The Heroines Who Framed Me Are Clinging to Me

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 60 - In Secret

“Guests from outside? How unusual.”

The one guiding Lloyd and his companions was an apprentice priest.

Asmael, having ensured that Lloyd was permitted inside the Holy Office, dusted his hands off, as if his work was done.

It was a wise decision for Lloyd as well. Too much interaction with a Heresy Inquisitor could certainly raise suspicion.

‘Just getting me into the Holy Office is enough. He’s done his part.’

The plan had shifted slightly.

Originally, Lloyd had intended to approach the shadowy figure within the Holy Office directly. The person who sought to arrest him was likely the one pulling the strings from the shadows. Lloyd had planned to let himself get captured, then play along until he could meet that person face-to-face.

That was the initial plan.

‘It was fast, but extremely risky.’

A plan that could easily have led to his death without accomplishing anything. But now things were different. Thanks to coordinating with Asmael, Lloyd had gained legitimate entry into the Holy Office.

Even the prince or princess of the Empire couldn’t stay within the Holy Office for more than a minute without prior arrangements, but now Lloyd could remain for three days.

‘Three days is short, but…’

Still, it’s something.

It would be just enough time to scout the Holy Office, observe the power dynamics, and set his plans into motion.

‘All I have to do is flip the Holy Office upside down.’

Whether or not anyone knew Lloyd was thinking such dangerous thoughts, the apprentice priest smiled brightly as he led the group.

“Since we priests rarely get to interact with outsiders, I’m happy to guide you.”

“Is it that rare? Aren’t there visitors coming and going?”

“Of course! In fact, the main gate of the Holy Office is almost purely ornamental.”

“The main gate? You mean the entrance where guests come in?”

“Yes. Unless it’s for a visiting Emperor or high-ranking officials from other nations, it hardly ever opens. That’s why it’s so exciting to see you all—”

Lloyd interrupted the priest’s chatter.

“Then where do the priests and staff usually pass through?”

“Oh, that would be through the underground passageways, or there are paths connected to the chapel. I’ve heard there’s even a secret passage that leads to the rooms of high-ranking priests or the Saintess…”

The priest abruptly covered his mouth with both hands.

“S-Sorry! That’s information I shouldn’t have shared with outsiders. Could you pretend you didn’t hear that?”

“Of course.”

Lloyd barely managed to suppress a grin.

Loose-lipped people were always a boon.

After engaging the apprentice priest in more casual conversation and extracting a few more tidbits of information, they eventually arrived at the guest quarters.

“You’ll be staying here for the next three days.”

Beyond the central garden of the Holy Office stood a row of small wooden buildings. The priest opened the door to one and began explaining.

“Please be mindful that, as external guests, access to most areas will be restricted. We ask that you limit your exploration to the surroundings, as if you were merely sightseeing.”

“Yes, yes.”

“Of course, even if you tried to do more, you likely wouldn’t succeed.”

— Bow.

The priest bowed and withdrew.

“Not bad. The bed’s decent.”

From inside, the village chief’s voice echoed. For someone of his large frame, the chief was surprisingly particular about his accommodations. If he said the place was livable, then it must be.

‘Did he come here for a vacation or something?’

Lloyd’s brow twitched briefly in frustration.

“Now then, what do we need to do?”

The chief, surprisingly perceptive, stepped out of the room.

“I’m amazed. You’re not napping.”

“…After trailing you this long, I’ve picked up on it. Your style is to wring every last drop of effort from your companions.”

“…It’s not that extreme.”

“It is. I’ve got you completely figured out.”

Lloyd felt wronged, but there was no point in arguing further.

Because, after all, he was about to give them tasks.

Ahem.

After a light cough, Lloyd began.

“First, we need to figure out how far we can move around.”

“How? That apprentice priest didn’t give us much useful information.”

“Well…”

A sly smile spread across Lloyd’s face, and both the chief and the princess shuddered slightly.

“We’ll have to test the waters ourselves. Alright, drop your things and let’s move.”

Lloyd gave the village chief and Princess Yulia a gentle push toward the street. Time was tight. As they were being herded along, Yulia turned her head to ask a question.

“Wait, Lloyd.”

“You can eat later.”

“That’s not it! I’m not a pig, you know?”

Frustrated by the unjust accusation, Yulia pressed on.

“What’s our goal?”

“Our goal?”

“Yes. What are you trying to accomplish here at the Holy Office?”

Lloyd’s grin widened.

“Half of the Holy Office. And the next step in the succession battle.”

◆

Taking half of the Holy Office in three days.

It was easier said than done.

Easier said, but…

“Get out! There’s no way we can show the Sacred Relic Storage to an outsider!”

Thud!

Lloyd, now kicked out of the room, rubbed his aching backside with both hands.

“Damn, he really kicked me hard!”

“Consider yourself lucky I’m not filing a report!”

