Chapter 213 — The Calm Before the Storm (2)
The Church of the capital, Retia.
The sunlight streaming down from the ceiling illuminated the statue of the Goddess.
Faith for the God of Light, Luas, shimmered and flickered in radiance.
Love and compassion for mankind under the care of God pervaded in all directions.
"Luas, please watch over us."
Believers slaughtered in the diocese.
Victims murdered by the Undead.
Those wounded and bereaved of their families.
It was mourning filled with sincerity.
Prayers for all rose up faintly into the air.
Archbishop Joseph inhaled quietly, then rose to his feet.
The preparations were complete.
"Now, let the ritual begin."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
Bishop Dehern.
Bishop Vaidelr.
Bishop Ronanderk.
The three remaining bishops of the Kingdom brought forth a man.
The subjugation of Glory of the Dead.
Gloss Garcia, captain of the paladin order of the diocese, whose right arm had been severed by the Grim Reaper, knelt before the Archbishop.
Now healed, the severed stump bore an unsightly red scar.
"Y-Your Excellency, how could someone like me possibly receive grace…."
"Silence."
At that single word, silence fell.
Joseph's hand touched Gloss's shoulder.
Fwaaaaaaah—
The Archbishop's holy power gradually swelled.
A warmth seeped into skin, muscle, bone, and even the soul. When the light growing ever brighter enveloped the two, the Archbishop performed a miracle.
From the severed end, divinity stretched forth.
As the light, molded in the form of an arm, slowly settled in, the severed right arm was completely restored.
"Ah…!"
Gloss slowly moved his arm.
When he lightly clenched his fist, it closed perfectly, without flaw.
The sensation was vivid. This was no dream.
This was the supreme miracle granted only to the Seven Archbishops. Witnessing it with their own eyes, the bishops could not conceal their awe.
Archbishop Joseph spoke.
"Gloss Garcia, you have fulfilled your duty as both a believer and as one who leads the believers. You are worthy of enjoying the great miracle of Luas. Do not doubt that the grace you have received is anything less than deserved."
"I-I will keep that in my heart."
His trembling voice resounded.
The Archbishop nodded with a kind smile.
Sacrifice was the concept he held most dear.
For one who had guarded the sacred duty through immense pain, there was no reason to withhold anything. Even if it were the Archbishop's own life.
But the opposite was not so.
Joseph's gaze turned aside.
Beyond the church windows lay the royal castle. A place filled with men who, as nobles, had abandoned their duties as faithful of the Luas Church.
Shameless sinners who sacrificed those they should have protected.
At some point, Joseph's smile faded.
He no longer smiled.
Nor would they.
For that was the decree of the Saintess, and Joseph's own will.
***
Marquis Esperanza headed for the royal castle.
As a high-ranking noble of the Kingdom, it was to welcome the Archbishop and the Transcendent, and because he was obliged to participate in today's council.
Melzard and Edmon had been summoned to serve as guards for the castle.
Left in the mansion were only Verden and Calia.
"Uuugh…."
Step, step, step.
Calia paced nervously around the parlor.
Gnawing her nails restlessly was unlike her usual self.
Verden, sipping tea at the table, asked.
"Are you so nervous?"
"Isn't it obvious? We're talking about one of the Seven Archbishops and the Tower Master of DarkWarton. How could I not be nervous…."
If it were just seeing them from afar, the anticipation would have been greater.
To behold beings upon whom even a king dared not look down, existences that influenced the world, was an invaluable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
But to meet them directly was a different matter altogether.
A one-on-one conversation with the Archbishop.
On top of that, adding a Transcendent for a three-way audience. And here, in this very mansion.
Calia served not the royal family, but the Kingdom itself.
She had captured untouchable nobles and brought them to justice, had eliminated vile criminals who made citizens tremble with fear.
Because she wanted the world to become cleaner.
That was the righteous path she had chosen.
If necessary, she could turn her blade even against the royal family.
It was that resolve and conviction that had shaped the Calia of today.
But this situation was another matter entirely.
A Transcendent, no less. The pressure was unbearable, to the point her stomach hurt. Her pace quickened.
"…Wouldn't sitting down ease your mind a little?"
"When the body is comfortable, the mind tends to wander more. More importantly, Asher, are you really so unbothered?"
"I am nervous as well."
