Chapter 425 - A Visit to the Beltoria Central Church
Upon Moore's summons, I found myself back at our usual underground bar.
We had just met not long ago, so there was nothing special to talk about, and we certainly weren't the kind to chat casually. I took my seat, raised my glass, and braced for business talk, but to my surprise, he began with a note of thanks.
It was on behalf of the Berliza Intelligence Department and the Royal Palace.
Our performance in eliminating the Gulgandi elite forces and subsequently rescuing the Royal Palace from a critical situation had earned us significant recognition. Of course, it was only right, and I had even feared an underestimation of our efforts.
Still, with the country and the intelligence department likely still swamped, it felt rather formal for them to take the time to convey their gratitude. It even made me suspicious. I'm not some naive kid who can take such sincerity at face value.
If this summons had been about work, I was planning to turn it down this time. I was feeling unwell from the curse, and everyone else was busy preparing to reopen the Academy or wind down. The idea of taking on a new job right away wasn't appealing.
Moore had initially mentioned that he had no plans to assign us any work. For him to reverse that decision so soon would suggest a lack of respect for the Kikyo Society.
But Moore's next words weren't about work. Instead, they were about the curse that had been placed on me.
"The elimination of enemies and the acquisition of significant magical artifacts are accomplishments of great merit. Your rescue of the Royal Palace is a monumental feat. Your efforts have brought honor to the intelligence department, and we cannot ignore the rewards owed. Beyond the promised compensation, we will provide the removal of the curse as an additional reward. While the Royal Palace cannot publicly acknowledge it, we recognize the necessity of this gesture. That is the essence of what I am saying."
The intelligence department and the Royal Palace both wanted to thank us?
Governmental organizations are typically stingy. The sheer thought of them offering a reward without us asking for it was unsettling. I couldn't swallow the story whole; there had to be a catch.
"You're emphasizing that it's the Royal Palace, not the Royal Family, right?"
"The Royal Family would hardly concern themselves with you. When I say Royal Palace, I mean... well, I don't need to hide it from you. Specifically, it's the Alba Knights. They have considerable influence within the palace."
"Alba Knights? Never heard of them."
"They are a specialized knight order tasked with guarding the palace. The name comes from the flower Snow Alba, by the way."
Another elegant name. Snow Alba is a type of white rose, a rather luxurious flower that, if I remember correctly, is planted abundantly around the Beleriza palace. The Alba Knights took their name from this.
"As a result of this incident, they failed in their duty to protect the palace. In simpler terms, they want a share of the credit. While the intelligence department has secured a certain level of compensation, you deserve your share, don't you?"
I see. We're being framed as having responded not just to the intelligence department but also to the Alba Knights. They want us to accept this, and in return, they'll provide a reward.
It sounds surprisingly straightforward, but I can see where Moore is coming from. Given the trust we've built, I can accept this. It's not like I'm going to leak the story, and it's not that much hassle to hear it beforehand.
"If there's something in it for me, I don't care about how the credit is split. Do as you please."
The Kikyo Society might be troublesome as an enemy, but we're open to negotiations, regardless of the details. Offering practical benefits to keep us quiet is a sound strategy.
The curse is my biggest concern. If they can resolve it, I have no complaints. In fact, I would be extremely grateful. For the Kikyo Society, a reduction in our leader's combat capabilities is a significant issue. Resolving it sooner rather than later is ideal.
"I expected you to say that. This will allow them to breathe a little easier. As you might have guessed, the Royal Palace will now engage in internal conflicts regarding the recent crisis. The extent of the situation makes it impossible to attribute the success solely to external forces. There will be internal debates, and the intelligence department will have its own challenges."
"Pursuing infiltrators and traitors, I assume."
Everyone has their own agenda, whether it's profit, belief, or justice. There are even those with twisted motives. As organizations grow, they attract their fair share of incompetence.
At a national level, the number of potential traitors could be staggering. The systematic purge of these individuals will soon begin.
The cleanup that follows a crisis is a daunting task, one that makes you cringe just thinking about it.
"Yes. Even on a smaller scale, as the leader of an organization, you understand the complexities. The quality of internal issues is often worse than external threats."
True, but that's a matter for them. I have no interest in getting involved, and Moore is merely venting his frustrations.
"Forget that. What about the curse removal? What's the plan? It's not something that can be easily undone."
"Currently, several Exorcist Priests from the Holy City are visiting our country due to the undead-related issues. They are specialists not just in undead matters but also in curses and other specialized magic. With your permission, we can request their assistance. The arrangements are already in place."
Well, that's a relief. No need to travel to the Holy City, and if the arrangements are already made, it's a straightforward process. The real concern is whether Badoo Lot and the church are connected. However, if they're treating the request from the Royal Palace seriously, I expect them to behave professionally. It's safer than dealing with them personally.
