Chapter 157 - Chapter 156: The Priest of Sarbengeal
The second month of Water, the second week, Tuesday.
In the morning, Cleiria told Mika that the priest had arrived, so right after school, Mika, Kistil, and Nerisfeene were to finalize their engagement contract.
Normally, when church officials like priests travel to other lands, they rely on the nearest Great Cathedral or church.
However, due to Cleiria's consideration to avoid being noticed by the Great Cathedral in the capital, they are staying at a separate villa of the Leventein family.
It seems Cleiria also arranged for a carriage for the journey to the capital so that no one would notice.
Just how much did it cost to hire this priest?
I intend to pay later, but I was a little afraid to ask...
"A high-ranking priest?"
"Yes, that is correct. Since it is for Mika's engagement contract. I would have really liked to ask the Archbishop... but..."
Inside the carriage heading to Mika's house, I heard the story from Cleiria.
Apparently, the person who came to the capital is a high-ranking priest serving at the Great Cathedral of Sarbengeal.
Or rather, did Cleiria intend to summon the Archbishop all the way to the capital...?
"I thought there would be a long gap, but you arranged for such an amazing person..."
Isn't this normally a job for a low-ranking person?
Even if Mika went to the church and asked for the engagement contract, a high-ranking person probably wouldn't show up.
Even among priests, wouldn't it be normal for a newly appointed rookie to appear?
"I have met him many times. He is a wonderful priest who is very thoughtful. It is strange that he has not become a bishop."
Cleiria said with a smile that he was a very kind person.
When the Leventein family needed a church ceremony, the Archbishop would naturally handle it.
This priest seems to be one who follows and assists the Archbishop.
Before going to Cleiria's house, we picked up Kistil and Nerisfeene at home.
We are supposed to change clothes once we arrive at Cleiria's house.
In the carriage, the two were stiff as boards in front of Cleiria.
Or rather, isn't the reason for the tension not just Cleiria?
"Thank you for taking the trouble to come all the way to the capital despite your busy schedule. We look forward to today."
"On the contrary, it is an honor to be able to officiate the engagement of such an important friend of Lady Cleiria."
The priest was a man who looked to be in his mid-to-late forties.
He smiled kindly at Mika.
He had only just arrived in the capital yesterday, so he must still be tired.
It seems that for this engagement ceremony, the procedure is explained before it is performed.
So, after borrowing a bath and finishing changing into the ceremonial clothes, Mika came to the reception room to listen to the explanation.
When Mika and the others arrived at the villa, preparations for the ceremony were already set up in the reception room.
The "Clio" (six rings), six divine statues, silver cups, and tree branches with leaves were placed on a stand covered with a beautiful cloth in the corner of the room.
It seems Cleiria had said "we will do it today" earlier in the morning.
Well, even if there were other things to do today, we would prioritize this.
And now, we are waiting for Kistil and Nerisfeene to finish their preparations.
Once the two are ready, they will come to the reception room and receive the explanation together.
(...Speaking of which, I have lived in Sarbengeal for two years, but I have never been to the Great Cathedral.)
I have looked up at the Great Cathedral when passing through the Central Plaza, but I have never entered it.
Even in trivial small talk, it gets awkward if asked, so let's bring up another topic.
"Cleiria spoke highly of the priest. It is an honor for us to be able to ask such a person."
Mika smiled amiably.
Let's kill time talking about the priest, not about Mika.
"It is truly an honor to hear Lady Cleiria say such things. I will do my best today."
He said so, smiling brightly.
It was a flawless, clergyman-like smile.
While killing time with such harmless conversation, Kistil and Nerisfeene arrived without much waiting.
The two were wearing pure white togas.
Incidentally, Mika is wearing the same thing.
It seems to be a standard item for engagement ceremonies, bought from a tailor who made formal wear.
A loose-fitting outfit that covers the whole body from head to toe.
There are blue lines and embroidery here and there.
It is tied at the waist, so it is somewhat better, but honestly, it flutters too much and is unsettling.
"You are already here. How is it, Mika? Both of you look wonderful."
Cleiria, who had accompanied Kistil and Nerisfeene, said with a smile.
Cleiria entered the reception room, but it seems the servants, including the nanny and Captain Mustajif, are waiting outside the room.
Is there some sort of custom regarding ceremonies?
