Chapter 78

"Pretty good, right? I had to cut a lot out because I was in a hurry."

"...I understand the general idea, but I can't believe it right away."

"Well, that's natural... I think that's a natural reaction."

Prince Terrence walked quickly down the dark corridor of the labyrinth, explaining various things to me as I walked beside him.

It was all new to me, but everything was hard to believe.

──In the basement of the Great Cathedral of Misra, the 'Labyrinth of Lament' is alive.

In other words, it is a labyrinth that has yet to be fully explored.

Over two hundred years ago, after Pope Astilla confirmed the safety of the labyrinth and received an 'oracle,' she is said to have built a country on that land.

According to him, this 'Holy Misra Kingdom' is a country built on a lie.

It was a lie from the very beginning.

...It's hard to believe.

"...When did you realize this?"

"I gradually understood as I investigated various things... but I think I first felt something was wrong when I was five years old."

"...Five years old?"

"Yes, around the time I started to understand things.

Something happened that made me start feeling something was wrong."

Continuing to walk through the dark labyrinth, he continued his story.

"Do you know about the Misra religion?

It's said that Mother received an oracle from the savior 'Holy Misra' and created the religion, but it's said that 'one day the savior Holy Misra will surely be resurrected.

We must gather in that place and build a city.

The people living there will be granted eternal life when the time of Holy Misra's resurrection comes.

They are gathered for that purpose.'

──This is the first doctrine we believe in."

This is the first doctrine of the Misra religion, which calls for gathering the people in the 'Holy City' in preparation for the 'salvation and blessing' that will take place on the day of Holy Misra's resurrection.

The followers of the Misra religion have faithfully followed this teaching and have been gathering people in the 'Holy City' since the founding of the country, conducting a program called the 'Hand of Salvation' in various parts of the continent.

Misra's "missionaries" sent to poor countries pick up orphans, educate them in the churches they build, and move them to the Misra homeland where the Holy City is located. They buy slaves who are treated poorly, give them citizenship in Misra, educate them, and help them find jobs. They also accept people who have lost their homes due to war, providing them with housing and jobs. This is a program that actively accepts people who have lost their place to live.

Because the country conducts such programs, the 'Misra Kingdom' is generally considered a wonderful country.

In other words, the 'doctrine' is said to be the core of the country's spirit and the center of its development.

"Is there a lie in that doctrine?"

"──No, it's the opposite."

"Opposite?"

"I believe it's all true.

...Holy Misra does exist in this country.

And it is probably still waiting for the time of resurrection.

I also believe that 'all the people were gathered for the time of resurrection.'

The more I investigated, the more I became convinced that it was true."

"What do you mean by 'that'?"

"...I saw it when I was five.

Mother was talking to a giant skeleton monster.

It was Holy Misra depicted in the 'icon.'

One night, Mother took me somewhere.

When I realized, we were in an unknown place... there, Mother and the giant skeleton were facing each other, talking in a language I didn't know.

The next morning, I woke up in my usual bed, but I couldn't forget what happened.

When I told Mother what I saw, she said, 'It was a dream, so forget everything.'

──But it was definitely not a dream.

I can't forget it. It couldn't have been a dream."

"...Was it really not a dream...?"

"Yes. I remember the pain well because I was taken a little 'blood' at that time.

I don't know what they were talking about, but I remember they seemed to be consulting about something while looking at me. I also remember being so scared that I couldn't stop trembling while I was there.

By that time, I had already learned about Holy Misra from storybooks and had been taught to respect it... but when I saw the real thing, I couldn't believe it was a 'holy being.'"

"Why not?"

"...It seems to like human 'blood.'

When Mother offered it blood from my arm, it put the blood on a large finger and brought it to its mouth, drinking it as if it were delicious, while looking at my face with enjoyment.

...It didn't have eyes, but I felt it was looking at me like prey."

"Has this ever been told to anyone...?"

"...No, I haven't told anyone.

Since Mother denied it, I haven't told anyone.

Even as a child, I somehow knew it was dangerous. After that, even when Mother asked, I continued to say I had forgotten.

Since then, I have continued to pretend to believe in the country's 'teachings' and Mother innocently. I think if I hadn't, I probably wouldn't have been allowed to live until now."

What he quietly told me was something I could never imagine.

He said he had felt that there were enemies among those close to him since he was old enough to understand, and had lived by lying to those around him and pretending to know nothing.

──Since he was just five years old. For ten years.

"Can you really do that...?"

"It's not that I could, but that I had to.

When I really understood and realized that everyone around me was an enemy, I felt despair... but I gradually got used to it."

"Why are you telling me this...?

More importantly, why did you think of involving me?"

"Exactly, that was the time I met you.

...I wasn't boasting, but I had become really suspicious at that time.

I wasn't the kind of person who would easily trust others.

...Well, I'm still like that, but back then I was even more so.

I didn't believe in anything and thought it was natural.

But for some reason, I felt I could trust you from the moment I saw you.

It's hard to explain logically.

And after getting to know you a bit, I still felt you were different from the other people I had met.

──Plus, you were incredibly talented.

I was really surprised.

In the country, I had never lost to anyone in academics or sword skills, but I lost to you in almost everything.

So, I thought you could probably do something about it."

"That's... too abstract to say anything.

And you're overestimating me. There's a limit to what I can do alone."

"But that's the truth. There's no other way.

...But, what I've said so far is all my one-sided wish.

I need your help, but I think there's no obligation or benefit for you to get involved.

First of all, it's unreasonable to suddenly involve you in my situation and ask for your cooperation.

Of course, if you think it's impossible after hearing this, I don't mind if you just take the information and go back. ...It's dangerous from here on."

