Chapter 6: Manuscript - The Book of Those Who Slither the Earth

While Mia was reluctantly indulging the priest’s enthusiasm in the Newmoon District...

“Aaah, it’s kind of boring when Mia isn’t around...” Rafina let out a sigh as she organized the documents on her desk in the student council office.

“It really is... Oh, Miss Rafina, about the budget... I remember Princess Mia saying she wants to increase the amount allotted to the cafeteria,” said Chloe as she handed over a piece of parchment inscribed with budgetary details.

“The cafeteria?” Rafina gave her head a curious tilt. “Is there a problem with its services?”

“Oh, about that...” Tiona spoke up. “We looked into it, and there’s apparently this academic theory that you have to eat a variety of different foods to stay healthy.” She held out a book about nutrition that Chloe had acquired. “We figured Mia probably knew about this. You know how she keeps going on and on about mushrooms? It says in here that mushrooms are actually really good for you. I’ll bet she’s read this book.”

Rafina took the book and thumbed through it with an inquisitive frown. Meanwhile, Tiona continued with a fond smile.

“I was talking to Keithwood once, and he said that sometimes, he thinks Her Highness might actually be a little too smart. She just assumes everyone understands her and doesn’t bother explaining her reasoning.”

“Did he now?” Rafina giggled. “I’m inclined to agree.”

She took a moment to retreat into her thoughts, recalling her memories of her dear friend who was now far away at home in Tearmoon.

“Especially during the student council election. A little explanation would have gone a long way, wouldn’t it? Instead, she used just about the most roundabout method imaginable to get her point across.” The three girls looked at each other and shared a laugh.

Before their conversation could move on, there was a series of soft knocks on the door.

“Pardon the intrusion, Miss Rafina.”

“My, come in. I didn’t know you were back.”

The door opened, and former Wind Crow agent, Monica Buendia, stepped in.

“I returned not long ago.”

“Thank you for the prompt notice. So, how did it go? Did you find it?”

“Yes, I’ve located the building.”

Monica produced a rectangular object wrapped in cloth and placed it on Rafina’s desk.

“I see. It’s just like Lynsha said then.”

“Miss Rafina? What is that?” asked Tiona, puzzled by their exchange.

Rafina gave her a knowing smile.

“This...is the Chaos Serpents’ guiding text. Their bible and canon. A copy of The Book of Those Who Slither the Earth.” She peeled away the cloth to reveal an old book with a rough, black cover. Her expression twisted in disgust. “To my knowledge, this text has almost never appeared on the mainstage of history. Its presence was always behind the scenes. This is my first time seeing it.”

She stroked a finger casually across the cover, then instantly jerked her hand back. It was like touching terror itself, and the moment her fingers made contact with it she felt as though snakes were slithering across her hand. An unspeakably awful sensation ran up her arm and into her chest, whereupon it disseminated through her body as a feeling of extreme aversion. A gasp escaped her, causing Monica’s brow to furrow.

“What just happened?” asked the former agent.

Rafina didn’t answer. For a while, she simply stared at her palm in blank astonishment. Growing more concerned, Monica tried again.

“Miss Rafina? Is something wrong?”

“...No, I’m fine,” she finally replied with a pacifying smile before prompting Monica to continue her report. “Anyway, go on. What else did you find out? Oh, did you happen to read the contents of this book?”

“Yes, I’ve been authorized to do so, and I’ve already looked through it.”

“I see. And? How was it?”

There was a pause before Monica answered.

“Well, to sum it up...the book describes the process through which a nation is destroyed by revolution.”

“Do you mean it predicted the revolution incident in Remno?”

“No, that’s not it.”

Rafina raised an eyebrow.

“It’s not? Then what exactly do you mean?”

“What’s written in there isn’t prophecy. It’s...more like...” She chewed her lips. “Pure malice. If evil could exist as words, this would be it.”

Her voice wavered as she spoke that final sentence.

“Pure...malice? That’s...quite a vague description, coming from you.”

“I’m sorry. I think it’s vague too, but...” Monica sighed. Then she continued in an imperfect imitation of a calm voice. “What’s written in there...is a manual for how to destroy the system of order we call a nation. It describes ways to corrupt royalty and bring kingdoms to ruin. To beget death with death, and wring from those deaths every last drop of hatred. To then use that hatred to seed the land with violence, creating breeding grounds for revolution and war. And finally, to manipulate the masses so they seek the destruction of monarchies, and with them, the order that governs their lands. I’m only scratching the surface, but that’s the sort of knowledge written in this book.”

She rubbed her arms, the motion seemingly unconscious. “There’s something about it. Something sinister... When I was reading it, it was as if the author’s malice was seeping into me through the pages.”

Being a trained spy, she was required to maintain constant composure. In that moment, however, her calm front faltered, and it was possible to catch a glimpse of fear on her face. Rafina didn’t miss the subtle signs, and she spent a few seconds in silent contemplation before shaking her head.

“Regardless, analyzing the contents of this book might give us some clues about how to track the Chaos Serpents down. Once again, we all have Princess Mia to thank.”

Chloe gave her a look of surprise.

“Huh? You mean Princess Mia was the one who found that book?”

“She certainly was. She asked Prince Sion and Prince Abel to spare the life of that man Jem. Then, she sent him to me. I suspect she did so because she expected to get from him, if not this exact book, then something very like it.”

“Oh, that makes sense. Princess Mia does seem like the kind of person who’d have thought of that in advance.”

“I think so too. I don’t know about anyone else, but if I’m right...”

Both Tiona and Chloe expressed agreement at Rafina’s inference. Even Monica discovered a newfound sense of awe for the princess.

If she really foresaw all of this... thought the former Wind Crow. Then this Princess Mia really is a force to be reckoned with.