Chapter 692 - Chapter Seven: The Ruined Town ②
After eating dinner, we gathered the entire population. 'Entire' means excluding one person per household to look after the children, so it was under a hundred people. Since Price-sama had come, everyone looked happy when he gave greetings and blessings. And when Sianya was introduced by the church head as being present, the residents were momentarily stunned and then knelt toward Sianya.
"Everyone, please stand up."
Sianya says so, but.
"But, we have heard from Price-sama that the reason the residents of this town were able to achieve their current status was precisely because of the proposal from the Western Church... and by extension, the Liberation King of Primordia. Sianya-sama is the Princess of Primordia and the King's Assistant. No matter how much we thank you, we cannot thank you enough."
The elderly man who stood up and spoke must be the head of the neighborhood association. Everyone is nodding at his words. Some people are even worshiping Sianya. On the residents' side, there must also be the thought of trying to prevent any changes in treatment by conveying their gratitude for the current situation. In a sense, I think it means the current situation is that good, and other regions are not.
"Everything is the guidance of the Goddess. Therefore, please offer your gratitude to the Goddess. Now, let's pray to the Goddess. Please, I ask you to chant together."
She forcibly brought it into a prayer. Once the prayer is over, everyone will settle down and proceed with the agenda. I thought tearful words of gratitude would continue, but she achieved a course correction in an instant. A royal advisor is really amazing.
The reason Price-sama gathered the people living in the Ruined Town was to hear the legends and lore remaining in the town. Everyone seemed relieved at the explanation that it was for gathering information regarding the Demon Lord army subjugation, and their expressions became gentle. Anyway, he said he wanted them to tell him even if it was just hand-me-downs, and as a result, it was found that there's a place where even hunters don't approach.
"Apparently, there used to be an old grave. To be precise, it's said to have been an execution ground for those captured in the war of ancient times, and there were graves of those executed. It's said that especially at night, evil spirits appear, so do not approach."
The graves have already been moved, and apparently, nothing remains now. However, there are apparently traces of destroyed shrines as remnants of the graves. Of course, it must be in the middle of a dense forest now.
"I've heard that story for the first time."
That was the church head. If evil spirits appear, he must take some measures as a priest.
"But no one approaches. Besides, if they are those who died in war, the church shouldn't offer memorial services, right?"
"Yes. That's right."
Price-sama says simply. Evil spirits of the war dead are witnessed at old battlefields. If there's no particular harm, they are left alone. The only one who bothers with them would be the Headmistress.
"We have to go there once."
"Haa, are you going?"
"Yes. If it's Demon Lord-related, we cannot leave it alone. Actually, we are conducting various investigations all over the White Island."
"Yes. It seems the King of Engrio is conquering the cave where the Demon Lord resurrects."
Since the people of the town are free farmers, they also go outside the town. They seemed to have heard various things.
"Do you know roughly where it is?"
When the neighborhood association head looked at one man, it was the hunter who had told us at noon that the cliff is on the riverbank. He must be quite familiar with the land around here.
"Yes. It's the cliff on the riverbank I told you about at noon. Yes, the first cliff like a rock as you go up the river. Wasn't the opposite bank open there?"
"Yes. There was a grassland... and I recall there was also a pond."
"It's beyond that pond. Since it's covered in grass, you can't tell from the river, but there's a place that's a little higher. That's the execution ground site, and it was said not to go beyond the pond."
Finally, the first cliff we found is suspicious. Speaking of places with rumors of evil spirits, there was one in the north. It has now become a sacred place for a lovey-dovey couple. This place is suspicious too.
After thanking the residents and having them go home, Price-sama suggested we go immediately. However, the opponent is an evil spirit. If there's a real evil spirit and not just a smokescreen, we have to exorcise it.
"We are priests. What are we doing fearing evil spirits?"
Well, that's true, but we struggled quite a bit in Morandine.
"We'll know how strong it is if we approach, so let's go near it."
He's as forceful as ever.
"Ah, Jeanne. Please illuminate everyone with Light."
Do you intend to spread it even to priests?
Since the opponent is an evil spirit, while encouraging the bowl user who was terrified, we go up the river. After all, mages are weak against evil spirits. So, a mountain of talismans was prepared for the bowl user. Since they are stuck all over the body, you can't tell if they're wearing clothes or talismans. They look like a bird that grew talismans instead of feathers. On top of that, they are activating a simple barrier inside the bowl. Furthermore, I'm releasing Light from the tip of my staff. In addition, three escort soldiers followed in a small boat. They are all covered in talismans. The small boat is tied to the bowl with a rope and pulled along. Those riding in the bowl are, of course, the bowl user, Price-sama, the church head, Sianya, one priest attached to the church, and me. If we've solidified it this much, we should be able to win unless it's a quite powerful evil spirit... like the one we defeated in Morandine.
