Chapter 39: Patay (2) (2/2)

”Leonel, Aina, it's good to have you here. Have you been treated well?”

Aina had learned to read and react to Leonel given certain clues. It was fine if she was a mute, but not understanding the language would be too suspicious. So, when Leonel nodded, her quick reaction time set in and she too nodded.

”That's good, that's good…”

Joan hesitated for a moment, causing Leonel's heartbeat to immediately slow. Well, it wasn't that his heart really did do this, but rather that he had subconsciously sharpened his reactions, causing even what was fast to be perceived far easier to him.

”I have indeed called you two here for a very important reason.” She took a deep breath and sighed. ”I've been lying to the two of you for a very long time, for that… I apologize. I know more about our God given abilities than I've told you.

”If you're willing to forgive me, I can take the two of you to meet the Bishop —”

”The Archbishop?” Leonel's eyes lit up like a child, as though already forgiving Joan. ”We get to meet him?”

Joan was stunned for a moment before smiling sweetly. ”Yes, the Archbishop.”

Leonel's supposed ignorance played through well. However, his mind was spinning.

The importance of religious figures in this era couldn't be understated. The difference between a Bishop and an Archbishop was massive. Joan would never make such a mistake. That meant she meant to call out the title Bishop. But who was this Bishop that she was willing to allow Leonel to mistake for the Archbishop?

Was it a deliberate act of blasphemy? Or was she trying to spare his feelings by not calling out his ignorance?

”The Archbishop is our true Godsent messenger. He is the one who leads my path and told me of my destiny. While he is in Reims prepared to crown our liege, I can take the two of you to meet with him.

”I thought I was alone in this world until I met the two of you. If you join our cause, then the bright future we hope for will be in a hand's grasp. Our names will resound through history.”

'She seems sincere, she really believes that she was the only one… So the shadows really must be her ability. That makes sense, after all, they did nothing but help the entire way…'

Leonel excitedly nodded. ”Of course, of course!”

”Good, then follow me. I will take you there.”

Joan smiled and turned toward a bookshelf. As though straight out of a fantasy novel, she pulled on one of the spines and caused a doorway to open.

”These paths were tunneled under the city so that important religious figures and royals can escape in case of a siege. It'll be easier to take them than winding through the city for hours.” Joan casually explained.

”Wow! I didn't know something like this was possible. The Archbishop really must be God's messenger.”

Joan smiled and led the way, completely missing Leonel's disappointed gaze as the bookshelf clicked closed behind them.

He had said it himself before. Sometimes over explaining revealed much more about the truth you wanted to hide. However, somewhat incredulously, he was certain that Joan meant them no harm.

If she really believed she wasn't harming them, then who was this Bishop? Where was she leading them? And which entity could create such a large network of underground tunnels in this era?