Chapter 134
(Kyle
Calendar Year 509: Age 16)
Race Against Time
Translator : PolterGlast
"Urgent! This is
urgent news! An urgent messenger from the Royal Capital has just arrived. By
order of Takuhir-sama, Anne-sama is hurrying this way. Due to the urgency of
the matter, Anne-sama requests that all key individuals and all Holy Mages
gather before her arrival."
Miseri and Claire, who
were stationed at the administrative office, were surprised by the urgent news
but immediately dispatched people to call everyone together. Key personnel,
including Mages, typically had their own roles and were scattered across
various locations. For those far away, it would take half a day to return after
receiving the summons.
Recognizing the
gravity of the situation and wishing to save even a little precious time, Anne
had sent the messenger ahead of her.
※
"Could it be...
something urgent regarding the matter concerning us Mages, which we discussed
the other day?" Christoph voiced his concern in the room where they had
gathered.
"Anne-sama is
coming here, leaving Takuhir-sama's side. I have a bad feeling about this; I'm
worried," Miseri's expression was grim.
"No, no, if that
were the case, it wouldn't involve all Holy Mages. It must be something else,
right? There's no point in us getting flustered; let's calm down first,"
Raphael said, folding his arms and quietly closing his eyes.
"What about
Commander and Elan?"
"Gale-san, both
of them are at the Demon Realm construction site. I sent a messenger to them
first, so they'll arrive soon," Claire answered the question.
After a while, Anne
arrived, accompanied by Commander Weiss and Elan, whom she had met at the city
gate.
"Everyone, first
of all, I sincerely apologize for this sudden summons during your busy
schedules. The first thing I want to convey is that this summons is not about
the 【disaster】 that is currently unfolding. That has already been
successfully averted in the Royal Capital thanks to Takuhir-sama's wise
decision.
However, a greater
crisis is approaching. The response to this must be implemented not only in
Teigun but across the entire Estol territory.
Please understand that
this meeting is for that purpose."
At Anne's opening
words, everyone's faces showed a uniform sense of relief, but immediately
afterward, their expressions hardened into grim resolve.
"First, I will
explain what happened after returning to the Royal Capital. Of course, this is
strictly confidential."
Saying that, Anne
explained the events that transpired after Takuhir's return to the Royal
Capital: the Restorationist Faction's schemes and the rumors spreading in the
Royal Capital, the secret agreement with the Headmaster, and Takuhir's position
afterward. They each wanted to voice their thoughts, but they deliberately
restrained themselves, refraining from interrupting Anne.
"Now, to the main
topic. I will tell you about the content recorded in the ancient documents that
Rosa discovered in the Royal Capital's Church, and what we must urgently do
from now on."
Here, for the first
time, Anne spoke about the plague that Takuhir had been worried about all this
time. She also revealed that the Holy Mages had been given a special mission
regarding it, moving secretly until confirmation was obtained. And how Rosa's
efforts had corroborated it, leading to a key discovery for a countermeasure.
She conveyed the urgent need to act on it.
"While we will
handle the Church's response separately, the top priority is securing the
medicinal herbs in the Demon Realm. Quickly, and in large quantities. This
concerns the lives of many, including everyone here."
"I... I probably
know those medicinal herbs! And where in the Demon Realm can the same plants as
the Church's herbs be found..."
Everyone's attention
turned to Mia. As a Holy Mage from a young age, she had become attached to Rosa
and always acted with her, so what she had seen was similar to what Rosa had
seen. Furthermore, since her time in Est, Mia had studied herbalism with Rosa
and Chrisia and was well-versed in medicinal plants.
"First, we need
to dispatch a collection unit centered around Mia-san into the Demon Realm, and
also an investigation unit to check for other possible collection sites,
right?"
"Claire-san,
let's assign members of the Frontier Knights as escorts for the collection
unit. I'll arrange it."
"Commander, thank
you. Christoph-san, could you form multiple investigation units and search the
Demon Realm?
If the Church accepts
mass production of holy water, and it's for everyone in Estol Territory, then
an enormous amount will be needed. And probably, from Southern Gate Fort, which
is also in an area bordering the Demon Realm, all the way to Viscount Gorman's
territory, the required amount will be enormous, I think."
"I will inform
the Margrave. Can that manual be given to him? And we should also inform
Viscount Gorman through the Knight Order's personnel."
"Yes, Commander.
We need to update some of the content with this new information, but I don't
think there's a time issue. Anne-sama, when you return to the Royal Capital, I
would like you to obtain Takuhir-sama's permission for that."
"Marianne-san,
that's fine. We already have that permission. Takuhir-sama said:
『I feel bad for the people of Hiyorimi Territory, but I
can't release information until our preparations are complete. If they interfere,
we'll lose everything. However, it's necessary to convey the information,
including the manual, beforehand to the two other most dangerous regions
bordering the Demon Realm, since a large Monster Disease outbreak is occurring.』
That's what he
said."
"This settles it.
Then we ourselves shall immediately set about forming and organizing each unit,
and preparing responses according to the manual. Marianne will be in charge of
preparing this response and selecting personnel from the Holy Mages who can go
for the collection and investigation. Anne-sama, Miseri, Claire, and Yoltia
will proceed with the Church's response. How does this sound?"
"Gale-san,
understood. Is everyone else alright with this?"
At Anne's words,
everyone sprang into action. Towards the coming disaster.
※
"Anne-sama, what
will the Church say? I'm a little uncomfortable with Father Grace..."
On the way to the
Church, Anne recalled Takuhir's words.
『Miseri is incomparably capable as an administrator.
