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Far away, he flies.

Perhaps it was due to the emotions involved, but Sir Robin soared much higher into the sky than I had imagined. I couldn’t help but think about how far he had gone; it was almost to the point where he might fly over the mansion. For an ordinary person, it would be a matter of life and death, but Sir Robin would be fine. After all, he was a knight.

I turned my head to look at the now-expanded training grounds after Sir Robin’s departure.

Even with one less person, the training grounds still seemed cramped.

Surely, this wasn’t just a trick of my senses. Although it seemed like Robin had completely missed it, there was something invisible here, radiating an aura, begging to be acknowledged; I felt compelled to address whatever was observing me.

“Come to me.”

As my words finished, a space in one corner of the training grounds warped.

What emerged from the distorted hole in space was a woman with crimson eyes and deep black hair. The rarity of her black hair made me wonder if she was from a noble family I had never heard of, but quickly realized that it was merely a superficial characteristic.

I had experienced a similar sensation before.

This presence was more intense and distinctly otherworldly. To call it purely human would certainly be an insult. The pressure of power emanating from her was more destructive than any transcendental beings I had previously encountered.

Yet strangely enough, unlike those I had met before, I felt no revulsion as if her skin would crawl. Was it that I had changed, or was she somehow special? This familiar sensation was undoubtedly something I recognized.

“Congratulations on recognizing me,” she clapped her hands and spoke to me.

[What excellent senses you have. I honestly thought I could get away without being detected by even the gods, but your dragon’s intuition is quite impressive, even if it isn’t fully developed.]

“It’s morning for Altair, after all. In this morning, of all times, to see the apostle of foreign beliefs strolling around Luden—what’s going on?”

[Why shouldn’t I enter when others can?]

In an instant, she transformed from a mysterious woman into a dignified old man. If it was merely her appearance, that would be one thing, but for a moment, my senses completely lost track of her presence. If I hadn’t been on guard, I might have completely missed her existence.

To twist perception and move through space—this really was an ability that seemed more odd than unusual.

I understood why the heretics found it challenging to invade Luden due to the connection between Altair and the foreign beliefs, but the being before me seemed to possess unique qualities compared to others.

“If Orcus knew, he would be lamenting….”

Strange words, to be sure, yet the presence before me maintained an air of courtesy.

This was a being of strength that couldn’t even begin to be compared to the cardinal of the heretics I had faced before. Perhaps they seemed nonchalant because causing a stir would be a nuisance, but it could also be that they felt confident they could easily subdue someone like me.

Am I being underestimated?

Sure, I only had a wooden sword in hand, but it certainly wasn’t my only weapon. Honestly, while winning would be challenging, I was confident I could hold out until Elena arrived.

If I coordinated an attack with Elena at the mansion, it wouldn’t be impossible to win. As I touched the sacred relic resting against my chest, it seemed to smile and spoke to me.

[Ah, calling for her right now might be a bit troublesome.]

With its smile, my senses faltered once more. The relic that had just been in my grasp seemed to vanish entirely. I couldn’t detect it by sight or touch; it was as if its presence had been erased. The relic hadn’t vanished; it was surely still in the same spot. Yet, I couldn’t feel where it was at that moment.

It seemed likely this was due to the power that twisted perception…. Yet, even after mixing up my senses, she showed no intention of harming me.

Whether she acted this way to ease my wariness, I couldn’t say, but she transformed back into a woman and bowed courteously as a maid would to her master.

[You needn’t be too wary. I merely came to have a little chat with you.]

“How can I trust that?”

[You don’t have to. But it’s best to know this: I know who you are.]

You know me? What does that even mean?

Had there been a situation like this just days ago? Is it déjà vu?

Before I could ponder the abrupt revelation, she continued.

[Damian Kraus, a man who was supposed to be devoured and turned into a dragon… Yet, now you serve as a new weight added to adjust the balance of the scales, which have been disrupted by the gods. A link. An existence who crossed into this world like my master. I know you.]

The name I had forgotten rang in my ears.

