Chapter 106. Saintess Escort (3)
Saintess Escort Mission.
30 minutes remaining until departure.
In the cold dawn light rising over the Elsyde Fortress Executive Office. At the Executive Officer's desk, Grantel faced the young man standing before him and spoke.
“You requested information about the current individual holding the position of Pontiff in The Order, and his escort officers?”
“That is correct.”
I nodded lightly.
“There were escort officers handling the Saintess's security. It seems the mission will proceed in cooperation with them, so I need preliminary information.”
I calmly explained the situation as usual.
Of course, I didn't mention the fact that the escort officers had attacked me. If the Main House knew that a Direct Lineage member had been attacked by The Order's side, there was a high possibility that the Main House would retaliate.
If that happened, the entire situation might be overturned. That kind of variable was not what I wanted.
“Indeed. I understand.”
Meanwhile, Grantel, who listened to my words while looking at my expressionless eyes, slowly nodded his head.
“If you need information regarding the mission, I will provide information within the permissible range as per protocol.”
I gestured silently to indicate that I would listen.
Of course, I knew a few things about The Order. However, I didn't have thorough detailed information about the Pontiff or his escort officers.
“First, the Pontiff is the supreme leader who effectively governs and manages everything in The Order.”
Grantel took out a file and continued.
“The escort officers are individuals loyal to such a Pontiff. They are appointed by him directly.”
“The Pontiff's direct personal guard.”
“That's correct. However, there is very little noteworthy information about the Pontiff or his escort.”
“Why?”
“Because nothing that could be considered problematic for The Order or the Pontiff has surfaced publicly.”
“...Publicly, you say?”
I narrowed my eyes slightly at the strange words.
“Yes. For the past several decades, the whereabouts of the Pontiff himself have been unknown. This is unknown to the general public, as well as the healers belonging to The Order.”
“So, the Pontiff is missing?”
“Sort of.”
It was a slightly difficult story. As if thinking the same, Grantel continued, saying, “The explanation will go a bit off-topic, but.”
“In the past, there were indications that Black Mages of unknown affiliation attempted to assassinate The Order's Pontiff, and after that, the Pontiff's Guard was established. That affiliation is precisely the current escort officers.”
In short, they were guard dogs loyal to the Pontiff's command.
Contrary to the somewhat sacred-sounding title of ‘Pontiff's Guard’. Considering their violence in the Holy Residence earlier, there was a possibility that their position was much higher than expected.
“However, one thing is certain. It is known that after selecting a few individuals from the newly established escort officers to accompany him, the Pontiff set out on a ‘Pilgrimage Road’ and vanished.”
I tilted my head lightly.
Pilgrimage Road.
Surely, it was a journey where healers belonging to The Order wandered various regions of the Empire to gain a higher level of enlightenment through personal training?
It was only vaguely mentioned in the original work. I didn't know what it was. At least, it wasn't important right now.
In the end, the main point was that the Pontiff was missing.
“There is a specific matter here.”
Grantel handed over the file I had taken out earlier.
“Recently, there have been reports of conflicts arising in some cities where The Order had dispatched medical support.”
I opened the file.
Inside, along with a few short notes, there was a picture of Antenor, clipped, which appeared to have been collected by the Main House's intelligence agents.
I quickly scanned the contents.
「...Recently, there are indications that an individual named [Antenor], an escort officer, is directly involved in The Order's medical support activities and is partially controlling the situation.」
「Furthermore, in the process, intentional contact and interference with those receiving medical support are suspected...」
“Contact and interference, you say.”
It was useful information without needing to question it. Now, the bigger picture was starting to form slightly. Indeed, requesting information from Grantel was the right choice.
I looked away from the documents and asked back.
“Regarding more specific details, there seems to be no information?”
“Unfortunately, only the circumstances of the incidents are noted on the documents. Regarding the detailed contents, perhaps due to pressure from The Order, nothing has been revealed.”
I slowly nodded my head.
Anyway, knowing just this much would likely be sufficient.
“Alright. It's enough.”
The Saintess's Designated Mission.
The sudden antagonism of the Guard Foreman.
And the recent situation of The Order.
At the very least, I needed to get a sense of what kind of mission I was stepping into, and with this, the necessary preliminary preparations were successfully completed.
“I will be going now.”
It was time to move.
I got up from my seat and headed for the door.
“And one more thing.”
Just then, Grantel's voice echoed from behind me.
“In this mission, I sincerely hope you do not overexert yourself. Sir Enoch.”
“...”
I stopped for a moment.
