Chapter 47: Are You Close with a Demon, by Any Chance?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 47: Are You Close with a Demon, by Any Chance?
“Ooh, it hurts, hic...”
“Dia...”
I feigned pain, letting thick tears roll down my cheeks. Veronica, completely fooled, looked at me with eyes full of pity.
[Master, your acting is incredible! Even I was almost tricked!]
Hehe...
In truth, I only had a fever because I’d overexerted myself dealing with the demons; it would get better on its own with time.
However, because I was in a child’s body—and Claudia’s physical constitution was particularly weak—recovery seemed to be slow. The direct descendants, unaware of this, were making a huge fuss over nothing.
Well, I suppose since I’ve been bedridden for three days, it’s not exactly ‘nothing.’
I wondered why Claudia’s body, which inherited the blood of a Sword Master and the Winstons, was so frail.
I clicked my tongue inwardly and continued my dedicated performance of being ill. Before long, the decision was made to take me to the Temple.
I didn't expect to go to the Temple so soon.
Though I had received an invitation from Marianne before we parted, I honestly didn't think the Winston direct descendants would let me go so easily. In a way, falling ill unexpectedly had worked out in my favor.
“It would be best to move her immediately.”
“I’m going too.”
“Berry, you stay here.”
“No. I’m going with her.”
“...”
Marianne was at the Temple. Furthermore, the Temple itself wouldn't be friendly toward the Winstons. Because of that, the Duke seemed reluctant to let Veronica tag along.
“Mommy...”
“Yes, Mommy’s here.”
But Veronica’s resolve was firm. She would never send me to the Temple alone. Of course, it wasn't as if I’d actually be going by myself anyway.
This time, I gave up on trying to persuade Veronica and closed my eyes. Perhaps because I’d been acting while running a fever, I was starting to feel exhausted.
“Ugh...”
My consciousness grew hazy. For a moment, I felt as if I were floating in midair.
“Huh?”
When I opened my eyes again, I was in a completely unfamiliar place. At first, I couldn't grasp the situation and just looked around in a daze.
[Ma... Master... ugh...]
[Master...]
What’s wrong with you guys?
Desmond and Bibi whimpered in voices that sounded like they were on the verge of death.
I looked around, but the dolls were nowhere to be seen. I suddenly recalled what happened before I lost consciousness.
I’m at the Temple.
That was why I couldn't bring the bodies of Desmond and Bibi, whom I’d been carrying around like security blankets. Fortunately, I still had the gems I wore as accessories, so I could hear their voices, but...
[Ugh, I’m dying...]
[I think I’m really going to die...]
Hmm.
I suppose it really is impossible to command demons in the middle of the Temple. I grew anxious, worried that my plans might go awry.
Just then, a heavy voice rang out.
[Hmph. Weaklings. To think you’re trembling at the mere power of angels.]
...!
A low bass voice, distinctly different from Desmond’s and Bibi’s, pierced my ears. My eyes widened in surprise.
Dollens!
[It has been a while, Master. Have you been well?]
It was Dollens, the third demon of the gems I had discovered, who was under a proxy contract with Dantalion. Unlike the other demons, he had refused a physical body, claiming the gem was more comfortable. His form remained hazy, and his voice echoed inside my head.
How are you here?
[Naturally, it is because the contractor has come here.]
Dantalion is here?
[Indeed.]
To think Dantalion was at the Temple too. Wasn't he busy after ascending the throne? In the original novel, I recalled that Dantalion hated the Temple because they were on the Empress Dowager’s side, and he had never set foot here.
Well, the original story is meaningless now.
I shook my head, deciding not to overthink it. The surroundings were incredibly quiet, and I was lying alone on a wide dais.
It wasn't uncomfortable because of the red cloth spread beneath me, but judging by the hardness, the dais seemed to be made of stone or marble. The high ceiling was adorned with paintings of gods and angels, and the space was a magnificent sight of white pillars and stained glass.
I was staring blankly at my surroundings with my mouth slightly agape when the door opened with a creak.
