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Chapter 54
You Knew Everything, Didn’t You
Freshly baked bread and soup were served. The moment Rose smelled the steam rising from the dishes, her stomach growled with hunger.
She had been unconscious for more than a day since arriving at Norman Harbor yesterday and was completely empty. Having traveled the fortnight distance in just ten days, she couldn’t resist the temptation of warm water and a soft bed.
Thanks to that, she hadn’t had the chance to freak out at the sight of the sea.
While waiting for the ship, the military stayed at the Norman Inn, spending their last moments on land.
“Is this seat taken?”
“No. Please, sit, Priest Moldin.”
“So there’s also a paladin present.”
The priest gave his respect to the knight of the main hall and took a seat. Heria responded with a light nod.
From traveling with him, Rose had realized that Heria wasn’t particularly talkative. It wasn’t shyness so much as basic indifference toward others. Yet, once he noticed someone and took interest, he immediately shifted into a warm and approachable demeanor.
Unfortunately, Moldin hadn’t caught his interest. He was just one of the priests on duty, yet he had been kind enough to care for Rose, who was exhausted from the continuous march.
“You’re not as dispirited as I expected.”
Moldin said this, and Rose glanced around the inn.
The inn was bustling with servers attending to knights. People rarely came to this outer harbor, so the innkeepers were clearly trying to make the most of it. The scene seemed oddly out of place considering a war was raging right across the inland sea.
“That’s probably because the monsters’ damage isn’t directly affecting us.”
“Not entirely.”
The priest ordered the same meal as Rose and continued.
“Yesterday, at a temple we visited, I saw a fisherman praying. At first, I thought he was wishing for a safe return before setting sail, but what he said was strange.”
“What did he say?”
“While hauling in his net, something got caught… and it was…”
The priest glanced around and leaned in to whisper.
“A dead mermaid.”
“…!”
“Siren. They’re known as monsters that lure sailors. It seems sirens travel the Anatome Sea.”
Sirens—mermaid-like beings—were considered mythical in modern media.
“They really exist here.”
Despite their beautiful depiction, sirens were vicious monsters. Their song could make sailors lose their minds and sink ships, dragging humans into the depths. Here, mermaids were more like water spirits or ghosts.
“Aren’t sirens supposed to inhabit reefs? I thought the Anatome Sea…”
“That’s correct. The Anatome Sea has no reefs.”
“Then they must have a separate habitat.”
Heria said casually.
“Yes. Near the Red Forest, there is a stone lake called either the Black Lake or the Dark Mist Lake. It’s perpetually foggy, which is why it got its name. That is presumed to be the sirens’ habitat.”
“So the dead mermaid drifted into the Anatome Sea?”
“Rumor has it that the lake contains trees of the spirits.”
“Trees of the spirits… like Yggdrasil, the World Tree?”
The priest nodded.
“The magic in the Red Forest intensifies near the lake.”
“Yggdrasil… That sounds like something out of mythology.”
Rose chuckled at the absurdity, then changed her mind and found it plausible.
“Of course, there’s the blessing of fairies. Why wouldn’t there be a tree of spirits?”
“Then why have they suddenly become so rampant? Monsters have always existed, but this imbalance is new.”
“Actually, I went to Norman Temple to investigate this matter. I can only share a few things I’ve learned through temple communications.”
Rose returned her empty plate and focused on his words.
“Do you know the origin of the Red Forest?”
“Because the trees are red?”
“Exactly. Trees soaked in magic emit a red aura.”
The area where the Northern Continent meets the Anatome Sea, called the Hinnom Valley, had long been a major monster habitat. The forest there was filled with ominous magic, which likely caused the Red Forest to turn red. Records in old pharmacology texts called Cases of Magic Poisoning mentioned that magic addicts developed red spots across their bodies before being consumed by it.
“But now, the redness is intensifying. The trees are so saturated that they’re emitting magic themselves.”
“The temples knew this and yet didn’t disclose it?”
“They didn’t, because it’s a temple matter.”
Rose turned to Heria, and Moldin nodded bitterly.
“The Vatican covered it up, so the temples had no choice but to remain silent.”