But dealing with difficult people, like Father Grace, will be hard for her
because of her earnestness. Anne, when you are around, I'll leave it to you,
but after that, it might be better to have Claire and Yoltia as contacts, as
they're better suited.』
"Miseri-san, how
about you act as our supervisor and the keeper of necessary funds? As for
negotiations, let's have me, Claire-san, and Yoltia-san, who is accustomed to
commercial transactions, handle them."
Miseri sighed in
relief and agreed to Anne's proposal.
They absolutely had to
meet Takuhir-sama's expectations and succeed in this negotiation.
Anne, remember!
Everything you've done with Takuhir-sama until now. The interactions between
Father Grace and Takuhir-sama.
At the church gate,
Anne exhorted herself.
"Well, well,
ladies, what brings you all together today?"
Invited by the smiling
Father Grace, the four entered the church. To win the battle that was about to
begin.
※
Some time after the
four were invited into the church, four individuals with bright faces emerged
and began to move again, heading towards the administrative office.
"Even so,
Anne-sama, you were amazing! Father, who was reluctant at first, completely
changed his expression in the end."
"No, Claire-san
and Yoltia-san's single words changed the tide significantly. And Miseri-san's
timing in offering the sweets (gold coins) was exquisite!"
The four smiled
brightly.
Indeed, regarding the
medicinal herbs and the purification ritual, Father Grace's stance was
initially adamant. It was only natural, given that the Church had kept this
information secret for many years.
But they produced
results through perfectly coordinated interactions with the priest.
"I understand
your request. The Church also wishes to cooperate, but unfortunately, in this
frontier land, it's not as simple as we'd like..." Father Grace's attitude
remained consistent up to this point.
"Takuhir-sama has
promised that the ritual and production methods will not infringe upon the
Church's rights. He says that any surplus from the large quantity produced will
be purchased at the same price as the ritual," Anne's words made Father
Grace react slightly. And someone didn't miss that.
"Um, if we're
talking about covering the entire Estol territory and its surroundings, that
would be an enormous sum, wouldn't it? I'm surprised! Takuhir-sama is so
generous!" Claire's words made the priest's gaze change.
"But if Father
Grace takes the lead and saves the people of Estol Territory, no, the frontier
region, all of them... Father Grace and the Teigun Church's reputation will be
boosted, won't it? Father Grace will still stay in Teigun even after he's
promoted, won't he?"
Yoltia's words made
the priest's face flush, and he seemed to be in a state of ecstasy, as if fantasizing.
Anne had been biding
her time. And she understood that now was the moment.
"Rosa, whom you
introduced, is also being treated very well by the Church officials in the
Royal Capital... She's very grateful to you, Father, for giving her the opportunity.
Now she's also
publicly recognized as a Holy Mage and can speak to the Church officials in the
Royal Capital. I'm sure she's also urging the Royal Capital Church to prepare
for the disaster."
"I see... Huh?
What did you just say?" Father Grace's expression instantly turned pale.
"Yes, she's also
urging the Church officials in the Royal Capital to help prepare for the
disaster..."
Father Grace was
visibly agitated, and large beads of sweat could be seen on his forehead.
He really is...
talented but so easy to read, Anne thought.
"Ah! Father, I
forgot something! This is something Takuhir-sama entrusted to me, if you decide
to proceed with the countermeasures..."
Miseri offered two
bags filled with gold coins to the priest. And the priest lunged at them,
snatching them up.
"Let's proceed
immediately! This is a serious matter. However, it is also true that, though
mentioned in tradition, it is not certain. I think it would be best to secretly
gather trustworthy individuals and prepare discreetly, yet as thoroughly as
possible.
The Royal Capital
is... well, it can't be helped, but for this region, will you leave it entirely
to me?"
Father Grace made his
decision. There was no time to spare. And he couldn't let others seize credit.
He was driven by
immediate profit, and he would exercise his excellence to the fullest.
That very day,
messengers were dispatched in all directions from the Teigun Church, using the
funds he had received as capital. Some time later, individuals connected to him
from various churches began to gather successively at the Teigun Church.
As materials harvested
from the Demon Realm were frequently delivered from the administrative office,
the Teigun Church reportedly worked tirelessly day and night, producing holy
water for purification rituals. Teigun's church had taken on the appearance of
a massive holy water production factory, thriving with activity.
※
Returning to the
administrative office, Anne began her final task as a messenger.
"As I said when I
first arrived here, Takuhir-sama may be heading to the battlefield soon. A
tough battle is expected, and he believes the assistance of a Holy Mage is
indispensable."
"Then, me
too?"
"Yes, once the
deployment is confirmed, he wishes for you and Marianne, along with two
assistants you choose, to accompany him. However, he is very troubled by the
timing of this."
"Most of the
tasks I'm currently entrusted with are almost complete. If we share information
thoroughly now, it will be fine!"
With Marianne's
confident reply, Anne made up her mind.
"Miseri-san,
Claire-san, Yoltia-san, I apologize for this during your busy schedules, but
could you please handle the information sharing and handover with Marianne from
now on? So she can depart at any time."
"Understood. We
will take care of it."
As they readily
agreed, Anne finally felt a weight lifted from her shoulders and sighed in
relief.
『Now I can proudly return to Takuhir-sama.
I should have fully
met his expectations.
When I return to the
Royal Capital, I'll let him praise me and spoil me.
It wasn't that long
ago that I was the older sister, though.』
As these thoughts ran
through her mind, her cheeks naturally softened, and her expression relaxed.
However, Anne, in her
joy, completely forgot.
That four others were
still present in the room...
Claire and the others,
seeing the usually calm, composed, and dignified Anne lose herself and become
utterly smitten, were so taken aback that they were speechless and froze for a
while.
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