Chapter 111
Chapter 111
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 111
Chapter Title: The Shocking Inscription on the Stele
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Due to the shocking words inscribed on the stele, bewilderment settled on everyone's faces as they listened to the story.
"God…… abandoned them?"
"What kind of nonsense is that…… They were always expressing their gratitude to God! It was to the point where onlookers thought it excessive!"
The most vehement reaction came from the only one who had ever made contact with them—Duke Lengard.
He seemed to be showing considerable resistance to the fact that the being he could rightly hold accountable for attacking him on his return—their god—was now gone.
"Calm yourself, Duke."
"Lady Ophelia……"
"I understand your grievances over what happened to you, but isn't this a situation where no conclusions have been drawn yet? We can think it over after we've slowly assessed the circumstances."
"……Understood. I shall heed the words of the Holy Knight."
It hadn't been long since he regained his memories—but Duke Lengard was well aware of how swiftly the Igugwoden Church was transforming this world.
Even for the sake of rebuilding and reviving the Euler family, which had dwindled in his absence, he had to avoid pushing too hard against Ophelia of the Dish of Holy Knights.
"Um…… Shall I continue reading, Saintess?"
"Please do."
Once the commotion settled, Karen reached out toward the stele again.
"……To God, we were nothing more than weeds scattered along the roadside. I wish we had known this before fulfilling all of God's desires and offering everything in sacrifice."
"I reflect with profound regret on the inexpressible harm we inflicted on our kin out of ignorance. I am sorry for forcing them to abandon their true names and accept the derogatory title of 'Kanp.' The fact that we can no longer even remember our original names fills me with unspeakable despair each time I confront it."
"With the resolve to atone to even a single kin, I leave this stele behind. If by some miracle a survivor reads this, head to the massive cave deep within Lunasa Forest, located northwest from here. I will take responsibility for bringing about this catastrophe. May all reclaim peace in existence……"
Karen, whose eyes had been flashing brightly, quietly closed them and lifted her hand from the final paragraph.
The pure white light seeping from the stele gradually faded.
"……That's all of it."
"Hmm……"
Assuming the stele's contents were true, two things could be gleaned.
One. Their god had abandoned them for some reason, and the one who left this stele was the being responsible for that.
And two. Heading to the cave in 'Lunasa Forest' to the northwest would lead to encounters with these foreigners.
"What shall we do, Saintess?"
After pondering Luca's question for a moment, Erin approached Eirene, who had been quietly watching the situation while cradling the rabbit.
"I wish to hear Your Majesty's opinion. What do you think, Your Majesty?"
"It would be ideal if we could verify the stele's authenticity…… but even so, we should go and see. We can't return without meeting anyone, can we?"
"Y-Your Majesty! We mustn't place too much trust in these foreigners. We cannot rule out the possibility that this is all a trap!"
"Lengard. You don't truly believe someone would destroy a village and scatter their kin's bones just to set a trap, do you?"
"Th-that is……"
"I know what you're worried about. But if it's true that they suffered this fate from the very 'god' that brought divine punishment upon you…… surely we can't hold them accountable for that time?"
Duke Lengard bowed his head, at a loss for words.
Viewed coldly, if their god truly destroyed their world, it punched a hole in the premise that 'they incited their god to sink our ship.'
"Stay calm just a bit longer. If these foreigners truly seek your life, I won't let it slide either. For now, trust in Saintess and in me, Eirene."
"……Understood, Your Majesty. It's just…… I can't help but worry. If they use that 'Qi' to attack us—"
Eirene flashed a confident smile, as if to say what was there to worry about.
As expected of an empress.
Even the slight twitch of her lips conveyed the aura of an absolute ruler born to look down upon subordinates.
Before she joined the Igugwoden Church and 'ripened well,' many would have felt fear at that sight.
"It's fine. We have God's Messenger with us, after all. Isn't that right, Rabbit?"
"Igogodon."
The rabbit flopped onto its back in Eirene's arms, perking up its ears and nudging her forearm.
"Yes. With you here, I feel truly secure. Your fur is so fluffy…… and your round tail is utterly adorable."
"Pya pyapya! Igogodon! Jarisgotgdon! Misigigodon! Hyanggtagodon!"
"Heh heh heh. You seem in high spirits, Rabbit."
"Masitgdon!"
"Rabbit Lord…… Even if you are a lady like Your Majesty, isn't that a bit sexual harassment……?"
Ophelia, the only one who could understand the rabbit's words, looked troubled, but Eirene petted its head as if unconcerned.
"In any case, Lengard, don't worry too much. Our arrival here is also Lord Igugwoden's will. That one would never lead us humans into harm."
"……Understood."
The empire after regaining his memories was certainly very different from what lingered in Duke Lengard's mind.
Especially in terms of religion.
Unlike the late Emperor Aisha's era, the Igugwoden Church's influence was now at its peak, so there was no need to clash with an empress backed by the Saintess to the bitter end.
