered, he wouldn't be able to talk to the goddess.
The reason he wanted to enter the Room of the Holy Spirit was not to converse with the goddess, but to obtain a useful item.
But naturally, unless one was at the Cardinal level—and more importantly, without the permission of Rosario’s current ‘Saint’—it was extremely difficult to enter in the first place.
He had asked with the mindset of 'if it works, great; if not, oh well.'
“It’s possible. If that’s what you want, Professor. Something like that isn't difficult at all.”
“……Is that so?”
“Yes.”
When the permission came so easily, Alon felt a bit flustered behind his expressionless mask.
“……No, is it really okay? It’s funny for me to say this after asking, but I heard the Room of the Holy Spirit requires the Saint’s permission. Won’t it be difficult?”
“It’s fine. If you want to do it, Professor, I’ll use whatever means necessary.”
“…….”
Yutia asserted this with absolute certainty.
Alon felt very grateful, but he didn't want to cause her unnecessary trouble.
“……If it ever becomes difficult, tell me immediately. Don’t overexert yourself.”
“Yes, don’t worry. I can’t do anything too unreasonable either.”
Seeing Yutia smile as if she understood his concern, Alon felt inwardly pleased.
He had been a bit worried when he saw her arguing with Seolrang in the Colony, but after talking to her, he was certain.
He was certain that she, out of all the Five Great Sins, had been reformed the best.
Because of that.
As expected, her mindset is upright, perhaps because of her life of faith.
Alon continued his conversation with Yutia with a satisfied heart.
...It was the afternoon of his first day in the Holy Kingdom.
* * *
Ashtalon Kingdom.
Duke Comallon’s office.
“……The Dark Finger was annihilated overnight?”
“Yes.”
Duke Comallon let out a long sigh and looked at the Dark Elf standing before him.
Unlike the one who had reported last time, this one stood with his head bowed in silence. The Duke maintained his silence for a while before asking.
“Who did it?”
“We are currently mobilizing personnel to find out, but we haven't confirmed exactly who did it yet. However, there is a likely suspect.”
“Who?”
“It seems to be someone related to Count Palatio.”
“Why do you think that?”
“We had already delivered the orders you mentioned last time to the Dark Finger as well.”
At the Dark Elf’s answer, Duke Comallon pondered for a moment before speaking.
“……So, you’re saying it’s a similar situation to Figule a few months ago?”
“Yes, it seems they have retaliated.”
“Retaliation, huh……”
The Duke muttered with a short, dry laugh and fell silent. When the silence stretched on.
“……How shall we proceed?”
The Dark Elf asked cautiously, and Duke Comallon continued.
“……Did you say the one who handled Figule last time was Deus Macallian?”
“Yes, it’s not certain, but he is one of the strongest candidates.”
“And you said Deus Macallian and Count Palatio are in a relationship of mutual debt?”
“That is the rumor spread among the public, at least.”
“It’s certainly not an ordinary relationship.”
He muttered to himself, then.
“Fine, let’s stop worrying about it.”
He issued his command.
“Will that be alright?”
“Yes. Right now, the ‘result’ that is about to emerge is more important than Count Palatio. It won’t be too late to deal with the Count after the result is out.”
The Dark Elf remained silent for a moment at Duke Comallon’s words before speaking.
“……Actually, I have something to tell you regarding that part as well.”
“What is it?”
“I heard Count Palatio is currently in the Holy Kingdom.”
“……Count Palatio is?”
“Yes. I heard he went there for the title conferral ceremony.”
The Dark Elf nodded.
Duke Comallon wore a peculiar expression, then acted as if this was actually for the better.
“Then there’s even less reason to worry. Soon—”
He whispered with a smile.
“—the result of the Abyss Body will emerge there. Then we can deal with Count Palatio as well.”
It was an ominous smile.
* * *
The next day, Alon met the Cardinal who would be in charge of the title ceremony to prepare for the schedule a few days later.
He was able to meet him, but.
“A-A-Greetings, Count Palatio. I-I-I am Sergius. I l-l-look forward to working with you.”
“…….”
Tremble, tremble, tremble.
Alon looked at Sergius, one of the eight Cardinals of the Holy Kingdom, who was shaking like a leaf—
“…….”
—or rather, he looked at Yutia, who wore a gentle smile, and whom Sergius had clearly glanced at dozens of times already. Alon thought:
……She is living a proper life of faith, right?
……For some reason, he was starting to feel a little uneasy.