Chapter 77

Standing in front of Rias's office, Georg emerged from the door.

It seemed he had already completed his report. After a bow, Eidan saw him off, saying, "Georg, good work. —Thank you this time."

"No problem. It was a very enjoyable march. Please let me join you again."

Having completed the significant task of guarding the Pencillia heir, his expression was clearly bright and clear.

I imagine it wasn't just guarding, but also a lot of childcare-like duties that were tiring.

It seemed Cynthia had given him sufficient praise, and he left with a light step.

Eidan also knocked and entered.

"Your expression has changed somehow," Cynthia said, smiling happily as she looked at Eidan.

Eidan sat on the sofa opposite where Rias and Cynthia were seated.

"I heard the report from Georg, but you weren't injured, right?"

"No, there was no dangerous situation that could have caused injury."

Of course, with 30 sturdy knights guarding him. That's why he was allowed to change the plan.

"I heard your hunting skills were excellent. That's impressive."

"Yes, but— I don't like the meat I hunted."

"Hehe... I've prepared your favorite dish for today."

"Thank you."

"Then, let's hear about the change in plans this time," Rias said.

Eidan was unsure how to explain but decided to tell the truth.

"While I was touring, Aila came from a nearby winery and joined us. Then, Aila said she was going to Lake Hagnol, so I went with her."

"What did Aila say her purpose was?"

"She said she didn't know. —By the way, do you know anything about Aila?"

Cynthia and Rias exchanged glances.

"On the contrary, Eidan, do you know anything? You didn't just go along with Aila's whim, did you?"

It seemed they wouldn't speak first. If he wanted to know, he had to speak first. —There wasn't much he could say, though.

"I don't know what it is, but Aila has had mysterious powers since childhood. She can predict things and say things that come true. So, I try to follow what Aila says as much as possible. But... I don't understand what's going on either."

"So, you went along this time too."

"Marie went, and I was worried. In the end..."

What was it? It's hard to explain.

"I heard the report from Georg. The Leviathan appeared."

"It just appeared. It showed its face once and then went back to sleep. I don't think we can find it even if we search."

"Why did the ancient dragon appear?"

"There was a heavy, oppressive atmosphere there. It's hard to explain... "

Georg also said the same thing. It was a unique atmosphere that only those with high magic power could sense.

"Is it different from miasma?"

"Miasma?"

Eidan repeated the unfamiliar word.

"I'm not sure either. It's something that, when it appears with the devil, makes people sick and turns animals into monsters."

Devil. —It was an absurd story, but Eidan felt a chill down his spine because Cynthia said it seriously.

No, it can't be. Such an absurd story can't be real.

"There were no monsters."

They became aggressive, but I wouldn't call them monsters.

"I felt a slight murkiness, but it wasn't enough to make people sick."

"Ultimately, the lake's water melted because the Leviathan was active, right?"

Leviathan—. If there are ancient creatures, then perhaps the devil is somewhere too.

"That... the quality and quantity of magic power are beyond human understanding. Aila said that all the ancients are in deep sleep."

If they wake up and become aggressive, the world would end in an instant.

"What is written in the ancient documents?"

"There's nothing particularly new. Just fairy tale-like things. The devil appeared, plants died out. Miasma filled the air, people got sick, and animals turned into monsters."

It's unclear whether the miasma causes the devil to appear or the devil produces the miasma.

Cynthia continued.

"A hero appeared and defeated the devil with the power of light, along with a holy maiden who healed the sick."

That's all.

"The hero is considered an ancestor of the royal family, right? That's all we know. Pencillia's history is long... the decoding of ancient documents hasn't progressed much."

Even though it's the same dynasty, it's like a forgotten legend.

"We are currently investigating records from other countries."

Rias placed his hand on Cynthia's.

"If the hero and the royal family have the power of light, then the dark magic power of the Shan country seems suspicious. —Let's focus on investigating the Shan country."

"Thank you."

"Then, about Aila..."

Eidan straightened his posture.

Georg must have heard that Aila used some kind of power.

If it was purification, then Aila is—

"When Marie was kidnapped in the past, Aila predicted your location, right? So, I thought something might happen this time and decided to watch over you."

"If we think logically... Aila is the holy maiden."

At Rias's words, Eidan felt a surge of strength.

The devil is defeated by light, and the holy maiden purifies.

"Will you... report to the temple?"

That would take away Aila's freedom, wouldn't it?

If she is the holy maiden, she might have to live in the temple and be asked to do holy maiden duties. I don't know what those duties are, but...

Rias and Cynthia shook their heads at Eidan's concern.

"It's not as if we need to do something immediately."

Announcing the existence of the holy maiden would hint at the uncertain existence of the devil. The timing is not right.

Besides, the temple doesn't have much authority.

They measure magic power and give blessings, but they are more symbolic.

There are a certain number of devout believers among the nobility, but they are only a small part. They receive baptism at birth and greet the temple at adulthood, mostly for ceremonial purposes.

The temple also handles practical matters like registering magicians because they deal with magic-related jobs. However, the priests don't have any special abilities, and they haven't produced any holy maidens.

Even if Aila's abilities were measured at the temple, it's unclear how they would be measured, and there didn't seem to be a need for it.

"Nothing has happened yet. —Let's just watch from a distance for now."

This was something they had been doing all along.

Seeing Eidan's troubled face, Cynthia patted his shoulder.

"Your friend's situation is worrying, but leave it to your father and mother. You're still a child. You know your father is strong, right?"

"Yes."

Of course, Eidan knew Rias's strength well. He felt he couldn't beat him at all and thought he was the strongest in the kingdom.

With his father around, he felt that even the devil could be defeated.

Eidan also knew how reassuring it was to have such an existence.

If the day came when he surpassed his father, how lonely it would be. —Even though it was an impossible scenario, he had imagined it before.

"Anyway, take a good rest."

"Yes. Then, I'll take it easy until dinner."

Eidan said this and left the room.

Rias, who had been looking at the door for a while, gently stroked Cynthia's hand.

"Somewhat, I feel I understand your worries."

"Eh...?"

Rias looked down at Cynthia. Their eyes met, and she saw his calm gaze.

"Miasma, the holy maiden who purified it, and the light with unprecedentedly strong magic power—"

A while ago, he might have said it was impossible.

However, after hearing about the ancient creature and the power of purification, it seemed he could understand that it might happen someday.

"Don't worry. Protecting this country in times of crisis is Pencillia's duty, and it is my duty."

"Rias. —I'm worried about you too."

It might not be enough to just work for peace.

Deepening relations with neighboring countries might not be enough.

If this unknown thing can appear from nowhere, there's no way to prevent it.

Rias understood Cynthia's worry. He knew the sad thoughts from her childhood that made her not want to start another war.

"I will train even harder. But if it must be the power of light, I will defeat it so badly that it can't fight back and bring it to me. I'll let Eidan finish it off."

"Oh, then I'll do it."

"No, I don't want to see your beautiful hands get dirty."

Rias kissed Cynthia's hand.

Even though the future was full of uncertainty, Cynthia felt very fortunate to have such a reliable husband.