Continuing with the Duke and the Chancellor, Sheena is taken out of the room by soldiers. To get back to jail. Liz stared at the figure.
I don't look like Cecil anymore. That's Emilia.
Sheena accidentally raised her face. Eyes on each other. Sheena's black eyes had no color of hatred or resentment that was once directed at Liz. It was just giving up everything and a color that seemed out of my mind.
I can no longer wear wet clothes from the Duke, but I must atone for my sins. As if that fact is finally penetrating your body and trying to withstand its weight.
As the king and his ministers spoke about the future, Keefa, out of that circle, asked the clergy worried.
"Where is the real Virgin now? You're safe, right?
The clerics looked at each other and stuffed Lloyd at the same time.
"Is the present Virgin safe?!?
"Lloyd! You knew he was a phony. Why don't you tell me!?
"The Chief Cleric knew, didn't he? Where is the Chief Cleric?
"- I'm smart, aren't I? Do you realize what people don't notice?
"" What!?
"The Chief Cleric is calling the Spirit. To be taught how to help the present Virgin."
The clerics peeled off their eyes and dropped their shoulders as they were convinced.
"Right...... I hear that spiritual descent is very difficult. Are you going to succeed?
"I don't know. But there's no other way."
"Right...... Where is the present Virgin?
Lloyd turned around and looked at Liz. Close your eyes so you can try.
"You know what I mean?"
Liz took a breath before answering.
"-Mannon, right?
"Exactly. I knew it."
Lloyd laughed small. Liz nodded.
Now I want to blame myself for not realizing how.
The first thing I thought was that Manon was in the temple for a different purpose than Liz and the other candidates.
I loved the nasbi fermented, just like the current Virgin, and the Holy Dragon did not make any attacks, such as pulling hair, only to wonder and manon.
And a pot with holy seeds that was buried in the ground. It was Manon who buried it.
Some time after he got the seed, Liz saw the back of a candidate who was somewhat gossipy, near the First Temple, along the perimeter wall in front of the Ninth Tower Gate. I couldn't remember who it was all along, but as soon as I realized Manon was the current Virgin, the fit connected the dots and dots.
Now I think it was also because of the absence of the Cleric Chief in the hall during the disturbance of Grace's fruit.
The chief cleric said. "Sometimes they may be harmed by 'things' blooming in holy trees, or eaten if they do poorly. I want you to be very careful" -.
As the word goes, neither the Holy Dragon out of Liz's fruit, nor Grace's monstrous fruit, were so intense that they could not be fattened by the magic of the priests. At that time, there's no way I'm leaving the temple, even if it's just for one day.
But there was Manon. The present Virgin, who turned into Manon, was in the Second Temple, protecting everyone. I guess that's why the Chief Cleric was able to safely stay away.
"What happened to Manon!? What if the current Virgin is in the same institution as Manon!?
The clerics are stuck to Lloyd in a hurried tone.
That's when the blue-faced soldier chief ran into the room. Speak quickly, looking like you can't hide the upset.
"I say! This is Manon, a candidate in the hospital, but the cleric came to inform me that the...... figure of Manon had changed to the present Virgin. Apparently, the present Virgin has been transformed into a Manon. But the medical condition just gets worse, I don't know what to do, he wants me to call the chief cleric as soon as possible...!
Keefa and the others, who ran to the treatment center, were stunned when they saw the manon on the bed. It's not Manon already. He looked like the current Virgin.
Liz and the other candidates cannot come to the treatment center outside the temple. All I could say was, "I'm sure I'll be fine" to Liz, who was sneaking her anxiety off to the red eye -.
(This is...)
I lost my word. It's been a long time since Keefa has seen the present Virgin. Still, it was too different from the present Virgin I remember.
From his tightly closed eyes and pale cheeks, he felt that he was still losing his vitality. Fact is, I guess so. I heard the fake Virgin clearly say, "I wasn't willing to help you from the beginning". The true present Virgin is loosely on her way to death.
