The Holy Lady, The Curse - Chapter 7 Part 7

Seiden firmly declared as he looked at Bellota’s face, which was turning so pale it was pitiful.

“Have you ever heard of a book called the Demon God Book?”

At this, Bellota, who had been frowning while tracing her thoughts, opened her eyes wide.

“I’ve heard of it. It’s said to be a book that contains methods to cast all curses in the world. But…”

Bellota’s words trailed off. It seemed she didn’t know that the book was a twin set. That’s why neither Bellota nor the priests had thought of it.

“That book is a twin set. There exists another book with the same power.”

It was a brief explanation, but Bellota immediately understood everything. This meant that the function of the twin book was the opposite of the known book’s function, and that there existed a book containing methods to break all curses. If so, as Seiden said, her curse could be broken.

Bellota’s lips slightly trembled at the sudden rush of hope. Seiden continued speaking as he watched her.

“The master of Heller’s Tower has one of the Demon God Books, and I confirmed it. He is also looking for the other book. The Demon God Book we need.”

Bellota clearly understood why Seiden had sought out Heller’s Tower. It was for her sake.

“I formed an alliance with him.”

Finally, a faint exclamation escaped Bellota’s lips. The commander of the Grand Temple’s Holy Knight Order in alliance with the master of Heller’s Tower.

“Sir…, but…”

“It’s the only way. He’s the person who knows the most about the Demon God Book. I’ll use him to find the remaining book somehow.”

A part of Bellota’s heart ached numbly.

Seiden looked into Bellota’s eyes, which were visibly shaking. At first, he had vowed not to give any hint to Bellota until he found the Demon God Book. If by any chance he couldn’t find it, Bellota would fall into deep despair.

However, after the conversation between the two in the northern tower of Selento, Seiden’s thoughts changed. He had to let Bellota know that hope clearly existed. So that she wouldn’t tire or despair in this long battle.

Seiden conveyed all the information he had received from Yebar to Bellota as well. The half-power confirmed in the Demon God Book, and the records of the mage Valroc and Count Alkeria. Also, the memories extracted from the old woman who worked as a nanny in the Count’s family, and the speculation that he might be after the holy relic because of it. Throughout all these stories, Bellota had regained her composure to a surprising degree and was quite calm.

“I see.”

As Seiden’s story ended, Bellota slowly nodded. Everything Seiden had found out had substance and evoked plausible speculation.

There was a way. Although she thought that perhaps there was no way to break the curse in the first place, Seiden had found that method. It felt as if something cool enough to feel a chill was pouring down into her chest where fearful vibrations were rising. Bellota clenched her trembling fists tightly and tried to calm her mind to avoid being consumed by that coldness.

Above all, it was a great comfort that Seiden was trying so hard to help her. He had finally found a way that no one had been able to find until now, on his own.

“I’ll try to find that book too. If there’s anything I can help with, please let me know anytime.”

Finally, as Bellota made a resolute commitment with hardened eyes, Seiden’s heart slowly relaxed.

“I will.”

“And…”

Despite what must have been confusion, Bellota smiled at Seiden.

“Thank you.”

It was a shy greeting without context, but Seiden also knew what she was thanking him for. In fact, this was all for his own sake. For his sake, Bellota had to be safe. If anything happened to Bellota, he would be the one to collapse more than anyone else.

So Bellota didn’t need to be grateful for this selfish help, but Seiden didn’t bother to point that out. He just stared at her beautiful smile. Something irreverent kept wriggling in his stomach. Something that felt like it would burst through his belly if not resolved immediately.

“You were my first, Commander.”

The words that had been popping up constantly since returning from Selento, making him feel like a pathetic trash, came back again, painfully striking Seiden’s Adam’s apple as it passed.

Even after committing such a pathetic and stupid act, he still shamelessly…

“……”

As Bellota, unaware of the hidden intentions in Seiden’s blatant gaze, was about to feel embarrassed by his look, Seiden suddenly opened his mouth again.

“That wish, will you grant it to me too?”

It was an abrupt question. Bellota, who couldn’t understand the point of the question at once, blinked in confusion, but soon realizing that Seiden was talking about the conversation with Geril, she blushed.

