episode_0161

4 Prince, Matthias Wittelsbach.

I guess I turned sixteen this year.

Although he was the prince of the empire, he was Lee Dan-ah, who left for the Holy Kingdom, saying he wanted to live the life of a priest rather than a member of the royal family.

Empress Isabella was said to have disapproved of Matthias’s studies abroad, but once she sent him away, she asked for Matthias’ well-being, even paying a large donation to the Holy Kingdom.

Is that because of maternal love? Or was there another trick?

At least, it was from then on that the archbishops of both denominations began to openly support the Ernstists.

Matthias, who faithfully completed the education of the Holy Kingdom, was ordained as an official priest of the Shaulithe Order at an unusually young age.

Perhaps thanks to the bloodline of Carolus the Great, his talent as a priest seemed to be sufficient… .

Only the church knows how much influence Isabella’s offering had on that decision.

—-

“I was against it.”

Lacey took a sip of holy water.

For some reason, it was strangely refreshing despite the water, and it was said to be holy water that he himself had consecrated.

Even though she made it herself, she literally drank holy water like water, a luxury that was difficult to imitate except for her.

Isn’t it thanks to that that I have clear skin without any blemishes?

“Why, is there something disqualifying the 4th prince?”

I didn’t know much about Mathias.

Although he is mentioned in the story and setting, he is not a character that appears directly in the game.

“It’s not like that. The boy certainly had what it took to become a priest. His personality was also pure and faithful. Although I was a bit young… That wasn’t a big problem.”

Lacey put down her cup.

Well, I have living proof before my eyes that if you have enough ability, age is a later issue.

Did you say that she was fifteen when she was appointed as a candidate for sainthood?

Compared to an ordinary priest, this is an incredibly high position.

“What I was wary of was the status of the prince itself. No matter how much you claim that you abandoned worldly power and chose faith, things in the world are not that naive. In fact, in the years since his visit to the Holy Kingdom, the Shaulithe Church has rapidly become closer to imperial politics. In order to keep this in check, the Elfinel Church also had no choice but to approach secular power.”

The result was that two archbishops supported Ernst.

“It’s not right. The excessive involvement of religious denominations in secular politics is… Because it may cause corruption and corruption.”

As long as Ernst becomes emperor, the higher Matthias’s position in the church rises, the stronger the collusion between the imperial family and the church will become.

As Lacey said, the corruption of the church was already half-started.

“For that matter, haven’t you also been quite politically active? You openly helped Leopold at Einfeld.”

“That is an illusion. I was simply exterminating the monsters according to Elfinel’s wishes. If it had been the 3rd prince who went out first, I would have joined him.”

With that logic, it would be difficult to expect cooperation.

I thought I might be able to persuade the Archbishop of the Elfinel Church through Lacey.

Well, if that were possible, Leopold would have tried it a long time ago.

“I see. Then let’s move on… , I want to hear why you wanted to see me. I heard from Lana that he came to visit while I was away.”

“Okay, what should I say first… For now, it would be better to start with one important question.”

Lacey’s eyes became sharp.

With glaring eyes, she glared at me and rested her chin.

I also looked directly at her in an interrogative atmosphere that was completely different from before.

Now let’s get to the point. He looks quite serious.

Well, if it were the sword of the twelve knights, it would be a highly symbolic item from the perspective of the Elfinel Church.

So, what are you trying to say by setting the mood like this?

Anything is fine as long as it doesn’t ask for it to be returned.

“Witch, Ophelia. Where are you now?”

… what?

It was an unexpected first word.

So much so that I spilled the cup of water I was holding.

—-

witch.

It has been a hundred years since the word was mentioned again officially.

Because it was common knowledge that the last witches were all exterminated in the witch hunt a hundred years ago.

Although the distinction may seem somewhat blurred now, the term witch originally did not simply refer to an evil female wizard.

Women who literally sacrificed themselves to the devil.

Because it was a word that meant perverts who held in their hearts the demonic energy bestowed by them in return for worshiping evil gods.

Well, from the perspective of the Elfinel Church, they would inevitably be concerned if the witches they exterminated reappeared.

but… .

“Ophelia is not a witch.”

Lacey, who heard my rebuttal, narrowed her eyes as if she did not like it.

“It can’t be so. It was known as a simple experiment within the empire, but just looking at the circumstantial information, there is a high probability that Sigmillus House was in fact a breeding ground for parasitic monsters before. Otherwise, there’s no way so many wizards would have been killed without resistance, right? Controlling low-level monsters is one of the witches’ specialties… Unless she, the only survivor, is a witch, it would be impossible.”

Witches can control monsters.

There was no mention of that during the lecture. Was it confidential or something? I thought Isabella was something special.

Anyway, she was the only woman in the game who was openly called a witch.

