Chapter 2242: Epilogue - Goodbye |
"What are you all talking about?"
The door at the end of the carriage slid open again, though the sound was muffled by the clamor outside. This train wasn't just carrying Jenkins's family and other members of the royal court; it also held a number of nobles who had accompanied Queen Isabella to Nolan and were now returning to Bel Diran.
It was Sigrid who entered. She, too, was clad in a cumbersome gown, but its style was simpler than the ones worn by Hathaway and Briny, and she didn't require a retinue of servants to manage her train.
"We were just talking about Jenkins. No idea where he's run off to!"
Dolores interjected, cutting Julia off before she could reveal what they had really been discussing.
"Jenkins isn't here either? Goodness, everyone is looking for him."
Sigrid touched her forehead in mild frustration. The princess's maid invited her to sit down for a cup of tea.
"So, why are you looking for Jenkins?"
Dolores asked, her eyes admiring the other woman's dress. She thought the green leaf embroidery was quite beautiful.
Because of his new status as king, Jenkins had to leave Nolan and would be based in Bel Diran from now on. This meant his employment with the Church had to be transferred to the Bel Diran diocese. The Inherited Sage Church was, of course, delighted by this development; having their Saint, the Savior himself, stationed in the grand diocese where the Holy See resided was something they had hoped for.
Therefore, he needed to submit a report to formally resign from the Nolan diocese. He also had to follow protocol by presenting a letter of introduction, signed by the local bishop, to the diocese he was joining to complete the transfer.
"Couldn't Papa Oliver just give Jenkins the letter when he gets to Bel Diran?"
Dolores wondered aloud as Julia signaled the maids to bring more tea cakes.
"Papa Oliver is going to Bel Diran anyway, isn't he? I thought Jenkins said he would be taking the train next week."
Although Papa Oliver had lost the key to his evolution, he was still a demigod-level Enchanter. Without the key, the curse was gone, and he could be reassigned to the more important diocese of Bel Diran. As for the three-day lifespan curse, Jenkins had taken care of it upon his return. While not yet a true Lord, his "Blessing of the Book" manifested the power of rules from another world, which had been acknowledged, allowing him to wield a portion of a Lord's power.
The curse from the evolution key was a trivial matter.
Of course, Papa Oliver couldn't just up and leave as freely as Jenkins. He had been operating in the area for many years and had much to attend to, not to mention handing over the antique shop into which he had poured years of his life.
Dolores remembered Jenkins mentioning that the Church had already arranged for a new shop owner to take over his and Papa Oliver's old duties. Jenkins had even joked with the ladies at home that Sally, the old woman from the souvenir shop next door, would probably miss Papa Oliver terribly.
So, Papa Oliver wasn't traveling with them. He would leave after settling his affairs in Nolan.
"I heard from Hathaway that Papa Oliver's other student, Miss Stevel, seems to be heading to Bel Diran as well."
Dolores recalled for some reason.
"Although Hathaway didn't mention it, I've heard some inside information. It seems there are some internal problems within the Church of Music."
Sigrid spoke cautiously. In truth, the other three leaders had begun to suspect Miss Stevel's identity. The entire Music Sect was planning to relocate to Bel Diran, not only because the new treaty between the Orthodox Churches and the pseudo-god churches allowed them to open chapels, but also because Miss Lydia Bernreuter, the de facto archbishop, and Miss Brilly Harms, the "Composer of the Score," were determined to use the opportunity of one of their members becoming queen to expand the sect's influence.
Naturally, Hathaway was more than happy to help her own faith grow.
"I also heard some news from within the Orthodox Church. In a few months, there will be another conference in Bel Diran—a general meeting of all the sects to further adjust the drafted treaty and add clauses for areas not yet covered."
Sigrid added, then mused after a moment's thought:
"It's only natural, really. Even the High Tower Accord was amended many times. Of course, a new treaty drafted at the end of the eighteenth epoch would require numerous revisions. But it's going to be a lot of work."
"Speaking of which, has the Church of All Things and Nature approved your permanent station in Bel Diran?"
Dolores asked the nun.
"They have. I've already written and submitted the report. I should receive the official notice soon."
At this, a smile bloomed on the nun's face.
"The Church could hardly refuse, after all."
"That's true. After all, you and Jenkins..."
Dolores gave a knowing smile. Everyone had noticed Sigrid's feelings for Jenkins. The day he returned, every woman—except for Dolores, who had been sleeping in the guest room with her cat—had participated in a... group activity. And that, of course, included Sigrid.
The women had accepted her into the family. As for her relationship with Jenkins, not only were they third cousins, but even if they were first cousins, Dolores couldn't care less. Marriage between cousins was hardly a novelty in royal unions.
Sigrid guessed what Dolores was implying and blushed crimson; the nun was easily embarrassed. Having been thoroughly vexed by the other women earlier, Dolores was now enjoying the chance to tease someone else. The princess was quite pleased with herself.
"The Church has put me in charge of liaising with the elven delegation. That will be my main responsibility from now on."
Sigrid tried to change the subject, and Dolores, knowing when to quit while she was ahead, didn't press the matter.
Among the ladies of the house, Sigrid had the closest ties to the Orthodox Church and thus knew more about its affairs. As she sipped her tea with Dolores, she mentioned hearing that Miss Bevanna of the Inherited Sage Church might also be transferred to Bel Diran, with official orders expected in a few months.
Miss Bevanna had performed exceptionally during the recent cataclysm. With the Beast of Calamity defeated, Nolan's strategic importance had diminished, making it necessary to reassign her to the Holy See to assume greater responsibilities.
