143 – The Excommunication Trial (2).
“I accept.”
The trial against the Saintess, Adrian Deus.
And this Excommunication Trial, instead of targeting her, would turn its gaze towards the Inquisitors who were now glaring at her with fierce eyes.
She nodded silently, convinced that it would be so, and accepted the Excommunication Trial without a word.
The Excommunication Trial was set for three days later.
With satisfied expressions, the Inquisitors, along with the Pope and the Saintess, made their way to the Assembly Hall.
***
“The Excommunication Trial is set to take place in three days…”
Upon hearing the schedule of the Excommunication Trial, I spoke to Dantalion.
“Evidence and witness secured?”
“I’ve taken care of everything.”
Dantalion replied confidently to me, with an expression akin to a butler who flawlessly accomplishes any task.
“It seems like you put a lot of effort into securing the witness.”
“hahahaha. If someone needs drugs to brainwash others, I can do it without any. It’s possible for me.”
“Could that really be done?”
“Of course. Especially if the person is already weak-minded due to being immersed in drugs… It’s easier than you think.”
“Well done. You’ve worked hard. Is there anything you desire?”
“I’m fine. I’ve accumulated quite a bit of wicked deeds through this incident.”
“Oh… really?”
“Yes. I’ve become much stronger than I anticipated. It’s all thanks to the opportunities provided by Lord Prahl and Lady Asty.”
“I don’t feel particularly deserving of thanks.”
“No, obtaining such an opportunity to amass wicked deeds is rare. Especially since just my presence in the empire causes wicked deeds to accumulate. Ultimately, wicked deeds pile up just by causing harm to those who receive heavenly grace or blessings… I am simply happy.”
“Alright. Nevertheless, if you need a new status or anything of that sort, just let me know. I can arrange that much for you.”
“hahahaha. I will gratefully accept that.”
Having a guaranteed status wherever one goes was quite valuable. There was no need to be nervous about passing through the city gates, and just being acquainted with me could elevate one’s status to most of the imperial nobility.
“Anyway… let’s do our best until the end.”
“Understood.”
* * *
The Pope gazed at Michael, who had found his composure once more. Whether the title of Angel suited him well, he raised his teacup with a calm expression.
“Interesting things have occurred.”
“Are you referring to the Prophecy Judgement?”
“Yes. It’s a moment where the chosen ones are questioned about their qualifications by the gods. It’s laughable. The Empire is thoroughly corrupt as well.”
“Have you observed everything?”
Michael remained silent. His silence was affirmative.
“However, the dissenters will not be allowed to flow in the direction they desire.”
“Indeed. The Devil’s contract holder is actively assisting the Saint.”
“You’re talking about Duke Frach.”
Michael nodded.
“It seems he’s dealing with other demons as well.”
“…Other demons, you say?”
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“The information you received. Information provided by a demon. Of course, I have no intention of confronting them with that right now.”
“Why is that?”
The Pope, Angelus, asked. Michael shook his head.
“The Holy War is about to begin. Is there a need to exert strength now when they will soon fade away? Moreover, since their actions are currently aiding us… there’s no need to strike now. You can rest assured.”
“Is that so…”
“For now, it’s best to observe. In the end, things will flow as you and the Saint intend.”
“Do you believe that the Saint must remain pure?”
In response to the sudden question from Pope Angelus, Michael lowered his head.
“Impossible. Even if they are born as saints, chosen by divine grace… the gods do not force their actions. Ultimately, their intentions will lead to righteousness. Just because they are not pure, does that mean they cannot serve the gods? Even among heavenly beings, there are those who fall in love with someone.”
“…I see.”
When Deus first sent the maiden, Maria, down to the human realm, He did not care about what Maria did. And what’s so wrong about a maiden loving someone? After all, the fact that maidens cannot marry was not a law made by you humans. Deus gave free will to the first maiden, and it continued. Even if the Archangel Esté fell, did Deus directly punish her?
“Ah.”
“That’s right. It is humans who assign meaning to things. Maidens and saints have always pursued what is right, and love is no exception.”
“Did giving free will to all past saints and maidens ultimately lead to what is right?”
“They are humans created that way.”
“Then, is it a path towards what is right for a maiden to love a devil’s contractor?”