The two themselves were blushing and looking down.
Perhaps it was the engagement, but they were likely embarrassed to be forced to wear such theatrical costumes.
(...By the way, even if they say "wonderful" in these costumes, I don't really get it.)
Our sensibilities are different, or rather, the cultures are too different.
Is it like the furisode worn for the betrothal ceremony?
(But I am a man who can read the air. I am different from the previous boys, right?)
I am getting engaged and will bear great responsibility as a man from today.
I am not a child forever.
Well, my inside should be that of a middle-aged man, but my brain tends to get dragged down to that of a child.
However, that ends today.
I will become a fully-fledged man, recognized by both myself and others.
Mostly, the engagement is still a secret from everyone.
"It's a bit embarrassing."
Mika spoke to the two while laughing shyly in that manner.
At Mika's words, Kistil and Nerisfeene blushed even more.
"Mika-kun..."
"Mika-sama."
The two hesitantly raised their faces little by little, fidgeting.
"It suits you. Kistil. Nerisfeene."
When Mika said that, the two looked down again.
They covered their faces with both hands, their ears turning completely red.
(Alright, I said it! I said it! So that's it, right!?)
Mika felt more embarrassed than them, as if fire was coming out of his face.
"...I... ma..."
A faint whisper reached his ears.
Not knowing who said it, Mika, still blushing, looked around nervously.
At that moment, he realized.
The priest was frozen with a look of shock.
"............Saintess, sama..."
"!?!"
The priest walked unsteadily toward Nerisfeene.
Mika instinctively stood in front of Nerisfeene, and Kistil and Cleiria also shielded her.
"...You are, surely, from Sarbengeal...?"
"Yes. I am Kararebas, Saintess-sama."
At Nerisfeene's whisper, the priest knelt and answered.
Nerisfeene had not been told that the priest came from Sarbengeal.
Mika had heard it in the carriage on the way home.
"Nerisfeene. Do you know this priest?"
When Mika asked in confusion, Nerisfeene nodded slightly.
"I visited Sarbengeal a few years ago. He was someone who helped me well at that time, Mika-sama."
Speaking of which, Mika had also watched that parade, or rather, that procession.
He had ridden on Yaroibarov's shoulders and watched from afar the visit of the Saintess of Latajis.
"I heard that he went to purify the mine and died after receiving a curse. That is, what... What exactly happened, Saintess-sama?"
Kararebas had a face of such deep sorrow that it was unimaginable from his usual clergyman-like smile.
Nerisfeene, Kistil, and Cleiria looked at Mika.
Everyone had confused faces asking, "What should we do?"
(...It's troubling to be looked at with such a face.)
Since Cleiria said the priest was trustworthy, he was probably not someone connected to the Latajis church.
Still, telling someone inside the church is high risk.
If Nerisfeene's existence leaks, the church might come to silence them.
"Can Nerisfeene trust this person?"
Mika whispered quietly into Nerisfeene's ear.
Nerisfeene made a thinking expression and whispered quietly into Mika's ear.
"...When I discovered the bishop's corruption in Latajis, the letter I intended to send was to the Archbishop of Sarbengeal. This person is his right-hand man. I also know he is a sincere person."
This person, Kararebas, seems trustworthy as an individual.
Since Cleiria also said he was a trustworthy priest, that part is certain.
However, isn't the situation where a church official knows about the Saintess's survival very bad?
(...And on top of that, the priest we invited knows Nerisfeene. What kind of probability is that...?)
Nerisfeene had lived in an orphanage, a convent, and a Great Cathedral.
Unless it was someone local, not many people should be able to notice that Nerisfeene is the Saintess just by looking at her...
(Since it is known, there are only two options we can take. Absorb them, or eliminate them.)
Mika's heart suddenly went cold.
But, he immediately changed his mind.
(No... there are no options.)
There is no way we can choose elimination.
Then, we must somehow get them on our side.
As Mika stared steadily at Kararebas, the kneeling man began to speak slowly.
"...Your Eminence Wagnare seems to be suspected of having some conspiracy."
Your Eminence Wagnare?
Mika made a face as if to ask "Who is that?", and Cleiria told him that he was the Archbishop of Sarbengeal.
The person Nerisfeene intended to send the letter to.
"Your Eminence seemed to be gathering various information, but I was too terrified... I turned a blind eye and tried not to get involved."
