Volume 1 Chapter 17 Each Of Their Intentions
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”So, if you’ll excuse me…”
A skinny middle-aged man in a cassock quietly left the room. After reporting their findings, two women were left behind: one cloaked, the other dressed in priestly robes.
They were in Seyfeld, the capital of the Holy Fritz Theocracy. Known alongside the imperial capital as one of the continent’s most developed cities, Seyfeld’s red stone inn—called the “Bricks”—held a somewhat somber atmosphere that weighed on the two women.
”AnnAnn, we need to get this straight,” Oriana said.
”…Yeah,” Anna replied softly.
The two women—Hero Anna and Oriana, the cleric of the Men of Zol party—leaned back on the couch, letting out heavy sighs.
They had come to this country on a special request from the Pope himself. The kidnapping case they were investigating was so serious that the Theocracy had no choice but to allow outsiders in. Normally, suspicion and power struggles kept everyone in check.
The case was, of course, the kidnapping of the saintess.
At first, they planned to keep the incident secret. But the Pope, fearing the gravity of the situation, made it public and informed the other continental powers. The Kingdom of Crotopone, the Second Empire of Dusselhelm, the Federal Republic of Lilith, and the Theocracy all approved the investigation. Now the responsibility weighed heavily on Anna and her party.
”Late at night, while everyone was asleep, mysterious attackers broke into the palace,” Oriana explained. “It was a brutal, spectacular assault that threw the place into chaos. Their goal was to kidnap the saintess. The adjacent cathedral was blown up, and the church suffered severe damage.”
”Yeah. On top of that, some of the treasures and offerings they guarded were looted,” Anna added. “The Blade of the Godslayer—the dagger about twenty centimeters long—was among them. It’s made from divine iron, the same metal as the swords of the old heroes who defeated the Demon King centuries ago.”
Though the war against the Demon Continent had ended long ago, the blade’s significance had faded from public memory. Even the Theocracy had neglected it until rumors of the Demon King’s return and a rising hero brought it back into the spotlight.
”After the attack, a merchant guild that had been transporting the saintess came forward,” Oriana continued, rubbing her forehead. “They claimed they were only carrying luggage, not knowing at first that it was the kidnapped saintess. Some frightened officials contacted them, and the truth leaked out.”
”But there were those among the merchants who cooperated,” Oriana added bitterly. “Tracking magic showed footprints crossing the mountain border at night, smuggling the saintess out of the country. Now, the trail leads to the Kingdom of Stras. It’s become difficult to track.”
The saintess wasn’t just important to the Theocracy—she was vital to all humanity. Her gift of foresight had deterred wars for generations. While tensions simmered, large-scale conflicts had been avoided thanks to her presence.
Oriana sighed deeply, angry at the greedy merchants who seemed to care only about money, no matter the world’s fate.
Anna, however, had a different thought.
”Oriana, I think some of those merchants might not be human—or maybe they were brainwashed. It’s possible they were hostages too.”
”…That’s possible,” Oriana admitted reluctantly.
Anna tried to find the best explanation for their betrayal. Several things didn’t add up.
”First of all, why didn’t the kidnappers carry the saintess themselves? Even if it was risky, it shouldn’t have been impossible. So, they must’ve had no choice. Or maybe it didn’t matter to them either way.”
The merchant guild’s drivers waited at the pickup point as planned. But instead of simple cargo, they ended up transporting the kidnapped saintess and stolen treasures. Some drivers tried to escape but were swayed by the promise of reward—and a mysterious companion of the kidnappers, likely non-human, who convinced them to comply.
”The Theocracy suspects the Empire, since magic was used to cause such destruction. And the fact the kidnappers didn’t carry her themselves raises suspicion of inside help.”
”That’s why the Pope asked us to investigate. But honestly, as long as we rescue the saintess, the cause doesn’t matter much…”
The investigation was their mission. Identifying the culprit was the country’s responsibility, but Anna knew better—something serious was brewing.
”Maybe the Demon Lord is moving…” Anna whispered.
”…Let’s hope not.”
The Witch King—the demon tribe’s ruler seeking revenge on humanity—was rumored to be rising. Many heard the tales, including national leaders, but no one took them seriously as long as people remained unharmed.
Anna was different. The goddess had entrusted her with saving the world. The battle day was drawing near.
For now, criminals roamed free and the saintess was missing. Once one problem was solved, the other would reveal itself.
After sharing their thoughts, the two women stood and gathered their things, preparing to leave the inn.
”By the way,” Oriana said quietly, “I heard a strange rumor about this generation’s saintess.”
”Rumors? Like what?”
”That she’s the daughter of a prostitute.”
Anna blinked. “Ah… if Oriana already knows…”
”It’s true,” Oriana said softly. “Born to an archbishop and a prostitute. They tried to hide it at first, but when the child’s future sight powers appeared, they had no choice but to reveal her. The archbishop must’ve faced a lot of scorn for that.”
The saintess’s origins were whispered in secret within the Theocracy.
At first, Anna thought it was just a cruel smear campaign. But the truth was complicated.
”…Future sight. She’s…”
”Hmm?” Anna paused. “No, it’s nothing. I wonder what the saintess is doing now.”
I hope she’s safe, Anna thought. But something didn’t feel right.
The Theocracy recognized saints by their gift of foresight. This generation’s saintess should have seen danger coming. So why was she taken so easily? Anna couldn’t help but wonder if the saintess’s vision was limited somehow.
Notes:
• Oriana – A companion who assists in explaining the situation to the kingdom. She is supportive and helps Anna navigate her responsibilities.
• Anna – The legendary Hero, chosen to defeat the Demon Lord. Her past life is Sylvia Croce. She is described as a heavenly being with overwhelming skill and a merciless attitude.
• Zol – An adventurer and drinking buddy of Klock. He appears with Heysl to intervene in the confrontation between Klock and Sylvia.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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