Part Three, Section Three: “Words of the Dead”
Chapter Ninety-six
The day after the Pope’s funeral, Prince Oswald and I went to the Royal Library of Dalbhat. With Elsa’s permission, I delved into books on magic, ranging from ancient manuscripts to modern works.
As expected from the second-largest library on the continent. The number of books on magical studies far surpassed those in the libraries of Parnacota and Girtonia.
“Hmm, since I can’t read ancient languages, I’ll look through modern books to see if there are any relevant descriptions.”
“I’m sorry, I’ve made you help me too, Your Highness.”
“No, it’s fine. I’d rather not just sit around doing nothing. And since Leonardo and your other servants aren’t allowed to enter, it’s only natural that I help.”
Dalbhat’s royal family also seemed reluctant to allow unrestricted access for people from Parnacota to the place where valuable documents were handled. Therefore, only Prince Oswald and I were permitted to enter. So to save time, Prince Oswald was helping me with the research.
“Ms. Philia… Your Highness Oswald… it’s been a while…”
“Ms. Alice!”
“Oh, Miss Alice!”
While struggling with the piles of books, I heard a gentle voice. The owner of the voice was Alice Isefel, the saint and exorcist of Dalbhat.
“I heard from Elsa that you are here, Ms. Philia. I’m sorry, I wish I could have shown you around the capital instead of Klaus, but I’ve been a bit busy…”
“No, no, it’s fine. I heard that as a saint, you were strengthening barriers of the holy site due to His Holiness’ funeral.”
Alice had had set up the strongest barriers in 88 places around the holy site. Even under the influence of the Grand Anti-Evil Magic Circle, there was still a possibility that weakened demons could enter the venue. It was customary to excessively set up barriers at the holy site whenever an event was held there to prevent any malicious existences from entering. Alice seemed to have been quite busy with this task for the past few days.
“Some people were of the opinion that it would be okay due to the presence of the Grand Anti-Evil Magic Circle, but the prevailing view was that rules should not be bent. And I didn’t want to erect half-hearted barriers, especially since you would be participating, Ms. Philia.”
“Oh, you didn’t have to worry about me…”
“N-No, it’s just that I admire you the most, Ms. Philia, so it’s impossible for me not to worry about you. Ehehe…”
With a bashful smile, Alice mentioned how she had been trying her best for my sake. It seemed I made her worry. The high mana density I felt at the holy site yesterday might have been because Alice’s barriers closed off the space. While it was natural for the holy site to have a denser concentration of mana than ordinary places, it was significant enough for Prince Oswald to notice.
“Thank you very much. I also deeply respect you, Ms. Alice. I’m always learning from you.”
“No… I’m the one who…”
For a while, we rejoiced at our reunion since the Saint Summit a while back. While that gathering did result in attracting devils, I think it was a very meaningful exchange for us saints, no, for the peace of the entire continent.
“Miss Alice, thank you for persuading Mister Klaus when I was arguing with him that day. Let me formally thank you again.”
When I was trapped in the Interstice by Asmodeus’ magic power, Klaus stopped Prince Oswald from heading here until the very end. Alice persuaded him to let Prince Oswald go, even saying she would take responsibility. I heard about this from the prince himself and Mia.
“N-No… I was just moved by your strong feelings, Your Highness Oswald… So I was happy to hear that you two got engaged. I’m sure everyone there at the scene wished that those words could have been relayed to Ms. Philia instead of us.”
“Is that so? I don’t really remember what I said back then. Did I, perhaps, say something embarrassing?”
“N-Nothing like that. I thought it was wonderful.”
Mia said it was practically a proposal, but I wonder exactly what he said. Since the prince seemed to have truly forgotten, unfortunately, I would never know.
Seeing Alice react like that made me curious again.
“A-Anyway, congratulations on your engagement, Ms. Philia, Your Highness Oswald.”
“Thank you very much.”
“Well, being able to be together like this is thanks to you, Miss Alice.”
I was so happy many people were congratulating us on our engagement like this.
“However, I heard you were told to go to Parnacota instead of Miss Philia. Is it not awkward for you to meet like this?”
That was right. Instead of me, who came to Dalbhat, the headquarters ordered Alice to go to Parnacota as a saint. I was worried she might have complicated feelings towards me.
“Yes… The Isefel family has indeed protected the kingdom of Dalbhat since Lady Fiana’s time. There’s nothing I love more than this country…!”
Alice’s eyes were filled with strong will, conveying how irreplaceable this country was to her.