A part of him, though, held anticipation.
But it wasn't enough to lose sleep for days. Sensation and tension dulled with time. At least for Verden, it was so.
"I wish I could be like that too…."
"Well, it's not something we can avoid anyway, is it?"
It was easier to accept it.
It was a plain truth, leaving no room for rebuttal.
"…Mm, that is true."
Calia rested her chin on one hand.
Then, taking a seat, she called for a servant. As she shared the same tea as Verden and distracted her nerves, the anxiety seemed to ease a little.
Ah, but then.
"Lady Calia."
"Mm? What is it?"
"Didn't you have some business with me?"
The very day they had arrived at the mansion in the capital.
Calia had called for Verden. The news of the Transcendent's arrival had derailed it, but still.
"Ah, that…."
"Was it important?"
"No, not important. Not official, either. Just something personal I wanted to ask… but, this doesn't seem the right time. Let's finish what's right before us, and then I'll speak of it. Would that be all right?"
It did spark some curiosity, but it wasn't an issue.
If it was just conversation, it wouldn't take long anyway.
For now, Verden's focus was on the Archbishop, the Black Tower Master, the staff Linus was forging, and the Tomb of the Demon King.
At that moment.
"…!"
Unprecedented magic power was sensed.
Not from within the capital. From far beyond, a presence struck Verden's senses with force.
All the more, because he was a Mage.
'…Astounding.'
It was entirely different from what he had felt before.
Having risen beyond the 1st tier to the 5th and higher, he could perceive it more distinctly. An overwhelming power that no human could possibly possess.
A chill ran down his spine.
At last, that presence reached the capital.
Only then did Calia, belatedly, sense it as well.
"As-Asher, this is…."
Her thought was correct.
The Transcendent had arrived.
***
At the heart of the capital, Retia, the royal castle, Eznoren.
Hundreds of people moved in perfect order. From every direction came loud voices, and most people's faces were stiff and frozen.
Knights clad in full armor lined up on both sides of the main gate, standing at exact intervals.
Mages stood guard against any possible incident, while servants without rank quickly fled the castle to hide themselves.
The nobles gathered in cliques, whispering among themselves.
"To think I would live to see the day I behold both the Archbishop and the Tower Master…."
"T-This is an opportunity bestowed by the heavens. If I can succeed in catching the eye of even one of them, my house will gain immense power!"
"Ahem! You, a mere viscount, must not act rashly. First, let us earls proceed step by step…."
What a pitifully pathetic conversation.
These so-called high nobles spoke only of their own authority. Their vision was so narrow, they failed to grasp just how powerful and great the beings who were arriving truly were.
Then, a voice rang out.
"Archbishop Joseph Eunah enters!"
Kuuuuuuung!
The great gate of Eznoren opened.
Archbishop Joseph.
The great priest spoken of only in words entered the royal castle.
Following behind him were two holy knights, clad head to toe in white metal, each with a single sword at their side. They were clearly paladins, the Archbishop's direct order of knights.
Thud────Thud!
The knights of the Kingdom drew their swords and clashed them together.
The Archbishop and his paladins walked through beneath them as though it were routine.
Whether it was the lofty position of Archbishop, or perhaps the coldness of his expression, the solemn atmosphere instantly seized the crowd.
"…Where is the Tower Master?"
"Surely arriving soon?"
Only a few nobles dared whisper.
The Chancellor, representing the royal family, came forth to greet the Archbishop.
"We sincerely welcome you to the Kingdom of Estiria, Archbishop Joseph. I am Paloran, holding the office of Chancellor────"
"I am not interested."
"…Pardon?"
"So guide me to the First Prince."
The Chancellor could not conceal his bewilderment.
Though an Archbishop, to insult the Chancellor so openly—such an outrageous affront left him at a loss for words.
This was an issue worth a formal protest.
He was in a position to make one.
But then, one of the nobles pointed toward the sky.
"What is… that?"
All gazes turned upward.
From the far distance, something approached the Kingdom.
A vast darkness that devoured even the brilliant rays of summer sunlight. And soon, it crossed over the capital's walls.
"Wh-What in the world…?!"
"H-Huh?"
Thump.
Nobles who had studied magic collapsed in terror.