“Witches are first-class religious. Anyone who hides or protects the whereabouts of a witch is also an enemy of the church. Even if that… Even if you are the owner of the Sword of Oath.”

His tone was extremely firm, as if he would send me to the gas chamber if I didn’t confess quickly.

At one point he was friendly and… Are you saying that the issue of witches is such a serious issue from the church’s standpoint?

… I could use this.

“No, it wasn’t Ophelia who did it in the first place. If raising parasitic monsters is a witch’s specialty, Ophelia was falsely accused of handling the witch’s limbs.”

“… After all, there is no denying the fact that it is a sword of oath. Well, that story will come later. First, could you explain in detail the part about the witch’s limbs that you just mentioned?”

Oh, I guess I got caught just thinking about this.

From her point of view, it only confirmed what she had suspected, but it was a hit.

I confessed with my own mouth that it was the sword of oath.

… First of all, as Lacey said, we should start with the story about Ophelia and Claire.

“This is a matter that we promised to keep secret… I don’t want you to tell anyone else, but is that possible?”

“If possible. I can’t give a definite answer until I hear more details.”

I guess that’s okay.

Except for the fact that Claire is alive, these are all things that will be revealed someday anyway.

“I faced those bug monsters a few days ago in a place other than the mansion. With Ophelia. Since they were parasites on master-level knights, they were quite difficult opponents. The enemy who brought those bugs… It was Claire Van Siegmillus.”

“… Now you know what that statement means.”

Lacey, her complexion hardened, muttered softly.

Of all the expressions he has shown so far, he looks the most serious.

It’s worth it. I am now calling Claire a witch’s limb in response to the Elfinel Church’s saintess candidate.

If Claire is the limb of a witch, who is the witch behind her?

“Okay. If handling parasitic monsters is a witch’s specialty, then the Empress of the Empire, Isabella Benes Wittelsbach, is a witch.”

“… … It’s a hard story to believe. Can you swear that the accusation is true and without lies? I am putting my trust in Elfinel.”

Swear in Elfinel’s name?

Well, there’s nothing you can’t do, but isn’t that something that people of the same religion usually do?

“I am not a believer of the Elfinel Church, so does my oath have any meaning?”

“At least it has meaning to me. Elfinel will be watching.”

Lacey nodded and took the star certificate.

That must be the case for a candidate for sainthood.

“I swear on Elfinel’s name, this is the truth without a single lie.”

The moment I finished speaking, a faint light twinkled on Lacey’s star sign.

“… What was that just now? Is it like a miracle to find out a lie?”

It would be quite convenient if there was such a miracle.

It is an all-purpose confession guaranteed by God.

“No, unfortunately, Elfinel did not give us such a convenient miracle. All I did was pray. Here, there is someone who has sworn to the divine name of Elfinel. Elfinel will remember this oath.”

What does it mean for Elfinel to remember?

If it turns out to be a false oath, will lightning fall from the sky?

“That’s an ambiguous statement… . So, are you going to believe me?”

“At least you didn’t lie. Empress Isabella is a witch… That much is still hard to believe. Even if the oath is true, you may be mistaken.”

It’s not wrong.

As long as I truly believe that Empress Isabella is a witch, the oath is valid regardless of whether it is true or not.

“Well, I guess we can’t make a hasty judgment unless there is evidence. It would be impossible to arrest and interrogate the empress of the empire like a hundred years ago.”

As a candidate for sainthood, I have no choice but to make a careful decision.

I would have felt the same way, so it wasn’t something I couldn’t understand.

An accusation without even a single piece of evidence, especially at a time when the throne of the empire was at stake.

And since I, the accuser, am a political enemy of the Empress, it could be seen as nothing more than a political maneuver.

Rather than that, a hundred years ago, they were all caught and investigated… .

“If there is evidence, I think it might come out if we raid the imperial palace.”

“… I’ll leave that as a last option. Unless you plan on getting evidence and being executed as a traitor.”

Lacey’s gaze was truly lukewarm as she stared at me, as if asking me to say that now.

… I just tried it too.

“If Empress Isabella is really a witch as they say… It must be really dangerous.”

“Okay. It’s dangerous. Because the archbishop of your church is handing over the empire to a witch. What will happen if Ernst ascends to the throne? .”

– Actually, I know it well.

Once Ernst becomes emperor, Isabella also stays quiet for a while… Later on, they’ll give you a big slap in the back.

no. The original story has already become as twisted as it could possibly be, so I guess I’ll have to experience it to find out what will happen.

“No. That’s not what I’m talking about. Of course, the Empire will become dangerous, and the Church of Elfinel will not be able to avoid responsibility for that, but it is not they that are in danger now… .”

-This is Prince Matthias.

Lacey declared quietly.