Solicitation
Saint・Lizabeth Church. The sunset completely dyes the inside of the hall in orange, and before long, envelops it in darkness.
When Cis wakes up, Samon, the Aristo religion’s Archbishop, was standing over there.
“Archbishop Samon……”
“Cis. It’s been a while huh. I never would have thought you, the daughter of House Klose, was the Holy Ark”
House Klose has contributed many donations to the Aristo religion. The two of them had several interactions during the rituals. There’s completely no connection between a saint like him and a terrorist like this.
“Please tell me. What exactly, are you trying to do?”
“Cis……before I answer your question, won’t you tell her that I am safe?”
The Archbishop’s eyes were, locked onto Mira, who’s standing a few steps behind Cis. She was obviously taking a battle stance, and one could feel her determination that swears not to let anybody get close to Cis.
“Mira-san. Archbishop Samon is a kind individual. You don’t have to be that wary”
“Cis-sama. Please take a look around”
When she was urged and moved her eyes to the vicinity, there were the Aristo believers’ 13 Apostles at the edge of the wall. They’ve taken a chanting stance like they’re going to surround Cis and Mira. They’re, the all-star squad that’s directly under Archbishop Samon. They’re his trusted subordinates, and their capabilities are also top class amongst the devotees. However, they weren’t making hostile expressions like Lloyd; they were all making expressions filled with profound affection.
“……I have no intention to hurt you guys. It’s just that, there’s already no time”
Implicitly, one can take away from it,『There will be no leniency in the case that you take any unexpected actions』. Archbishop Samon was, that haggard and had such a horrifying pressuring expression like a different person from how he’d looked.
“Please let me hear it”
Cis resolutely tries to find out the truth. She had known that it’s likely not the answer that she wishes for, but nevertheless. Her strength of wanting to choose her own path by herself at least, had started sprouting through her encounter with Asch.
“I got it. I think you already heard from Lloyd, but you’re the descendant of God’s Child, Aristo”
“……”
The reality that she wanted to deny no matter what, flashes back in her head. The fact that her parents weren’t kind to her. The fact that her siblings can use magic, and only she herself is an Inept. However, her heart denies it at the same time. Cis’ hair and eye colour are both, the same as that of her father, and she’d been told that her facial features and such greatly resemble her mother.
“……for the sake of verifying that, won’t you please let me examine you?”
“Reason……please tell me the reason that you’re examining me”
“Cis……I won’t last for much longer. My fate within another two weeks is, probably to ascend to heaven”
“……”
“14 years ago……there was a woman called Aseres. A person who inherited Aristo’s blood and possessed the disposition to become a saviour. However……she’s no longer here. When she gave birth to you, she passed away”
“……”
“I……was requested, by her.『Please, don’t make my newborn daughter bear the heavy cross of being Aristo’s successor』. At that time, I……respected her will and stopped your observation once. And then, I didn’t chase after the whereabouts of Aseres at all either. Hence, it ended up taking quite some time to locate you”
“……why look for me, after all this time?”
“At that time, I had foolishly believed. That even without her strength, humans can construct a utopia. However……when I found out I was afflicted by a fatal disease three years ago, I realised my own powerlessness. The corruption of the Kingdom. You’re fully aware of that as well, right?”
“……”
Cis didn’t answer anything, but she felt the same about the current situation Samon speaks of. Many nobles who are on the ruling tier are hung up solely on their own interests and fattening their own pocket. When it comes to the commoners who can’t use magic, they don’t even exist in the corner of their consciousness.
“Amongst Aristo devotees, there are no such things. In the creed, there’s the teaching to treat those who can use magic, those who can’t use magic, everybody, equally. In actuality, Aristo religion has become the state religion, and albeit few, the nobles have certainly started moving in that direction. Isn’t House Klose also one of those nobles”
“Are you telling me……to do something about it?”
“I want your cooperation. In order to spread Aristo religion in this country……no, in the world. As the inheritor of Aristo’s blood”
“……I understand. Mira-san, I will have Archbishop Samon examine my body. Please, don’t lay your hands on the Aristo believers”
Cis says and walks towards Archbishop Samon by her own accord.
“……thank you”
Archbishop Samon smiles and bows deeply.
Clap Clap Clap
At that moment, the clapping sound of a single person rung from the sky window, which situates at the centre of the cathedral.
“Who is it!?”
A single person of the Aristo religion shouts towards the sound.
“Archbishop Samon. I wouldn’t expect any less from the top person of the major organisation known as the Aristo religion. What a marvellous persuasiveness……and, what a marvellous liar”
The one who descended from the sky window saying that was, Asch. And then, Lily.
