The Red Lamp of Lacorinto
"Is it something like an artifact that only fairies can use?"
At Elias's question, Ulrich nodded.
"Something like that. What lies in the swamp is an artifact of Lacorinto. It was left untouched after the Empire conquered the Fairy Kingdom."
"That means it's an incredibly ancient treasure?"
"However, there are no weapons like you're imagining. They were left behind at the time, but as the years passed, they were taken one by one."
For a moment Elias had been excited, but then he let out an "Ah…" and slumped his shoulders.
"Still… that means such an artifact is in the swamp, right?"
He pointed out how that could be possible—hadn't the acting lord said it was worthless land?
"It was only possible because there were people managing it all this time. The Emperor entrusted it to Erelbur, and his lineage has guarded it for generations."
The Emperor Ulrich spoke of was the founder of the First Human Empire.
Erelbur, meanwhile, was the prince of the last Fairy Kingdom. When the Human Empire conquered the Kingdom of Lacorinto, the fairies swore loyalty and handed over the royal bloodline as a hostage—and that hostage was Erelbur.
The fairy prince grew up among humans and left behind many descendants. Those descendants were later hunted and enslaved during the age of non-human persecution, but by the Third Age, they had become affiliated with a certain ducal house.
The young master's gaze turned toward the fairy Vermelani.
"Is that true, Bel?"
A descendant of Erelbur, she fell silent.
But her expression spoke clearly. Normally composed, she now looked shaken, unable to steady her emotions.
The Emperor and the prince were figures from over five thousand years ago. That meant what the Emperor entrusted to Erelbur was something equally ancient. It also meant Vermelani's lineage had concealed it for an immense span of time.
And yet, Ulrich knew that secret—a secret the lineage had hidden even from its own lord—and revealed it before the young master. He had not stated clearly what had been entrusted, but a few words were enough.
"I'm sorry, Young Master."
Vermelani lowered her head.
"Does Father not know either?"
"No. The Duke of Landeyar is aware of it."
"Huh? He knew?"
She added that even the now-missing Count of Luogallan knew.
"It would have been impossible for our lineage alone to manage it. The Duke of Landeyar, the Count of Luogallan, and Emperor Joku ster are the ones who share this secret."
Elias laughed in disbelief and scratched his head.
"Well, it's surprising, but… I guess it was kept secret because I wasn't qualified to know. It's not like you were plotting something, Bel. No need to apologize. I'm more curious how he knows."
Elias looked at Ulrich.
"It's been hidden all this time, and even the inquisitors only suspected something was being concealed. So how do you know everything about it?"
"Just know that there is a very long connection behind it."
Ulrich was about to continue, but he fell silent as a servant came up the stairs into the corridor. The five of them stopped their conversation and walked out into the manor garden.
"The one who should be answering questions here isn't me, but her. Vermelani—whether you will come with us to the swamp or not."
When no answer came, Ulrich continued,
"The blood of Erelbur flows in you, and your lineage has protected that for generations. Then wouldn't it be right for you to see for yourself what has happened now?"
Vermelani still hesitated, walking in silence with a troubled expression. Then Elias lightly tapped her shoulder.
"Bel, is there even anything to think about?"
"Young Master…"
He grinned.
"I don't know what you've been hiding, but it's something important to you, right? That's why you came all this way. Then you should go. Are you really going to turn back now?"
After Vermelani accepted joining them, Ulrich headed straight for the temple. In the city of Terbu, there was a temple dedicated to the Heavenly King Dieus, and when the three of them entered, a service was in progress.
Roberta spotted a familiar face at the pulpit—it was the inquisitor Beatrice. Dressed in priestly robes, she was offering prayers before the congregation.
"Why is she up there?"
Seeing one of the inquisitor's attendants nearby, Roberta asked quietly.
"She was asked to."
Asked? An inquisitor leading a service?
Roberta frowned slightly.
"It seems the priests here accompanied the Count and went missing as well. Since services have been suspended for several days, Lady Beatrice has agreed to conduct the rites in their place."
"…I see."
It wasn't unheard of for a high-ranking priest, such as a bishop, to conduct rites in place of a parish priest in remote areas—but she had never seen a case like this.
Even innocent people tended to avoid inquisitors. When one appeared, people usually wanted them gone as soon as possible—not to attend their service like this.
'It must be that desperate.'
Monsters had appeared. The citizens likely suspected that the cause lay in a demonic realm. They would also know that both their lord and their priests had gone missing. Anyone living in this city, in this land, would have realized the disaster unfolding before them.
But knowing didn't mean they could do anything about it. A demonic realm was not something they could confront—nor something they could flee from.
In this day and age, only a few could abandon their homes and leave. So when disaster struck, they had no choice but to endure, to resist being wiped out—and like this, to rely on faith to forget their fear and suffering.
Roberta looked around the chapel.
"It seems it's just begun."
Beatrice finished her prayer and opened the scriptures.
"If you don't have other business, shall we join the service instead of waiting outside? What do you think?"
"I don't mind. I'm curious to see how that child conducts the rites."
Ulrich took a seat among the pews. Roberta and Fritz sat on either side of him. She glanced at him briefly—this was not the first time she had seen him at prayer.
