episode_0090

About three days had passed since I informed the emperor.

After finishing my daily tasks and returning to the mansion, a maid I hadn’t seen before handed me a package and then disappeared.

“Why suddenly a package?”

I chuckled and opened the wrapping, finding a thick bundle of documents inside.

Confirming even a sinister warning that read “ ,” I could easily guess that the package was sent by the emperor.

“He’s surprisingly quick in handling things considering his usual hesitation. I thought it would take over a week.”

After making sure no one was around, I immediately went into my room to examine the documents.

With this amount, there should be at least one piece of information worth picking up.

Slightly hopeful, I began to quickly skim through the documents, but…

“There doesn’t seem to be anything particularly important.”

It was mostly information I already knew, with very little new content.

The only somewhat useful piece was about a state of emergency being declared in the empire due to the disappearance of two saintess candidates.

However, even this was easy to deduce, so it wasn’t particularly helpful.

“I wanted information on vulnerable areas or weak points, but nothing here.”

Expressing disappointment, I burned all the documents.

I guess I’ll have to ask Aleine after all. But she might not know much either.

After a brief moment of hesitation, I made up my mind and stood up from my seat.

Well, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to ask.

Though it was late at night, it was still too early for Aleine to be asleep.

I took out some snacks and drinks from my bag and headed straight to her room.

“May tomorrow be as peaceful as today.”

“May happiness fill the lives of everyone in the mansion.”

As I approached Aleine’s room, a calm and quiet prayer flowed through the crack in the door.

Was it originally the end, or did she notice my presence and stop?

The sound ceased as I reached the door, and soon a gentle voice came from the other side.

“Come in, it’s open.”

“Okay.”

Quietly responding, I opened the door, and Aleine greeted me warmly with a mischievous smile.

“Who might this be, the witch who boldly confessed her love in public?”

“…Stop it, who said anything about confessing love?”

“But the rumors have spread! You kissed boldly in front of many nobles…”

“I just pretended to be lovers to avoid troublesome situations. If we hadn’t kissed, I wouldn’t have been able to return home that day.”

“You’re so dishonest… Oh, okay, I get it. Let’s stop. Why are you staring at me like you want to kill me?”

Giving me a sharp look, Aleine teased with exaggeration.

Placing a glass on the table, she asked me, “So, what brings you here at this late hour? Bringing alcohol suggests it might be something serious.”

“Just because I brought alcohol doesn’t mean I have to bring up something heavy. Maybe I just wanted to have a drink with you?”

“Is that so? Heh, wanting to have a drink with the infamous priest of Gyoguk… Each witch is indeed eccentric in their own way.”

Clank!

Finishing her words, Aleine slowly filled the glass with alcohol.

Then she picked up the snacks I brought and started to create a lively atmosphere.

“Unfortunately, if it’s about love stories, I’ll pass in advance. As you know, I’m someone who can’t engage in romance.”

“Isn’t it irrelevant now? You’ve already broken one rule; breaking a few more shouldn’t be an issue.”

“…Still, you never know. If a woman loses her sanctity after dating a man, she truly becomes a burden.”

“Then make him take responsibility.”

“Is that so?”

Laughing, Aleine and I emptied our glasses in one go.

The alcohol quickly dispelled any lingering awkwardness.

I brought up the topic of that guy with a sword to create a more relaxed atmosphere.

“…That guy with the sword, you know?”

“Yes.”

“Should I take responsibility for it? After doing such a thing, if I don’t marry, I’ll be seen as a terrible woman, right?”

“Well…”

Clank, clank, clank –

Alain pondered his response as he poured himself a drink.

Once his glass was full, Alain finally spoke up.

“I’ve told you many times, but you make too many excuses to the witch. If you like her, just be honest and say so, right?”

“Oh, no… It’s not like I particularly like her…”

“In that case, just don’t get married. Why are you even hesitating about it?”

“…Because it feels like a waste to give up on him. I also feel somewhat sorry.”

“Sigh.”

Alain, tapping his chest as if feeling frustrated, sighed heavily and shook his head wearily.

“Let’s just move on from this topic. It seems like it will only sour the mood unnecessarily.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, discussing this topic further will only make someone collapse from frustration today. I can guarantee that.”

