Chương 201: Unicorn Overlord (7)

Few things felt better in this world than a new spellcasting Tier.

"Holy stone, restore that which was lost! Regenerate!" Helel's plundered power flowed through Simon and illuminated the courtyard of Verney's now empty castle, causing the cuts he had inflicted on himself to close on their own. You and all allies within range have gained the Regen status for one minute! Regen was nothing new to Simon, since it was one of the first beneficial statuses he had Belzemine and others cast on him during fights… but he had always been forced to rely on others to apply it to him before.

"Your Majesty is making quick progress," Belzemine congratulated him, having taught him the Prayer herself. The other spellcaster in the courtyard, Frea, was far less impressed.

"Is it wise to use corrupted Prayers? I do not entirely believe that it is an archfiend that answers them, but surely relying on their power will have its own cost."

"My Perks protect me from their influence, and any miasma I steal from them is energy they cannot use on more vulnerable targets," Simon replied. The other tier VII Prayer he was practicing, Sunbeam, created a focused beam of sunlight particularly potent against Dark beings and vampires. It would serve him well.

"Of course, I am always open to alternatives."

"I will not teach you the Nova spell," Frea replied bluntly.

"Or any other, for that matter."

"Pity." Oh well, Simon still had a lot of other spells to work on in the short-term, from completing his memory altering sorcery to creating a multi-cursebuff. He should also check if he could at least mimic part of Carbuncle's ability to show people's hidden desires with his newly improved Mind affinity. No secret would escape his gaze once he learned how to read minds." Sunbeam it will be." Frea glanced at Belzemine, who avoided her gaze.

The elven archmage remained quiet before asking, "Will you open up to me if I teach him?" Frea's question took both Simon and Belzemine aback, with the latter remaining silent and staring at the ground rather than her friend.

"I do not understand. I have been looking forward to our reunion for over three hundred years. I had hoped we could reconnect now that you are finally free, but all you do is avoid me." Frea scowled at her friend, sorrow flashing in her gaze.

"Do I… remind you of what happened to our home?"

"I…" Belzemine's hesitation was an answer in itself.

"I exist to serve His Majesty."

"But you don't need to," Frea argued.

"We could start over somewhere else now that you are free—""I am not!" The worst part wasn't the absence of anger in that statement, but the fear, despair, shame, and longing.

"All I wish is to serve His Majesty in any way I can, Frea. I have no other purpose." While he wasn't particularly close to her, Simon had to admit the confusion and horror on Frea's face tugged at his heartstrings. She was the only person alive who had known Belzemine before Mardok got to her, and it finally hit her just how much damage had been done to her friend.

"What did they do to you?" Her sorrow turned to anger focused on Simon.

"Did you—""I did nothing to her, but my predecessors…" Simon shook his head.

"You don't even want to imagine it." But she could, or at least picture an ounce of the cruelty they put her friend through. Frea studied Belzemine for a moment, then moved to hug her. Belzemine gasped slightly at the sudden contact, but didn't push her away.

"It's okay," Frea said while squeezing her friend.

"I have waited three hundred years to meet you again. I will help you return to your senses, even if it takes another century." Belzemine bit her lip in slight shame and guilt, but eventually returned the hug upon being reminded that someone did care about her. Alcyone chose that moment to teleport into the courtyard, bringing quite a few people with her: Voltobauta, who carried a thick umbrella to protect himself from the morning sun; Ser Richard; and Alphonse's entire party.

Simon wasn't wearing his Overlord armor, but he could tell Satine and Mel had already been informed of his true identity from the former's venomous glare and the latter's unease at his mere presence.

"You've told them, Alphonse?" Simon guessed. The Paladin nodded firmly.

"Yes, I did. I cannot lie to people willing to die by my side." Yes you can, and it gets easier over time. Simon held his tongue despite his thoughts. No wonder the Paladin no longer suits me. At least Alphonse had brought a Mana Sword replica to replace the blade Valravn shattered. Simon had offered to transform one of his fangirls into a replacement soulbound weapon, but Alphonse declined. It was a pity. A flattering soulbound sword constantly singing his praises would have done wonders for his self-esteem.