“You’re awake.”
“...?”
A man dressed in white liturgical robes entered. The man, who had long, pale purple hair, smiled gently when he saw me sitting up.
Who is he?
I should have felt wary of a stranger, but strangely, I didn't feel any such alarm. On the contrary, looking at the man’s gentle face made my tension melt away, leaving my whole body feeling relaxed.
“I have treated you with holy water, but it will still be difficult to move your body.”
“Ah...”
At his words, I glanced down. Since I’d been lying down and looking up, I hadn't noticed, but the area below the dais was filled with water up to ankle height.
This must be the holy water the man mentioned. Since it’s illegal to smuggle holy water out, they must have recommended sending me to the Temple to seek its aid when my body didn't heal even with divine power.
I understood the situation instantly, but I couldn't reveal that so blatantly in front of a stranger. I put on the face of an innocent child and asked the man.
“A-Ah, who are you, Mister?”
“Mister...”
For a moment, the man looked dazed as if he’d been struck. His beautiful turquoise eyes trembled slightly.
“Ahem. I am called Diandre, my cute little lady.”
“Diandre...?”
“Yes. I am the High Priest of this Temple.”
“High Pwiest...?”
“Hmm. It means I am the strongest among the priests.”
Diandre gave a sheepish smile, giving me a thumbs-up. He probably found it difficult to explain his status to a child. However, I knew exactly who he was.
Diandre Benedict. He was the High Priest of the Temple and a man with such exceptional divine power that he was called the successor to the Pope. His influence within the Temple was immense, and he was the one who supported Saintess Marianne more than anyone else. Even if the original plot was now unreliable, he was still one of the figures the Winstons had to be wary of.
And to think that behind that kind face, he’s the leader of the Temple’s most radical faction.
Currently, the Temple was divided into two factions: the moderates who followed the current Pope, Raphael Luciano, and the radicals led by his successor, Diandre Benedict.
The radicals were the ones who created the Temple’s ultimate weapon, Nathaniel. Therefore, the Diandre standing before me could be considered the primary culprit who created Nathaniel and destroyed the Winstons in the original story.
...Dollens.
[Did you call, Master?]
I tilted my head as if I still didn't quite understand, while silently calling out to Dollens in my mind. Right now, Dollens seemed to be the only one who could scout the Temple without being affected by the angels.
I quickly made my request.
There should be a young boy held captive in the basement of this Temple. Could you go take a look?
[...]
...?
But Dollens didn't give any answer to my words. Was his pride wounded because the request was too trivial? Since Dollens acted much more dignified than the other demons, he might find being sent on an errand like this offensive...
[To think I can finally be of use to my Master!]
“Huh?”
[I have only ever listened to the proxy contractor’s words, but this is a truly moving moment!]
Uh, r-right...
Even though I could only hear his voice, for some reason, I could imagine Dollens wailing. He was that overwhelmed with emotion—to the point where I was the one who felt flustered.
Anyway, I’m counting on you.
[Understood. I shall return after completing the mission without fail!]
Yeah...
Dollens, who shouted with grim determination, soon vanished. It seemed I didn't have to worry about finding Nathaniel anymore.
“Haha, I am simply a priest of the Temple, Little Lady.”
“Ooh.”
“Since you are awake, you will be able to see your family soon.”
“Okay.”
Diandre, who had eventually given up on making me understand, smiled with his eyes narrowed.
A ‘closed-eye’ character. He looks even more dangerous.
Diandre’s eyes had a habit of crinkling shut whenever he smiled. If I hadn't read the original novel, I would have been completely fooled by his appearance, never knowing what a terrifying person he was.
It was dangerous to stay in the same space as a man like this. I brightened at his words and began to wiggle my body to get up.
“By the way, Little Lady.”
“Yes?”
“Are you close with a demon, by any chance?”
“...!”
Diandre, who had approached me before I knew it, asked in a whisper.
I looked into the cold turquoise eyes visible through his narrowed lids and reflexively swallowed hard.