Chapter 23: A very unpleasant day. (2)

My eyelids widened as I stared at the crown that Bishop Andrei proudly presented. I don't recall seeing such a terrifying object in the original story, nor remember the protagonist receiving anything like it. I don't think I could even touch it, let alone wear it on my head.

"...You want me to fight with this on my head?"

'If I had to fight with this on, I was guaranteed to have a few gaping holes in my head.' Bishop Andrei shook his head.

"No, no. Not all holy relics are used in battle, and this crown is one of them. It is not a weapon, though it depends on how its owner uses it."

"How so?"

The Bishop nodded, placing his hand over the glass casket. His eyes held a mixture of expectation and reverence as he looked at the crown of thorns. He gently grasped the glass container that encased it and pulled it off. The red velvet cushion it rested on looked like it had been stained red with blood.

"This crown... is an artifact that is said to have been worn by a Saint in the distant past. Its exact origin is still being determined, and we can only vaguely assume it is from the Mythical Era. Since it is so old, its power must be far more powerful than most artifacts."

If it is indeed a Holy Relic that the authors have made, then I have an idea of what it could be based on.

"For a long time, people believed that if they wore this crown and prayed, they would get what they wanted."

'What an interesting way to pray.' I frowned.

"Unfortunately, for those who prayed with the crown of thorns, it did not provide answers, and the people stopped looking for them."

Bishop Andrei lifted the crown of thorns and handed it to me. I took it and looked at it questioningly.

"...If it has never told the answer, doesn't that mean you don't know if it has power?"

"You have drawn a Holy Sword that was thought never to be drawn and proved its power to the world. This crown could be no different."

While I still looked somewhat dismayed, he shrugged and gestured toward the crown of thorns.

"The relic will test your worthiness. You may try it on if you wish."

The crown of thorns was surprisingly light, having already been drained of moisture. It felt like it would crumble to dust at the slightest touch. I doubt it could hurt my head too much. I cautiously placed the crown of thorns on my head. I felt a slight tingling sensation, and then it settled into place on my head. Luckily, the thorns didn't dig into my head.

"How does it test a person?" I asked.

"The crown will give you a trial; if you overcome it, you gain its power."

Just like he explained, a handful of mana began to flow through the crown's spikes and into my body. It was an unfamiliar sensation, utterly different from the Holy Sword's. I allowed the mana from it to flow through me, not bothering to resist it.

"Are trials...."

The words that were about to come out caught in my throat. It was as if a bolt of lightning had pierced my skull. And then it felt like it was shattering my body into pieces. I fell to my knees, barely able to scream from the horrific pain.

(Elroy!)

"Hero?!"

My vision went black, and my consciousness gradually faded. I felt the crown on my head slip off and fall to the floor. I slumped to the floor, leaving behind the voices of Bishop Andrei and the Holy Sword as they called urgently for me.

***

I stood in the ruins on a rainy day, soaking up every drop. Through the rain, I stared at the Holy Sword. It was embedded in a rock and seemed to be waiting for someone.

I slowly approached the rock where the Holy Sword was embedded, grabbed its hilt, and pulled it out. It gently followed my touch as if destined to do so. I watched as it slowly slid out of the rock.

Then, with a helpless gesture, I hugged the Holy Sword and sank to the ground. The rain was still pelting down, threatening to swallow me whole.

Rain pounded dizzily in my ears and head.

"...Mmm."

I slowly regain my consciousness. The first sense to return was hearing. I heard a creaking sound as my head rubbed against something. Next came my sense of smell. I could smell old wood and burning scented candles. Sight came last. In a blur, I saw what appeared to be a church room.

I tried to sit up, but a terrible sense of exhaustion weighed me down, and I knew I couldn't get up right away. I rolled over uncomfortably and turned my head straight ahead. The soft, warm feel on my head and face was very comforting.

...Wait, warmth?

I froze and blinked. Damn cliché. I heard the creaking sound of a door opening. I didn't even have to turn my head again to feel Bishop Andrei's stiff form enter the room. I tried to push myself up but couldn't resist the gentle pressure on my chest, and I sagged back down.

"Your Lordship is awake."

I heard the voice of the woman offering me a knee pillow. My ear was buried in her thigh, her voice coming out in a pitch too high. The Bishop nodded and sat down in the chair across from me. He looked apologetic.

"...This was my oversight. I never thought it would happen."

'Yes, the crown of thorns. I put it on my head, ready for the ordeal, and then blacked out... But can't they just let me get up? I can't focus, and I'm dying of embarrassment.'

"I guess I will have to find another relic to give you."

(Take it.)

I narrowed my eyes at the sound of the Holy Sword's voice.

(Nothing will help you defeat the Seven Disasters as much as that. The rest are probably a bunch of junk anyways.)

