༺ The Sun That Had Set ༻
I pushed past the nuns and strode forward, but they hastily moved ahead of me and blocked the entrance.
With their arms folded firmly across their chests, their resolute demeanor while denying my entry seemed more akin to hatred than a matter of belief.
“Move aside.”
Even after I issued a stern warning to avoid needing to use force, they still didn’t budge.
“You are not allowed to enter.”
Perhaps it was because they were nuns serving God.
I could clearly feel their strong refusal to yield, but unfortunately, what did not yield tended to ultimately break.
“Findenai.”
As if she had been waiting for my call, Findenai came forward with her axe in hand.
“I guess our esteemed nuns here can be considered lucky.”
With a wicked smile, she swung the axe through the air. No matter how I looked at it, her killing intent felt somewhat genuine.
“If you die here, your Gods will take you away, right? Then, I’ll be at ease while killing you all without hesitation.”
It was an approach that truly fit Findenai’s style, but at least it would steer the situation in a direction that was favorable for us.
“After all, one of you is said to be a Demon in disguise. If you all die peacefully, how can one possibly tell who the real Demon is? Right?”
As Findenai approached them with a genuine intent to kill, the nuns began to tremble. But instead of looking to flee, they still chose to close their eyes and began praying.
I acknowledged their strong will.
The faith to resist fear likely originated from their belief.
I had no intention of killing them, but Findenai’s actions seemed to have had some effect, so I decided to simply observe the situation for a moment.
“Wait!”
From the midst of the group of nuns obstructing my entry, the Abbess stepped forward, clenching her fists with a mortified expression.
“I understand. I will lead you inside. Just refrain from harming these children.”
“Re-Reverend Mother!”
“But that’s…!”
“All of you. Silence. None of the Gods would desire to lose any of you here.”
“….”
Upon witnessing such an unexpected reaction, Findenai turned slightly to glance at me. After shrugging her shoulders with regret, she sighed and suppressed her killing intent.
Without bothering to respond to the Abbess, I entered the convent through the path she opened.
The interior was fairly neat.
It was akin to a pleasant brick house; one could tell at a glance that it was always kept clean.
Alongside prayers written to the Gods at the entrance, there was a firm declaration that this place was a sanctuary.
“It looks like the Demon has entered the sanctuary.”
When I sarcastically highlighted the irony of the situation, the Abbess seemed to have found it insulting as she guided me with stomping footsteps echoing along the way.
“Do not wander off. All you must do is follow my lead.”
The Abbess climbed the stairs. The other nuns tried to follow us, but this time, Findenai blocked the door and restrained them instead.
“There’s a Demon among you, right? Everyone, stay still. If anyone moves, I’ll start by chopping off their heads.”
When Findenai declared menacingly while pointing with her axe, the nuns could only swallow their saliva, unable to respond.
“It’s alright, everyone. You won’t die as long as you just stay still.”
Illuania tried to comfort them with a smile, but it seemed to have little effect as it felt more like an attempt to ridicule them.
“Ignorant fools!”
Seeing that, the Abbess gritted her teeth and exclaimed in frustration. However, I raised my chin slightly and gestured for her to proceed.
[Can you feel it too? There’s absolutely no demonic energy inside.]
I subtly nodded in response to the words of the Dark Spiritualist behind me. Indeed, the traces of the eerie demonic presence that could be felt from outside were absent within the convent.
[If it can play such tricks, it must surely be a high-level demon.]
Seemingly nervous, the Dark Spiritualist placed her hand on my shoulder. Though I felt no sensation from her touch, her anxiety conveyed a strange feeling to me as well.
On the top floor of Elia Convent.
There were two doors at the end of the path where the stairs ended.
One led to the attic that could be seen from the outside.
Another was a small door attached to the ceiling that reminded me of a sunroof leading up to the rooftop.
Both shared the same characteristic; they were sealed shut with a lock.
The attic especially was locked with an incredibly massive lock thus further showcasing its sturdiness.
It was a lock that was more suited for safeguarding a precious treasure chest. However, the Abbess’ expression darkened upon seeing it.
The Abbess brought her hand to the candle placed next to the attic.
A fireball the size of a fingernail appeared at the tip of her thin, wrinkled finger, illuminating the dark staircase as the candle lit up.
“Hurry and unlock it.”
“…But before that, there is something you must promise me.”
Although I wondered what kind of promise I had to make this time, I couldn’t ignore the sense of urgency emanating from the Abbess.
“You should never tell anyone else about the person you will see inside here. This… is not just a selfish desire of mine, but rather for the sake of the entire Griffin Kingdom.”
“That is far too grand of a demand.”
However, the request was filled with such earnestness. The Abbess’ eyes filled with tears, as she knelt, before clutching my trouser leg.
