Chapter 13

Upon returning to the Lyons’ residence, Julius wore a puzzled expression, sensing a lingering tension in the air. Fortunately, a servant he was close with informed him that a priest from the Grand Temple had visited.

 

“The Young Madam wishes to see you, Priest.”

 

‘…The Saintess?’

 

Though puzzled, he changed his clothes and entered the study. Leticia’s study was one of the places where she used to receive education from Julius. A servant was already waiting inside, and soon Leticia and Terdis entered. Julius, who had been seated, rose from his seat.

 

“Please, sit.”

 

Leticia dismissed the servant as she spoke. Julius wondered if the priest who came as a messenger from the temple had made some sort of mistake.

 

“Is something wrong?”

 

“No. I simply have something I wish to ask you, Priest. It concerns mythology, so I hope you will consider it a light inquiry.”

 

‘Asking lightly while bringing the Young Duke along?’

 

Julius did not yet know which god had granted Leticia her divine power. He assumed the Pope would verify that. However, if she possessed the divine power of a Saintess, it wouldn’t be strange for ‘precognition’ to be among her abilities, so he took the matter seriously.

 

“What is it you wish to ask?”

 

“…Are you familiar with Entinus, who is often mentioned alongside Pashanoi?”

 

“Entinus… That is a legend from the Ludian region in the north of the continent. Are you aware of the legend regarding the origin of the spirit Pashanoi, which the Young Duke possesses?”

 

Leticia nodded. As Terdis looked on, Leticia spoke slowly.

 

“I heard that Entinus rose against a new god and fought him, and Pashanoi, fearing Entinus’s destruction, fought the gods in his stead.”

 

“That is correct. Although it is a legend of the Ludian region, its origins lie in a few small villages at the northern edge, so it is not a widely spread tale. Depending on the version of the story, it is said that Pashanoi initially became a sword for the gods, and was later placed into human hands by a god.”

 

As Haron had said, Julius seemed to know the details of Pashanoi and Entinus well. If Carlyle had been there, he would have lamented that Julius should have been among the scholars he had gathered. For Julius might have realized that Terdis’s curse was not actually a curse.

 

Leticia and Terdis’s eyes shone as they looked at each other, as if they had been waiting for this. It seemed Julius could provide the answers to the parts they were worried about.

 

“I understand that Entinus lost to Pashanoi and died. Then, is it possible for him to revive or cause harm to the human world again?”

 

When Terdis asked this, Julius looked at Leticia with a slightly flustered expression.

 

“Have you received a revelation of some sort?”

 

Leticia paused at Julius’s words. She couldn’t be sure if she should speak about her dream. However, there was something she had agreed upon with Terdis before asking Julius this.

 

They had decided that if he seemed capable of answering, they would tell him the content of the dream. Right now, they needed to know about Entinus or the multi-headed god.

 

“Ah, no. The Goddess… does not seem to want me to get involved. It is not even certain that what I saw was Entinus. What I saw was…”

 

To the tense Julius, Leticia slowly described the being she had seen in her dream. The entity that called itself a god and tried to attack her.

 

“Multiple heads reminiscent of a snake or a dragon…”

 

“Do you think it is Entinus?”

 

When Leticia asked, Julius looked uncertain.

 

“There is more than one monster with many heads that impersonates a god… However, the one that fits that description right now is indeed Entinus. But reviving him would be a difficult task.”

 

“Why?”

 

At Terdis’s question, Julius lifted his head, his face lost in thought.

 

“Like many evil gods, Entinus also made a prophecy before his head was cut off. He claimed that he would one day resurrect and cover the world of humans with monsters. To prevent this, the gods sealed the three things Entinus valued most.”

 

The head, the heart, and the right hand were those three things. It was said that before fighting Pashanoi, his right hand had pierced the heart of a lesser god, killing him, and that god’s power had imbued the hand.

 

“His bones were hard as metal and deformed by heat, so his skull was made into a chalice, and his hand was made into the hilt of a sword. Also, a red gem emerged from his heart, which was offered to the temple.”

 

Strangely, at that moment, Julius recalled the necklace worn by successive Popes. Even in portraits, it was depicted—a ruby the size of a quail egg, red as pigeon blood.

 

“It is said that Pashanoi filled the rest of the sword with his own damaged body, inhabiting it to keep the vow he made to the gods.”

