How to Survive at the Academy - Chapter 202

Attributing Meaning (5)

When Belle stopped by the cottage to clean Lortelle’s villa, she was more surprised than expected. Ed Rothtaylor had been away attending a prayer meeting at the Cledric Monastery for over five days. In the wild, five days is enough time for weeds to grow, food to spoil, and water to dry up. Life in the wild, where every day must be valued, is not something that just anyone can adapt to. Therefore, with Ed usually taking the lead in camp chores, there was some concern over how well Yenika would manage without him.

However, the camp, which was unexpectedly well-maintained and tidy, had a different kind of cleanliness compared to when Ed was in charge. In line with Yenika’s more delicate nature, tools and food supplies were neatly organized, and firewood was placed in an aesthetically pleasing order. On seeing Belle’s surprised expression upon arrival, Yenika, who was reading a book in front of the firepit, cleared her throat, placed her arms on her waist, and struck a proud pose.

“I’m surprised at how well the camp is maintained. You’ve become quite adept at camp maintenance.”

“How long do you think I’ve been camping to be this good!”

Then, proudly clearing her throat, she boasts a triumphant demeanor, which honestly inspires more a sense of pride than impressiveness.

As the saying goes, three years in school and you can recite poetry – Yenika, having camped alongside Ed, had accumulated enough savvy to manage the basic maintenance tasks with ease.

Although spirits would take on the heavy lifting, the delicate and skillful tasks couldn’t just be left to them, could they?

“Ed is supposed to return today. I must show him that everything has been fine without any problems!”

“Yes, that’s right. But… uh…”

According to Ed’s schedule, he was supposed to finish the prayer meeting at Cledric Monastery today and return home in the middle of the night. Yenika’s effort to tidy the camp even more was also because she wanted to surprise Ed when he returned.

“There’s been an urgent matter within the monastery, so his return will be delayed. I just received the news and came to inform you.”

“… Uh? An urgent matter?”

“It seems he’s been caught up in some complicated business. I believe he’ll resolve it and return… though it does worry me.”

“Oh, I see… I’m concerned about Ed. He’s looked a bit listless lately.”

“Do you think so? I haven’t received that impression.”

“Ever since he was influenced by that strange medicine, he seemed to have a lot on his mind.”

Yenika closed the large tome of spirit magic that was on her lap and placed it beside her. Suddenly, the tome began to float in the air, the spirits that were guarding Yenika started to materialize and gather the book.

“Was he really struggling that much…?”

“Rather than that… I did say something unnecessary that made him overthink. Looking back now, it seems I was being meddlesome.”

“Unnecessary words…?”

“Just… I had something I wanted to say to Lord Ed, so I opened up about my past a bit.”

Curiosity swirled in Yenika’s eyes.

Considering it was a story that had unsettled Ed, she was curious to hear it, and as it also involved the past of Belle Mayar, a maid of Ophelius Hall, how could she resist?

“What did you discuss with him…?”

“It wasn’t a particularly pleasant story. And… there were parts I didn’t fully disclose. Since it involves Ed’s personal matters as well… I can’t just share it recklessly…”

She really has a loose tongue.

In the Ophelius Hall, where she maintained a strictly businesslike attitude, such slip-ups were unthinkable, but in the camp, her shoulders relaxed, leading her to speak more freely.

But what could be done? The moment had passed.

Yenika’s curiosity was already piqued to the utmost.

Pouting in frustration, Yenika, left alone, wouldn’t cause harm – at worst she’d clench her fists like soft cotton. After all, a herbivore, even in anger, is still a herbivore.

Still, bell couldn’t quite ease her conscience leaving her like that, so she sighed deeply and sat down opposite Yenika.

“At one point, Lord Ed was so disillusioned with life that he tried to take his own.”

As Belle took a position to explain the situation, Yenika’s face lit up like a child’s. But as soon as she heard the first sentence, her face instantly turned grim. It was unimaginable that someone who always appeared strong had made such an attempt.

However, given Ed’s past, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had become despondent at any point.

“I had no idea…”

“He’s now earnestly living his life, which is a good thing. The only reason I brought it up… is because I hope he never entertains such thoughts again.”

