Chapter 46: 46-46 Female Pope

「この度は災難でしたね. 皇国の動きには我々ももっと注意を払っておくべきでした. 大陸内の同盟国同士でこのように醜く争うことなど、二度とあってはなりません. 今後はお互いによく目配せをしておくことに致しましょう」

人より遥かに長命と伝えられる伝説上の存在『長耳族(エルフ)』──その血を身に宿すとされる女性は、実際の年齢に見合わぬ美貌の上に数多の宝石で煌びやかに飾られた法衣を身に纏い、数名の護衛達と共に大きく形の崩れた王都を見回り終えたところだった.

凛とした気品をうかがわせる声を発し、ひと目見て特別な存在と分かる衣装に身を包んだその女性は、かつて王城があった辺りに設置された仮設の応接室で、木製の粗末な椅子に座っていた.

────魔導皇国の襲撃から一月足らず.

クレイス王国は急遽来訪の決まったその『神聖ミスラ教国』からの重要な客人を、急拵えの施設に迎え入れることとなっていた.

「今回の復興への貴国からの多大な支援、大変にありがたく受け止めている.

それだけでなく貴女──教皇アスティラ殿自ら慰問の申し出とは.

クレイス王国を代表して治める者として、心からの謝意を述べたい.

その姿にミスラ教の信徒のみならず、多くの国民が勇気付けられたことだろう」

この国の主──クレイス王国の王が頭を下げると、教皇と呼ばれたその女性は彫像のように美しい顔に静かに笑みを浮かべた.

「礼には及びませんよ、クレイス王. 我々は隣国として古くからの付き合いがあります. 隣人として当然のことをしたまでです」

「そうか. そう言ってくれると助かる. 今すぐには何も返せるものがなくてな. だがいずれ、我が国は必ず貴国の助けとなろう」

「そのお言葉だけで十分です. これからも、変わらずに良い関係を保ちたいものですね」

「ああ、そう願いたいものだ」

王とその女性は互いの顔を見て笑いあった.

何も知らない人間が見れば、それはまるで親しい友人同士の何気ない会話にも思えただろう.

だが、二人のにこやかな表情とは裏腹に、その部屋の空気は張り詰めていた.

神聖ミスラ教国を統べる存在────『教皇アスティラ』.

彼女は大陸中に拠点を擁するミスラ教会を取り纏める神聖ミスラ教国に於いて、象徴としても、また権威としても揺るぎない頂点に君臨する人物.

長らく覇権を争っていた魔導皇国の隆盛の勢いが削がれた今となっては、大陸でナンバーワンとなる権力者がそこに佇んでいた.

「どうかしましたか、クレイス王. 私の顔に何か？」

その視線の意味を、おそらくは理解しているであろう教皇は何食わぬ顔で首を傾げた.

「いや、いつまでたっても貴女の姿は若々しいままだと思ってな」

「ふふ、お上手ですね. それは世辞と受け取っておきましょう」

クレイス王国が魔導皇国の襲撃を受けてから、一早く王都復興への支援を名乗り出た彼女に対し、王は感謝の念がない訳ではない.

実際に、ミスラ教国からは大きな金銭的援助と再建に役立つ資材の寄付を受け、復興は進んでいる.

それに関しては、王は教皇に感謝の念を持っていた.

だが、そんな古くからの隣人を前にして今、王は最大の警戒心を持ちながら接していた.

────先の皇国の襲撃に教国が関わったとしか思えない『証拠』が、山ほど出てきたからだ.

「世辞ではないぞ. いつまでたっても美しいのは事実だろう. 凄いものだな、『長耳族(エルフ)』の血というのは」

本当に、彼女は自分が若かった頃から、何一つ変わっていない.

彼女はいつ見ても若々しく、美しい姿を保っている.

だが、美貌を湛えた若々しい見た目と裏腹に、とうに二百は超えている筈.

伝説の『長耳族(エルフ)』の血が混じっているが為に長寿である、と言われているが──魔物が化けていたと言われても、何ら不思議ではないな、と王は思考を巡らせる.

────実際、魔物よりも厄介かもしれない.