"Satine, Mel." Frea's mood immediately improved at the sight of her teammates.

"How was your vacation?"

"I wouldn't call it a vacation, considering the man-eating fly invasion we had to exterminate near the docks," Mel complained.

"Innocent people could have been hurt if we hadn't intervened," Satine said icily, "but I suppose a scion of House Magnos wouldn't care."

"It was a necessary evil," Simon replied without guilt or remorse. Killing Valravn and putting an end to the Cobweb through their Attic's destruction would spare countless people from death and slavery.

"We wouldn't be having this conversation if you had the strength and knowledge to do better, so spare me your judgmental attitude." The two women glared at him, with Satine turning to her Paladin friend.

"You won't say anything?"

"He's not wrong," Alphonse replied, to his allies' shock.

"We shouldn't be so weak as to need the Overlord's assistance of all people. That needs to change."

"There's hope for you yet, Alphonse." Simon glanced at Alcyone's gaze.

"So?"

"So that 'larder' in Gorre was full of corpses, with no Elsa Nightengale to be found. I take it they panicked and cut off loose ends when their doors stopped working. We couldn't find any leads in Valne either, so that leaves Muse."

"I have informed the proper authorities, who will move to seize and investigate all of the Bert Trading Company's assets in the kingdom," Ser Richard added.

"If the Rogue dares to show herself again, we will know." At least this suggested to Simon that Silk and her kind were more interested in going into hiding rather than causing trouble, at least in the short-term.

"One of my allies dispatched a team in Navarre to investigate the coordinates on the basement map, but it will take a few days before they can report in," Simon said.

"What about Verney? Still no luck summoning his soul?"

"No," Voltobauta admitted, looking away.

"It is… strange. Very strange. He might have had a Perk or ability preventing posthumous interrogation."

"It's possible being merged to a Zodiac Fiend for years mangled his soul somehow too," Alcyone suggested.

"His spirit could be trapped with Valravn inside that crystal of his."

"Possibly, though I do have another hypothesis." Voltobauta locked eyes with Simon.

"You said the Twins can split a soul in two, and your brother believes he killed Verney during their encounter?" Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"He always insisted he did." Simon raised an eyebrow.

"You think the two are related?"

"I think so. If I were a demon that specialized in cutting souls into bits, why would I share a mind with a noble knight?" Voltobauta chuckled darkly.

"I would just take all the things I need to impersonate him, all his memories and nifty sword skills, and expel all those pesky morals." Simon's eyes widened as he put two and two together.

"Are you saying the Zodiac Fiend of betrayal backstabbed his own host?"

"If he could split somebody else into two individuals, why not himself?" Voltobauta pointed out.

"This may be why Verney felt neither dead nor alive to me: Valravn kept the body and memories, but he expelled the actual soul when Louis slew him or soon after." Ser Richard's eyes lit up with hope.

"Does that mean the real Verney could still be alive?"

"Can't confirm the alive part, but if I cannot summon his ghost, then his soul is either still in a body or in a place that prevents him from reincarnating."

"I have a Perk that lets me capture souls and hold them in gems," Simon casually mentioned, to everyone's horror.

"A Zodiac Fiend might be capable of doing the same." Mel shuddered.

"Overlords are scary…"

"I've got friends in Muse who can analyse the crystal," Alcyone said.

"They could check whether it's still connected to a host."

"It would be easier if you let me enslave it within the proper device," Simon reminded her, only to be met with a sea of frowns and skepticism.

"I can share the schematics if you would rather build it yourself."

"That… would go a long way. I could bring them to the Crafter for a double check."

"Muse would be a nice change of scenery," Voltobauta mused.

"I would rather not dwell in this dreary Paladin country."

"He's unwelcome in Lore because he keeps robbing people's ships," Alcyone explained." Living people, you shameless graverobber. You only have a better reputation than mine because your victims cannot file an official complaint."

