Chapter 781 - Investigation into the Ancient Priestess ④
The only things that happened with the simultaneous activation of dark and light magic were with Dark and Light, and undead magic and Thought Communication. Perhaps they were too opposite, as they were deactivated immediately after activation as if canceling each other out. I also tried with magic that doesn't pair, but they just activated individually. No vortex was formed.
"All that's left is the magic circle."
It's Eleanor-sama. If it's the same as Testament, and if they are paired, then there must be a magic circle somewhere. Presumably, it's the secret art of the Eastern Church. However, there is another possibility. The opposite.
"Umm, what would the 'opposite magic circle' be?"
I tried asking Eleanor-sama.
"The opposite... is it?"
The opposite of light is darkness, the opposite of right-handed winding is left-handed winding, the opposite of magic that connects is magic that severs—each is a pair, or rather, an opposite. If so, there might be a magic circle and an opposite magic circle.
"You mean the back side?"
I don't think it's the back side. The 'Back Translate' that Marcelo-san drew on the fortress turned the fortress into rubble and sent it flying to the Flatlands.
"In that case, wouldn't it be a mirror image?"
A mirror image?
"Could it be a picture that looks correct if reflected in a mirror? Like mirror writing."
Germana noticed.
Come to think of it, in the Cave of Testament, a message was left in mirror writing. And the one who easily saw through it was Erikson-sama.
"That is it."
"But, characters aside, wouldn't it be difficult to draw the magic circle for Testament as a mirror image?"
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I think the difficulty would be quite high since it's large. It's not that it can't be transcribed, but it's not something I would do."
"Hmm. That is also true."
Actually, I haven't seen the magic circle for Testament. Because I don't have to draw it.
However, there is a way to write it without looking in a mirror. You just have to shine a transmitted light from the back side.
"Eleanor-sama."
"Yes?"
"How about the first King's grumbling... I mean, the legend?"
"I see!"
It was conveyed immediately, and proposed to Erikson-sama.
"To think there was such a method. Then, we just have to carve the correct magic circle into an obsidian tablet and shine light from the back, right?"
If the magic circle takes in the morning sun and reflects it onto the floor, we just have to transcribe it as it is.
"Yes. I don't think it necessarily has to be obsidian... as long as it's something that lets light through... is there any good way?"
"A plate shape. Obsidian is precious, so how about silica?"
"There is a mine in our country."
"That's it!"
"If it goes well, we might be able to make something good by asking the dwarves or elves to make it."
"Sertoria is truly well-equipped. Let us experiment."
"Yes!"
And so, the talk was settled between Erikson-sama and Eleanor-sama.
It's all well and good that the talk was settled, but I don't know if that's really okay. Therefore, we decided to go and tell the Priestess who protects the secret books what we've found out so far and see if she can tell us anything. Regarding the managers, we only told them the facts we'd discovered—in other words, we didn't talk about the experiment—and temporarily left Primordia.
Seen off by the noble managers and Cadogan-sama, we sent Edward-sama, Sianya, and the Wetlands Priestess back to the palace and flew to Medioland. Originally, we were supposed to inform the Grand Archbishop if we found out anything, so I also spoke with Cadogan-sama, and it was decided that the Henry Party would convey the breaking news. When we visited Price-sama's private residence, Egward-sama was waiting, hidden in the possessing stone.
In the drawing room, I introduced Erikson-sama and Egward-sama. I had Price-sama introduce both sides. It's a meeting between a priest from three thousand years ago who established the church organization and a Grand Archbishop from a thousand years ago. I was wondering which one would be higher-ranking, but Erikson-sama knelt before Egward-sama and pressed the offered right hand to his forehead.
"To have been able to meet you is a great fortune for me."
"No, no, it is you who have done well to keep your form in this world."
"To receive such words from you, what an honor!"
He's trembling so much he looks like he might ascend; is he okay?
Is it my imagination, or has he become a bit thinner...
"Calm yourself a little. There are still things I need you to do."
"Y-Yes. That's right."
He really was in danger. Dangerous, dangerous.
According to Erikson-sama, Egward-sama's great deeds were passed down as oral traditions among successive Grand Archbishops. Unfortunately, because Erikson-sama was executed, they haven't been passed down to the present day.
"Henry-dono. To have added me, who was a mere ghost, to the Henry Party and given me the opportunity to meet Egward-sama, I let me thank you from the bottom of my heart."
