Firm Resolve
Scritch, scritch.
I took the documents from Serena, frowning as I began flipping through the papers.
This document is classified as top secret. Viewing is prohibited to anyone other than the Pope and the Bishopric delegation for the next 1000 years.
Violators will be punished in the name of God.
The terrifying warning on the first page jumped into my sight.
"Don't worry, it's just the church's usual nonsense."
Thanks to her words, I flinched slightly and glanced at Serena, who smiled leisurely.
"They can't perform miracles. The only one who can communicate with God and wield miracles is Saintess Perloché, not the church."
"Hmm."
"For example, the divine power they use isn't a gift from God—it's just one of the world's laws. No different from mana or aura."
"You know that's pretty dangerous talk, right?"
"But I proved it a few years ago?"
Saying that, Serena's eyes sparkled as she began scribbling down various formulas.
"See? The elemental composition of 'divine power' is fundamentally the same as 'mana's. The difference is just how much miracle force is infused..."
"Enough, enough."
"If you think about it, my moon mana, your star mana, and Clana's solar mana are all directly empowered by the gods, so you could argue they're even more divine..."
"I said enough."
Lulu and Miho, having accidentally learned one of this world's great secrets, stared blankly. Out of consideration for them, I hurriedly covered Serena's mouth, and she giggled, kissing the back of my hand.
...Did she plan that?
Feeling oddly led around by her, I furrowed my brow slightly, then tapped the table with my finger and continued reading the documents.
To activate this document, the prior consent of at least three bishops is required, and direct permission must be granted by one equal in stature to the Pope.
"See? If they were truly divine... they'd have begged God to smite violators with heavenly punishment. But they used 'magic' instead? That alone tells you what kind of group they are..."
"Fine, but how'd you handle these conditions?"
Hearing that, Serena's eyes lit up as she replied.
"The three bishops... my friends used a bit of physical persuasion, my gentle request, and Miho's talents shone through."
Her vague words made me tilt my head, and Miho, arms crossed beside her, grumbled curtly.
"Your blind human comrades kidnapped and tortured the bishops. They weren't pushovers, but two of them had their doctrines debunked by that mad human, shattering their faith."
"M-Miho."
"The last one held out, so I drained his life force to the limit while tormenting him. After about a week, he finally broke..."
Having grown bored in her peaceful mountain village, Miho had leaped at the chance to serve as Serena's detective assistant and was thoroughly enjoying these days. Caught up in the excitement, she vividly recounted the past few weeks' operations without realizing it.
"...Eek."
When Serena pinched her side, Miho shuddered and shut her mouth.
"Th-they were all scum. Child abuse, sex slave trafficking, tax extortion—they deserved death..."
"That one's the same... Gah!"
"...Anyway! That's not the point. Turn to the next page."
Hearing that, I was about to flip past the page where the magic circle had been neutralized and charred black when a sudden question popped into my mind.
"By the way, how'd you get the Pope's permission?"
"...I gave him banana milk."
"What?"
My dumbfounded expression made Serena cover her mouth with her fan, smiling alluringly with her eyes.
"He beamed and said, 'Look all you want!'"
"...The Pope?"
"Of course not. If he had, I might've stabbed him in the throat, operation or no."
The more she explained, the more incomprehensible the details became, so I clutched my head briefly before my eyes sharpened.
"Come to think of it, the condition says 'one equal in stature to the Pope'?"
"Hehe."
"So, you used Perloché?"
As I asked, Serena beamed and turned to pouty Miho, who was crouching nearby.
"See? I told you my fiancé pretends to be dumb—he's actually a genius. My husband is."
"I-I know that much. And he's not your husband yet."
Listening to their banter while glaring at the documents, I tossed out another question.
"But why specify 'one equal in stature to the Pope'? They could've just said 'the Pope'—this unnecessarily weakens their security."
"Wow."
As my words ended, Serena turned from Miho to me with a blank look, mumbling.
"So smart..."
"Is that something you should say? Human?"
"Hehe... You're so cool... I really love you, Frey..."
From her tone, there seemed to be a reason. But since we weren't making progress, it was time to...
"Ahem. So, there must be someone in the church equal in stature to the Pope?"
Suddenly, Serena's expression darkened as she spoke.
"Using Perloché was a forced loophole. They obviously meant someone 'equal', not the saintess."
"Can you say that for sure?"
"...You'll see when you read it. It proves Perloché has nothing to do with the church's darkness."
Saying that, she crossed her legs and spoke gravely.
"Anyway, someone equal to the Pope, whose identity is unknown, who can access this top-secret document... What kind of existence could that be?"
"The black curtain, probably."
"Exactly! Miho, my fiancé really is a genius!"
As I answered in a soulless voice, Serena clapped like a seal before grabbing Miho and squealing again. Ignoring her completely, I focused on the documents.
"".............""
And quite some time passed.
Thud...!
My head throbs intensely. What did I just see? Too much information flooded in all at once.
"A-Are you okay?"
Serena looked at me with worried eyes.
Why is she making that face? I never wanted to see her like this. I only wanted to bring her smiles...
"...Ugh."
The stray thoughts swirling in my mind vanished in an instant, replaced by a refreshing clarity washing over my body.
Mind control?
I suspected for a moment but shook my head. If it were ordinary mind manipulation, I would've noticed. This must stem from the document I was reading.
"The page you're on now transfers vast information directly to the brain at once—that's what I discovered."
"Hmm..."
After hearing Serena's explanation, I nodded and said in a low voice.
"I'll keep this."
"Yes."
She answered without hesitation.
"Human, are you insane? Handing over such important documents..."
"He's the client. We follow the client's orders."
