206: His ssenger (2) 206: His ssenger (2) “Fine.
Yes.
If that’s more comfortable for you, do as you please.” ‘Thank you for understanding.’ “How strange.” The eting Elizabeth had imagined was more dramatic and unconventional than this.
She had planned to reveal his strange ‘identity’ and to get on top of his head…
to dominate the man before her.
“Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
(Acts 2:7-8)” “Kuhuh, kuh, kuluk.” Yes, like this.
When she recited the verse where the apostles filled with the Holy Spirit perford the miracle of ‘speaking in various tongues,’ the emperor before her was flustered and coughed.
Elizabeth, thinking that a satisfactory dialogue was finally beginning, took a sip of the black, bitter drink placed before her.
Co…ffee was its na, right?
Probably.
The initiative is mine.
“You did have…
sothing to hide.” Indeed, for dealing with an allied monarch, the protocol had been a ss.
Confining her on so island like a prisoner, and even when she ca out, pretending otherwise while placing surveillance all around…
‘I apologize.’ As if guessing what Elizabeth was thinking, the emperor quickly hands her a note.
The Queen waves him off, clearing him from the desk.
“No.
No need.
I’m the one who should apologize for ruining the funeral.” ‘Not at all.
It was almost over anyway.’ “That’s…
fortunate.” The pleasantries are more or less over.
“Anyway, it’s a joyous thing that the working of the Holy Spirit has occurred to a Christian monarch.
“…” “Only, it’s strange to hide it.” “…” Now was the ti to bring up serious matters.
“The Pope or whoever will have their eyes on you…
did you know that?” Again, only silence returns.
He seems to have known.
Then it’s all the more strange.
If such a blessing had co upon Elizabeth herself, she would never have stopped talking about it.
Of course, she would have scattered propaganda pamphlets everywhere, spreading rumors that England is a kingdom protected by God.
“Well…
I don’t know the circumstances, but if you want to keep it hidden, I’ll cooperate.” ‘Thank y-‘ “Of course, there must be a price.” “…” “…Surviving a knife wound.
I see a prophecy from Revelation being fulfilled within my lifeti.” This ti, the ‘Emperor’s’ eyes shook violently.
Even without him writing, she could tell what he was saying.
‘How did you know that?’ “That’s simple.
Just spend a day walking around dressed as a farr’s wife, and that’s all, isn’t it?
Margaret is too weak to stop .” “…” “From the mont I ca here, it couldn’t be hidden for long.
Tens of thousands.
It’s impossible to control the mouths of tens of thousands of people.” “…” “…Ha, haha.” Another sip.
Elizabeth realizes her hand is trembling slightly and frowns.
Why am I…
trembling?
When I’m leading the conversation?
I can make my life on Roanoke Island much more luxurious by grasping this person’s significant weaknesses…
“…” “…” The Queen tried to make a joke.
Asking him to send so fancy furs while giggling, or asking if he’d like to form a choir alone since he incessantly speaks in tongues.
But then, she gave up all that.
Because she didn’t co here for such jokes.
She didn’t even co to extort wealth using his weaknesses.
She had sothing she wanted to know.
“…’His ssenger,’ they called you.” Silence.
“What is heaven like?” More silence.
“…Are you really an angel?
A con artist?
Or are you a beast that brings destruction?” ‘No.
I simply remained silent because you don’t need to know.’ Don’t need…
to know?
At those words, the Queen squinted her eyes.
“What does that an?
I am a Christian and the head of the Church of England.
When I ask about heaven, how can the answer be that I don’t need to know…” “Shh.” “…” For the first ti.
For the first ti, the foreign ‘Emperor’ opened his mouth during the conversation.
Smiling gently.
Of course, he didn’t speak, but.
The dazed Elizabeth looks at his face, and the ‘Emperor’ only continues to write sothing, scratch scratch.
As he hands her another note, the Queen looks at the words written on it.
‘Things like heaven or hell are not important at all.’ Seeing those words, the Queen freezes again.
Again.
Again with that nonsensical talk.
So it wasn’t just sweet words for a dying old man?
It wasn’t just nonsense to calm him down…
Scratch scratch.
‘Only life here and now is important.’ “…That’s nonsense.
Isn’t a life of less than 100 years woefully short compared to eternity?” Scratch scratch.
‘That is indeed the case.
Think about it logically.
If life on earth isn’t important, how would the Lord determine rewards and punishnts based on this ‘woefully short life’?’ “…” ‘So, don’t worry about words like heaven or hell.’ “…Are you really an angel?” “…” Again without a word, he smiles sweetly.
Sohow, at that unremarkable smile, the Queen feels as if sothing inside her chest is crumbling.
She couldn’t help but laugh hollowly.
Ha, haha.
‘What’s the matter?’ It’s preposterous.
Yes.
That’s right.
Since I’m already destined for hell, why would that matter?
Anyway…
I’m destined to face the death of the soul.
“…” “…” As if joking, she brings up the words.
She brings up the words she had spoken to Margaret.
She wanted to know how he would react.
Would he, like Margaret, say he would pray for her?
Or would he give flattering words, saying what nonsense is it to speak of going to hell?
Scratch.
Scratch.
“…” “…” Whoosh.
It seed likely neither.
The man who had been staring intently at the Queen’s face, Tore up and crumpled what he was writing.
Then, looking straight at her…
“…I don’t know.” ‘He spoke.’ NescioΟὐκοἶδαJenesaispasNonlosoNílafhiosagamNoséChaneilfiosagam…
“…Ah.” Indeed.
The Latin that Cicero shouted during his speeches and the Greek that Hor sang, the French used for whispering in the courts of Paris and the Italian used by rchants in Florence to call each other at the top of their lungs, I can hear them.
“I really cannot tell if you will go to hell.” “…” As her whole body stiffened at the miracle reaching her ears, he speaks again.
“But I’ll give you one piece of advice.
Just live as you wish to live.” The lody of the choral piece that cos to her ears again is not as surprising as the first one.
What’s surprising is that what’s stabbing her heart wildly now is not the lody.
“Don’t worry too much about ‘next’ things like heaven or hell.” “…” It was the lyrics.
The Queen was silent.
After being silent, she unconsciously rose to her feet.
She hit her head on a ceiling beam and staggered, but it didn’t hurt or bother her at all.
“…” “Are you alright?” She was alright.
She…
was alright.
For the first ti in truly decades, she was alright.
She hurriedly turned and left the eting place.
“Th-the price of the advice…
I’ll consider it paid by keeping your secret.” “Your Majesty, Queen of England?
Your Majesty?” “I’m, I’m leaving.” Without even greeting the ‘Emperor,’ she hurriedly got into her carriage and rushed to her destination.
And.
As soon as she reached her room, she collapsed, trembling all over.
No need to know.
Not heaven.
Not hell.
No need to fear.
No one, until now no one had ever said such things to her.
She had always been afraid.
Just.
Just…
…
…
…
Suddenly, the Queen wiped her face and went to the window.
She looked up at the sky.
The sky was simply blue.
There was no sound of punishing trumpets coming from there.
She looked down at the ground again.
The heat of the blazing hell fire beyond it was no longer felt.
And she closes her eyes.
Death was still frightening.
She desperately wanted to live.
However…
Just a little bit, she was less afraid.
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