…Was I really that frustrating?

Feeling gloomy for no reason, I cautiously steered the conversation towards the main point.

“So, could you tell me more about Gyo-guk?”

“Gyo-guk? It might be incredibly boring, are you sure you want to know?”

“Yes, please tell me in detail if possible. I find it quite intriguing.”

“In detail? You’re not asking about Gyo-guk because you plan to go there, are you? If that’s the case, I’ll have to decline for now.”

“So, you don’t like perceptive priests, huh?”

Teasingly, I grabbed a snack and popped it into my mouth.

Was I too obvious? Well, being shameless like this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Right now, being straightforward seems better than beating around the bush.

After taking a sip of my drink, I spoke earnestly.

“I might have to go to Gyo-guk soon. But if I go without knowing anything, I’ll only come back with a handful of regrets.”

“…Hmm, do you really have to go? I genuinely want to dissuade you.”

“If it’s unavoidable, would that suffice as an answer?”

“Are you saying that again?”

Sighing as if fed up, Alain glared at me nervously while chewing on the snack.

“Now that the destination is set, all that’s left is to rush towards it.”

“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. I’ve always said there’s no need to force yourself to go together.”

“Fine, but staying here alone makes me feel self-conscious. Yet going to Springfield alone… who knows what might happen there.”

Honestly, how did I get involved with this person?

Alain muttered as if to herself, then opened her mouth with a trembling voice.

“So, ultimately, you need a guide to help the witch achieve her goal.”

“Correct.”

“But why did you come to me? Do you think I might know some secret route for illegal entry?”

“Maybe because you’re a candidate for saintess, you might know at least one.”

I gazed at Alain, questioning her.

Just be honest.

You know, that thing.

—–

A place covered densely where not even light seeped through.

In a place filled only with the coarse cries of women, an elven woman directed a question towards a human woman.

“…Sister, I have something to ask.”

“What is it, Sister Calis?”

“You mentioned attacking Gyo-guk. Do you have any plans in mind? Honestly, no matter how strong we are, with this level of forces…”

Looking worried as she gazed at her kin enjoying themselves, the elven woman expressed her concern.

To her quite reasonable observation, the woman in priestly robes, now transformed into a demon, showed a moment of contemplation.

“If it’s a direct assault, it will indeed be difficult. No matter how strong you sisters are, you won’t stand a chance against sheer numbers.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Of course, you have to sneak in and devour slowly, right? Even though it looks sturdy, since it’s been around for a long time, there are quite a few weak spots.”

Lorian licked his lips and looked at Callis.

“You guys may have seemed tough on the outside, but inside, you were as soft as can be. It’s exactly like that.”

“…”

“Oh, my mistake. Anyway, sneaking in is easier than you think. In my case, I even received special guidance, making it easy to arrive in front of the goddess.”

“Huh?!”

“Like this, it’s as easy as reaching your precious place with my hands.”

In the blink of an eye, Lorian mocked Callis and grabbed the cross hanging around his neck with his dirty liquid-covered hand.

“The plan itself is simple. Sneak in, summon Agathon with their power, and defile everything! Eventually, Agathon’s sanctity will disappear, and the forces of the nation you worry so much about will be rendered powerless! Then, victory will be ours, won’t it?”

“Haah… Will it really go as planned…”

“It probably will. Didn’t I say? Old things surprisingly have weak points.”

With a sly smile, Lorian began muttering while looking in the direction of the nation.

Just as countless elves fell victim to a single human, the nation will collapse just as easily.

Oh, I’m already looking forward to it. To share true love with the one I adore…

How sweet must the honey be that the noble one sheds?

It must be sweeter than any drink consumed thus far.

Since they resided in heaven, the taste must be heavenly too!

Chomp –

Having whetted his appetite, Lorian attacked the elf in front of him, thinking of the prey in his mind.

One by one, he would conquer them.

After Agathon, it would be Alainne next.

And after Alainne…

“Even that arrogant witch.”

Unfurling the wings of imagination, the predator of the forest devoured his prey.

Soon, from the dark forest, a vile aura began to emanate.