Inheriting the Novel

Chapter 9 : Saintess Grancesia (1)

Saintess Grancesia (1)

There are four episodes that take place on the Rachmes Ridge.

Out of those, three have already occurred, or are events set to happen in the near future. But there was one exception.

Episodes 204~225, "The Dragon Calamity."

This episode, which runs through the core of the story's development, was scheduled to unfold only years later.

==

〈204~225, "The Dragon Calamity"〉

Synopsis: Fabian's group, having finally discovered the whereabouts of the seventh calamity known as the "Dragon Calamity", heads to the Rachmes Ridge.

With Michelle's help, Fabian investigates the Dragon Calamity and learns something astonishing.

It is that the Dragon Calamity was actually Princess Riya Asktalin of the missing Asktalin Empire.

Moreover, the monster who decimated the Talua Kingdom's army on the Rachmes Ridge five years ago—that was her, right before she awakened as the calamity.

Michelle discovers that the reason Princess Riya Asktalin awakened as the Dragon Calamity lies in the "Curse of Dragonification".

Furthermore, realizing that the "Eye of Shimosha", the saint's relic, is required to defeat the Dragon Calamity, Michelle hands it over to Fabian......

==

'Now I understand why my father said everything was over.'

That was exactly how I felt when I first saw this information.

Who would have thought that suddenly, a being threatening the fate of the world would jump out like this.

And since it's the seventh calamity, that means there are at least seven of these "calamities" in total.

And Fabian, the one who was meant to defeat them, no longer existed in this world.

It was no wonder my father was in despair.

'To think I'll have to participate in a mission doomed to annihilation... damn!'

According to the synopsis, during the operation set for two weeks from now, our army will face the Dragon Calamity, suffer annihilation, and lose to the Kingdom of Kainzel.

My head spun.

It meant that the operation I'm set to join in two weeks would only end with total destruction.

'Riya Asktalin...'

The Dragon Calamity, the seventh calamity.

The synopsis stated that this monster's true identity was "Riya Asktalin".

She was a princess of the Asktalin Empire, which ruled over the continent—a figure often called the empire's treasure.

Since I was personally acquainted with her, the shock hit me all the harder.

'Phew... In any case, I need to start thinking about what to do next.'

For now, it was time to focus on finding a way to survive.

I slowly turned my head to look at the man approaching.

A man with blonde hair, green eyes, and a neat impression.

The one with the gentle smile was Michelle Atell, the saint's descendant.

In the makeshift tent fashioned from canvas, various belongings—clearly his—were scattered around.

As Michelle drew near, Duke Gale was the first to speak up.

"Priest Michelle, would you be willing to help?"

"Your Grace, there's no need for such formalities. I am but an ordinary priest, not a high priest."

"But the saint's..."

"That is only because Lady Grancesia was truly remarkable, not because I am. I was not born with the saint's blood."

"Hmm."

Duke Gale could not find words for a moment and just nodded.

"I understand. Then, please look after this young man. He's quite promising."

"Leave it to me."

With that, Michelle approached me, as I lay on a stretcher atop a sickbed.

"Sir Vanhart, shall I begin treatment immediately?"

"Yes, please."

As I watched Michelle's hands aglow with a pure white aura, I drifted into contemplation.

'It's an unexpected situation, but it turned out well.'

Michelle Atell had the "Eye of Shimosha", necessary for defeating the Dragon Calamity.

I wasn't sure exactly what it did, but according to the synopsis, facing the Dragon Calamity without it was impossible.

If I could get my hands on it, then I could approach the coming events much more proactively.

"All of your visible wounds have been healed. Do you feel any discomfort moving?"

Just as my thoughts settled, the dazzling light gradually faded away.

As Michelle spoke to me with a gentle smile, I sat up.

'"Descendant of the saint" is no empty title.'

The intense pain that wracked my body was completely gone.

I even felt brimming with strength. Bones previously fractured were now perfectly healed, and all the minor injuries had disappeared.

I hadn't often received healing from priests, but this was far from ordinary.

"Your Grace, now then..."

As Michelle turned his gaze to Duke Gale, the duke gave a solemn nod.

"Hm. I'll provide full support for your investigation, as promised."

Investigation?

That word made me feel slightly uneasy, so I got off the stretcher and asked,

"Your Grace, may I ask what you mean?"

"As mentioned earlier, the reason the priests came here was the sudden appearance of a silver pillar of light from the sky. The priests seem to think it was a divine revelation..."

"Ah..."

At Duke Gale's words, I glanced at Michelle.

With a look of rapture, Michelle recalled the event as he had witnessed it.

"Yes, it was surely a divine revelation. The sight still remains vivid in my mind."

Listening to Michelle rave about how the silver pillar was a miraculous act of God, I narrowed my eyes.

'I can use this.'

There is nothing easier to manipulate than blind conviction.

'But... that's quite a lot of luggage.'

As Michelle continued extolling the silver pillar and divine miracle, I looked around the tent.

Most of the items scattered about were simple, but one thing caught my eye.

'A coffin?'

And not just any coffin, but a remarkably antique one—it was impossible not to stare.

'There's something there.'

There's no way someone would bring a coffin here for no reason.

I narrowed my eyes further and checked the item's setting.

==

〈Coffin of the Saint〉

A coffin containing the remains and relics of the legendary saint, Grancesia Atell.

