Chapter 705 - Sixth Story: The Priestess of a Thousand Years Ago
After the meeting between Erikson-sama and Cerberus ended, we headed straight to Nakanohara and decided to take a break at the farm in the Flatlands. As a result of arriving after dawn and pulling an all-nighter, I ended up sleeping until nearly noon.
"If this was the case, it would have been better to talk among the three of us—Cerberus, Wilson, and me."
I was laughed at by Erikson-sama, who had been left alone. That said, he seemed to be in a good mood since he had been riding in Wilson-san's bowl and sightseeing all over from the sky.
That day, we had a banquet that doubled as dinner starting in the evening.
Before the banquet, at Erikson-sama's request, he had an opportunity to speak with the Marcelo couple.
"I am called Erikson. I am a ghost who died a thousand years ago. In life, I was the Church Head of the Great Southern Church... that is, the church in the current Ruined Town. I heard about your brother from Jeanne. His name was Albert, I believe?"
"...Yes."
Marcelo-san and Angelica-san participate in the banquets almost without fail. Since Erikson-sama, who came from the Ruined Town, would be the guest this time, I had informed both parties in advance. Naturally, Erikson-sama didn't know Albert-san, and I had told the Marcelo couple that as well. However, if he suddenly said in his first greeting that he came from the Great Southern Church, which immediately brings the Ruined Town to mind, the atmosphere might freeze. After consulting with Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama, we made arrangements to prevent that.
"I'm sorry, but I did not know him. I had already become a ghost. However, as the former Southern Church Head, I wish to apologize to you, the bereaved family, for the misconduct of my successors. I am truly sorry."
"Thank you for your consideration."
Both of them bowed their heads.
"Angelica-dono, I heard that due to circumstances, your mother could not come. If there is an opportunity, I would like you to convey my words of apology."
"Yes. When the time is right."
It's not a topic that can be discussed so easily. It would likely require a Vow of Silence. Perhaps the two will never speak of it in their lives, but that is for them to decide.
The two, of course, have no emotional grudge against Erikson-sama. However, the other party is a person associated with the Ruined Town, even if he's the ghost of someone who died a thousand years ago. Moreover, he's the former top leader. They accepted his offer to apologize.
By the way, although the two don't know it, during the meeting with Erikson-sama, we also conducted an inquiry with Cerberus. Erikson-sama was present, and he was quite angry and questioned Cerberus severely. However, the result was that he didn't know. Since it's treated as something that doesn't exist, it doesn't become a story of apology, and even though the counterparts are Marcelo-san and Angelica-san, it can't be done. However, we have a rough idea of who the perpetrators likely were.
"According to what I hear, they were scoundrels who forcibly turned unwilling people into Revenants, and even misused charms for criminal crackdowns or Dolls to destroy the church. Even for a Revenant, it is not the work of a priest. It is deplorable."
"Exactly."
According to Cerberus, those deplorable scoundrels were the masterminds behind the Nakanohara Revenant incident. Cerberus himself knew of the incident. They were apparently radicals who were members of the council at the time and were aiming for the position of the next council chairman. They were eyesores who were all talk despite having no great insight, but he had left them to their own devices, thinking they would eventually show their true colors, and as expected, they failed. Taking advantage of that, he apparently expelled them from the council. After that, they left the Ruined Town and joined up with those conducting illegal activities. Then, they became the masterminds of those who incited a rebellion among heavy criminals who were serving prison sentences in the mines in the northwestern part of the Western Plains. As for what happened to those scoundrels in the end, Cerberus didn't know. And the parties involved on this side didn't know either. However, it seems we successfully destroyed them along with the demon extermination I participated in. According to Cerberus, reports that had been coming up to those connected with the people acting under the surface had ceased. At that time, unless they were destroyed, contact would not cease for a long period. Therefore, it was thought correct to judge that they had been subjugated. Regarding that point, Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama spoke to the Marcelo couple. Although it wasn't completely confirmed, the grudge had been avenged. Since they couldn't say they heard it from Cerberus, the explanation was given with the disclaimer that it was the result of a follow-up investigation. The Marcelo couple, after a brief silence at the abrupt conclusion of the incident, thanked the two. After that, Erikson-sama offered words of prayer for Albert-san, and everyone chanted together.
When the banquet actually started, as expected, Erikson-sama was glowing brightly. It's because the spirits are there.
"What's with that old guy? Glowing and crackling, it's so annoying."
"Has a Grand Archbishop never interacted with spirits?"
"That's why I say humans are far too arrogant."
"Now, now, it's fine, isn't it? Normally, that's how it is, I think."
It seems he's unpopular with the ladies. Keira and Violet are wary because of who he is, and after greetings, they are hiding behind Dune and Mel. As a result, the ladies gathered around me, and Erikson-sama was surrounded by the men.
