―――Marquis Orlamunde family. It is one of the strictest and the most pious families among the great noble houses with long histories. They are also a prestigious family, which has produced the most Popes in history and it is said that the chapel within their private domain, which is a rare practice, was built due to the passionately religious spirit of the family head several generations ago.
◇◇◇
“I’m afraid Madame will be unable to meet with you personally due to her health issues, however she would like to express her gratitude for the solicitude of those who serve the Goddess. I will guide you to the chapel in her stead.”
The one who arrived after a while was a butler with silvery hair. Scarlet’s voice resounded. 『Oh dear, is that Clement I see? You seem well. 』
Led by the butler, Connie set her foot into the Orlamunde estate. The stone path that led to the main house was lined by a number of small hedge-enclosed gardens. Walking along the waterway overgrown with grape hyacinths, they arrived at a chapel built at the very edge of those gardens. The main house was supposedly further within.
It was exactly as Scarlet said. The mysophobic Marchioness would not meet people belonging to the so-called “lower class”. She would rather make up some kind of excuse and refuse the meeting. However, she would still allow them to visit the chapel located away from the main house. The Marchioness might’ve been fastidious, but she was also famous for being compassionate. She would never do something as dishonorable as turning away the people of the church who had come to pray for her daughter.
When they approached the chapel, the butler chose one key from the bundle of keys hanging on his waist and opened the door. Cold air blew from the inside. Connie asked.
“May I offer the flowers?”
“But of course. I’m sure Young Miss would be delighted too.”
Telling her to notify the guard on her way home, the butler left.
The room inside was cold and dim. There was an altar, but only a few people could possibly pray at it. The light spilled from the skylight inlaid with stained glass, creating a slope-like path. Reflecting the light, the dust was shining brightly. An icon of three goddesses was hung on the wall. Depicted on it was a single scene from a famous myth. Clotho was spinning the Thread of beginning; Lachesis was weaving it into the fate and Atropos was cutting it all. In other words, everything in the human destiny was decided by the will of the three goddesses. Although it had faded at places, this icon, which was depicted with a skillful use of lights and shadows, was very impactful and easily overwhelmed the viewer. It was just very solemn and awe-inspiring. Connie also spontaneously put her hand over her chest and bowed.
This was where Lily Orlamunde’s life had ended.
『Perhaps behind the frame ―――wait, just what are you doing? 』
As Connie was praying, she heard Scarlet’s voice. When she raised her head, startled, she was greeted with Scarlet’s appalled expression.
『…Listen here. Why do you think we’ve come to this place? 』
It was, of course, so they could investigate the truth behind Lily Orlamunde’s suicide. However, not offering prayers at the place where she had lost her life seemed far too heartless. As Connie appealed, Scarlet snorted, as if ridiculing her.
『Fool. She’s not the kind of woman who would be happy with prayers. If anything, she would instead sarcastically tell us to hurry up and find out the truth…Knowing Lily, I’m sure she would leave some kind of clue for us. And it would be at the kind of awful place where nobody would think to look. 』
“Is that why you mentioned the back of the frame?”
『Exactly. Think, who would dare disturb the goddesses? 』
Saying so, Scarlet laughed fearlessly. It was exactly as she said―――however,
“Such sacrilege is—”
『That’s the kind of woman she was. 』
Scarlet shrugged nonchalantly, but since she noticed this, she also belonged to the same sort of people. Just as Connie was thinking this, she was ordered by Scarlet to hurry up and take off the icon. This time, all blood drained from Connie’s face. However, since they had come so far, she had no other choice but to go through with it. Refusal was never an option――― yes, ever since she had met Scarlet at Grand Meryll-Anne, she had lost all rights to refuse her. With that in mind, Connie braced herself. Fortunately, the icon wasn’t so big that it couldn’t be held with two hands. However, the disrespect she was treating the deities with was making her hands tremble. She felt like she was doing something outrageous. No, she was, in fact, something outrageous because she was engaging in a criminal activity. When the pale-faced Connie turned the frame over――― she opened her eyes wide.
“This is…”
There was an aged envelope stuck to it.
Connie’s heart made an unpleasant noise. ‘What’s this? Is this perhaps really the clue left by Lily Orlamunde? No, it might also be just her will or the expert’s account.’ Either way, Connie, who was a complete stranger, hesitated to take it in her hand. Ba-thump, ba-thump, her heart was beating relentlessly.
While she was hesitating, she suddenly heard sound from outside. Connie jumped with a startle. The orderly sound of footsteps stopped before the chapel instead of walking past.
―――Somebody’s coming.
Next, the door squeaked slightly. ‘What should I do?!’ this unexpected accident made Connie’s head blank. ‘What should I do? What should I do? What can I possibly do? I can’t move. I don’t know what to do.’
Scarlet shouted in a hurry.
『Put it away! Quickly! 』
As if snapped back into reality by that voice, Connie forcibly peeled off the envelope that was glued to the frame and pushed it into her chest. After that, her jumping on the wall to rehang the icon and the door opening with a rusty noise happened almost at the time. Looking at the person who came in, Connie gasped.
―――A physique tall enough that she would have to look up to make eye contact. Short black hair and azure eyes. Well-tanned skin. Wide and overall muscular shoulders and stern facial features. The intimidating aura that would make others shrink themselves. Such a scary man was looking down on Connie with a complicated expression.
『Wh- 』
After taking a look at the suddenly appearing young man, Scarlet raised a shrill voice.
『Why the hell are you here, Randolph Ulster?! 』
—-
Notes:
As always, big thanks to Amarrez for the illustration!
It took me a lot of time to realize that the three goddess religion here is literally just Moirai from Greek Mythology.
The icon is probably something like this but with prettier ladies and Atropos actually doing some work.
Previous Chapter || Table Of Contents || Next Chapter
Do Machines Dream of Better Translations? 