Chapter 326 - Chapter Twelve: The Island of Wyverns ②
When I woke up, I saw stone walls.
My hands and feet wouldn't move.
When I hurriedly looked around... first, I was gagged. I was made to sit in a chair. My hands were tied behind my back, and my feet were tied to the legs of the chair.
Um, what kind of dream is this?
I closed my eyes and steadied my breathing. I imagined myself sleeping and tried to wake up. With a heave-ho, I opened my eyes.
That's strange... Usually, I'd wake up with this.
After trying to wake up several times, the door opened, and a middle-aged man dressed as a priest and a young man who looked like an apprentice priest entered. I've never seen their faces before.
What thick-skinned fellows, entering someone's dream without permission. I'll just ignore them. I'll close my eyes and start over.
"It seems she's awake. Priest Jeanne. No, Dragon Killer."
What a pretentious way of speaking. Fine, I'll ignore him. There's no point in being persistently annoying.
Flick!
The moment I opened my eyes, my forehead was flicked with a finger. It was quite painful.
Eh? It hurts?
Which means, it's not a dream?
When I timidly looked up, a priest with a dead-serious face and an apprentice priest were standing there.
"It seems she's awake. Priest Jeanne. No, Dragon Killer."
I finally remembered on the second time.
I was looking at the seals, but suddenly a magic circle appeared at my feet. I only saw it for an instant, but it was likely [Teleport]. An instant after everything went pitch black, there was one man pointing a sword at me. Judging by his clothes, he wasn't a priest or an apprentice priest. And there was one person deactivating the magic circle at his feet. I'm sure he was wearing priestly robes. I don't know if he was a priest or an apprentice. I'm sure I saw a wooden board wall in the man's background. In other words, it was a different place from here.
After that, I was made to sniff smoke... I see, sleeping medicine! This is the north. The concoction is a secret of the Priestesses, but a priest could obtain the finished product. And I fell asleep. I was carried to this stone room where I am now. Since the room wasn't filled with smoke, the effect must be light.
It seems I've been kidnapped.
I hurriedly checked the various stones. I can't move because I'm tied up, but I can tell by sensation.
The ring is there. The bracelet is there. The Black Stone is there. Since a chain is around my neck, the stone I finished like an amulet is also there.
Good. They're safe.
By the way, my wallet was also there. The only thing missing was my bag, but the priest showed it to me.
"Don't worry. We are not thieves. We are noble people who serve God. We will not go against the Goddess's teachings, so you can rest assured."
He must have noticed because I was shuffling around.
I tried moving around with the chair to show my hands tied behind my back, but I was ignored. Two people lifted the chair and put it back in its original position. It's painful that I can't use Dune's ring or Mel's bracelet. Because my hands are restrained behind my back, I can't call out to the ring or bracelet. Because of the gag, I can't even make a sound.
The opponent first stated his name and told me his position.
"Restraining you like that is somewhat rude to a priest, but our lives are also precious. No, to be precise, we cannot die until we fulfill our mission. I want you to understand."
It's extremely rude. First of all, what mission does a kidnapper have, even if he is a priest?
"Now, Priest Jeanne. We are those who worship the wyverns. We worship the Goddess, we worship the God of War, and we are those who live on the island where the wyverns live."
In other words, he's a priest of the island.
"We cannot allow those who harm the wyverns. Do you understand, Dragon Killer?"
It seems I've been completely misunderstood. The purpose of going to see the wyverns is to ask if they know anything about the words of the Black Dragon's mother. It's not to subjugate them. Because I'm called the Dragon Killer, they must have thought I came to subjugate the wyverns. I have to clear up this misunderstanding.
"Now, Priest Jeanne. Do you know of what is called the Dragon's Altar?"
I nodded.
"Hoho. You are quite studious. From now on, we will put you on trial. If we judge that you have insolent thoughts toward the wyverns we worship, you will become an offering to be presented at that altar."
Saying that, he cast [Heal] on my hands and feet, which were scraped because I had moved while restrained.
He's surprisingly gentlemanly. Besides, it's fine as long as I'm not insolent. I didn't come to subjugate them in the first place. If I talk properly, it might be okay.
I had expectations, but they were too naive.
The gag wasn't removed, and the answers to the questions were limited to nodding or shaking my head. Apparently, they can't make [Magic-Sealing Rings] well. Anyway, they don't want me to use magic. Since the only magic I can use is holy magic and the First King series, I can't use magic that harms humans.
"I heard the priest came to see the wyverns, is that true?"
I nodded.
"Did you bring your priestly robes?"
I shook my head.
"The priest is wearing a green and brown mottled linen cloak over her priestly clothes, but did you intend to meet the wyverns in that outfit?"
It's cold at the northern edge, so it can't be helped. I nodded.
"Priest-sama. I heard that when Priest Jeanne hunts monsters, she almost always wears this outfit."
The apprentice said something unnecessary.
"Is that true?"
I can't lie. I nodded.
"Insolent!"
Are you serious?
