Chapter 39
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Violet's First Words - Episode 39
I swallowed hard. I had been about to ask Olive more about the cult when—
A knock sounded at the Training Room door.
"Olive, how is the training progressing?"
Cyril entered. I swallowed the words I'd been about to speak.
"Today's training has concluded."
"How is my nephew faring? Doesn't she possess exceptional talent?"
Cyril spoke with a slight lift to his lips.
"Dreadful. You should consider it a serious matter."
Olive answered with unwavering certainty.
Cyril and I fell silent.
"I thought I was doing well today... No talent, you say...?"
I opened my mouth.
"Ah, as for talent itself, the overall condition is quite excellent. Though her frame is small, she possesses the physique of a true warrior, and her inherent magical reserves are extraordinary. However, the situational circumstances are what are dreadful."
"Can't you speak like a normal human being for just one day?"
Cyril spoke with genuine exasperation.
"My manner of speech is grounded in rationality. In any case, her magical power is leaking."
"...What?"
Cyril let out a bewildered sound.
My eyes widened.
"After painstaking investigation into the nature of genius talent, I discovered that once one circle is completed, the next must be formed. However... this is not occurring. In such cases, it indicates either a disease causing fractures in one's magical essence, or an equivalent handicap."
"Could it be because there's no Flame Stone?"
The Flame Stone that had been set in my mother's ring—I recalled it now.
"No. The Flame Stone is merely an aid for the first stage. This is a different matter entirely. Her magical power is flowing elsewhere, as though someone were stealing it away."
"Then... I can never grow stronger?"
My heart sank.
"Growing stronger is not the issue. If this continues, problems will arise in the very flow of magical power itself, and she could suffer severe injury."
Without thinking, I looked at Cyril in alarm.
'I was supposed to become a legendary genius in the future. And now... I'm in serious trouble?'
Cyril wore an expression of deep contemplation.
"It's possible she's been cursed."
"...A curse?"
"Yes, a curse. Sorcerers are rare now, but curses were common in ancient times. Curses to ruin the heirs of rival houses, or curses to weaken enemies captured in battle, for instance."
"..."
"If magical power is draining away somewhere, it's worth suspecting."
"I had the same thought."
Olive said.
"I suppose I'll need to call someone to diagnose her."
"Can't you do it, Uncle?"
"I specialize in curses on barriers, land, and space. There's someone else who diagnoses curses on the human body. If it's going to be done, it should be done well."
"Why?"
"Clumsy curse diagnosis can injure a person."
"...I see."
Violet nodded heavily.
'I hope she hasn't gotten caught up in anything terrible.'
An ominous premonition spread through me. I cast my eyes downward.
"In any case, don't worry too much. I'm an expert in these matters, so I'll fix it one way or another."
Cyril said. Violet felt somewhat reassured.
'It's a good thing to have someone I can rely on.'
I smiled, forcing myself to think positively.
"Well then, I'll go wash up and prepare to go out. I have an appointment with Ash this afternoon."
* * *
"You're quite adorable. You have the kind of face our people prefer. Even the elderly like it."
Violet was in shock.
She was now escorting the Crown Princess Hueria as they walked through the Streets.
'The Crown Princess is... really this easy to meet?'
Violet went to Marin's House as usual. As always, Marin dressed her up.
When told to go out with someone other than Ash today, Violet nodded while wondering who it could be.
The carriage that stopped in front of Violet, who was standing before Ash's House, was none other than Hueria's carriage.
"The Crown Princess is inspecting the lives of commoners with her friend! Everyone, step aside!"
As the mounted attendants shouted, the people quickly bowed their heads while regarding them with curious eyes.
Newspaper reporters gathered around, scribbling notes.
Some of them brought rare, massive magical artifact cameras and took photographs.
"Who is that young lady? I've never seen her before."
"Has she made her debut in High Society?"
The reporters occasionally shouted questions at Hueria's attendants.
Hueria looked at them with an expressionless face and spoke.
"This is my little bluebird who will show me around the Capital."
'This' is a person, not an object.
'And the way she pronounces "bluebird" is so distinctly... odd.'
I thought to myself.
"Why are you helping me?"
"The Crown Prince will make you famous."
She spoke with a dismissive tone.
'Surely you didn't mobilize the Crown Princess just to make me the Winter Queen, Ash?'
Today's display of Hueria parading her around would undoubtedly become the subject of gossip.
It would spread throughout the entire Academy, and this would certainly bolster her reputation.
"What can I do to help?"
"The lives of commoners—observe them. Understanding the world is a most important and noble duty. So explain what you see."
"...Yes."
Violet explained each item displayed on the vendor stalls, just as she was instructed.
"That girl is selling a handmade beaded bracelet. Her craftsmanship is quite good. That building with the blue roof is a laundry house, where multiple workers tackle washing tasks in larger establishments..."
As I explained one thing after another, I lost all sense of time.
Gradually, the gazes of the passersby faded from my awareness. I only noticed that it was somewhat noisy.
That was when it happened.
"A prophet has received a divine revelation during a small temple ceremony at Saint Carita's Archive. And it is said the prophet is now coming this way to deliver God's message!"
A great commotion erupted among the crowd.
"A prophet?"
Hueria spoke.
"A prophet is one who conveys God's word on His behalf. However, this nation currently has no prophets. Prophets exist only among those who come from the mysterious land next door—Kaizeria."
Kaizeria was smaller than the Empire, yet beautiful and mystical. It was called a state rather than a duchy or kingdom.
This was because there existed the Temple of the Main God, also called the Holy Temple, which governed all priests in the world.
Kaizeria was extraordinarily wealthy for its size.
This was because it possessed mines of mana stones and precious gems.
The ruler of that land was the Pope, also called the Holy Pope. The Pope was determined by a vote of the state's elders and the Nobility Council.
"Kaizeria—the land blessed by God's grace."
Hueria spoke.
"That's right, a mysterious place indeed... I've heard that many beautiful people and talented individuals come from there."
Violet suddenly realized something.
'Ash, who navigated the Capital Grand Temple as if it were his own home.'
And Gran, the High Priest, who treated Ash with deference as if he were his superior.
Only the Holy Pope of Kaizeria possessed the authority to appoint anyone above the rank of High Priest.
And though the Grand Temple existed in the Capital, it technically belonged to Kaizeria.
'Could Ash possibly be affiliated with Kaizeria?'
When I thought about it, it all made sense. I was only now realizing it.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org