Published: July 3, 2025
Midnight.
A shadow lands on the balcony of the bedroom of the delegation leader, Hugh McGrath, of the kingdom delegation.
Silently, it opens the window and enters the room.
Then, it looks toward the bed…and freezes.
Hugh McGrath, lying on the bed, turned his head to gaze at the shadow, his eyes wide open.
"Ah, I am not a suspicious person..."
The shadow finally spoke with a woman’s voice.
"Ah, I remember. You’re Maurice from the Hero Party, aren’t you?"
Hugh said in a soft voice.
Once, near the kingdom's Kona Village, they had fought together against the vampire, Count Kalinikos.
Maurice, who had been a scout for that party, was now in the room.
Yes, Hugh recognized that it was Maurice, but…
What he didn't understand was why she chose this moment to make contact.
And why she chose such a method to approach him…
As Hugh sat up, Maurice moved closer.
Then, she pulled out an envelope from her pocket and handed it to Hugh.
"It's a letter from Graham."
"From Graham?"
Graham had been the priest of the Hero Party.
His position in the Western Church was that of an archbishop.
This was a considerably high-ranking position.
Moreover, just before being struck down, Count Kalinikos had muttered something about the inquisitor general and a vampire hunter...
Hugh wasn’t exactly sure what those words meant, but he knew they indicated a significant status.
The scout Maurice bringing a letter from Graham, carefully ensuring it didn’t come into others' view, suggested that this was not a normal situation.
After receiving the letter from Graham, Hugh lit an alchemy lantern, adjusting it to minimize the light, and read the letter.
"…The red lights of that waterfall in Kyushi Duchy have appeared in another location? Moreover, there’s a high chance it’s occurring in sync with our delegation?"
Hugh looked at the scout Maurice in front of him, as if questioning her.
However, Maurice shook her head in a panic.
"I don't know the details myself. I only know that the Holy Capital Marromar is becoming suspicious. Or rather, I should say, the priests in the Holy Capital."
"Hmm… So, is Graham in the Holy Capital?"
"No, Graham is in the Rashar East Kingdom. He ranks first among the archbishops, so he will attend the papal inauguration… He should be in the Holy Capital in about two months."
"Wow. Being the top-ranked archbishop is impressive."
"Yes. It seems that it’s unusual at that age. He’s considered the leading candidate to fill a vacancy among the twelve cardinals."
The hierarchy of the Western Church is structured as follows:
Pope, Cardinal, Archbishop, Bishop and Abbot, Priest, and Deacon.
One Pope, twelve Cardinals, twenty-four Archbishops, forty-eight Bishops, forty-eight Abbots, along with many Priests and Deacons…
This is how it is established, but in recent years, the number below bishops has significantly increased.
"…The most alarming part is that the delegation is under strict surveillance. Is that why Maurice sneaked in here at midnight?"
"Yes. It was shocking that, despite eliminating my presence and making no noise, Master McGrath noticed me."
"Well, I was an ex-a-rank adventurer after all."
Saying this, Hugh shrugged.
However, as a delegation, they could not act recklessly.
Having been sent as representatives of their country to the papal inauguration, they had no option but to attend.
Attendance was decided. Until then, they needed to act in a way that would not sour relationships between the countries…
About three months until the papal inauguration.
"I’ve heard that the fact that a delegation from the Central Nations has arrived is known throughout the Western Nations, so I don’t think anything will happen until the inauguration..."
"Yes, Graham mentioned that too. Well, just be careful for these three months."
"What’s with that conclusion…"
It seems that being careful is all that is required.
The problem would be on the day of the inauguration… or around that time.
"Well, I understand. Thank you for the letter. Please give my regards to Graham. Oh, by the way, how are the other members of the Hero Party?"