“Oh, so that… Then what about your past, bell?”

Belle paused briefly, wondering how much to tell, then showed a relieved expression as if deciding it didn’t matter anymore.

“You see, I didn’t tell Lord Ed everything. I may have omitted the most crucial part. Depending on how you tell it, the same story can take on a wholly different meaning.”

“Really?”

“Would you like to hear it?”

* A hush fell amongst the nuns.

The wooden coffin moving down the central corridor was piled high with garlands of flowers offered for the repose of the deceased. At the age of 109, the old man who boasted he would live another hundred years had passed away without warning.

The death of a senior figure devoted to the Telos Order for 80 years, and the abbot responsible for Cledric Monastery no less.

No matter how important the annual meeting of dignitaries at Cledric Monastery was, it couldn’t precede the passing of Abbot Austin. She was a woman revered by the faithful and had always maintained her belief humbly.

She could have assumed a high-ranking clerical position at the Holy Court but chose to nourish daughters like her own at the forefront of the monastery.

She never wore the elaborate, high-ranking nun’s habits, because they would have quickly become dirty during fieldwork; she shunned luxurious clothing.

The sleeves of her habit were always rolled up, therefore permanently wrinkled. Her room contained only basic furniture: a desk, chair, bed, bookshelf, and wardrobe, all quite worn.

As for personal possessions, she had only a few spare habits, scripture, and a brass prayer bowl. For someone who had lived over a century, her lifestyle was exceedingly frugal.

Thus, the casket containing the remains of the holy woman slowly exited the corridor.

The nuns leading and witnessing the procession all wept silently.

*

“The signs of foul play are evident.”

This was the report of Auxiliary Bishop Merlin.

Sensible and composed, Merlin, a nun in charge of clerical duties, announced this succinctly from the podium.

After lunch, saint Clarice convened all the dignitaries, high-ranking nuns, and external visitors to the central church of the monastery.

Once inside the grand church, preparations for a lavish prayer meeting were readily apparent, with tables laden with holy oils and prayer items.

What should have been a magnificent prayer meeting was now cancelled.

“This… must remain an absolute secret not to be disclosed among the nuns.”

At the podium of the church, the site intended for high-ranking clerics to lead prayer meetings, foreigners now sat.

The unusually sudden death of the abbot had caused confusion, however, the exact circumstances and cause of death were undisclosed.

In any event, the duty to investigate and announce such matters would have fallen to the diocese that controlled this coastal region, including the monastery.

However, Abbot Austin, the incumbent of that diocese, had passed away. It would be impossible for the deceased to brief on their own death… thus, the administrative system of the monastery was inevitably shaken.

In the end, the crisis needed to be managed by those who held legitimate power.

Three representatives were seated on the podium.

Auxiliary Bishop Merlin, who managed the nuns under Abbot Austin and was the monastery’s executive.

Second Princess Persica, who could directly resolve the situation on behalf of the royal authority.

And Saint Clarice, who had a power equivalent to final approval over all matters concerning the Telos Order.

Already, authorities in the Jaheil Province were notified of the death within the monastery.

Soon, the royal family would send additional investigative support. Until then, these three essentially held control over the monastery’s affairs.

The insiders needed to be calmed down until the royal investigators arrived, at which time they would hand over their authority.

Yet, saint Clarice had summoned only the outsiders to the church upon hearing Merlin’s report, concluding they must do so.

“After examining the remains of Abbot Austin, we found wounds consistent with stab wounds. The cause of death is excessive bleeding, and the traces of agony at the scene… it’s impossible to consider it a natural death.”

At 109 years old, had Abbot Austin died in his room, the first and most likely assumption would have been natural causes.

Yet Auxiliary Bishop Merlin outright denied that possibility.

“The abbot always took perfect care of himself, maintained his health. He never shied away from physical labor and I, checking on him daily, didn’t sense any abnormalities.”

Despite being fully aware of the potential uproar, Merlin bit her lip and continued.

“All the nuns residing in this monastery owe their lives to Abbot Austin. Bluntly speaking, the nuns have neither the reason nor the motive to harm him.”

Pausing to gather her thoughts, she listed only the objective facts.