“There’s no chance Duke Lylester will come first.”

Only then did she understand where the sudden words from earlier had come from. Seiden had also heard Geril begging for his wish to be granted. But that was never her intention.

But, he too…?

“I will participate in the hunting festival.”

At the words that followed, Bellota’s lips slowly parted in surprise. As far as Bellota knew, Seiden had never participated in the hunting festival before. Even when the Pope had hinted that he would like him to participate for the honor of the Grand Temple, or when the Emperor, annoyed by his continued disregard, had directly pressured Seiden, he had not complied with the request. But now, he’s suddenly deciding to participate in the hunting festival…

“You, Sir…?”

“Yes.”

“……”

Seiden looked into Bellota’s eyes, full of questions about why he was suddenly participating in the hunting festival, and asked again.

“If I win, will you grant my wish too?”

Bellota was truly flustered at his precisely repeated question. She couldn’t guess Geril’s wish, but Seiden’s wish? Bellota’s face quickly became perplexed because of the two men who were overestimating her.

“How can I grant your wish…”

“Only you can grant it, Saintess.”

At the firm answer that came before she could finish her words, Bellota closed her mouth again.

Seiden’s wish. Although she didn’t know what he wanted, it was too grand a concept to fathom. That word felt heavier and more enormous than even Geril’s wish, who seemed to have everything.

Bellota had never made promises she couldn’t keep to anyone. That’s why facing situations like this often made her extremely uncomfortable. But it was truly strange. While hearing Geril’s story had only felt burdensome…

“……”

She didn’t dislike it. She certainly didn’t dislike that Seiden was saying such things to her.

Bellota quietly repeated his words to herself. Seiden’s wish. Something she could grant…

Although she didn’t know what it was, one thing was clear. His wish would never hurt her. Also, that Seiden Blackwood was truly a man who would seize victory.

“Please say you’ll grant it.”

Seiden urged quietly. It was a calm voice, but there was a faint urgency at the end. Bellota, who had been taking her time looking at the cooled red, transparent tea, finally nodded slowly.

Seeing that nod, the tightness in Seiden’s chest, which had been constricted since witnessing Geril’s advances, cleared refreshingly. To cool his throat that had been burning black while waiting for her answer, Seiden drank the cooled tea in one gulp and took something out from his pocket and held it out.

Bellota looked at Seiden with surprised eyes at the necklace lying on his palm. He immediately explained.

“It’s a magic stone necklace with a tracking spell.”

Seiden, who had spoken nonchalantly, rummaged inside his neck and then suddenly made a gesture of taking something out from his empty clothes. As Seiden removed something invisible from his neck, surprisingly, an identical necklace to the one he had given to Bellota dangled in his grasp. It seemed that a function had been added where it became invisible to everyone’s eyes except the owner’s as soon as it was worn.

Only then did Bellota understand the purpose of the necklace. If they wore a pair of necklaces with tracking spells, they could easily find each other’s location. Given what had happened in Selento, it wasn’t unreasonable for Seiden to bring such necklaces, but Bellota hesitated to accept it readily. She felt embarrassed, as if she had become a child under the excessive protection of overly concerned parents.

Noticing this, Seiden asked in a firm voice.

“Please wear it until we find the Demon God Book. I need it.”

Hearing that, Bellota overcame her embarrassment and accepted the necklace. She tried to hold onto the necklace tightly, but Seiden was staring at her, seemingly determined to confirm that she put on the necklace. Bellota had no choice but to wear the necklace right there.

As the necklace on Bellota’s neck sparkled and disappeared in an instant, Seiden’s eyes finally relaxed. Having finished all he needed to do, Seiden stood up with a relieved face and said,

“I will definitely win at the hunting festival. Be prepared to grant my wish.”

Prepared, she thought.

Although Bellota looked at him with a flustered face, she ultimately didn’t retract her answer, and Seiden bowed his head politely to her before leaving the office with light steps.

Left behind, Bellota, whose face had belatedly turned red for some reason, drank the equally cooled tea to bring down the heat.