Chapter 82 - Episode 25: "I Made the Saint Collapse from Stress"
Gokigenyou. I am Violia Nico Fortesia.
I have just accidentally driven Fawn insane. I've gone and done it now.
But well, since I'm going to execute him by burning anyway, this much can't be helped... Yes. I cannot afford to be depressed. Let us live positively!
The Saint was simply frozen in confusion, bewilderment, and shock. Well, I suppose so. A Saint is nothing more than a symbol. The actual operation of the Cathedral was likely carried out by the high-ranking priests who are now lying dead here. Therefore, it is only natural that the Saint has never thought of or executed anything on her own. Her being frozen now is likely because she was forced to make a 'decision' that she was never supposed to make.
"I, I... such a thing..."
"...I am terribly sorry, Saint-sama. You must be confused as well."
I gently patted the Saint's shoulder and softly led her toward the exit of the room.
"Please rest for now. We and the members of the Elsemarin Guild will help with the rest."
Leaving the raving Fawn to Doran, I decided to take care of the Saint! By improving her impression of me, I want to carry out Fawn's execution by burning as the Saint's own judgment! Since I have the chance! Challenging things if they seem possible is just who I am!
...And so, the Saint was taken to the Elsemarin Guild under the pretense that 'she should not be in the Cathedral in this state.' Since she will soon be facing a series of decisions and heavy work anyway, she must at least rest her body now.
Now then. With the Saint captured, we worked seriously alongside the adventurers of the Elsemarin Guild (who are, naturally, in a cooperative relationship with us), cleaning up the dead clergy and tending to the living ones. ...Ah, but I also occasionally killed the living clergy.
From there, rumors of the tragedy at the Cathedral spread in an instant. A messenger from the Royal Capital is set to arrive, and finally, the Saint's battle will begin.
"Execution by burning?"
"Yes. It is dangerous to keep someone who has performed demon summoning twice in a dungeon forever. Considering the future safety of the people, it would be better to execute him."
In a room at the Guild, I am persuading the Saint. Or rather, I am beguiling her.
"B-but... I cannot decide such a thing."
"What are you saying, Saint-sama! The high-ranking priests have already passed away. Currently, you 'alone' can make decisions regarding the Cathedral!"
A Saint who had only prayed leisurely until now is suddenly pressed to decide on an execution by burning; of course, she is bewildered. But I won't let her escape.
"Therefore, Saint-sama. I believe it must be execution by burning. Beheading with a silver blade is worth considering, but it requires a skilled executioner... so it must be execution by burning after all."
"E-execution by burning... you say...?"
"Yes. Execution by burning."
Execution by burning! Execution by burning! Execution by burning!
...I must make the Saint firmly decide. For that, it is also necessary to lower the threshold for the decision.
"It is alright, Saint-sama. You only need to make the decision. The execution can be assisted by us, the members of the Elsemarin Guild."
"That's right, Saint-sama! We adventurers can be of use to the Cathedral too!"
"We will protect you properly!"
Ah, by the way, since I wanted the Adventurer Guild to protect the Saint, I accidentally let the Cathedral soldiers die. It was an accident. An accident, an accident.
"Everyone will help you. Therefore, Saint-sama. Your decision."
The Saint was flustered... but eventually, she nodded her head!
And so, it is execution by burning. The execution will take place in front of the Cathedral.
"N-now then, from this moment, we shall perform the purification of the great sinner, Fawn Tart Hornbone, who has performed demon summoning twice."
The Saint falteringly made the declaration that a high-ranking priest should have made, and finally, the execution began.
Fawn was brought out wearing only simple, undyed hemp clothes and bound with straw rope, then tied to a wooden cross.
By the way, the people performing this task are cooperative adventurers dressed in priest's robes.
"The great sinner Fawn Tart Hornbone disturbed the order of the Royal Capital with his first demon summoning, taking away the property, peace, and even the lives of many. And with his second demon summoning, he disturbed the order of the Cathedral... and many people, including priests..."
As she read out the charges, the Saint seemed to feel a bit ill. She composed her breathing several times and then began reading again.
"...took the lives of many. To purify these sins, the sinner shall be executed by burning. May his soul be saved by the merciful arms of God."
When the Saint's required words were finished, she bowed and stepped down from the podium in front of the Cathedral. ...The Saint's turn is over for now.
