Chapter 48: The Uninvited Guest
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 48: The Uninvited Guest
I was so startled that I almost started hiccuping.
I held my breath for a split second, then let out a soft exhale, putting on my most innocent expression.
“A dwemon?”
“Yes, Little Lady.”
“Grandpa said there’s a dwemon at our house… but I haven’t seen it…”
“Hmm, I see.”
As I went from wide-eyed curiosity at the mention of a demon to looking dejected because I hadn't seen one, Diandre gave a picture-perfect smile.
“Haha, the story of the Demon of Winston is quite famous. I was merely teasing, but it seems I’ve frightened you for nothing.”
“Okay…”
Why on earth would he play a prank like that on a five-year-old?
He really was a lunatic. I shifted my gaze nervously, acting like a shy child.
Then, with Diandre’s help, I climbed down from the platform and walked toward the door.
“This is a holy land where holy water is kept, so outsiders are not permitted to enter freely.”
“Yes.”
“If you had made a contract with the Demon of Winston, Little Lady, you wouldn't have even been able to step foot inside this temple.”
“…”
I couldn't exactly snap back with a ‘No, that’s not right,’ so I just tilted my head as if I didn't understand his difficult words.
Diandre didn't seem to expect me to understand anyway; he just kept grinning.
I’ve been wondering ever since the Empress Dowager made a contract with an ancient demon…
The Temple was the strongest support base for the Empress Dowager, who had contracted with an ancient demon. After all, it was the Temple that had held her up as a Saintess in the first place.
Marianne was a Saintess who truly possessed vast divine power, but the Empress Dowager was different. Despite the endless rumors, no one had ever actually seen her use divine power.
Nevertheless, people believed the Empress Dowager was a Saintess because the Temple guaranteed it.
That was when I started having doubts. What connection does the Temple have with ancient demons? Can priests who receive God’s grace continue to use divine power even if they are associated with demons?
If Diandre, the leader of the Radical Faction and the Empress Dowager’s greatest ally, was also involved with an ancient demon, shouldn't he have lost God’s grace by now?
Or perhaps God doesn't actually exist in this world and is simply a bystander?
But for that to be true, divine power exists, and seeing how demons other than Dollens can’t use their strength, the Temple does seem to be under God’s influence.
My head grew complicated with the mounting questions.
Come to think of it, in the world I used to live in, there were various religions over a long period, and they often described demons as fallen angels.
In other words, angels and demons were originally the same kind of being.
Should I view this world through a similar concept—that good and evil coexist within a priest? And that God simply tolerates it?
Ugh, I don't know.
It was a problem I couldn't solve no matter how much I agonized over it. It wasn't like I could meet the God of this world in person.
Whether God intervened directly or remained a bystander didn't matter. For now, my only goal was to somehow bring down the Temple, the enemy of Winston.
“Dia!”
“Mommy!”
As soon as I stepped out the door, I saw Veronica waiting anxiously right in front of me.
I quickly threw myself into her arms. As her familiar scent enveloped me, my body, which had been stiff with tension, immediately relaxed.
“Dia, are you alright? Does it still hurt?”
“No, it doesn't hurt at all!”
“Oh, thank goodness.”
Even after confirming I was okay, Veronica’s face remained crumpled as if she were about to cry.
It was something that would have gotten better with time even without the holy water, so I felt bad for making her worry for nothing.
“I’m so glad, Dia. Was it very painful?”
“Ah…”
Dantalion was standing right behind Veronica. Since he was this close, it seemed Dollens had been able to approach me.
The other direct descendants were nowhere to be seen; had the two of them been waiting for me alone?
Well, since this was a holy land, access for outsiders was likely strictly limited. As my mother and the Emperor, Veronica and Dantalion certainly had the right to be here.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I am sorry, Dia. It seems I haven't been attentive enough to you.”
“No, Mommy said Your Majesty is very busy.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
When I nodded, Dantalion gave a bittersweet smile and stroked my hair.
Then, he turned his head to look at someone.
“High Priest, is there any result from the investigation into the attack on the child?”
He was addressing Diandre, who was right behind me.
