Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 56: A Prayer and the Past (2)
In the silence, Clark gathered several leather scrolls and booklets from the table beside Duke Ziemeld’s bed and placed them before Gilbert and the others.
“These records wouldn’t ordinarily be shown to outsiders, but His Excellency has authorized their disclosure. You may examine them later.”
Duke Ziemeld nodded toward the documents and sighed.
“…Although these are national records, I can’t guarantee their truth. Ziemeld valued its pride for centuries, and inconvenient facts may have been distorted. The official account states only that the holy sword was lost because the fated magic user died.”
“Then is it unknown what actually happened?”
At Sydney’s stern question, Clark produced more booklets.
“These are journals written by the knight commander and head chamberlain of that era. Their positions gave them different perspectives, but shared events can be inferred.”
Duke Ziemeld looked into the distance again.
“Such immense power casts a long shadow in human hands. The brighter the glory and praise, the more that shadow may distort the hearts of those who have diligently honed their own skills and taken pride in their work. Great power also attracts people and awakens desire. Difficult emotions can consume the human heart and lead to tragedy.”
After the duke’s murmured reflection, Clark continued.
“Accurate information was concealed, leaving only fragments passed down for over a century, so this remains conjecture. The princess became infatuated with the holy sword’s wielder. Some nobles were intoxicated by his power, while knights denied recognition resented the admiration he alone received. The tangled events ultimately took the life of the young woman who stood beside the hero.”
After a pause, Lionel asked a question.
“Does that past relate to the present incident?”
Duke Ziemeld’s face twisted in pain as he met Lionel’s eyes.
“I believed I had raised Dylan well and taught him Ziemeld’s ancient pride. But learning our past distorted my son in an unexpected direction.”
At Dylan Agreas Ziemeld’s name, Lionel stiffened.
“Excessive pride breeds arrogance, and a warped sense of justice becomes violence, then blind faith. Dylan hates the Goddess’s power. He believes it caused Ziemeld’s downfall.”
Priest Sydney exclaimed, frowning.
“How could that belief lead him to unleash undead beasts upon the kingdom?”
Sitting upright, Duke Ziemeld clutched the sheets in wrinkled hands.
“The discovery of mildly poisonous mutant undead beasts twisted Dylan’s obsession further. He declared, ‘An immortal army in which all are equal will bring true peace.’”
Lionel furrowed his brow further.
“Surely he doesn’t intend to use the Undead Mud to turn people into undead?”
“He believes that if it covers the royal capital for three months, every resident and knight will transform without dying. Changes beginning inside the body would escape the clergy’s notice,” Duke Ziemeld replied.
A gasp escaped from Lionel and Sydney.
“This is terrible. We must reexamine the rescued knights. We truly can’t detect undead transformation before it reaches the surface.”
Sydney dispatched clergy to the knights, then examined Duke Ziemeld with permission, looking deep into his throat. His expression remained grave.
“What can we do? If transformation hasn’t reached the surface, purification should still be possible.”
Lionel breathed out, organizing his thoughts.
“…The royal capital has the holy sword and Holy Knight. From what you say, they may already have devised a response.”
Gilbert noticed Flora trembling beside him. Was it terror at the plan, the mention of the Holy Knight, or Lionel’s final concern that the Holy Knight remained in the capital?
After hesitating, Gilbert silently touched Flora’s shoulder and took her hand. When she returned his grip, he felt its trembling.
—I dislike the bastard who abandoned Flora, but I don’t want her heart burdened by any more grief.
He poured that feeling into their joined hands and tightened his other hand around the battle-axe.