The news of Erenzi and Farblume’s alliance—which I had borne witness to as the Holy Maiden—rapidly spread through both nations. And that wasn’t the only good news. Tithia had publicly announced the existence of the Adventure Bracelet. This announcement was making such an impact that it had nearly eclipsed the historical treaty. Tithia had tried to talk me into sharing the information myself, but a breakthrough this big had to come from someone at the top, like the Pope.
“I hear people are flooding the Adventurer’s Guild,” Leroy told me, delicately sipping from his teacup.
“That’s to be expected,” I said with a shrug. “We couldn’t allow a free-for-all for the Adventure Bracelets. As a neutral and international institution, the Guild is the best bet to handle it.”
“You won’t hear any complaints from me. I don’t want them flooding the cathedral and turning it into a madhouse.”
“I’m sure...”
While the existence and utility of the Adventure Bracelet had been made public, the means to obtain it had been kept a secret. There was no way to immediately meet the massive demand for them. If they tried, Luminous and the other quest givers would die from exhaustion first. One quest giver in every nation’s capital was nowhere near enough manpower. Until supply caught up to demand, the Adventurer’s Guild would hold tests and only reveal how to obtain the bracelet to those who passed.
Looking out the window, I decided to change the subject. “Are you sure you didn’t want to go with Ti?” Leroy’s silence drew a chuckle from me. “I understand. Tagging along on a girls’ shopping trip can be very daunting.” Tithia, Tarte, and L’lyeh were out window-shopping. They’d also mentioned stopping by a café.
Frey’s party was off to Cattora to register its Gate, and I imagined they were planning to get Torte an Adventure Bracelet too. Kent and Cocoa were off somewhere on their own—on a date, most likely.
Leroy cocked a half smile and shrugged. “I will survive. These are rare moments Her Holiness will get to spend with friends of her own age. Once we return to Zille, free time like this will become more of a luxury.”
“When you put it like that, I’m glad Ti met Tarte and Lulu. I don’t think a lot of people could treat Ti as just a girl and not the Pope.”
“I agree,” Leroy said. “That’s why I’m glad we met you.”
“Me?!”
“To begin with, Her Holiness and I would both be dead without you.”
“Oh, right.” I remembered now. They had been on the brink of death until I’d become an Archbishop and broken their curse...which had been the beginning of the Holy Maiden quest. It had been a dangerous journey, but a part of me felt a little bittersweet that this chapter of our adventure had come to an end. While I drank my tea, I noticed Leroy staring at me. “Do I have something on my face?”
“No, I was only a little concerned...about the prince.”
“Right...” I scowled, remembering the event. Just before the king had sentenced Ignacia, he’d summoned me to the castle because of my past with him...
✦ ✦ ✦
Ten days had passed since Ignacia had used a Pandemonium to summon monsters into the streets. After we’d taken out all the monsters that day, perfect peace had been restored to the city.
With my summons in hand, I headed to the castle with Tarte, Tithia, and Leroy in tow. Tarte was joining in as my assistant, while Tithia and Leroy were there as representatives of Erenzi who’d been involved with the incident from the start.
My father and the king greeted us in one of the castle’s sitting rooms, where Prince Ignacia was seated beside his father. As commander of the Order of Knights, my father stood behind the king, serving as a bodyguard. Ignacia looked so frail and defeated, such a contrast from when I’d last seen him in the dungeons on the day he’d used the Pandemonium. I had to conceal my shock that someone could change so drastically in less than two weeks.
“Thank you for coming,” King Vilhelm began. “We were concerned that he may still be a danger to you. For one thing, Ignacia has deluded himself into believing that you are to blame for—”
“There’s no need for an explanation, Your Majesty,” I said. “Prince Ignacia has told me that himself.”
“I see.” The king’s shoulders slumped—he looked exhausted. “Ignacia will face judgment, of course. His sentence has not been finalized, but I expect him to be imprisoned for life.”
“For life?” I asked.
King Vilhelm stayed silent for a moment. “After what he’s done, we cannot afford to set him loose ever again.” Even if Ignacia were to be exiled, if he went and did something this stupid again, the king could still be held responsible.
I struggled to make up my mind whether I was glad to hear that or not. I was, at least, glad that he wasn’t going to be executed. It didn’t hurt that a life sentence would guarantee I’d never see him again. Even though I knew Ignacia had to face the consequences of his actions, it didn’t make witnessing his comeuppance any less stressful.
“I have a favor to ask,” the king added.
“If I can help in any way...” I offered.
“Rudith told me that you can halve someone’s stats,” he said. That was one of the effects of using the Staff of Appointment I’d earned through Holy Maiden’s Trial. It took me a moment to realize who the king wanted me to use the staff on. “Could you halve Ignacia’s stats? Otherwise, if he were to ever break out, he could pose a threat to you or others. I must do everything I can to prevent my son from harming anyone else.”
To be honest, the idea of having to make Ignacia the first Holy Maiden’s Guardian was sickening, even if I would never have to form a party with him. Still, halving his stats was the perfect blend of punishment and safety measure. Ignacia said nothing, as if he didn’t care one way or the other.
After thinking it through, I said, “Very well. I will halve Prince Ignacia’s stats forever.” I took the staff from my Storage. Ignacia looked surprised that I’d pulled an item out of thin air, but I couldn’t care less about what he thought. Let’s get this over with. Standing, I pointed the staff across the table, right at his nose.