Chapter 97
The image that rose in my mind was that of an old man in a shabby hut at a mine—lonely, yet radiating intelligence.
Even at the moment before his death, he had wished for my happiness.
He had said that he had cleaned up the mess caused by the duke's father's blunder. After the kingdom collapsed, he had made his way to the Achenbach ducal territory.
(But then—what did Old Man Hinga's final words mean?)
At the time, I had 【All Creation】 equipped, so I remembered those words clearly.
——This body exists to receive punishment. For I have committed a sin that cannot be atoned for by death. Yet, at the moment of my death, I was blessed with the supreme good fortune of basking in sunlight. Omnipotent god who rules over heaven and earth, if it please you, bestow your blessing upon this cursed child...
Had Dr. Hinga committed some 'sin'? Was it something to do with Talent Jewels? Or was it connected to the destruction of the Kingdom of Folsha?
Probably... the 'cursed child' referred to someone with black hair and black eyes.
As I was pondering this, El-san continued speaking.
"Er, I imposed upon the Holy King and had an investigation team dispatched to gather Dr. Hinga's writings. Very few remained, but I copied them and gave the rest to his blood relatives. Er, Dr. Hinga's papers overturned many of the assumptions held until then, so I am delighted that you found them interesting."
"W-wait a moment!"
El-san had just said something I could not ignore.
"What do you mean, Dr. Hinga had blood relatives!?"
"Not 'old man,' but 'doctor,' please. Er, well, I suppose he might be an old man from Reiji-san's perspective."
"S-sorry, I used the wrong words. Dr. Hinga had blood relatives?"
"Indeed. There is an unusual country called the Lef Magic Empire. Er, his daughter married and moved there."
Dr. Hinga's daughter had been overseas when the Kingdom of Folsha was destroyed. That was why she had escaped the disaster.
"Is his daughter still in the Lef Magic Empire?"
"Who can say? I do not know that much... It was ten—no, fifteen years ago, after all. If you wish to see his writings, we have copies here in the Holy King's Palace."
"...No, I would like to see the originals. Could you give me his daughter's contact information!?"
"Certainly. Er, her name is Emma, and her husband was a senior official in the Lef Magic Empire. I believe she had one daughter."
It was Lulsha-san.
I had a feeling that was the case, but saying anything more would have made me seem suspicious—though perhaps I was already suspicious enough—so I kept quiet.
Having gained an unexpected lead, I returned to the mansion alone.
＊ Special-Grade Priest El ＊
The person who appeared behind the large rabbit sitting perfectly still was none other than the head of House Ebenyu, one of the Six Great Ducal Houses.
...El-sama, has Reiji-dono departed?"
"Er, yes, he has."
"What were you thinking about? The 'Child of Calamity'?"
When the head of House Ebenyu sat down beside El with a fluid motion, El spoke without even looking over.
"...Indeed. I believe there is almost no doubt that Reiji-san is the 'Child of Calamity'... but even after seeing him with my own eyes, I cannot be certain. Er, I sense no evil aura from him."
"If what is written in the documents is true, the 'Child of Calamity' has black hair and black eyes, along with immense power—power capable of destroying even an entire nation. But Reiji-dono has blue hair."
"Hair color can be changed. Er, he must be using hair dye—at the very least, it means he knows that having black hair and black eyes can bring him harm."
"It may be nothing more than fashion."
"Good heavens! Er, for the head of House Ebenyu to make such a meaningless assumption..."
"I cannot rest until every possibility has been eliminated. Then, El-sama, do you believe that boy is the 'Child of Calamity'?"
"...Er, I cannot say so with certainty."
"Why?"
"..."
"The Holy King said that if you could be certain, you were to settle the matter here and now... In other words, you let him go, did you not?"
With a smooth motion, the head raised a hand. Ten or more black-clad figures hidden in the garden rose to their feet and vanished without a sound. They were not the head's bodyguards, nor, of course, were they guards of the Holy King's Palace. They were specialists in assassination.
"Er, I had no proof."
"..."
Though a faint smile played about his mouth, the halfling's eyes were terrifyingly cold.
El, for his part, believed that Reiji's hair had originally been black. The Mediator had also let slip something about the 'Child of Calamity.' The 'Child of Calamity' must be killed. That was common knowledge among the upper echelons of the country.
But El had not done so.
Had he enjoyed getting to speak about Dr. Hinga again after so long? Had he truly not sensed any evil aura, as he had told the head of House Ebenyu?
(No... How could I harm a boy who risked his life to save us?)
That was what El thought. But he did not say it aloud. If he told the head of a noble house something like that, the man would only scoff and say, 'Then we shall deal with him ourselves.'
No—that was not the whole of it. It was not merely such 'pretty words.'
(The power he used to fight the Mediator lies 'outside' the 'Law.' If that power were turned against the Holy Kingdom...)
Historical records from times past contain numerous accounts of the 'Child of Calamity' eventually becoming a true 'Calamity' and killing many people. That threat was far more terrifying than the 'world in the shadows,' which was kept more or less under control by the 'Pact.'
And yet, El thought.
(Were the 'Children of Calamity' killed in childhood really 'Calamities'? Er, if they had been raised with care, might they not have contributed to this world?)
That was, of course, a 'meaningless supposition.' It was also a dangerous idea that could cost El his head if he voiced it.
In short, Dr. Hinga's papers were close to that way of thinking. Even when terrible things had happened in the past, one must not misjudge human potential—that was diametrically opposed to the nobles who believed that, if killing a child while it was still young prevented it from becoming a 'Calamity,' it was best to kill the child at once.
"Er, that boy poses no problem."
"...Very well. I shall report to the Holy King that this is the case."
The rabbit blinked twice, but showed no sign of agitation.
"More importantly, Head of House, what of the Riviere family's problem?"
"There should be no problem. Physical evidence has surfaced, and the Holy King is already taking action. Above all, the 'Cold-Blooded Lord' is involved. Congratulations, El-sama. The great sinner who defiled the 'One Heaven Altar' you cherish so dearly will finally be judged."
"...Er, yes, it seems so."
When El replied, the head of House Ebenyu rose to his feet. Once he left the room, El felt as though the pressure had suddenly been released and quietly exhaled.