I Pretended To Have Amnesia and the Hero’s Party Becomes Obsessed

16 – 2. Cowards (6)

To cut to the chase, our plan didn’t go as haywire as we thought.

According to Irene, the deceased man’s representative is already coming to Ahrolotte. All that’s left for us to do is wait for him in this city.

Of course, there was still the issue of who killed our recipient. But that was not our concern, but rather the responsibility of Ahrolotte’s security guards.

Furthermore, Aholtle was a city with a strong influence from the sect. Even a murderer would not dare to act out because of the intimidating inquisitors.

To begin with, the fact that there was a murder in this city itself was quite peculiar.

Anyway,

Ultimately, our job is done now.

I only advised our children to stick together and let them do as they please.

Of course, by letting them loose like this, within a week, the mailbox will be filled with damage compensation claims.

However, it was a more demanding request than I thought, and I suffered a lot.

So, I decided to cut them some slack this time.

And I also decided to give myself a little rest.

“…”

…until Parsley, who wore her hat deeply pressed, came to my room.

Because she wore her hat so deeply, her face was not visible. However, I was barely able to read her expression from the tightly clenched fist, which had turned pale.

“You said you would help me recover my memories, right?”

***

I have been thinking about it for a very long time,

Parsley, who was preparing something, had somewhere elegant about her.

She usually squawked and threw unnecessary tantrums, but

whenever she was preparing for an experiment or magic, she tightly sealed her mouth as if her usual self was a lie.

And with her unique, small, pale hands, she fervently grabbed objects without hesitation.

Not only did her gestures convey expertise,

There was also an almost boundless arrogance in her confidence.

Perhaps because of that, every time I would gaze at Parsley as if I was possessed.

Usually, the result of that behavior was an annoyed outburst of “What are you looking at?!” or a 1,300 page theory book flying towards my face.

It was when we were 18 years old.

It has been 7 years since then.

However, that elegance that captured my gaze didn’t seem to diminish at all.

I silently sat in the chair, watching Parsley rummage through the display shelf.

There was anguish on her face, but her moving hands showed no hesitation.

Mixing potions, grinding herbs, drawing magic circles with chalk.

The true magic of a wizard is not manifested when infusing magical power, but rather in the preparation.

How long had they stared at him as if entranced by the past?

“…”

In no time, Parsley held a vial emitting blue smoke in her hand. She looked at him with a distorted expression.

“…First, we’ll check if there’s anything abnormal in your brain. If it’s not just a matter of lost memories but an issue with your brain, a completely different treatment will be needed.”

I simply nodded in agreement, simultaneously feeling a certain amount of guilt.

The claim of memory loss was purely a lie on my part. All these examinations and efforts were, in essence, meaningless.

…But, at least for now, it wasn’t the time to reveal that.

“Drink this for now.”

“Yes.”

I gulped down the concoction. Naturally, the taste was terrible.

“Now, close your eyes…”

Parsley abruptly stopped speaking. Gathering her trembling hands in front of her chest, she lowered her head.

It was a trembling that spread to her back, an expression of intense fear.

Was she so frightened of me, who had lost my memories, learning about the past?

Ironically, I, who hadn’t lost my memories, was truly unfazed.

It became difficult to watch, and I lowered my head, finding it challenging to press the words that Chimi had uttered.

“If it’s difficult for you, you don’t have to…”

“No, I’m fine.”

Parsley raised her head again. Clenching her fist, she struggled to speak.

“…It may not be pleasant, but I can’t just stay still as he said.”

He?

I raised a questioning expression, but she nodded, reaching out towards my head.

“Close your eyes.”

I complied without hesitation.

“It won’t take long.”

.

.

.

“You… can open your eyes…”

The voice was trembling with intensity.

I felt something unusual and opened my eyes. And there, I found Parsley’s face pale and grim.

“It’s okay…”

“I, I’m sorry, but please leave today.”

It was a sudden request. The confusion deepened, but Parsley didn’t allow my counter-question.

“Just… please go back.”

I saw earnestness in her eyes. Hesitating, I eventually nodded my head.

“…Rest in peace.”

So, I left a formal farewell and exited the room.

Parsley was left alone in the room like that.

She wrapped her face and sat down on the floor.

In the darkness, what she had just seen came to her mind again.

A sophisticated magic circle that had taken root in the depths of his brain.

Parsley identified its function and the one who had used it at a glance.

It couldn’t be unrecognizable.

It was a magical form she had been seeing since childhood, to the extent that she couldn’t forget.

She had strived throughout her life to reach that level.

Parsley crouched on the floor and murmured softly.

“Mother… why… to that extent…”

Rem, her first love, had memories manipulated.

Not by anyone else, but by her own mother.

***

When I came out of the room, the sunset had already faded away.

The long shadows of the walls were gradually engulfing the city, and along with those shadows, faint lights were emerging from the windows.

And in the midst of it, there was a familiar face waiting for me.

“Did you see everything?”

“…Why are you here?”

Phea smiled slightly.

“If my right hand isn’t by my side, where else would it be?”

“…I’ve said it many times, my right hand is detachable… no, let it go.”

I sighed and approached Phea. Tapping her shoulder, I asked.

“Is there a good bar nearby?”

Pea’s eyes were filled with questions, then quickly filled with pure joy.

“You’re going to drink with me, right, Gomkka?!”

“You promised.”

And to be honest, I needed a little alcohol right now.

The reactions of the party members towards my past were not exactly delightful.

A constant feeling of guilt, fear.

And the constant dilemma of how to untangle this complicated situation when I saw him.