どこまでも真意を隠しながら事を運ぶこの女に、今までどれだけの煮え湯を飲まされてきたことか.

この女の表層の姿や言葉を信じると、痛い目にあう.

とは言え、この女の化けの皮はそう易々とは剥がせないし、策を弄したところで、自分はこの女の足元にも及ばない────.

それを身を以て知る王は、単刀直入に本題へと切り込んだ.

「そう言えば、少し、気になることがあってな──今回、皇国の襲撃には貴国の重要産出品『悪魔の心臓(デモンズハート)』が驚く程に多数、使われていたらしいのだ. 何か、心当たりはないだろうか？」

その場の空気が緊張に張り詰めたのがその場の全ての人間に伝わった.

教皇は優しい笑みを顔に貼り付かせたまま、ゆったりとした調子で答えた.

「────おそらく、それは、盗まれたものでしょう. 貴重品であるが故に持ち出しや輸出は厳しく取り締まっているのですが、国内で盗難被害にあったものがいくつか見受けられました. きっと、それが用いられたのでしょう. 本当に遺憾なことです」

それは王が予想した通りの受け答えだった.

あくまで、それは盗まれたものである、と.

それならば、こちらも予定していた通りの反応を返すのみだ、と王は思う.

「そうか、盗まれたものであったか. それは、貴国にとっても災難であったな. 互いに重要な資源を狙われたとあって、な」

「ええ、お互いに災難でした」

王と教皇は静かに声を上げ、笑い合った.

だが────そこにはおよそ、人の情の温かみと言えるものはない.

互いに穏やかな笑みが仮面でしかないことを証明するように眉ひとつ動かさず、刺すように張り詰めた空気の中、その部屋にはただ乾いた笑い声だけがこだました.

────二百年の長きを生きる老獪な女狐.

────決して信用ならない政治の世界に巣喰う怪物.

それが王のミスラ教国の女教皇アスティラへの揺るがざる印象だった.

教皇とは数十カ国に拡がる信徒を束ねる宗教勢力の頂点であり、彼らミスラ教徒が崇める『神』へと連なる最高位の聖なる巫女.

そして、伝説の『長耳族(エルフ)』の血をその身に宿し生きる『半不死族(ハーフエルフ)』は生まれながらにして聖なる者であり、特別な力を宿し、神にもっとも近き者. そう云われる.

だが巷に流布されている常識(それ)と、直接対峙した時の実際の印象が大きく違っていることを王は識っている.

王がそれと実際に対峙した印象は.

────魔物よりもずっと恐ろしい、人の形をした『何か』.

それが彼女と何度も相見えた王の経験からの印象だった.

彼女の内面を覗き込もうとしても、いつも暗闇の中を覗き込むように昏く何も見えない.

まるで『深淵の魔物』と向き合っているようだ、と王は思う.

「そうそう　そういえば、風の噂に聞いたのですが」

As if he could see through the king's mind, the Pope gave him a cold stare and continued with a thin smile.

It is a fact that the kingdom has accepted the demon race as citizens.

At that moment, the tense air froze, and those present wavered under the pressure.

In the midst of the unusual atmosphere, the king tried to keep a smile on his face and spoke calmly.

"Oh, ......, so you've already heard about this. You must have ears all over the continent. Of course, it's true. For some reason, our country is temporarily taking custody of the demon boy. What's wrong with that?

At the King's words, the Pope's expression creaked, a smile pasted on his face.

It was as if something had touched a nerve in her.

The next words out of her mouth were, "...... What's wrong with that, ......?

The next words that came out of her mouth were terribly cold.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm not sure what to make of this, but I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out. King Claes. I'm sure you'll agree. You're treating the demon race as if it were human when it's there. Isn't that a violation of the Demon Watch clause in the treaty between you and my country?　Hand him over immediately! Demons are the enemy of all of us. That's the view of every treaty signatory on the continent, isn't it?

The treaty doesn't have that much coercive power. Treaties are not enforceable. They're made to respect the will of each nation.

But a promise is a promise - it's an international agreement. Ignoring them will not be a good thing. In the first place, the member countries of the Haas Continent Military Alliance are obliged to provide demons to our country as soon as they are discovered.

