Chapter 747 - Fourth Story: Dark Magic and the Voiceless Method ②
It's fine to go for training, but I don't know the specifics. Actually, Price-sama doesn't seem to know either, and I have to talk directly with the Grand Archbishop.
The Grand Archbishop was reportedly waiting for me to consent, and when Price-sama sent a message, he agreed to meet me.
"Tomorrow, I'll have you go to a certain place with me. I think the Grand Archbishop will have something to say there."
Could it be that the only ones who know about this are the Grand Archbishop, Price-sama, and me?
I stayed at Price-sama's private residence that day, and the next morning, we departed in a carriage. It's a special carriage for the Vice-Head of the Church, so it's comfortable.
Unfortunately, curtains were down on the carriage windows, so I didn't really know where we were driving. Price-sama said it's not so much about me looking out, but rather that he doesn't want me to be seen riding in this carriage from the outside.
After being shaken in the carriage for a whole day... though it's a special carriage that uses wind magic to float the carriage body itself, so it hardly shakes... the place we arrived at was a grand mansion.
It's already evening. Considering the direction of the sun, the mansion faces south. And although I can't say for sure, there's a scent of the tide. Since there's almost no wind, I can't say anything, but beyond the forest behind the mansion might be the sea.
And when I got off the carriage that arrived in front of the entrance, James-sama unexpectedly welcomed me.
"I-It's been a long time."
"It's been a while, Jeanne."
Somehow, he seems to have settled down considerably in the time we haven't met.
"Why are you here?"
It was so unexpected that I asked without thinking.
"Hahaha, why or whatever, this is my private territory."
"Is that so!"
This is James-sama's private territory... Then, is Mary selling the specialties?
"Yeah, Mary has really been a help. She's introducing our samples here and there."
Recently, they even get orders from the Duchy of Germania. I wonder where and what Mary is doing. Before long, she might even open up sales channels to the Duchy of Roland and East/West Liber.
No, that's not it. Mary is fine for now.
"This is the right place, isn't it?"
This time I asked Price-sama.
"Yes, the Grand Archbishop is James-sama's uncle."
"Eh? Is that so?"
When I look at James-sama, he's laughing with a settled feeling, 'haha.'
I see. I heard the Grand Archbishop is mostly from Medioland. There's that kind of relationship.
"The Grand Archbishop is chosen from several candidates, but since three out of the five people who choose are from Medioland, it's undeniable that there's a bias. However, the current Grand Archbishop is someone who was chosen by a unanimous vote."
Price-sama explained to me as I nodded with a 'hahan' look as if I understood. It's not just about relationships.
I understood well that the Grand Archbishop is someone worthy of that position, but why is that Grand Archbishop in James-sama's private territory? That part is still unknown. Regarding that part, after being shown to the guest room, Price-sama told me while we were having drinks. Here too, people were dismissed as a matter of course and Mute was applied.
James-sama's private territory is also the private territory of successive Crown Princes. There, they gain experience in territory management and prepare for when they become King. And as for why this land became the Crown Prince's private territory, it seems it's because a vacancy opened up for the lord of this land long ago.
The lord who created that vacancy was reportedly the First King of Sertoria. Several years after the First King's father died, his mother reportedly returned to her birthplace, Sertogne, taking the young First King with her. And the First King, who became an adult on the continent, was called back by the pull of the Medioland King at the time and was given this land for several years. After that, he left this land, came to Nakanohara, and founded the Kingdom of Sertoria. At the same time he became the Sertorian King, this land became the land given to the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Medioland.
"Why was William-ko given this land? You already understand, don't you? Because in this land, there is a training ground for mastering the Voiceless Method."
Originally, I think it could have been made Church territory, but it became a land with a history. There aren't that many Church territories either. It seems it'll remain as it is until a replacement land to be given to the Crown Prince is found.
"Anyway, the training I told you about will be the first since William-ko. Although it's a private territory, we'll be asking for efforts in this land."
Not just me, but James-sama should also work on it. If that happens, you might become an unprecedentedly great mage.
We didn't wait that long before the Grand Archbishop arrived. As it was once before, it's a dedicated carriage drawn by six white horses. There is one person accompanying him. From the clothing, it's likely a Priestess. As proof, in addition to the Grand Archbishop's guards, four knights from the guards at the Temple of Prophecy are attached.
Not just me, but James-sama, Price-sama, and the mansion's servants all come out to welcome him.
"Welcome, we are glad you could come."
When the Grand Archbishop in priestly robes gets off the carriage, James-sama, his nephew, bows respectfully.
"Hi, James. It's been a while."
He spoke casually, just like at the first meeting. Rather than the Grand Archbishop and a believer, they are uncle and nephew.
"Archbishop Price. Good work in Morandine. It seems the containment will go well."
"Yes, it's significant that we were able to subjugate the Demon Race early. As expected, leaving it to the Henry Party was the right choice."
He's smiling pleasantly at Price-sama's words.
"It seems the Royal Family and the Church will be able to cooperate without any hard feelings."
"Yes, the fact that the King was a minor seems to have worked well. He must not have been bound by past entanglements. From now on, like other countries, he will keep pace with us."
"That is a good thing."
"Yes."
Indeed, there didn't seem to be any particular feeling of a break. They said they were cooperating under the surface, and maybe they just wanted a trigger.
"Jeanne-shikyou, let me thank you for taking the trouble to come while you are so busy."
"No, not at all. For someone like me, it's more than I deserve."
I'm bewildered to be told such a thing by the most important person.
"I definitely want you to teach me the secrets of rat extermination too."
"Heh?"
