Chapter 192 - Chapter 191: Is Doing Nothing the Worst Harassment?
※This time, the story takes place without the protagonist present.
The Leventein family's private residence in the capital city of Istora.
In the reception room, Cleiria sat facing Stellan.
Two guard knights waited behind Cleiria, and several servants were in the room.
It was clear that a certain level of alertness was in place.
Although slightly confused by the sudden visit from her classmate Stellan, Cleiria still silently listened to him.
"......That is the situation. A friend of Charl-kun is to confirm the destination and inform us."
"I see......."
Cleiria listened to Stellan's story and furrowed her brows.
Seeing Cleiria pondering something, Stellan felt a bit surprised.
Honestly, whenever Mika became involved, Cleiria would immediately forget her noble demeanor.
Although the situation was not yet clear, Stellan had considered that Cleiria might suddenly rush out after hearing the story.
"Mustajif."
Cleiria called out to the guard knight waiting behind her and whispered something to him.
The guard knight nodded silently, left the room, summoned another guard knight, and had him follow Cleiria.
And thus, the guard knight named Mustajif went somewhere on his own.
"What shall we do, Lady Cleiria?"
Asked Stellan, Cleiria smiled.
"Not yet, nothing is decided....... But, perhaps I should invite Mika to dinner tonight."
"Dinner......?"
"Yes."
And thus, she made a bright smile.
"It is only natural to send someone to welcome the guest, isn't it?"
"I see. You are quite right."
The plan was that once the destination was known, a carriage from the Leventein family would go to pick him up.
If it was nothing serious, it would be enough to hear a reply of acceptance or refusal directly from Mika himself.
Although detailed matters would be discussed tomorrow, for now, it was sufficient to hear "it is nothing" from his own mouth.
And even if an unfavorable situation arose, it would be difficult for the other party to refuse the Leventein family's offer of a carriage.
No matter how much it was the Church, surely they could not treat the Leventein family's offer so dismissively.
Cleiria elegantly picked up her teacup and took a sip.
"By the way, I have heard that the Segerbaum family is known for producing many mages."
"Yes, that is correct. My father and one of my brothers. There are also uncles and cousins."
"Well, really?"
As they chatted for a short while, the door to the room was knocked on.
A servant who entered whispered something to Cleiria, and Cleiria nodded.
"It seems someone from the Segerbaum family has arrived. As expected, they went into the Church's............ but not the Great Cathedral, it seems they entered a different building."
"A different building?"
The Church possessed vast land in District 5.
There were several buildings facing the South Main Street alone.
"It seems Charl's friend is keeping watch. Shall we send someone to welcome them?"
At Cleiria's words, Stellan nodded.
"They say he hasn't arrived?"
At Cleiria's unexpectedly loud voice, the servant sent to pick up Mika shrank his shoulders in fright.
"Lady Cleiria, this is......."
Since he had told Charl to "leave it to me," Stellan had decided to stay at the Leventein residence to see how things unfolded.
However, the servant sent to pick him up had returned saying he had been turned away.
"Charl's friends must have seen them enter that building, correct?"
"Yes, it seems to be indisputable."
This was becoming a more troublesome situation than expected.
Yes, Stellan held back a sigh.
This was the Leventein residence.
Extreme caution was required.
"What building did Mika enter?"
"It seems to be a building of the Ministry of Miracle Liturgy."
The Ministry of Miracle Liturgy.
An organization dedicated to researching the Divine Magic [God's Miracle] transmitted only by the Church, the miracles of the gods in the scriptures, rituals, and correctly transmitting them to future generations.
What business could such a place have with Mika?
Moreover, to hide the fact of contact.
The smell of trouble suddenly increased.
"......Mika-kun can master any [God's Miracle] immediately. Perhaps they have their sights set on that and have some aim."
Even so, the method was a bit too forceful.
Above all, there was no need to hide it.
Cleiria's face turned serious as she pondered something.
"......First, we must confirm what is happening."
Muttering that, Cleiria looked at Stellan.
"Please leave the rest to us. Thank you for telling us about Mika."
Cleiria stood up and made a smile.
Stellan could clearly see the anxiety in her heart.
"Lady Cleiria. Mika-kun is also a friend to me. Is there anything I can do to help?"
At Stellan's offer, Cleiria's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
But, she quickly made a smile again.
"First, let's gather information. If you don't mind, it would be helpful if the Segerbaum family could also gather information."
