The Heroines Who Framed Me Are Clinging to Me

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 64 – High Priest Julius (1)

"High Priest Julius, what exactly is the meaning of this?"

In a secret chamber within the capital of the Britannian Empire, Second Princess Aina lashed out at a priest.

High Priest Julius of the Holy Office of Constantine.

At her scolding, a faint sneer formed on Julius’ lips.

‘This is why imperial people are so tiresome.’

The Empire was a nation bound under the faith of Holy Constantine. Despite differing methods, its people ostensibly shared one common purpose: spreading the doctrine of God.

Even though Julius pursued an unorthodox path, his direction did not stray far from this ultimate goal. His methods were merely...radical. His current ambition was to depose the reigning Pontiff, claim the title for himself, and dismiss the Saintess from her position.

Yes, Julius still considered himself a servant of God. He had simply concluded that his approach would allow him to proclaim the divine will with greater force. By ascending as Pontiff, he intended to achieve what the current Pontiff had abandoned: painting the half of the world left untouched with Deus’ light. Who else but him could bring this vision to life?

But the Empire’s princess was a different breed.

The Second Princess Aina, his ally. She was, in no uncertain terms, utterly deranged. Power, power, power—her every action was driven by the singular obsession with claiming the imperial throne.

Entirely personal, shockingly selfish.

She wielded her influence without restraint.

Here they were, in a dimly lit room, a meeting of three: Aina of the Britannian Empire, Julius of Holy Constantine, and a veiled figure representing the Blood Cult’s third-in-command.

The gathering was supposedly a collaborative council to align their shared objectives. Yet somehow, Aina had seized all the initiative, wielding it as though she alone dictated the terms.

‘Well...I suppose it’s inevitable, considering what she has on me.’

He had miscalculated.

Sitting at the same table as the Blood Cult was a fatal blow to Julius’ reputation. For a High Priest of his standing, it was nothing short of heretical. If this association were revealed, he’d have no grounds to complain even if the Inquisitors beat him bloody.

Thus, he had no choice but to endure the princess’s whims.

"You need to handle the Saintess properly! Do you know how much money we’ve poured into this? And yet there’s been no progress at all—how is that even possible?"

Her tone was sharp, as though issuing an order to a subordinate.

Julius, a man ranked second only to the Pontiff and the Saintess within the Holy Office, found it far from pleasant to be treated this way.

Still, he suppressed his anger.

If he didn’t consider teamwork here, who would? This self-absorbed imperial princess? Or the veiled figure from the Blood Cult who only spoke when strictly necessary?

"Saintess Aria will soon be dealt with. She’s no more than a bothersome gnat."

"A gnat?"

"Yes. We recently apprehended someone outside the Holy Office who seems to be causing trouble."

"I don’t care about such trivial matters."

Julius clenched his jaw. If he didn’t control himself, he might end up glaring daggers at her.

"I thought you’d be a reasonable man, unlike those stubborn old priests. Is avoiding moral scrutiny proving too much for you?"

"Hardly. As I said, the Saintess will be dealt with soon."

"And how can you be so sure?"

"She’s already on the brink. Both mentally and physically, she’s clearly falling apart. She’s been shedding more tears lately, too. It won’t take much longer now."

Julius was thorough in his work.

He had devised the most foolproof way to destroy Saintess Aria: driving her to end her own life. That would make everything fall perfectly into place.

"But more concerning is that boy, Lloyd."

He interrupted before Princess Aina could speak.

"That boy killed Ilsal."

"…You mean Ilsal, the assassin?"

Aina’s voice wavered with shock.

"Yes. And while it’s unclear, there are signs that the Third Princess may be backing him. Your empire’s princess, I mean."

"……."

"What’s the matter? Does this concern you now?"

Aina’s expression flickered strangely.

It seemed she was reluctant to backtrack on her previous words.

After hesitating for several moments, she finally opened her mouth again.

"…That does seem to make him significant. How old is he?"

"I don’t know. But he doesn’t seem far removed from the prophecy."

"…!"

Aina’s face twisted in alarm.

Julius felt a strange satisfaction at having rattled her.

"So? Shall we raise his priority now?"

"…Yes."

Her admission came quickly.

In the end, Aina was someone willing to sacrifice anything—pride included—for her claim to the throne.

"Make sure to secure that boy at all costs."