When she had been the parish priest of Dithmarschen, Ulrich had often attended services. In everyday life, he didn't seem particularly devout, but during worship, he was a solemn believer.
It was the same now. He prayed to Dieus, listened to the scripture reading, and heard the sermon.
If he had been a weak-willed noble, he would have collapsed under drowsiness, but he endured until the very end of the service and received Beatrice's benediction.
'What a strange sight.'
Roberta silently took it all in.
"I hear you're heading to the swamp?"
As the sun was setting in the west, Ulrich's group, having finished the service, were guided to guest quarters within the temple to wait for Beatrice. She changed into plain clothes and then came to see them.
"Yes. We originally intended to head straight to the Pantheon, but it's been weighing on our minds. I understand you're thinking the same, Lady Beatrice—would you care to join us?"
"I was about to suggest it myself. This works out well."
Beatrice sat down and accepted tea from her attendant.
"As you know, even the bishop here is missing, and we're anticipating a demonic realm. That makes things quite dangerous for us alone, so I thought we'd need your help."
Her gaze shifted to Ulrich.
"And I'm personally intrigued by you as well, Brother."
Ulrich calmly sipped his tea.
"Oh, and the other two will be joining us as well."
"The two? You mean the young master of Landeyar and the fairy?"
"Yes."
Beatrice leaned back in her chair.
"How did you persuade them?"
"I'm afraid I can't say."
"It's a private matter," Roberta added.
"It must be because of what's hidden in the swamp."
Beatrice smiled and looked at Ulrich.
"Am I right?"
"Yes, you are."
Ulrich answered without hesitation. Beatrice blinked, as if she hadn't expected such a straightforward reply.
"…Shouldn't you be keeping that secret?"
"I should. If you knew the truth, you wouldn't go to the swamp. So I won't say anything further."
"You make it sound like you've set a trap."
"If you remove the malice from that, it's not far off."
The two set down their teacups and faced each other. Beatrice leaned forward, staring intently at him, while Ulrich reclined slightly against the back of his chair, meeting her gaze.
"You have a very interesting way of speaking, Brother. Is it because you have so many secrets? You want to lead others as you intend, but you don't want to reveal your intentions."
"All I can say is that it can't be helped. I have more past than you can imagine. Things that seem trivial to me can cause enormous trouble. That's why I must always be careful."
Beatrice narrowed her eyes.
"What ordinary people hide is usually sin. They fear that past wrongs will harm the present."
"That's often true. But the world is diverse. Even without sin, there are things people wish to hide."
"If so, why?"
"Well, there are many reasons."
Ulrich paused briefly before answering.
"In my case, you could call it a burden."
At that moment, Roberta coughed. As everyone's attention turned to her, she blushed, said, "Excuse me," and turned her head. Ulrich gave her a faint smile, then quickly suppressed it.
"That's fascinating. To that extent, who should I think you are, Brother? Listening to you, I feel like I've underestimated you."
"I'd like to hear it. Who do you think I am?"
After a brief pause, Beatrice answered,
"At first, I thought you might be of mixed blood with a long-lived race. But seeing your youthful appearance, I began to suspect you might be a mage or an alchemist."
Aside from mages or alchemists who pursued immortality, there were no humans who lived long and retained their youth.
"And seeing how you awakened that child of the Meyer family, it's more likely that you're not an alchemist, but an extremely high-level mage."
"Hmm."
"But…" Beatrice continued.
"I'm not certain."
"From the reasons you've listed, it seems you have enough to be certain."
"No. Your relationship with the Church hasn't been explained yet."
She pointed out Ulrich's connection with Archbishop Vinicio and his relationship with Pope Marcello.
"Is that really such an important clue? Couldn't you just think of me as an old man pretending to be young, showing off his connections?"
"That might be the case. But I can't let go of my doubts. You're too unusual to be just a high-level mage, and those relationships are too unusual to be mere acquaintances."
Ulrich finished his now-cold tea and set down the cup.
"Doesn't this remind you of old times, Roberta?"
His tone was unusually playful. Roberta wanted to go along with the joke, but it felt too close to home, so she gave a bitter smile.
"It's not just the past—it's still like that now."
"Don't worry. You're following along well enough."
He stood up.
"Beatrice, if you truly wish to know me, come alone. There's no need for your attendants to know."
"You're saying that while knowing we're heading into a demonic realm?"
"If you truly wish to understand someone's past, you should be prepared to endure that much."
Beatrice let out a small, incredulous laugh.
"I hope it's worth that much."
"It's more than enough to satisfy your curiosity. And as a clue—there was a mistake in your sermon earlier."
She looked up.
"…What?"
Instead of answering directly, he added,
"Of course, it wasn't your fault. It was an error in the scripture."
With that, he left the guest room.
Just before following him out, Roberta saw Beatrice frown in a strangely conflicted way.
***
The next morning, Beatrice waited alone at the southern gate of the city. Having spent the night at the temple, she had come out at dawn in case their paths might cross.
Ulrich arrived with his four companions and joined her. Now a group of six, they rode westward.
Before long, they reached the Wandering Swamp.
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