“Before the Kingdom of Arxia existed in this world, kings and their retainers would marry those from the church, while their children and relatives would be left to the land and the citizens.”

“……Really?”

“Indeed, it’s true. Long ago, the church was responsible for recording the history of countries. n.o.body is allowed to tamper with history, we are in charge of protecting history and telling history truthfully as it occurred.”

As Faris nodded her head affirmatively, I thought back to Mrs. Marshan’s history lessons. The origin of n.o.bles, was said to be from when the king recognized his greatest supporters. Thinking back on it, although the lessons were vague, the greatest supporters must have been the church, there’s probably no mistake.

But, considering the power of n.o.bles versus the church today, I must say that it was at least a little hard to believe for a moment. The church is deep-rooted in Arxia, and it shares a common destiny with the country. However, their true power within Arxia is limited. As for their influence, it’s mostly in regards to their responsibilities as keepers of the “law.”

“Of course, it’s fine. The Sacred Code does not prohibit it. Order remains protected.”

However, this time I noticed Faris’s eyebrows becoming slightly furrowed for the first time. I’ve never seen this expression of hers before.

“Currently, there’s some foolish people within the church. They’re disturbing the order and creating chaos, and guiding the country to a path of destruction, and they harbor strong desires and greed even though they swore loyalty to Misorua, the G.o.d of Law and Order.”

Faris declared so in a strongly accusing tone of voice, then she moved her line of sight to behind me. When I followed her line of vision, I saw Ratoka sitting there frozen solid. I understood very clearly that Faris was looking at Ratoka in particular.

“……Is there something the matter with my servant?”

“Nothing in particular. However, I believe that your servant knows something about what I am currently discussing.”

Somehow Faris’s smile gave off a wretched feeling, and Ratoka seemed to shrivel up in fear.

“Faris-dono, my servant was born and raised in a village here in Kaldia. Even in the royal capital, he never leaves my side. I doubt that he’s involved in any sort of plots regarding our country’s destruction.”

Even I find this difficult to believe, I don’t think there’s any reason for Faris to question Ratoka. However, as I covered for him, Ratoka’s complexion became even paler. Is it really just like Faris said, does he know something?

My palms began to sweat with impatience. This is bad, I need to calm down. I subtly took a deep breath, trying not to attract anyone’s attention.

“Of course, Viscountess Kaldia. I don’t believe that your servant is complicit in such a plot either. But, even so, he seems to know something about it?”

Faris didn’t stop looking directly at Ratoka at all, and in contrast to my impatience, her voice remained relaxed. Without a doubt, Faris seems to be fully confident of it. No, maybe I should say she’s somehow confirmed it already?

“In a place called Cyril village of Kaldia, there were some sisters doing supposed missionary work while spreading dangerous ideologies. It happened right in the domain you were born and raised in. Don’t you know something about this? ‘Elise-dono.’”

……Gooseb.u.mps are crawling on my skin. Just what and how much does this priest know? “Elise” as well as which village she came from, that’s information that I’ve kept as tightly under wraps as possible. Even if Earl Terejia has long a.s.sociated with Faris, I doubt that he would tell Faris, a complete outsider to the Kaldia domain, about such things.

How did this priest know? Does having “G.o.d’s eyes” have anything to do with this?

“……Urk.”

Ratoka seemed to choke while trying to say something. He remained completely frozen solid while his eyes kept darting between me and Faris. He kept gulping and swallowing repeatedly. He kept shaking all over, but finally straightened himself out.

“- As for being born and raised in Kaldia, I believe that I should also be counted.”

Faris seemed slightly surprised, and returned her line of vision from Ratoka to me again. Her smile seems to have disappeared. I continued my words with a bit of a refreshed feeling.

“It seems that Faris-dono already knows something regarding this issue of sisters in Kaldia that have been spreading dangerous sentiments under the guise of doing missionary work. Just what additional information could a child of the same age as me provide to you on this matter?”

“……Mmm. It seems that you place quite a lot of trust in your servant, Viscountess Kaldia.”

“Indeed. He is a citizen of my domain. How can I be a proper lord without putting trust in my own citizens?”

Faris blinked several times, then seemed to start grinning. Is that so, she nodded, and her shoulders shaking in laughter helped to dissipate the sense of her overwhelming pressure.

“What you say is quite right. However, I would sincerely advise you to not keep him by your side.”

……Sincere advice, she says? With what she’s telling me, as well as the way she’s saying it, I feel both uncomfortable and skeptical. Even when I frowned slightly, Faris didn’t change her expression.

“He’ll become your weakness. If you can’t let go of him, you should watch him a lot more closely.”

Her voice sounded almost lyrical. However, my stomach felt much, much heavier than before.

“……I’ll keep your words in mind.”

My words sounded like they were crawling along the ground. I have nothing brilliant to say, no comeback. Why is it that this priest is so good at riling me up?

“Don’t make such a scary face. Right now, you need to be even more cautious and vigilant than before.”

“What exactly does that mean?”

“The sisters that were in Cyril village before, seem to be having frequent dealings with the Nordsturms currently.”