Priest Michelle Atell is transporting it for the saint's pilgrimage.

==

'The Coffin of the Saint?!'

A coffin containing the remains and relics of Grancesia, acclaimed as the greatest saint of all the god Altair's saints.

'So Michelle was nearby because of the saint's pilgrimage.'

I was well aware of the "saint's pilgrimage" noted in the coffin's description.

Though I hadn't imagined it involved literally hauling a coffin around.

'Can I see the settings for the saint, too?'

Once the setting of another character has been confirmed, if plausibility is achieved, I can add it to my own.

That was how I obtained Baian's Hidden Star Sword, so perhaps acquiring the saint's abilities was possible too.

Even a single one of her abilities would be a huge gain for me.

"Are you perhaps curious about why there is a coffin here?"

Just then, Michelle asked softly with a gentle smile.

Oops. Maybe I stared too hard.

"Ah, I'm sorry."

"No need—anyone would be curious to see a coffin in a priest's tent."

Michelle smiled as if it was no big deal, but then regarded the coffin with a rather complex look.

"Of course, I cannot tell you who sleeps inside. I hope you will understand."

That's what Michelle said, but I already knew whose remains were in the coffin.

'Good.'

I allowed myself a satisfied grin.

While Michelle's attention was on the coffin, I was able to confirm the identity of the being within.

As I mulled over the saint's setting, Duke Gale—who had silently watched all this—spoke up.

"Priest Michelle, shall we get going at once?"

"Ah, I didn't expect you to assist so swiftly. Thank you so much."

"Not at all. It was agreed from the start. Ah, now that I think about it..."

As if he'd just remembered something, Duke Gale looked at me.

"Wasn't the spot where the silver pillar landed the same place where Sir Vanhart was found unconscious?"

"Pardon?"

Startled by the sudden question, I turned to Michelle.

Considering Michelle's recent excitement about the pillar, I could easily predict how he would react.

"Is that true?!"

"I'm not sure. I was barely conscious at the time... but now that I think of it, I suppose the light fell somewhere below the cliff."

"Below the cliff? Could there be a relic hidden down there?"

If I denied seeing the pillar altogether, that would arouse suspicion, so I smoothly mentioned the hard-to-reach area below the cliff, letting the subject shift naturally.

After all, if something had gone undiscovered, a sheer cliff would be just the place.

"Below the cliff... that would require quite a bit of preparation."

"Might we request Sir Vanhart's assistance?"

"Sir Vanhart? Hmm, regrettably, he has other urgent duties—it would be difficult."

"I see. That's unfortunate."

At Michelle's unexpected suggestion to help with the investigation, my heart skipped a beat—but I was saved by Duke Gale's follow-up.

'I can't waste time on nonsense.'

Wasting even a minute on meaningless errands would be unforgivable in this situation.

The "other duties" that Duke Gale mentioned just now.

It was undoubtedly referencing the upcoming surprise operation.

'Baian has probably already passed on details of the operation to the Kingdom of Kainzel again.'

In the original, the operation is led by Marqis Atram after Duke Gale is assassinated.

Baian succeeds in poisoning Duke Gale, but ultimately perishes at the hands of the protagonist, Fabian.

However, just before his death, he had already provided the operation's information to the Kingdom of Kainzel.

'This time, I was the one who took care of him, not Fabian.'

Still, the fact remained that he had leaked the intel.

The timing matched up, so there was no doubt about it.

That meant the Kainzel Kingdom's army would now be taking steps to exploit our own surprise operation against us.

But that hardly mattered.

What truly mattered was the Dragon Calamity we would confront during the mission.

If we couldn't stop it, we would lose the war against the Kingdom of Kainzel anyway.

"Phew."

I took a deep breath, firming my resolve.

Now was the true turning point.

* * *

"Huff, huff."

Tedric Eaton.

As the eldest son and heir of the House of Eaton, he wiped the sweat from his brow and lowered his sword.

Having recently been detained as a suspect, he hadn't been able to practice swordsmanship properly for days.

Only after Duke Gale woke and all suspicions were cleared did he resume his training.

'If not for Sir Vanhart, I shudder to think what might have become of me.'

Even now, recalling his time under arrest gave him chills.

Had he not realized what was happening and responded appropriately, even as the heir of a marquisate, he might not have survived.

Even in sleep, he was haunted by memories of that time.

During that moment of despair, as he cried out in anguish, Clay had approached him alone with a proposal.

"Lord Eaton, may I make you an offer?"

To Tedric, it sounded like the temptation of a demon. Even if Clay had suggested anything at all, Tedric lacked the courage to refuse.

Despite that, he'd put on a brave face and insisted he'd "listen first and decide."

Since turning thirty, he couldn't recall another moment that left him that tense.

Clay's words were simple.

"Please, be my ally."

It was something Tedric himself had wanted to ask—he never imagined he'd be asked first.

He agreed at once.

He declared that if Clay helped him, he would always stand with him, willing to draw his sword on his behalf and fight as a friend.

What happened after that was a blur.

When he came to, his status as a suspect was gone, and he had returned as one of the Talua Kingdom's best knights.

"Lord Eaton."

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Tedric caught his breath and turned to a familiar voice.

His friend was standing there.

"Can I ask you a favor?"

Of course—there was no need for words.