episode_0040

“Arthur Priest.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Shall I tell you something?”

“… Yeah.”

Although he still seemed reluctant, it seemed he could not refuse his younger brother’s earnest request.

I explained to Princess Rasiel about Princess Canabi’s condition.

Princess Rasiel became angry and serious after hearing about Princess Canabi’s condition.

The question was why he had just endured it until his condition became so severe.

“If you’re sick, you should let it show. Why are you just holding on like an idiot? No one will notice even if you do this!”

“I didn’t endure it alone. The priest came by often to cure my illness. Whenever I got sick, he would come to see me without fail and take such good care of me. Thanks to that, I didn’t even know I was sick.”

“I will definitely free you from the curse.”

Princess Rasiel held Princess Kanabi’s hands tightly with both of hers and closed her eyes as if praying.

It brought a warm smile to my face to see the sisters relying on each other to survive in the seemingly difficult palace life.

It is said that there are many rare and special items that have not yet been discovered within the labyrinth, so you may be able to find the item that can lift Princess Kanabi’s curse just as Princess Rasiel wishes.

“The date of execution will be the least crowded prayer day in the temple. On that day, most people will be gathered in the prayer room, so there will be few people in other places.”

Everyone was busy praying, so it was easy to avoid attention.

“The team is almost ready. I just need the priest to join.”

Princess Canabi’s preparations are complete, and Princess Rasiel says that all of the team members she promised have arrived at the labyrinth and are waiting.

All that’s left is for me to join.

“If the bishop is coming, he will arrive soon.”

It won’t take long.

You’ve finally got a pot of delicious honey, so shouldn’t you come and eat it as soon as possible?

The bishop, who I thought would arrive soon.

But it wasn’t long before I received news that was different from what I had expected.

◎ ◎ ◎

“Yes? He passed away? You mean the bishop?”

It was such an absurd story that I couldn’t even think straight for a moment.

The priest who came to deliver the news had a tired look on his face, perhaps from great mental anguish.

When I was confused, he explained the situation in more detail.

“On the way, he met heretics and said he would punish them, but then… .”

“Ah… !”

Why heresy?

Our church does not designate anyone as a heretic and persecute them.

Officially designated heretics are those who believe in evil spirits and harm people.

It was quiet for a while, but I don’t know why I got caught by the bishop on the way to the labyrinth and did something like that.

“What happened to the heresy?”

“They killed everyone and at the end, the cult leader blew himself up with the bishop. It happened in the blink of an eye. I wanted to stop it, but when I came to my senses, it was already over.”

The shock given by the cult leader seemed to still be tormenting the priest.

“… I know you must have been very anxious, but thank you for sharing the news. I will pray for the repose of the soul of the bishop who has gone to the sun god.”

How distraught must you be when the bishop you were serving suddenly passes away?

Still, it was a great display of mental strength that you came all the way here to accommodate us while we were waiting.

“… Thank you.”

The priest’s eyes turned red as if he was overcome with emotion about the late bishop.

The priest, barely able to suppress his tears, said:

“Ahem, I plan to return straight to the Holy Empire. Is there anything you would like to convey?”

I do have something to say.

So the question is, when will our bishop send us again?

But it was too cruel to say such things to a priest who had not yet fully recovered from the death of the bishop he had served, so I could not bring myself to say them.

“That… No. There isn’t. I’m sorry I can’t attend the funeral because I can’t leave the place.”

“No. The funeral process for the bishop and the heresy issue are not things that can be resolved in a day or two. But it is fortunate. Thanks to the priest leading the temple well, there will not be a big problem even if the bishop in charge is not there.”

No! You shouldn’t be so reassured!

If you stay still like this, I’ll turn you upside down.

“I’m telling you this because we’re on the subject. I thought the bishop would come, so I made a separate schedule. What should I do about it?”

“Yes? What’s the schedule? I don’t know what it is, but if possible, wouldn’t it be better to cancel it?”

“This is not a schedule that can be cancelled arbitrarily. It is a schedule related to diplomacy with the Deltrak Imperial Family.”

“Ah… !”

A look of frustration appeared on the priest’s face as he realized that the situation had become difficult due to the mention of a diplomatic schedule.

“This is a difficult situation. I can’t just cancel a diplomatic schedule… Is there anyone who can help me at the temple?”

“There are two seniors, but… It’s difficult to leave it to them.”

