Brave Story - Miyuki Miyabe [260]
The sound of robes against the floor came closer. Wataru peeked over the pew to see that it was, indeed, Father Diamon. He had taken off his elaborate shawl and wore only his white robes. In his hand, he carried his scepter with the gemstone at its tip, just like the one the statue of Cistina carried.
His face seemed fuller, somehow, then when Wataru had met him the last time. He looked preternaturally lively, as though years had been taken off him within the span of a few days. Sweat gleamed on his shiny head, reminding Wataru for a moment of the view of the cathedral from the air. The cathedral had seemed to tower over the town of Lyris, blanketing it in shadow. Had the building somehow grown stronger, and Father Diamon with it?
The pastor walked by the pew Wataru was hiding behind. He went two rows farther, then stopped in mid-stride.
“I smell magic.”
When he spoke, it was with that same gentle but powerful voice he used when reading prayers or giving a sermon. Wataru hunched down, and for a second he forget he was hidden behind the barrier. His heart thumped in his chest.
Father Diamon slowly looked around. A thin smile played on his lips.
I’m fine. The barrier is up—he can’t see me. Wataru felt his breathing getting ragged, so he focused on slowing down, taking deep breaths. I have to conserve strength.
“Meddling wretch,” Father Diamon said, turning his whole body around this time. “Where are you hiding, I wonder?” he muttered gleefully, his back to Wataru.
Just then he whirled around, and the scepter in his hand pointed directly at Wataru. “There!”
Before Wataru could react, the gemstone flared brilliantly, and a bolt of lightning shot from the scepter’s tip. There was no time to dodge. Wataru took a direct hit from the bolt, holding his arms up to shield himself as best he could.
Numbness, like from an electrical shock, spread from the palms of his hands down his arms. Wataru was thrown into the air.
He was too surprised to feel pain. Wataru was scrambling to get to his feet when he realized the barrier of invisibility was gone. The bolt of lightning had caused it to dissipate. And there was Father Diamon looking at him with a broad smile on his face. His eyes shone with a dark fluorescence.
“H-how…”
Father Diamon took a step toward Wataru. “Did you seriously think your juvenile cantrips would deceive my eyes? I’ve known you were here for quite some time now.”
So he knew, but he chose to wait and let me struggle.
Wataru got up on one knee, then stood, placing his hand on the hilt of his sword. Father Diamon’s smile grew wider. “Who are you?” he asked, eyes glinting. He took a step closer. Wataru took a step back. “Juvenile though it was, not every child can work barrier magic of that caliber. When you came here before, you claimed to be a Highlander?”
“I am a Highlander,” Wataru said, prouding lifting his chin. “Sworn to right injustice and defend Vision from evil.”
Father Diamon gave a short, cruel laugh—like a dog barking. “Oh, very nice. You must be very proud.”
Wataru felt the pastor’s eyes looking him over, sizing him up. He began to tremble.
“That sword…” Father Diamon said, pointing at the Brave’s Sword at Wataru’s waist. His eyes narrowed. “That look in your eyes, and the scent of your magic…” Once again, the pastor’s face broke into a leering smile. “Of course! You’re a Traveler, aren’t you?”
Wataru didn’t answer. His body was tensed, ready to launch an attack at any moment.
“That’s it. You are a Traveler.” The pastor seemed very pleased with his discovery. “A cursed zaza-aku! A false god! Lowly servant, born from the primordial muck your false goddess stirred up in her vanity. Why have you set foot in this holy place? Do you think that your base existence can comprehend the radiance of this cathedral?”
“Where’re the people from Bricklayer Street!” Wataru snapped back.
Father Diamon lifted his long, elegant eyebrows, gray with a dusting of white. “What’s that?”
“Where’s Toni Fanlon? The dungeons under this cathedral—where are