Chapter 6 Part 6
The identity of the light was the messenger bird that had brought Hyle’s note to me before.
It was that very bird whose green eyes reminded me so much of Hyle.
The white-feathered messenger bird with deep green eyes, flying suddenly among the various lights of the splendid banquet hall, was enough to capture my attention.
Above all, the bird was unmistakably emanating Hyle’s distinctive strong holy power that could never be felt from others.
As if declaring itself to be Hyle.
He said he would send a signal, but I didn’t expect it would be like this…
Convinced that this bird was the signal Hyle had promised to send, I quietly rose from my seat while everyone was distracted.
“If it isn’t Lady Laté.”
As I was carefully hurrying my steps following the bird, someone called out to stop me from behind.
Feeling that the voice was somehow familiar, I frowned at the creeping sensation.
“…High Priest Garend.”
Though I thought I wouldn’t have to meet him anymore after leaving the banquet hall, unfortunately that didn’t seem to be the case.
When I turned around, Latan’s High Priest Garend, dressed in pure white clothing, was showing me a kind smile.
“I was just regretting that we couldn’t properly exchange greetings earlier, so I’m glad to see you again like this.”
Garend showed inexplicable goodwill while gently raising the corners of his mouth with a clean face.
But I knew better than anyone that Garend had absolutely no reason to show me goodwill.
As the High Priest, he was someone who thoroughly despised the existence of demons.
“Is that so? Do you have some business with me?”
“There are words I gave to you before, young lady. That ‘all people are inherently good.'”
Whatever he wanted to say, I had neither the time nor inclination to respond to Garend’s wordplay.
“Garend, unfortunately I’m quite busy.”
Just as I was thinking it would be better to ignore him and pass by-
“Do you know why I came all the way to Pendium today, my lady?”
At Garend’s suddenly thrown question, I finally remembered again that he was the ‘High Priest’.
Come to think of it, it was strange why someone like Garend, a national figure, was specifically involved when it was supposed to be just a visit for diplomatic harmony.
If it was just about simple harmony, sending regular priests instead of the High Priest would have been sufficient to convey that meaning.
“…Are you saying there’s another purpose?”
At my question, though just for a moment, Garend’s brown eyes flickered strangely.
His eyes flashed blue light as if struck by lightning.
“You have been chosen, my lady. This is precisely why I, old and busy as I am, specifically joined the delegation to come here!”
He clapped his hands lightly while showing an even brighter smile than before.
For some reason, he seemed genuinely happy.
“What do you mean by chosen, what are you trying to say?”
When I asked in a tone showing complete incomprehension, Garend cheerfully questioned back while opening his eyes wide as if asking if I really didn’t know.
“You truly don’t understand what I mean? You should know by now, my lady. That you are the one chosen by God!”
“…Garend, I hope you enjoy yourself thoroughly and return safely.”
As soon as Garend finished speaking, I turned away coldly.
I was a fool for even listening to that madman’s words on the off chance.
What nonsense about God’s choice. Laté only had demons, not something like gods.
“Soon you will come to believe my words too, my lady. After all, I have never been wrong!”
Not giving up on me even as I turned away, Garend continued his nonsense directed at the back of my head.
Though I heard him more clearly than anyone, I pretended not to hear at all and hurriedly walked in the direction where the bird had disappeared without any particular response.
Meeting Garend unintentionally had delayed me more than expected.
Moreover, having lost sight of the bird while listening to Garend’s absurd words, I had no idea which way to go.
“Ah, Raphla!”
Just as I was troubled while facing the open Imperial garden, Raphla, having completed its mission, quickly flew to me from the air.
Having conveyed that it had found Hyle as per my instructions, Raphla led the way while continuously flapping its wings as if telling me to follow.
After diving into the maze-like garden for a moment, soon a familiar figure came into view. At the same time, Raphla, having completed its mission, quickly disappeared.
“You came.”
At the end of the path following Raphla, Hyle was leaning against a pavilion pillar, looking at me askance with somewhat crooked eyes.
Though it had been quite a while since we met, there was no awkwardness at all.
Rather than that… how should I put it, he somehow looked just like someone angry at me.
Could he be angry because I was late?
“Sorry, I was delayed because I ran into someone.”
“If you mean running into Garend, I already know so it’s fine.”
Hyle, who had been quietly looking at me, replied lightly and came closer to me. Then he suddenly held out his hand.
…Why the sudden hand? Does he want me to take it?
When I just stared blankly at his hand, Hyle tilted his head while meeting my eyes as if telling me to hurry and take it.
“We need to move locations, so cooperate for a moment.”
“Move where?”
Though I asked in confusion at the sudden declaration of movement, Hyle didn’t seem to have any intention of answering.
There was something suspicious about him not readily answering questions, but… this was the Imperial garden, and therefore a place very visible from the palace terrace.
I didn’t particularly want to let people know we were here alone together.
Moreover, High Priest Garend was here now too…
Finally, I slowly took his hand while eyeing Hyle suspiciously.
For a moment, a brilliant white flash blazed before my eyes.
As I staggered slightly from dizziness due to the aftereffects, I felt Hyle’s firm grip steadying me.
“Are you alright? You’re getting motion sickness when it wasn’t even that long-distance.”
“…I’m fine, but where is this?”
When I slowly opened my eyes, I saw what appeared to be a basement.
Of course, it was too well furnished to be called just a basement, but it was still a basement nonetheless.
The room structure, similar yet subtly different from Laté’s basement, didn’t feel particularly welcome.
“It’s House Feros’ basement.”
“What?”
It was truly an unexpected answer. House Feros’ basement? What did I just hear?
At this completely sudden development, I froze, forgetting even to blink my eyes for a moment, lost for words.
With good reason – in all my life until now, I had never even seen House Feros’ mansion, let alone been near it.
Yet here I was, suddenly in their basement…
Could there be something so important it had to be said in a place like this?
While I stood still trying to figure out his sudden intentions, Hyle came close and slowly stroked near my neck.
“Ugh… what are you doing?”
“Kidnapping.”
What? Kid… what?
After agreeing to give me holy power, he suddenly talks about kidnapping?
As I stared at him in bewilderment wondering what he was trying to do, suddenly I felt something strange on my neck.
Something that felt slightly slippery and a bit cold… something metallic whose identity I couldn’t determine.
