Chapter 206 – Secret
As Mel said, there was a trapdoor in the west chapel.
After hesitating for a moment, I decided to explore on the following day.
There was no time. The work in the gardens will be finishing soon.
If I did not return on time, not only Nina, but Ms. Ellie and Ms. Lyza would also get into trouble.
After returning to my room in the shed, I told Nina about my discovery.
“That’s great. We should go there tomorrow then.”
Nina said excitedly.
I thought about it for a moment.
“Nina, I want you to stay here.”
She looked at me quietly.
“But why?”
“If we both go, then it will be difficult to deal with any unforeseen circumstances.”
“You just don’t want to take me to a place that could be dangerous.”
For a moment, I wasn’t sure what to say.
I pursed my lips and then said,
“No. It’s just that I think it is the best decision for the situation…”
“Noelle, you’re always like this. When we broke the window of the gathering hall in town, you tried to take the blame all by yourself.”
“That’s because I didn’t want to hurt your reputation. You were an excellent student and noble daughter.”
“I am neither of those things. I am just one person called Nina Lawrence. I never wanted others to protect me. I want to stand beside you. Just as much as you want to stand beside Luke.”
Nina said as she looked me in the eyes.
“You two really are similar. You and Luke. You always try to carry the burden all by yourself. And put yourself in danger.”
“We are not alike at all. In fact, I hate that part about him.”
“Maybe you hate it because of the similarities? That’s what it looks like to me.”
I wanted to argue back, but I felt it would just make the situation worse. And so I didn’t say anything.
I knew the importance of a strategic retreat, after all, I had experience fighting with my mother so many times.
“Fine. Still, we will stick closely together when in any place dangerous.”
“That’s what I was going to say.”
Nina said with exasperation.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
There was something ominous in that sound.
And so I opened the door cautiously.
A nun who I did not recognize was standing there.
“Ms. Noelle Springfield. Mother Louise is calling you.”
I had been expecting some kind of trap, and so this was rather surprising.
I was then let to Mother Louise’s room. And while there was no smell of a transformation potion, such smells could also be concealed.
It was still possible that she was connected to the Order.
“First, allow me to apologize. I did not mean for you to be working in that garden for very long. I was going to negotiate with the cardinal so that you could work under me instead. In fact, I did speak with him several times, but things did not go well.”
Mother Louise lowered her head.
“There seemed to be a strong reason for him to keep you there. Do you know what that could be?”
I did have an idea, but I was not sure that I should tell her.
I didn’t know that they were not working together. And I could get in trouble.
After being silent for a moment, I finally spoke.
“No, I don’t know.”
“I see.”
She said without any emotion.
I wasn’t sure if she believed me or not.
“I called you here today because I wanted to ask you something.”
She said with a sharp look.
“What is it?”
“About your history.”
I felt a chill go down my spine.
Could this be related to me being a Royal Magician in Ardenfeld?
It could lead to an international incident. I had to be careful with how I responded.
As I kept silent, Mother Louise continued.
“Is it true that you were cleaning rivers as a novice Adventurer?”
“Yes, that is true.”
“You completed a total of fifteen quests. Mostly in areas surrounding the cathedral.”
“That is true.”
“Did that include this river?”
She pointed to a page in an open book on her desk.
It had a map of the holy capital.
I remember the place with the small stone bridge.
“Yes. That was the first quest I accepted.
Mother Louise gasped.
She looked away and then folded her arms.
After biting her lip, she looked at me hesitantly.
“And the client…”
She said in a weak voice.
“No, it’s nothing.”
There clearly was something.
“Does it mean something to you?”
She did not answer.
There was silence for some time.
Eventually, she sighed and opened her mouth.
“I have memories of this place. I once used to play there as a child. I was so wild, but my friend would always protect me. He listened and indulged me. He did his best to help me, unlike my father.”
Said Mother Louise.
“I liked him. However, I was chosen to be a Saintess candidate before ever telling him how I felt. We are not allowed to love, you know. Still, half a century later, I still think of him. And wonder what could have been. Very foolish, isn’t it?”
“I think it’s very beautiful. The old man who hired me said it was an important place. A place where he spent time with the girl who was chosen to be a Saintness candidate.”
He eyes widened.
She took in a deep breath and then looked down.
“How foolish. Really.”
There was silence for some time.
After thinking for a moment, I said,
“Why don’t you go and meet him?”
“I cannot do that. We have to discard any personal desires in order to become the person we are meant to be.”
She said with a smile.”
“But I must thank you for telling me that. I just hope there is something I can do to show my gratitude.”
“I see…”
Was there anything I could ask of her…?
Anything to help Luke… But I also could not risk letting her know my true purpose.
And the best way to keep that a secret was to tell as few people as possible.
It was then that my mind went towards Mel.
She had called herself a mechanical doll.
“I did have one question.”
“What is it?”
“Is the Saintess a mechanical doll? A special relic?”
Mother Louise gasped.
That was all I needed.
“Of course, that is ridiculous. I know it.”
I said.
“Please keep the Saintess safe. So that she can live as happily as possible.”
I bowed and left the room.
The secret of Claless.
The Saintess candidate system that hid the truth.
Still, I did not think it was a bad lie.
If the truth was known, many people would be sad.
And the leaders of Claless were doing their best to guard this secret.
Mel was working as the Saintess for everyone’s sake. And so I wanted her to be happy.
(Still, does the Order know? They were plotting to assassinate her.)
I was also curious about the cardinal’s actions. It seemed possible that he knew.
If that was the case, their goal must be more than simply assassinating her.
(It doesn’t matter. I won’t let them kill anyone.)
With this resolution in my heart, I moved forward.
(I will crush the enemy and rescue Luke.)
Thanks for the chapter