He's taking Henry-sama's hand, nearly in tears.
Was Egward-sama such a great existence? I might have committed various impolite acts. I hope Erikson-sama doesn't get mad at me later.
"No, no, please do not say such things. It is all because of Erikson-sama's feelings for the White Island."
The one who reacted to these words of Henry-sama was Egward-sama.
"Joined the Henry Party? What is that? What is this Henry Party?"
Price-sama explained the situation. In short, it's a private multinational organization with Henry-sama as the leader. Their purpose of action is to do things for the sake of the White Island. Since they are basically penniless, they get work from various countries and even the church organization to cover their expenses.
"Hoho. Are you doing such an interesting thing?"
Oh no, they're of the same kind. Come to think of it, this person... I mean ghost... no, no, self-proclaimed evil spirit, used to go on expeditions to various places to hunt monsters.
"With all due respect, Egward-sama."
"What is it, Erikson?"
"If it pleases you, why not join the Henry Party? If you like, I shall put in a word for you."
Put in a word? The leader of the party himself is right in front of you.
Price-sama even covered his mouth with his hand and looked down. If James-sama were here, he would surely be laughing out loud.
"Is it okay?"
"B-By all means, as the Supreme Advisor."
He's gone and prepared a seat higher than himself on his own.
"Hmm."
Egward-sama looks at Henry-sama.
"What does this Henry Party intend to do next?"
He glares at Henry-sama. His eyes are already suspicious. As expected of someone who calls himself an evil spirit, he has quite the presence. It's hard to believe he's a former priest. Moreover, he's not a 'ham' like Erikson-sama.
"Next, we intend to meet the Priestess who makes the ceiling of the Cave of Secret Books glow along with this Germana, and ask about the secret art of keeping a part of one's soul in this world."
"W-What? Is that true?"
As if they had discussed it beforehand, he's attacking Egward-sama's weak point.
"But do you think such a thing can be done easily?"
"Germana will handle the dialogue, so I don't think they will be cold to us."
"T-That is true."
Germana is nodding with a smile.
"And actually, we have already established a certain hypothesis based on Jeanne's inference. I believe if we tell that story, they will come along."
Erikson-sama explained the hypothesis.
"I see. It might be so. And so, Germana-dono. Are you finally going?"
"Yes."
"Since Germana-dono is not human, the Priestess might open her heart. However, even so, I do not think she will speak about the secret art."
"Yes. But if Jeanne, a user of light magic, becomes an apprentice to those Priestesses, everything will be understood, and the yoke binding the Priestess to the ceiling will also be undone."
That's right. Everyone told me I should become an apprentice.
It was when I talked with Alex. I consulted not only Germana but also Dune, Mel, and Salamander. Alex, pressed by the Four Great Spirits, told me about the parts other than those he was prohibited from disclosing by contract. Incidentally, I had Gnome get drunk beforehand because it would be a hassle if he started saying difficult things.
According to Alex, the cave itself was apparently made by dwarves, but the glowing ceiling is something that the human who requested the cave's creation as a place for oracles—it must be a Priestess—is doing on her own. And the barrier is, in short, a barrier of protection by the Five Great Spirits, and at the same time, it's a place to issue a warning if the Great Terror attacks from across the eastern sea. Usually, even if the Priestess prays at the Cave of Secret Books in Nakanohara during a banquet, there are no particular oracles, and it only glows occasionally in response to small talk, which is probably because she exists to issue a warning. Conversely, the fact that the ceiling still glows today means that the Great Terror has not yet arrived. We don't know when, but it will come eventually.
"Jeanne as an apprentice..."
I am currently also Egward-sama's apprentice. So I might have to successfully activate multiple magic simultaneously without speaking.
"Will a living human be safe apprenticing to those people?"
Egward-sama said the thing I was most concerned about. As expected of a master.
Well, it's fine to become an apprentice to learn the secret art. I've already been made Egward-sama's apprentice, and Fiona and the Wetlands Priestess are effectively apprentices to the Queen of the Demon Realm. As for Beatrix, she's apprenticed to Gnome and even to the Dragonewts. That's fine. However, if it comes to it, it's a bit different for me to make the ceiling glow. I'd also like to refrain from making a duplicate to make the ceiling glow like Germana, if possible.
