Say The Words

"So, this is the place."

Stood tall in front was an old, grey, wrecked cathedral. Half of the roof was gone, the used walls were murky and dirty which meant that it wasn't maintained far too long, and the view of the large area inside was easily seen since there were no doors to cover. 

Even with the devastated state of the cathedral, people often came here to seek refuge. 

A week passed since the disaster happened. I came here with a three-day ride, using one secured gate transportation to hasten my pace. 

And all that time, the administration, which is the public image for the people, is still keeping quiet about it.

Now that everything had changed, finishing the arc – a whole month event – was now reduced to a week or two. 

The lock and key were still on me and I had already done the method to close it, but everyone had to wait for the hole to be sealed.

That's also the reason why I have stayed a week in my place after the gravitational hole happened. I could've sneaked inside Cayenne's household but there are a lot of variables, considering I didn't know where the monarch had put the portal inside the veil.

Anyway, more explanation will probably be given once the administration deliver teh news. I'm sure they are more than prepared to make a speech or two.

But for now, I have an important business to do there.

I have to check if I really do have another mystery technique inside me and… if the weird effect of acquiring the same technique was the reason why I had newly acquired disposition which is a thirst for battle.

"Okay..."

Entering the cathedral with calm steps, I made my way to find the person I was looking for.

Though, I bet it would be a very tedious task since the place is crowded. And the person I was looking for was the owner of this destroyed church.

…

Parishioner's Worshippers Nation

Once I got a piece of advice from Meera about my situation while excluding the fact that I have a mysterious mystery technique on my body, while saying I wanted to see my own techniques, she recommended to come here to look for a specific person.

Meera suggested her teacher – a renowned and peculiar extractor herself – using her own words to describe the person

Now, I don't have any idea who the hell is this person. She didn't appear in the novel or appeared on Duke's memories.

She might be the very first significant and unknown person I would meet since, well, as Meera said, she's a mystery and renowned extractor.

And after resting for three days, since Meera explained I'll only be able to move that slightly well, I was here.

"Hello, young man, what do you need?"

Furthermore, because of my injuries and bandages wrapped around my body, I appeared to be needing some help. 

Coughing lightly, I politely answered the old man, "Hello. I want to consult the lady governing this place. I believe her name is… Devina Lovell. I would like to meet her. Where is she?"

"Ah, ma'am Devina." The old man's expression softened, "You must've heard her. Well, she's the one who is taking of us after all."

The old man shook his head as he mentioned, "Hah, she's fitted to be a Governor of our nation. Everyone is at her back and she's planning on becoming one, you know?"

'Do I look like I give a crap?'

Knitting my eyebrows while staring at the old man who didn't even answer my question, I politely put my hand on his shoulder and reminded him.

"Where is she?"

For some reason, the old man shuddered as he pointed at the back of the cathedral and spoke, "She came home just yesterday. She might be in the confession room right now or resting in one of her quarters. If it's the former then everyone is free to enter. Now, you have to ask if she's taking a rest at her quarter through her guards."

Nodding my head once, I rummaged through my pocket to get a single gold coin but instantly stopped.

Muscle memory kicked in, thinking that whatever information I receive, they will get a gold coin as a payment.

Slightly funny, very annoying.

Releasing my available left hand, I said my thanks to the old man and walked towards the confession room.

Much to my surprise, in the confession compartment forward, there is a line of people. Old, young, soldiers or normal civilians were here, waiting for their turn.

'So, I wouldn't go to her guards. Great.'

Even so, this is… too long.

In the end, I had to wait for an hour for my turn.

Entering the normal-looking compartment which looked like the only thing that had been maintained, I felt an odd sensation flow through my skin before sitting down on the available wooden chair.

"What do you confess?"

A woman's soothing and soft voice asked courteously.

Resting my back on the wall, I replied.

"I'm here to talk business."

The air around the compartment became chilly as the jovialness of the woman's voice was gone, replacing it with a cold tone.

"I've kept telling you, military guys I will never join you. I will never give my men to you nor accept a position there."

"What? No, I'm not from the military."

"Hahh! I see, the churches then? Whatever rumors you've gathered around me, all of them are false."

"Not… that either."

The other side of the compartment paused before removing her cold tone as it was replaced with confusion.

"Then, who are you?"

"If you can just let me finish, I'll tell you what I'm here."

Devina quieted down which I cued to be the time to talk.