Judging by this reaction, it seemed that the mine-sweeping I had done in Rhodes, throwing myself into danger, might have had a significant impact.
Grantel added, as if to remind me.
“Of course, since this is an escort mission for the Saintess, her safety is paramount. But I hope Sir Enoch will also complete the operation with sufficient attention to safety.”
“I will try.”
I glanced to the side with my eyes and said.
“Now, my life is not just my own.”
Yes. That was certainly not empty words.
Not to mention Sirocco, whom I had already taken in as a Follower Family member. Along with the sponsor contract with Elena, and the cooperation with Lien, which we had promised from the very beginning.
There were all those responsibilities I had taken on so far.
Now, it was not just about my own survival, but because of the promises made to those I had to take responsibility for.
I had no intention of dying. Nor any intention of failing.
As always.
***
Inside the car.
The Saintess, Amelia, slowly lowered her head. And then, she gracefully clasped her hands on her lap.
“...It seems the two of you are quite close?”
Her expression was slightly one of wonder.
Sirocco, sitting next to me, seemed bored, leaning her head slightly against my side, covering her mouth, and letting out a small yawn.
She seemed sleepy. Sirocco mumbled a few words, then glanced at the Saintess and added nonchalantly.
“Ah, yeah. This is supposed to be a normal expression of friendliness.”
“...Is that so?”
The Saintess, sitting in the seat next to mine. She nodded calmly with a gentle but bright smile.
I was involuntarily captivated by that smile. It was a captivating smile, to the extent that it would be difficult for anyone not to be.
Considering the reactions the staff at the Main House showed, there was a definite calmness in Amelia's attitude towards seeing Sirocco, a Beast-kin, without being flustered.
‘Even though she's actually harmless.’
I suddenly glanced up. The vehicle we were in seemed to be a high-roof limousine with elevated ceiling and seats arranged on both sides, perhaps even considering off-road travel.
The ride comfort was unparalleled. It was on a completely different level compared to the Main House's operational vehicles.
“Haa.”
Sirocco, perhaps a little bored, wiped away the condensation on the window with one finger. Then, the scenery outside came into view.
Outside the window, we were already far beyond the Elsyde territory, in the north. Perhaps because it was still cold despite being early spring, white snow was accumulated in various places.
Even though it was an escort, for now, it was more like a journey without urgency, and this was the reason.
There was no possibility of a surprise attack in a completely empty field like this, except for the snow. If there were, I would immediately notice.
Sirocco, pressed against the window, looked outside and opened her mouth.
“Hm, it's a bit cold here?”
“It's outside the northern part of the Elsyde territory. It's the coldest place among the nearby regions.”
I replied, glancing at Sirocco.
In contrast to the environment, she was dressed in a short black dress that fluttered, revealing her bare legs as usual in her free-spirited manner, the girl with wolf ears.
Suddenly, I was about to ask her, who was stuck to the window looking at the outside, “It snowed, don't you need to wear shoes?”, but then I shook my head.
Come to think of it, hadn't it been said that high-level body reinforcement magic, or magic imbued in clothing, could ignore the cold to a certain extent?
Of course, the heating was on in the car, but a certain amount of cold outside wouldn't be a problem.
Perhaps because of that, the people riding in the car with me all had quite interesting outfits.
The Saintess's revealing ceremonial attire also didn't seem to be a problem, as if it was imbued with special magic to maintain body temperature.
I myself was dressed in a stylish black blazer resembling a suit with thin silver decorations on the collar, the same as usual, which was far from warm clothing.
Over it, I only wore a jet-black cloak with white fur that the Main House had provided.
Although I wasn't particularly sensitive to the cold regardless of magic, so it wasn't very cold, it wouldn't hurt to be mindful of keeping warm.
And naturally.
Among them, the most striking outfit was...
“Come to think of it, this maid here?”
Just then, the Saintess turned to look at the girl in maid attire next to her, looking puzzled.
She seemed curious about the silver-haired girl who had been sitting quietly in her seat, maintaining silence.
I spoke lightly.
“She will be assisting the Saintess throughout this escort mission. While you are staying, there may be sensitive matters that I, a man, cannot attend to.”
Even if I roughly explained it like this, the reason for Lien's presence on this escort would be naturally excused.
“I see. I hadn't considered that aspect, thank you for your consideration.”
Lien glanced at Amelia with her usual emotionless eyes, then quietly closed them and bowed her head. It was the posture of an infinitely polite maid.
“I apologize for the late introduction, Saintess. I am Young Master Enoch's personal maid. My name is Lien.”
“Ah, there is no need to apologize. We even hastened our departure somewhat to avoid unnecessarily exposing my presence to the surroundings throughout the schedule.”