 

Making a chalice out of a skull was gruesome, but there was something more important.

 

“Do you know where those things are?”

 

At Leticia’s question, Julius shook his head.

 

“I know that Pashanoi is buried in the hero’s coffin. The chalice fell into the hands of a king, and the gem probably…”

 

It would have flowed into the Order during the time the temples were unified and became a treasure of the church. Unless it was sold off or stolen due to the temple’s circumstances in the interim. Julius swallowed a groan, overcome by a bottomless anxiety.

 

“What is the matter?”

 

“It is nothing…….”

 

The current Pope, Nicholas, was a man who had been revived in a very dramatic fashion. When he was a high-ranking priest, he had been pierced through the heart by a Demon King and brought to the brink of death, but the Celestial Goddess Asteria sent down light to bring him back to life.

 

However, because it was difficult to repair the heart damaged by the Demon King… they removed the gem from the necklace passed down through generations of Popes and placed it in his heart to restore him.

 

‘I once wondered why the gem of a necklace could replace a heart…’

 

What if that gem was once the heart of a god?

 

He didn’t think Nicholas had turned evil due to the influence of the heart. The Celestial Goddess Asteria was different from other gods who neglected humans after granting divine power.

 

Although she was a god who would turn a blind eye to some degree of deviation outside of what she ordained, as the Goddess holding the scales, she tended not to forgive injustice.

 

‘It can’t be. Surely that gem couldn’t be Entinus’s heart…’

 

“…If it wasn’t sold or stolen, it would have been offered to the Order. There was a period when the temples were integrated. That region was a place where religion had declined significantly, so it was difficult to maintain the temple.”

 

It was an event that happened a thousand years ago. It was a time when the current gods were just beginning to be revered as gods in the human world, so tracking those objects would be difficult.

 

If they were treated as precious treasures or artifacts, they might be found, but there was a high possibility they were stolen, like the sword Pashanoi inhabited.

 

Seeing Leticia and Terdis silent, perhaps thinking similar thoughts, Julius spoke first.

 

“If you are curious about the whereabouts of those artifacts, I will investigate.”

 

Terdis, who had already tried to find him by mobilizing the Lyon Duchy’s manpower, paused. Leticia looked at Julius with a welcoming expression. The whereabouts of the sword were practically known, and while the chalice might be found, it would be easier for Julius to investigate the gem that had flowed into the Order.

 

“Would that be possible? We will investigate as well.”

 

“Please leave it to me.”

 

Julius spoke with a calm face, but inside, he was anything but calm. If the Saintess had truly read an ominous future, and if Entinus was on the verge of resurrection… then the Pope’s life was in danger.

 

 

***

 

 

After sending Julius out of the study, Terdis grabbed Leticia and wrote on a piece of paper. He was conscious of Haron, who would be waiting outside the door. Haron would likely be able to eavesdrop on the entire conversation inside.

 

[That priest seems to know what happened to Entinus’ artifacts.]

 

[Why do you think that?]

 

[I heard the sound of his heart beating anxiously.]

 

His face remained calm as he spoke to them, but Terdis clearly sensed his heartbeat accelerating.

 

[Can you be sure with just that? It is certainly strange that he’s anxious while talking about that, but…]

 

[We can guess the whereabouts of the sword. Since he said the gem from Entinus’s heart flowed into the Order, couldn’t the gem be in a dangerous place?]

 

At Terdis’s conjecture, Leticia took the pen and fell silent.

 

[If that’s true, why doesn’t he tell us?]

 

Reading Leticia’s sentence, Terdis opened his mouth.

 

“Well… who knows what he’s thinking?”

 

They crumpled the paper they had conversed on and threw it into the fireplace, burning it. When they used a magic tool to simply light a fire, the paper burned away easily inside the fireplace.

 

Leticia thought about the Pope she would meet the next day. It was nothing new that the Pope wanted to meet her. He would likely tell her to accept the position of Saintess or to call off the marriage and enter the Order.

 

‘I really don’t know what the Order is thinking. There’s no way I would agree to that.’

 

The paper in the fireplace had turned into a handful of ash. Now, even if someone poked it with a poker, no one could restore it. Not that there would be any need to go that far.

 

Checking that the fire was out, Leticia left the room with Terdis.

