The Day Priestess (1)
The Day Priestess (1)
This was an awkward situation. Even if Paramer had been saved, the fact remained that Dimona had disobeyed the Church's orders by coming out.
Just because the outcome turned out well didn't mean she could evade responsibility for it.
Dimona shrugged calmly.
"Well, nothing to be done about it. I came out knowing what I was getting into..."
But that didn't mean I could just abandon her. You repay what you receive!
I stepped in front of her. Divine Divine Judge Finrod's eyebrows twitched.
"Step forward. Inquisitor Zahard."
"You remembered such an insignificant name. I'm honored, Judge."
"I have no time for word games. Move aside at once, or I will cut you down."
The gaze fixed on me was not kind. It was the face of someone ready to kill at any moment.
Dimona grabbed my shoulder as if moved.
"Oh, no. Zahard. I understand how you feel, but if you shield me here..."
"Your Excellency."
"Huh?"
Ashval, who had been watching the situation with amusement, stepped forward. The old lion of the Empire. At that fame, undiminished even in retirement, Finrod hastily dropped to his knees.
In the first place, the power of the Empire and the Church differed vastly. A marquis's standing could practically be considered equivalent to a cardinal's authority within the Church.
"Divine Divine Judge Finrod greets His Excellency Marquis Ashval Haltz!"
"A pleasure. Divine Divine Judge Finrod."
Ashval Haltz signaled with his eyes. I smoothly produced the pendant.
Oh-ho. So he wants help, does he?
I'll use the pendant now.
Feels a bit of a waste, though...
Don't negotiate.
Is this a debt?
You're just trying to call it even!
If the condition is wrapping this up cleanly, wouldn't it be fair to call it a debt? I do believe the Inquisitor received my help. On top of that, directly intervening with the Church means I'm taking on risk as well, doesn't it?
How cold.
So?
...Fine. I'll owe you! Happy?!
Good.
Ashval chuckled at the deal exchanged through body language and glances.
"Do you have other business with Divine Divine Judge Dimona?"
"This is an internal Church matter."
"As a comrade who fought alongside her, it's difficult for me to simply stand by. Above all, it would be troublesome if a Divine Judge whom I personally summoned received such treatment."
Finrod flinched.
"What do you mean... personally summoned?"
"Exactly what I said. I personally summoned Divine Judge Dimona. I dragged her out even though she refused. The truth is, it was practically a battle with almost no chance of victory, wasn't it? So I had no choice but to seek help from acquaintances I knew. Divine Judge Dimona was one of them."
"...Is that true?"
"If you wish, I will stand as a witness in a Divine Trial. I guarantee it on the name of Ashval Haltz. Or, well..."
The old lion had stepped into a squabble between cats.
"Are you suggesting my words are false?"
Finrod yelped.
"N-no, sir... that... if you are to accompany us as a witness... you would need to travel with us all the way to Ainkad..."
"Of course I'll go. I was already planning to stop by a nearby city to reorganize the troops. Besides, I need to properly sort out the spoils piled up behind us."
A quantity of treasure that would easily fill ten stagecoaches and then some.
Finrod glanced back and swallowed hard. He nodded as if left with no choice.
"Then for now... at least some restraints..."
"You intend to bind my friend? If summoning her was a sin, then the fault lies with me, does it not? If you wish to bind someone, bind me."
"......"
Finrod nodded with frightened eyes.
"...We will escort you to Ainkad. Divine Divine Judge Dimona. It would be best not to entertain any thoughts of fleeing."
Dimona beamed.
"As if I would. Divine Divine Judge Finrod."
My eyes met Ashval's. He mouthed clearly, "You'll repay the debt."
...Ugh. Seriously!
I'll just pay it back!
. . .
"A carriage is nice. Looking at it this way, the Church doesn't live so badly after all. Don't you think, Inquisitor?"
"I wouldn't know."
"I like how plush it is. Mind if I put my legs up?"
"Would that be all right?"
Ashval and I had claimed a carriage for ourselves. Others wanted to come in too, but Ashval blocked them.
"Don't we have things to discuss between ourselves? Inquisitor."
"What are you trying to make me do?"
"Call it an old man's request."
"Can I refuse?"
"What goes around must come around, wouldn't you say?"
Ugh. Fine.
"What do you want?"
"Simple. The Third Imperial Princess's support..."
"Denied. That's highway robbery. How much are you trying to squeeze out of me?"
"Well, I expected it wouldn't work. Then how about something else?"
"What's the something else?"
Ashval grinned.
"I saw earlier that you're close with the elves."
"...I suppose so?"
"You're aware that four candidates are fighting over the imperial throne, yes? Her Highness the Third Imperial Princess has barely managed to keep one foot in that race."