“Please! I beg you. The identity of the person inside must remain a secret until the moment of your death. His Majesty has chosen you, and if you are someone trusted by Saintess Lucia, you will immediately understand the significance of my words!”
“Huff, I understand.”
“Moreover! Please do not become too engrossed in your conversation with the person inside. This… advice is for your own good.”
[I’m curious.]
The Dark Spiritualist was curious about the person who was inside; what exactly made the Abbess behave like this? But right as she was about to pass through the door to check…
[Kyah!]
She let out a rather girlish yelp as she was pushed back. It wasn’t just a simple push; faint smoke began to rise from her body, indicating that she had taken some damage.
‘This is.’
While looking at the bewildered Dark Spiritualist attempting to recover, I unconsciously swallowed.
It meant that the person inside wasn’t any ordinary being.
The Abbess slowly rose from her position and retrieved a key she had hidden deep within her pocket.
The old key creaked as it entered the lock, and soon, with a click, the lock opened smoothly like flowing water.
“I… will wait outside.”
The Abbess started praying with her eyes closed and hands clasped.
I slowly grabbed the door handle and stepped inside.
It would be difficult to label it as an attic from looking at just the interior. Moreover, a refreshing scent wafted through the space.
Since it was dark outside, I entered the room while holding a lit lamp. However, the inside was much brighter than the stairway, and there was none of the dark and gloomy atmosphere I had anticipated.
There was a small bed and seated on it was a woman wearing a nun’s habit.
Her dull blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders and effortlessly reached her chest.
She must have been a woman with a rather outstanding appearance.
However, there was no way to confirm such, as a white bandage covered her eyes.
It appeared as if both her legs and her left arm had been amputated.
She clutched Goddess Hearthia’s rosary with her remaining right hand as if it were precious to her.
When the sound of the opening door reached her, she turned her gaze towards me and wore a big smile.
“It seems like a guest has arrived.”
It was a comforting voice that made my heart feel warm.
From her gentle voice alone, she was already able to offer solace to someone. It was a first and valuable experience for me.
She was truly divine.
She was truly beautiful.
And that was why she seemed all too fragile.
Such a delicate woman, who seemed as if she would break at the slightest touch, greeted me.
“Hello. My name is Stella.”
She was a woman without a surname, one who had nothing left other than her forename: Stella.
Though I had never seen her in person, I had, of course, heard of her name.
There was no need to go out of my way and dig through my memories, for she was someone with great renown on this continent.
However, the continent was not meant to house two suns in the sky.
Alas, when one sun rose, the other had no choice but to set.
She was the sun that had already set below the horizon of the continent.
She was once a woman who received the love of the gods.
She was a Saintess.
To be more precise…
She was the predecessor of Saintess Lucia Saint, the one currently holding such a moniker.
A retired former Saintess.
I couldn’t help but freeze in my place.
I could finally understand why the Abbess had begged so desperately even going as far as to tremble.
The Saintess, who once had brought solace to the continent, had ended in such a dreadful state; of course, it was a lore which no one should ever divulge.
If rumors started circulating about how the woman who was once the most beloved by the Gods had been abandoned, people’s faith would inevitably turn to skepticism.
“It has been a long time since I have had a male guest visit me.”
“I see.”
I responded calmly as I attempted to close the door. However, Stella just smiled lightly and made a request.
“I apologize, but would it be possible to have a private conversation between just the two of us?”
“….”
She turned her head, facing the Dark Spiritualist. Even though her eyes were void of sight, she was still able to accurately locate the Dark Spiritualist.
[I-I’ll wait for you outside.]
“Sure.”
The bewildered Dark Spiritualist was kindly ushered out; only then did I shut the door.
Thud.
“She is such a kind ghost.”
There was no falsehood in her smiling expression. Seeing her maintain such a big smile despite her condition was impressive, even in my eyes.
However, I decided not to ask about that particular aspect.
“Three nuns in this convent were sacrificed in a demon summoning ritual.”
“….”
“Have you heard anything about this?”
“Fufu.”
Stella laughed, covering her mouth with her sole hand.
“You are kind. Usually, people start by asking why I ended up like this.”
“I make it a habit to not delve into the painful wounds of others. So, do you know anything about it?”
“Oh, yes.”
With a playful smile, Stella replied.
“I know that there is a Demon hiding in this convent. I am also aware of why that Demon came.”
I slightly furrowed my forehead.
She so easily provided the answers to the questions that had been troubling me.
“It is because of me.”
“Because of you?”
When I asked again, Stella lifted the hem of her nun’s habit, revealing her left arm. The amputated arm, absent of even an elbow, was covered with a bandage.
“And this place is the same.”
This time, she lifted her skirt to show her legs. I had expected them to be amputated as well, but in reality, they were not.