There's no way I'd bring priestly robes. I don't know about you, but I'm not performing rituals for the dragons, nor do I intend to. It's a difference in faith. What if I trip on a mountain path and they tear? I'm the one who'd get yelled at.
I protested, but the gag got in the way. Even to myself, it only sounded like fugu-fugu.
I showed my protest by jumping up with the chair I was tied to, but I was ignored.
Next came the second question.
"Priest Jeanne. You are wearing quite flashy ornaments. Rings, bracelets, and besides those, the pendant hanging on your clothes. What on earth are you thinking?"
Apparently, they haven't noticed they are spirit stones. That part was a help. It would be terrible if they were taken away. No, the ones I got from Dune and Mel, if someone other than me equips them, a flood and a gale will well up. Maybe I should just... no, I'd die too.
"You know that a priest should originally be poor and pure, right?"
I nodded.
"Do you know that wearing various ornaments is flashy?"
I had no choice but to nod.
"Are those ornaments items you purchased?"
I shook my head vigorously.
"Then are they gifts?"
I nodded.
"Did you not think of donating such expensive things you received from others?"
They aren't things that can be donated. I shook my head.
"Insolent!"
I wonder if this guy would say the same thing if he knew the true identity of the things I'm wearing.
Thus, the nagging interrogation continued. It was more like life guidance than a trial.
I was branded with one failure as a priest after another, from not donating the money I earned from monster hunting, to not belonging to a church, and even not offering regular prayers several times a day, and sometimes eating and drinking expensive food.
To be honest, I was getting bored, but the problem was that the opponent was doing it with dead-seriousness. If he hadn't gotten hooked on wyverns, he probably would have become a quite fine priest.
"Now, finally, the main subject. Depending on your answers to the questions from here on, I must make you an offering to the wyverns as someone who obstructs our mission. Answer carefully."
Hey, middle-aged man. What on earth were the questions until now for?
The tenth-something question began.
"You are a monster hunter, no mistake?"
Yes, that's right.
"I heard you use light magic that subdues monsters?"
Well, yes.
"Do you intend to use it on the wyverns too?"
If I don't, we can't talk.
"Do you intend to kill the wyverns!"
No way. If I exterminate them, I can't hear the story.
At this point, the opponent's attitude changed.
"You! Despite being a priest, you have lied! You apostate!"
What are you talking about! I see, you intend to forcibly make it so that I came to subjugate the wyverns. I shook my head as hard as I could.
"You're going to use light magic on the wyverns! What other use could there be besides killing them!"
W-What is this guy talking about?
"Is [Light] not magic to subdue monsters! It can only be harmful to the wyverns, which are monsters! Surely you don't intend to feign ignorance!"
This guy thinks dragons are monsters... The Water Dragon and the Black Dragon Child were not afraid of light. The Black Dragon Child entered by slipping through the Headmistress's simple barrier without breaking it. Dragons are not monsters. As proof of that, Mel said that dragons have a role as the strongest living things. That means dragons are those who should be in this land, unlike orcs and revenants.
He doesn't know anything...
I've heard that fanatical people are extremely self-disciplined. They must be extreme. And they force the same values on others. They speak with logic, so they aren't wrong. That's why there are parts no one can point out. But everyone is different. Dyeing everything with a single set of values is not coexistence and co-prosperity. The Headmistress, who is called 'Catherine the Corrupt', is also called 'Catherine the Merciful' and is respected by nobles of various countries as a former hero. These guys' ideas would definitely not apply to the Headmistress.
Humans are different from the Goddess. In other words, they make mistakes. Even if they are noble people. In fact, even the Church had a dark history. Like the Water Dragon, fishing together and eating and drinking together. That is exactly what coexistence and co-prosperity is.
"You are one who bears a grudge against the wyverns we worship! Therefore, you will be offered at the Dragon's Altar and purified!"
What 'worshipping the wyverns'!
Even though you know nothing.
If they liked human flesh, they should be attacking human settlements every day. The Water Dragon likes fish, and the wyverns like boars. I've confirmed this with the person themselves. Don't act so high and mighty, you person who is happy to offer a young girl as a sacrifice based only on knowledge from some myth or fairy tale!
I started to get angry. Do as you like. If I'm eaten by a wyvern, I'm sure everyone will take revenge for me.
I calmed down after going full circle. My eyes might be fixed.
When I glanced at the priest, he was flustered for some reason.
"Y-You apostate who knows no fear!"
Hmph! He's scared. Of just one twenty-year-old priestess.
"T-This one's gaze is insolent! Cover her with a leather bag!"
Saying that, when he covered my face with a leather bag, I heard the sound of the door slamming shut. Since the presence of people vanished, they must have left.
An apostate, huh...
Come to think of it, unlike returning to secular life, if you are labeled an apostate and removed from the priest registry, you become unable to use holy magic. I've never met an apostate, so I don't know the truth.
Price-sama said I might even become unable to use the First King series. I wonder what the reality is.
