kscans

Chapter 694 - Chapter Seven: The Ruined Town ④

Thanks to Erikson-sama, I have learned quite a bit of detail regarding Testament.

However, there is something I absolutely must confirm.

"By the way, what happens to the caster?"

"The caster? You mean the one who chants Testament?"

"Yes. Like, whether one person has to use both Light and Dark, or if they won't escape unscathed after chanting it..."

"There is no specification that it must be one person. However, simultaneous activation by two people is difficult. If there is a large difference in magic control, you cannot release magic of the same magnitude. Fortunately, if it is Light and Dark, the number of pronunciations is similar. I do not think it is impossible, but practice will be necessary."

"I think it will probably be fine."

Actually, it has already been activated before. As long as there is someone to take the lead, it should be fine.

"I see, you have already tried it, haven't you?"

Uh-oh, what should I do? Is it okay to say it?

"I heard from the Priestess, Jeanne. You merged with the Priestess, didn't you?"

Sianya sensed it. I'm grateful for this kind of detailed consideration.

"Merged? What is that? What?"

Since he bit on the topic, I explain about merging.

"What? Such a thing is possible?"

"Yes. It is possible. Would you like to try it?"

I thought we could just actually merge. However, he declined, saying he felt hesitant about merging with a woman.

"Then, would you like to merge with Price-sama or Harris-sama?"

"Hmm. Those fellows would be fine. Then, once my talk with you all is finished, let me merge with them. For I am bound to this land."

"Is there no stone to possess?"

"A stone to possess? What is that?"

Oh, he didn't know.

When I explained this and that, he went "Really!" while crackling and glowing.

"T-Then, if I possess that stone you speak of, can I also see the outside world of the present day?"

"Yes. Once you leave the stone, distance restrictions will apply from that point. But when we moved the stone itself, we were even able to go to the continent."

"What, you can even go to the continent!"

Finally, he began to roar with flames. He is quite excited.

"A stone to possess is fine as long as it is a stone with a connection to that ghost. For example, a gravestone."

"A gravestone, eh. My gravestone is on the opposite bank of the river ahead. Atop the cliff you all mentioned. However, it seems to be half-buried, so it is more of a rock than a gravestone."

"Eh? Then why are you bound here?"

"Because I was executed here, and my body was burned to the bone with magic. The grave was made by Servetus of the Council once the public interest had cooled. It is the site of the first temple. The one standing now is the second generation. The reason my grave was not placed here was because if outsiders knew it existed, this land would be subjected to investigation. It was, so to speak, a blind."

In other words, the story about this being an execution ground for prisoners who lost the war wasn't entirely a lie. And those who remained in the Ruined Town thoroughly refused to let Testament fall into the hands of the Northern Church. That's why no concrete records remained. Only the existence of Theurgy was recorded. As a result of Harris-sama finding that, Sianya and I are here like this. Additionally, it explained the matter of those blueprints. If it was the first generation, the blueprints should be old.

"Then, is there a stone you have grown familiar with while you have been here, Erikson-sama? It doesn't have to be a stone; anything you are familiar with is fine."

"Hmm. A part of this cobblestone... no, would a part of that rock further ahead not do? Every time a hunter approached the pond, I would jump out from the shadow of that rock to scare them. I have grown quite familiar with it."

I think it might work.

Since he said it was right there, he guided us.

Looking at the actual object, it was a rock buried in the ground, and indeed, it was just right for hiding oneself. There are trees nearby too, so a living human could hide there if they felt like it.

"Then, shall I shave off a part of this?"

"Can you do it? I cannot use Curve."

"Then, I shall make a knife with Light."

"What?"

I've surprised him again.

"Jeanne, you are quite capable, aren't you? I knew one user of light magic, but they did not use it in such a clever way."

"Since the black swords of the Demon Race were like solidified Dark, I imitated that."

"Hmm. Impressive."

"Thank you very much."

Since Sianya is a knife user of the Primordia Royal Style, I had her strengthen the Light knife with Holy and Defend, and when I cut into it, I obtained a stone of suitable size.

"Please try touching it with your finger."

"Hmm. Like this, then."

At the same time as he touched it, he went inside as if being sucked in.

"Please come out."

He came out smoothly. It's a success.

"This is amazing! No, you know far more than I do, don't you?"

He started glowing while crackling again.

"No, I was taught by an expert I know."

If I recall, it was Marcelo-san. Come to think of it, Marcelo-san and Angelica-san had a connection to the Ruined Town because of his older brother. I should confirm with Price-sama and briefly explain the current reality of the Ruined Town.

Erikson-sama took some time because he kept going in and out, but he finally settled down. For my part, there's something I want to confirm.

"So, is it correct to say that if I merge with a ghost who can use Dark, simultaneous activation of Light and Dark is possible?"

"Simultaneous activation would be possible, but whether Testament will activate with that is something we will not know until we try."

