Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 60: Sunset over the Royal Capital (2)
Clergy gathered anxiously in the royal capital’s Grand Church. When Bishop Powell entered, everyone rose.
“Bishop Powell, concerning our recent report: the capital’s water is abnormally tainted.”
A young cleric presented several bottles containing water from wells throughout the capital.
When he cast purification magic, black mist appeared in the water. Removing it cleansed the liquid and bestowed blessing.
Some impurity commonly existed in daily water, but its level had recently become abnormal.
“Water this murky may affect the capital’s drinking supply.”
The cleric spoke gravely. With no precedent, no one could predict the extent of the danger.
Powell frowned and raised a bottle toward the light.
“But why suddenly…”
“Father Powell, I have one more thing to report.”
Another clergy member spoke up.
“Clergy performing charity work in the slums received multiple reports of missing residents. Moreover, someone saw traces of undead creatures near a canal.”
The cleric hesitated and faded into silence.
“What? Could undead beasts have infiltrated the capital?”
As bishop of the church responsible for protecting the capital, even Powell sounded shaken.
“We investigate at once. The water’s contamination may share the same cause. Someone report this to His Majesty.”
Powell and more than a dozen clergy prepared and investigated the slum canals. With official permission, they entered the underground waterways.
Night fell without their return. The next day, remaining clergy reported to the castle, then visited the tunnel entrance where Powell’s party had entered and found it tightly chained shut.
Increasingly bewildered, they pleaded directly with the Royal Order to investigate. The knights replied that they would act only after the staged extermination scheduled within several days.
“The staged extermination also requires clergy! Half our members are missing, including Bishop Powell!”
“If something is wrong, the safest time to act will be after the remaining undead beasts are destroyed. Besides, unlike commoners, clergy possess many kinds of magic. They’re probably safe.”
An unfamiliar high-ranking knight gave the answer.
Despite the desperate pleas of ordinarily mild clergy, the Order wouldn’t change its response.
◆◆◆
Elliot and Emily walked through the castle gardens. Emily still visited the cathedral diligently each day, so they spent time together only after lunch and dinner.
Her instability after the recent undead encounter had faded, to Elliot’s relief. Though their conversations remained awkward, he told himself they were merely nervous about the wedding.
The truths Marcus and Richard revealed swirled in his mind, yet he couldn’t question Emily.
Her supposed role in bringing him the holy sword was the sole pillar supporting the righteousness of his choices. Doubting it would destroy everything, and the fear haunted him.
—After the staged extermination, when this is over, I’ll honestly admit that the holy sword completed its purpose.
He wished only to endure until then and be free of suffering. He no longer knew to whom he prayed.
With Count Agreas’s help, the performance should succeed flawlessly. Elliot repeated that he needed only to endure it.
After leaving Emily and returning to his room, his heart sank further.
The chipped sword in the closet and Alexis’s truth tormented him.
His ears rang. Words spoken in ignorance returned to punish him.
He had uttered them blissfully without seeking truth or thought. Now his own inner voice echoed back, distorted and ugly.