Next to ascend the stage was me, dressed as a Holy Knight of the Cathedral. By the way, the Holy Knight's helmet is full-face. It is the best.
"Now, execute the sentence. Ready!"
At my instruction, the executioners raised their torches. Firewood was prepared at the feet of Fawn, who was tied to the wooden cross, and oil was poured onto it.
I thought Gunpowder would be festive, but as expected, we must follow the Cathedral's traditions and pour oil infused with prayers for God's mercy. Yes.
...Unfortunately, Fawn is not in his right mind now... Yes, because I accidentally put Fawn into the bag with the Blue Slimes...
Blue Slimes do not harm the human body, so I don't think there was any physical pain... but apparently, being trapped in total darkness with countless slimes for a long time took a toll on his mind. Yes.
I personally enjoy slime baths, but it is certainly a sensation that ordinary people aren't quite used to... well, what's done is done.
I regained my composure, burned Fawn's final image into my eyes... and raised my hand.
"Ignite!"
Blue sky, blue sea, the white marble Cathedral. And the roaring red flames. It is perfect. An ideal execution by burning. Ah, when it is this perfect, it is almost a thrill...
...Thus, Fawn was successfully burned. The ashes left behind were placed in a purification jar and then quietly passed into the hands of a distant relative of House Hornbone, but that is none of my concern.
I left the Cathedral with a refreshed feeling. With this, I have finally succeeded in causing the downfall of a second house following House Fruitier. The remaining ones are House Clarino and the Royal Family! Now, I shall immediately work hard toward tomorrow!
With my mood soaring after Fawn was burned, the first thing I did was take care of the Saint.
"Good work, Saint-sama. You were magnificent."
"Y-yes. Thank you, Knight Ayle..."
Ah, I am introducing myself to the Saint by the name 'Ayle Kanone.' If she investigates, she will find out that Ayle Kanone is me, but the current Saint has no subordinates to investigate such things, so there is no problem. Or rather, since the top officials of the Cathedral have all died and the remaining Saint is under the protection of the Guild, there are no more issues.
"...Saint-sama. Regarding your future schedule."
"Yes."
"Next, please sign this document recommending the execution of the head of House Hornbone to the Royal Castle."
"E-execution, you say...?"
The Saint seemed uncomfortable with matters of life and death, just as she was during the execution earlier. Even though she is a Saint, I would think she had at least attended funerals... but well, fine.
It is convenient for now that the Saint is unaccustomed to such things.
"Must we... absolutely recommend execution...?"
"Yes. He is also a person said to have been involved in the first demon summoning. Since we have executed Fawn Tart Hornbone by burning, if we do not work to dispose of those close to him, it will lead to the Cathedral being looked down upon. If that happens, the long-standing authority of the Cathedral will be lost, and it will become difficult to work with the administration for the relief of the weak."
"Uuu..."
The Saint took the document with a trembling hand and read it, then glanced at me. Encouraged by my small voice saying "Do your best!" and the gazes of those around her, she somehow finished the signature.
"I-it is finished!"
After confirming the signed document, I immediately handed it to a Guild member. If a recommendation with the Saint's signature comes out, even the Royal Castle will surely move.
"Thank you, Saint-sama. Now, please sign this document next..."
"W-what is it this time?"
"This is a document entrusting the Royal Castle with the processing of a sinner involved in minor forbidden spells. The sinner illegally modified an ancient magic item, which violates the law. However, since it is only of this degree, there is no need for the Cathedral to be involved, so we shall entrust it to the Royal Castle."
"I understand. If that is the case..."
The Saint signed again.
"Thank you. Now, this one next. This is a document requesting that the processing of a noble lady who used a somewhat heavy forbidden spell be handled by the Cathedral rather than the Royal Castle. Just because she is a noble, using a forbidden spell to manipulate people's hearts should not be forgiven. From the perspective of protecting the weak, such deeds should not be permitted, and this sinner should be given a severe punishment at the Cathedral..."
"S-severe punishment, meaning?"
"The death penalty."
"Hiii..."
The Saint turned pale, but still, encouraged by my "Do your best!" and the surrounding gazes, she signed.
"Thank you. Now, the next one is..."
...I acted as the Saint's secretary for about three days.
And then, there was no longer any need to do so.
Why, you ask? It is a simple matter.
...It seems the work was too stimulating for the Saint-sama, and she ended up collapsing from the mental strain. Ohohohoho.
It seems a new Saint-sama is needed, doesn't it?