Well, I suppose that's true. There might not be any cases of merged activation.

"Then, will something happen to the caster who released it?"

"I do not know. For while I was alive, it was never activated."

"Various stories have been passed down, and as the one who will release it, I am a bit anxious."

"I can more than empathize with your feelings, but I am sorry, I do not know. Light cannot be learned even with Memorize, after all."

"Eh? Is that so?"

"Did you not know that? Indeed, it is so. To activate Testament, you must release Light while you are in a living state. Memorize is not a magic that a living person can learn. And ghosts and Revenants cannot release Light. It is similar to Holy, after all."

"I see."

I guess I have no choice but to brace myself.

"However, rest assured. From what I heard from my predecessor, you should not die. However, there may be some change in your soul. I believe I heard that the caster's will takes form and becomes the Fifth Spirit. In other words, some change might occur in your soul and you might become a different personality."

I see. So that's how it is. Even if I become someone else, it would be fine as long as my memories remain.

"Then, shall we actually try merging?"

"Oh, that's it, that's it. I definitely want to try it."

I release Light toward the boat waiting at the pond. Since I'm making it blink at a slow pace, it's not an emergency. Since it's a single blink, it's only Price-sama. By the way, in the case of a double blink, everyone including Harris-sama comes together. This time, since there seemed to be many private matters to discuss, I kept it to just Price-sama.

After waiting a short while, Price-sama arrived.

"Oh, Archbishop Price, you have come, you have come."

"Is something the matter?"

"Actually..."

I explain this and that. Price-sama wasn't surprised even after learning the ghost's true identity. He seemed to have guessed from the clothing. Receiving the introduction again, he bowed his head solemnly.

"Merging, is it? Actually, it is a first for me as well. Will it be alright?"

"Then, shall I try it?"

"Bishop Sianya is a woman, is she not?"

The Grand Archbishop is hesitating.

"Yes. That is why, between women."

Sianya took out the Wetlands Priestess's stone from her bag.

What, she had the Wetlands Priestess's stone. That's perfect.

"My turn? What's the opponent? Demon Race? I'll do it!"

The Wetlands Priestess is the same as ever. It's not a battle this time.

"This person is the Grand Archbishop of the Southern Church from a thousand years ago."

"Eh? There's such a great person? Could it be, Grand Archbishop Erikson?"

She knew. Come to think of it, for the Priestess, he would be the highest-ranking person.

I explain this and that to the Priestess, who is feeling small after giving her greetings.

"Sure. I just have to show the Grand Archbishop, right?"

"Yeah. Please."

"Okay!"

She slipped smoothly into Sianya's body.

"Oh! Bishop Sianya, is nothing wrong?"

"Yes. I feel a slightly chilly sensation, but there is no particular problem. I have merged like this many times before."

"Oh! A face has come out!"

The Priestess's face poked out from Sianya's right shoulder.

"Sianya, lend me your right hand."

"Sure."

"Right hand? What do you mean?"

Sianya's right hand rose high.

"This is the merged Priestess moving my hand."

"Such a thing is possible?"

It's not just this, you know.

"Dark!"

The Priestess vocalized, and black mist came out from the tip of Sianya's right hand.

Next, she released Holy from her left hand toward the sky.

"Oh! This is magic in a merged state! Is Bishop Sianya alright?"

"Yes. I am fine."

"I see. Then, Bishop Jeanne did this as well, did she?"

"Yes. At that time, I chanted Light with one hand, and had the merged Priestess chant Dark with the other hand."

"Then, did a vortex of white and black form?"

"Yes. It did."

"Wonderful! You all have done well to come this far without any clues."

"Then, regarding the simultaneous activation of light and dark magic for the activation of Testament..."

"That, I do not know."

Oh boy.

"However, there is a possibility. Perhaps it will be fine even without merging. That is something we must simply try in practice."

I see. But we've come one step closer.

After that, we did a merging experiment with Erikson-sama and Price-sama.

Because it feels chilly, the living person, if not used to it, will move their body slightly even if they know it's coming. The ghost, for their part, might slip through due to excess momentum or have their limbs and head misaligned if they can't merge well.

"It is difficult."

"It is somewhat embarrassing, isn't it?"

"What are you saying, grown men?"

"Erikson-sama, I can tell that you are the one feeling bashful."

"One should keep such things to oneself."

"My apologies."

Somehow, they have expressions like children playing.

I thought Fiona was able to do it perfectly on the first try, but it seems it's actually difficult.

"If there is a relationship of trust with each other, you will acclimate quickly. Therefore, it should be difficult if it is the first time. In the beginning, I think it is fine even if it is slightly misaligned."

The Priestess gives advice, but the two are absorbed in trying to merge successfully. Harrison-san and Harold-sama didn't mind even if it was slightly misaligned, and they waited patiently for it to fit perfectly eventually. I don't understand why these two are so particular about it.

