Part Three, Section Two: “To the Kingdom of Dalbhat”
Chapter Ninety-one
It was the second day since we arrived in the kingdom of Dalbhat. I was doing my daily mental concentration in the garden of the splendid mansion that had been prepared for us.
"Morning, Miss Philia. You’re still an early riser. Are you doing mental concentration?”
"Good morning, Your Highness Oswald. Yes, I can’t calm down if I don’t do it every day. It’s like washing my face.”
I enveloped myself in a Robe of Light and offered prayers to the heavens, this way I could replenish the magic power within my body. Once accustomed to this, you could swiftly draw in the magic power of nature when needed.
"If I had my spear I could train with you, but I can’t go around carrying a dangerous weapon.”
"This matter should be resolved through discussion anyway.”
"Quite so. It’s always better if things can be settled by talking.”
This time, our opponent was a human, not a demon or devil Asmodeus. If we talk to each other and deepen our mutual understanding, I was sure we could come to an agreement. After all, he was a reasonable person.
"Speaking of which, Ms. Elsa said she would show us around the capital today, right?”
"Yeah, I’m looking forward to it too. We only got to see the dragon dismantling show yesterday.”
"That was quite an experience in itself, though.”
"No doubt about it. Leonardo would be jealous if I told him about it. He’ll probably want to do it himself.”
We were having a casual conversation in the cool early morning breeze. Of course, we were not here for pleasure, nor was sightseeing our purpose. But there was still time before the Pope’s funeral, it was a good opportunity to tour the capital of Dalbhat, as Prince Oswald suggested.
"It’s been a while, Ms. Philia, Your Highness Oswald.”
After I completed the morning mental concentration training and finished my breakfast, a visitor arrived at the estate. It was Klaus, Elsa’s junior. He escorted Grace and her sisters when the mysterious disappearances happened.
"Sorry, but Senior Elsa got called into work, so would it be alright if I took her place in showing you around the capital?”
Ms. Elsa can’t come? Exorcist work means it’s devil-related, I assume. She’s a professional in that field, so perhaps an amateur like me shouldn’t get involved.
However, if there was indeed a powerful devil like Asmodeus plotting something, it might be wise to remain vigilant…
"Did something bad happen?”
"Oh no, just that Archbishop Orstra found out Senior Elsa has been dodging organizing documents for a long time. She’ll probably be pulling an all-nighter today through tomorrow.”
““…””
Surely, she didn’t let her work be delayed because of us, right? Prince Oswald also seemed to be wearing a similar awkward expression, as if he was thinking the same thing.
"Senior Elsa always procrastinates when it comes to organizing documents. I’ve been asked to help countless times. Ah, please don’t worry, senior isn’t the type to let work slide just because she’s concerned about you, Ms. Philia.”
"Is that so? Ms. Elsa has treated us very well.”
"That’s unusual. It’s the first time I’ve seen her being kind to someone.”
It didn’t seem she couldn’t come because of some devil causing trouble, so I felt relieved. And seeing Klaus found it odd that Elsa was being nice to someone, I realized she had many sides to her.
"Anyway, leave today’s tour of the capital to me. I’ll take you to all the popular spots.”
"Alright, please do.”
"We’ll be in your care.”
After patting himself on the chest, Klaus began the tour of the capital.
We boarded a carriage prepared for us and headed towards our first destination.
"Well then, first off, it has to be the Fiana Isefel Memorial Park. This place is a must-visit. There’s a large fountain, and there’s a legend that if a couple throws a coin backward over their shoulders into it, they’ll be happy together forever.”
"Oh? There’s a legend like that? Miss Philia, shall we try it?”
"That sounds fun. I definitely want to see the park associated with Lady Fiana.”
The fountain ritual Klaus described had been passed down in Dalbhat for centuries, and the memorial park had always been a popular spot for lovers.
Hearing that Fiana was seen as a saint of love here, I realized I still have much to learn.
"But be warned, there’s a rumor that if a couple throws coins more than 3 times, they’ll be cursed. And the more times they throw, the worse the curse.”
"A curse? That’s scary.”
"The prevalent theory is that Lady Fiana was enraged by an unscrupulous man who kept coming to the fountain with different women to do the same thing, so the rumor of her curse arose. But that shouldn’t relate to you two.”
I see. So Lady Fiana won’t tolerate cheating.