It was familiar but a roar I couldn’t hear in this place. While some of what was said was incomprehensible, one thing was clear: this being undeniably knew about me, and that was an undeniable truth.

—

In the darkness-filled space, five candles burned atop a table, casting a flickering light. Normally, there should always be seven, no matter what; the missing candles indicated how dire the situation for the church had become.

Thus, the empty seats were sadly to be expected, but in this gathering, there was one seat that should never be vacant—it was missing.

[Where is the Archbishop? Didn’t she summon us?]

Only the Archbishop had the authority to call on the Cardinals, the church’s vital forces. Yet, upon arrival, it seemed she was nowhere to be found. As someone pointed this out doubtfully, a man emerged from behind the Archbishop’s seat.

[I am the one who called you.]

An old man with gray hair. His face was lined with deep wrinkles, but his body retained the build of a knight in his prime. Yet, he was not the one the others were anticipating; confusion flooded the gathering at the appearance of a man who was not the Archbishop, and someone shouted at him in anger.

[Kain! No matter how long you’ve served the church, this is a blatant overstep! No one but the Archbishop has the authority to summon us! By what right did you issue this call?]

The title of Cardinal stood equally, regardless of age or ability. Thus, he was angered that Kain had overstepped and called others without permission. Not only the one accusing but others also shot glares at the old man, displeasure evident in their eyes.

The old man met their fury with an impassive gaze, quietly sitting down and answering in a low voice.

[I’ll accept my reprimand later. First, there’s an important matter to discuss.]

[Is there something more serious than your overreach?]

[The Archbishop has betrayed us.]

The old man’s words sent shockwaves through the crowd.

His statement was beyond belief.

Who was the Archbishop? The founder of the church, a guardian of the doctrine for a thousand years. Most importantly, the only remaining apostle of God in this world.

To say such a being had betrayed the church was inconceivable. The one who had reigned as the owner of the teachings had essentially discarded her own possessions.

[Have you truly lost your mind?]

[Nonsense! Why would the most devoted servant of God betray the church?]

Naturally, several Cardinals rose up in protest to the old man’s claim.

The old man didn’t bother to counter them, patiently waiting for their outcry to subside. Once the uproar settled down, he spoke again.

[Recently, there have been numerous attacks on the church’s branches. Even in the backwaters where the influence of those outside the system diminishes.]

[Are you suggesting the Archbishop has been leaking information to them, Kain?]

[That is not it. The Archbishop has not leaked any information. Do you think a mere underling could topple the church’s branches? She has destroyed them with her own hands.]

[That’s a conspiracy! Where are you pulling such outlandish claims from?]

[Are you saying that I concocted this? Fine. You can think what you like. But consider this: Has it not occurred to you that the Archbishop has been absent from her duties more often lately? Why would she, who ordinarily prayed all day, leave the temple?]

[Perhaps she’s taken up a new hobby? Well, she has been cooped up in the temple for hundreds of years… ]

[Is her new hobby mass slaughtering the believers? Each time she steps outside, a branch disappears! Even if this were an offering to God, it is far beyond acceptable! I am convinced! While she may honor God, she clearly has no interest in this church!]

The atmosphere grew heavy as the old man’s outburst revealed deep feelings of betrayal. The others who once denounced him found themselves momentarily stunned, the weight of his words penetrating their resolve.

As doubts formulated regarding the Archbishop’s integrity, the old man’s claims gained credibility. While they pieced together the puzzle in their minds, the old man took a breath and spoke again.

[Think back to the history of how this church was established. Why are there seven Cardinals, and why did you become one? Wasn’t it for the revival of a fallen dynasty? Perhaps having been trapped under the name of the church for so long, you have forgotten this essence.]

Though he wavered between articulating himself as a descendant of the ancient royal family or merely as a Cardinal, none dared refute the old man’s words.

While they had united under the name of the church, it was merely a means; the restoration of the fallen dynasty was their long-standing wish, and eventually, all present nodded in agreement with the old man’s sentiment.

 

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