Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: The Cardinal's Request (4)
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After the goblin attack, Bishop Mateur had become much more docile.
He seemed to understand that if he wanted to complete the mission safely, he had to follow our instructions.
He stopped strutting around arrogantly, and he even obeyed my orders without complaint.
Still, he harbored some resentment, grumbling occasionally.
"We're camping tonight, Bishop."
"Do I have to stand watch again this time?"
"Yes, you did it last time too, so you'll do fine. I'll wake you when it's time."
"I walked the elite path at the Papal Court, and now I'm doing this kind of work..."
"Any complaints?"
"Oh, no, none."
He grumbled but carried out his tasks well, so I had no real issues with him.
The other knights seemed to have a much improved opinion of Mateur as well.
"That guy's healing magic is pretty good."
"A wound that would've taken over a week to heal closed up in just one day."
The knights who'd received healing magic from him especially held him in high regard.
Healing magic for wounds and such was a specialty of the Holy Spirit Church to begin with, and as a 6th-circle mage, Mateur's healing spells were quite advanced.
Out in the field without proper facilities, he could only use simple treatment rituals, but that was enough to quickly handle the major and minor injuries we picked up on the march.
"Bishop! Could you take a look at this too?"
"I've got a rash here—can you heal something like this?"
"They say a magic spell clears away all your fatigue—could you do that for us too?"
"Damn it, why am I doing this sort of thing..."
Dragging along the grumbling Mateur, we continued our march... and finally arrived at Margrave Kraus's territory.
* * *
"I am Kraus, the Margrave who governs this frontier."
Kraus was a middle-aged man with a sharp gaze.
He greeted us in his grand castle, speaking from a chair that resembled a throne.
"You've had a hard journey here. I never imagined the Holy Knights would come calling again."
"Thank you for allowing us entry into your territory, Your Excellency, Margrave."
Mateur bowed his head in greeting.
If it were me, I would've thrown in a sarcastic remark.
The procedures to enter the territory had been incredibly convoluted, and crossing it to reach this castle, we'd been attacked by all sorts of monsters and bandits.
Yet the Margrave's side hadn't lifted a finger to help.
"So, you've come to take the holy relic after all?"
"Yes, this is a legitimate requisition based on the decree of His Imperial Majesty, the previous emperor..."
"I've heard it before, no need to repeat. I'll hand over the holy relic, so don't worry."
Kraus rose from his seat with an irritated expression.
Mateur bowed his head apologetically.
"This way."
I followed Kraus with Mateur in tow.
We arrived at a treasure vault under heavy guard.
"I've kept it under strict security. No one's touched it."
"Thank you for safeguarding it so well, Your Excellency, Margrave."
"Even the Holy Spirit Church would struggle to secure it this thoroughly."
As the security spells were dispelled, a golden chalice inside a large glass case came into view.
"This is the Holy Grail discovered in my territory."
"I can feel its divine aura...!"
The Holy Grail.
It was no exaggeration to call it a 'top-grade' holy relic—a truly sacred object.
It was the golden cup said to have held the blood of saints revered by the Holy Spirit Church, and legend had it that those who drank that blood were resurrected.
'Resurrection' was the supreme 'miracle' the Holy Spirit Church held dear, giving it immense symbolic value to them.
"Doesn't the Papal Court of the Holy Spirit Church have one Holy Grail as well?"
"Yes! It's identical to the one I saw at the Papal Court! This is undoubtedly the real thing!"
"Why would I guard a fake this rigorously?"
"It's been preserved impeccably. At this level, no one could touch it."
"I'm personally responsible for the Holy Grail right now. If it disappeared, it'd all be on me, so I have to guard it like this."
Kraus snorted and reactivated the spells.
"Wait, why are you resealing it...?"
"You didn't think you'd take it right now, did you? Rest up first."
"Ah, of course."
"I'll hold a banquet in the meantime. I don't want people pointing fingers that I mistreated my guests."
"Thank you, Your Excellency, Margrave."
Kraus said he'd formally hand over the Holy Grail in a few days, so we should enjoy the banquet and rest until then.
Then he abruptly left, claiming urgent business.
"Honestly, I was a bit worried, but he's surprisingly decent."
"Where's the 'decent' part?"
"Huh? He offered to hold a banquet for us, didn't he? And he assigned us nice lodgings. His tone was gruff, but it felt like he was being considerate..."
"Bishop, you're too naive."
As we left the castle, I spoke with Mateur.
"Why did the previous escort fail to transport the Holy Grail?"
"Huh?"
"Because the Dialogue Church and all sorts of scum tried to steal it midway. That's why they couldn't leave the territory."
"Right... that's what happened."
"If we dawdle here for days, what do you think will happen?"
"What would happen?"
"You're so dense."
"W-what did you just say?!"
"Word will spread. That the holy relic Margrave Kraus had under strict guard is finally leaving the castle. Then the Dialogue Church and every other thug will come swarming."
"......!"
"The best plan was to come quietly with a small group and take it quickly. But making us rest for days? Holding a banquet? That's advertising to the world that the holy relic is coming out."
Kraus Margrave couldn't possibly be unaware of that.
"The Margrave wants to hinder us from taking the holy relic."
"B-but if the Dialogue Church or other villains actually steal it, wouldn't that be a total loss for him too?"
"It could be."
"Then the Margrave gains nothing from that. Right?"
"There are two possibilities."
"Two?"
"First, he might think it's better for the Dialogue Church or others to take it than to hand it over to the Holy Spirit Church."
"Huh? Why on earth...?"
"When someone's obsessed, their mindset can twist like that."