"As a priest, one must challenge oneself without giving up, even if it is the first time."

"Umu. Archbishop Price, well said. It is exactly as you say. Well, just watch, we shall surely be able to do it well."

"Let us do our best."

"Umu."

Isn't it just that they're sore losers rather than it being because they're priests?

While saying this and that, they were able to merge successfully. And they were also able to entrust one hand to the other.

"How is it? We did it, didn't we?"

"Umu. This is what effort is."

"Splendid. Thank you for your hard work."

Sianya is so considerate. She's different from me and the Priestess, who were about to let out a sigh.

Since the two were satisfied, I had them return to normal and we toasted once more.

"Erikson-sama, how about it? Although you are under our management for certain reasons, the church itself remains. Since we have been able to prepare the stone, shall we continue at the Southern Church?"

"Hmm. I have already spoken regarding Testament. It would be fine to go."

"Then, let us head there."

This time, we decided to guide him to the church.

That said, he's the former head of the church. I thought there would be no need for guidance or anything...

Although some old parts had been renovated, it apparently remained almost exactly as it was, and he began to cry, overcome with emotion. In particular, looking at the stone walls of the foundation which looked truly old, he spoke words of gratitude, saying it showed that those who attacked, whether in the conquest war a thousand years ago or in the requisition after the previous war, did not lay a hand on the church.

"I can empathize with your feelings."

"Forgive me. Though we fought, we were still fellow priests. Even if there are faults in people, they have nothing to do with the shrine where we worship the Goddess. I am happy just knowing that that much was understood."

After that, he was delighted to find that the stone statue of the Goddess was the same as in the past, and the mechanism of the window behind it was also the same, knowing that each and every thing was unchanged.

Finally, we entered the Church Head's office, that is, the former Grand Archbishop's office... perhaps reflecting the era, it's smaller than the office of a modern rural Great Church Head... and he gazed at the room with deep emotion.

"The interior has changed, but there is no flashiness. I can see the mindset as a priest."

It is simple. The Nakanohara Great Church and the Sertoria Royal Capital Great Church look quite flashy. The colors used are different. While this one is based on dark brown and light brown, the current church basically uses red carpets with gold borders.

"It seems the heart of Servetus, who called himself the Council Chairman, also did not change for a thousand years."

Here, the expressions of Price-sama and Harris-sama became somewhat tense.

"Erikson-sama, did you know Servetus?"

Harris-sama asked. After all, the person himself is in Sertoria.

"I know him. I gave him various oral traditions. Normally they would be oral traditions for the Church Head, but he could not call himself that. After this church was attacked by the North and I was killed, he should have been the Council Chairman, the so-called acting Church Head of the second generation. Since he had already become a Revenant by then, he was the Council Chairman ever since his appointment."

Here, Price-sama and Harris-sama exchanged glances.

"I am sorry, but could the Church Head and Bishop Sianya please step out?"

The two were momentarily stunned by Price-sama's words, but they immediately followed and went outside.

"What is it? Archbishop Price."

"Erikson-sama, there is something I wish to speak with you about privately."

"Hmm. Then, shall we make a Vow of Silence?"

"If you promise not to disclose what I am about to tell you, then it is fine."

"Understood. I shall not disclose it."

"Thank you for your understanding."

What Price-sama spoke of was that Servetus was alive... since he's a Revenant, saying he hasn't perished is more accurate. He explained that he is currently living as a prisoner in Sertoria, and that recently he has discarded his so-called ambitions and is being treated as a sort of guest. Publicly, Servetus is supposed to have been destroyed. Only a handful of people know the current situation.

"Hmm. I had heard of his ambitions. Since he lost the war, I thought he would have been destroyed, but he had become a prisoner, had he?"

"Yes. If you wish, I can arrange for a meeting."

"Is that alright?"

Price-sama, having been asked, looks at Harris-sama.

"If it comes out in public, it will become an extremely difficult situation. On the condition that you understand that, and if it is in secret, I will inquire with the country that is managing him."

"Hmm. I see. Then let me meet him once. Can I ask you to make the arrangements?"

"Understood. Even if things go well, because the other party is a prisoner, Erikson-sama will have to leave this land, but how do you feel about that point? Of course, since it is temporary, we will certainly send you back."

"Oh! Movement using the stone, eh?"

"Precisely."

"Interesting. Then I ask for your guidance."

"I understand. There are procedures, so please wait for a few days."

Erikson-sama, who was looking amused at the unexpected travel talk, suddenly looked at me.

"Since you are here, did Bishop Jeanne meet Servetus?"

"No. I heard privately that he became a prisoner, but I have never met him."

"Hmm. What do you think, Price? Why not let Jeanne meet him as well?"

"I understand. I will try inquiring with the country that is managing him."

Eh?

The next day, as a result of Harris-sama inquiring through the magic circle for sending letters, for some reason I ended up going to meet him together on a later day.