After Manon was badly injured and Lloyd ran away, the remaining clerics became noisy.
"I just can't believe there are three demon stones... This is a temple. You can't bring it in unnoticed. Besides, it had amazing magic."
"Right. I'm surprised Liz just broke it, even Manon...... This time, the candidate is not serious..."
(Is Manon okay?
Liz grabbed both hands in front of her chest as she looked at Lloyd's running away first tower gate. I'm worried, but the candidate can't get out of the temple. I guess you went to the infirmary to see how it went. I just have to wait for Lloyd and ask him how he's doing.
A classy old woman appeared there, with long dark hair in one piece. Behind them are armed clerics.
Liz looked out. I don't have to ask who it is.
He is wearing a pure white robe with a silver thread finely embroidered across his chest that is surprisingly loose to the calf. On his head he receives sunshine and a white, shining crown.
"Holy Virgin!
The clerics panicked and knelt on the spot.
(This is the current Virgin......)
Liz, who lives in the country, is the first to see it.
A gentle smile that envelops everything. Because of my mind, even the wrinkles engraved on my face look mysterious.
The present Virgin opened her mouth.
"Guys, are you okay?
"Yes! This one is not injured!... Um, where has the present Virgin ever been?
The cleric who was there the first time asked me a question. That's the real question. At the time of the demon stone disturbance, there was no current Virgin anywhere.
The present Virgin smiled.
"Is that me? I've been searching for the killer who brought that demon stone to the temple. And I found it."
"Is it true!?
"Yeah, it's true. The killer is - I'm Liz Stefan there. I brought it in myself and let it break. It's a selfie, so to speak."
"Huh!?
Everyone on the spot turned their eyes round. And Liz, of course.
(What?)
I don't know what that means. The present Virgin raised her face to Liz.
"Of course, you will deny that you are not yourself. But it's no use. Because I know everything."
(Huh?)
Why would the present Virgin say something like this? Liz, unable to keep up with the situation and standing up, was commanded by the present Virgin to the armed clerics.
"Get Liz. Take him to the dungeon."
"Ha!"
Surrounded by priests. I'm forced to turn my arms around my back. I can't get my freedom.
"Wait a minute! Not me!
But in front of the armed clergy, they are powerless.
"What do you mean? Did Liz bring in the demon stone herself and make it look like she broke it?
"It didn't look that way... but the present Virgin says so. Besides, no matter how much Holy Dragon you put out, it's certainly strange when it comes to wonder that Liz, who's just a candidate and not a magician, was able to break the Demon Stone..."
The clerics looked at each other, and Hades said, "Again, did you!" and laughed happily.
"Liz, you must be lying...?
Rebecca is standing up with Mimisen in her hand and a blue face. Liz shook her head wide left and right.
"No! I don't know a demon stone -!"
"Get him out of here."
The present Virgin exalted to Liz, who resisted while being suppressed by the priests. It's as if you know your influence over your surroundings.
"Cu!"
A holy dragon, roped by two priests, rang in retreat.
"Shiro!?
"Goodbye, Liz"
The present Virgin laughed.
At that moment, I felt uncomfortable.
I don't know the face of the present Virgin. I've never seen him or seen him. Yet I felt like something crawled through my spine, a shitty, unpleasant feeling.
Pushed in and kneeling on both sides of the ground, Liz looked up at the present Virgin with the hands of the clergy untied. I hide my mouth with my hands, but I do stare at that face laughing.
Don't miss anything. Look. Deeper. Identify the truth...
Liz's eyes sparkle. The grin disappeared in an instant from the face of the present Virgin into a deep glow that could see not only the surface, but even the contents.
Liz keeps staring. The face of the present Virgin becomes more and more frightened.
The clerics couldn't say anything and stared silently at the monstrous atmosphere surrounding them.
Liz opened her mouth. Intentionally, not. When I noticed, my mouth was open on its own.
Saw the current Virgin, Liz said.
"You, who?
But I was quick to finish, or the face of the present Virgin was very distressed. It's a mixed look of anger, haste, and fear. He quickly stuck his finger out of Liz's forehead and cast a spell to scream, just as he wanted to escape Liz's gaze now.
Shortly after, Liz lost consciousness. Still, just before I lost it,
"What the hell, this girl..."
A faint voice reached my ear, like the upset of the present Virgin.
Rebecca, with her other candidate, Olivia, was in the dining room. The mistletoe is in the box in the room, taking care of it.
He sat opposite Olivia, holding a cup of hot air, pinched with his hands without force.
I thought Liz helped Mimizn, but you tried to manipulate Mimizn using demon stones? You didn't look like that.
"Are you still depressed?
Olivia's overwhelming voice came down. Olivia is rare for aristocratic women and has shortened her hair. But that suited Olivia well with a clear face.
Rebecca got upset.
"Because Liz..."