 

 

***

 

 

The time the Pope wished to meet Leticia was around the time for late lunch and tea. If he wasn’t calling her to share a meal intimately but rather to chat, it was an appropriate time. Leticia also used to hold tea parties at this hour.

 

As they took the Lyon Duchy’s carriage toward the Grand Temple, they saw the Tesseia Duchy’s carriage parked nearby.

 

‘What is that?’

 

The Grand Temple was built in a corner of the downtown area, and a commercial district was formed around it. It wasn’t strange for the Tesseia Duchy’s carriage to be there.

 

However, the sight of heavily armed knights from the Duchy surrounding the carriage inevitably drew people’s attention.

 

Leticia knew that the head of the family, Carlyle, was in contact with Aaron. There was no proof that the carriage belonged to Aaron rather than Cesare or Godfrey, but she inadvertently looked at Carlyle. Feeling Leticia’s gaze, Carlyle coughed as if he knew nothing about it.

 

In the meantime, the carriage entered the front yard of the Grand Temple.

 

“We have arrived.”

 

At the coachman’s voice, they prepared to disembark.

 

 

***

 

 

Although Leticia was the one invited, the group entered with Carlyle taking the lead, followed by Leticia and Terdis. Haron walked behind them.

 

Aside from Haron, no other escort knights from the Lyon Duchy were permitted to enter the inner sanctum of the main building. This was because the Pope resided there. Consequently, they were forced to wait in front of a large set of doors. Leticia bid them farewell with a look that suggested nothing would go wrong, then walked away.

 

‘How far in are we going?’

 

She thought she had visited the Grand Temple quite often, but this was her first time venturing this deep inside. Although she was raised as a Lady of the Tesseia Duchy, she had been despised for being an illegitimate child, so the High Priest had never met with her personally or sought an audience.

 

On the other hand, Carlyle looked familiar with the place, as if he had been here before. The priest guiding them stopped politely in front of a door.

 

“His Holiness the Pope is within. Please adjust your attire and cleanse your minds.”

 

Terdis frowned as if finding it bothersome, while Leticia lightly tidied her appearance. Carlyle looked around with a scrutinizing gaze before looking at Terdis.

 

“?”

 

Leticia looked on in puzzlement as Terdis gave a slight nod in response to Carlyle’s gaze. She didn’t know what kind of signal they were exchanging.

 

‘This chapel… is surrounded by Paladins.’

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

When Leticia looked up with wide, round eyes, Terdis smiled and shook his head.

 

“Nothing. Let’s go in.”

 

Terdis, holding Leticia’s hand, shook his head and looked at the priest standing before the door, who then bowed politely. He turned to ask the highest authority inside.

 

“Your Holiness… The Saintess, Duke Lyon, and Young Duke Lyon have arrived.”

 

“…Let them in.”

 

As the priest bowed again and stepped back, the priest-guards guarding the door slowly opened the way to the Third Chapel.

 

It was a rarely used chapel, with a statue of the Celestial God placed at the far end, and the space behind it was ornately decorated with stained glass. Though it was a chapel, there was only one chair inside. Sitting on the chair placed before the statue, the Pope looked less like a clergyman conveying the word of God and more like a young, beautiful emperor.

 

Carlyle, who entered the chapel first, gave a wry smile. Not knowing what the Pope was thinking, he sat down on a pew with his legs crossed and watched Leticia enter behind him. Leticia’s eyes widened upon seeing the Pope sitting on the throne.

 

It wasn’t just because of his incredibly beautiful appearance. It felt strange that he possessed the looks of a late teenager despite likely being over 300 years old.

 

‘And this divine power…’

 

He was radiating the aura of one blessed by the gods from his entire body. It didn’t seem like a deliberate display, but rather an unavoidable aura enveloping him.

 

“Welcome, Saintess… Duke Lyon and Young Duke are also welcome.”

 

She expected Haron to enter behind Terdis, but he did not follow. Terdis watched the door close, glaring at Haron’s face visible through the gap.

 

Pope Nicholas stroked his chin and gazed intently at Leticia, who was slowly advancing behind Carlyle. She looked younger than he expected. Her face was expressionless now, but she looked like she could be quite fierce when angry.

 

‘Still, she is just a child. What should I do?*’

 

Having seen Julius’s detached attitude, he had judged that his expectations were unlikely to be met. The time until next spring might seem short, but in reality, it was enough time for many things to happen.

