In the Great Church of the Royal Capital, located to the south of the Royal Castle, the clergy gathered with anxious expressions. As Bishop Powell made his appearance, everyone stood up in unison.
“Bishop Powell, regarding the matter I reported the other day, it seems that the water in the Royal Capital is unusually tainted…”
A young clergyman spoke as he presented several bottles filled with water. He explained that he had collected water from various wells throughout the Royal Capital. When the clergy activated Purification Magic on the water, a black mist became visible within it. By removing this mist with magic, the water was cleansed and blessed. While it was not uncommon for everyday water to contain some impurities, the recent increase in taint was alarming.
“With this level of murkiness, it could affect the drinking water for the citizens of the Royal Capital…”
The young clergyman’s voice was heavy with concern. This was an unprecedented situation, making it difficult to predict how it might impact the water used in daily life. Bishop Powell nodded with a grave expression, lifting one of the bottles to the light.
“But why has this suddenly occurred…?”
“Bishop Powell, there’s another report.”
Another clergyman raised his voice.
“Those engaged in charitable activities in the slums have received multiple inquiries from residents about missing persons. Additionally… there have been sightings of Undead Beasts near the waterways…”
As the reporting clergyman continued, his voice dwindled into uncertainty.
“What did you say…? Could it be that Undead Beasts have infiltrated the Royal Capital…?”
Given that the Great Church was supposed to protect the Royal Capital, even Bishop Powell could not hide his agitation.
“We must investigate immediately. The taint in the water may be linked to the same cause. Also, someone must report this to His Majesty.”
Bishop Powell issued his orders and prepared to depart, leading a dozen clergymen to investigate the waterways. They examined the channels flowing through the slums and, after obtaining permission from the overseeing officials, ventured into the underground waterways.
However, as night fell, Bishop Powell and his group had yet to return. The remaining clergy reported to the Royal Castle the following day, but when they visited the entrance to the underground waterways, they found it tightly sealed with heavy chains. The remaining clergy grew increasingly perplexed and directly petitioned the knight order for an investigation, but they were only told that it would be addressed after the upcoming Spectator Subjugation in a few days.
“Clergy are essential for the Spectator Subjugation as well…! We don’t know the whereabouts of half our members, including Bishop Powell!”
“If something has happened, it would be more certain to deal with the remaining Undead Beasts after the subjugation. Besides, they possess various spells unlike commoners; the chances of their safety are high.”
This was the response from a senior knight with an unfamiliar face. The clergy, who were usually calm and composed, desperately pleaded, but the knight order’s answer remained unchanged.
◆◆◆
Elliott was strolling through the garden of the Royal Castle alongside Emily. Since Emily diligently attended the Sacred Hall every day, their time together had recently been limited to brief moments after lunch and dinner.
Even so, the anxiety that Emily had shown after the recent encounter with the stray Undead Beast had faded. Elliott felt a sense of relief at this change. Although they both felt a certain awkwardness lately, Elliott reassured himself that it was merely due to tension.
The facts he had heard from Marcus and Richard swirled in his mind, yet he could not bring himself to question Emily about them. The Holy Sword she had bestowed upon him had become the last pillar proving the worth of his choices. The fear that if he doubted even that, everything would shatter and return to nothingness, lingered deep within him.
—Once the Spectator Subjugation is over, I should honestly confess that the Holy Sword has fulfilled its purpose…
What echoed in his mind was the hope that if he could just endure the present, he would surely be freed from this suffering. He no longer knew where to direct that wish. The Spectator Subjugation, arranged by Count Agreas, should conclude without a hitch. Thus, he repeatedly told himself that once that was over, everything would be fine.
After parting ways with Emily, who was heading to the Sacred Hall, and returning to his room alone, his heart sank even heavier. The broken blade he had stored away in the closet, along with the truth revealed to Crown Prince Alexis, tormented him.
A ringing in his ears brought forth memories of the words he had spoken when he was still ignorant, only serving to further torment himself. The words he had uttered in blissful ignorance, the voice that had once resided in his heart, now echoed grotesquely in his mind.