“Finally, my devoted behavior even touched the heart of that evil king of Farune!” she finished with a flourish. “His Majesty…Lord Mars said this: ‘Maria is a true saint.’”
“Even the Demon King!”
“Yes, even the Demon King!”
“Lady Maria, you’re incredible, you really are a true saint,” Caim said, shedding more tears. “There is no one in this world like you.” He was certain that Maria really was a supreme being, just as he’d long believed.
“Lord Caim, that isn’t all. Lord Mars also said this: ‘Lady Maria ought to be the Vicar of God.’”
“The Vicar of God? You mean…”
“Yes, I do. He resolved to install me in the papacy,” Maria said, suddenly looking somewhat downcast. “Of course, I refused him. I believed that the pope was a wonderful man, deserving of respect, and that a girl like me could never handle such a heavy responsibility. However, no matter how many times I turned him down, Lord Mars was determined, and he wouldn’t give up. Then, in an unfortunate turn, this eventually reached the pope’s ears. Some member of the Church of Mauve in Farune must have told him about it. I imagine they didn’t take kindly to the fact that someone as young as me was chosen for the post of acting bishop.”
“And they call themselves a servant of God? How unseemly! People just as corrupt as the church leadership are everywhere!” Caim exclaimed, outraged. However, this was a fabrication on Maria’s part; naturally, no such person really existed.
“It seems that this angered the pope. Afterward, he spread false rumors that I had been forcibly kidnapped by Farune and that I was being treated horribly, then formed the army to subjugate Farune. Even though I never even wanted the papacy…” Maria hung her head and made a motion like she was wiping away tears—but it was only an act, and she wasn’t actually crying. It was dark, and she was looking down on the kneeling Caim from above, sure that he wouldn’t be able to tell.
“No way,” he said in disbelief. “I don’t even know why we raised an army anymore! I want to rescue you from Farune. I came all this way for that singular purpose!”
“I see,” Maria replied sadly. “Well, I’m afraid that, even if the army achieves victory over Farune, I will probably be secretly disposed of anyway. And, it will be made to look like Lord Mars killed me.”
“No! But, doesn’t this mean that the true enemy who’s targeting you is the pope?!” Caim shouted, unconsciously raising his voice—forgetting that this conversation had to be kept secret.
“Please, don’t say that, Lord Caim. I don’t care what happens to me. But I can’t stand the thought that so many people will lose their lives for my sake. I would like your aid in bringing an end to this fight.”
“My aid? This place is teeming with the designs of so many powerful nations. What can I do? Eyland, Kiel, and even Vulcan have arrived on the battlefield. It’s only a matter of time until the fighting begins…” Caim hung his head, keenly aware of how powerless he was.
“There is still something you can do.” Maria approached Caim, then softly took his hand. She was fully aware of what sort of effect this action would have on him.
“L-Lady Maria?!” Caim’s face flushed red and his body went stiff as a board, exactly as she had expected.
“Actually, Farune has already attacked and destroyed Kiel,” Maria said.
“Kiel?! That’s impossible!”
“It’s the truth. It was destroyed by Lady Frau, the Lightning Empress,” she continued. “And that isn’t all. There’s been a large-scale rebellion in the capital of Vulcan, Thracia. The Vulcanian army has already begun to withdraw. However, these facts are being concealed by Eyland. It is foolish not to reveal the truth. If you, Lord Caim, make this public, then the army’s morale will be broken, and we may be able to avoid an outbreak of hostilities. We may be able to bring this to an end without pointless bloodshed.”
“Then, Kiel’s and Vulcan’s camps are…”
“Already completely deserted.”
Because they were mages, the Kielians had set up camp quite far from the front lines. The army of Eyland was facing off against Carmilla’s army from Dorssen, while Vulcan’s camp was opposite Farune’s main force. As such, there had been no way for the Holy Knights to know the circumstances of either of their allies.
“Understood. Then, after this, I shall go confirm your reports myself! If it’s true, I will let the volunteer army know. If Kiel and Vulcan are really gone, the volunteer army will lose its absolute advantage. When they learn of this, those who joined up may very well leave the front in droves.”
“Thank you, Lord Caim. However, I have one more request.” Maria tightened her grip on Caim’s hand.
“Y-Yes, what is it?”
“If the fighting begins despite your efforts, I don’t want any of you to get involved. You may think me a selfish woman, but I don’t want the people I know to die. I want you to live, and for us to meet again. So please,” Maria begged. “If the battle starts, can you promise me that you’ll flee? It’s not only you, Lord Caim. I don’t want to lose any of the Holy Knights that treated me so kindly in Mauve!” Maria wrapped both hands around Caim’s. Then, she forced her eyes to be wet with tears, and stared right into Caim’s eyes.
“B-But, we are Holy Knights! To flee in the face of the enemy, why…” Caim had been appointed to the position of deputy captain, and he did have his pride as a knight.
“Please, help me, Lord Caim,” Maria entreated. “If I lose all of you, there will be no one left in the Theocracy of Mauve who believes in justice anymore. If that happens, the pope will be able to do whatever he pleases. Is that really all right?”
“But…” Caim was at a loss. True, there was already no justification for the upcoming battle. It didn’t seem like it was a fight that was worth risking his life for, but…
“The fight for justice will begin after this! I’m begging you! Fight by my side!” Maria insisted. Her eyes contained not their usual evanescent kindness, but a clear, strong determination.
“Very well, Lady Maria!” Caim finally agreed. “I promise you that, even if it means disgracing ourselves, my comrades and I will survive!” He firmly grasped Maria’s hands back.