Smiling as she said that, I gazed at her thoughtfully for a moment.
The church bastards pulled off something interesting.
This document could've been dangerous if not for Serena or me. Our mental strength exceeds 9, so we can handle it, but...
"Hehe."
...Lulu with her mental strength of 1 beside me, or...
"What're you looking at, human?"
...Miho with her low mental strength might've had issues. How do they wield such perception-shattering sorcery? The church is truly mad.
Extract the sealed soul of the Sun God and administer it to the prepared child.
Her divinity and main body's consciousness can't be erased, but if the operation succeeds, elevate the 'prepared child' to godhood.
If successful, three true suns will rise in the sky.
Just from the messages surfacing in my mind now, who would believe the Sun God worshippers were plotting to dethrone their own god?
"Forget the holy knight's identity—what about all the church's secrets?"
"I've uncovered quite a bit. We're still... persuading them for more. The key points are summarized on the back pages of that document."
Feeling uneasy at the larger-than-expected scale, I nodded at Serena's answer, then stood.
"Good work, Serena."
And silence fell.
Th-th-that means..."
In the quiet, Serena clutched her pounding heart and asked me.
"A d-date. You promised a date, right?!"
"......."
"I've been waiting for today."
Scurrying to my side, Serena said excitedly.
"Look, I bought new clothes. New accessories too..."
Clinging to me, she chattered on.
"I memorized the date course! I calculated the perfect route for a week—you'll be amazed. I reserved all the shops! The musical, and the proposal... Ah, oops."
Blushing at her slip, I looked at her and said in a soulless voice,
"No date."
"Anyway, just show up! I'll handle today... Huh?"
She froze mid-rant.
"Huh? What? Eh?"
Her high-performance brain glitching, she stood dazed, spouting nonsense for a while before...
".....!"
Her face fell as realization hit, mouth agape.
"B-but the reservations... the proposal event, eek, I planned everything..."
"......."
"It'd be so fun... really, really enjoyable... Even an hour would be nice if you can't..."
Tears welled up as she timidly mumbled in a plaintive voice.
"...Sigh."
My heart ached, so I bit my lip to hide it.
"Not today."
Averting my gaze, I said,
"Date next week. I'm busy today."
"Ah."
"Why'd you set the date time without asking? Annoying."
Tears spilling, Serena sighed in relief, sniffling.
"I-I thought you weren't coming... the date..."
"Spend time with Lulu today. Don't interfere anymore—leave."
"......."
Told again, she quietly glared at Lulu.
"...Fine."
Standing with a regretful look, Serena suddenly clapped.
"Ah! Right!"
"I have to do the commission!"
"Commission?"
Tilting my head at her sparkling eyes, she continued.
"Yes! The imperial family, the church, over half the great nobles, the Empress, and that damn rose bitch... Ahem, anyway, a lot of people commissioned investigations on you."
"And?"
"I'm inspecting your mansion now!"
Cheerfully declaring, she mumbled shakily as she walked away.
"Frey's house... first time in years...? Anyway, gotta memorize the layout now... I'll be the lady of the house someday, so I need to know the structure in advance..."
"...I didn't permit that."
"N-no choice! I have to forge and manipulate all your corruption and embezzlement records! Essential for data collection!"
"......"
"Anything not seized by the investigation team yet? I'll launder it all. No one will take you away..."
Listening to her fading voice with closed eyes, I said,
"...Lulu, help Serena."
"Yes."
"You not going?"
"...I am, human."
In a low voice, I sent the girls from the parlor and sank into silence.
Thump...!
Was it because my mind wandered earlier?
"Mm."
For some reason, my heart began to ache again.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Meanwhile, at that moment.
"C-Cough..."
"Hah, hah..."
In the imperial palace's training ground, reserved for royals only.
"N-Not bad... Clana?"
"......."
Looking down at the shattered Second Princess crushed beneath her, Clana declared coldly.
"By yesterday's duel oath, I am now third in succession. Do you consent?"
"...If I refuse?"
"I'll kill you."
The Second Princess raised the white flag.
"I surrender, I surrender. I only fought you because of my big sister... No interest in the throne. I just wanted to live peacefully..."
Gazing coldly, Clana wiped the blood from her face with her hand and licked it.
"U-Ugh..."
Her aura was so intense that the Second Princess's retainers flinched.
"By oath, you're under me now. Any objections?"
""...None."""
Only after securing total victory did she quietly smile.
"Irina's coming."
"...Damn."
Her confidant whispered in her ear, and she gritted her teeth coldly.
"That brainless big-titted bitch... daring to touch Frey... I've only kissed him..."
Gazing sullenly at her chest, she muttered.
"And the First Princess invited Frey to her birthday..."
"Grr..."
Her eyes flashed coldly at her confidant's words.
"...Kill her?"
The confidant's face paled.
"......!!"
So did the other retainers.
Ignoring the implications, Clana's aura was terrifying.
"U-Um, finally..."
In the suddenly chilled training ground, her confidant glanced nervously and reported.
"The herbs and elixirs you ordered—and especially the vitality... enhancers—arrived at the port."
"...Send them all to Starlight Mansion."
"Pardon?"
Tilting her head, Clana averted her gaze and mumbled.
"Buy up everything on the market too."
"Um..."
"Raid the imperial warehouse."
"......."
"Hurry. Send all the good stuff."
Silence fell.
"Wh-why go that far..."
"Important reason. Just follow orders."
To her flustered confidant,
I'll save you somehow... even if I use all my power.
She turned coldly.
But just in case... this time for sure...
Heading to the exit, lost in thought, Clana's face...
...I'll bear this nation's next emperor in my womb.
Was beet red.
"With one try."