"That much is, of course. Also, there is another thing——"
Stellan tried to continue his words, but Cleiria shook her head.
"We do not yet know what is happening. We will consider what comes next after we understand. First, information. We must grasp the situation correctly."
At Cleiria's words, Stellan nodded.
And thus, seeing Stellan off to the entrance, Cleiria headed toward one of the guest rooms.
That guest room was guarded by eight guard knights in front of the room.
"Mustajif. That is too much."
"For now, we just placed those who were free."
Mustajif, who was in front of the room, scratched his cheek.
"And so, Lady Cleiria. What will be the policy going forward?"
"It may continue for a while."
"Then, we will arrange the shifts accordingly."
Cleiria beckoned to Mustajif, who bowed respectfully.
And thus, Mustajif leaned in to listen, and Cleiria conveyed something to him.
Mustajif, who had been listening silently, widened his eyes, furrowed his brows, and then thought with a difficult expression.
"......That is the situation. You may mention my name. Gather information quickly."
"Ha."
Mustajif, ordered by Cleiria, hurriedly went somewhere.
After seeing him off, Cleiria placed her hand on the guest room door.
Click.
When Cleiria entered the guest room, two girls were sitting on the sofa with anxious expressions.
The girls noticed Cleiria, stood up, and bowed their heads.
"Yes, do not be so formal. Kistil-san, Nerisfeene-san."
Cleiria smiled and sat on the opposite sofa.
Encouraged by Cleiria, the two also sat on the sofa.
"I thought it would be better to be safe, so I asked the two of you to come......."
There, Cleiria thought about how to explain things to the two.
Cleiria had heard the story from Stellan and immediately ordered Mustajif to evacuate Kistil and Nerisfeene to the mansion.
If nothing happened, that would be fine.
They could laugh and have dinner together if it turned out to be a premature assumption.
But, a serious situation could occur.
To prepare for such a situation, she first moved to protect the two.
To fulfill her promise to Mika.
"Um...... Lady Cleiria. Did something happen to Mika-kun......?"
Kistil asked Cleiria with an anxious face.
Cleiria looked at such Kistil, and then at Nerisfeene.
"The Church has made contact with Mika."
"The, Church......?"
Hearing Cleiria's words, the color drained from Nerisfeene's face.
If the Church moved and made contact with Mika, the first thing that came to mind was Nerisfeene's case.
It was a case involving the corruption of the bishops in Runesarm, leading to the heinous act of murdering the Saintess.
"M-Mika-sama!? Is Mika-sama safe!?"
At Nerisfeene's agonizing voice, Cleiria lowered her eyes with pain.
"......I do not yet know what is happening myself."
"Such......!?"
At Cleiria's weak words, Nerisfeene lost her speech.
"I do not know if I can say that Mika was taken....... But, it has been witnessed that Mika entered a building related to the Church. Therefore, this is certain."
Saying that, Cleiria took a breath.
"The witnesses were students of the Magic Academy. It seems they are close friends of a common friend from our hometown as well as Mika and me. Mika is famous even at the academy. Several people witnessed it, and those who found it suspicious told their friend, who then contacted me."
Kistil and Nerisfeene listened to Cleiria's story with sad expressions.
Both of them pressed their lips together, and their hands placed on their knees were clenched so tightly they turned white.
"I am having them investigate why the Church has made contact with Mika now. I have also placed guards at the building Mika entered. If there is any movement, news will come here immediately."
Cleiria spoke strongly to encourage Kistil and Nerisfeene.
Not letting them feel even a shred of doubt about whether she was doing a good job.
Hearing Cleiria's story, Kistil and Nerisfeene looked down.
But, soon Kistil stood up.
"Kistil......?"
Nerisfeene murmured, looking up at Kistil who had suddenly stood up.
"What is wrong, Kistil-san?"
Without answering Cleiria's voice, Kistil headed straight for the door.
Click.
And thus, she tried to open the door and leave.
The knights waiting in front of the room were momentarily bewildered, but still, without forgetting their duties, they stood in front of Kistil.
"Is something wrong, young lady?"
One of the knights spoke, but Kistil did not answer and left the room.
"Kistil-san, where are you going?"
"Young lady, I am sorry."
"Let go! Let me go!"
Cleiria, slightly flustered, came out of the room, and Kistil was trying to force her way somewhere, shaking off the knights who tried to hold her back.