When I glanced back, Diandre replied to Dantalion’s question with a smile.
“It seems it will still take more time.”
“What is the reason for the investigation taking this long?”
“My apologies, Your Majesty. It is all due to our lack of virtue.”
“…”
Diandre bowed his head. Dantalion looked down at him with a cold expression.
You certainly lack virtue. Since you’re probably in league with the ancient demon sent by the Empress Dowager.
It was truly ironic when I thought about it. Entrusting the investigation to the same side as the one who attacked me.
Of course, I was the only one who knew the secret of the Empress Dowager and the Temple. Furthermore, as long as the Empress Dowager and the Temple maintained their perfect facades of being good people, I couldn't recklessly expose their true identities.
And on the Winston side, they only suspect Cedric for now.
When Veronica met Cedric, it seemed he had already heard from the Empress Dowager about the plan to attack me.
That was why Veronica and the Duke of Winston believed Cedric was the one who had harmed me. They hadn't even dreamed that the Empress Dowager was behind it.
Dantalion might actually suspect the Empress Dowager, though…
I glanced at the side of Dantalion’s face as he glared fiercely at Diandre.
No matter how brilliantly the Empress Dowager acted, Dantalion, who had been close to her since childhood, might be harboring suspicions on his own.
If someone were to expose the Empress Dowager’s true identity, there would be no one better suited for the task than Dantalion.
“I trust that the proxies of God would never tell lies to hide a culprit they already know.”
“Of course not. Such a thing would never happen, Your Majesty.”
Despite Dantalion’s sharp words, Diandre replied with his usual smiling face.
Dantalion was intimidating enough with his expressionless pressure, but Diandre was equally formidable, not even blinking an eye.
I watched the two of them, feeling tense despite myself, when Veronica spoke up while hugging me tightly.
“Your Majesty, Dia and I intend to head back now.”
“…!”
Wait, what?
Startled, I widened my eyes at Veronica.
Dollens hasn't returned yet, so I haven't found out where Nathaniel is, and we’re already leaving?
Besides, perhaps because she had been worried about me the whole time, there didn't seem to be any progress in her relationship with Dantalion even though they had finally met.
At this rate, when were they ever going to date and get married? It was frustrating enough to drive me crazy.
“I wasn't thinking. It would be best for the Lady to take the Little Lady back now.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I also have things to discuss with the Duke, so let us return together.”
“…Yes.”
Veronica was still wary of Dantalion, just as she had been during the coronation, but she couldn't avoid him like she did back then.
It seemed her heart had softened toward Dantalion, who had come running in shock upon hearing that I was sick and coming to the Temple.
I need to get her divorced from Cedric and move their relationship along quickly.
Having made up my mind, I secretly clenched my fists.
It was then.
[Master, I have looked into it.]
Dollens! Was there a child locked in the basement?
[Yes, he was bound in a truly wretched state.]
Dollens’s voice sounded displeased, as if just thinking about it was unpleasant.
And as expected, Nathaniel was in the basement here. I asked him expectantly.
How is it? Do you think you can sneak him out?
[It is impossible for me since I do not have a physical body in reality, but it is possible if I manipulate someone else or speak to a proxy.]
Hmm, it’ll be troublesome if Dantalion finds out yet… Can you manipulate someone else and sneak him out?
[Understood. However, the moment the sorcery restraining the child is removed, the other side will notice immediately.]
It’s fine as long as you can get him out before then.
[I shall try.]
After giving a most reliable answer, Dollens vanished from the spot again.
Now I just had to trust Dollens regarding Nathaniel.
But where should I hide Nathaniel?
Security will likely be tightened for a while because of the attack on me; will I be able to hide Nathaniel secretly?
While I was worrying, Veronica was heading outside, escorted by Dantalion.
“My, Veronica. Are you leaving already?”
“…!”
Someone suddenly blocked Veronica’s path. Veronica’s eyes widened in surprise, and Dantalion’s face hardened with displeasure.
“…Uncle.”
“Hmm.”
A middle-aged man with the same black hair as Veronica was wearing a repulsive smile.