It said something worthwhile. I grimaced, remembering the pain of that thunderbolt piercing through my body.

(Now is not the time to be picky.)

The Holy Sword was right. Right now, I had far too little power to fight the Disaster, and I wasn't going to get stronger by running away. I sighed heavily and shook my head.

"No, I'll gratefully accept the crown."

"I'll see if I can get you another relic, though. It would be difficult to rely on just one."

Bishop Andrei touched his chin, deep in thought.

"I'll see what I can do..."

"Can you explain to me what this is all about?"

I said, glancing over at the owner of this lap pillow that pushed against my chest every time I tried to get up. Does being with Bishop Andrei mean this girl is also an inquisitor?

"You still need to rest, so stay down."

"No, this is...."

Bishop Andrei shrugged and smiled.

"I was going to tell you about her later, in a different way, but I'm afraid I'll have to introduce you this way."

Bishop Andre gazed at the woman, then back down to me.

"This time, in talks with Her Majesty, it was decided that the Holy Land would send another representative to the expedition. After internal discussions, she was chosen."

My face twitched as I realized I had a new ally.

"Her name is Marianne Prim."

Marianne's voice spoke again. No, I'd heard the name before. She is a character in the original, an Inquisitor of the Holy Land present in the kidnapping incident. She fought the protagonist to get the Saintess- and was probably decapitated.

"...I suppose that means she's good enough to be in the Hero's Party."

"There aren't many who can match her skill, at least within the Holy Land."

The Bishop replied with a wry smile. I wonder how many died seeing that smile.

"She may not have the same healing magic as Iris, but she'll get the job done."

I protested strongly with my eyes, but he only laughed, pretending not to understand. I wish the Holy Sword had some advice.

(You look so comfortable lying on those thighs. Savor the moment.)

With those words, Holy Sword suddenly closed his mouth. For some reason, I felt like crying.

"Don't worry, she'll never disobey your orders, unlike Iris or that mercenary."

I tried to push Marianne's hand away from my chest again.

"Relax."

"It's okay now. Let him get up."

At Bishop Andrei's words, Marianne removed her hand. I struggled to free myself and pushed myself up. My face was flushed with embarrassment.

"What a prank."

"Let's say she was demonstrating her features. Does that bother you?"

I turned my head toward Marianne. Silver hair, golden eyes. Not an uncommon combination, but what stood out was a face that showed no emotion, if nothing else. Marianne's face was literally a statue chiseled from marble. There was not a pore in it, nor was there any sign of emotion.

"...Is this how the Holy Land raises people?"

"It's embarrassing if you misunderstand. There are certainly people in the Holy Land who seem to lack tears and blood, and we may need them. However, we never artificially "create" them, and Marianne is no different."

Bishop Andrei shook his head. Not denying their necessity, he seemed to have enough blood and tears.

"May I ask what you mean by that?"

"It means some people are just like this from the "beginning." Then they were raised according to our needs."

I felt like sticking my tongue out at him. 'Such people from the beginning. I doubt it.' Marianne didn't seem to mind Bishop Andrei's words at all. His eyes flashed between Marianne and me.

"She will be useful, I assure you. The Holy Land is sending one of its best forces, so I hope you will not hesitate to accept it."

I nodded with a shaky expression. It was hard to say no to a goodwill gesture from the Holy Land, and I had a feeling that the three of us would not be enough to take on the Disaster. A force strong enough to be vouched for by Bishop Andrei would help. Probably.

"Marianne, from now on, you will obey the commands of the Hero."

"Yes, sir."

Marianne then turned to me and bowed her head.

"I am Marianne, and from now on, I will serve you, my lord."

Before I could say anything in return, Bishop Andre dropped a bombshell.

"Oh, and by the way, having just come over from the Holy Land, Marianne does not currently have lodging. If you would be so generous as to offer her a room, please contact me at...."

Oh my god.

***

I looked ridiculous now. In one hand, I held a wooden container containing a sacred crown of thorns, the Holy Sword was strapped to my waist, and at my side walked a pretty woman dressed in a nun's habit. 'They should make this a starter pack if you chose to side with the Puritan Church.'

"... There's probably a spare room on the third floor for residential use. It won't be very comfortable, but you can use it."

"I see."

Marianne nodded. I'd tried to talk to her a few times on the walk from the church to our headquarters, but all I'd gotten was a yes or no. I stifled a sigh that threatened to escape and pushed open the door to our office, and as soon as it opened, Daphne, sitting in the lobby on the first floor, approached me steadily.

"Elroy."

"Oh, you haven't left yet."

Apparently, she went out and came back to wait for me. I was about to apologize for taking so long until she looked to my side and blinked. Her gaze was fixed on Marianne. Daphne's violet eyes lost some shine as she looked at Marianne.

"...And who is this?"

Daphne asked in a cold voice.