Chapter 41: Prison

 

     After finding out that Manon was seriously injured, Lloyd rushed out and the remaining priests were agitated and in a state of disbelief.

     “No, there were three manastones. This is a temple. One can’t bring it in without being noticed. Moreover, it had great magical power.”

     “That’s right. I was surprised when Liz broke it, but Manon, what happened to her must’ve been terrible…”

     ‘Is Manon okay?’

     As she looked towards the first tower, where Lloyd had run, she clasped her hands before her chest. Liz is worried but a candidate is not allowed to leave the temple. She had to wait for Lloyd, who had probably gone to the clinic to see what was going on. She has no choice but to ask him about her condition.

     Then, an elegant old woman with long black hair appeared. Behind her were armed priests. Liz’s eyes widened, she had no need to ask anyone who it was. She was dressed in a pure white robe with small silver embroidery on the chest. A white sparkling crown was on her head, giving out a blinding light due to the sun.

     “Saintess!” The priests hurriedly knelt down.

     ‘That’s the current saint…’ 

     It was the first time Liz has seen her since she’s been in the countryside all her life.

     She had a serene and gentle smile. Perhaps because of her worries, even the wrinkles on her face seem mysterious.

     “Are you alright?” the saint asked.

     “Yes! No one is injured here!…Why has the saint come?” The priest who was at the front timidly asked. 

     It was a reasonable question since there was no figure of the saint present during the magic stone turmoil.

     The saint smiled, “Me? I’ve been looking for the one who brought the stones into the temple and I found it.”

     “Is it true?”

     “Yes, indeed. The culprit is Liz Stefan. She brought it in and broke it herself. So to speak, it was a self-made diversion.”

     “Huh!?”

     Everyone’s eyes widened. Liz too.

     ‘What?’

     She doesn’t understand what she meant. The saint frowned at Liz’s surprise, “Of course you would deny it yourself, but it’s useless. I know all about it.”

     ‘Huh?’

     Why would a saint say this? While she was unable to keep up with the situation, the saint ordered the armed priests, “Catch Liz and take her to the dungeon.”

     “Hah!”

     She was surrounded by the priests, both her arms were forced behind her back. She couldn’t go free. 

     “Wait a minute! It’s not me!” Liz struggled yet she was powerless in the presence of the armed priests.

     “What do you mean? Liz brought the manastone and made it look like she broke it?”

     “It didn’t look like that, but it is what the saint says. Besides, it is strange to say that Liz, who is only a candidate without magic, destroyed the Manastone.”

     The priests looked at each other and Hades smiled happily, “Isn’t that right?”

     “Liz, you’re lying…?” Rebecca stood pale, the earthworm on her palm.

     Liz shook her head vigorously, “No! I don’t know anything about manastones—!”

     “Quickly take her away!” The saint loudly said to the priests holding the resisting Liz as if she knew her influence of those around her.

     “Kyu—!” the holy dragon cried as priests tied it up with a rope.

     “Shiro!?”

     “Goodbye, Liz.” The saint laughed.

　 At that moment, Liz felt strange. She doesn’t know the face of the real saint nor has she ever seen her. And yet there was a horrible feeling crawling up her spine.

     While being held down, her knees are on the ground and her hands are behind her back. She looked up at the saint, staring at her smiling face.

     She didn’t want to miss anything. She kept on looking at her with her deep gaze, trying to find out the truth.

     Liz’s eyes glowed. In an instant, the saint’s smile disappeared. 

     Liz kept on staring. The saint’s face gradually stiffened. The atmosphere surrounding the two were terrifying, the priests looked at them in silence.

     Liz unintentionally opened her mouth. When she noticed something she asked, “Who are you?”

     However, it’s too early to say, the saint’s expression distorted and it was hardly visible. Her face had a mixture of anger, impatience, and fear. As if she wanted to escape from Liz’s heavy gaze, she pointed her finger to Liz’s forehead and chanted a spell.

     Soon after, Liz lost consciousness. However, just before she lost her awareness, the upset faint voice of the saint reached her ears,  “What is this, this child……”

 

* * * * *

 

     Rebecca was in the dining area with another candidate, Olivia. Mimizun was placed back into the box in her room. She sat opposite of Olivia, holding a steaming cup between her hands.

     She thought Liz was helping her, but she tried to manipulate the worm using the manastone? It didn’t look that way.

     “Are you still depressed?” Olivia’s voice came to her. Olivia has short hair which was rare for aristocratic women. Though, it suits her well for her distinct look. 

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     Rebecca looked down, “Because Liz —”

     “It’s good that our rivals are decreasing. Liz is in jail, Manon is badly injured and is in the clinic. We’re the two remaining candidates.”

