Book 4: Chapter 16
We had to climb a very high fleet of stairs to reach the archbishops office. It was virtually like climbing a tower. On all four sides of the hollow square shaped building from a bird’s eye view were towers, connected by aisles. The archbishop leisurely walked ahead of me. I started to pant gently from behind. I don’t get it. How is the archbishop fat when he has to walk this tiring path daily? It doesn’t match up. If it didn’t look like he was walking a familiar path, I would’ve suspected him of luring me high up to push me down.
Nier followed behind me. The archbishop didn’t bring anyone with him. I noticed that the church had their own combat force inside the church. They were troops wearing armour and cloth capes. It reminded me of the crusades’ three main knight platoons. It’s just that there are guns in this era. Surely these troops have practical skills.
Even if we were to get into a fight, I trust that Nier can take on multiple of them all at once alone. However, the archbishop didn’t look like he was trying to get into a conflict with me. Regardless of what the case may be, up until now, all of the clergies have treated me with courtesy. Nothing looked suspicious.
Underneath the large statue of god was overflowing devotion and conviction. Had I not been told about the church, I would’ve been shocked by the church. Heck, I would’ve worshipped the church for being so upright. But I now feel that the church is hiding something frightening. Who knows how many corrupt things are happening behind their upright facade.
We finally arrived. The archbishop pulled the door open, looked at me and with a smile said: “Please enter, your majesty. But will your bodyguard be coming in when there is no need for her to?”
“I am his majesty’s bodyguard and must stay by his majesty’s side unless there are special circumstances.” Nier looked at the archbishop without fear and a stern expression. She said: “I must always stay by his majesty’s side.”
“That wouldn’t be such a good idea since my conversation with his majesty should be kept secret, especially when his majesty shares his woes. His majesty is not the only one I treat this way. This applies for everyone no matter who they are. Sometimes one’s woes are filthy and evil, and since secrets could be revealed by those who hear it, it must be kept secret.”
The archbishop revealed a laid back smile and continued, “I am doing this to protect his majesty’s secrets. I believe that his majesty has some desires he would not want for others to know.”
“I will not reveal his majesty’s conversation!” Nier angrily continued, “I am his majesty’s bodyguard, his majesty’s trusted existence! I know that I must keep his majesty’s secret, I don’t need you to tell me that! I am aware that!”