What I found out from the investigation of the mountain is that the First King series is not holy magic. Perhaps I'll become unable to use [Holy] or [Purification], but I might be able to use [Anti-Sepsis] or [Thought Communication]. Of course, a thorough investigation is necessary. Once labeled an apostate, I likely can't be reinstated. However, if I can continue to use them, if only I can use mid-level magic, and if I learn [Undead]... I'll use it only for the purpose of eliminating orphans, targeting those with children before adulthood, under the self-responsibility of those who wish for it. However, I'll make them vow to ascend with [Purification] once the children reach adulthood. I'll seal all mid-level and higher magic with [Magic-Sealing Rings], and the place of living will be the new town in the Northeastern Forest. In other words, it's private. With the method we were doing at the Nakanohara orphanage, facilities to eliminate orphans should be capable of independent management. Everyone in the Class of 175 will surely cooperate. And the children will reach adulthood, find jobs... and face a parting...
Headmistress... I wonder what the Headmistress would do. If I'm labeled an apostate, would the Headmistress be sad? Or would she just say 'do as you like' as usual and laugh for me?
Damn it! Tears came out. If that priest finds out I'm crying at a time like this, he'll definitely think I cried because I was afraid of being eaten by a wyvern. But they won't stop... What should I do? I...
◆◆◆◆◆
The interrogation of the apprentice priest who jumped Jeanne with [Teleport] ended, and it was concluded that this kidnapping incident was a plot by some fanatical priests and apprentice priests who worship the wyverns.
"It would be better to keep this matter strictly confidential for the time being. Please issue a gag order to everyone in the fort. All leave is cancelled. Until we safely retrieve Jeanne, please do not let anyone out of the fort. It would be better to keep quiet to the fort opposite too. Can you prepare a double for Jeanne, anyone will do? Please send out the carriage as scheduled."
When Eleanor told Gwyn and the lord of the island, instructions were immediately issued to the messengers.
The lord of the island said he would find a village girl near the fort and make her the double. Since it's handled as incognito, it hasn't been made known that Henry and Eleanor are coming. If they head straight for the lord's mansion, they can probably deceive them for a few days. They decided to prepare a carriage, call the lord of the island's heir from the mansion, and make him the guard.
"Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama. I think it's better to wait a while before reporting to both the Sertorian and Finis royal palaces, but what shall we do?"
When the pale-faced Gwyn asked, Eleanor nodded.
"Let's settle the matter ourselves within the next few days. It would be better to make it a post-facto report after we safely rescue Jeanne. Besides, even if we ask for reinforcements, there's a high possibility they won't make it in time. It would be better to keep it secret from other countries, let alone both royal families."
It would be a disaster if it leaked outside. Especially if it reached Eowyn's ears, he would surely come with a naval force regardless of whether Jeanne was alive or dead. At worst, a conflict would break out.
"Thank you very much."
Gwyn, who let out a sigh of relief, and the lord of the island, who was prostrate at his feet, pressed his forehead to the ground. If Jeanne died, his responsibility as lord would be unavoidable.
"Gwyn-dono. Can we use the scouts you directly command?"
"If it's about twenty people. They are infiltrating in pairs. Since I've had them carry magic circles for sending letters, I can give instructions to all of them right now."
At Henry's words, Gwyn replied. Even though she's a state guest, it's treated as incognito. There are no escort knights. Instead, Gwyn had his direct scouts lurking all over the island.
"Then, I have a favor. While we are interrogating, Wilhelmina and Bonnie, Jeanne's companions who came with us, came up with something, and I want to try it."
"I have accepted. And what might that be?"
Eleanor, who was signaled by Henry, explained.
"I see. A clever move."
Gwyn's eyes widened.
In the afternoon, notices in the name of the lord of the island were posted all over the island. Timing it for when the residents gathered, an official pointed to the poster and began to explain.
"Listen well, everyone. Jeanne-sama, who has the technique to put ghosts into gems to improve the food situation throughout the north and to treat the karmic disease in many countries of the White Island, will be coming to this village in the coming days. She has already departed from the fort that serves as the checkpoint with the mainland and is heading for the lord's mansion. She will apparently stay for several days. It seems Jeanne-sama can even talk to dragons. In fact, she has established a friendship with the Water Dragon in central Finis, and as a result, it is fishing together with the villagers. You must have heard the rumors too. A trout the size of a monster. Jeanne-sama might be the reincarnation of the Ancient Priestess. She is called the Dragon Killer because she ascended a Dragon Revenant imprisoned by evil magic and returned it to heaven. That Jeanne-sama is coming to the island to establish a friendship with the wyverns, who can be called the guardian gods of this island. Crown Prince Gwyn-sama will also come as a guard. Anyone who acts rudely will be treated as someone who strangles the wyverns and will have their entire clan slaughtered, so keep that in mind."
The residents who heard the story all looked at the person next to them. If what the official said was true, they would witness a miracle.
And, at the same time, one apprentice priest slowly left the place, and the moment he distanced himself from the crowd, he began to run.
"That's him."
"Yeah, I'll follow him."
"I'll leave it to you."
A direct scout of Gwyn's, pretending to be a traveling merchant from the White Island, began to follow the apprentice priest.