But for a man to be rumored to have visited the fountain so often with different women that it spawned a centuries-old cursed tale, it was quite a grand infidelity story.
"Between us, that unscrupulous man seems to have been Mr. Mammon.”
"Oh, so that’s what happened.”
"Mr. Mammon has lived a long time.”
I had heard he was already active 400 years ago at the exorcists’ side alongside Elsa’s ancestors when Fiana battled devils like Asmodeus as a saint. That was why, being alive for so long, he realized that Fiana and I had the same soul. I never imagined that Dalbhat could have such ominous curse stories.
"We’ve arrived. This is the Fiana Isefel Memorial Park.”
"Whoa, incredible. Even the palace gardens aren’t this well-tended.”
"Yes, it’s very beautiful… Your Highness Oswald, please look over there. Could that be Lady Fiana’s statue and memorial hall?”
Descending from the carriage with Klaus, we stepped into the memorial park where Fiana was enshrined.
Just as he described, at the center of the park stood a large fountain, with many people leisurely relaxing nearby. However, the highlight was the memorial hall, which preserved the mansion where Fiana spent her later years exactly as it was. Seeing the beautifully constructed building, almost resembling a palace, stirred something deep within me.
Perhaps the memories of that time were coming back from Fiana’s soul within me, filling me with nostalgia.
"So she’s the ‘First’ Great Saint, Fiana Isefel. Was she given the ‘First’ when Miss Philia became Great Saint?”
"Yes, until then she was just ‘The Great Saint’. It was believed no one else could hold that title again.”
As we reached the statue, Klaus responded to Prince Oswald’s question.
I was the second person, after Fiana, to be awarded the title of Great Saint. That was why I was in awe regarding the bestowal of such a title.
I already felt Great Saint was too much for me, and now Pope too? I never imagined that a title could be so heavy.
"Come to think of it, when the Pope announced Ms. Philia would be given the title of Great Saint, Archbishop Henry happened to be nearby. He had a terribly dark expression when he heard that. I remember it clearly.”
"Truly? Does that mean Archbishop Henry was unhappy about Miss Philia becoming Great Saint?”
"Oh no, not at all. he praises Ms. Philia’s accomplishments. It’s the same for my superior, Archbishop Orstra, and the famously nagging Archbishop Lucia. That’s why I don’t understand why Archbishop Henry made a face like that.”
It seemed Archbishop Henry did have some thoughts regarding me after all. Assessing his true feelings might indeed be the key to resolving this matter, so Klaus’s insights were valuable.
"I heard from Senior Elsa that you suspect Archbishop Henry rewrote the will. That reminded me of his expression back then.”
"Hmm. Miss Philia, do you understand the meaning of Archbishop Henry’s expression?”
"Yes, that’s because I’m Parnacota’s sa—”
When I started to say that, I abruptly closed my mouth.
What I was about to say about Archbishop Henry’s feelings was a very sad story. I hesitated, wondering if it was right to talk about it here.
"…”
"Your Highness Oswald?”
I realized Prince Oswald had silently put his arm around my shoulder.
Looking at his face, he silently shook his head.
"Parnacota’s saint? I vaguely recall Archbishop Henry’s sister was also Parnacota’s saint.”
"It was Miss Elizabeth. My brother’s former fiancée and a saint. She’s also Miss Grace’s cousin.”
"I see. I had no idea that she was the fiancée of Parnacota’s Crow Prince. Archbishop Henry never speaks of family matters.”
Hearing from Prince Oswald that Elizabeth was the late fiancée of his brother, Klaus suddenly had an awkward expression.
Prince Reinhardt loved Elizabeth, and undoubtedly still loves her in his heart even now.
"There’s nothing odd about that. No one wants to discuss sad things.”
"You’re right, that was thoughtless of me… Oh, by the way, how about now?”
““What?””
"The fountain, the fountain! You two have to throw coins. I prepared some. Please turn your backs and lightly toss these copper coins.”
To lighten the inexplicable mood, Klaus took out coins from a bag he’d brought and handed them to us.
That’s right. Since we’ve come all this way, let’s carry some good luck for the future of His Highness Oswald and me.
"Your Highness, would you join me in tossing coins?”
"Of course. I want to summon good luck for my future with you too.”
Hand in hand, Prince Oswald and I headed to the fountain. Doing something like this together made even little things feel special.
Wishing for each other’s happiness, we simultaneously flung the glittering coins into the fountain.
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