Regarding that point, the spirits said that in that case, I should just refuse. Since an oracle will be given anyway, there's no need to force an apprenticeship. I think that's exactly right. So, I'd like to go with that. Well, if anything happens, Dune, Mel, and Salamander said they would complain, so it's very reassuring.
"I-I see. The Five Great Spirits will complain to the Priestesses. For my apprentice, you are quite something."
"No, the amazing ones are the spirits, it's not that I'm doing anything."
"Well, that may be so, but the fact that you can get them to do that is what's amazing."
"I see."
Thankfully, they cooperate in various ways.
"Egward-sama, let's do it. By all means, please become the Supreme Advisor of our party."
"Umu. I shall be in your care. Let us work hard together."
Henry-sama spoke as if Germana's giggle was the signal, and the talk was settled.
Carrying the possessing stone of the self-proclaimed evil spirit who had successfully(?) become the Supreme Advisor of the Henry Party, we go to the Cave of Secret Books under Nakanohara Lake. Since Wilson-san, who cannot enter the Cathedral, was on standby at the main shop, Henry-sama, Eleanor-sama, Egward-sama and Erikson-sama in their possessing stones, Price-sama, Germana, and I met with the Priest-in-Charge. Since Price-sama was there, permission from the Priest-in-Charge was easily granted. We proceeded through the cave and met the gatekeeper, Alex.
"Didn't you go to Primordia?"
You shouldn't underestimate the Henry Party. These people are active day and night.
"Today, I've brought Egward-sama, the evil spirit I spoke of the other day."
"Umu. Dwarf. I am the evil spirit Egward. I look forward to working with you."
I wish he wouldn't put out tentacles and act threatening every time. Besides, he's got the wrong opponent.
"Ah, yeah, yeah. Jeanne's master, right? I've heard. Hey, you came too, you bastard! Because you said unnecessary things, I was pressed by the Four Great Spirits and had a terrible time! What are you going to do about it? I didn't do anything wrong!"
"Eh? What? I-I am an evil spirit!"
"So what? Don't act so high and mighty just because you're an evil spirit!"
Look, his tentacles were easily brushed off and he's being grabbed by the collar. If left alone, he looks like he'll be given a backhand slap. Erikson-sama is flustered and trying to intervene. Germana, the party involved, is looking somewhere else entirely.
"Alex, stop! This person, I mean, this ghost isn't bad."
The bad ones are the Four Great Spirits. That was clearly an interrogation. Well, I'm also to blame for asking, knowing it would turn out like that.
"Good grief, cut it out already!"
"Hie!"
After raising his hand as if to strike, he let go of the hand grabbing the collar.
"I-I was saved, Jeanne. My apologies. But what on earth is the meaning of this?"
Umm, well, various things happened. Somehow, I'm sorry.
The misunderstanding of Alex, who had been bullied by the Four Great Spirits, was cleared. When Eleanor-sama gave a quick wink, Will offered the barrel she was carrying on her back. It's a reconciliation banquet. It's somewhat funny that Egward-sama won't leave my side.
This time, we are in a position to ask for Alex's cooperation. So, Eleanor-sama negotiated and settled it with the promise of one more barrel. Lately, it seems he's busy with many orders from the Dragonewts. Beatrix must be working hard too.
After finishing the banquet, we go to the place where the secret books are.
Will and Bonnie were asked to stay behind at the wall.
"Umu. As expected of a dwarf. It is exactly the same as when it was completed. It is well-managed. It is a sight to behold."
Egward-sama seemed to understand everything and looked satisfied.
"It was that altar over there, right?"
He entered the room with the altar next door just like that.
"It is I, Egward."
When he called out to the ceiling, it suddenly began to flash violently. It was a surprise.
"Forgive me. Although it was to protect the White Island, I have caused you hardship for as long as three thousand years. I thank you. And I apologize to you all here. I am truly sorry."
Egward-sama said so with tears, then knelt on both knees, put both hands down, and bowed deeply.
Once again, it was a surprise.
The ceiling that had been flashing also changed to a soft light.
"Heh, that bastard. It seems he at least understood what he did."
"Because he himself had been acting as a self-proclaimed evil spirit for three thousand years without ascending..."
"That's also true."
Alex's view seems to have changed somewhat as well. However, that was Egward-sama's own fault for approaching Alex like an evil spirit.