He's chuckling.
James-sama even burst out laughing.
When I look at Price-sama, he's looking elsewhere while having a face that looks like he's about to burst out laughing. He's completely become a delinquent old man.
We enter the guest room again. Drinks were served again. This time James-sama served them personally.
After a brief chat, I make a Vow of Silence toward the small painting of the Goddess hanging on the eastern wall of the room. After the vow, people were dismissed, and even Price-sama and the master of the house, James-sama, exited. Only the Grand Archbishop and I remained.
"Now, Jeanne. Although there's a bit of regret left regarding the transmission of the secrets of rat extermination, as you already know, that's not the main subject today."
Well, that's probably true. But I noticed here. There were many mansion servants in that place. In other words, rat extermination was a smokescreen.
"You've already heard the story from Archbishop Price. There are two things I want to confirm with you. One is about Dark magic. And the other is that there was a recommendation from Archbishop Price to have you undergo a certain training after learning Dark. Since there was a recommendation, I must examine you. So, please bear with me for a little while."
"Yes."
"Then, first, please prove that you are a user of Light magic."
Although his tone is gentle, I feel something like a clear will. It's not to the point of being nervous, but I can't cut corners. With that feeling, the examination by the Grand Archbishop for the qualification for special permission began.
I talked with the Grand Archbishop for nearly two hours. After he actually saw Light, I feel like most of it was small talk, but I wonder if that was really okay.
However, there's something I found out. The Grand Archbishop was wearing a Dryad's Stone. Speaking of Dryad's Stones, the First King also wore one. The one I've inherited is that. The First King is indeed someone said to have lived while remaining youthful for nearly a hundred years, but apparently the Grand Archbishop also looks youthful for his age because he wears a Dryad's Stone at all times. I too was mistaken for being around twenty by Erikson-sama. Well, since maintaining youth is a good thing. That might be fine in its own way.
Wearing a Dryad's Stone means he has a connection with Dryads. The Dryad he knows reportedly lives within Medioland territory. The fact that notices were frequently issued from the Medioland Royal Capital Church to value the forest must be related to that. However, the Dryad the Grand Archbishop is friendly with isn't scary like Serena, but reportedly cheerful and bright like the Dryad we met in Northern Gram. Since he took the position of Grand Archbishop, he reportedly hasn't been able to go see her much. Since we're having banquets at a pace of more than once a month, he was quite envious of me.
And recently, with the hard work of Eleanor-sama and Magdalena-sama, plays that clear up misunderstandings about spirits are being announced, starting from Sertoria. He was greatly pleased about that point too. After all, the scripts are supervised by the spirits, so there's no mistake. They might be intentionally manipulated toward the better side, but legends that were significantly downward-revised, like Goblins and Dryads, have spread. A little bit should be allowed.
After the small talk, we leave the reception room. When we go to the next waiting room, James-sama and Price-sama were there.
"I specially permit Jeanne-shikyou to learn Dark magic."
At the Grand Archbishop's words, the two just bowed their heads.
Just like that, in silence, guided by James-sama, we pass through the mansion's courtyard and there's a small shrine in the back. Apparently, I'll receive a prophecy at that shrine.
James-sama, having finished the guidance, also exited from the courtyard. Confirming that, I enter the shrine.
Inside the shrine is an altar, and a Priestess was offering prayers toward the stone statue of the Goddess.
"Then, please."
How should I put it, it's a prophecy in the presence of the Grand Archbishop. I feel nervous in a different sense.
In the end, I learned three Dark magics, one mid-level holy magic barrier, and Lock, a mixed technique of magic and magic circles.
The Dark magics are Dark, Mold, and Undead. I'm grateful for Mold. I'll become able to restore monsters... especially beastmen. Since it can be used for Violet and Wilson-san, it's useful. I don't know if recovery magic is necessary for ghosts, but if it can be used, it's even better.
Undead is subtle. However, if there's a woman who might die before or after childbirth, I might use it reflexively. Of course, I think Heal or Anti-Sepsis would normally be fine, but if the mother's body is weakened by illness or injury, if it can save the mother, I'll probably end up using it.
These three are the opposites of the First King series magics, but perhaps because of that, they can be used at ultra-high-level. Somehow I feel bad for the Wetlands Priestess.
For the barrier, I learned the mid-level holy blocking barrier Prevent. Until now, F-rank rats only disliked and avoided it, but apparently it can block up to E-rank. And it can make D-rank avoid it. I've leveled up considerably.
Lock is beginner-level. I think I'll make a box to put my savings and vestments in.
Since there were five at once, receiving the prophecies was also hard work. Because it took time to get advice on the tips and image creation for activation, and the wording of the chants. Honestly, it would be strange not to be confused, but since the images for all five were completely different, I managed somehow.
"You've become a tremendous mage. How many ultra-high-levels can you use?"
After finishing everything and thanking the Priestess, I was asked by the Grand Archbishop.
"Um, it'll be eleven."
"Splendid. You could already be called a hero candidate."
Double digits is reportedly the highest level for a mage. However, the barrier is mid-level. In that regard, I'm a second-rate priest. I can't be called first-rate unless I learn at least one high-level. Currently, I'm a type with quirks, like Jennifer-sensei.
"I think you understand, but although I gave special permission, please be really careful when using Dark magic. Please do the practice until activation for everything except Prevent only here. You must not leave until you are finished."
Apparently, the next room has furnishings so it can also be used as a sleeping place.
"Ah, yes. Understood."
Practice and devising wording at the shrine, huh. I have no experience with four at once. Probably, it'll be impossible within today.