He hadn't truly wished for the foreigners to murder him via their god in the first place, anyway.
"Then, let us depart. Everyone, this way please."
Hop!
With Ophelia taking the lead, Rabbit Lord perched atop her head once more, the group began walking along the uneven dirt path.
Sure enough, they soon spotted what appeared to be the forest entrance.
"Stay close so we don't get lost."
And so, the party plunged fearlessly into the forest path.
* * *
How long had they marched amid the crunching sounds?
"Lady Ophelia. Isn't that it over there?"
In Luca's line of sight appeared the entrance to an enormous cave, just as described on the stele.
It felt distinctly different from a dungeon. No demonic energy could be sensed at all.
As Duke Lengard had said, it seemed no demons existed here.
"Hm. It looks like you're right, Luca. I'll take the lead."
"We'll follow."
Just as Ophelia stepped forward—
"……Hm?"
A silhouette of a young girl entered their view.
Upon closer inspection, it was a child dressed in simple clothes, carrying a basket.
She appeared utterly ordinary at first glance.
Save for one thing that set her apart from humans—the pointed ears.
Unlike the rounded human ears, her sharply protruding ones boldly proclaimed her as a different race.
"……!!"
The girl, who had been entering the cave with something in her basket, froze upon locking eyes with Ophelia.
"Wait! We mean you no harm!"
"×,×××……!"
"She doesn't seem to understand our words……!"
At that moment.
"Lady Ophelia!"
Karen came running urgently from afar with Ares.
"I can help! Please wait just a moment."
Karen closed her eyes and cautiously placed her hand on Ophelia's shoulder.
"……!!"
Ophelia sensed something entering her.
Something warm, like pure white light.
A mystical power that cleared blockages and paved the way forward—Plain Fact.
As Karen's hand slowly withdrew, she approached the terrified, frozen girl.
She knelt on one knee to meet her eyes.
"Can you understand me?"
"!!!"
The girl's pupils dilated sharply.
As if hearing something utterly unexpected.
"Do you understand?"
"……"
The girl didn't reply, but instead nodded vigorously several times.
"We crossed the sea yonder to reach this place. We're not here to harm you. We simply found the stele and want to talk with your people. If there's someone like a leader among you…… it would be great if you could help us speak with them."
The girl hesitated, unsure, without answering—
—Ta ta ta ta.
She vanished into the cave, basket in hand.
Erin, who had been watching from afar, cautiously approached Ophelia.
"……Did our intentions get through?"
"I believe we've done all we can, Saintess."
After some time passed like that.
Silhouettes began to appear from beyond the cave.
……Apart from the elongated ears, they closely resembled adult human women.
Her features grew clearer as she approached.
Her long orange hair hung unkempt and frizzy, and dark circles under eyes the same hue gave her a gaunt, hollow-cheeked look overall.
Her curves were impressively well-developed, but whether from poor eating or not, she exuded an air of exhaustion.
"……"
Finally arriving before Erin's group, she eyed them warily.
A brief silence followed—then, she cautiously parted her lips.
"×××××.×××,××××××."
As the incomprehensible words flowed, Ophelia stepped forward first.
"You there. Can you understand me?"
"!"
Like the girl, she stared at Ophelia in surprise.
Evidently, she could understand the words of Ophelia, who had received Karen's 'special measure.'
"As I said, we're not here to harm you. We came after seeing the stele. It might be a long story, but I'd like to take measures so everyone can easily understand your words. I swear nothing harmful will befall your body."
"×××."
"Trust me. If we meant harm, there are far easier ways, as you well know."
"×××……!"
"You can't help but notice. You have the eyes of a warrior."
She touched the hilt of the rather crude weapon at her waist.
Then, soon enough…… she cautiously nodded.
"Then…… pardon the intrusion."
Finishing her words, Karen carefully approached her.
And, just as with Ophelia—she closed her eyes and placed her hand on the woman's shoulder.
Light seeped from her hand, entering the woman's body.
She flinched at Karen's sudden touch…… but didn't push her away.
A moment later.
"All done."
"……Is that it?"
"!!!"
At last, everyone could understand her words.
"It seems to have worked."
"Um, could you perhaps spare a moment to talk with us……!"
Erin bowed her head in request.
The woman still regarded her with wary eyes……
"……If it's just a short talk, that should be fine."
In any case, she didn't refuse the proposal.
"So, what do you want to talk about?"
At her words, Erin fell into thought once more.
Should she start with small talk to break the ice bit by bit, or use metaphors to beat around the bush as much as possible—
Given the atmosphere, she was still on guard, so jokes probably wouldn't land well.
Right.
In times like this, go straight for the jugular.
Erin cautiously cut straight to the point with her.
"The topic of our talk…… is God."
"……!!"
"I want to ask about the god you serve—or rather, once served."