Tristan and Enid entered King's Landing during the social season.
We, the Langley family, are participating as invitees in the Harvey Awards ceremony this year. The award ceremony is super exciting if the winner has no related parties. Bite the yawn and finish the ceremony to get into the fun party time!
But Sonia hasn't come this year, and Chiaran seems busy being caught by various adults. The Tristans also took Enid out to greet them.
I'm playing properly again this year, and I'm going to do something else by myself.
Actually, I had an appointment.
Walk towards the back of the forest park.
Meet me in the shade of the unpopular tree, just like last year. Ada, the current leader of the Prophet, was already waiting.
"I'm sorry I called you."
Ada lowers her head. I have been on the consultation as promised several times before.
That said, I can't meet Ada in person with a strict escort. It is limited to the exchange of letters.
Ada receives a letter in the form of a pigeon, and I keep a copy of the reply letter in secret at the designated place the next day.
That's why I haven't seen you in person in a year.
It is implicitly understood that VIPs in the park will not be accompanied by personal escorts as long as there is a strict security regime throughout the venue. Thanks to this, Ada is relatively free to move as long as he's in the park.
"Fufufu, it's hard to be the head prophet."
Ada sighs at me for teasing.
"It's totally other HR. As always, it seems like you can do whatever you want, and I'm jealous. I've heard rumors of Impact."
"I've already dedicated my entire life to the country. I became the first prophet since I was 18 years old. Good luck with that. There's still a long way to go."
"Yes, of course. So please help me."
Lower your head again. For an important consultation that is not enough to exchange letters.
"You know, about the giant ants."
"Yes, because the magic faction proved responsible for the dramatic increase in monster outbreaks in King City. I wonder what this is all about."
I have no idea at all.
"Huh? Master?
Ada answers unexpectedly. Well, I can't read anything either.
But there's one thing I'm sure of.
"It's the same thing. This feeling of being disturbed by a black jade is dull. To the extent that I finally understood it just before, I can't be prevented. I think it's the same background as the sacrifice at the summer solstice."
"That's a problem that the prophetic rituals we did here couldn't answer. Master was judged to be the same criminal. Then, may I assume that the ants' magic team is not naturally occurring, but by human hands?
"Yeah, I think they're both artificial by the same forces. Summer solstice is used once a year. A special ritual with some meaning. On the other hand, when it comes to the appearance of monsters in the King's City, it will be a subpoena ceremony with irregular place and time, right?
"Yes"
"As far as summoning ants is concerned, if it's an end in itself... it could be causing confusion."
I've been thinking about it for weeks, and that's the best conclusion I can come up with.
"Thousands of spectators in churches where dignitaries of the country, including kings, clash. It's the best stage. Whether the monster destroys humans or is defeated, the result is nothing but a fun and flashy show. Tristan's instincts are familiar to the Prophet. For him, it looked like a show. Perhaps the killer who did it was watching from somewhere. He's a pleasant criminal."
And one doubt. That giant magic formation appeared where I was. Show it to me in front of me.
Is this a coincidence?
Is there a coincidence in front of the Great Prophet?
I've been thinking about it all along.
Why am I perhaps repeating my reincarnation as a great prophet? By continuing to think about it, I feel like I'm beginning to see the scale slightly lately.
"Hey, Ada. Didn't you wonder? I've been wondering since I was a kid in my last life. Why are we called 'prophets' instead of 'prophets'?"
If Galatea had been me... it would have been a blurry assumption since I realized it was possible.
"I don't know what God is, but I'm sure we have a role to play."
It may have been good for me to have consulted with the Prophet. Talk to each other from the same perspective.
Ada frowned slightly.
"If that's the case, it's a really annoying story."
"Absolutely. By the way, do you know where the Great Prophet Demetria came from 300 years ago?
Ada doesn't move for a sudden change of subject. It must be because you knew from the beginning that it would lead somewhere.
"Of course, it must have been the Duke of Avalon."
"Yes, the first Galatea was the Duke of Orhoff."
"Yes... eh!?
When she realizes what I'm trying to say, Ada opens her eyes.
"I inherit Langley and Ingram's blood. The researchers were all bewildered because they sandwiched the orphan Zachariah. Maybe every 300 years, there's a big prophet coming out of somewhere in the Five Dukes."
"Does this mean that, like the Great Prophet, the five Dukes have some role to play?"
"Well, maybe one of them is the birth of the Great Prophet. Because it is a lineage that inherits powerful abilities."
This is not a prophecy, but a result of constant thinking.
"Legend has it that 300 years ago Demetria re-sealed the unsealed dragon in the canyon of Mount Cassandra. So when was the first time we sealed it? Galatea or earlier?
I don't have any more records. But I'm sure.
"In about 300 years, something happens. And there's a great prophet on the spot. I feel like I've become a chess player."
Imaginatively, it appears to be an immune cell that fights the virus entering the body. It's like a device to eliminate things that are harmful to the world.
"What happens every 300 years may be the appearance of monsters by this magical faction. At least this time."
Anyway, we don't have enough information. All too unfounded reasoning. Almost in a state of fantasy, but with little prophecy or conjecture on this matter, I can only deduce from the evidence of the situation.
But if there is a hostile presence against the Great Prophet, this killer may still be the black hood man who kills me.
So, next month, the summer solstice in question is coming?
"Yes, referring to last year, the two locations will be completely sealed off and we will have someone available to deal with whatever happens. I would like to ask Master if possible about the next three places....."
"Unfortunately, I don't know this year either. Ah, but the sacrificial girls were both black hair and green eyes, right?
"Yes, that is a serious reminder. Especially girls around the age of 10."
"That's right. I'm always careful because my friends have the right kid on the right terms, but I can't be sure in just two cases."
I hope there are no more casualties.
Ada nodded.
After a single exchange of information, there was something that touched my premonition.
"Ah, mazu...!
"Master, please?... ah!?
A sigh of delay, Ada notices. But it's too late. We have only ordinary human motor abilities.
There's nothing we can do if we move at this speed.
"Oh, I see you here again. Ada. And Gladys."
In the same place as last year, Roxanne was smiling.