102 – Ghost Queen (1)
I immediately told Adrian about my conversation with Asti, and she readily agreed with my opinion.
Since the purpose of the investigation team is to purify the ghosts’ land, it would be better to know why the ghosts’ land was created in the first place and what the ghosts want.
“That’s fine. If someone else had said that, I would have stopped them, but I can trust you because you’re my senior.”
I’ve heard that before, but especially after the recent battle against the ghosts, I have no hesitation in facing them.
“But you have to make sure to clearly report the investigation results. It doesn’t matter to me, but there are many people who are suspicious of Lina and Nea without them knowing.”
“I know. They are priestesses.”
The name “priestesses” has always been a subject of caution for the priests. Even if they don’t have any intention, the priests always had to consider the possibility.
It’s best not to have any unnecessary suspicions, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to investigate and gather information on why the resurrected Saint and Apostle of the First Saint hold grudges against each other while going to the place Umbra mentioned, separately from Lina and Nea.
Even reporting on small findings would help the other side trust us. Especially since purifying the ghosts’ land is the first goal, we should at least have one related piece of information with us.
So all I have to do is give them the appropriate information. No, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to give them false information instead. If we release the grudges of the ghosts wandering in the ghosts’ land, the ghosts’ land will gradually shrink.
By saying that, we can buy time until we obtain the Enshrouded Sword of the Binding. I’ve heard that it’s a place only the ghosts can go… I have a rough idea. As far as I know, there is only one place like that, where Umbra is.
It wouldn’t be that difficult to find out how to purify the ghosts’ land. We just need to ask Umbra, the Ghost Queen, directly.
Anyway, now that the investigation team has been set up… there’s nothing left but to wait for the right time.
* * *
“Do you really intend to accept that opinion?”
Third Knight Commander Ars frowned slightly as he spoke to Adrian. Bishop Antonio also had an unpleasant expression.
Of course, it was natural. Suddenly dividing the investigation team into two, and even removing only the priests. There could be some hidden intention.
The perception of the priests towards the Apostles was worse than expected. They had to constantly prove that they were not evil.
As two who have seen many commanders succumb to evil temptations, it was difficult to believe in the two Apostles brought by Prach Rancel.
They only did not refuse because they were of the same grade as the Saint and because Prach had presented the brilliant blue flames on the candelabrum, but there was still some psychological resistance.
“I know you’re worried. I also think I can’t completely let my guard down. However, we confirmed that last night. Just because we lead the ghosts into rest, it doesn’t mean that the ghosts’ land is shrinking.”
“That…”
“The priests cannot converse with spirits. The only ones who can communicate with spirits in this world are those who handle them… the necromancers. It means that in order to purify the land of spirits, we need some kind of method, but we don’t know how to do that at the moment.”
“But isn’t it too dangerous? It’s not common for necromancers to suddenly turn hostile.”
“We have no choice. We can only strengthen our guard a little more. Or, we can mix the priests into that unit.”
“That might be better.”
There was hesitation in Adrian’s quick acceptance of Frach’s proposal. No matter how good Frach was, it seemed necessary to have at least some safety measures.
They couldn’t know what the necromancers would do.
Since the Estae incident, Adrian had become someone who trusted others to a certain extent but didn’t completely believe in them. Having such safeguards seemed acceptable.
And Frach was well aware of her thoughts.
* * *
“Adrian will mix priests into our unit.”
Whenever there were many ears to listen, use the codeword “exclamation.” That was the agreement between Asti and Frach.
“That’s true. He wouldn’t be able to just trust people.”
“Well, then how are we going to fool those priests… What should we do?”
“This is when my true qualities come out, right?”
“If it’s your true qualities… fascination?”
“Exactly. No matter how strong-willed they are, they will succumb to my fascination magic. I will feed them false information.”
“That sounds good.”
“You could also do it, but I think it’s better for me to do this kind of thing.”
I nodded at her words. It made sense. The fascination magic I used hadn’t been proven effective yet.
“Now we just need to feed the priests the appropriate false information. And make sure they don’t suspect us.”
“Right, right.”
