Following Cicely-san, we were led inside the Grand Cathedral through a back entrance. We then ascended a spiral staircase, going higher and higher. The view from the small windows along the way grew increasingly distant. It seemed the staircase continued to the top of the spire.
I was thinking that Lily would probably be exhausted halfway up if she were here, when a door came into view at the end of the stairs. It seemed we had reached the top.
“Rosalie-sama, I have brought the two of them.”
“Please, come in.”
Rosalie’s voice could be heard from beyond the door. When Cicely-san opened the door, Rosalie, dressed in a nun’s habit, was sitting on a sofa.
“I’ve been wanting to see you, Rouge-sama, Hugh-sama.”
“…Rosalie, are you okay…!?”
Rouge, upon seeing her, rushed towards Rosalie as if without thinking. Rouge’s reaction was understandable. There were dark circles under Rosalie’s eyes, and her face was visibly gaunt.
The last time we met was just four days ago at the Night Soiree…? How could she look like I did right before I died in my previous life?
“Yes, this is nothing at all.”
“It’s not nothing…! Are you sleeping properly? Are you eating well!?”
“Please calm down. …It’s a little loud for my head.”
“Ah… sorry.”
Rouge moved away from Rosalie and turned towards me. It would be best to hear the situation first. I urged Rouge to sit on the sofa opposite Rosalie.
“I bought this at a bakery on the way here. Would you like to eat while we talk?”
“Oh my, thank you very much. Let’s have some right away.”
Cicely-san set out a tea set and plates on the table. Rosalie immediately broke off a small piece of the croissant and put it in her mouth.
“Mmm, it’s sweet and delicious.”
“……Yeah, it is.”
I agreed, eating a slightly salty croissant.
…Could it be psychogenic dysgeusia? I heard in my previous life that it can occur when you experience strong stress, even for a short period. Before I died in my previous life, I couldn’t taste anything, no matter what I ate.
“Hey, Rosalie. What happened…?”
Rouge asked Rosalie, on the verge of tears. Rosalie hesitated, saying, “Well…” and averted her gaze. It was church internal affairs. There were probably many things she couldn’t tell us, as outsiders.
“It’s Cardinal Malicious.”
“…Cicely!?”
“Please forgive me, Rosalie-sama. But if we tell the situation, something might change. They are friends of Lady Lecty, who possesses the Holy Maiden Skill. If it reaches the ears of Prince Lucas through that connection, something might…”
It wasn’t so much a certainty as it was a desperate plea. By telling us the inside story, she wanted to seek help from Prince Lucas. That intention was clearly conveyed.
“…There’s no guarantee that we can get Prince Lucas’s cooperation. But I intend to cooperate as much as possible. Can you tell us, Cicely-san?”
Cicely-san nodded and began to speak slowly.
“From the day after Rosalie-sama returned from the Night Soiree, people began to visit the cathedral, asking for their illnesses to be healed. Nobles and commoners, day and night. Rosalie-sama was asked by them and used her Healing Skill. …But,”
“…It’s my lack of power. It seems that my Skill doesn’t have the power to heal people’s illnesses.”
“Please don’t be discouraged, Rosalie-sama! There are people who have been energized by Rosalie-sama’s Skill…!”
“…No, that’s only temporary. An old man who was happy that his pain had disappeared couldn’t get out of bed the next day and died… It’s as if I killed him.”
“That’s…!”
“It’s all because my faith is not enough.”
Rosalie stated it as if she truly believed it from the bottom of her heart. Cicely-san seemed unable to deny those words, and only twisted her lips sadly.
In the Divine Blessing Church, is there a belief that the power of Skills changes with faith in God? Depending on the Skill, you might be able to do more as you level up… But I don’t really know how to level up in the first place, so I can’t say anything.
The Healing Skill has the power to alleviate pain. Perhaps some people mistakenly thought that their illness was cured because their pain was temporarily relieved.
“But at this rate, Rosalie-sama will… You mustn’t believe Cardinal Malicious’s words…!”