 

However, if those events were merely treated as obstacles to love, only fueling the couple’s passion further… it would be a waste of effort.

 

‘Should I take her into my grasp now?’

 

The Grand Temple wasn’t exactly extraterritorial, but it was a space where guards or imperial knights couldn’t barge in. However, if high-ranking nobles like Duke Lyon or the Young Duke were confined here, the House of Lords would rise up, putting the Order in a very difficult position.

 

‘It is a troublesome matter… but creating a situation isn’t impossible.’

 

The key was justification. The public would listen to rumors without knowing the truth anyway. It was out of their hands regardless.

 

“It is the first time we meet, Your Holiness. I am Carlyle de Lyon of the Lyon Duchy, and these are my daughter-in-law Leticia and my son Terdis.”

 

At Carlyle’s greeting, the Pope nodded with a benevolent smile. He made eye contact with each of them as if committing them to memory, then spoke slowly.

 

“I am well aware of the Duke and Young Duke’s reputation. And how you have elevated the fame of the Lyon Duchy. You must be very proud to have such a son, Duke.”

 

“Ah… You flatter me. He is a son far too good for a man like me.”

 

He spoke while bowing his head as if humbled. The Pope looked at Leticia, who was standing behind Carlyle holding Terdis’s hand.

 

“You must know why I have made time to meet you like this. So, for a moment… I must speak with the Saintess.”

 

At these words, Terdis reflexively tensed up. He intended to refuse if the Pope insisted on speaking with Leticia alone.

 

“Come here, Saintess. I must see you up close. Ah, if you feel uncomfortable, the Young Duke there may come with you.”

 

With his permission, Leticia looked at Carlyle and Terdis. When Carlyle nodded as if to say ‘go ahead for now,’ Leticia took Terdis’s hand and stepped forward.

 

The chapel was very long and wide, so despite greeting him from the center, the distance was considerable. When they stopped about eight steps away, the Pope’s voice rang out.

 

“…Closer. Must we not verify which god has granted you their blessing?”

 

At the Pope’s amused words, Leticia and Terdis moved again. The Pope did not criticize their wariness. Having received reports on what the High Priest had done, it wasn’t strange for them to be on guard.

 

‘Indeed, the Order has done similar things to past Saintesses…’

 

He was one who received the Celestial God’s power and moved according to her will, but he knew. The god he served allowed a certain degree of deviation as long as it didn’t stray from the grand design. No, in fact, it was closer to tacit approval than permission.

 

The god seemed to accept that humans were not perfect and were made to desire. While she would rage like fire and willingly punish in some matters, she was terrifyingly indifferent in others.

 

In the case of the Celestial Goddess Asteria, this applied to things like love or private human relationships. She was indifferent as long as the Order didn’t commit corruption publicly, engage in human trafficking, or commit crimes.

 

Whether Saintesses were unable to quit due to subtle pressure and threats, or lived unhappily after being forced into unwanted marriages, was not of her concern.

 

Pope Nicholas accepted this as the Goddess’s will through the work he had done and the life he had lived.

 

As Terdis approached with Leticia, the Pope looked with interest at the blue eyes glaring at him. Though he had come of age, those eyes, closer to a boy’s, seemed to hold a dormant blue flame ready to burn towards him at any moment.

 

The Pope smiled. Everything was still in the palm of his hand. As long as the young man had entered here with his father, the Pope thought he could control them. No matter how outstanding he was, protecting two people at once would be impossible.

 

“Closer.”

 

The Pope extended his hand to Leticia as if to take hers. Leticia’s eyes were not as wary as Terdis’s. They held a mix of slight tension, fear… and curiosity.

 

‘If I force you here, will you look at me as if I were a villain?’

 

First, he wanted to know which god the divine power came from. If it was a god compatible with Asteria or the other two gods who blessed him, things would go smoothly.

 

As Leticia took the Pope’s hand with both of hers according to etiquette, their powers, spreading softly, intertwined.

 

The difference between divine power and mana was that even incompatible divine powers did not blindly attack each other.

 

‘Hmm? This is strange. Which god’s power is this…’

 

It was a power that spread widely while being shallow and soft like a fragrance. Leticia’s divine power was immense, suggesting a significant blessing, though it fell slightly short of Nicholas’s. He was flustered by the fact that it was a divine power he had never felt before.

 

‘A lesser god or an ancient god? Such beings lost their power long ago, so granting this level of divine power should be difficult?’

