Roland spent the rest of the day in his chambers, reviewing everything he knew about this world. Dinner was brought to him by servants.
The desire to survive drove him to master every piece of information he could. Knowledge was power, and in this dangerous world, he needed all the power he could get.
Unfortunately, the original Roland's memories contained little of value—no deep understanding of politics, no insight into neighboring kingdoms, no knowledge of the world beyond Grayfort's borders. Even basic facts like city names and historical dates were hazy.
It seemed the fourth prince had been a disappointment, more interested in pleasure than in learning. Perhaps that was why his father had sent him here—where he could do little harm even if he tried.
His siblings... Roland thought about them and sighed.
His eldest brother was strong but simple-minded. The second was cunning and ruthless. The third sister was fierce and ambitious. The youngest sister was brilliant and calculating.
And Roland? The fourth prince had been lazy, self-indulgent, and directionless.
No wonder the local nobles showed him such open contempt. They knew he was not fit to rule.
Fortunately, his father had sent Barrow and Carter to assist him. Without them, Roland would have been completely lost in this unfamiliar land.
The next morning, the maid Tira came to remind him repeatedly that Barrow wished to see him. Roland could delay no longer. He sent Tira to tell Barrow to wait in the reception hall.
As Tira left, Roland considered his situation carefully. He needed to establish control over Border Town, but he also needed to understand the true nature of this world.
Especially the sorceresses.
...
In the reception hall, Barrow was pacing anxiously. When Roland entered, the old man hurried over.
"Your Highness, why did you not order the execution yesterday?"
"What difference does a day make?" Roland waved his hand. "Sit down. Let us talk."
Barrow hesitated but obeyed. "Your Highness, we face a serious problem. Three days ago, guards reported a sorceress camp in the western forest. The witches fled in haste, leaving traces behind. The guards found this at the camp."
He pulled a coin from his robe and placed it on the table.
It was no ordinary currency. As Roland picked it up, he felt it growing warm in his hand—far warmer than any metal should be.
"What is this?"
"I thought it was merely some sorceress-made object," Barrow said, wiping sweat from his forehead. "But the symbol... this is the mark of the Holy Mountain and the Demon's Eye. It is the emblem of the Witches Union."
Roland studied the coin. It appeared to be made of ceramic, roughly crafted. In the center, three triangles formed a mountain shape, with an eye in the middle.
He had never heard of the Holy Mountain or the Witches Union. The original Roland's knowledge of such matters was nonexistent.
Barrow continued, "Your Highness, you have never seen a true sorceress in action. That is why you underestimate them. Yes, they can be injured, they can bleed. But an adult sorceress possesses terrifying power. Ordinary soldiers cannot stand against them. Their desires become uncontrollable, and eventually they fall into madness."
"The Church established the Inquisition Army to hunt them down. Any woman suspected of witchcraft can be arrested and executed. The king approved these measures, and they have been effective. Sorceress attacks have decreased significantly compared to a century ago."
Roland listened thoughtfully. The Church... again. It seemed that wherever he turned, the Church's influence was inescapable.
"The ancient texts say that sorceresses can only find peace at the Holy Mountain," Barrow went on. "There, magic does not consume them, and their desires remain under control. But the Holy Mountain is surely the source of evil itself—the gateway to hell."
"And what of this Witches Union? What is their connection to the Holy Mountain?"
Barrow's expression grew grim. "In the past, sorceresses fled or hid alone. But the Union is different. They seek to gather all sorceresses together and find the Holy Mountain. To achieve this, they even recruit new witches—forcibly if necessary. Last year in Azure Harbor, there was a mass disappearance of infant girls. Rumor says the Union was responsible."