Kararebas covered his face with his hands as if confessing, squeezing out his voice.
Seeing that figure, Mika couldn't help but sigh.
What should be done? It is quite troubling.
What position should Kararebas take?
Mika decided to think about that first.
With Cleiria's proposal to calm down for a moment, everyone sat on the sofa for now.
And all eyes turned to Mika.
Only Kararebas seemed to be glancing at Nerisfeene from time to time.
"Mr. Kararebas met a girl named Nerisfeene today, but she has nothing to do with the Saintess."
"But, but..."
Mika decided to convey the request unilaterally for now.
"The Saintess was murdered. Unforgivable. Good, expose it as much as you want. It seems the Latajis church is full of corruption... But, please do not involve us."
Previously, Mika had thought he wanted Nerisfeene to live in the church again, so he had thought he would have to do something about the Latajis church and the bishop sooner or later.
But, since getting engaged and married means the premise of returning to the church is broken, now he thinks, "Go ahead and do whatever you want on your own."
Kararebas has a pained expression.
Kararebas is probably confused about various things now.
But, he must understand how dangerous a situation Nerisfeene is in because Kararebas knows.
"As Your Eminence Wagnare thinks, Nerisfeene was almost killed. In fact, it would be strange if she were not dead. I actually heard it myself. 'Why are you alive?'"
When Mika said that, Nerisfeene seemed to remember that time and made a painful expression.
I really don't want to say this in front of the person herself...
"After suffering such a fate and barely surviving, you want Nerisfeene to get involved with the church again? Is a former Saintess not allowed to live peacefully?"
"S-such a thing..."
"Mika-kun."
"Mika."
Kistil and Cleiria admonished Mika, whose anger was rising little by little and heating up.
"...I am sorry. I said too much."
Saying that, Mika bowed his head to Kararebas.
Then, a heavy silence fell for a while.
Nerisfeene broke that silence.
"You said Kararebas, right?"
"Yes, yes. Saintess-sama."
Suddenly called by Nerisfeene, Kararebas straightened his posture and answered nervously.
"I have no intention of returning to the church anymore."
"S-such a..."
At Nerisfeene's words, Kararebas made a face as if in despair.
"My faith has changed a little from that time."
"............Changed, you say...?"
Nerisfeene nodded at Kararebas repeating himself.
"There is no faith of mine in the church."
Nerisfeene clearly speaks of severing ties with the church.
"I think I will be with my faith."
Nerisfeene looked at Mika with a smile.
There was not a shred of hesitation on her face.
"The Saintess's, faith...?"
Kararebas looked confused, thinking of something.
But, he soon sighed.
"Unfortunately, I do not understand..."
"That is fine, Kararebas. I am also a lost child."
Saying that, Nerisfeene smiled without worry.
"Get very lost, Kararebas. That is where it begins."
Kararebas looked surprised at Nerisfeene smiling like that.
"......Saintess-sama, you have changed."
He muttered that, exhaling a breath of relief.
"Previously, you could not have smiled at me like that."
Saying that, he smiled bitterly.
Seeing such Kararebas, Nerisfeene also smiled bitterly.
"Yes, that was the case. At that time, I only thought about dogma and faith, so I had no interest in those who could only see one path."
"One path, you say...?"
Kararebas made a face as if he didn't understand.
But, Nerisfeene did not answer that, and turned her gaze to Mika and Kistil.
"I... my faith has become something greater than meeting the two of you. And I learned that faith becomes small if one only looks at that."
Yes, Nerisfeene smiled at Mika.
But, Mika honestly looked troubled.
I cannot understand what Nerisfeene is saying even a little bit.
"Sorry, Nerisfeene. I don't understand at all."
"Mika-sama is fine with that."
Seeing Mika's troubled face, Nerisfeene chuckled...
No, I really don't get it.
Watching such exchanges between Mika and Nerisfeene, Kararebas let out a big sigh.
And, his expression became somewhat refreshed.
"You have truly changed..."
Kararebas straightened his posture and looked straight at Nerisfeene.
"I understand. As he says, today I met a person named Nerisfeene. I know nothing about the Saintess. I will proceed with that understanding."
Saying that, Kararebas made a gesture of prayer.
"I am relieved to see you living days full of joy. ...Are you happier than when you were in the church?"