As the two girls finished their brief introductions. I leaned back against the leather seat of the car and glanced at Amelia.
“If it's not too rude, I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“It's regarding this Designated Mission.”
The Saintess nodded lightly.
“If it is something I can answer, gladly.”
“You mentioned helping with the damage caused by Magical Beasts in a remote mining city. Is it typical for you to personally go there to worry about their well-being?”
A remote region of the Empire. And it was a region where Magical Beasts had appeared.
Although it was an escort for that purpose from the start. For someone of the Saintess's level to be personally dispatched along with other healers to the site to help recover from the disaster in a remote area?
It felt somewhat strange.
Especially. It felt somewhat inconsistent with the Amelia that I 'knew', making it even more peculiar.
However, Amelia replied with her usual calm demeanor, without the slightest hint of agitation.
“It is because I wished to.”
“You must know the dangers of Magical Beasts.”
“It is because helping people is the mission I must personally carry out.”
“You might die, though.”
“Even if I were to pay any price. That would not change. The position of a Saintess is such.”
She answered firmly with a calm gaze.
I tilted my head slightly.
Meeting Amelia's gaze directly like this, I could tell. She wasn't foolish enough not to understand the fact that she might die.
However, because of that, there were even more questionable aspects.
“...One more question.”
I turned my head, which had been looking out the window.
“Clearly, I have never been professionally trained for escorting. Although I have taken in Sirocco as a squad member, she hasn't accumulated achievements yet. Compared to other Direct Lineages, my current advantage would only be my notoriety.”
“...”
The Saintess, with her bright blonde hair cascading down her back, silently looked at me. I subtly looked at her beside me.
“Why did you designate me as the escort?”
It might be blunt, but it was a natural question.
That was what I was most curious about in this Designated Mission. I couldn't just dance to someone else's tune without knowing the reason.
“If you simply didn't trust the escort officers, there were many other Direct Lineages or affiliated Mages of Elsyde who had much higher recognition and were more powerful than me.”
“Of course, I am well aware of that fact.”
Amelia looked directly at me. Her eyes shone nobly like emeralds.
“However, despite that, I absolutely needed Sir Enoch, not someone else.”
“May I ask the reason?”
“That is...”
Amelia lowered her head for a moment.
Her blonde hair flowed down silently. The dawn light entering from the moving car window cast a veil-like dark shadow on the Saintess's cheek.
“It is not something I can tell you directly. However. Perhaps you will naturally come to know in the future.”
Amelia's voice as she replied was very faintly softened.
And I didn't miss the fact that as she lowered her head, her eyes narrowed slightly with a sharp glint for an instant.
Just then. Sirocco, who had been looking out the window, tugged at my sleeve. Then she pointed outside.
“Look, there's a town!”
“...”
Glancing out the window towards that direction, a wind carrying snow passed by, and a snow-covered mountain with a city nestled halfway up appeared.
Amelia let out a small gasp of admiration beside me.
“...Ah, that place.”
The mining city built on a snowy mountain,
Pangaeon.
The houses built on the mountain slopes had a warm atmosphere, made of red brick or brown wood. Snow lay piled on the rows of roofs.
Thin ice had formed on the lake reflecting the blue sky.
In the distant town, smoke curled up, as if they were cooking.
And beyond that, a city with a mixed atmosphere of the modern and the past, where tall buildings mingled, came into view.
I suddenly wanted to turn my head and look towards the peak of the snow-covered mountain, where the mine was located. But the rising sun was too bright, so I gave up.
“...”
And then, on the snow-covered road ahead of the slow-moving line of vehicles.
Suddenly, a few figures appeared silently.
It quickly became clear that dozens more figures had appeared from the roadside on both sides of the road.
Sensing their sudden appearance, I looked out the window expressionlessly and spoke quietly.
“Up ahead, there are unidentified individuals.”
A sharp tension instantly filled the interior of the car.
Immediately, the driver, who heard my words from the driver's seat of the limousine, seemed quite flustered and exclaimed in a trembling voice, looking at me.
“Th-They are all Unique Magic Gear wielders. They are armed!”
At his urgent words, Amelia clasped her hands together, looking somewhat nervous.
Even counting roughly, there were over twenty of them.
It was not a small number. As he said, they all held Unique Magic Gear in their hands. I felt Sirocco glance at me from beside me.
“...What are you going to do?”
I watched them calmly.
No matter what, a slow response was not good. That was something I had learned through experience so far. This time was no different.
I had to act immediately.
Again, my deliberation was not long.