Bang!

The door slammed shut with a resounding noise.

Facing the closed door, Lloyd muttered under his breath.

“All these priests, acting all holy and compassionate, and yet they can’t even show me around. And kicking people? Even beggars in a soup kitchen don’t get treated like this…”

Creak.

The door cracked open again.

For a brief moment, hope flickered in Lloyd’s eyes, but…

“Take this back, too!”

The priest threw something at him, forcing Lloyd to step back.

Hisssss.

It was a snake.

Lloyd had tried to distract the priest with the snake, planning to slip in unnoticed. But now the snake slithered back toward him, as if it had found its meal.

“No, no, why are you coming to me?”

Even though the snake wasn’t venomous, a snake was still a snake.

Thunk.

Lloyd, stepping back, hit the wall with the back of his head and scratched it in frustration.

“…This is tough.”

By now, the sun was setting.

Two days left.

It looked like he’d have to push his companions harder starting tomorrow.

‘And I’ll have to use that thing.’

Lloyd thought about one of the artifacts he had brought with him.

◇

“Please. If I don’t step inside today, I won’t be able to eat.”

At the prayer room of the Holy Office.

A simple priest, Bjorn, looked down awkwardly at the middle-aged man pleading before him.

“…I’d love to help you, but we have strict protocols. This room is reserved for high-ranking priests only.”

“Are you saying you won’t be able to eat if you let me in?”

“Well, no, but…”

“Then please, just this once. I promise not to tell anyone.”

Sigh.

“I traveled all the way from the Britannia Empire, working my farm to save enough to come here and pray to Deus. I beg you.”

Bjorn scratched the back of his head.

How could he say no to someone who had come such a long way to pray?

Looking at the man pressing his palms together, Bjorn let out a deep sigh.

“…If it’s just for a short while, I’ll turn a blind eye.”

As a servant of Deus, he couldn’t turn away someone who had travelled so far to pray.

“Thank you.”

The village chief hurriedly entered the prayer room.

He knelt before the statue of Deus at the centre of the room.

Pretending to pray, he cracked his eyes open and scanned the surroundings.

The priest was also kneeling in prayer at the back. Carefully, the village chief removed one hand from his prayer pose and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small artefact, no bigger than a bean, and discreetly attached it under a nearby chair.

As he pressed down on it, a faint red light began to glow.

Hearing movement from behind, the chief quickly closed his eyes and resumed his praying posture.

◇

D’coré, the priest in charge of the archives, was taken aback.

“Excuse me. Is anyone there?”

Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he opened the door to find a strikingly beautiful woman with platinum blonde hair standing before him. And a visitor from outside, no less. It was a rare and refreshing experience.

“What can I help you with?”

“Well… I was wondering if I might be able to look around this library.”

“Oh.”

D’coré scratched his head.

Outsiders… how much access were they allowed again? Oh, right.

“I’m afraid not. Outsiders are strictly prohibited. This area is restricted to authorised personnel only.”

No matter how attractive she was, rules were rules. With a heavy heart, D’coré firmly stated his refusal.

The woman’s face immediately fell in disappointment.

“Oh… that’s a problem.”

“What seems to be the problem?”

“If I don’t get in, I might not get to eat today.”

“What does that mean?”

“Do you know about the book spirits that are said to live in old tomes?”

“I’ve heard of them in fairy tales.”

“I’m researching them. But the Holy Office is the only place where I might be able to find them.”

Research?

D’coré, who had taken the role of archivist out of his own love for study, found his curiosity piqued.

“Well, in that case, I’ll take a look for you. How would I go about finding one of these spirits?”

“Oh, thank you so much! Here’s what they look like…”

As Yulia calmly explained, D’coré began to think that she didn’t seem like such a bad person.

“Alright then. Please wait here for a moment. I’ll be back shortly.”

As soon as D’coré turned and stepped back into the library, Yulia followed him in a rush.

At least the seal for the magical device was now in place. Since she had accomplished the most critical part of Lloyd’s instructions, now it was on to the next task.

‘I really didn’t want to do this.’

Bracing herself for what was to come, Yulia lowered her intelligence level for a moment and followed D’coré.

“You… you really shouldn’t come in!”

“I just really want to see it for myself… Is that okay? Just once?”

“...”

As someone who shared the same passion for research, D’coré hesitated.

“If it’s only for a short while, I’ll pretend I didn’t see you.”

“Oh, thank you so much.”

“Just make sure you’re done by the time I get back.”

“Yes!”

Having managed to secure a bit of time, Yulia glanced around the area.

“…No one’s here, right?”

The surroundings were spotless, not a soul in sight.

Good.

Muttering to herself, Yulia pulled a small device from her pocket.

It was identical to the one the village chief had planted earlier.

— Click.

The device, now attached to one of the bookshelves, began to emit a faint glow.

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]