"I see. But this curse isn't something a novice Exorcist Priest can handle. It will be a good test of their abilities, don't you think?"
They probably see me as a convenient guinea pig.
"I understand your skepticism, but don't take it too negatively. This isn't a losing proposition for you. The Exorcist Priests we have are highly skilled. You can have some hope."
"I suppose. If they can't handle it, I'll ask for an introduction to the Holy City. I appreciate your help, but I can't fully trust them. You understand, right?"
"The curse originates from Badoo Lot. I get it."
"Yes. It's almost certain that Badoo Lot and at least part of the church are connected. I hope these Exorcist Priests are uninvolved, but if they try anything, I can't guarantee the outcome."
"I won't leave you to receive treatment alone. They won't dare with a guard around. Any issues will reflect poorly on the Royal Palace. The intelligence department is keeping a close eye on this, so there's no need to worry."
"Good. Get the ball rolling then."
"I'll spare myself the trouble of being called in repeatedly. I'll make the arrangements now. Wait for me."
Moore showed us his communication device and left the table. He returned a few minutes later.
"If you're available, can you come now? The Exorcist Priests are eager to address the curse as soon as possible."
"That's quite prompt. Are these Exorcist Priests just sitting around?"
"They're likely idle. Guests from the Holy City are closely monitored and can't move freely. They spend most of their time in the church, so they're probably relieved to have some work to do. If they succeed in removing the curse, it will be a favor to the Royal Palace. This is a win-win situation for everyone."
Indeed. Unlike a suspiciously charitable offer, this is a clear exchange of interests. I can trust this.
Prolonging the process would only delay things, and I want to address this as soon as possible.
"Alright. Lead the way."
"I have other commitments. I'll inform the Beltoria Central Church. You can proceed there directly."
The sudden change in plans raised some concerns, but Layla's presence as a guard would be sufficient. We decided to go now.
Exiting the underground bar, I explained the situation to Layla. We would head to the Beltoria Central Church and inform the others via communication device.
"Onee-sama, are you sure you'll be alright? I'll come with you, just in case."
"I'll come too. Even if we're acquainted, they're still strangers. Whatever the Beleriza approval, we decide who to trust. Even if we can't enter, our presence outside will send a message. If they try anything funny, we'll show them no mercy."
"Everyone who can move should come. Two or three can stand at the front, and the rest can secure the church's perimeter. That way, we can avoid drawing too much attention."
I'll let them handle it. I can't provoke a fight, but some pressure is necessary.
If the Exorcist Priests have ill intentions, they might try to harm me. Even if I die, they could blame the curse. The Beleriza establishment would likely side with the official guests over us, so any foul play could go unchecked. This could be a prime opportunity for the Kikyo Society's leader to be eliminated. Everyone is aware of this risk.
"Understood, Onee-sama."
"I trust you. I don't expect the worst, but I won't let them get the better of me. With Layla by my side, I can handle most situations. I'll see you later. I'll try to conserve my strength now."
"Rest well. I'll wake you when we arrive at the church."
With a slight sense of tension, I allowed my body to relax in the vehicle's vibrations as Layla drove. I closed my eyes, trying to focus my mind away from the chaotic mana causing my discomfort. Despite the ongoing conversation with Moore and Layla, I arrived at the destination sooner than I expected.
It was still early, past dinner time, and the church was mostly quiet. As I stepped out of the vehicle, I instinctively scanned the area with my mana senses. There were no immediate threats, and a couple of figures approached from a different building, likely our guides.
"It reminds me of Saint Emeralda Girls' Academy."
"It might be around the same age. The architecture and wear and tear are similar."
The Beltoria Central Church, as one might expect, had a vast compound and a grand building. The impressive Romanesque architecture was awe-inspiring, and it was clear why this place was a tourist attraction. The church at night, without any special lighting, had a certain eerie quality, but I imagined it would be more moving during the day.
"Welcome, Kikyo Society. The Exorcist Priests are waiting for you."
"This way, please."
The two guides, smiling warmly, welcomed us. They seemed like genuine, well-meaning individuals, and I decided to trust them for now.
We entered a separate building from the main hall, which was as grand and spacious as a castle. After a short walk through the building, we reached our destination. Following the guide, we entered a room.
"Please wait here for a moment."
The room we entered appeared to be an antechamber, with a grand door leading to the main chamber where the Exorcist Priests awaited.
Layla and I felt as though we were infiltrating enemy territory, and we remained on edge. I continued to scan the area with my mana senses, and we refrained from small talk, assuming we were being monitored.
The waiting could be used as a strategic tool. We were prepared for a long wait, and we maintained a calm demeanor, despite the likely presence of both eavesdroppers and surveillance.
"I apologize for the wait. Please come in."