"Yes, of course."
Nerisfeene nodded firmly, and Kararebas nodded back.
Watching the two, Mika scratched his cheek.
(...Did I really need to say anything?)
Didn't I just make the atmosphere worse?
Realizing such a fact, Mika felt a bit awkward.
■■■■■■
The next day, the second month of Water, the second week, Wednesday.
When I returned from the academy, a letter from Gaeras had arrived.
(They targeted this timing, didn't they?)
It was such a perfect timing that I thought so.
Yesterday, we successfully completed the engagement contract with Kistil and Nerisfeene.
The contract document is not yet ready, but it can be prepared in the shortest time of one day if we try.
Well, it will be a bit of a forced march.
Engagement contract.
It is formed by the consent of the parties themselves, but naturally, that is not all.
Family consent is required.
It seems that normally, they attend the ceremony and sign there on the spot, but sometimes that is difficult.
So, it seems valid even if they sign later.
(Actually, it shouldn't be allowed.)
It shouldn't be allowed, but sometimes they will prepare the parts other than the signature and hand them over, saying it's okay in some cases.
Unfortunately, they didn't tell me under what circumstances it is accepted.
Well, the church seems to use this to earn donations, so they seem to be flexible to some extent.
Nerisfeene is from an orphanage and has no parents, but the nanny at Cleiria's place signed for her.
After the ceremony, while discussing what to do about Nerisfeene while drinking tea, she said casually, "I'll do it. Let me borrow it for a moment."
Kararebas is the priest who officiated the ceremony, so it seems he is not allowed to sign.
He looked a bit regretful.
And, regarding Kistil's signature.
The story is settled with her mother signing.
When I went to tell her mother about the engagement, I consulted her about the signature.
Furthermore, this makes Mika and Kistil's families relatives by marriage.
In other words, they are family.
Well, since we are not officially married yet, it is an expanded interpretation, but to Mika, they are family.
Yes, decided.
So, I moved around doing various things with this timing in mind.
Mika opened Gaeras's letter and immediately put it in the Magic Bag.
Then, he ran out of the house.
"It was faster than I thought, young master."
Entering the tea house designated by Gaeras, Gaeras was at a seat in the back.
It was a very rustic tea house, far from the main street.
"It is ready. Here it is."
"Thank you, Gaeras-san."
When Mika took his seat, he handed over a piece of paper immediately.
Receiving it, Mika put it in the Magic Bag.
When Mika decided to formally sign the engagement contract, he contacted Gaeras through the information broker's window.
Relying on meeting by chance at the guild meant you never knew when you would meet.
It was necessary to meet as quickly and reliably as possible.
And, he had asked him to prepare a certain document.
I thought an information broker could manage somehow, but as expected, he had connections.
"Well, this time the circumstances were such that I cooperated. You thought of such a thing... Did you know?"
"Ah, well, I thought 'there might be one'."
"Really..."
Gaeras said as if exasperated.
"I thought you were bottomless and not an ordinary person, but it is not a good thing to lean too much on our side."
"Yeah, I know. Thank you, Gaeras-san."
Mika honestly bowed his head at Gaeras's warning.
"So, how is your schedule on that side?"
"This week is fine, young master. I have already told the two of them."
"It's really good timing. Did you plant a listening device in my house?"
When Mika said that as a joke, Gaeras made a strange face saying "listening device?"
"About the reward, is the one I mentioned before okay?"
"That is the thing."
It seems there was some mismatch in the conditions previously presented.
"Salomrassa said expenses are included."
"That's bad."
It seems the reward is not insufficient, but rather that they are offering it cheaper.
"Regardless of the trip there, it seems they intend to go sightseeing on the way back."
"Oh, I see. That's what you mean."
Mika couldn't help but laugh.
They must have been trying to be considerate.
I thought they would be occupied for almost a month round trip, so I offered a corresponding reward.
It seems the return trip will be ambiguous as far as the occupation period is concerned.
"I understand. Then, I'll ask for this week."
Saying that, Mika took out a bag containing three gold coins from the Magic Bag.
"I'm entrusting it to you. I want you to deliver it safely without fail."
When Mika made a serious face, Gaeras also put on a professional face.
"Leave it to me. I will absolutely not make a mistake with such a high-value request."
Saying that, Gaeras received the bag from Mika.