"Anyway, this is where our roads fork for now. You kids can take the road to Serras on your own. Volto, Ser Richard, and I will track down all the remaining Weavers, starting with their hideout in Valne and that mansion in Muse." Alcyone smiled at Simon.

"I'll also introduce your kish girl to the local abolitionists. I'm sure she'll make friends."

"Eole is… not my girlfriend," Simon replied, when he truly meant no longer. Just thinking about that soured his mood.

"What about my—""We'll keep your undead goats on Volto's ship for now, but between us?" Alcyone sighed in exasperation.

"You should look into buying a ranch." Alcyone teleported the group to the holy city of Serras in southern Lore — with the exception of Simon, who had to rely on a teleportation gem instead due to being unable to join Alcyone's Party—where the Light Megalith lay, and then left to confront the Weavers. Unlike the dreary lands of the Gorre Duchy, this part of the Holy Kingdom lived up to its reputation. Serras was a city of cobbled white streets and vast stony stairs.

The upper part of the city, where the cathedral lay, sat atop a colossal hill while surrounded by mighty stone walls. While nowhere the size of Marthrone, it would have counted among the largest and liveliest cities in Endymion. Statues of sacred unicorns were common, alongside Templars bearing the heraldry of Lore's Orthodoxy. The sight of the city's architecture only unnerved Simon though, since he recalled certain buildings he had seen floating as part of Helel's flying fortress.

Simon expected they would have to book an inn, but Paladins enjoyed the use of a small mansion in the upper districts. Lore treated its heroes well.

"Can you book an appointment for us to check on the Light Megalith?" Simon asked him.

"I would like to investigate it as soon as possible." While he was curious about exploring the Holy Kingdom of Lore, Simon was on something of a timer. The Oracle would bombard Frightwall at the end of the month, so he would need to either return to the castle with Belzemine to prevent it, somehow force Illusea not to act—a tall order considering their leader's hatred of anything Overlord-related—or allow civil war to engulf his home again.

Allowing Frightwall to be destroyed would lead to the disastrous War of the Triad outcome, where Euphemia, Louis, and Vouivre tore the entire continent apart and in turn invite the White Unicorn to invade Magvolia; an outcome that might eventually lead to Euphemia being murdered by Louis or Vouivre laying waste to Telluria and beyond. Simon couldn't allow such bloodshed, and he would rather inherit an empire in one piece once he had found a way to negotiate peace with Lore.

The sooner he completed his current objective, the better.

"I can arrange that," Alphonse agreed.

"The others can look into locating Shura of the West in the meantime."

"Leave it to me," Mel promised with a grin. As always, she was eager to please her Paladin crush.

"I'll find that tiger's den in no time!"

"We will go with you to the cathedral," Frea said. By we, Simon guessed she also meant Satine and Belzemine.

"I would like to examine it personally." It would be good to see how the Megalith will react to Belzemine's presence, Simon thought. The whole reason he came to Lore was to test how much influence Helel had over it, and if she could break out without a host. Whatever happens, at least I'll be sure. Arranging a visit to the Holy Cathedral of Serras was as simple as Alphonse asking for permission.

The Orthodoxy was very happy to invite him and his companions to their sacred place, with Simon and Belzemine partaking under the cover of Fiendmasks.

"It is an honor to see you again, Ser Alphonse," a masked Confessor said as he and a cadre of guards guided them inside the building.

"Have you come to pray for guidance?"

"I have," Alphonse replied, which wasn't entirely a lie.

"I hope to clear up a misunderstanding."

"No doubt that the Light will show you the way." Or blind us, Simon thought. He wondered which of these priests were in Verney's pocket. Mayhaps Chrom Cruak would hear of their visit somehow? Simon hadn't considered it, but this could provide them with a chance to lure him out of hiding. This is no place for me. He could feel it in the air; the overwhelming radiance of the Light Megalith bathing the entire edifice in holy power. It was almost suffocating, and unnerving.

The memory of Helel's light vaporizing him remained fresh on his mind. The heart of the building was truly enormous, and rivaled the Water Megalith's sanctum at the top of the Lighthouse in size and splendor. The golden pillars holding the ceiling were more akin to castle towers, and the stained windows representing Pharis' miracles were taller than most houses. The sunlight filtering through them paled compared to the overwhelming brightness of the Light Megalith.