Asti grinned. By the way, how should we form the group like this… Is there no other way?
“In that case, we have no choice but to put Ruslan and the others in the holy maiden’s group.”
“That’s the way. There’s no particular side effect, but it’s much more convenient. And Ruslan’s mental strength is much stronger than that of the priests, so there’s a good chance that fascination won’t work properly on him.”
Asti seemed to greatly overestimate Ruslan’s mental strength.
“Just to that extent?”
“Yeah. It seemed difficult even for me. I guess your assessment of him as a potential hero is correct, as usual. Ordinary humans can’t possess such mental strength.”
That’s to be expected. After all, he’s the main character. With our rough plan set with Asti, we waited for the right moment. When the investigation unit would move.
* * *
The right moment for the investigation unit to move was the next day. I looked at the five priests who had joined our side. They all exuded a tense atmosphere, making Adrian confident that we were being watched for some reason.
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…It was desolate. Well, they are just ordinary priests after all, so they probably can’t hide their emotions. They are pure people.
I didn’t particularly remember their names. They would just continue to fidget and pass on information to the Saintess as they get entranced by Asti’s charm.
Looking at them, Lina and Nea quietly asked me.
“Are those people okay?”
“They’re fine. I’ll take care of them.”
“Oh.”
When Asti stepped forward, Lina and Nea immediately agreed.
To be honest, Asti’s presence was almost like a universal key for them. Considering all the things she has shown so far, it was only natural.
Regardless, it didn’t take long to beguile the five priests. As soon as Asti revealed her true power, their eyes were half-closed.
We led the dazed priests and headed outside the base. It was in a completely different direction from where the Saintess and her entourage went. After quite some time, Nea asked me.
“Where are we going?”
“We have to wait a bit. The ghost will come looking for us.”
Of course, I had also subtly hinted to them yesterday, not just Asti. About meeting the Ghost Queen. And that there was a place we needed to go according to her guidance.
“To meet the Ghost Queen. It sounds interesting.”
Nea seemed slightly excited. Now that she had become a high-ranking demon, she was the one who was happiest to hear news about meeting the Ghost Queen, whom she had only heard rumors of.
“I’m a bit worried…”
On the other hand, Lina seemed slightly concerned. Having been tormented by ghosts for so long, she seemed to be worried about how much of a headache a being like the Ghost Queen would be.
“You don’t have to worry too much. She didn’t seem particularly hostile towards us. If our interests align, there’s no reason to fight.”
How long did we wait?
As the weather grew darker, the ghost began to appear gradually. It should be coming soon.
And my expectations were exactly right. It wasn’t a knight-like ghost approaching us. It was a lot stronger-looking than the commanding sorceress we encountered yesterday. The aura it gave off was quite extraordinary.
– Is it you? The human the queen summoned.
“It’s probably me.”
-Follow me.
In a rough voice that sounded like scratching metal, the ghost spoke to us. I followed behind him without saying a word. There was no need for conversation anyway.
We continued walking.
How long did we walk? The surrounding scenery began to change gradually. The fog started to become even thicker. Not only did the fog thicken, but the energy felt much more depressing. It was as if we had entered the very lair of the ghosts.
“How much longer do we have to walk?”
-We still have a long way to go. By the way, what’s the plan with those humans?
The ghost knight pointed towards the priests. I looked at them and pondered for a moment. For now, I’ll take them along with me, and when I go to a place only the ghosts can go, I’ll send them to the Saintess.
“I will take you for now. When the time comes, I will send you back.”
-… Understood.
The specter continued walking without saying a word. With every step, the sound of murmuring ghosts echoed in my ears.
-Quiet.
However, the murmuring subsided with just one word from the specter knight. It seemed that he was one of the most prominent beings among the specters under Umbra’s command, judging by the fact that he directly carried out Umbra’s orders.
“What’s your name?”
-I have no name.
“I see.”
-There is still a long way to go, if you need rest, let me know. Unlike us, you will need rest.
“…Thank you for your consideration.”
-It’s Queen’s command.
Since Lina seemed exhausted at that moment, I chose to rest without hesitation.