 

[Nichol.]

 

The whispering voice was soft, but the Pope flinched. He had heard the voice of the Celestial Goddess just before becoming Pope, but that was the only time in his life. He knew Saintesses heard the voice of God more often, but he did not.

 

[Are you really under the delusion that Asteria ‘permitted’ all those actions?]

 

Asteria, the Goddess of Celestial and War, was like a pale blade that did not forgive injustice. Her symbol was a blue so pale it neared white, and it was a power that burned away all demons and sinners.

 

The Pope, turning pale without realizing it, pulled his hand away from Leticia.

 

“Your Holiness?”

 

“Ah, ah… Saintess. Have you determined which Goddess granted you the blessing?”

 

‘Please, let it not be ‘Her’.’

 

Pope Nicholas felt his back already soaked with cold sweat.

 

Even if the god didn’t explicitly mention it, the recipient instinctively knew the source. They were beings created by borrowing the power of various gods and guided into the world.

 

“I… suspect it is the Goddess of Fate, Renata.”

 

Leticia spoke with slightly flushed cheeks, as if merely speaking the Goddess’s name brought her joy. The Pope’s face turned white.

 

He had guessed it the moment he heard the voice, no… he hadn’t ruled it out while examining Leticia’s aura, but he had hoped it wasn’t true.

 

When he ascended to the position of Pope, the Celestial Goddess had spoken in a voice devoid of emotion:

 

“Do not interfere with Renata.”

 

He had thought it a strange warning. The possibility of a human interfering in a god’s affairs was virtually non-existent. Furthermore, the Goddess of Fate was renowned for not interfering much with gods, let alone humans.

 

Unlike other gods, she rarely granted divine power and had never chosen a Saintess before. Considering she sat on a throne among the gods, one might call her slothful, but the Celestial Goddess never touched anything regarding Renata.

 

Because she could tamper with everyone’s fate. The Celestial Goddess had promised Renata a seat and changed her own fate. Whether that was a deal to become the leader of all gods or not was not passed down, but…

 

‘Must I give up on the Saintess?’

 

Because of the warning, the Pope had prevented anyone from touching those who received power from Renata to become priests or priestesses. He hadn’t even tried to see them himself. Until now, they were extremely rare—only eight discovered, and only three became clergy—so it wasn’t a problem.

 

But this time, it was a Saintess. To make matters worse, a Saintess of Renata.

 

His instinct told him to give up, but his greed did not fade easily. Gritting his teeth, the Pope imagined the benefits of having Leticia in his grasp.

 

“Let us see what gifts the Goddess has given you.”

 

One of the gifts the Celestial Goddess gave him was the ability to see the powers gods bestowed upon humans. Even if the subject wasn’t nearby, he could guess their approximate abilities. He could grasp the essence of an ability and instruct them on how to use it. This was also why various elders and high priests could not move against him.

 

Seeing the Pope withdraw his hand only to place it on Leticia’s forehead, the Young Duke tensed. The Pope smiled bitterly inside. The one who should be scared was him.

 

‘…She gave her a lot.’

 

Strangely, Renata never granted the ability to foresee the future. Leticia, too, had only received weak precognition.

 

‘The first is a type of Clairvoyance. And this power… is it locked by the Goddess’s power?’

 

The thought that the voice he just heard was indeed the Goddess’s gave him goosebumps. The content was too significant to ignore.

 

‘The second is sensing misfortune and fortune through intuition…’

 

These were abilities high-ranking priests might possess. The Clairvoyance, in particular, was well-locked, but if unlocked, it would be a mighty force for the Order.

 

‘It is indeed a pity to let her go.’

 

Renata was one of the Celestial Gods, but she was also merely a lower-ranking god compared to others. A lower god that even the Celestial God wouldn’t touch—it was peculiar, but that was the nature of the God of Fate. People only remembered fate after facing hardship.

 

‘The third is…’

 

It was an ability unsuitable for a Saintess and one a priestess should not possess. The Pope belatedly remembered that Renata was also the Goddess of Mischief.

 

It shouldn’t be known to the public, but depending on how it was used, it could be powerful. The Pope examined the fourth and fifth abilities in detail, doubting Goddess Renata’s sanity. The potency was an issue, but they were all…

 

‘Why on earth did she grant a Saintess these kinds of abilities?!’

