— Bishop Arteto’s Perspective —
When we left the Viscount Bargal residence, white light was leaking from the window. Probably, Fon is performing purification with holy power. Among those who were in that room, Fon has the strongest holy power.
「Thank you for your hard work. It seems to have ended safely」
When I turn my gaze to the guard knight Asuta and nod, he shows a relieved expression.
「Did something happen?」
「No, nothing in particular. I just heard sounds like screams or growls continuously, so I became worried」
Ah, Fismili Bargal Lanca’s voice had leaked outside.
「Thank you for your concern. However, since the problematic person was chained, the subjugation was easy」
She struggled a little, but it was not a problem at that level. The guard knights serving me are all elites.
However, the fact that she continued to struggle even after her head was cut off is problematic. Is it because the revival of the Demon King is approaching, and the power of curses is strengthening? As expected, I must search for the Saintess urgently. Let us return to the Royal Capital once and adjust the search range.
「It is fine now」
At an unfamiliar voice, I turn my gaze and see an adventurer calling out to the victimized children through the carriage window.
If I recall correctly, his name was Rudok.
「Were the children’s conditions okay?」
Since Fismili Bargal Lanca’s voice could be heard outside, the children might have been scared.
「They are fine. The adventurer Rudok and Fogas called out to them and calmed them down」
「I see」
A cute girl sticking her face out of the carriage window—her name is Rina. Looking at her, I unintentionally furrow my brow slightly.
「What is wrong? Is there something about those children?」
Asuta, noticing my condition, looks at the two children.
「No, it is nothing」
After shaking my head, I look back at the Viscount Bargal residence.
When I look at that girl named Rina, for some reason, I receive an unsettling impression. It is not a strong feeling, but just a slight one.
At first, I was a bit wary. I thought her soul might have been affected by receiving the curse. However, when I spoke with her directly, I no longer felt the unsettling aura I had sensed initially. So, I was relieved, but… now, I feel it more strongly from her than before.
Curious, I check on her again.
Oh? What is she looking at?
Following her gaze, I look up and see a beautiful sky spread out.
It is a beautiful sky. Come to think of it, I have been so busy lately that I might not have looked up at the sky.
「Bishop Arteto. What is wrong?」
「Asuta. The sky is beautiful」
It is a very clear blue.
「Eh?」
I look at Asuta, who seems confused.
「What is it?」
「No, I was surprised because you said something like a normal person」
At Asuta’s words, I cannot help but smile brightly.
「『A normal person』?」
「Ah. No, it is nothing. I will go check when the purification seems likely to finish」
Asuta rushes into the Viscount Bargal residence as if escaping. Watching him off, I sigh.
「Really, what does he think I am?」
Shiver.
「Eh?」
At a strong power that makes me feel fear, I hurriedly look around. However, there was no particular change.
The only difference from before is that the children have come out of the carriage. But from the children, I just felt… what was it?
「It was a strong power that made my body tremble, but that was…」
I definitely felt that power, but I do not know its identity. It is not holy power. However, it was also different from the power of curses. All I know is that that power is very dangerous.
「Is something wrong?」
At Fon’s voice, my body reacts slightly with a startle.
「Eh?」
Fon, noticing my condition, widens his eyes slightly.
「Please check if anyone is hiding in this area」
「Understood. Should I capture them if I find them?」
「No. You must not lay a hand on them」
If it is the owner of the power I felt, they are too dangerous.
「Please inform me immediately」
「Understood」
When Fon gives instructions to the other guard knights, they start moving immediately. Seeing this, although I should normally feel relieved, for some reason, I feel anxious.
「An unidentified power. Is this also the influence of the Demon King?」
I received an oracle from the Goddess and learned that the revival of the Demon King is near. To fight that Demon King, we need the holy power that only the Saintess can handle. Therefore, we bishops are searching for the Saintess, but she has not been found. According to the Goddess’s oracle, the Saintess should have already been born.
「Bishop Arteto」
One of the guard knights rushes to my side in a panic.
「What is wrong? And what about the transport carriages?」
I had instructed them to borrow them from the Adventurer’s Guild.
「It seems there are two transport carriages at the Adventurer’s Guild. But both were in use and unavailable」
Ah, right. A large number of those doing underground work were caught. I heard they would be judged in a large town because they committed crimes over a wide area. Perhaps both carriages were used to transport them.
「In that case, please go to the Church. The Church always has transport carriages」
Unlike normal crimes, crimes that defile the Goddess or crimes related to curses are judged by the Church. Especially in the case of curses, all are judged at the church in the Royal Capital. Therefore, the church always has carriages prepared to transport criminals to the Royal Capital.
「I looked at the church, but there were none」
「Huh?」
No transport carriages at the church?
「There was a place where the transport carriages were supposed to be. But there was only a large pile of wood, and no transport carriages. I searched around the church as well, but it was no good」
「Sigh」
I let out a big sigh and enter the Viscount Bargal residence. Then, I head toward the captured priest.
「Bishop Arteto」
Fon runs over in a panic.
「Did you find them?」
「No, there was no one. There were no traces of anyone being there either」
「I see」
Then, what was that power I felt earlier?
I am curious, but first, I must find the transport carriages.
Bang.
When I forcefully open the door to the room where the priest is being held, the guard knight who was watching them shows a surprised expression. I bow my head lightly to him and turn my gaze to the priest.
「You, what did you do with the transport carriages?」
At the priest, who flinches looking at me, a sigh unintentionally escapes.
「Do not stay silent and answer me」
When I glare at the priest, he averts his gaze and shakes his head.
「What did you do with the transport carriages?」
When I ask in a stronger tone than before, the priest trembles.
「I used them… for the fireplace」
「「「Huh?」」」
The voices of myself, Fon, and the guard knight who was watching them overlap.
「You, did you use the transport carriages supplied by the Church as firewood?」
Fon, with a disappointed expression, approaches the priest.
「Yes, since I had no money to buy firewood… I just did it」
「You should have been provided with church maintenance fees and living expenses」
「…」
Looking at the priest, who falls silent at Fon’s question, I sigh again.
「What shall we do?」
Hearing a voice from outside the room, I look and see the guard knight who had been searching for the transport carriages.
「That is right. What should we do?」
This is troublesome. We need to take them to the Royal Capital, but there are no transport carriages.
「How about consulting the Adventurer’s Guild or the Church in the neighboring village?」
At Fon’s words, I think for a moment, but I cannot think of any other method.
「That is right. Let us ask the Adventurer’s Guild in the neighboring village. If that does not work, we will borrow from the Church. Can you go immediately?」
I look at the guard knight who is arranging for the transport carriages.
「Understood」
Watching the guard knight hurry away from the front of the room, I return my gaze to the priest.
「Eek」
Perhaps because I had a scary expression, the priest let out a small scream and looked down.
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