Chapter 464: The Saint’s Proxy

After a while, Viscount Musai, the son of Duke Bariella who was entrusted with the affairs of the capital, came himself to the room where Tauro’s group was staying.

Marquis Donaisson was with them, and he looked grave as he was holding a pale face. From this, Tauro and the others quickly deduced that their suspicions were correct.

“Master Tauro! I received a report from a maid. How did you figure this out?” 

Viscount Musai skipped the pleasantries and got right to the point, eager to know the reason.

“It wasn’t me who noticed it, but rather Aeris, the daughter of Marquis Vandyne,” 

Tauro replied, gesturing to Aeris, who gave a slight nod.

“H-How did you realize it!?” 

Marquis Donaison, seeming to feel that time was of the essence, urged for further information with a hurried expression.

“I possess the skill ‘Barrier Master,’ so I was able to sense it. This is probably some limited sealing magic that combines a barrier and curse. It’s only meant to hinder the Saint’s ‘Blessing Ceremony,’ so I believe it will not cause any harm.”

Aeris explained.

“Sealing magic!? … I see. If It’s mostly harmless, then… So, can this be undone?” 

Viscount Musai breathed a sigh of relief, feeling reassured that it was nothing serious, and casually asked Aeris.

“I think it can only be broken by eliminating the caster, or the one who is using this sealing technique. The sealing magic itself operates on a wavelength of mana that is nearly harmless and very limited, so there’s no magic to counter it or undo it. The only way to deal with it might be to use a ‘Blessing’ with a greater output of magical power,” 

“That’s why we’re in trouble! We have to conduct the ‘Blessing Ceremony’ in just a few hours. Is it possible to find the magician or the thing responsible in that time?” 

Marquis Donaison pressed Aeris, who seemed to know a lot about the matter.

Viscount Musai intervened, trying to calm the Marquis down.

“Please, calm down, Marquis Donaison! We are also currently searching the mansion for anyone suspicious!”

“There’s also the possibility that it originated from outside the mansion, so it might be difficult to find it quickly,” 

Aeris added, glancing at Tauro.

“Then what should we do?” 

Marquis Donaison’s frustration got the better of him, and he lashed out his anger at Aeris.

“Hmmm… I can’t use barrier-type magic, so I can’t counter it with a spell… That leaves us with no choice but to…appoint a proxy” 

Tauro suggested as he stepped forward to shield Aeris.

“A proxy?” 

“Yes, a proxy who can use something that resembles the Saint’s ‘Blessing.’”

“Resemble it? If such a thing exists, we wouldn’t be in this predicament!” 

Marquis Donaison retorted angrily at Tauro’s simplified suggestion.

“If it’s just something that resembles it, Aeris can do it. We can use that ‘resemblance’ to get through the ‘Blessing Ceremony’ and then find the caster or the cause in the meantime.” 

Of course, this was a lie; Aeris could indeed use ‘Blessing’, even more powerful than that of the Saint, but revealing that would likely create chaos.

So, it was framed merely as something that “resembles” something.

“Can this ‘resemblance’ emit light in the same way as a ‘Blessing’ and heal the hearts of those in attendance?”

Marquis Donaison alternately scrutinized Tauro and Aeris for confirmation.

“Aeris’s magic does emit light and can give the impression of healing. I think it will be enough to make the attendees feel like it worked for them,” 

Tauro stated, though this too was, of course, a lie.

“Is there really such a deceptive magic? — Marquis Donaison, we cannot afford to quibble. Let’s go with his proposal to get through the ‘Blessing Ceremony’ and use that time to find the culprit.”

Viscount Musai supported Tauro’s suggestion.

“…I get it. But how do we make it look like Saint Mathilda is the one performing it?” 

“That’s simple. Aeris can wear a veil to conceal her face and take Mathilda’s place at the ‘Blessing Ceremony.’” 

It was a straightforward answer, and Viscount Musai agreed with the idea.

“…I see, since she’s about the same height as the Saint, she’ll act as a body double. In that case, there’s no problem!”

“But… I wonder if the Saint will agree to this…” 

This was where Marquis Donaison hesitated.

“Where is the Saint now?” 

“She’s in a foul mood and has locked herself in her room.”

Marquis Donaison sighed as he answered.

“Then let’s just have her stay locked up until the ‘Blessing Ceremony’ starts without any explanation. That settles the problem.” 

Tauro grinned widely.

“Ah!” exclaimed Marquis Donaisson, taken by surprise from the suggestion made by the young boy in front of him, feeling as if a light bulb had gone off in front of him.

The ‘Blessing Ceremony’ proceeded solemnly.

Normally it would take half a day to stage a solemn performance of the Saint’s “blessing” with elaborate greetings and prayers, but with the actual ‘Saint’ locked away, they decided to expedite the event to avoid any commotion before the “Saint” herself realized she was locked in her room and started making a fuss, omitting all scheduled rituals and going straight to the ‘Blessing.’*

Aeris, wearing a luxurious outfit prepared for the ceremony and a veil to hide her face, appeared before the attendees.

Those witnessing her for the first time awed at the mystical aura radiating from Aeris.

“Though we cannot see her face behind the veil, what a noble and dignified figure she presents!”

“I’m sure she must be beautiful beneath that veil…!”

“It’s as if we are gazing upon a magnificent painting!” 

Then, as Aeris, playing the role of the Saint, raised her staff to the heavens and proclaimed, “To all those present, I offer my ‘Blessing!’” a dazzling light enveloped the area, filling the attendees with a warm sensation that seemed to heal their very souls.

“Oh…!” 

“This is… the power of the ‘Blessing’…!” 

“Long live the Saint!” 

People were moved to tears, overwhelmed by the miraculous power of ‘Blessing’ of the Saint that seemed to be unfolding before them.

“Is this the result of trickery!? … If so, then deceiving the attendees would be quite easy… But, still, to be so moved by a seemingly mere illusion of magic…,” 

Marquis Donaison felt his heart tremble at Aeris’s presence and the magic that was supposed to be a façade, wiping away the tears that were threatening to flow.

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