Those who had never awakened aura or magic power trembled uncontrollably, overcome with fear. The darkness approached. That ominous, dreadful sensation that brushed their skin now seemed to carve directly into their very souls.
────!
At last, shadow engulfed the royal castle.
A gale powerful enough to make standing impossible roared once through. Then, as eyes slowly opened… the darkness was gone, and in its place stood a strange old man.
Impossible.
"…!"
"…!!"
Thud. One by one, people collapsed.
Nobles, knights, mages—none could withstand it. None in the vicinity retained consciousness.
They had failed to endure the presence of a Transcendent.
Silence fell at the castle gate.
Archbishop Joseph wore a gentle smile.
"You still dislike noise as ever, I see, Witness, Tower Master of DarkWarton."
"That is you as well, Joseph, is it not."
"Thanks to you, it has grown quiet, which is pleasing. More than that, I never expected the Tower Master to personally come here. I am so humbled, I know not what to do."
"I came for personal reasons. Pay it no mind."
A world of silence.
Only the voices of the two men flowed through.
In that eerie, chilling spectacle, none watching from afar could avert their eyes. They could only remain frozen, staring.
That was the only thing they could do.
"Let us end the talk here, and go inside."
The Tower Master stirred his magic power.
In that instant, the Chancellor, whose mind had been wholly seized by a curse, stood alone. Bowing his back endlessly, he gestured toward the castle with both hands.
"To the audience chamber. I shall guide you."
Those who had lost consciousness were left where they lay.
Under black magic's control, the Chancellor, now even more obsequious, led them into the castle. Passing through corridors lined with red carpets, they arrived at their destination.
The Chancellor cried out.
"The Tower Master of DarkWarton, and Archbishop Joseph, make their entrance!"
Creeeeeak.
The doors of the audience chamber opened.
***
The King of Estiria was absent, his health in decline.
In his stead, for the council alone, First Prince Valrgna temporarily wielded royal authority. This was the royal command of the King of Estiria.
'To think helping with whatever Leonil's experiment was would return to me like this.'
Valrgna turned his gaze to the side.
Leonil stood by the throne, with Second Prince Lotnil and Third Prince Evers. And the First Princess, Silis, set there as little more than a decoration, each sat in their seats.
Beneath the throne, two dukes stood in line, along with high nobles including Marquis Esperanza.
'Here, I must prove that I am fit to be king.'
Only then would the nobles supporting his brothers hesitate.
This was a grand opportunity.
Valrgna intended to make this council the stage of his proof.
Then, voices from outside were heard.
───The Tower Master of DarkWarton, and Archbishop Joseph, make their entrance!
The two awaited figures appeared.
'...!!'
An indescribable presence.
Leonil let out a faint groan, and even the high nobles could not hide their dismay. Though they had done nothing in particular, the entire audience chamber quivered.
'So this is the Archbishop, this is the Transcendent…!'
But he had to endure it.
Biting the inside of his cheek, Valrgna offered words of welcome.
"I am Valrgna Bain di Estiria, First Prince, entrusted with the royal authority in place of His Majesty the King. It is an honor to meet the Tower Master of DarkWarton and the Archbishop."
But the words did not end there.
These were beings long inured to empty courtesies.
He had to move directly to the point.
"First, I offer my deepest apologies to the Church of Luas, which suffered grave damage in this Undead incident. And I also offer my regret for failing to protect the believers. As a sign of that…."
Valrgna gestured with his hand.
Six bloodstained pouches were laid upon the floor.
The heads of nobles who had abandoned their duties and fled during the Undead crisis, severed early lest responsibility climb too high.
"Here, we have executed the nobles who ignored the crisis and thought only of their own safety. May this humble offering serve, in some small way, to comfort the victims."
It was almost perfect.
He had restrained his arrogant tone as much as possible, and as king of a realm he had sufficiently shown them respect. As a beginning for the council, it could not be improved upon.
Valrgna smiled.
The nobles in his faction lifted the corners of their mouths as well. Smiles were a common tactic in society to shift atmosphere toward the positive.
"..."
Archbishop Joseph gazed blankly at Valrgna.
The smile that had graced his lips for the Tower Master had long since vanished. With an expression that seemed drained of all feeling, he spoke in a low voice.
"Prince Valrgna."
"Yes, please speak, Archbishop Joseph."
"Do you find yourself able to smile right now?"