“I cannot even know that. There has never been a maiden or saint who loved a fallen being.”
“You don’t call it misguided. So, what happens if the temple is opened?”
“Well, we cannot know since it hasn’t happened yet. Even I cannot predict the future. But the love itself is not wrong.”
That’s what Michael said.
“…I understand.”
“In this upcoming trial, something interesting might happen.”
“Interesting… What do you mean?”
“Yes.”
“Are you going to intervene directly?”
“Well, we’ll see about that.”
Michael chuckled. Why is Angelus III like this? His smile was very ominous.
Surely, something big is about to happen.
He thought so and sighed.
—
The days passed by too quickly.
Adrian gradually felt his body tensing. How could he not be tense? Right now, she had to face the malice of numerous people as soon as she stepped outside.
Of course, there were still many who believed in her. But what kind of beings are humans? Aren’t they creatures who pay more attention to one word of slander than a hundred words of praise?
That was inevitable, even for the composed Adrian. Even if that slander stemmed from false rumors.
However, she hadn’t raised the stakes this high just to crumble under that level of pressure. The main reason she had raised the stakes was to bring down the judges.
It was to condemn those who wielded unparalleled power in the Holy Kingdom and manipulated countless people at their whim.
So, she wouldn’t stop.
The maiden opened the door.
The day was excessively beautiful. Unbelievably so. It seemed as if the day was cheering her on.
But along with the bright sunlight from the clear weather, a lot of malice was directed straight at her. The malice and betrayal spawned by numerous false rumors felt vivid enough to be felt on her skin.
She headed towards the tribunal alone. She was treated akin to a prisoner who should ascend the tribunal.
She would simply walk down the path if the crowd reluctantly made way for her.
Despite feeling unprecedented malice and betrayal directed towards her, the maiden did not tremble even once.
Because she knew what she was doing was right.
Conviction is a law that cannot bend to any malice.
Among the crowd, there were those who threw all sorts of garbage and food at her, but the maiden did not flinch.
She did not feel any pain. She did not feel any discomfort. There was no reason to feel those in the first place. This was what she desired.
If the maiden, covered in filth, could prove her innocence at the tribunal and even make the judges swallow their own medicine, it would be an impressive sight for the people of the Holy Kingdom.
By the time she arrived at Sacrum Square with a composed expression, she appeared as if she were a walking pile of filth. Some wrinkled their noses at the stench, but she paid it no mind.
She believed that the filth of the Holy Kingdom clinging to her body would be washed away.
Finally, when Adrian stood in the center of the square, everyone waiting for the judgment turned their gaze towards him.
And the trial of the Paragon began.
* * *
Formal procedures passed.
The declaration of the Paragon’s trial commences.
Also, a declaration that the fate of the Paragon of the Holy Maiden is determined by the outcome of this trial.
Finally, to ensure the accusing party cannot claim falsehood, the Inquisitors revealed themselves in the judgment hall. The eyes of the Inquisitors, known for piercing through lies with their gaze of truth, even if it concerns a Holy Maiden.
Even if that were the case.
As all procedures concluded, a claim from the accuser’s side echoed, stating that Adrian Deus had violated discipline. Points included the Holy Maiden’s actions, despite her intentions, of being frequently seen with foreign men and at the Red Lantern District. Particularly, the incident where she attempted to hold onto the cloth of the Viscount Franz Ransel when he tried to leave her side at a gathering.
When was that scene recorded? Adrian realized, looking at the image of himself, full of innocence, that this was not just a hastily conducted trial by the Inquisitors.
Sighs erupted from the surroundings.
“Such actions, where the Holy Maiden shows affection towards the Empire’s envoy, Viscount Franz Ransel, have been observed frequently. Holy Maiden Adrian Deus, do you hold affections for Viscount Franz Ransel?”
They did not openly question the Holy Maiden’s chastity. Even if they had doubts about her chastity from the beginning, if the Holy Maiden was indeed chaste, it would backfire on them.
Gradually, the Inquisitors aimed to instill in the public the conviction that the Holy Maiden had not yet lost her chastity, but she would soon, by revealing her love for someone.
And her response to that.
“Yes. I love him, Viscount Franz Ransel.”
It was a direct admission.
