Book 6: Chapter 4.2
Book 6: Chapter 4.2
「So, you are the rumored boy, I see… From upfront, you look like a normal boy.」the Cardinal said.
「Rumored?」I asked.
「It’s nothing much. I received information about the “Child of Disaster” from the Kruvan Holy Kingdom.」
「!」
I didn’t leave the Kruvan Holy Kingdom on good terms.
The Six Great Dukes, who knew that I was the “Child of Disaster”, tried to capture me.
「No need to be so on guard. If we intended to do something, we would have done so earlier. I have also received a letter from El asking to take good care of you.」
「El…. Do you mean El-san, the special priest?」
「Yes. He is one of my very few friends who sends me letters.」
The Cardinal said with a broad smile. He suddenly looked like a normal old man that you can find anywhere, instead of the imposing authoritative figure just a while ago.
「Follow me. To the back room.」
The Cardinal stood and walked up to me. And he gently touched my arm with his hand.
「Cardinal, that’s…」Riviera-san started to say.
「Don’t worry. I think it would be better for me and the boy to talk openly. Is that alright?」
…They can’t refuse if you phrase it that way.
Non-san was nervous from the beginning, and Mimino-san was looking at me anxiously.
「Okay.」
I replied and followed the Cardinal to the back room.
It was a small room. There was no window. When the magic lamp was lit, the room became brighter.
There was a half-written letter on a small old desk. Right next to it a large book was opened on a bookrest.
Three sides of the wall were bookshelves. And the last side had maps and religious paintings. It felt like a lived-in room.
The Cardinal picked up a book from the bookshelf and walked to the chair and table.
「Come here.」
「Ah, yes.」
「I wanted to show you this.」
The book was terribly old, with not even a front cover. The leather binding was worn-out, but it was still in a better condition than the parchment inside. I’m sure the cover has been replaced.
The contents are–
「This book looks like it’s over 1000 years old.」I said.
「That’s right.」
Cardinal Thomason opened the book and revealed the contents.
Each page had a different brush stroke, and there seemed to be some notes within. It was more of a private file rather than a book.
「This page… is written in old language. Can you read it?」
「No. I’m sorry, I never learned it.」
「No, don’t worry. There are only a few people in this chapel who can read the old language. This is, as you say, 1000 years, no, it was written by the Pope long before that. It’s an autograph.」
I am surprised. I am surprised that the Church existed from such a long time ago, and I am also surprised that an autograph by the Pope is quietly stashed away in a room rather than displayed in a museum.
「Is it something which is inherited by the Cardinals from generation to generation?」
「That’s right. So to be a Cardinal you have to be able to read the old language…. Do you know what’s written here?」
I received the biggest surprise today.
「It says…”What role should the Church play when the two worlds meet?”」
In other words, since more than a thousand years ago, the Church had assumed that the two worlds would eventually become one.
* Non – Mimino – Riviera *
The three were sitting on a sofa in the office after Reiji and the Cardinal left. A monk brought in hot water for each of them.
At first, Mimino thought that the monk was suggesting for them to “leave”.
But Non explained, “Mimino-san, in churches, we often serve plain hot water to our visitors to caution against luxury.”
「Is that so?」
「Yes. Especially the upper ranks, including His Eminence, are strongly inclined towards that teaching. His Eminence simply inherited this luxurious office. He actually lives in a church-owned inn.」Non said.
「That’s right. When I first saw that person, I excitedly thought, “Man, this person absolutely takes bribes”. But he turned out to be a straight-laced man.」
「Master… what do you mean “bribe” excited you…」Non exhaled.
「Non, you should try to get on His Eminence’s good side. It is difficult to take bribes in this organization, and most of the priests here value authority.」
「I am good.」
「What are you saying? You will be working here too, so don’t be negligent.」
「It just doesn’t sound like the words of a person who often disobeys authority.」
「I didn’t ask to be put in a high position either, but people can’t leave me alone because of my genius. I’m such a sinful woman.」
Riviera laughed while fluttering her hand. And before anyone knew it, she had loosened her clothes.
(When did she?! How did she?!)
Mimino was astonished by that fact.
「Oh… I guess we will be saying goodbye to Non here.」Mimino said.
「I have been in your care for all this time, Mimino-san. Please continue taking care of dad.」
「It is actually Dante who takes care of me most of the time. I thought you would go to a local church somewhere, but have you decided to carry out your research here?」
「At first I was planning to go to a local church too…」
Non said with a bitter look.
Originally, Riviera told Non that the path of research was open to her. In that case, Non would belong under Riviera, but Non herself feels she is more suitable to interact with the people who live in the areas around a local church.
The Church is a huge organization, so political ties are absolutely necessary. Non does not wish to use such means.
But she heard from Reiji that Mithril was used for the petrification remedy. Reiji made it to save Dante knowing that it was a felony.
Knowing that, as Riviera said earlier, Non thinks that she should research the petification remedy in return for Reiji.
「Master, you got your wish.」
Riviera has secretly been wanting to keep Non close at hand. And she may have tried to decide Non’s path by using the petrification remedy as bait.
The proof was that Riviera was smiling.
「I have a lot of requests for Non if she decides to join me~」Riviera said.
「It is common practice in the Church to do the cleaning and washing by yourself.」Non replied.
「…………」
Riviera fell silent, as if Non had hit the nail on the head.
「Your requests are regarding research, isn’t it, Master?」
「O-Of course!」
「You are of course not going to push the chores onto me in a ruthless manner, are you, Master?」
「…………」
Riviera fell silent, as if Non had hit the nail on the head. Again.
Mimino felt a little relieved looking at the exchange between Non and Riviera.
(This Master… Her actions are a little out there, but Non and her have a very friendly relationship. With this, we don’t have to worry about Non.)
Mimino, who intends to continue living as an adventurer, will separate ways with Non here.
Although she spent less than five years with her, Non still felt like her real family.
If Non is in a safe place, then that is enough for Mimino.
「Riviera-san.」Mimino called out.
「Hmm? What is it?」
「Please take care of Non.」
Riviera was caught by surprise when Mimino bowed down to her.
「Of course.」
Riviera answered.
Conversation continued to bloom between the three women.