"Marquis Muhl, we are truly overjoyed by your grandson's recovery."
A priest from the Holy Cruel Church had come to visit the Marquis's estate.
"...Ah, so perhaps the Church's prayers have finally been answered. My heir has suddenly recovered. This must be the will of God, wouldn't you say? Surely you of the Church would agree?"
The high priest wore a bitter expression at the Marquis's sarcasm.
"Indeed, it is a most joyous matter. Might we trouble you to share the details of your grandson's recovery, for the sake of our learning?"
So that's what this is about, after all.
They must have come to find out how he was cured.
Could it be to curse Grow once again?
"Oh no, I haven't the faintest idea. When it comes to curses or disease, I'd imagine the Church has far more expertise than we do."
"We too are still far from reaching God's level, and we wish to draw closer to the embodiment of miracles—so while we know it is terribly forward of us, we felt compelled to ask."
To steal
the seat of an
Elector—
someone of that sort wanting to perform a miracle—if God heard that,
He would surely be appalled.
The Marquis let these thoughts cross his mind as he smoothly changed the subject.
"Unfortunately, nothing of the sort has occurred. By the way, I hear that several renowned bishops of the Church have fallen gravely ill. Is it really alright for you to be spending your time here?"
The Marquis was well aware that three bishops had died.
They must have been killed by the reflected curse, as Alan had told him.
The numbers happened to match — three, the same as the curses that had afflicted his dear grandchild.
"Oh, they simply collapsed from overwork due to being too zealous in their missionary efforts. There's no need for concern."
The priest could hardly maintain his composure, and his expression twisted even further.
"Oh yes, I heard a rumor going around recently..."
"What might that be?"
"Those who suffer a powerful reflected curse, engulfed in pitch-black light—"
—meet a fierce,
and terrible end."
That was what he had heard from Alan.
Alan had said something like, "They might turn to ash, or be sliced into rings, you know."
"……I'm afraid I don't quite understand what you're getting at."
"I don't mean to be rude, but might I ask how the three bishops passed away? For instance, did they turn to ash, or something of the sort?"
"M-My Lord, what on earth are you talking about? I told you they simply collapsed from overwork! If you'll excuse me!"
The priest, his face bright red, departed from the Marquis's residence.
◇◇◇
Once the High Priest who had come under the pretense of celebrating Grow's recovery had departed—
"I'll be going now, Lord Marquis."
I decided to take my leave of the estate.
"The priest from earlier?"
"Yes. He most likely came to inquire about Grow's recovery. It would have been problematic with me around."
"I see. To be unable to do anything for the one who saved my grandchild—I'm ashamed of myself, truly."
"No, please don't think that. Forgive me for saying so, but even though it was only a short time, being with Grow felt like I'd gained a little brother. It was a precious experience. This is my gift of gratitude. [Holy Magic]Prevent Curse."
I placed an anti-curse barrier on the Marquis Mour estate.
"This magic's presence...? It didn't feel unpleasant, though...?"
"I've set up a barrier to ward off curses. I believe you'll be safe for the time being."
"I'm sorry for all of this, from start to finish. We plan to investigate the Church and drive them into a corner. For my grandchild's sake, I'll push this old body to its limits if I have to—we must eliminate any lingering threats. I may have another task to entrust to you."
"Of course."
He wants to settle the score with his own hands, I suppose.
His own child was killed by a curse, and his grandchild was nearly murdered as well.
But the enemy is the Church. Someday, my turn might come.
After that, I stayed one final night before departing from the Marquis family estate.
As I was leaving, Grow clung to me with tears streaming down his face, sobbing, "Stay forever, big brother!" But I obviously couldn't accept that request, so all I could do was watch as Marquis Mour consoled him.
◇◇◇◇◇◇
Skills: [Reverse][Divine Eye][Sword God][Fist God][Spear God][Scorching Magic][Frost Magic][Clear Gale Magic][Stone Iron Magic][Holy Magic][Dark Magic][Space-Time Magic][Thunder God Blade][Gentleman Thief][Ninja Master][Seeker of Truth][Monstrous Power][Pain Attenuation][Complete Status Ailment Resistance][Dark Spirit's Protection][Super Intuition][Heaven's Gate][Abyssal Contractor][Magic Hand][Treasure Search][Seduction][Eloquence][Extraordinary Luck][Growth Speed ×10]
Rank: Orichalcum
Thank you for reading!