"Hard to understand."
"And the other one..."
I lowered my voice.
"Kraus Margrave himself might be in league with the ones coming to steal the Holy Grail."
"What?!"
Mateur froze in shock.
I ignored him and kept walking.
"We need to prepare in advance."
* * *
Kraus gazed out the window.
Confirming Bishop Mateur heading to his lodgings and the Holy Knight Order's Knight Captain, he spoke.
"Retina."
"Yes, Margrave."
A petite woman emerged from the shadows.
"Can you buy us a few days?"
"Three days will be plenty."
"You're sure?"
"More than enough. We've already begun forming up."
"Understood."
Kraus examined the map on the wall.
Most of his territory was rugged terrain. Even at top speed, it took three days to exit from this castle.
"Considering the information we've spread, they'll face at least three ambushes before entering the mountains."
"Yes, exactly."
"They'll be worn out from three attacks and then have to cross the mountains."
To leave Kraus's territory, one had to cross the mountains.
Given they were transporting it to the Papal Court, their route was predictable.
"We'll annihilate them in that ravine."
"Margrave, if we do that..."
"I'll go ahead and prepare. While they're enjoying the banquet."
With that, Kraus donned a black cloak.
"Once I wipe them out there... this time, the Holy Grail will be mine alone."
* * *
The lodgings Kraus provided were as luxurious as a villa.
And the banquet was extravagant.
Ordinary knights, unused to such treatment, were slack-jawed.
"Lieutenant Lotus, Grade 1 Knight—try this meat! It's incredible!"
"Hey, don't make such a fuss. Someone might think all Holy Knights starve."
"Those dancers over there—their moves are amazing! And the singers are top-notch!"
"This is when you want to drink, but it's a shame we can't."
Everyone was caught up in the excitement.
If I'd allowed drinking, they'd have gotten properly drunk.
"Everyone looks like they're having fun, Sir Sion."
Lieselotte sat beside me and spoke.
"But is it okay for us to be lounging here?"
"Why?"
"The longer we stay, the more enemies after the Holy Grail will gather, right?"
"Sharp as always."
"Hee hee. Thank you for the praise."
Lieselotte smiled sweetly as she sipped apple juice.
"But surely Sir Sion has a plan?"
"Who knows."
"I'd like to prepare myself mentally, so a heads-up would be nice."
"Hmm..."
As I pondered, Mateur staggered over.
"Hey, Knight Captain!"
"Bishop Mateur, have you been drinking?"
"Having fun with a pretty girl all to yourself—aren't you going too far? Is that okay for the Knight Captain?!"
"I clearly said no drinking."
"That order was for the knights. I didn't get it, so drinking's no problem! Hahaha!"
Sweeping back his golden hair, Mateur burst into loud laughter.
Lieselotte sighed at the sight.
"Tsk tsk, how pathetic."
"Huh? This girl's got some attitude. Maybe I should teach her some manners..."
Mateur lurched toward Lieselotte, reaching out.
But just before his hand touched her shoulder, he spun in the air.
Lieselotte had grabbed his wrist and tossed him lightly.
"Urk!"
Mateur groaned as his back hit the floor.
But Lieselotte didn't spare him another glance, merely wiping her hand with a wet cloth.
"Bishop, feeling sober now?"
"W-what just happened...?"
"If you're still not sober, maybe wash your face."
As I was about to splash cold water on Mateur's face,
A massive boom echoed from outside.
"What was that?!"
"Eek!"
Everyone panicked, trying to check outside.
Mateur scrambled up too, but wobbled from the alcohol.
"That's why I said no drinking."
"K-Knight Captain. What in the world..."
"Who knows, looks like something happened."
I helped Mateur up and headed outside.
Kraus's castle, a short distance from the lodgings... was on fire.
"Oh my god!"
"What the hell?!"
In the midst of the confused crowd, I issued orders to my men.
"Everyone, gear up and move out. No one got drunk disobeying orders, right?"
"We didn't touch a drop, Captain!"
"Good. We're storming the castle now."
The knights who'd been enjoying the banquet moments ago moved with crisp efficiency.
"K-Knight Captain! What exactly is happening?!"
"Who knows—maybe villains after the Holy Grail attacked."
"V-villains after the Holy Grail?"
That's when Igzard's voice echoed in my head.
[Kekeke. You really can't tell who's the villain here.]
Igzard mocked me with laughter.
[You're the biggest villain, aren't you? You had your subordinate cause this commotion.]
The explosion at the castle.
That was Dietrich's doing.
'Kraus Margrave is colluding with another force to ambush us and steal the Holy Grail. Then he'll claim it vanished and keep it for himself forever.'
[I don't get why some nobody's so obsessed with a holy relic.]
'Whatever. We can't just let him run his scheme unchecked.'
My mission this time was to transport the top-grade holy relic, the Holy Grail.
If Kraus Margrave was plotting to interfere, I had to crush that plot thoroughly.
"I heard Kraus Margrave left for important business a few days ago. In this emergency, what should we do?"
"W-what do you mean...?"
"With the Margrave absent, shouldn't we take responsibility and protect the Holy Grail?"
"T-that's... I'd need to check the decrees on interpreting authority..."
"You handle the formalities, Bishop Mateur."
Leave procedural matters to the high-ranking Holy Spirit Church clergy.
"It seems the ones after the Holy Grail are already swarming. We need to transport it ASAP."
"K-Knight Captain. In that case..."
"We can't wait for Kraus Margrave to return. It's an emergency, so let's move the Holy Grail quickly."
I looked at the blinking Bishop Mateur and spoke calmly.
"Right now."