“Moreover, the timing of his death coincides with the arrival of numerous outsiders for the prayer meeting. Given that he was fine when interacting with the nuns for years, but is discovered dead during the visitation of outsiders, the circumstances are too uncanny…”

After that, Merlin paused amidst selecting her words carefully. However, the conclusion of her report was clear enough.

The pews of the church filled with dignitaries from different regions.

Daughters from earl and viscount families were the norm, as well as the successors of Toles Company, the sole daughter of the royal chancellor, and apprentices to renowned magic tool artisans.

They were all people who had come in person over great distances to demonstrate their piety to the Telos Order.

To them, Merlin said,

“I fear… based on circumstances, you all might become suspects. This suspicion is necessary.”

– Bang!

At this, the Lady of the Lockrest Viscountcy kicked back her chair and stood up. Another noble lady quickly followed suit.

“What are you saying?! We traveled this far to pay our respects to the Telos Order, and now we’re treated as murder suspects?!”

“This is a jest, right?! Even as an insider, where’s the guarantee that the abbot had no enemies?!”

“I will send a missive to my family! It’s unthinkable to come here only to be accused of murder!”

“Please, be calm. You’re before the Saint and the Princess.”

At those words, the noble ladies suppressed their breath. They were young and their judgment immature, momentarily forgetting their place.

Behind Merlin, sitting humbly on either side, were two young girls: Second Princess Persica and Saint Clarice.

Combined, their authority could easily outweigh that of all the noble daughters present.

Thus, the young nobility had no choice but to hold their breath.

Silence permeated once more, and finally, saint Clarice raised her voice from the podium.

“It’s difficult to specify a suspect with motive alone. Because Abbot Austin was generous and compassionate to everyone. He was also someone who lived quietly within the monastery, dedicating himself to prayer.”

Clarice’s argument pointed out an evident flaw.

“How could anyone hold a grudge against such a person? At least on a personal and emotional level, there would be no enmity. As such, it would be difficult to find a motive for murder…

Silence…

“There’s no chance that this was a crime of passion brought on by sudden emotion. Then, could it be political or ideological? In this place, there is only one person who stands to gain from the death of Abbot Austin.

The abbess who supports Princess Phoenia wholeheartedly. If such a person were to disappear from the world, it would pave the way for her competitor, Princess Persica, to reap the benefits in the succession struggle for imperial power.

Some nobles, having reached this conclusion, swallowed dryly as they looked towards Princess Persica standing at the podium.

Princess Persica, who had been sitting in her dignified posture, slowly opened her closed eyes.

“There seem to be some young ladies who look upon me with insolent thoughts. From the Houses of Rocast, Flocine, and Kelkus, perhaps? I shall remember this.”

Princess Persica seemed to be issuing a warning, as if she could read thoughts through her gaze alone.

Just by her words, the noble maidens who had cast doubtful glances her way were all startled and shook their heads in denial. Denying it and whispering among themselves, but Princess Persica stood up as if to say that was enough.

She knew how to command the crowd. Her voice, resonating from deep within her chest, spoke volumes of her skill.

“I make no secret that I strive dutifully for imperial power. But would I resort to such a foolish move as to murder Abbot Austin?”

The crowd fell into a heavy silence.

“To reduce the number of supporters of my sister Phoenia by taking the life of such a prominent figure from the Telos Order? If I appeared so foolish that I couldn’t even weigh the pros and cons of such an action, then perhaps it is my fault. For appearing as such a shallow monarch. I must reflect upon myself!”

To blind the Telos Order with the murder of Abbot Austin would equate to making an enemy of the whole order.

At the very least, if one were to commit such a deed, they would not choose a time when they would so obviously be suspected.

“What’s the value of power obtained at the cost of a human life? I am a human being who knows virtue. I would appreciate not being insulted.”

And with that, she did not forget to make an appeal to her moral righteousness. Princess Persica was a rational human being.

“And in the competition for imperial power, I’m not the only one who weighs the gains and losses. All the distinguished guests gathered here… Although unsaid, surely each of you harbors in your hearts a preference for the next emperor that could influence the rise and fall of your houses and your political stances. It would be problematic to think that only I am ensnared in the struggles for imperial power.”