"It seems Bishop Parrold is going to Bel Diran as well."
It was Julia who spoke up.
"A few days ago, when we were seeing His Majesty (referring to Salhir II) off on his return to Ruen, I overheard people discussing it. Bishop Parrold plans to step down early from his position as Archbishop of the Nolan diocese. The Holy See has arranged a sinecure for him in Bel Diran, I believe it's..."
"I heard about that too. I think it's the Director of the Hall of Fame Library."
Sigrid added.
"Is everyone we know moving to Bel Diran? Jenkins will be thrilled."
"But not everyone is going."
The door slid open again. The maids bowed at the entrance as the three women turned to look. Alexia had come in. She was wearing a rare touch of light makeup today but had forgone a formal gown like the others.
"Jenkins's friend, Captain Bincy, is staying in the Nolan diocese, though I hear he's been promoted. And Jenkins's neighbors..."
"The Goodmans. I remember the name."
Dolores said, scooting over to make room for her tutor to sit.
As Alexia reached the sofa, she, much like Jessica had a short while ago, suddenly sniffed the air and glanced at Julia's bright red lips. A blush crept up the maid's face once more.
The shorter woman smiled but said nothing, taking a seat. The maids immediately brought a new teacup.
"I would have thought someone as sentimental as Jenkins would have found an excuse to move his neighbors to Bel Diran as well."
Sigrid remarked.
"I asked him about that. He said that not everything should change according to his will, or the world would be too boring. Besides, he doesn't want to disturb their quiet lives for his own reasons."
"The Goodmans were there when he moved in, and they'll still be there now that he's moved out. To the Goodman family, Jenkins is the fleeting passerby."
Dolores reflected. The shorter woman looked at her student with a smile.
"That sounds exactly like something Jenkins would say."
"That's because he did say it. This morning."
"This morning?"
Alexia and Sigrid simultaneously looked at Julia's red lips again. The former was nearly a deity, while the latter was an Enchanter deeply attuned to the ways of nature; their senses of smell were exceptionally sharp, and they could guess what had happened that morning.
"What about this morning? Jenkins just had Julia drink some strong tea, that's all."
Dolores said defensively, warning the two not to tease her maid too excessively.
"Your Highness..."
But it was Dolores's comparison that made Julia even more bashful.
"Have you seen Jenkins?"
Alexia posed the now-familiar question.
"Audrey and Miss Brolignans want him to add another car to the train. They've had a new inspiration and want to divine the future during the journey."
"We're all looking for him, but no one knows where he's gone..."
Dolores suddenly grinned mischievously.
"Perhaps he's with Chocolate."
The ladies all shared a demure, knowing smile. They had spent the last few days teasing Jenkins relentlessly about having designs on his own cat.
Jenkins, of course, had turned red and stammered his vehement denials. And even though Chocolate refused to revert to her cat form and constantly clung to him as a girl, he had never touched the petite, adorable young lady.
Though Chocolate's transformation into a beautiful girl had surprised everyone, they had accepted the fact quite naturally. After all, Jenkins's relationship with Chocolate had always been rather unusual. Now that the cat had become a person, their unconventional relationship had simply shifted from abnormal to normal. So, unexpectedly, the women only teased Jenkins about it.
Everyone was very familiar with Chocolate and had accepted her new appearance without issue. Chocolate was also familiar with all the ladies of the house, so there was no friction.
"The other night, when I was with Hathaway and Jessica, Hathaway suddenly let out a... 'meow' at a certain moment. Jenkins seemed quite cross about it."
Alexia shared this as a funny family anecdote. Sigrid covered her mouth with a light laugh, and Julia's eyes curved into crescents. Only Dolores didn't understand.
"Why would he be angry?"
This made the others laugh even more heartily, making the princess feel as if she were being treated like a child.
"Of course, he wasn't really angry. Jenkins was just using anger to hide... a certain other feeling."
Her maid finally explained. Dolores thought about it for a moment before she understood, her face flushing as she stopped asking questions.
"Still, I never imagined I'd end up marrying a man like him."
Dolores voiced her thoughts aloud.
"Just the other day, he asked me if I'd rather be a Holy Spirit or an angel."
Among the women in Jenkins's life, only Alexia possessed the potential for godhood and immortality. If he didn't intervene, the other ladies would eventually turn to dust, which was why Jenkins had brought up the matter so early.
Of course, with his control over life force, keeping the women in their current state for a few hundred years wouldn't be difficult, but he had to consider the decay of a mortal soul. That was why he was starting his preparations now.
"Yes... a Lord."
Sigrid whispered. Jenkins had not kept his secrets from them. He had told the ladies everything that happened after they left on Magic Miss's Dawn Express. They knew exactly who they were about to marry and understood that choosing to follow him was a stroke of luck a mortal could hardly dream of.
Naturally, Jenkins had also told them of his origins as a visitor from another world. But this caused no ripples. Once the ladies confirmed that he had arrived in this world before meeting any of them, they ceased to care.
They had loved the same person from the very beginning. His identity as a stranger only added a more magical background to the man they loved; it had no bearing on their feelings.
"It's incredible luck, really. To gain the qualification for immortality without having to pay any price."
Julia murmured.
"You've paid quite the price, haven't you?"
Dolores retorted tartly. The maid simply blinked, ignoring the princess's little jab.
"By the way, how is he going to handle his relationship with that one?"
Dolores pointed toward the sky. The others knew exactly who she meant.
"It's hard to say. But I'm sure Jenkins will make a choice."