The Heroines Who Framed Me Are Clinging to Me-Chapter 66 – High Priest Julius (3)

Humanity has always found ways to overcome them. That is why this fragile balance, this precarious tightrope, still holds the continent together.

How do they do it?

A hero might rise.

Countless people might band together.

Or perhaps they employ every possible scheme to bring the threat down.

Alternatively, they might turn to “items.”

Items.

In this world, there exist a myriad of magical items.

The <Sealing Barrier> is one such item.

<Sealing Barrier>

From structures capable of sealing small objects, no larger than a cube, to those powerful enough to entrap colossal creatures—or even entire spaces—the Sealing Barrier is a magical construct, an artifact.

The process of creating one is shrouded in mystery, but it’s said that a few reclusive artisans continue to pass down this knowledge through generations.

Among these, the Sealed Spaces are the most formidable, requiring the collaborative efforts of several artisans over centuries to complete.

The appearance and internal configuration of these spaces vary widely, with some said to resemble tiny capsule hotels, while others look like ordinary rooms. No one can say for sure.

Why? Because anyone who sees the inside of a Sealed Space is already trapped.

Once imprisoned, escape is impossible.

— “If you’re fine staying with me for a few hundred, maybe a thousand years, it wouldn’t be so bad. Of course, that’s assuming you can endure it. Keh heh.”

Damn Ortega.

That bastard mocked me as though this were all a joke.

— “This isn’t me being stubborn; think of it as a favor. If you die, it’ll be a problem for me as well. I trust that explanation suffices.”

Everywhere, the endless reflections in the mirrors multiplied.

They pressed down on me, as if urging a decision.

The mirrors reverberated with sound.

“Have you made up your mind?”

Julius’ voice.

Each word thundered in my head, splitting it open as though with a hammer.

I thought I had grown immune to most psychological attacks, but…

When I opened my mouth, a hoarse voice escaped.

“What decision am I supposed to make?”

“Come now. Surely you’ve figured it out.”

“You’re asking me to join your side?”

“Exactly.”

The side of High Priest Julius.

The grand conspiracy spanning the Blood Cult, a majority of Holy Constantine’s clergy, and Princess Aina of the Empire—a shadowy force manipulating the entire continent.

“You’re clever enough to see this for what it is. And now that you know of our existence, there’s no reason to let you live otherwise, is there?”

Kuek!

I coughed uncontrollably, a handful of blood splattering the mirror before me.

What’s happening?

Why does it feel like my body is accumulating damage?

— “You will be sealed.”

“Just say the word. Acknowledge that you’re with us, and we’ll accept you.”

Sealed. Sealed. Sealed…

The word echoed in my mind, swirling like a storm.

The dizziness became unbearable, my thoughts muddled to the point where rational thinking was impossible.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

— “Hand over control of your body.”

“…No.”

— “Don’t worry so much. We’re bound together by chains. I’ll keep my promise—you’ll get your body back when you want. I’ll even shatter this space for you if you prefer.”

“Lloyd! Speak now! Declare where your allegiance lies!”

— “Do you think that priest’s words are worth listening to? You’ll be sealed. Hand over control to me. I’ll raze this place to the ground, and escaping will be trivial. After all, this is Julius’ private domain—”

“Shut up!”

My fists clenched so tightly they began to tremble.

Blood streamed down from my knuckles in thick droplets.

“Lloyd! Submit! It’s better to heed my voice than to die here!”

…Be quiet.

— “Don’t trust that filthy priest. Hand over control to me for a while, and I’ll annihilate this place. Escaping will be easy. Julius has monopolized this location—”

“Enough!”

I bit down hard, my lips drawing blood, and tightened my fists.

Then, with all my strength—

CRACK!

I slammed my fist against the mirrored floor.

— Shatter!

Fragments of what shouldn’t have been breakable scattered everywhere, embedding themselves in my knuckles.

The sharp pain shot up from my fingertips, cutting through the haze clouding my mind.

At last, I could think clearly again.

I lifted my head.

Through the fragments of the mirrors, my reflection stared back at me, blood dripping from my eyes, nose, and mouth.

I looked terrible.

The psychological onslaught from Julius and Ortega had pushed me to my limits, tempting me to choose one of their sides.

But—

CRASH!

I struck the mirror again.

And again.

Ignoring the glass shards cutting into my hands, I kept swinging until the physical pain cleared the oppressive fog in my head.

When I finally opened my eyes fully, I saw the blood streaking down my face reflected in countless shards.

A twisted grin formed on my lips.

I had confirmed something I’d suspected.

“High Priest Julius.”

“What is it now?”

“You all know, don’t you? That Ortega resides within me.”

◆ The Saintess’ office

Aria anxiously glanced at the clock.

“…Still no word.”

Unease washed over her.

She bit her lip and looked down at the piece of paper in her hand.

It was covered in instructions written in elegant script.

When Lloyd had handed it to her, he’d said—

— “There are two possibilities: I escape by 10 o’clock, or I don’t.”

The turning point was 10 a.m.

Now, with just ten minutes left until that hour, there had been no word from Lloyd. Aria knew she had to act.

Most of the instructions on the page pertained to what she should do if Lloyd didn’t escape in time.

“…This can’t be happening.”

Many of the instructions were violent—things like using her authority as Saintess, slapping her opponent, or deploying her divine power at full strength to force submission.

There were warnings about potential injuries and even recommendations to prioritize neutralizing the next opponent rather than tending to the injured.

“…This is dangerous.”

Aria’s lips trembled.

Her own safety wasn’t the issue.

What mattered was the danger Lloyd—no, Lee Han—might be in.

— There’s a high probability of imprisonment. While not an official or legal method, torture may be involved. If contact is lost, assume confinement and act quickly to locate me.

— Identify possible locations. Even if guards are stationed at the door, use your status as Saintess to gain entry.

— In most cases, they’ll let you in (the Saintess has the right to observe meetings or prayer sessions). If that’s the case, move to the next location; I won’t be there.

— You have an ally. He’ll cooperate with your orders—use him well.

— If you encounter anyone with flushed or darkened skin, immediately distance yourself and deploy a divine barrier for protection.

The note repeatedly emphasized her safety.

Reading it, Aria felt tears well up. Lloyd’s concern reminded her of the way Lee Han used to speak during their adventuring days:

— “Aria, you always put others first. But the healer is the most important member of the party. If something happens, protect yourself first. We need you.”

Lee Han had always prioritized her well-being.

“…So this time.”

This time, she would save him.

She would help Lloyd. If it meant atoning for her sins, even just a little—

“Hundreds of times.”

Hundreds or thousands of times, she would help him.

Click.

The clock’s hands struck ten.

Aria clenched her fists.

No matter how frightened she was, she had to act.

Even if no one else would help Lloyd, she would.

As she rose to her feet—

Knock, knock.

The sound of knocking froze her.

Who could it be at this timing?

Could Julius’ faction have already discovered her plans to help Lloyd?

Gulp.

Aria swallowed nervously.

— “I’m coming in, Saintess.”

The door creaked open.

A young man stepped inside.

“I’ve come at Lloyd’s request to assist you.”

It was the Inquisitor.

He stood at the door, waiting.

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]