“Do you mean Tevere ordered it kept secret?”
“It seems the Norman Temple received instructions not to speak of it.”
Rose was furious. Had this been revealed in advance, they might have prepared for the disaster. The allied forces might not have needed to be formed for a campaign, and lives could have been spared.
“Why hide it? What could Tevere possibly need to keep secret?”
She recalled the bishop’s staff, Vakulus, held by the temple bishops. Tevere had claimed that the staff, glowing pure white, was blessed by the spirits. Rose had thought it was simply a tale created to impress the Calon Empire.
“Wasn’t the bishop’s staff made from a branch of Yggdrasil?”
“…”
“Could it be that Tevere actually touched the World Tree?”
The priest hesitated, unsure.
“I cannot verify the truth about the staff. I only just learned about the Norman Temple matter yesterday. But Tevere can no longer keep this secret.”
Moldin’s expression revealed he didn’t understand what the main hall thought either. He must have been as unsettled.
“I plan to return to the temple tomorrow to find out why Tevere is allowing this and whether the staff’s origin is true.”
“Good. Let me know if you discover more.”
“Yes. Also, I have something to report regarding the sirens.”
“Um, Priest…”
A bearded middle-aged man called Moldin. He looked flustered among the knights, shoulders hunched. The alcohol flowing through the crowd made the knights’ voices loud.
“Oh, you’re here. We’ll step out for a moment.”
Moldin let the man pass and stood.
“I wish to report on the sirens, but I’ll wait until it’s more certain. His opinion was essential.”
“Very well.”
After Moldin left, Rose reviewed the situation. The implication was that Tevere had been damaging Yggdrasil.
“It means humans contaminated it.”
It seemed the spirits were angry at humans who tampered with the World Tree.
Rose shook her head.
“Don’t be certain. The World Tree in the lake is just a rumor.”
Her only concern now was rescuing Arsen safely. The sudden rise of monsters could be investigated later. Yet, as she looked up, she met Heria’s expressionless face and felt a chill.
Rose moved her dry lips.
“You knew everything, didn’t you?”
“What do you mean?”
Moldin probably didn’t understand. He was an ordinary priest serving in a small temple.
But Heria was part of the Pope’s direct forces. Among the Templar Knights, he was a high-ranking paladin.
It was impossible that he didn’t know.
“The World Tree… is it real?”
Heria looked at her silently. The silent moment felt eternal.
“It’s something that only exists in myths.”
He answered only with her own words and continued eating.
A few days later, dozens of ships arrived at Norman Harbor.
Rose felt the tension of war from the impressive ships visible outside the inn window. Among them was the Pontos, recently converted into a warship.
Along with the ships came mercenaries skilled in handling them. Armed and occupying the alleys, they could easily be mistaken for pirates.
“More arrived than I expected.”
The mercenaries had been hired by Duke Benoit.
Rose admired how he had gathered such a force in a short time.
“People are one thing, but how did you gather ships so quickly?”
“Someone was willing to lend them.”
“Who?”
“He wishes to meet Her Highness the Third Princess. We agreed to meet here.”
When the duke pointed to the entrance, a familiar face entered.
A middle-aged man in southern attire—someone who had earned her favor before.
“Count Bastia!”
“May the blessings of the fairies be with you. How have you been, Third Princess?”
“Long time no see. What brings you here?”
“I’ve brought the Pontos.”
Thanks to Count Bastia’s assistance, gathering ships in such a short time had been possible.
“He actually led the ship personally.”
Rose was grateful for his timely arrival.
“Thanks to you, we can set sail earlier than planned. I’ll make sure to commend your effort after the expedition.”
“No need. It’s my duty to the empire.”
Count Bastia then asked carefully,
“I heard the allied forces are isolated at Gorod Fortress. Will the monster hunting resume?”
“Yes. We’ll discuss this in tonight’s operation meeting, and you’ll participate as well.”
The duke encouraged him to attend the meeting.
“Understood. I also have someone to introduce, a skilled helmsman who will board your ship.”
Rose nodded with satisfaction.
“Good. A capable crew member is always welcome.”