"It's good to see fewer competitors. Liz was put in jail, and Manon was badly injured and in the infirmary. We're the only two candidates left."
"Oh no...! Manon will be back soon. And Liz......!
"Stop being a good girl"
Olivia's getting sharp.
"I know I shouldn't, but I'm honestly happy with what's going on. We're in the middle of a selection, aren't we? There's only one person who can be the next Virgin. Of the four of us, only one. Liz and Manon sealed up that demonic stone. I was with the Clerical Chiefs then, but I found out that the Demon Stone had tremendous magic. I can't be very fat..."
Rebecca also stuck her mouth to Olivia, who bites her lips with regret. Surely even Hades with the clergyman didn't have teeth on that demonic stone. I saw how amazing Liz was. I know very well.
Olivia drank tea in such a violent manner that she was annoyed.
"And I'm sorry about Manon, but Liz deserves it. Because the present Virgin made it clear that Liz was the one who brought in the Demon Stone."
"... is it really Liz?
"What do you mean? Are you trying to tell me that the present Virgin lied?
"That's not what..."
Rebecca nagged again.
The present Virgin said so. Liz is determined to be the killer. But in a corner of my mind, I have myself unconvinced. We were together the whole time during the selection. People somehow know, even if it's not everything.
Rebecca is shy, and although she has a personality that can't clearly express her feelings outside, she is good at thinking carefully. I also have eyes for people.
Olivia sighed at the silent Rebecca.
"Anyway. I definitely want to be the next Virgin. Unlike Anna, I can't back off. Luck is within reach. My rivals are down, so I'll be happy."
Liz had a dream of her previous life.
In that old collective room, Cecil made a stew and was waiting for Eugene to return.
But Eugene's return is slower than usual. Worried, Cecil glanced at the front door many times.
Could it have been an accident? When she came up with that, she couldn't stay or not, and Cecil went outside with her jacket on.
Then Eugene just ran back from across the street. Cecil was heartfelt, horrified.
"I was worried because it was late."
"Sorry. More than that, this"
into the room. No, no, Eugene has offered me a small paper bag as she shines her face.
"It's a gift for Cecil."
"To me?
I wonder what. Is it a baked treat sold at the main street stall? With that in mind, I opened the bag and was surprised.
"This......!
It's a hair decoration lined with little flower ornaments. When I used to walk in the city with Eugene, I was lined up in a decoration store store. Cecil liked it at a glance, but she gave it up after seeing the price. Cecil didn't say anything then, and Eugene didn't listen, but Eugene seemed to know what was in Cecil's mind.
(Right. So......)
I finally figured it out. From the payday in between, Eugene was saving so much as Cecil was worried about watching. When I asked him why, he laughed that he wanted something, but was it for Cecil?
"Eugene......"
My chest was stuck in words with a glass. I'm so happy with the hair decoration, of course. However, I felt so sorry for Eugene for putting up with me and for not realizing it.
"Thanks"
In front of her chest, she thanked her with a small voice as she hugged her hair ornament.
"Yeah," Eugene laughed happily. It was a smile that seemed really happy, and I couldn't help but be heartily happy that I was pleased with Cecil.
As soon as she did, Cecil reflected on what she was thinking. You just have to be honest with me. Because Eugene wants it. Because that's what Eugene thinks of me as his own happiness.
Cecil looked up, and a full grin.
"Thanks! I'll take care of it forever"
Eugene smiled once again, even happier.
(- nostalgic dreams)
Blurry awakened Liz, smiling unexpectedly. Sweet and sweet feelings are drifting in my chest.
Liz opened her eyes haphazardly as she accidentally felt the cold squirt on her face.
Over the clothes, a cold stone sensation is conveyed. Inorganic iron lattice. Cancer space.
(In jail...)
My heart got cold as soon as I could.
jailed by the present Virgin. Probably magically put to sleep.
Get up gently and look around. There are no signs of people. Beyond the cell where Liz was, I could see a staircase that would lead to the ground.
Liz grabbed the iron plaid with both hands.
"Whoa!
I shake my thoughts with all my strength, but I'm not scared. Is that obvious?
On the outside of the iron lattice hangs a sturdy padlock. Check outside the cell for keys, but I don't see any.
Well, what do we do? I wondered how I could get out of this dungeon, and I heard people arguing from up the stairs. One would be a watchman cleric. And the other...
"No! Nobody goes through the dungeon, the present Virgin commands!
"So what? The temple will be under the King's command. Independent authority is only within the scope of the King's order. You forgot that?
"... but!
"What's your name - Colin? Colin, let's remember your face and your name."
They must have seen the embroidered name on the back of the robe collar. Colin blued in an instant, but I didn't have to see it. Because even from the voice of resistance, I lost my strength as soon as I could.
It was Keefa who shook off Colin and emerged from the stairs.