Things that can’t be said to be good for mental health.

“Well, for now…! There’s a good bar in that downtown area! And, and also…!”

“Don’t explain, just show me the way.”

I interrupted her words with a smirk. Then I glanced at the building where Parsley might still be.

Honestly, I didn’t know what to do yet.

But, it must be resolved before this is over…

My thoughts went silent, and my gaze focused on one place.

“Well, to the place Sabinah recommended…”

“Hey, what’s that?”

Pea looked at where my finger pointed. Then she casually answered.

“You mean that flag? Isn’t it just a flag?”

“No, not the flag, what’s engraved inside the flag.”

“Ah…”

After rolling her eyes for a moment, Pea responded.

“It’s the symbol of the new bishop who came with this diocese. Don’t you know? They say it’s the mark bestowed by the heavens… or something like that.”

I interrupted her words.

“Hey, gather the kids and wait at the inn.”

“Huh? What, why… Hyung-nim?!”

Ignoring Pea’s shout, I started running with all my might. The destination was the place I had just pointed at.

The cathedral with the colorful flag fluttering against the sunset.

The symbol engraved on the magnificent flag was the shape of an soaring eagle. But oddly enough, the eagle had three legs instead of two.

The necklace that Irene had discovered, the one the commander mage had.

The same figure was engraved on that necklace.

[I will go visit the bishop for a moment. Please continue with your work.]

Clara was in danger.

***

Someone’s study is a perfect description of that person.

The color of the desk is the same as their state of mind, and the shape of the pen reflects their thoughts. Even the stains on the walls reflect the owner’s character.

In that sense, Bishop Atrius was a very neat person.

Clara sat on the sofa and looked around.

There was not a single thing out of place.

The books on the bookshelf were neatly arranged, and the writing utensils were neatly placed on the desk.

However, excessive luxury was nowhere to be seen, and the furniture was not cheap, but it did not look high-end either.

Clean, and pure.

This study seemed to be just like Atrius.

However, neatness is not only the characteristic of true believers. There were others who made it their characteristic, apart from religious people.

Scammers.

Excessive cleanliness is sometimes to leave no traces of wrongdoing.

“I apologize for making you wait, the meeting was unexpectedly delayed…”

The door to the study opened, and an elderly man entered. With a genuine smile, he approached Clara.

“Oh, I forgot to greet you.”

His thin knees touched the floor without hesitation.

“I, a humble servant of the divine, greet the daughter of the Lord.”

Clara’s red eyes scanned the old man.

Ordinary, honest was her first impression.

His appearance was kind, and his limbs were so thin that his priestly attire seemed loose. He gave off the impression of a priest in a small countryside town rather than a bishop.

However, appearances and reality rarely align.

This was one of the things Clara had learned over the years.

Clara stood up and smiled.

“Please, get up. I am not yet worthy of such reverence.”

“Haha, if the divine has chosen only you in this era, who else should I call if not you, Clara?”

“However, for now, my status is that of a novice saint.”

“It’s still just words. Once the Ascension Ceremony is held, you will become a saint immediately.”

And then, Artreus muttered as if talking to himself.

“But why does the Pope delay the Ascension Ceremony like that?”

A chill passed through Clara’s red eyes. However, before it could be expressed in words, the bishop interrupted with a chuckle.

“Oh, this old man talks too much again. Please, have a seat. Would you like a cup of tea?”

“I’ll have to decline. I can’t stay here for long.”

“Oh, I forgot you’re on pilgrimage. Well then, let’s get straight to the point.”

Artreus sat across from Clara. Tapping the back of his hand with bony fingers, he opened his mouth.

“Firstly, sealing off the city was an unavoidable choice.”

The tone of the old man became solemn.

“Clara, who is known as a pilgrim, may already be aware, but the recent behavior of the cultists is unsettling.”

As the sun slowly cast its glow beyond the walls, shadows filled the room.

“Not far from the city, they brazenly push their shameless faces, engaging in blasphemous acts. There are even rumors of them gathering in the west to incite a rebellion.”

It was information Clara was already familiar with from Irene.

However, at the same time, it seemed like a distant tale.

“All unrelated stories to Ahlottle, it seems.”

“They are not unrelated stories.”

Suddenly, Artreus sighed and held his head, hesitating before finally speaking with a tone of remorse.

“…Embarrassing as it is, there has already been a victim found dead in the city. Although the culprit has not been identified, clear traces of the cultists have been discovered.”

Then, the old man bowed his head as if in agony.

“Already, those wicked things have extended their influence to this city.”

Clara remained silent. The old man continued.

“I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to you, Clara. However, sealing off the city was an unavoidable choice to protect it. I…”

” Bishop Artreus.”

Without a formal title, Clara’s gaze trembled slightly. However, he quickly smiled and asked.

“Why did you…”

“Seems like there’s a misunderstanding. I did not come to reprimand you for sealing off the city.”

The bishop’s eyes flickered, and he looked at Clara with an odd expression.

“Then, may I ask what brought you to seek out this old man…”

For the first time since Clara entered the study, she showed a smile.

Despite the circumstances, it was such a beautiful smile that it momentarily took the bishop’s breath away.

“Do you recognize this necklace?”

However, as soon as the bishop saw what Clara had placed on the table, his face instantly hardened.

A necklace intricately carved with an eagle soaring on a sheet of metal.

Oddly, the eagle had three legs.

And ominously, dried blood still clung to its edges.

“The divine bestows symbols upon those it reaches. If my memory serves me right, this is your symbol.”

Clara smiled brightly.

“But how did I come to find this among the belongings of the socialites?”