"Why keep a foot in at all instead of just pulling out?"
"If she pulled out, she'd obviously be killed. Who would withdraw? Think about it. Among all the past emperors, was there ever one who spared their own siblings? After ascending, they all quietly slaughtered their blood kin. They tore out the very roots of rebellion."
Well, sure.
This country isn't normal either.
"So?"
"The title of Savior of Paramer is certainly useful. You could say she's secured solid political funds by looting that treasure vault this time. It's as good as having the foundation to raise an army and firmly establish a support base."
"So I did all that?"
"Didn't we call it even between me saving you and the treasure vault?"
"Come on. The treasure vault's worth way more."
"Well, perhaps. But by deeply intervening with the Church this time, I'd say the scales have now tipped in my favor."
"......"
"I'll make sure Divine Divine Judge Dimona keeps her position. I guarantee that no harm will come to the Fifth Inquisition Office over this matter. What do you say?"
"What exactly are you trying to make me do?"
"Simple."
Ashval spoke.
"Escort the delegation that will depart to open a trade route with the Fairy Forest. I don't even expect you to return. I'm only asking you to see them as far as the Fairy Forest. The return journey can be handled by asking the elves for an escort. Along with the Savior of Paramer, if she opens a trade route to the Fairy Forest—which has become practically foreign by now—Her Highness the Third Imperial Princess's standing will grow even more solid. It's an absolutely necessary task."
"No. Hey. You have no conscience. Escort a delegation all the way to the Fairy Forest?"
All sorts of interference would obviously come. Not just the Crown Prince—the other princes would openly carry out sabotage.
This is like putting an A-rank quest and an S-rank quest side by side!
"The exchange rate doesn't match at all?! And since when do I go all the way out there?! I have a ton of things to do?!"
"Of course, I'll also promise appropriate compensation. If you wish, I'll even grant you territory of your own under the name of the Empire."
"No, what I need right now isn't land..."
...Wait.
"Hey. Your Excellency Ashval."
"...Why the sudden honorific?"
"I don't need land, but if I wanted something else... could you grant it?"
"What do you want?"
"Simple."
Turn crisis into opportunity. This would definitely be useful later.
I'm not certain, but just looking at how the Church is running right now tells me enough...
Better to resign from this black company!
Quitting the Church of Ra and founding my own church might not be a bad idea!
"Just grant me one wish later."
"...And what would that be?"
"Well, purely as an example..."
I shrugged.
"Something like establishing a new religion as a state religion?"
. . .
The hero of Paramer returned to Ainkad. But the gaze of the Church headquarters was far from favorable.
It was no different from deserters going off, earning glory, and coming back. On top of that, they had even drawn in outside forces.
Archbishop Dwayne, who had come out after hearing the news, wore a rotten expression. He paid his respects to Ashval Haltz, but his movements were somewhat stiff.
"...Archbishop Dwayne greets His Excellency Marquis Ashval Haltz."
"A pleasure. Archbishop. It's been a while. Is Cardinal Arpina well?"
"Her health is poor, so she rarely appears in public. What brings Your Excellency to this humble place?"
"There seems to have been a small misunderstanding. I came to clear it up. Dimona is like a daughter to me. I summoned her, so how could I allow her to suffer any disadvantage?"
"...Your Excellency. I truly only... followed orders..."
"Worry not. I'll clear up the misunderstanding myself."
I'd set this up beforehand, but they're both good actors. It felt like watching two foxes right in front of me.
I yawned lazily from behind Ashval Haltz. My eyes met Dwayne's.
His already stiff expression soured further when our eyes met.
"...You've changed a great deal since I last saw you. Inquisitor Zahard."
Yeah.
I'm the one you tossed into a death trap.
And I'm also the one who came back perfectly fine! I even got stronger, for your information!
I smiled brightly.
"It's been a while, Archbishop. Your face looks quite worn. Did you happen to eat something bad?"
"...What did you just say?"
"Oops. My mistake. I was trapped in Paramer for so long that I've gotten confused about proper manners. You'll understand, won't you? Archbishop Dwayne's heart is as vast as the open sea. I'm sure a single word from me will just plop in and vanish from sight. Please pretend you didn't hear it. Anyway..."
I lifted the corner of my mouth.
"I think it would be best to start with the Divine Trial. His Excellency is busy with public and private matters, so I'm worried we shouldn't waste his time."
"...How dare...!"
"A fair point. Inquisitor. I am rather busy. As expected, no one understands my mind like the Inquisitor."
"Haha. You flatter me."
After that light exchange, Archbishop Dwayne's face had rotted black.
So what.
What are you going to do if your face rots?
What can you do besides make an ugly face? You worthless shit.
Behind me stands Marquis Ashval Haltz! An imperial noble, I tell you!