When we reached the scene, we had the talisman-wrapped bowl user wait on the riverbank. There are also two escorts and it's inside a simple barrier. We also gave them a magic circle for sending letters, so it should be fine.
Since we floated the small boat on the pond by hanging it from the bowl, one escort soldier is there, so we proceed across the pond while inside the simple barrier. Of course, we detected with Sense Living in advance. Since there was no particular monster-like reaction, we proceed while releasing Light from the tip of the staff. Those who boarded were Price-sama, Sianya, the church head, and three local priests.
"From here on, we shall go alone. We will make this boat an emergency evacuation site. You all, please protect this place."
Price-sama left the local priests inside the simple barrier of the boat. From here on, it's only those who were involved in the investigation of the Secret Books.
When we crossed to the opposite bank and climbed the gentle slope, there was indeed a field.
"Is it here?"
The Engrio Royal Capital Great Archbishop looks around. It's not that wide. About the size of the central square of a village. Since the population was small in the past, even if it was an execution ground for prisoners, not much area would have been necessary.
When I let the Fireflies drift, to my surprise, there was a place that had become stone pavement. A hit.
"It's likely so. Look, there's a ghost in the shadow of that tree."
Price-sama already found it. It was at the back of the field.
"Let's try talking to it for a bit."
It's amazing how he doesn't hesitate at all.
Since Price-sama walks toward the ghost without any hesitation, the others have no choice but to follow. When we follow, a pale blue flame rose from the ghost's body.
"If you approach any further, I will curse you to death!"
It's raising flames with a 'bou-bou' sound. The ghost is wearing clothes that seem to be blood-stained priestly robes. It must have been a high-ranking priest. The embroidery on the sleeves and collar is splendid. The age is around fifty.
At the harsh tone, Price-sama also stopped.
"Begone! This is a cursed land. If you do not wish to be cursed to death, begone this instant!"
A deep voice rang out all around.
However. I too have accumulated experience in battles with real evil spirits and fake evil spirits. I can tell whether it's a true evil spirit or not. This one is a fake. And a bad actor at that. Even mountain bandits are better.
Price-sama and the Engrio Archbishop, who have been through many situations, also seem to have noticed and are composed.
Sianya grabbed my sleeve, but when I turned around and smiled, she let go of the sleeve after widening her eyes for a moment. She must have realized it was fine.
"Are you the gatekeeper of this land? Thank you for your hard work over a long, long, truly long time. It's alright now. We are all priests. Please, rest assured."
"Even if you say you are priests, you must be priests of the Northern Church. Begone quickly! I will truly kill you!"
Ah, it's confirmed. A high-ranking priest killed by the Northern Church.
"As you say, I am one who came from the Northern Church. My name is Price, the Vice-Church Head."
"Begone!"
"I apologize for the fact that a thousand years ago, the Great Northern Church took the lead in attacking and destroying the Southern Church. As you see, although he is not here, I have a letter from the Grand Archbishop as well. I will read it aloud, so please listen."
To my surprise, an apology letter from the Grand Archbishop came out.
Price-sama reads it aloud. In that letter, although there were petitions from various places to stop using the dead as Revenants, there were words of reflection on the foolish move of ultimately resorting to military force and words of apology to the Southern Church.
In the background, there must have also been resentment toward the lord who was considered the most powerful at the time and was in a position to protect the Southern Church. The lords who sided with the Northern Church that attacked apparently committed all sorts of looting when they attacked. At that point, the purpose had already been substituted.
"Although it is difficult to revive the Southern Church itself, could you please understand and cooperate with us?"
"No. I have no choice but to curse people like you to death. Kukuku, I will kill you."
He must have thought he had the upper hand. He's acting composed.
"Then, it cannot be helped. I shall exorcise you. Ghosts are originally beings that should not exist on this island. It is the natural state to return to the Goddess's side. I feel reluctant to destroy someone who is not an evil spirit at all like you, but we must achieve our goal."
He put strength into 'not at all'. Price-sama is also nasty. His daily interactions with Harold-sama must be paying off.
"I, I am an evil spirit!"
There's too much of a stretch. An evil spirit doesn't call itself an evil spirit.
It can't be helped.
I make the light of the Light stronger.
"Gwaa! You! Stop it!"
What do you mean, stop it.
"Um, is it alright for a moment?"
"It's not alright! Stop illuminating!"
Not yet.
"While resorting to military force was naturally bad, that said, isn't it strange as a priest to kill humans a thousand years later?"
"What is strange! Do you know what your ancestors did? Do you know that the foul blood of those who committed those atrocities flows in your body too!"
"I'm sorry, but I don't think it's flowing in me."
"W-What is your basis..."