I'm sure you're aware of that, but unfortunately, we are not currently a member of that alliance - I believe it was because of your opposition.

The woman laughed out loud.

The woman laughed aloud, as if to say, "Oh, I forgot about that.

I'm sorry about that... I can write you a letter of recommendation right now. Your membership would be of great benefit to us. You won't be bothering the Legion with demon slaying for nothing.

Thank you for your concern. I'll think about it.

The conversation proceeded calmly, smiling at each other.

If you only look at the surface.

"You're going to run away like that again, aren't you?　You can't do that. The king of the venerable Kingdom of Crace cannot be so indecisive. My predecessor was a bit more flexible.

If there is a good reason for our country to join, we will consider it. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with that. ──── No matter how much you want the Demon Race and a monopoly on the Demon's Heart.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

It was clear to everyone that a fierce emotion was stirring in the depths of his unchanging, neat smile.

'──── King Crace?

What a joke that would be.

A voice as dusky as the blackness itself echoed through the room.

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"We want the demon race?　What does that mean?　And "monopoly"? I don't know what you're talking about, but ...... the method of producing the Devil's Heart is one of our country's top secrets. "Depending on the circumstances...

I'm not sure what you're talking about. If possible, we would like to do this peacefully. Do you understand?

The Pope's beautiful, crafted face instantly cracked.

"──── Who...

Who would believe such a nonsense?

I'm not sure what to make of it.

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It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand what I mean by that.

That's not very wise, King Crace.

Too much. It's too arrogant.

If you don't change your attitude soon, you'll be punished by the gods.

Just like those accursed fools who once turned on us.

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The dark clouds that were already swirling in the room became a deadly storm, but the king did not crack a smile.

The dark clouds already swirling in the room became a storm of bloodshed, but the king did not lose his smile. We are doing everything we can to help you at this time, and we will continue to do so in the future. However, we are saying that we are a little troubled if we are forced to do things only for the convenience of the Church (your side).

Since its founding, our country has been proud of maintaining its independence without interference from other countries. As long as you respect that, there will be no trouble - that's all I'm saying. We've known each other a long time. You understand that, don't you?

"I see. Respect, huh? Respect. ──── You have an interesting word for it.

Suddenly, the anger from the Pope seemed to subside.

Somehow, in an instant, the dark cloud disappeared and the room regained its peaceful atmosphere.

It looked as if it was ────.

If only we could see each other's expressions.

"All right. Let's just ignore the petty injustices of your country. Just this once, it's special. Since we're on the same side... we should respect each other. Isn't that right, King Kreis?

The Pope smiled, a charming, good-natured smile that was a far cry from the one he had just given.

The pressure that had been surrounding him vanished as if it had never existed.

It was as if none of that had ever existed in the first place.

Thank you for your understanding. It's always nice to have an understanding neighbor.

Yeah, we've known each other a long time. We've known each other for a long time, so we should be able to be flexible.

The King was always impressed by the Pope's expression, as if he were a different person from before.

The king was impressed, as always, by the Pope's expression, which seemed to be a different person than before.

"So...if I may ask one favor in return.

Can you do that for me?　It's a very, very small favor.

"A favor?

The king was disturbed by the Pope's tone.

The king felt uneasy about the way the Pope said it, knowing full well that when this woman has a calm expression and a calm manner, it is a sign that she is about to say the worst thing of all.

"Please. That's an unusual phrase for you to use.

The king felt a chill run down his spine and stiffened slightly.

Seeing the king, the Pope smiled.

It was a smile with a hint of amusement, as if he were playing with and mocking a child.

This gentle expression made the king even more uneasy.

"No, don't be alarmed like that.

It's a personal matter, after all.

I am ashamed to say this, but my son is a bit lonely.

Your son?

Pope Astira's successor: ──── "The Son of the Soul Successor".

I've been told that the Half-Elves, a long-lived race with the blood of the Elves in their veins, don't have many children and only recently had their only son.

I believe he was not much older than my daughter, Linneburg.

I believe his name is ────.

Prince Tyrence, I believe his name was.

"Yes. My son would like to see your daughter again. I'd like to make that happen.