After over an hour, the inner door finally opened, and a stern-faced old woman appeared, beckoning us to enter.
While I don't enjoy wasting time, I remained composed. The thought of the blessing of the person who could remove the curse made the wait worthwhile. I stood up without complaint and followed Layla into the inner chamber.
Inside, besides the old woman, there were two more individuals: a stern-looking old man and a middle-aged man with a formidable presence. They might all be Exorcist Priests, or one or two could be guards. They were dressed in elaborate robes with black and silver threads, clearly indicating their high status.
I could sense a formidable presence from all three, suggesting that they were indeed highly skilled.
"Please take a seat. We are the Exorcist Priests sent by the church. We are familiar with your story. Let's get to the point."
The old woman radiated a commanding presence. She sat behind a large desk and gestured for Layla and me to take the nearby chairs. The old man and the middle-aged man remained at a distance, observing us but not participating in the conversation.
I ignored their probing gazes and responded.
"No need for introductions. It's a relief to skip that part. But before we start, can I ask a question?"
"Go ahead."
"Why did you accept this task? Even if it would earn you a favor with the Royal Palace, it seems like more than that."
"I could say that doubting the kindness of others is unwise, but to be blunt, we are guests from the Holy City. We can't just freeload forever."
"Freeloading? Ah, with the undead issues, you would be busy. Were you sidelined?"
I had heard that the forces of Beleriza were handling the undead problem, but I hadn't expected the Exorcist Priests from the Holy City to be left out.
However, this old woman was unexpectedly down-to-earth. Her casual attitude was refreshing, and she reminded me a bit of Rosabel-san.
"Just some advice. Is that all?"
"For now, yes. What else would you like to know?"
She answered in a relaxed tone, but the old man and the middle-aged man seemed slightly annoyed. It was likely they didn't want to engage in unnecessary chatter. No need to upset them, and this wasn't the time for extensive questioning. I decided to leave it at that.
"For now, that's all. Can you help with the curse? I'm counting on you."
"I'll start then. I'm aware of the circumstances of the curse, but I need to assess the current state. Please remove your eye patch."
With that understanding, I complied. As soon as I removed the eye patch, the mana disturbance intensified, and I felt a wave of dizziness. I forced myself to maintain my composure, taking deep breaths to steady myself.
The old woman's eyes narrowed intensely, and the old man and the middle-aged man held their breaths, their faces contorted in concern.
"This is quite formidable... The church is filled with the power to purify evil. I thought waiting here might suppress the curse's energy, but..."
By "evil," I assumed she meant the type of magic associated with the curse. The extended wait had a valid reason, and from their reactions, I could tell that this wasn't going to be an easy task, even for specialists.
What exactly does removing a curse entail, anyway? Is it as simple as casting a healing spell?
"Can you do it? I'm counting on you, as the renowned Exorcist Priest."
"...I need to examine your mana state. I will touch your eye."
She didn't engage in banter and kept a serious expression as she placed her hand on my left eye, beginning her assessment.
I suppressed the nausea from my poor condition and maintained a calm demeanor, not wanting to show any weakness. I had made a mental commitment to endure whatever came.
"I will also need to touch your body. Bear with it."
The old woman, with her mana-enhanced eyes, seemed to peer into the depths of my being. She then used her mana-infused hands to examine not just my eye but also my body, unbuttoning my coat and probing beneath my clothes.
The removal of the eye patch had worsened my condition, and I was barely holding on. But in that moment, everything else seemed trivial. I remained passive, accepting whatever came.
After a few minutes, the old woman finally withdrew her hands and took a deep breath.
"This is indeed a severe case. We may need to use a last resort... I must warn you, it will be a harsh treatment. Are you prepared for that?"
"Of course. I'll do anything to get rid of the curse."
"You're brave. However, this curse is beyond the capabilities of most, even those of high rank. I had been warned, but this is one of the worst cases I've encountered. To fully remove the curse would require a level of sacrifice that we cannot ask of you."
"...I see. That makes sense."
I had anticipated it wouldn't be easy, but this was more extreme than I thought.
"It's impressive that you've managed to stay sane this long. Even with the protection of a goddess's stone, the mana disturbance would be overwhelming."
"It helps, but it's been getting worse every day... dammit."
It was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain a normal conversation. I just wanted them to get started as soon as possible.
"Hmm. The curse is powerful, but it's not growing on its own. The worsening condition is a result of your own exhaustion."
"...Can we get started? Or do we need to talk more?"
"No, that's enough. You can put your eye patch back on. Lie down on the bed over there. We need to make some preparations."
The old woman signaled to the old man and the middle-aged man, who disappeared through a side door, presumably to another room.
I could only hope this would help. With Layla's assistance, I laid down on the bed as instructed.