"Are you the Grand Archbishop?"
"Former, Gnome-sama."
"There's no need to be so stiff. This here is a place of relaxation."
"Ha-ha, I understand. Salamander-sama."
"I'm called Alex. First, a drink."
"A-Ah, thank you! I will have some."
"Humph. For a human who comes here, you are quite formal. It might be due to your profession, but could you not be a bit more relaxed here?"
You're one to talk, considering you didn't laugh at all when we first met.
"Ha-ha, I will be careful."
"Well, let's just drink."
He might get drunk and pass out from Salamander and Alex, but I guess that's fine.
While enjoying the banquet for a while, Gnome beckoned me to come. Over there, as usual, it was nothing but middle-aged men. Centered around Gnome and Salamander, there were Alex and the Elf Prince. Occasionally, Henry-sama or Wilson-san would join in. Sometimes Sir Lewis or the bandits would join too. Until Gnome gets drunk and falls asleep, they mostly talk about difficult things, so I usually don't get involved much.
That said, since I was called, I had no choice but to go over, and I was told they had something they wanted to ask.
"What is it?"
"Well, this Erikson who was introduced this time."
"Yes."
"He's apparently the advisor to the Henry Party."
Erikson-sama bowed his head with a "Ha-ha." It seems he's been completely suppressed by Gnome. He probably got into an argument and was refuted.
"It seems so."
"Humph. I want to take this Erikson to my dwelling, would that be alright?"
He seems to have taken quite a liking to him. For my part, I don't mind, but it would be a problem if they argued for a thousand years.
"The one who will talk with Erikson is not me. It is an old friend of mine."
An old friend in Gnome's dwelling... is it the person making the ceiling glow?
"Not that one. The era is different. Didn't you introduce the ghost of the Wetlands Priestess before?"
"That did happen, didn't it?"
"Yeah. Do you remember the conversation between the Priestess and me at that time?"
Let's see, what was it? I think he was asking the Priestess if she knew a certain person's name?
"That's right. The Priestess's answer at that time was that she knew the name but had only greeted them once, so I didn't take the conversation further."
"I see."
"However, it seems this Erikson knows them well."
When I looked at Erikson-sama, he was nodding.
"Jeanne, in the process of searching for the Secret Books and Black Stones, didn't you hear the story of a certain Priestess?"
"Yes. I heard it at various key points. Could it be that the 'old friend' Gnome is talking about is that person?"
"That's right."
When Gnome signaled with his eyes, Erikson-sama began to speak after a preamble.
"I had that Priestess move the Black Stones, the Secret Books, and also the ancient documents Jeanne saw in the Cave of Secret Books, in preparation for the invasion of the Northern Church."
I see. If you put it that way, it connects.
"As you probably already know, that Priestess was not a user of light magic. And she managed only one Black Stone."
I believe that Black Stone was taken from the ruins near the Engrio Royal Capital, entrusted to the Dragonewts, and finally ended up in Gnome's hands.
"Whether it was by fate or because the Black Stone attracted it, Jeanne has it now."
"Yes."
"Why not try talking to that Priestess once? Since Gnome-sama says he will take us there, I shall introduce you."
The fact that Gnome says he will take us there is a bit concerning, though.
"It's Teleport. We just have to jump from my dwelling."
As I thought.
"Um, is it starting now?"
"That's right."
"I think it's better to tell the others first."
I think it's better to talk to Archbishop Price, Henry-sama, and Eleanor-sama. When things get complicated, I can't talk properly by myself. I also want to tell Dune and Mel that I'll be away for a while. Besides, I have to do the restoration of the Northeastern Forest starting tomorrow morning. It would be good if I could come back early, but if I'm late, Serena and the Black Dragon Child will get grumpy.
"Humph. Then shall we make it tomorrow?"
"Um, tomorrow I have a banquet with the people involved after doing the restoration."
I have to listen to the Black Dragon Child's stories, and I want to talk to the spirits about its growth.
In the end, after calling the other spirits and Henry-sama's group to consult, it ended up being the day after next... that is, the morning of the day we return to Engrio, the day after the restoration of the Northeastern Forest. And those participating would be Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, Archbishop Price, and Wilson-san, who is the ultra-high-speed transport personnel for the return trip.
Two days later, when we went to Gnome's cave as planned, we were teleported after brief greetings.
The destination was a place in the forest that I truly didn't recognize.
There was a cave in front of us. When we turned on Light and went inside, a round stone was placed there. It's a grave.
When Gnome called out, a ghost came out of the gravestone. It's an old woman. She's wearing clothes like the old woman the Wetlands Priestess had disguised herself as when we met her.