For a saint, the country they was protecting was of utmost value. When I headed from Girtonia to Parnacota, it felt like my chest was being torn apart. At that time, in addition to the sadness of being sold off, I had the strong emotion of being unable to accept that I would no longer be the saint who had devoted myself to the prosperity of the kingdom of Girtonia.
It was only natural that Alice’s heart was not at peace.
“Then, Ms. Alice—“
“However, i-it was the Clamu Faith that helped out ancestor, Lady Fiana, you see. S-So, I will abide by the headquarters’ decision. Please don’t worry about it, Ms. Philia. Hehe.”
Seeing Alice’s radiant smile, I came to understand her inner strength. It was because her smile felt genuine, not forced, that I could sense the sincerity in her heart.
“B-But, I heard from Elsa that you suspect His Holiness’ will is fake…? Um, that Archbishop Henry…”
“Yes. More than suspecting, I’m certain of it.”
“You’re certain? If that’s true, it’s not something that should be allowed. Do you have any evidence?”
Alice was surprised but also concerned about the evidence.
That was the natural reaction. Probably also because I used such strong words.
“I should be able to obtain definite evidence. I intend to present conclusive proof.”
“W-What!? For you to state it so clearly, Ms. Philia… T-Then, you really do have evidence, right?”
“Yes. Would you please take a look at this document?”
I showed Alice one of the documents I had gathered with Prince Oswald. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this document contained all the details of my strategy.
Using this method I could definitively prove that Archbishop Henry falsified the will.
“T-This is… about the underworld god Hades? Why this…?”
That was right, we were investigating the underworld god Hades.
Hades was the god who ruled over life and death, a being who transcended reason. The "Divine Spells" said to be used by Hades were all magic related to life and death.
A will is a letter left behind by a deceased. So the one who would have the most definite information on whether it was true or false would be the deceased.
“I intend to ask directly the person who wrote the will, in other words, the late Pope.”
“Y-you can’t mean… Ms. Philia, are you seriously suggesting such a thing?”
It looked like Alice realized what I was trying to do. While I admitted it was a reckless idea, I believed that if anyone knew the truth, it would be the Pope.
“Among the magic said to be used by Hades, there is magic to converse with the souls of the dead. I intend to use that to speak with His Holiness’ soul.”
“Hades’ magic is a Divine Spell! It comes with the risk of death!”
So Alice also knew the dangers of the Divine Spells. Since she was also a saint, it was no surprise she had that knowledge.
“If it allows me to return to Parnacota with His Highness Oswald, I’m prepared to take some risks.”
“Y-Your Highness Oswald! Ms. Philia is trying to do something reckless! Aren’t you going to stop her!? You may not know this but, th-the Divine Spells are magic that has hardly been used by any pope in history due to its danger!”
Alice appealed to Prince Oswald to stop me.
I’m very sorry to make her worry, but my decision has been made.
And I had already discussed the risks with him.
“I couldn’t stop Miss Philia. I suggested it would be better to live in Dalbhat than to risk dying, but it was no use. She insisted on having her way.”
“But, still—!”
“Alice, not being able to see the future of the country His Highness Oswald loves together with him would be more painful to me than death.”
I loved the kingdom of Parnacota. Of course, part of it was the personal attachment I had formed, but more than anything, it was because it was the country Prince Oswald loved.
I enjoyed seeing Prince Oswald’s face when he talked about how to make life easier for the people in the future of the country.
I liked seeing the moment new life sprouted as we plowed the earth together.
It had to be Parnacota because I had decided to live in that country with Prince Oswald no matter what.
“But I don’t want to do anything too reckless either. I intend to research the power of the gods and try to reduce the risks of the training method as much as possible.”
“Did you hear what Miss Philia said? I had no choice but to believe in her. So I decided to research together with her and support her.”
It took time to persuade Prince Oswald. After all, the prince could be just as stubborn as me. Once he decided, he wouldn’t budge, our discussion went late into the night.
“Moreover, hearing your words, Ms. Alice, further motivated me.”
“Eh?”
“I realized how much you love this country, Ms. Alice. So I will do my best to make sure we live in the countries we each love.”
Alice was being dragged into my turmoil and was at risk of being separated from her homeland. I absolutely couldn’t allow that to happen, and I wouldn’t pretend to condone it.
“You two are being too reckless! B-But, I understand your strong feelings, Ms. Philia, Your Highness Oswald. If, um, if it’s alright with you, may I help with the research?”
““We’d be delighted.””
Thus, the three of us researched books in the royal library until nightfall, compiling necessary information into our notebooks.
With Alice’s abundant knowledge of exorcism that I lack, the efficiency of our work greatly increased. I was able to establish a training regimen to acquire divine magic power with minimal risk.
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