Her lips trembled as she gave the command.

◆

The next morning.

"Argh! Let me go, you bastards!"

The village chief’s cries echoed through the depths of the Holy Office.

Naturally, the captors barely flinched, merely plugging their ears as they continued their work.

"Stop resisting. You’ll only make this harder on yourself!"

"I’ve done nothing wrong!"

"We received reports of illegal surveillance. Please comply!"

"I told you, I didn’t—!"

Such terrible acting.

Lloyd sighed as he watched the village chief flail about, feigning resistance.

How is this supposed to look convincing?

Half of it seemed like forced dramatics, the other half like clumsy method acting.

Still, the chief’s sheer size worked in their favor. His broad shoulders and meaty fists were more than enough to draw everyone’s attention.

Rather than scrutinizing his performance, most people were too busy avoiding his wild swings.

"When’s the trial?"

Lloyd turned to ask one of the priests detaining him.

Startled, the priest snapped back to attention and moved closer to Lloyd.

"It won’t take long. A High Priest personally reported this, so the trial will happen today."

"Not bad."

"Exactly. All we have to do is keep an eye on you and watch as you’re executed— Wait, what?"

The priest gaped at him in confusion. His wide-eyed stare clearly said, ‘why aren’t you worried about your trial ending in execution?’

Well, it’s not like he hadn’t been executed before.

Though he wasn’t eager for a repeat, he found it hard to muster genuine fear over the prospect.

Still, he wasn’t keen on dying again, so he sighed and muttered to himself.

Anyway, there wasn’t much fear about being captured.

"If this doesn’t go as planned, I’m not letting it slide this time."

...Wow.

So, the princess can make a face like that.

As she brushed past him, her sharp glare was genuinely unsettling.

"Just trust me."

"...Hmph. Of course."

Julia, displaying a reaction Lloyd hadn’t expected, was the first to walk ahead. Following her, the village chief was dragged along, struggling the whole way. Lloyd, meanwhile, brought up the rear—or so he thought.

“Wait, why am I not going with them?”

Lloyd stared blankly at their retreating backs. Why can’t I join them? Isn’t everyone supposed to be waiting for the trial in the same prison anyway?

His question was answered by one of the priests escorting him.

“Ah, you’ve been ordered to be specially managed. You’ll be detained separately, in the highest-security cell for the most dangerous criminals.”

...Damn it.

The nerve of these people—they were too perceptive for their own good.

◆

“What is this place?”

Lloyd had expected to find himself in a room filled with neatly arranged torture devices, but the space he was taken to was completely unexpected.

Rather than cold stone or metal, the room was surrounded by an unfamiliar material rarely used in ordinary chambers.

“This is what we call the Chamber of Truth. Wait here; there will be a few questions shortly.”

Thud!

With those words, the priest left the room, the heavy door slamming shut behind him.

What’s with the attitude?

It was as if he’d been ordered not to engage with Lloyd at all.

Could that actually be the case?

If so, it might be time to reevaluate the level of danger Julius posed.

Or perhaps...

‘Does Princess Aina have some way to contact me quickly?’

If that were true, it would mean Aina’s network was more powerful than anticipated.

It also meant he’d need to approach her with even greater caution.

“Anyway.”

What kind of room is this?

Lloyd scanned his surroundings, but the view was the same no matter where he looked.

The space was a perfect cube.

And...

“What kind of room is covered in mirrors?”

Everywhere he turned, his reflection stared back at him.

Above, below, all around.

For a moment, he locked eyes with himself, and an involuntary chill ran down his spine.

“……”

For some reason, his eyes seemed to flash red, like Ortega’s infamous crimson gaze.

It had to be an illusion.

Even so, looking into the mirrors stirred an inexplicable unease deep within him.

Even when he popped a sedative into his mouth, the sensation didn’t subside.

Which meant it was simply anxiety.

But an unsettling thought crept into his mind.

‘Could they have discovered Ortega’s existence?’

If so, this was the worst possible scenario.

Before he could dwell on it further—

—Prisoner Lloyd, raise your head!

A heavy, resonant voice echoed throughout the chamber.

—I am High Priest Julius. You will answer my every question truthfully, without omission!

The purpose of his visit to the Holy Office.

The true power behind this place.

That commanding voice was how Julius greeted him.

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]