"Current Virgin!?
"Oh my God...!
The priests raised their grievous voices and nodded. I grieve all over my body. I see that.
The king's face is cloudy, and the heavy ministers are dropping their shoulders.
It's like the fire's out. I felt that way. The light that illuminates this country is about to disappear.
When I glanced at the rearmost, Lloyd also hit the wall and stared at the hedge surrounding the present Virgin. The look looked the same as usual, but his hands, assembled in front of his chest, were faintly shaking. Keefa hurt so her chest could be tightened.
I approached him and stopped.
What can I say to you? Lloyd will be more familiar with the current state of the Virgin, and Keefa is the King Prince, but he is not magical or anything. There's nothing you can do.
(You're helpless...)
I knew it, but the sense of loss left my chest.
Still, I took a step with my heart. Facing Lloyd, Keefa said.
"The present Virgin is sure to be fine. There's the chief clergyman, and there's the clergymen. And you too."
- I can't do anything.
"That's not true. Much more useful than I am."
Speaking out with confidence, Lloyd turned into a pompous face. "What are you talking about, this Prince Wang" or something?
Keefa did not mind, standing next to Lloyd, similarly against the wall. I feel the pain in Lloyd's gaze on my side.
Eventually something black appeared in my vision when I felt the strained air, which surrounded Lloyd, faintly loose. You came out from under the sleeping bed of the present Virgin, and as you wet between the hedges, something black and round appeared flimsy. I was gnawed, but soon I knew something about it.
"Black leopard......!?
Lloyd raises his voice and hugs him.
Keefa also looked familiar. It's a black leopard, the Holy Beast of Manon. I'm slowly pulling out of Lloyd's arms. Because of Manon's poor condition, it probably affects black leopards as well.
In Lloyd's arms, the black leopard, who lowers his four legs all the time, is as if he were a lonely and noble figure before. I felt chilly projecting the present state of the Virgin. Keefa also found out that the current Virgin could not keep the figure of Manon already. I can't keep my life if I don't strive to restore my body to the force I use for it.
"Hey, can't you do something about it!? The present Virgin as it is......!
The heavy ministers are stuck in the clergy, but I guess the clergy can't do anything about it either.
"What happened to the Chief Cleric!? Where are you away from the present Virgin at a time like this!?
"The Chief Cleric is looking for a way to save the present Virgin. It seems the Spirit has been summoned."
"So you can find a way!?
"I don't know. The Summoning of the Spirit is Advanced Magic. And the Spirit is whimsical..."
Heavy ministers blued at the poor incisors.
"No way. So does the chief cleric... Oh, my God, won't that happen?
The complexion of the heavy ministers changed to a cleric who did not answer and turned away from his gaze.
"Oh my God... This country is over. How could you do this...!
The groans filled the narrow room.
In the basement of the First Temple, in a room at the end of a heavy door, the Chief Cleric was alone. A large candlestick is placed in the four corners of the dim room and the fire is lit.
In the center of the room, a magic formation written down by the clergyman himself. Before that, the chief cleric knelt down and cast a spell all the time.
To summon the Spirit.
With a tense atmosphere, the Chief Cleric continues to cast a wholeheartedly spell. My voice is drying up, but I don't care about that. If you can save the present Virgin.
Black smoke erupted from the magic formation. The chief clergyman faintly opened his eyes.
Don't be frightened. If you even show the confusion and fear in your heart, you are immediately taken with you. Take control, your own mind.
Spirit Summoning is advanced magic. The nature of the Spirit calling is not known until he actually shows up. We need the magic and the spiritual power to deal with whatever comes out.
I heard a creepy laugh out of the smoke. It's like crawling out of the bottom of the earth, a voice that rocks the backbone of a person's fear.
The chief clergyman did not keep it slight, but in a position with his knees on, waited still. I don't see any emotions on that face staring at the magic formation.
Only laughter sticks around the room. Even though there is no reality, only the voice circles around the chief cleric to surround him.