Our princess?　I've heard that you took care of her while she was studying abroad, but I've never heard of you being so close.

"Yes, I was just surprised to hear that my son is very much in love with your daughter, Lady Linneburg. In fact, my son is very much in love with her. He is so devoted to her that his heart is filled with adoration. That's why he would like to meet you at the celebration of his coming of age.

The Pope spoke without hesitation about the feelings of his son, Prince Tirens, but the King smelled a dense lie in his words.

This woman is lying about something.

The king could not tell if it was part of the lie or all of it, so he slurred his words in reply.

"So you're coming of age, is it that time already? That's great.

I must go and congratulate her, but I don't know if the princess can answer the prince's adoration, if I may say so myself.

You can't say anything about that unless you're into it. ────

In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a few things you can do.

I'm sure you'll be fine.

I'm sure your son won't feel too bad about it.

I'm sure she doesn't think badly of you. What makes you think that?

Reading the other's agitation, the Pope lifted the corners of his mouth wide.

The moment the king saw the expression on his face, ────

──── So, yes, that's it, he said.

It was as if the demon in front of him had laughed.

It was as if he was smiling from the heart, as if to say, "That's the question I wanted to ask you today.

And then, from behind a bright expression that was now only a sign of bad luck, the demonic being let out a sound that also sounded bad luck to the king.

Because ──── they are 'betrothed'.

──── betrothed.

My daughter has never told me any of this, not one bit.

Perhaps it's a lie.

──── That's a new one.

But the king barely managed to reply.

Perhaps her fiancé was a lie,────, but it could not be denied at this moment.

But I can't deny it right now because she's not here.

Maybe it's true. I can't deny it completely.

This slight hesitation blunted the king's words.

He had no choice but to answer, knowing that he was already rolling in the palm of his hand.

The Pope read the King's confused expression and nodded his head in satisfaction.

You're right. I hadn't heard of this either. But it was a mutual decision... I can't interfere. Isn't it the role of us old people to act as a bridge between the younger generation?　King Kreis?

The Pope must have sensed what the king was thinking.

He made a showy gesture of affection and continued to speak with a sneer. 　

Don't worry, sir. No harm will come to you. It will be a great event for the whole country if you come ──── because I want to hold a glamorous ball to celebrate my son's coming of age.

We have already sent out invitations to the party to all the graduates of each country and have invited dignitaries from each country. All we have to do now is to wait for your son or daughter's reply. Because of the long history between our country and yours, we have kept it a secret until we were ready, in order to avoid any disrespect.... I hope you'll answer me soon.

Oh, no.

Here, the king realized his mistake.

I'm not very good at social gatherings, and this is where I fall short.

──── This is clearly a trap.

It is a trap designed to lure the weakness of our country (the princess) who does not listen easily. ────.

I can only assume that the intention is to entrap her in some way.

Of course, you can refuse the offer.

You can tell the princess not to go.

But ────

"As I'm sure you know, please don't miss this. If you miss a social occasion like this, your name will be harmed unnecessarily. It would be bad for the princess' future as well.

I've already sent out invitations to all the graduates and dignitaries.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for and what you're not looking for.

──── This woman could do that, and she will.

In this case, she has declared that she will do it.

She has told me that she is blocking my escape route and creating a situation where I can't refuse in order to proceed.

There is no easy way out now.

──── has now put the princess's 'future' on the negotiating table.

If you're worried about the journey, by all means bring your friends along.

You don't have to worry about food and lodging for them.

We're all looking forward to seeing the princess in her dress, so we'll be happy to provide at least that. And ────

Again, the Pope laughs.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

It's time. The child of the demon race is also invited as a guest.

It is said that he is now an upstanding citizen of your country.

I would like to invite you to a dinner party to express my sincere respect for your country's courageous attempt.

As your son's friend. Then there's no problem, is there?

Please give her my regards. I'll make sure everything is ready for you.

"Oh, I'll tell him ....... But I'll let him decide what to do.

The king, realizing his utter defeat, was reluctant to say anything, but the Pope laughed, as if he had expected it.

I'm sure you will, ────.

I'm sure you'll get a good response from your wise daughter.

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