"No, it's dangerous from the beginning... Originally, we came here to stop Roro and the kingdom's interference.

We came to Misra to get information that would lead to a favorable situation for that purpose, so your story is not without merit... but on the contrary, I'm a bit confused by the amount of information now."

"...Well, I understand.

I'm sorry for suddenly saying all this and causing confusion.

But I really had no choice but to talk like this.

Because this might be the last time I can meet you and act on this matter──"

"...What do you mean?"

Instead of answering my question, he said this:

"──Hey, what do you think of this country?"

It seemed to me that he had suddenly changed the topic, but he continued:

"This Misra Kingdom is a truly beautiful country.

Even I, who have lived here since birth, think so.

The buildings, squares, and churches are all beautifully harmonized, and there's not a speck of dust on the streets. Everything is surprisingly clean."

I also thought so.

I nodded silently.

"Of course, this Misra Kingdom is built on various lies and operates on false premises.

The more I investigate... the more I think that the 'teachings' are created with evil intentions. This is actually a false city created by the 'Holy Misra' that Mother worships for a specific purpose.

...But the people living here are basically good.

They are just brainwashed to believe in the teachings without questioning.

As you know, the country of Misra has done many things that cannot be made public.

The treatment of the demon race, for example.

But the people who love this land and this country have no sin.

...Of course, I know that's a convenient interpretation.

But if not, no one in this country will be saved."

"──I'm sorry.

I still don't understand the intention behind the 'teachings' you mentioned... and to be honest, I haven't been able to follow the rest of the story either."

"...I'm sorry, I talked too much at once.

It's designed with a very long-term intention.

The time will come──but it might not be soon.

But... if this continues, this country will probably face a great crisis in the future.

I think I have to stop it no matter what."

"...Is that related to what you said earlier?"

When I barged into his room, he said:

He was going to kill his mother──Pope Astilla.

I still couldn't understand what that meant.

"Yes. For now, she is my biggest 'enemy.' ...Unfortunately, that's the case."

"To be honest, I still don't understand... regarding your mother as an enemy..."

"I understand. I wish you could understand everything.

...But there's not enough time now.

I think I can't explain everything to you properly here.

Even so, I know it's unreasonable to ask you to believe this.

But──you are the only one who can save this country.

I had no one else to rely on."

Suddenly, he stopped walking and knelt on the ground.

He put his hands on the floor and bowed his head so low that his forehead almost touched the ground.

"──Please. Help me, Rine.

I can't ask you to believe everything I say.

But I want to save my country... and the people around me.

Can you believe that much?"

I still felt that I hadn't heard everything from him.

And I wasn't sure if I could trust him.

Still──

For the first time since we met, I felt a sense of truth in his voice.

"......You should have said that from the beginning.

I understand. I will cooperate as much as possible."

When I answered, he raised his face and looked surprised.

"E...? ...You really believe me?"

"No, I don't trust you yet... but Roro said you might not be an enemy."

"Right... that kid can read people's hearts. I thought I had built a strong mental wall... but it seems I failed."

"Yes. So, thank Roro. I believe his words."

"Right. I should thank him. And of course, you too."

"......No, there's no reason for you to thank me, Prince.

I consider the purpose you mentioned to be just, and as a member of a family that oversees neighboring countries, helping you seems to align with our national interests. This is not about personal feelings, but simply a matter of mutual benefit... so there's no need for gratitude."

I emphasized that I still didn't trust him, but Prince Terrence laughed.

"Pfft... Haha, you're really Rine!

That's exactly what I trust about you.

...I'm falling for you even more."

"...How long do you plan to keep up this joke? I'm getting tired of it."

"Haha, no, no, that was from the heart.

──What do you say? Will you marry me again?

This time, I'm proposing seriously."

"...I don't believe you in that aspect, really."

From the darkness we were heading towards, I felt multiple large shadows approaching.

They were the shadows of monsters, no need to confirm with light.

"......It seems we really don't have much time.

I wanted to explain the situation more to you, but they don't seem to allow it."

"The labyrinth is really alive, isn't it?"

"...Do you believe it a little now?"

"Yes, a little."

In front of us, a swarm of monsters was emerging, covering the vast corridor of the labyrinth.

Our destination is much deeper.

That means──

"──We have no choice but to push through.

I want to speed up a bit from here. Can you keep up?"

"Hehe, I was known as a prodigy until you came to study here.

I might not be as reliable as you, but I'll do my best."

"......Then, let's push through.

I'll lead the charge, but please assist as much as you can."

As I prepared to face the swarm of monsters with my sword, a low voice came from behind me.

"──Princess Rine.

I'm really sorry for involving you in our situation."

"......I'll hear your apology after this, Prince Terrence.

Let's hurry. We can continue the conversation while running."

As I said this, the moment we faced the swarm of monsters in the darkness, countless monsters emerged from under our feet.

I immediately prepared to deal with the unexpected appearance of the monsters, but before I could, something thin flashed in the darkness, and the heads of the monsters fell to the ground one after another.

"What was that...?"

Looking back, countless silver threads were floating in the air from the fingertips of the prince standing behind me.

"Stainless steel threads.

...Isn't it a weapon that suits me?

Well, I usually don't use it in front of people."

"......Is it okay to show me something like that?"

"Of course. I intend to entrust the fate of this country to you."

"......I don't know what to do with something entrusted to me like that."

As I said this, I saw countless monsters trying to jump at us from behind.

I immediately dodged the silver threads floating in the air and started cutting down the monsters that were jumping at him from the edges.

"Great job. You're really something, Rine."

"──If you have time to talk, help me, Terrence."

And so, the two of us cut through the swarm of monsters standing in the darkness and ran as fast as we could deeper into the labyrinth where more monsters continued to emerge.