"I want to see my mystery techniques. All of it." I paused, "I can also manifest the grimoire very effectively since I've finished mastering them. And wait, I'm Meera's boss, your student. Before she informed me this, I don't know you nor harbor ill intent."

For a moment, the air turned chilly once again but after mentioning Meera, she came back to herself and surprisingly questioned. 

"Memee?"

'Memee?'

Shaking my head, I continued, "Now, we can go for a negotiation. This is just important to me. And she said that there's a certain code that you've given once someone used Meera's name but let me tell you this, I will never say it."

Devina quieted down and for some reason, I heard her giggle. 

"I will do it free of charge and I think that my student trusted you to inform we have a code. If you didn't tell that, then I would be suspicious." Devina paused, "But you have to tell me the code."

Picking the gun on my holster, I threatened, "Did you not hear what I said?"

"Phew, easy now fella. Goodness, what a moody boss you are." Devina chuckled, her voice full of mischievousness, "Say. The. Words. It's nothing hard."

Pointing my barrel at the other side of the compartment, I quietly stayed in that position. One could tell that this is a sign of provocation.

Seconds turned into a minute, and the confession room was still shrouded in tranquility.

'There's actually nothing wrong with this but… It's just very embarrassing…'

Biting my lips, I added, breaking the long but short silence, "Will you keep your word?"

"Oh son, I do. I just liked to tease you that's all, even though I don't know you but yes, I always kept my word."

Swallowing my big pride, I clenched the grip of my revolver and replied with a hoarse and subdued tone.

"M-master Devia, Goddess of Beauty, my Gorgeous Teacher, I-I'm back."

The other side of the compartment let the words permeate into their ears before a suppressed giggle escaped from Devina's lips.

"Hahh… wait, I can't stop— okay, give me your hand."

A little window opened the side where Devina's fine hands showed. It was unblemished and her skin was white.

Grabbing her hand, Devina continued instructing me on the things to do.

"Now, focus. You need to feel the connection you will receive from me and once you sense it, say the words: 'The life that ends gifts death. And Death is the end.' At that point, strange runic language will appear on your front and all you have to say is to see your mystery techniques. Don't worry, this is safe and I'm using a Holy Relic."

Slightly surprised while not showing it on the outside, I followed exactly what she said and focused. Right after, I whispered the words.

"The life that ends gifts death. And Death is the end."

Abruptly, green, indescribable, flickering, language surfaced which seemed to be letters that were disoriented and floating. They are uncanny, odd, and striking as they circle around. 

And for some reason, I had a feeling that they were looking at me which I shrugged off right away since this is probably just the works of a Holy Relic.

"My Mystery Techniques,"

The flickering run letters instantly stopped, taking a moment of pause before forming words which is the same language used for humans.

The runic letters cramped onto each other, forming words that gave explanations for my mystery techniques, albeit, in their summarized form.

[Cursed Mark Mystery Technique: 

Description: Precise control that borrowed the cursed mysteries. A forbidden art that marks the foes, turning them into yours but never controlled. They can be the greatest allies or utmost threats one has to watch.

Abilities: …] 

Then, the absolute mind came next right after reading the previous technique

[Absolute Mind Mystery Technique: 

Description: Defense mechanism in mind that borrowed the absolute mysteries. The art of defending using the mind has a rule: An indescribable face equivalence to immovable will. Once clearance is made, unimaginable power awaits. Once the will is gone, its purpose and absolute wane.

Abilities: …]

Then, it was supposed to be the last mystery description that was supposed to show but something was replacing the previous letters as another dawned upon my front.

[D?????e??? W??????s]

There are only four letters that were shown in total, with no description whatsoever and abilities displayed. Looking intently at the letters, they were soon gone as Devina retrieved her hand back from her compartment.

"Wha—I'm not done yet."

"Yes, you are. Please get out."

Warily turning my head in her direction, I replied, "You are breaking your word."

Devina suddenly became different, "You are very strange you know that? Full of mysteries nonetheless. And the powers you wielded, for some reason, I could feel their muffled screams."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"We will meet again, mister whoever you are."

Before I could even demand an explanation, the door of my compartment opened and guards were politely escorting me outside of the cathedral. It didn't look like they knew me as Duke Mauberon.

They acted like that as if I was put on the utmost important list to accommodate, at the same time, someone you shouldn't take too lightly.