Chapter 85: Viki’s Attitude (Part 2)
“What insider?”
Her Majesty the Queen frowned lightly upon hearing that. “An insider refers to someone on the enemy’s side, but Saint George is neither our enemy nor yours—at least for now.”
At least for now?
A thought flickered through my mind.
“Peilo, as a princess, there are things you say that can represent the stance of the Empire and its allies to some extent. You need to learn to be more cautious and precise.”
“So, you really are the true source of information,” I tilted my head slightly and whispered to her.
At that moment, the Forgiveness Head, who had been quietly listening to our conversation, suddenly spoke up: “Sharman’s situation must be quite dangerous, right?”
“Whose situation is safe?”
Viki turned her head to glance at him. “War, disasters, man-made calamities—these past three years, the people of the Western Continent have been restless and on edge. This year, even Ethanbel has to start confronting the looming threat of food shortages manifesting across many towns, especially in the southwestern region of the Kingdom, where some towns near the border are practically experiencing famine.”
“And the Holy Church and the Holy City, the very sources that are accelerating the deterioration of the situation, seem to be on an upward trend. The issues have become far too complicated—almost irreconcilable—teetering on the brink of collapse at any moment, which could lead to unpredictable, severe, and even disastrous consequences for the entire Western Continent.”
“Rect.”
Her Majesty’s tone became slightly heavier. “What you should be considering now is how to resolve more troubles as best as you can or how to better prepare for the worst-case scenarios. Conduct your investigations and strategies and report back to me in a timely manner, rather than worrying about whether someone’s situation is safe.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Rect bowed his head in acknowledgment.
But I always felt like she was hinting at something for me.
No matter what, it was highly likely that Sharman had been sent to Saint George to ‘infiltrate’. Was it to keep a close watch on the situation?
But how did that cold-faced maid gain Saint George’s trust, and what identity did she assume to stay by his side?
As if reading my doubts, Her Majesty continued, “Sharman has now rescinded her contract with the palace and will no longer hold or manage any royal affairs. She has left the Royal City and successfully applied to join the Church. She is now a qualified and excellent nun in the North Domain of the Ethanbel Diocese.”
Ha…
Sharman?
A nun?
I frowned at that. The image flashed in my mind.
A monotonous face in her thirties, standing before me in a nun’s outfit, her eyes unblinking, and attitude icy: “Pope, you’re back. Would you like me to boil water first, serve food, or…?” …Pfft, is it really necessary to go this far?
“What are you thinking about?” Her Majesty suddenly asked.
“Nothing,” I replied, keeping a straight face.
Pfft, pfft, pfft…
How could Sharman do such things?
Why did I even have such a bizarre thought?
“Let’s not talk about her for now.”
Viki leaned back slightly, her back touching the chair, crossing her legs, and resting her chin on her alabaster fingers, her eyes cold: “In your letter, you mentioned there was something you wanted to discuss with me. Go ahead, that is the main topic today, right?”
That tone of hers had a certain condescending and icy flavor.
The main topic today can’t just be me coming to have tea with you, can it?
Her strange attitude made me very uncomfortable; it felt like she was eager to usher me out—Shouldn’t she be luring me somewhere private and then tightly hugging me while saying she missed me?
Though if that happened, I would surely resist with all my might, but still…
What on earth?
What is Viki thinking?
What did I do to offend her?
Thoughts evaporated in an instant, and I didn’t show anything on my face—at least I didn’t think I did.
Confusion aside, I figured I could act just like that woman across from me; even if the Mother Deity descended from the heavens and suddenly began hawking Morlm sausages, I could still maintain a nonchalant face and watch calmly—fine, if you say we should get to the point, then let’s get to it.
“I remember the Royal City originally had two Divine Reliquaries.”
I mimicked her demeanor, putting on a serious face, finding a comfortable position, and leaning back in the chair.
“Boswell, known as ‘Eggshell,’ has long since been destroyed and repurposed by Teresa, but the other one, what was it called again? Some ancient divine language? The one used every year at the Royal Academy’s opening ceremony, contained in the Church’s medium ball…”
“The Ancient Deity’s Divine Speech.” Viki interrupted, her tone impatient—was she looking down on my memory?
This woman really seems to be in a bad mood with me today.
“Right.”
I nodded, took a breath, unwilling to argue with her: “If I remember correctly, that’s a Divine Reliquary capable of amplifying and extending sound. At least, amplification is one of its abilities.”
“The transmission of sound.”
The woman with the sour face said calmly, “Its ability is the transmission of ‘sound,’ not just simple amplification or extension. Hundreds of years ago, the ‘deity’ granted the Royal City of Order two Divine Reliquaries: ‘Boswell’ and ‘The Ancient Divine Speech,’ that’s how it is referred to by outsiders.”
“However, in reality, these two relics were controlled here about 700 years ago at the peak of the Gate of Truth when the Holy Church, based in the capital city of Kanli, had a fierce battle against heretics. Both relics were assigned to this place during that time and were presented to the first king after the victory as a reward for courage in resisting heresy and to prevent a large-scale invasion of Kanli again.”
“Is that so?” I felt suddenly astonished.
Weren’t those two relics said to exist to fend off demons—
Oh, right, heretics are demons.
“For many years, the Royal City of Order has been the city most closely cooperating with the Church, without exception. Our ancestors fought side by side with the clerics, bloodied on the battlefield. Now, looking back at that seemingly unbreakable friendship from hundreds of years ago, it makes one feel rather sentimental.”
Whether she was sighing or deliberately keeping me in suspense, she finally asked, “The relics are kept by the successive heads of the Royal Academy. You mentioned it—what do you want to do with it?”
“I need it.”
“What do you mean?” Viki paused slightly in reaching for her teacup.
Rect was also unable to keep his gaze from turning to me.
“Or let me rephrase that.”
I thought for a moment, feeling there was no need to beat around the bush: “Can ‘The Ancient Divine Speech’ be directly transferred to me? If so, what would I need to pay?”
“Pfft!”
Rect couldn’t help but spit out his tea: “What did you say? You want to take the Divine Reliquary of the Royal City…”
“Yes.”
I didn’t look at him, just gazed at Viki: “To put it plainly, it is just like that.”
“……”
Her Majesty didn’t answer right away. She looked at me in silence, as if rapidly considering something.
After a long pause, she spoke again.
“Although I am the King of Ethanbel, the ownership of the Divine Reliquaries isn’t solely up to me.”
The woman seemed to be weighing her words carefully, observing my expression as she spoke: “They are the property of the Royal City, also the wealth of the Christ Royal Academy, and are tied up with a contract with the Church… It’s a very complex situation; it’s not as simple as saying I want to gift it to someone.”
“So it’s a no-go, huh?” I shrugged, “Not even to just hold it for a moment and take a look?”
“I can arrange to talk to someone from the Academy first.” Viki narrowed her eyes. “This matter can be settled quickly, but the premise is—”
“Bargaining chip?”
I interrupted her and replied, “Go ahead, what do you need me to do?”
My question seemed to stifle her for a moment.
Viki remained silent for a long time.
“But the premise is that you at least have to tell me what you plan to do with it.”
Her tone seemed to grow even colder: “If you see this as our bargaining chip, then it is indeed that.”
