ㅤChapter 59
ㅤThe next day, the group departed from the castle early in the morning and arrived at a certain location on the outskirts of the Imperial Capital several hours later.
ㅤAquamarine, who had reached her limit from lack of sleep, Ruby, who was smiling as usual, and Theodore, with his usual dignified expression. The group got off the carriage in the middle of a wilderness near the Demon Forest, and before their eyes was an old, crumbling temple.
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ㅤ”This is called the Alextione Temple. What I want the two of you to purify is inside. Be careful of your footing and follow me.”
ㅤ”It must have been a magnificent building…… It’s such a shame to see it in this dilapidated state.”
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ㅤThe pillars were thicker than those of the castle, and the ceiling, though faded, was covered in magnificent paintings. The glass was shattered, but it seemed to have been vibrant stained glass.
ㅤThinking that it must have been in this state for nearly a hundred years, Ruby followed Theodore into the chapel.
ㅤStrangely, the chapel alone was almost completely undamaged. In the center front, a large statue of a maiden with long hair holding a staff in one hand and pointing towards the Demon Forest was enshrined, and Ruby’s heart trembled at her beautiful yet courageous figure.
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ㅤ”Who is that person? Is she a goddess?”
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ㅤWhen she asked the accompanying Elder Priest, he shook his head.
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ㅤ”That is the Flame Grand Saintess・Kyanite-sama, who sacrificed herself to protect our country approximately three hundred years ago.”
ㅤ”Grand Saintess? A great position that is said to be born only once in a generation.”
ㅤ”Yes. At that time, the Demon Forest was even more chaotic than it is now, and the threat of the Underworld was incomparable. The conflict between humans and monsters intensified, and the enraged Demon King invaded. Crimguard Fortress was breached, and it seemed like the Langley Empire was doomed, but Kyanite-sama confronted the Demon King in this temple and defeated him at the cost of her own life.”
ㅤ”My…… Thanks to Kyanite-sama, many lives were saved. What a brave person she was.”
ㅤ”Kyanite-sama was born in this country and loved the people dearly. After her death, she was enshrined in this temple and became a spiritual support for the people……”
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ㅤThe Elder Priest’s gaze shifted to the rubble-strewn corridor they had just passed through. He muttered in a sorrowful voice.
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ㅤ”While the world has become peaceful, our country’s poverty has progressed, and even repairs have become difficult. His Majesty is always concerned about this.”
ㅤ”Is that so……”
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ㅤTheodore, who had been quietly looking up at the statue of the Grand Saintess, turned forward.
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ㅤ”I brought you here today because I want you to purify the Treasured Flower Mirror of our country’s hero, the Grand Saintess・Kyanite.”
ㅤ”The Treasured Flower Mirror?”
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ㅤAquamarine made a dubious face.
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ㅤ”The temple repairs can be done with money, but the Treasured Flower Mirror is a different matter. Here it is.”
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ㅤTwo priests each carried a giant rose on a tray. The color was black, hard, and had a texture like rusted metal.
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ㅤ”This was originally a jewel attached to the Grand Saintess Kyanite’s staff, and it is said to repel miasma and convert it into holy power. It turned black when the Grand Saintess defeated the Demon King, but it is said that its original brilliance was like a seven-colored rainbow.”
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ㅤRuby looked up at the giant statue of Kyanite. In the staff she was gripping, two roses were indeed blooming.
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ㅤ”If the roses come back to life, it will not only be a deterrent against the Underworld but also a spiritual support for the people. I hope that they will remember the Grand Saintess’s dedication, which is gradually being forgotten, and once again have pride as citizens of Langley.”
ㅤ”That’s fine, but the agreement between my father and Your Majesty is one hour. We will do what we can within that time.”
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ㅤAquamarine, who had been suffering from lack of sleep, had her cat ears, which she always wore, peeling off. She casually took a rose from the tray and sat down on a chapel chair with a bored expression.
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ㅤ”Of course, that’s my intention. Each of you take one rose and purify it as much as you can within the time limit. And as I told you yesterday, if Princess Aquamarine can restore more brilliance than Princess Ruby here, your sins will be pardoned in the name of the Grand Saintess Kyanite.”
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ㅤA priest held a magical tool with a scale against each rose. The scales stopped at the same value, confirming that there was no difference in the degree of contamination of the roses.
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ㅤ”Then, please begin your purification. I will come to inform you when one hour has passed.”
ㅤ”Your Majesty. I would like to dedicate my prayers to the Grand Saintess with all my heart, so would it be alright if I concentrate and work in that room over there?”
ㅤ”That’s fine. Princess Aquamarine, you may also move to any place you like.”
ㅤ”I want to keep an eye on Onee-sama to make sure she doesn’t try any tricks, so I’ll do it nearby.”
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ㅤAquamarine took up a position on a chapel chair in front of the small room Ruby was going to use.
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ㅤ（Just in case, I’ll feel more at ease if I’m nearby. My victory is certain.）
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ㅤAnd so, Aquamarine began to pray in the chapel, and Ruby in the small room next door. Theodore and the priests went out into the corridor so as not to disturb them.
ㅤExactly one hour later, the priest went to call each of them.
ㅤAquamarine, who emerged into the corridor with a triumphant air, held up a rose with only one petal that had turned a dull rainbow color.
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ㅤ”Look! I’ve restored this much brilliance in just one hour!”
ㅤ”Although it’s not seven colors, I can see about five. Splendid.”
ㅤ”Onee-sama isn’t here yet? Is she too embarrassed to come out?”
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ㅤAs Aquamarine puffed up her nostrils, Ruby emerged into the corridor a little later.
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ㅤ”I’m sorry! I was so focused that I didn’t hear the priest’s voice. I only came to my senses when he tapped me on the shoulder.”
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ㅤSeeing the rose in Ruby’s hand as she came running out, everyone except Theodore widened their eyes.
ㅤIn her hand was a truly beautiful, perfect rose, shining in seven colors.