“You should be careful with your words, Cicely. You shouldn’t say such things.”
“But…”
Cicely-san persisted, despite Rosalie’s gentle rebuke. It seemed that Rosalie was not just regretting her own lack of power, but was being driven to the edge.
Cardinal Malicious, if I remember correctly, was the Old Priest who was with Rosalie when His Majesty the King was treated…? Rosalie used to call the Cardinal “Grandfather” affectionately.
“Cicely-san, what exactly is Cardinal Malicious saying to Rosalie—”
I was about to ask when there was a knock on the door, and it opened without waiting for Rosalie’s reply. The one who entered was the Cardinal Malicious in question.
“It’s time for your duties, Rosalie. …Oh, you have guests. Welcome.”
Cardinal Malicious gave a gentle smile to me and Rouge,
“But I’m sorry. Rosalie has important duties to attend to now. Please take your leave.”
With that smile still plastered on his face, he urged us to leave.
When I glanced at Rosalie, she lowered her eyes apologetically.
“Please wait, Cardinal Malicious! Rosalie-sama is very tired! She was treating patients late last night, and she hasn’t had much sleep! At this rate, Rosalie-sama won’t last…!”
“Then, are you saying you would abandon the believers who gather seeking salvation?”
“…That’s not what I meant…!”
Cicely-san didn’t say a word about abandoning them. She was just saying that Rosalie’s health should be considered.
But Cardinal Malicious shrugged.
“It’s deplorable. For a Holy Knight to deny the role of the Holy Maiden. And on top of that, to say she would abandon the believers seeking salvation. How terrible.”
“That’s not it! I’m just worried about Rosalie-sama—”
“That’s enough, Cicely!”
Rosalie stopped Cicely-san, who was about to retort, with a loud voice.
“Grandfather’s words are most correct. As a Holy Maiden, I cannot abandon the people seeking salvation. I’ve had enough rest, so I’ll do my best with my duties!”
With that, Rosalie clenched her fist in front of her chest. Did Rosalie realize that her hand was trembling slightly?
“I’m sorry, Rouge-sama, Hugh-sama. I have to go to my duties. Let’s call it a day for today. I was happy to see you.”
Rosalie smiled at us and stood up. As she was about to go to Cardinal Malicious, Rouge called out, “Wait!”
“Let’s talk again, Rosalie.”
“…Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”
With a fleeting smile, Rosalie bowed and left the room.
I impulsively stopped Cardinal Malicious, who was about to leave after her.
“Cardinal Malicious, I have one question.”
“Oh, what is it? I’m not free. Please make it quick.”
“Thank you. …The Healing Skill that the Holy Maiden Rosalie possesses is supposed to have the power to heal wounds and pain. The power to save people suffering from illness, like the people gathered below, is supposed to be the power of the fictional Holy Maiden Skill. Why are you making Rosalie do treatments that she can’t do?”
“…Ho, so you’re saying the Holy Maiden is inferior to the Holy Maiden Skill (imitation)?”
“Hugh!”
Rouge pulled on the hem of my blazer and shook her head. …Did I step too far?
“I apologize. I retract my statement and apologize. The power of the church’s Holy Maiden cannot be inferior to a fake.”
“That’s good. A Holy Maiden is a chosen maiden blessed by God. The reason why Rosalie cannot save people afflicted by disease is because her faith in God is not enough. But if she does, she will surely awaken to the power of a true Holy Maiden and receive the power to heal diseases from God…!”
As if he were a prophet or something, Cardinal Malicious spread his arms wide and declared dramatically.
I couldn’t understand what he was saying. Rouge also had a puzzled expression, and Cicely-san was showing her disgust with a face like she had bitten into a bitter bug.
“Well then, I’ll be off. Oh, and this area is normally off-limits to the general public. You’d do well to leave as soon as possible.”
Cardinal Malicious urged us to leave again, and then exited the room.
…Ah, damn it.
I’m in the worst mood, remembering my days as a corporate slave (in my previous life).