The Church would be none the wiser.
I would inform them that I’d already exterminated Noah. That way, the Church wouldn’t need to devote resources to pursuing him further, and Noah and his companions would be able to live in peace.
However, it would no doubt be suspicious if one of the Holy Maidens were to quit the Church immediately after making such an announcement. That was why I had intended to perform my duties as a Holy Maiden for a year’s time, and later come up with a reason to leave. Then Master Noah and I could live happily ever after...
“A clever scheme, wouldn’t you agree?” I asked the man who was lying defeated on the floor.
He stretched out toward his ringed staff which was resting almost within reach, so I ground my heel into his hand. It must have hurt significantly, but he didn’t scream, only whimpered.
Fascinating. Such is a testament to his character. I must give him credit for that, at least. Nevertheless, it had no bearing upon whether I would forgive his previous mistreatment of me.
Having finally accepted that he could not defy me, he was now inclined to talk. His voice was raspy, indicating that he was not long for this world.
“So you indeed turned traitor. I had made preparations for the worst-case scenario, but...humph. It was in vain...”
So said the highest authority of the Church of Astral...the <Holy King>.
He had the appearance of a white-haired young man with a charismatic air about him. His features and ambience resembled those of Master Noah, but after seeing the genuine article, I found his qualities were somewhat diminished. I knew now for certain that he was a mere imitation.
“I am no traitor. I simply learned that I live wholly to serve that exalted man.”
“My case in point...although I suppose whatever I say now will have no effect. It would appear that the Church means nothing to you now. I made a fatal oversight...”
“Where?”
“I hadn’t expected you to break into my office and attack me. But before that, I didn’t believe the <Holy King> had matured enough to ensnare you, with all your expertise, in just a single encounter. That was why I sent you. Therein lies my mistake. Is the Order of Paladins unharmed? And the other two Holy Maidens?”
“The two other Holy Maidens are my sisters. There was no need to do anything to them. As for the Order of Paladins...they charged at me. I never did like them in the first place. After all, they were so haughty, claiming that the Holy Maidens were superfluous with them around and that they were the strongest members of the Church. So...just as a fun diversion...”
“...You killed them all.”
“Yes, to put it bluntly. Looking forward, it would be more convenient if the entire Church organization were to be dismantled. Its entire scope of operations will be forced to downscale without the Order of Paladins around. I don’t believe that will be sufficient to eradicate it entirely, but be assured that I will rectify that in due course.”
“Aht Heresy, my greatest error was in not realizing what a heinous woman you are.”
“Oh? It wasn’t in attempting to assassinate Master Noah?”
“That...was no error. The <Holy King> skill is a threat to humanity. If I had known it would endure, I would have staked the Church’s entire existence upon...nrgh. Vicious, aren’t you? I apologize. Although, you’re going to kill me anyway, so it hardly makes a difference.”
“I will not permit him to be assassinated. But why is it that you fear the <Holy King> skill so greatly? I spent some time at Master Noah’s side, but nothing so dreadful occurred. His only crime was in sporting around with a delightful little demon cat and kobolds.”
“I see... That was how he survived in the forest. He had already awakened to an extent.”
“‘Awakened’? In light of these circumstances, please be so kind as to tell me all you know. After all, don’t I deserve a reward for serving you so faithfully all these years?” I bent over and asked him with a smile.
The <Holy King of the Church> gave a look of utter resignation. “Very well. However, I can only tell you what I know.”
“That’s a surprise. I had expected you would be reticent.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Doing so would change nothing at this point. Moreover, you intend to stay always by Noah’s side, don’t you? Then it’s best that you’re well-informed in advance for when it becomes necessary. That includes the Church’s inner workings as well...” he said darkly. “I have no choice now. I’ll entrust everything to you. There’s a hidden drawer on the underside of my office desk. It contains documents outlining how to transfer the title of <Holy King>. You must use it.”
“You truly think of everything.”
“You doubt me?”
“Yes. I assume that there’s some manner of trap which activates when the drawer is opened.”
“Well, I suppose that might be true in any other instance, but you’re the most skilled member of the Church. I freely admit that. Even for me, it would be no simple matter to procure traps or poisons that would be effective on you. Even supposing that a trap was sprung on you, I imagine it would only hinder you for a few minutes. Thus, I hardly feel motivated to resist. And besides...this is simply history repeating itself.”
“Would you care to explain?”
“I did the same thing, once upon a time. I usurped the title of <Holy King> and acted as the Church’s central figure...and shepherded it to its present state. My actions made the Church of Astral what it is today.”
“Just a moment, please. You claim to have usurped the title of <Holy King>? That’s... Such a shocking incident has not happened once in the Church’s history.”
The Church had documents on its own history detailing important events. Holy Maidens were required to study these, and therefore I had knowledge of how the title of <Holy King> had been passed down through the generations. But according to these records, the <Holy King>’s status had been perpetually stable. The records only detailed predecessors abdicating due to old age or dying of illness, willing the position to a successor.
The assertion of the young man before me contradicted this. But he said, “The Church history is all falsified. Or rather...everything regarding the <Holy King>’s succession is false.”
“But why?”
“Except for the first one, every <Holy King> has been me.”
“...I beg your pardon?”
“Only the first one was legitimate. All the rest were me, succeeding myself. I’ve been the only <Holy King> all this time. That’s all there is to it.”
“I don’t believe it. Firstly, your age doesn’t match. Do you realize how many centuries old the second Holy King would be if he were alive today?”
“I’ve lived a long time—775 years, to be exact. Perhaps the time is ripe for my demise.”
“You’re...completely serious, aren’t you?”
“Is there any reason for me to tell such a lie in my final moments? No. Quite honestly, I’m tired. I am tired of protecting the world from the <Holy King>, and of running an organization as large as the Church.”
“What exactly do you—”
“You wouldn’t understand. On second thought, you may eventually come to understand. You worship the <Holy King> now, but one day, you’ll realize your mistake. To possess the root skill <Holy King> is...far more dreadful than either you or Noah believe it to be...”
Even as he spoke, the <Holy King>’s eyes became unfocused.
“Come now, explain yourself! The least you can do is tell me everything! You just promised you would!”
“Then you should have restrained yourself a little more... I’ve lost too much blood already. I can’t get into all the details...but you’ve seen the <Holy King> from up close. You must be aware. It’s the power to subjugate monsters. The power to rule over all monsters. That’s why...”
“You mean...”
“I do. I believe that ‘Holy King’ is an unbefitting name for such a skill. There is nothing ‘holy’ about it... I can think of a much better name. Yes... It would be far more appropriate to call it...”
The <Demon King>.