Her legs had all but shriveled and turned black, like a decaying tree root.
No, it was far too miserable to call it a leg. It was rather a sight reminiscent of a towel that had been soaked and wrung out.
“This as well.”
Finally, Stella pointed to her eyes covered in a bandage.
“These eyes have met an identical fate.”
Then, with her hand on her head, Stella chuckled mischievously.
“There is one more I have not mentioned, but that is a secret.”
“A secret?”
“Well, you do not need to bother yourself with it. Rather, do you understand what these mean?”
She spoke as if it was nothing significant, but her following words were quite shocking.
“All these scars were created by Demons after my Holy Power disappeared.”
“….”
“Are you aware? On this continent, Holy Power can only be possessed by one person at a time. Once my Holy Power is taken away by the Gods, the next person will ascend to the position of Saintess.”
But, of course, they wouldn’t take responsibility for what happened afterwards.
She had vanquished countless Demons and obliterated innumerable evil spirits during her time as a Saintess—all thanks to her Holy Power.
But once it disappeared…
The demons who had harbored deep resentment towards her all this time, now rushed in like a flood, causing the Saintess to fall into such a pitiful state.
“It seems that the Demon who came this time has come for my right hand.”
And now, only her right hand remained. I couldn’t help but let out a bitter sigh in spite of myself.
However, it made sense.
The reason the Demon responded to the summoning, even without a sacrifice, was to seek revenge on her.
Moreover, it even explained why it had remained hidden, lingering around.
“What do you think?”
“…What are you talking about?”
She shrugged as if she knew everything.
“Can you protect me from the Demon?”
For the first time, I could hear a faint hint of desperation in her previously calm voice.
Although she couldn’t see me, I still had a stiff expression as I responded.
“I have no intention of protecting you.”
“Fufu.”
“However, I do plan on preventing the Demon from acting any further.”
“You are reliable, I see.”
Stella’s shoulders relaxed with composure. With a slightly regretful tone, she replied.
“You are most likely not able to find it immediately, right?”
“Yes, the Demon has hidden itself quite well.”
“Hmm, then I shall see you again tomorrow.”
I felt an odd sense of unease from her pitiful tone. It seemed like the misfortune that had befallen her had not yet reached an end.
“It’s a shame, but it’s over now.”
Stella, who refused to even hear my name, now pleaded for me to leave as well.
I grasped the door handle before letting go and asking her once again.
“Does His Majesty know about this?”
“His Majesty King Ophert? Of course, he does not know this. I asked the Church to inform him that I am living well, engaged in farming.”
I frowned at her response and responded.
“His Majesty King Ophert has passed away. Now, his son, Orpheus, rules Griffin.”
Upon hearing this, Stella laughed, covering her mouth with her right hand.
“I did not know that.”
I grabbed the door handle again and left with a bitter feeling.
I could not help but stand there blankly, gazing at her figure. And even though she could not see me, her head was turned toward me as well.
Thud.
I shut the door and saw that the Abbess was still praying while the Dark Spiritualist gazed at me with a concerned expression.
I let out a sigh before voicing my thoughts.
“I will keep my silence regarding her situation. But I will visit her again tomorrow.”
There seemed to be an endless amount of information to gain from her. After all, it seemed like she knew the identity of the Demon as well.
However, despite my reassurance, the Abbess merely replied with a bitter tone.
“Perhaps… it will not be much different from today.”
At that moment, I could not have possibly realized the true meaning behind her words.
* * *
The next day.
When I headed to the attic to meet Stella once again…
“It seems like a guest has arrived.”
She greeted me with the exact same line as yesterday.
“Hello. My name is Stella.”
There was not a single deviation; her behavior, her words, and her inflection were precisely the same as yesterday.
“It has been a long time since I have had a male guest visit me.”
Only then did I finally understand the Abbess’ words.
Why she said there would not be any difference from yesterday.
Why she warned me to not get too engrossed while conversing with Stella.
Why Stella did not say, ‘See you tomorrow,’ but instead expressed regret and spoke as if it was the end.
And exactly what the last curse of the Demon, which Stella called a secret, was.
“W-Who…”
It was the first time.
The first time in my life that my voice trembled so violently.
“Who is the King currently ruling the Griffin Kingdom?”
I needed confirmation.
Yes. I had to confirm it. I required, no, demanded proof that what I was thinking was indeed true.
Upon hearing my utterance, Stella smiled, seemingly out of the blue, and replied.
“Of course, it is His Majesty King Ophert.”
My suspicions had been validated.
For Former Saintess Stella, the flow of time continued to loop. Walking around in circles, entrapped in a juncture that was akin to the ticking of a broken clock.
Forever destined to repeat a life where time had all but come to a stop.