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     “That’s…! Manon will be back soon. Liz too…!”

     “Stop being too good.” Olivia stared sharply at her, “I know it’s wrong, but I’m honestly pleased with the situation. We’re in the middle of a selection. Only one can be the next Holy saint. Only one of us four. Liz and Manon sealed up the manastones. I was with the chief priest at that time, but I knew that magic stone  had a great magical power. I can’t fight it out by myself…” 

     Olivia bit her lips and Rebecca closed her mouth. Certainly, Hades and the other priests had no power over the manastone. She saw the power of Liz with her own eyes so she understood well.

     Olivia was frustrated and in a violent gesture, she drank her tea.

     “And I’m sorry, but Liz has done it. The saint clearly said that Liz was the one who brought the manastone.”

     “…Is it really Liz?”

     “What do you mean? You don’t mean to tell me that the saint is lying?”

     “That’s the case…” Rebecca looked down again.

     The saint said that Liz was the culprit. However, in the corner of her mind, there’s a side of her that she’s not convinced. They’ve been together all the time during the selection. Even if it’s not all, one can understand what the other person’s character is.

     Rebecca is shy and she  can’t clearly express her feelings, but she’s good at thinking carefully. She has a good eye for others.

　Olivia sighed at the silent Rebecca.

     “Anyhow, I definitely want to be the next saint. Unlike Anna, you can’t withdraw. Luck is also within one’s ability. I’m glad since my rivals have decreased.”

 

* * * * *

 

     Liz had a dream of her previous life.

     In that old apartment, Cecil made a stew and waited for Eugene’s return. However, Eugene returns later than usual. Concerned, Cecil kept on glancing at the front door again and again.

     Perhaps there was an accident. When she thought of that, she could not help it and Cecil put on her coat and went out. Then, just across the street, Eugene came running. Cecil was so relieved.

     “I was worried because you were late.”

     “I’m sorry. But this.” As soon as he entered the room, Eugene held out a small paper bag with his face shining, “A present for Cecil.”

     “For me?”

     What is it? Is it a pastry that’s sold at street stalls? She opened the bag thinking that it was so, but she was surprised, “This is…!”

     It is a hair ornament lined with small flowers. Before, when she and Eugene were walking in the city, she stood before a fancy shop. Cecil liked it when she saw it, but gave up when she saw the price. At that time, she said nothing, therefore Eugene heard nothing about it, but he seemed to have known what was in her heart.

     ‘I see. So that’s why…’ 

     She finally thought. From the payday during that time, Eugene had saved a lot of money so much that Cecil was worried about it. When she asked why, he’d laugh saying that there was something he wanted, but apparently it was for Cecil?

     “Eugene…” she choked through her words. Of course, she’s happy to receive the hair ornament, but she felt very sorry for Eugene that she had put him up to that and for not noticing at all.

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     “Thank you.” She held the hair ornament by her chest and thanked him in a small voice.

     “Yeah.” Eugene happily smiled. He was so happy that Cecil was delighted by it. 

      Cecil immediately pondered on what he was thinking. He just wanted her to be happy and that’s all it was. She thought that that was what made him happy too.

     Cecil raised her face and  gave a big smile, “Thank you! I’ll cherish it forever.”

     Eugene smiled again, even more happy.

     ‘—A Nostalgic Dream’

     Liz, who woke up, unconsciously smiled. A sweet feeling swimming in her heart.

     Suddenly, she felt a cold tap on her face, Liz opened her eyes. She felt the cold through her clothes from the stone floor. There’s iron bars and an empty space.

     ‘In prison…’

     Her heart was cold. She was imprisoned by the saint and perhaps she had been enchanted to sleep by magic. She gently rose and looked around. There is no sign of anyone. Beyond her prison cell she saw stairs. She grabbed the iron bar with both hands.

     “Uwo!” She shook it with all her might, but of course it wouldn’t budge. A strong padlock was hanging outside the iron bars. She looked out for the key, but she couldn’t find it.

     Now, what should she do? She wondered how she could get out of that dungeon. Then, she heard voices arguing from the top of the stairs. One of them was a priest serving as a guard and the other—

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     “No! No one shall enter the dungeon, by the orders of the saint!”

     “So what? The temple is under the king’s control. The independent authorities are but within the royal order. Did you forget that?”

     “…but!”

     “Your name—Colin? Colin, I’ll remember your face and name well.”

     He must’ve seen his name embroidered on the back of the robe’s collar. At that moment, Colin turned pale, even without looking she knew he did. The resistance in his voice lost strength.

     It was Keefa who turned Colin away and emerged from the stairwell. 

     

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