As she spoke, Princess Persica slowly transitioned to the next part of her speech.

“I have already received the report about Abbot Austin’s movements. Last night, at low tide, countess maidens entered the monastery, went through routine procedures, and went to their chambers without appearing again in public.”

Princess Persica went on to clearly announce the information she had.

The last witness testimony came from a nun late last night. She claimed to have seen the abbot saying he was off to ‘catch a ghost’ as he walked down the monastery corridors.

In other words, Abbot Austin was alive until late last night.

“Going to catch a ghost?”

Clarice asked.

“Recently, there has been a rumor among the sisters about a ghost roaming the corridors. Perhaps it was just a wild animal making noise or a foolish nun’s nocturnal escapade.”

“Such a thing… happened…”

“At a time when there are so many outsiders here, such unsettling events should not occur, so the abbot went to verify the ghost’s identity himself.”

Then, his body was found in the room.

At this point, I felt a sense of unease.

If ‘ghosts’ are being mentioned, then a certain character cannot go unmentioned here.

“I’ve taken the liberty of investigating the circumstances through my knight in advance in case I became a suspect. However, guess what, the outsiders who visited the monastery have either been accompanied by their escorts, or had clear personal chamber locations making it easy to pinpoint their movements… but there’s a ‘uninvited guest’ who’s been blending in here at the monastery.”

“… Uninvited guest?”

The murmurs spread throughout the audience.

“At the time of Abbot Austin’s death, there was an outsider who could not have their movements precisely traced and not even known to be in the monastery. Are you aware that there was such an uninvited visitor?”

Without hesitation, Princess Persica named her.

“Lucy Mayrill.”

Some knew the name, others did not.

A top student from the Sylvania Academy Magic Department and a famous archmage known for her genius, whose fame had recently spread even to the central part of the empire after she repelled the evil deity Mebulor.

“It was confirmed this morning during the investigation. So it seems she came on her own accord, mixing in with the carriage and wandering around the monastery… Is she present here right now?”

The murmurs intensified as they began to turn their gazes around. It was hard to believe that the legendary genius mage Lucy Mayrill could be right here in their midst.

Was she mingling among the crowd? That was the circulating speculation.

– Whoosh.

A figure with a small stature and sleepy eyes, a large witch’s hat and school uniform not quite fitting her size – a figure now familiar unfolded from a secluded prayer bench. Stretching out her sluggish body with a long yawn, she jumped down from the bench and stood upright.

All eyes in the assembly focused on her.

Lucy walked slowly forward, stepping onto the red carpet laid out along the center aisle of the prayer benches, looking up at Persica with an indifferent gaze.

“Realistically, of all the outsiders, you were the one who could most easily approach Abbot Austin and perfectly erase your tracks.”

Princess Persica’s voice spread through the quiet chapel.

Lucy Mayrill looked back up at her, with no change in expression.

She was being framed as a murder suspect.

But her indifferent attitude, as if the accusation meant nothing, only served to unnerve the onlookers.

At that moment, saintess Clarice rose hastily from her seat. She was the only one in the room who could match Princess Persica’s authority.

“Wait a moment! Lucy Mayrill had no reason to harm Abbot Austin!”

“The discussion about motive has already been concluded, saintess. Initially, it is more difficult to identify a suspect with a motive to harm Abbot Austin. During such times, elimination is used to narrow down the suspects and ascertain the most likely one.”

The unease was something I felt as well.

I fully agree that Lucy Mayrill had no reason to harm Abbot Austin.

But, granting that possibility, even if Lucy did attack Austin, why would she remain here at the monastery?

If she stayed quiet, she would undoubtedly be branded a criminal, so why would she choose to sit still in the monastery?

“Either you cooperate with the investigation, or if you plan to escape the monastery immediately – which isn’t hard for you – such actions would merely confirm your guilt.”

The guards at the podium would be scattered with a mere wave of Lucy’s hand.

Yet, Lucy did not resist. She quietly crossed her arms and accepted her restraints.

At this point, I debated whether to stand up and defend Lucy.

As stated before, if Lucy wished, she could have killed the abbot and fled immediately. No one but Clarice and I, who trained together with her at the Academy, would understand that.