"Let me introduce her. She is my old friend, the Priestess from a thousand years ago."
The Priestess slowly bowed her head and smiled. Perhaps after becoming a ghost, she hasn't talked to people at all and cannot converse with humans.
"The Priestess lost her words after becoming a ghost. I shall listen to the Priestess's claims in her stead and act as an interpreter for you lot."
As I thought. As proof of that, she and Erikson-sama seemed to be able to talk as fellow ghosts, and they were staring at each other with tears in their eyes. For a while, a subtle time passed where voices could be heard, or maybe not. Surely, they are talking to each other.
After that, I received a formal introduction from Erikson-sama. Each of us exchanged greetings, and then it was my turn.
"It's Jeanne. I am a user of light magic and can use all five at the Ultra-High Level."
Just in case, I showed all the Black Stones.
Then, the Priestess stretched out her right hand and touched her index finger to the star-shaped Black Stone... that is, the Black Stone the Priestess had managed.
"!"
To my surprise, the Priestess's thoughts were transmitted to me. I didn't think there was such a way to use it.
The Priestess received instructions from Erikson-sama to hide the Black Stones, the Cave of Secret Books, and such from the northern forces. The Priestess took the Black Stones from their storage locations, blocked the entrance to the Cave of Secret Books with rocks, and then went to Gnome, whose location she knew among the Four Great Spirits who maintained neutrality. After entrusting the Black Stones to the Dragonewts, she changed her appearance and visited the Priestess who was in the midst of the northern forces. At that time, there were three people regarded as Priestesses. They used various magics and had also mastered combat techniques with weapons. A Priestess was someone who excelled in both physical and magical combat, and was not a user of light magic. The user of light magic was apparently someone else.
When I asked if I could tell the others the thoughts transmitted from the Priestess, she told me she wanted me to do so. Therefore, I decided to speak just like when reading the Secret Books aloud.
The three Priestesses had split into neutral, northern opposition, and southern proponents regarding the handling of Forbidden Magic.
The neutral one was in the north. It seems she was more of an outsider than neutral. That's because she didn't get involved in the situation in the center of the island. Presumably, she was managing the Black Stone protected by the Water Dragon.
The southern one was the Priestess who managed the Black Stone stored within the current Engrio territory, and the northern one was the Priestess who managed the Black Stone stored in the current Morandine territory... at the time it would have been the Eastern Church, so as a force, it would be the north. The light magic user at the time was at the Beginner Level. And apparently, they could only use Thought Communication for light magic. They probably couldn't get their hands on the Black Stones. That might be due to human territorial disputes or convenience of transportation. In a sense, they failed to learn them.
The Priestess went to see the Priestess belonging to the northern faction to try and stop the conflict, but the northern Priestess said it couldn't be stopped. Many people had already started moving. Once it becomes like that, it's out of control. When asked if it couldn't have been suppressed before it came to this, she said that while she was sent as an envoy to the continent, the populace was incited, and by the time she returned, it was already too late. Conversely, she was asked why the south couldn't be suppressed. She was questioned whether there was conceit on the part of the south. Eventually, it turned into an argument, and they broke off.
However, for Priestesses to end up fighting each other, what on earth happened? Had the Goddess's teachings been distorted?
"It was likely public opinion. She said so when she came to my place."
Gnome answered in place of the Priestess, who had fallen silent.
"Public opinion?"
"Umu. The source of the conflict was whether or not to forbid dark magic, right? Such a thing is just a debate. It won't turn into a war. However, as a result of the debate being split, I heard that the people who were having power struggles took advantage of it and ran wild. The Priestess had no way to stop it. Because they both understood that, they probably ended up parting ways."
"I see."
In other words, the church couldn't control it. They couldn't sufficiently fulfill their role as leaders.
"If there is someone skilled at incitement, humans sometimes follow that person. I suppose you could call it a frenzy."
At that time, the White Island, except for the northern lands, was in a state where the great lord who was the backer of the Great Southern Church was the sole power. To overturn that, other lords utilized the movement opposing dark magic under the surface. The south likely had problems with its way of responding as well. And it expanded even to the power struggle between the Northern and Southern Churches. I think it's part of the dark history of the church.
The Priestess from a thousand years ago, after completing Erikson-sama's request, ended her life in this place far from human habitation, despairing of the world. Gnome made her grave.
"There is such a thing as the era. Humans were more cruel and barbaric than they are now. They were fighting each other over every little thing. The conflict at that time was likely an extension of that. Though, it might not have changed much even now."
That's a painful story to hear. Just as the Vice Demon Lord criticized us harshly, humans kill each other among the same species out of greed even when there's no need. Perhaps we are the most barbaric and cruel of all living things.