第６４１堀：集う御三家 (Part1)
**Chapter 641: The Three Houses Gather**
**Side: Enora Hairen, Acting Bishop of the Haire Church, Haiden Royal Capital**
"..."
I can no longer even produce a voice.
The agony is so intense that I don't even have the strength to scream.
With my wrists shackled and my body crucified, my head hangs limply toward the floor. I can clearly see the crimson liquid dripping from my body, pooling on the ground beneath me.
Blood. My own blood is gathering there.
How did it come to this...?
As I retreat into a familiar, desperate escapism—wondering for the umpteenth time how this happened—the sound of footsteps suddenly pulls me back to reality.
They’re here...
The mere thought is enough to make me lose control of my bodily functions out of sheer terror.
But I can’t help it.
Because from here on...
"Alright, everyone. Let’s get to work with high spirits today, shall we?"
The ones who entered this hellish place said this while holding tools meant solely for inflicting pain. They were beautiful members of my own Haire Church.
"I look forward to accumulating virtue through your pious prayers today. Oh, don't worry. We can squeeze out virtue even by force, so it doesn't matter if you're tired. Isn't that wonderful?"
With that declaration, relentless torture was inflicted upon the others crucified alongside me. Screams and moans echoed through the chamber.
"Now, Enora-sama, let’s do our best together."
"St-stop..."
Before I could finish, a knife was already being driven into my body.
"Aghhh!?"
"Yes. High spirits as always, I see. Though, you are of such high quality. As expected of a blood relative of the first Archbishop Enor."
She twisted the knife, widening the wound, and my consciousness began to flicker.
"Oh? You mustn't faint. You need to try harder, okay?"
"Aguhhh!? Gahhh!? Gyyahhh!?"
While being kept alive by recovery magic, I was tortured until they were satisfied. I listened to the sounds escaping my own throat—no longer resembling a human voice—as if from a distant, separate world.
How much time had passed? Before I knew it, the torture had ceased.
"Huu... Huu..."
"That’s all for today. Good work. Now, make sure you recover by tomorrow. Otherwise, we’ll have to dispose of you."
She walked away, but I had no energy left to feel relief.
My breathing is erratic. Is it because I screamed too much, or because I am finally dying?
Should I close my eyes and hope to open them again...?
No, I almost feel it would be happier to just keep them closed forever.
I only came to report what happened in Haiden...
And so, I recall once again the reason I ended up in this hell.
"Mother? Is something the matter?"
That day, I was summoned by my mother, the Bishop, and entrusted with a task.
"You are aware that the situation between Haiden and Findall seems to be settling down, aren't you?"
"Yes. It seems the remnants of the Lira Kingdom were active."
But in the end, it turned out to be the result of severe provocations from the Haiden side, incited by those remnants. Haiden would likely be held responsible.
Or, if the Lira remnants were the cause, could Findall have been pulling the strings from the shadows?
Well, there was no end to the speculation, so I focused on my mother’s words.
"...Yes. Regarding the involvement of the old Lira Kingdom remnants, there is talk that our Haire Church is involved."
"What!?"
It was such an absurd thing to say that I accidentally raised my voice.
"Enora."
"My apologies."
I apologized immediately, but I still couldn't believe it.
However, my mother’s ears and tail were perfectly still, which meant it was the truth.
"...Judging by your tail and ears, you don't believe me, but it is a fact that such rumors exist. And I will say it again: we are Priestesses of the Spirits. Our ears and tails reveal our emotions clearly, so learn to control them. Your mind will be read."
"...Yes. I am sorry."
*Ugh*, I tried to read my mother’s mind, but she read mine instead.
*Sigh*, but my ears and tail move on their own no matter what.
"Well, it is not something that can be fixed overnight, so daily discipline is essential. When Enor-sama of the Three Houses, our ancestor, began her journey with Kamishiro-sama, Haiden-sama, and Hairen-sama, she had already..."
"I know. The story goes that she had already mastered the control of her ears and tail. More importantly, why did you summon me?"
"...Hmm. Very well. Let us return to the main subject. I have heard reports of someone claiming to have received a jewel that controls monsters from the Church."
"A jewel? From the Church? I know nothing of such a thing. I manage the supplies properly. Even if I am young, I am an Acting Bishop."
"Yes, I trust you in that regard, and there is no way such an item would come from our Church. However, the fact remains that such rumors are circulating, and the Haiden Royal Family is looking at us with suspicion."
"...Indeed, I have noticed an increase in visits from patrol soldiers lately."
"In this war, the bond between Haiden and Findall—which dates back to the First Generation—has cracked, and now it reaches our Haire Church. I believe some will is at work here."
"A will?"
"Yes. I believe there are people trying to destroy the friendship that has lasted for about 500 years since the time of the First Generation."
"Eh? You mean the Demon King?"
"That is a possibility. But we cannot act carelessly. First, go to the headquarters and report the events between Haiden and Findall. Tell them about the suspicions cast upon the Haire Church, and include my deductions. Understood, Acting Bishop Enora?"
"Yes! Leave it to me!!"
*Ahaha...*
It makes me laugh every time I remember it.
I was simply naive, and by reporting the situation, I ended up trapped here.
I should have realized it sooner. Why were there rumors of the Church’s involvement? It meant someone was masquerading as the Church, and the possibility that they had infiltrated the Church from within... why didn't I think of that?
As a result, I am being tortured here.
I saw them dipping something that looked like a jewel into my spilled blood.
That must be the jewel that summons monsters.
The only good thing is that I didn't bring my attendants this time.
It was faster for me to come alone.
But it’s frustrating.
When I heard the story from my mother, I thought I would be the one to replicate the legend.
Kagura and Princess Carrie summoned heroes from another world to stop the war with Findall, and I thought it was my turn next.
I thought we could be like we were when we were little... playing and laughing together.
Ah, I see. This might be a battle involving the fate of the world, so such impure motives won't do, will they?
That is why I am going to die here.
Thinking that, I don't even feel the pain anymore...
If I can pass away remembering Kagura and Carrie, it’s not so bad.
...Good... bye...
"ENORA—!!"
*BOOM!!*
*Crash, thud, shatter!!*
With that loud shout, the sound of something breaking echoed through the hellish chamber, and the lingering resonance brought my consciousness back.
I felt as if I heard a voice calling me.
"...Wh-what..."
As I managed to lift my head, there, before me...
"Found you!? You’re going to be okay now!! Oh, honestly!! These iron bars are in the way!"
Saying that, a woman who looked somewhat like an old friend pushed aside the iron bars of the cell next to mine with her bare hands.