CH 259

After the noisy nuns leave, Kahelone takes out a bunch of keys. She opens the lock on the biggest box, and presents it to me.

“I will check its contents.”

I open the box, and what I see inside is nostalgic in a way.

They’re magic circuit boards. Surely the ones Taula said she found in the shaman’s hideout.

I remember these alchemy marks. They’re all poor quality, but there’s no doubt that they were made in the alchemist association.

I check them, and this confirms to me that Taula really did entrust her things to Kahelone.

And so, I tell her how Taula disappeared.

◆◇

“Such a thing… Actually exists?”

As I explain, I take out Taula’s sword, and Kahelone whispers as I show her the homunculus snoring inside a bottle.

“I understand your disbelief.”

“No. No, I heard a lot about you from Taula. She trusted you, and I will trust you as well.”

“…I am humbled to hear that.”

Kahelone said that with such a straight face, that I couldn’t help but give a weird answer.

“Master Rust.”

I hear Roa pressing me. I think she’s getting bored. I smile at her awkwardly, and get to the main issue.

“What I’m looking for is the scripture she uses to perform oracles.”

“Yes, judging by what you say, the scripture of our church of Araysla might be a key of sorts. But I don’t believe Taula’s was special in any way. I believe it was the same regular one supplied to all believers. A charm… I don’t think there is such scripture.”

Says Kahelone as she takes out her own book.

“Yes. Can I ask you to let me see your scripture?”

“Here.”

She hands me her book, and I take it with gloves on.

At first glance, it looks like a normal book. There’s nothing special about the binding either.

But then, a sensation runs through my right hand for a second.

I take off the glove, and while being careful not to let any curse escape, I touch the cover of the book with the back of my hand, almost like I’m rubbing it.

Was that just my imagination? For a second, I thought I felt a charm, but I don’t feel anything now.

“Thank you very much. Does that mean Taula didn’t have a spare book of scripture?”

I thank Kahelone, and ask her while returning her book.

“I’m sorry to say, but I don’t think so…”

Kahelone stops. She then closes her eyes, seemingly thinking about something.