"Kistil-san! Calm down!"
"Let go! Don't get in my way!"
Kistil disheveled her hair, but still forcefully pushed aside the knights and tried to go somewhere.
Cleiria had only met her face-to-face twice regarding engagement matters, but she had thought she was a very gentle, soft-spoken girl.
She never thought she had such a fierce side.
"Kistil-san! At least tell us where you are going!"
She asked several times like that, but Kistil did not answer.
Or rather, it did not reach her.
She was so desperate to go somewhere that she surely could not hear.
While Cleiria was wondering what to do, Nerisfeene came out of the room.
And thus, going to Kistil's side, she asked with just one word.
"Are you going to see Mika-sama?"
Did Nerisfeene's voice reach her? Kistil shook her head vigorously.
It seemed she was not planning to rush into the Church immediately.
Hearing that, Cleiria felt a little relieved.
"Then, where are you going?"
"To ask Yaroibarov-san for help! If it is Yaroibarov-san, surely......!"
Hearing Kistil's reply, Cleiria tilted her head at "Yaroibarov?"
Rattle, rattle, rattle...... The sound of wheels and vibration echoed.
Riding in the Leventein family's carriage, Kistil sat still.
The two guard knights sitting opposite watched such Kistil with worried hearts.
Kistil's head felt like it was about to explode with messy emotions.
Persuaded by Nerisfeene, she decided to go to Yaroibarov's inn in the Leventein family's carriage.
If she ran around driven by emotions, she would be told she cannot beat a carriage, and that was true.
But, just sitting quietly in the carriage, various things floated to her mind.
To be honest, even I wonder "on what grounds."
When I couldn't go herb gathering, Mika-kun introduced me and I got a job.
My skills were not something I could call expert, but I still liked cooking.
Being able to make my favorite thing my job.
On the night the job was decided, I was so happy and a little anxious that I couldn't sleep.
Yaroibarov-san looked very scary.
At first, just meeting his face made my legs feel like they would give out.
But, he was very good at cooking, and very kind.
Children smaller than me got attached to Yaroibarov-san, and Yaroibarov-san watched over such children with very gentle eyes.
I thought it was very, very happy.
I realized that by making my favorite thing my job, my skills were improving day by day.
Mika-kun often came to play, and the three of us—Mika-kun, Yaroibarov-san, and I—laughed together.
It was a very, very happy time.
But, the one who broke that happy time was me.......
I never wished for it myself, but I broke it with my own hands.
Mika-kun helped me, Yaroibarov-san learned the situation, and said he was not angry.
Not only that, he even said, "Won't you work again?"
But, I rejected even that.
I was scared.
Even if I got that happy time back, surely I couldn't smile like before.
It should be the same time, but it was slightly, gradually shifting.
That sense of incongruity would surely keep blaming me.
It would thrust it at me.
The reality, without mercy.
Broken things never return.
Not wanting to see the mess I had caused.
Wanting to avert my eyes.
Wanting to forget.
I had rejected it.
Kistil remained silent in the carriage and closed her eyes tightly.
(......Even so!)
It doesn't matter about me.
No matter how much people think "what a self-willed person."
My tiny feelings like mine, I don't care!
(Yaroibarov-san surely will help Mika-kun!)
Kistil held onto a glimmer of hope and desperately suppressed her messy emotions.
■■■■■■
[Capital City Istora, Great Cathedral]
A small conference room on the upper floor inside the Great Cathedral.
Originally, anyone could use the room upon application, but now its use was limited to a select few.
Cardinal.
Only Cardinals belonging to the Pope's faction were allowed to use it, and the room had changed to one not used for meetings.
Should it be called a small parlor?
The conference tables had been removed, and luxurious furniture was lined up, with various alcohols prepared.
Three people were sitting on a sofa in one corner of the room.
"Then, Your Eminence. Thank you for your cooperation."
One was a man who looked like a merchant.
He was very well-dressed and had beautiful manners.
A wooden box brought by the man was placed on the table.
Two hundred gold coins were inside that wooden box.
It was the portion to be kicked back as usual.
"Hmm. I have already arranged to purchase from your guild again next month."
"Thank you very much, always."
One was a haughty man sitting opposite the merchant.
He was one of the most senior Cardinals among the Pope's faction.
And the other was a woman pouring wine for such a Cardinal.
The woman was wearing a priest's robe.