“The priest’s abilities are so great that he seems to have given in.”

It wasn’t a concession, it was a deprivation.

I thought there was no need to tell him the bad news, so I just smiled and answered him roughly.

“Then how about they go on diplomatic missions instead of the priests?”

“I can’t miss out on this request since it was requested by me.”

“Hmm.”

“Hmm… .”

Diplomacy or a temple?

Since both were choices that could not be carelessly discarded, I couldn’t help but be troubled.

“There is only one way. Ask someone you can trust. If there is no one you can ask for help from, the central government will dispatch a priest in a hurry, but I can’t guarantee that he will be able to get here quickly.”

It’s a place where everyone is waiting for an opportunity to eat up everything with their mouths drooling.

Rather than needlessly sending in figures from hostile forces, many people would prefer to manage things using people within the organization.

And my guess was, without fail, correct.

I received a call from a priest who had returned to the center after hearing my suggestion, and was told that it would be difficult to send a bishop right away.

For me, who had to enter the labyrinth right away, this news was like a bolt from the blue.

◎ ◎ ◎

You know when you clearly have a choice, but somehow it feels like you have no choice?

That was my situation right now.

Two choices before me.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t choose between the two.

“Do you have any concerns?”

As I was sitting there blankly staring at the fountain, someone sat down next to me.

I turned my head and saw that it was Father Cardon.

“Priest Cardon?”

“You seem very worried. It seemed like you couldn’t concentrate even in the prayer room.”

“I’m sorry.”

I sighed and washed my face to clear my mind.

Just because you’re losing your cool doesn’t mean you’ll find a solution.

“Well, that makes sense. It was such an unexpected death. We lost a big star so pointlessly.”

Although I had never met him in person, I had heard of his reputation.

Because I heard that he was respected by many priests.

Since he was also a long-time friend of Bishop Haman, I thought that Father Cardon would also know something about the deceased bishop.

“Is Bishop Haman okay?”

“He doesn’t show it, but he seems to be weak because he lost a long-time friend.”

Bishop Haman, who could not travel the long way to the funeral, held a small funeral for him during his prayer time.

Since he did not die from an illness but was martyred, the believers were happy to fill the seats at his funeral.

Everyone was truly saddened by his righteous death.

“You should hurry up and get up.”

“This isn’t the first or second time this has happened, so you’ll be sad for a few days and then you’ll be fine. But why does Father Arthur have such a bad expression?”

“I think it’s because I’m looking forward to seeing you. And there’s something a little bit tricky.”

“That’s a difficult task, can I ask what it is?”

Should I ask Priest Cardon for help?

If I ask him to temporarily take charge of the Labyrinth Temple, and he agrees, my worries will be neatly resolved.

I don’t think he’ll be able to keep it, but at least hold out until a new bishop comes.

Moreover, it would be possible to appease Princess Rasiel, who wants to leave for the labyrinth right now.

“I have to enter the labyrinth due to diplomatic issues with the Deltrak royal family. However, since the bishop was martyred, there is no one to take my place, so it is an awkward situation.”

“That kind of… .”

“I’m worried that I won’t be able to leave my post without a worry until a new bishop comes.”

If it really doesn’t work out, I will have no choice but to leave the temple to Priest Ando and Priest Chilan and vacate the premises.

The problem is that they are already experienced people who have been in charge of a temple, and I was put in charge again after they ate it up.

I honestly felt that I wanted to avoid putting someone who had been disqualified back in charge as much as possible because it would set a bad precedent and could create problems.

“I know it might be rude to suddenly ask you this, but would you be able to take charge of the Labyrinth Temple?”

“I am a member of the punitive force. My job is to assist Bishop Haman.”

“… I see.”

“There’s still time until the next expedition is formed, so I think I can take care of it for about a month.”

One month!

‘Where can I get even a month’s time?’

If they said they would take care of it for me, I would be grateful, no matter how many days it would take.

“I wonder if I’m causing too much trouble… .”

“It’s okay. I have experience in operating a temple, so it won’t be that difficult. And since I like the new operating method suggested by Priest Arthur, it doesn’t seem like it will be difficult to operate. It’s also worth experiencing it in advance in preparation for operating a temple later.”

Father Cardon consoled me by saying that it was not a loss for him either, as he was considerate of me.

Now that we have a month to live, all we can do is hope that the diocese will choose a new bishop during that time.