"I was born on this island, but my ancestors are from the continent. They should have been on the continent a thousand years ago too. Therefore, I haven't inherited the blood of the people who attacked the Southern Church. Besides, Sianya here is the same. Incidentally, she is a priest of the Western Church."
At the unexpected answer, the evil spirit was silent for a while, but he still counterattacked.
"So what if that's the case? You are currently siding with the priests of the Northern Church, are you not!"
Well, that's true.
When I got tongue-tied, Price-sama took over skillfully.
"Now, we are prioritizing coexistence and co-prosperity, which is the Goddess's teaching. Past atrocities won't disappear, but that said, there's no need for those living in the present to fight. We must learn from the past. Currently, we are in the middle of investigating various matters left by the Southern Church. The reason is to together defeat the Demon Lord, who is considered the common enemy of all churches, East, West, North, and South. For that purpose, the churches of the East, West, North, and South... unfortunately, the Eastern Church was destroyed by those who came from the continent... therefore, the remaining three churches must join hands and together face the Demon Lord."
The times are different. To a ghost, what happened a thousand years ago might be a current event, but all the humans living then are dead. Those who succeeded them have an obligation to settle things.
"Wait a moment. You say the Eastern Church was destroyed? And destroyed by those who came from the continent?"
"Yes. Now even the church has no trace left. Not only that, we don't even know where it was."
"Uwahahaha, serves them right. Why not have the Northern Church destroyed by those who came from the continent too?"
While laughing loudly, he's raising flames with a 'gou-gou' sound.
"The Northern Church hasn't been destroyed, but it's being troubled quite a bit by the battle with the Demon Lord."
"Fuhahaha. Naturally. Because you people are nothing but conspiracies."
"Yes, after all, we're half-baked."
Half-baked, huh. Price-sama is also good at leading.
"You should suffer as much as you can."
"We were suffered quite a bit. After all, we suffered for a thousand years."
"Fuhahaha. That's because you don't know your place."
"Yes. So we have learned our place, reflected on the past tyranny, and are trying to learn from the Southern Church's thoughts."
"Hmph, it's too late now."
"Is it too late?"
"Naturally. All those who destroyed us should be destroyed."
"They have already been destroyed. And the Northern Church, which once reached the height of prosperity centered around the ringleader when the Southern Church was destroyed, has driven out his kinsmen from the executive positions after they lost their backing."
"What?"
"The current Northern Church is within the territory of a country called Medioland. That country was preceded by a nation made by a hero who fought and won against a Fire Dragon and gathered the surrounding small lords. It's exactly the northwestern foot of the mountain."
The person who fought the Fire Dragon of the mountain. I heard he was pushed by the surrounding small lords to make a country, but does it turn out like that? However, speaking of the northwestern foot of the mountain, it's Stephens-san's territory...
"Do you know? That there is a blue pond at the northwestern foot of the mountain."
"Yes, I know. It's a sacred place, so to speak."
"The eldest son of the person who ruled there is the one. As you probably know, it's far away from the Northern Church. It takes nearly three days by horse. A person from that house advanced to the northwestern coast region, wiped out the scoundrels who were protecting the Northern Church, and founded the current Medioland. The church executives also lost the backing of the lords of their family homes, and as a result, the personnel were refreshed. They took it over."
"I-Is that true?"
"It's true. Since I am a priest, I do not tell lies."
"Then, the lineages of all the Northern Church priests and lords until then..."
"Yes. Almost extinct. Some lineages of small lords will remain in a small way, but those from small and medium noble backgrounds cannot become church executives. As for me, I am from a well-known noble family within the current country. As I told you earlier, I am from a different lineage than the ringleader who destroyed the Southern Church, and my ancestors are from the foot of the mountain. Of course, they must have sided with the Northern Church during the disturbance a thousand years ago, but that was because they were weak. It couldn't be helped."
"W-What a thing. Had it become like that..."
"Yes. Within the flow of time called a thousand years, many things happened on this island."
Incidentally, Stephens-san's family lineage is said to be connected to the Medioland Royal Family. In other words, he's probably a second or third son from some era. No wonder the Royal Family's trust is thick.
I thought the self-proclaimed evil spirit would rejoice again, but he didn't. Whether it's called the turn of the world, thinking about it again, the history of the White Island is truly strange. It's understandable that only the Finis Royal Family claims to have inherited the legitimate blood of the ancient people.
"Is it called the karma of humans? However, that too should all be the guidance of the Goddess. We have no choice but to live in the present after reflecting based on the past, I suppose."
Price-sama's last words became the clincher. Depending on how you take it, it can be interpreted that by the Goddess's guidance, the Eastern Church was destroyed and then completely demolished, and the Northern Church was taken over by people of another family.
It must have been completely unexpected for the ghost. He agreed to listen to us. I also weakened the light of the Light to just illuminate the humans.