The Cardinal brought a silver cup to his mouth and drank it in one gulp.
After finishing the fruit wine, he offered the cup to the woman.
The woman silently poured wine into the cup.
"By the way, does your guild have any intention of handling ink?"
"......Hah. Ink, you say?"
The merchant's guild mainly handled processed meats and other foods and alcohol.
Within the Church grounds where over ten thousand people lived, large amounts of food and alcohol were consumed daily.
There were monasteries and orphanages, and a seminary with dormitories.
Alcohol was also used in rituals, especially red wine, and diluted versions were commonly drunk daily.
The man took charge of all such items and made a huge profit.
He returned a part of it like this.
"The guilds we have traded with so far were complaining, saying 'we want less kickback,' and being noisy. I decided to cut them off. If your guild has no intention of handling it, do you know any other sensible guild?"
"That is so......."
The man's expression became one of thinking for a moment, but he quickly made a smile.
"When shall we start the first delivery?"
"Let's see....... It would be fine if you could deliver around the middle of next month."
"I understand. I will accept."
Perhaps not expecting the man to accept so smoothly, the Cardinal made a surprised face.
"As expected....... But, is it alright? You haven't handled it before, right?"
But, the man did not break his smile and nodded with an expression full of confidence.
"There is no problem. My ambition is to take over everything handled by the Church."
Hearing the man say that so decisively, the Cardinal laughed aloud.
"Hahaha! How much do you intend to make!? Do you intend to suck up all the Church's money!?"
The Cardinal said happily to the man who made a big show.
The man bowed his head as if embarrassed, then tightened his expression slightly.
"The 'cut' is as usual, correct?"
"Yes, that is fine. Negotiate the quality, quantity, and price with the person in charge by tomorrow. Let's talk."
"Thank you."
At that moment, the door to the small conference room opened, and two Cardinals entered.
Seeing the two, the Cardinal who was conducting the business signaled the man.
The man respectfully bowed his head and quietly stood up.
The Cardinals also indicated with a hand to the woman who had been pouring wine.
And thus, the merchant and the woman headed for the door, yielding the path as they passed the two Cardinals who had entered the room, and bowed their heads.
Then they walked slowly and headed for the door.
"......How is it....... That boy......."
"......Even if you say 'Dispeller', he is ultimately a child......."
"......He is probably trembling. He will be quiet......."
Even as the merchant left the room, he bowed deeply to the Cardinals, then exited.
The woman followed, exiting the room.
Confirming that the merchant and the woman had left, the eyes of the three Cardinals emitted a dangerous, dull light.
"Resistance?"
"It seems he did not."
"If he had struggled, we would have had a reason to fully activate the Church Knights Order."
"Did you read that......?"
"No way, such a brat wouldn't have such wisdom."
"It seems he entered the Confinement Tower as easily as told. Hmph......, that is just a fool, isn't it."
The three Cardinals spilled laughter at the unexpected relief.
"Then, we just need to follow the procedure from now on?"
"Yes. This time, the biggest problem was how to capture that boy."
"Adventurers are the epitome of barbarians. With a title, honestly, even the Church Knights Order thought it was acceptable to lose fifty to sixty men."
"We planned a strategy to gradually corner him, putting so much effort into it, and now it is all wasted."
Yes, the other two laughed at the Cardinals who were angry at their efforts being ruined.
They had even created a list of priests and knights that could be sacrificed as pawns and obtained the Pope's approval, but it was all ruined.
"Well, it is better if it ends easily."
Saying that, the Cardinal who was conducting the business clapped his hands.
Hearing that sound, the woman waiting outside the room entered.
"Then, let's go for a pre-celebration."
"Since we have reached this point, it is practically settled."
"Yes, getting so much kickback from something like this. I can't stop laughing."
And thus, the three clinked their silver cups.
The man who had just conducted business came out from the entrance of the Great Cathedral.
Walking down the main street with a frivolous smile, he entered District 4.
And thus, moving quickly through District 4 as if flowing, he entered a dilapidated building.
By that time, the frivolous smile had disappeared, and he had an expression with no emotion at all.......
[Note]
Until now, stories without the protagonist have been called "Side Stories," but this time, although the protagonist does not appear, it is the "Main Story."
Therefore, I have not added "Side Story" to the title.
There may be similar treatments in the future, but please understand that this is the main story.
Thank you very much for your continued support.