Violet swallowed.
Right then, I was going to ask Olive more about the cult.
There was a knock on the door of the training room.
—Olive, how is training going?
Cyril entered.
Violet swallowed what she was going to say.
—Today's training is over.
—How is my niece?
Aren't you exceptionally talented?
Cyril asked, raising the corners of his mouth.
—It's terrible.
You could say there is a big problem.
Olive responded firmly.
Cyril and Violet remained silent.
—I thought I did well today...
Don't I have talent...?
Violet opened her mouth.
—Ah, his talent is, in general, excellent.
Although her build is small, she was born with the physique of a warrior, and her internal mana is enormous.
However, there is a terrible problem with the situation.
—Can't you talk like a normal person, even for a day?
Cyril said it sincerely.
—My way of speaking is based on rationality.
Anyway, the mana is leaking.
-…That?
Cyril exclaimed, stunned.
Violet's eyes widened.
But… that's not happening.
This occurs when you have a disease that causes a mana rift or some similar type of debuff.
—Isn't it because I don't have a fire stone?
Violet thought about the fire stone that was embedded in her mother's ring.
—No, the fire stone is just a supplement for the first stage.
This is another problem.
The mana is flowing elsewhere, as if someone is taking it away.
—So, I… I can't get stronger?
Violet's heart sank.
—Getting stronger is not the problem.
If this continues, there could be a problem with the flow of mana itself, and she could be seriously injured.
Violet looked at Cyril, stunned.
Wasn't I supposed to be the greatest genius in history in the future?
And now it turns out that instead of a genius, I'm in serious trouble?
Cyril looked thoughtful.
—Maybe they put a curse on you.
—…A curse?
—Yes, a curse.
Nowadays sorcerers are rare, but in ancient times, sorcery was common.
Curses to ruin the heirs of rival families, or to weaken the strength of enemies captured in battle, for example.
—…
—If the mana is leaking, it is worth being suspicious.
—I thought that too.
Olive said.
—We need to call someone who can diagnose you.
—Can't you, uncle?
—I am an expert in barriers, and in curses on earth and in space.
There are people who are dedicated to diagnosing curses in a person's body.
If we are going to do it, let someone who is good do it.
-Because?
—A poor curse diagnosis can hurt the person.
-…Yeah.
Violet nodded heavily.
I hope I haven't gotten into trouble.
A bad feeling spread through her.
Violet looked down.
—Anyway, don't worry.
I'm an expert at this kind of thing, so I'll fix it somehow.
Cyril said.
Violet felt a little relieved.
It's good to have someone to lean on.
Violet thought, forcing a smile.
—Then, I'll go wash up and get ready to go out.
I have a date with Ash in the afternoon.
──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ────
—You're quite pretty.
The face that people in my country like.
Old people like you too.
Violet was horrified.
Right now he was walking through the streets, escorting the crown princess, Huria.
Is the crown princess… so easy to meet?
Violet had gone to Marin's house as usual.
And as always, Marin had fixed it.
Today, she was told she would be dating someone other than Ash, and Violet nodded, curious to know who it would be.
The carriage that stopped in front of Ash's house was Huria's.
—The crown princess, with her friend, is inspecting the lives of the commoners!
Everyone stand aside!
When the people on horses shouted, the crowd quickly lowered their heads, but their eyes were full of curiosity.
The reporters crowded around and began to write.
Some brought unusually large magical artifact cameras to take photos.
—Who is that young woman?
I had never seen her.
—Is she a lady who has just debuted in high society?
The journalists shouted at Huria's servants.
Huria looked at them with an expressionless face and said:
—This is the little blue bird that will guide me through the capital.
It's not this, I'm a person.
Also, how can he pronounce little bluebird so clearly?
Violet thought.
—Why are you helping me?
—The young master will make you famous.
She said indifferently.
Don't tell me Ash used the crown princess to make me the Winter Queen.
The fact that Huria had taken her today would definitely make news.
That would become known throughout the academy and would certainly help his reputation.
—What can I do for you?
—Life of commoners, I want to see.
It is very important and a good task to see the world.
So explain to me.
-…Yeah.
Violet did as she asked, explaining the items on the stalls one by one.
—That girl brought out handmade bracelets to sell.
He has a good hand.
The blue-roofed building is a laundry, and in the large places, several people join together to wash clothes…
He lost track of time as he explained each thing.
The gaze of the people gradually faded from his mind.
He just thought they were a little loud.
At that time,
—While a small service was being held in the records room of Santa Carita, a prophet received an oracle!
And it is said that he is coming to this place to deliver the word of God!
A great uproar spread among the people.
—A prophet?
Huria said.
—A prophet is someone who transmits the word of God.
But right now there are no prophets in this country.
Only those who come from a neighboring mysterious land, the City-State of Kaiseria, exist.
Kaiseria was a small country compared to the Empire, but it was beautiful and mysterious.
It was not called a principality or a kingdom, but rather a City-State.
This was because there was a Great Temple, also known as the Holy Temple, which controlled all the priests in the world.
Kaiseria was a very rich country for its size.
This was because it had mana stone and gem mines.
The one who ruled the place was the Pope, also called the Pontiff.
The Pope was elected by the votes of the elders of the City-State and the House of Nobles.
—City-State of Kaiseria, the land with God's blessing.
Huria said.
—That's right, it's a mysterious place… I've heard that the people there are very beautiful and talented.
Violet suddenly realized something.
Ash, who knew the capital's Great Temple as well as the back of his hand.
And the Great Grand Priest, whom Ash treated with such courtesy, as if he were his master.
The authority to appoint someone higher than a High Priest is the exclusive right of the Pontiff of Kaiseria.
And although the Great Temple existed in the capital, strictly speaking, it belonged to the City-State of Kaiseria.
Does Ash...
belong to the City-State of Kaiseria?
Thinking about it, it was obvious.
Violet realized it only now.
…To be continued