The crystal floated in the cathedral's heart, floating above a gilded gemstone altar through its own power. It shone like a living star, a bright white furnace of golden mana so thick it was visible with the naked eye. It was over twice the size of the already impressive Water Megalith and a thousand times more potent. Five vestals clothed in white robes sang at its feet, praying for the people and filling the room with their holy hymns.

Simon was no believer, but as he stood in this room—the very heart of the Church of the Light—he quickly realized why so many were quick to embrace its beliefs. How could anyone stare at this wonder with any doubt? Are you watching us, Helel? The crystal was too bright for Simon to stare at directly for long, but his Dark Visionary senses didn't detect any hint of darkness sealed in its heart. Any shadow was drowned out in an ocean of brightness. How conscious are you inside your prison?

"Do you sense anything?" Frea inquired.

"Besides the overwhelming mana? No, I'm not picking up anything." Simon shook his head.

"Should I pray?" Frea nodded sharply, at which point Simon cast the Regeneration Prayer. The elf observed him call upon the Light while using analysis spells of her own, his body shining with power while the Megalith appeared to pulse in response to his words. Such was the grace it bestowed upon him that even the vestals stopped their song for a brief instant. Satine in particular appeared rather shocked, likely because she was a believer.

"Such impressive faith," the Confessor complimented Simon.

"Who are you, child?"

"My name is Belias," Simon lied.

"I have rarely seen the Megalith glow so brightly for someone… I see our new Paladin knows how to pick the best companions." The Confessor quickly spotted the frown on Frea's face.

"Is something the matter, Lady Frea?"

"I… nothing." Whatever Frea's detection spells had shown her rattled her.

"His connection to the Megalith is… impressive." She has confirmed that miasma comes from it, Simon guessed. She was finally starting to believe him. Frea wasn't the only person present who looked anxious. Belzemine had been staring at the Megalith since she walked into the cathedral in spite of its eyes-burning light radiating from it.

"Could I…" Belzemine gulped.

"Could I touch it?" Her suggestion took Simon utterly aback. Belzemine never requested anything except new Devil Brands, at least not until extensive mental care. She simply couldn't think about her needs.

"Why?" Simon asked warily.

"I…" Belzemine shifted uncomfortably, her gaze entirely focused on the Megalith.

"I feel… it calls to me." And that was quite the frightening prospect. Did Helel manage to put her under her influence, or was the stone calling out to her on its own? Or was her strange inner radiance somehow connected to the Megalith?

"That… that may be dangerous," Simon warned Belzemine. Helel had managed to kill her from a distance in the previous reign, and the risk was great that she might be able to do the same even without Anna as a host.

"Are you sure about this?"

"I am not, but…" Belzemine gulped, her chin low.

"I feel this is important…"

"Would that even be allowed?" Alphonse asked the Confessor.

"Only vestals, templars, and priests are usually allowed to directly touch the Light Megalith, but we can make an exception for a follower of the Paladin." If something bad happens, at least I will know how to prevent it. Any intel on Helel's seal would help prevent a cataclysmic disaster, or so Simon told himself. Belzemine was neither darkblooded nor blessed by the Maiden's sign, so there should be no risk of possession… I have to know. I have to be sure.

"Alright," Simon agreed, with a caveat, "but if anything bad happens, we'll pull you back." Belzemine nodded obediently, then stepped forward towards the Light Megalith. Simon observed her with his Dark Visionary senses, and he immediately noticed that the bright halo that always surrounded his retainer appeared to brighten. Nay, her halo resonated with the mana emanating from the Light Megalith, like two waves aligning.

The effect only magnified further when the vestals resumed their song, the whole hall vibrating with holy energies. Simon's pulse quickened in his veins. He could tell something would happen soon.

"What is…" Belzemine raised her hand towards the crystal, her eyes unperturbed by its glow.

"I… I see you." She touched the Megalith, and then there was light.