NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 92: Into The Black Hole
When the carriage arrived at the port, Siegfried, who had just donned his heavy and sweltering armor and helmet again, boarded the regular ship along with Althea. The ship was filled with believers who seemed to be heading to the cathedral for the Pope's Mass, which was held several times during the summer holidays.
"I've heard that during the summer holiday Mass, not only the Pope but also the Headmaster sometimes attends. We don't know when they'll join... but seeing both of them together is considered quite rare, and good things are said to happen. It would be great if we could seize such a precious opportunity during our week-long stay..."
As they lined up to board the ship, a woman who seemed to be a believer was excitedly speaking ahead of them.
"Lord Zed? Is it really that rare to meet both the Pope and the Headmaster at the same time?"
Once they were settled in the cabin on the ship, Althea asked.
"Well... yes, it is. Since both have clearly defined roles, they don't often appear together unless it's something significant."
"Although they do occasionally appear together during the summer holidays..."
"I remember hearing that... It seems 'good things' are bound to happen. Althea, who's going to meet them soon, might experience something 'good.'"
Siegfried chuckled with his helmet on.
After a while of sailing, the ship arrived at the principality, and believers began to disembark one after another. Finally, Althea and the escort knight got off the ship and headed straight to the academy. However, upon arrival at the academy's entrance, they found it closed and shielded by a barrier.
"What should we do? We can't enter like this..."
Althea muttered, and suddenly, Ciel whispered in her ear, "I can break it for you~," ready to chant a spell.
"No!!"
Althea exclaimed suddenly.
"What's wrong? Why did you raise your voice all of a sudden?"
Siegfried asked, and Althea explained in a hushed tone.
Upon hearing the explanation, Siegfried began to explain as if transmitting to someone in the air.
"We don't need to break it. I know a way to get in. Don't worry."
With that, he directed both hands towards the closed gate, and Althea, who heard his unspoken words, began to chant a spell. Suddenly, the closed gate warped, and a black "hole" appeared in the center.
Althea rubbed her eyes, wondering if her vision was playing tricks on her, but the gate was indeed warped, with a "hole" in the center.
"Althea, can you see a 'void' there?"
Siegfried, having finished chanting the spell, asked.
In response to his question, Althea looked back and forth between Siegfried and the central "hole" with surprise.
"...Lord Zed, can't you see it?"
"Ah, I can't see any changes at all... But if the spell was successful, there should be a 'void' in the gate. If you can't see it, then it's a failure—"
"No, I can see it... It's not a 'void,' but more like a 'hole'... Yes, I can see it."
"I see. If you enter through there, you should reach the Headmaster's room directly."
"...Is that so? Then we just need to enter through here."
With her skirt slightly lifted, Althea was about to jump into the hole when Siegfried stopped her.
"I'll... wait here until you come back. So please, come back safely."
Feeling anxious about sending Althea into a world he couldn't see, Siegfried furrowed his brows and muttered regretfully.
Sensing Siegfried's feelings, Althea turned around once, bowed gracefully, and replied with a sublime smile, "Thank you for your concern. I will definitely come back... so please wait for me."
With that, she jumped into the "hole."
To Siegfried, who couldn't see the "hole," it seemed like Althea vanished as soon as she touched the closed gate.
"...Althea..."
Siegfried muttered softly, and it felt like he heard Ciel's voice saying, "Don't worry, leave it to me."