(- Are you playing?
Is the spirit that came out a child? The moment I thought about it, the smoke cleared up. What was floating in the middle of the magic formation was a spirit who looked adorable. He's about half the height of a clergyman. It's a spirit of a 10-year-old with two clear feathers growing from his back, golden hair and diverse cheeks.
The spirits grinned.
The chief cleric was shocked. I feel desperate for fear and regret to swell my heart.
I don't know what the Spirit really looks like. It is also unclear whether there is a defined form. So they read into the head of the caller, and turn into the figure of that street and appear.
Even now, I wondered if the chief cleric was a child, so he showed up as a child. With an innocent grin. But what about the reality?
I could see the cold sweat flowing through my back.
Hold on. Help the present Virgin. When I vowed strongly, I narrowed my words to ask the Spirit.
"... I'd like you to tell me how to help the present Virgin"
"No, I don't."
I strongly thought I shouldn't disturb my mind. Because the Spirit is trying this one. Whether or not you deserve help to give yourself wisdom.
"... in exchange for what, can you tell me?
"Life."
I laughed and was pointed in the middle of my chest.
"I'll give it to you. So tell me."
The Spirit curiously pinched his neck.
"You're gonna die, aren't you? Are you sure about that?
"Yes."
"That's all I want to do to help, why?
Why? I have a lot of answers. The present Virgin is necessary for this country. The next Virgin has yet to be decided either. In the meantime, if he were to die suddenly, the country would shake.
The Virgin springs the priest and, with her own great holy power, presides over the sacrifices and rituals of this country. Faith of the people, and subject to tranquillity. More than spiritual, I might say.
The temple is, of course, under the King's command, but the Virgin, in a different way than the King, has a great deal of influence over the whole country.
If such a person were to die, the country would be confused. The present Virgin is a very important person for the country, for the Temple and for the Chief Cleric. And...
The Chief Cleric smiled furiously. The Spirit snapped his neck more and more strangely.
"If I were dying in the opposite position, the present Virgin would surely do the same. You'll call the Spirit and try to hear how you can help me."
Even if that's what the country doesn't want. That's what the present Virgin is like.
"... heh"
When I replied that I didn't know if I was impressed or frightened, I turned around saying that the Spirit was coming.
At the next moment, the Spirit, who was the figure of a cute child, was turning into a bull king with a gripping horn. The magnificent body is going to stick out of the magic formation.
The Chief Cleric was breathtaking.
(Is this who you really are?
No, you're not. Even if the word makes sense, the Spirit is a creature fundamentally different from a person. Don't think that you might have figured it out, etc.
"'Virgin' is a lonely thing. Even if it is admired by everyone, it is the only one. No one understands. So" Chief Cleric "has to be something that can support it. I give everything I have to support the Virgin. That's the mission of those who become" chief clergymen. "
I wouldn't put it on my face, but I was surprised. Because when he was appointed chief cleric, he said exactly the same words as the former chief cleric said.
What did you say then? I must have answered, "Of course." "Chief Cleric" is a dedication to "Virgin". Because that's the mission. So what if they ask me the same thing now?
"Answer what?
It's like I've read it in the chief cleric's mind. No, you did read it. That's right. Being beyond human intelligence is different. Having gotten a little used to the situation, the chief cleric slapped his forehead with not much one hand to admire. The forehead, whose hair was falling back, sounded as good as I thought. But the Spirit won't even laugh at me. Is that obvious?
"Right." Of course, sir. "
"Same as before"
"No, words feel different together"
When I answered before, I just burned to my mission. Of course I respected the present Virgin. That remains the same now. But we've been together for decades, and we've served closest. I feel like a current Virgin, and I want to "support" even more.
I mean, I'm happy. I can serve the present Virgin. Really.
A spiritual staring at the chief priest, who circled his thoughts with a smile, said in an unexpected tone.
"There are those who have the power to dispel sorcery. It's a magic force to disable."
"Strike it off...?