 

If Leticia had harbored ill intent, or if she hadn’t found someone to love and settled down early, these abilities could have been dangerous in many ways.

 

‘No. They could be dangerous even now. If the Saintess intended to use them…’

 

The difference between god-given abilities and mana was that one could not resist them. An ability like creating a storm, gifted by the Celestial Goddess, could be dodged or destroyed, but mental abilities like these were virtually impossible to refuse.

 

“How much of the Goddess’s gifts have you used?”

 

The Pope asked with a benevolent expression, ready to gauge if Leticia was lying. Leticia hesitated for a moment before speaking.

 

“I haven’t used them much. I don’t seem to be able to control them at will.”

 

She likely couldn’t answer about the latter abilities without shame, so it was safe to assume she hadn’t used them properly yet.

 

The Pope examined Leticia’s sixth ability. It seemed trivial… he wondered how one would even utilize it.

 

‘The ability to see the threads of fate.’

 

It was merely ‘seeing’ the fates connected by various misfortunes, fortunes, and relationships. It was not an ability to change them.

 

‘No… since she sees fate before it is chosen, she could determine fate by following those threads. The Goddess has given a great gift.’

 

However, she seemed unable to use the abilities at all yet. He examined the last ability Leticia possessed, which he hadn’t seen clearly from afar.

 

‘What is this? An ability to make luck rain down like stars?’

 

It seemed to be a simple luck-boosting ability, limited to once a day. The Pope removed his hand from her forehead, frowning.

 

“Have you seen all of Leticia’s abilities?”

 

Carlyle asked from a distance. The Pope nodded slowly. He already had a rough idea of some of them. The only thing he truly hadn’t known was that Leticia was Renata’s Saintess.

 

His eyes were already measuring the distance between him and Terdis.

 

He reached out and took Leticia’s hand again. Since the action felt devoid of ulterior motives, Leticia couldn’t pull away instantly and faced the Pope.

 

“Saintess. You are young. Or perhaps ‘little’ is the better word. I know your marriage was decided by a promise between families.”

 

Leticia seemed to know what the Pope was trying to say. She spoke in the brief silence he left between his words.

 

“It is true that the engagement happened regardless of my will, but I love Terdis. That is why I married him.”

 

Terdis, still holding Leticia’s other hand, blushed as if this made him happy. The Pope continued, indifferent to his reaction.

 

“But Saintess. The world is very wide. There is much you do not know… and you hold countless possibilities. Have you never thought about leaving the narrow fence of your family to see the world?”

 

Leticia smiled strangely at the Pope’s question. Being a person from another world who remembered her past life, she had traveled abroad a few times. Some places were good, others not.

 

This world would be the same. Some places might be nice, but others wouldn’t suit her. Even worse, this was a romance fantasy world—essentially the Middle Ages. Even with magic and magic tools, there were limits.

 

For one, elevators didn’t exist yet, and unpaved roads were common just a short distance from the capital. Further down, there would be countless villages without inns.

 

‘I hate sleeping outdoors.’

 

“Your Holiness. Although I was treated as an illegitimate child in my family, I am still a high-ranking noble. I am not ignorant of how past Saintesses were treated, so please retract those words.”

 

“Ahem…”

 

The Pope turned his head, momentarily speechless, and noticed Terdis wearing a subtle sneer. Irritation surged, but he ignored it.

 

Greeting the Saintess alone without other priests, priestesses, or paladins was partly to lower their guard, but also to persuade Leticia. You couldn’t turn a person’s heart with threats alone.

 

“Ahem… Not all rumors are true. Furthermore, who would dare mistreat a Lady under the protection of Duke Tesseia?”

 

“……”

 

It was common knowledge in the capital that Leticia was on bad terms with her family. In reality, Leticia kept her distance while they tried to restore the relationship, but her honest feeling was that she didn’t want their help. But…

 

‘Was the Duke inside that carriage?’

 

It might be Cesare. Cesare wouldn’t sit idly by if she were in danger.

 

Seeing Leticia silent, perhaps sensing a possibility, the Pope spoke with enthusiasm.

 

“You are young and haven’t experienced many things. Are you confident you won’t regret locking yourself in the narrow fence of marriage?”

 

Terdis looked ready to step forward in anger, but Leticia squeezed his hand tightly. Feeling Terdis’s gaze, Leticia spoke.

 

“I understand your words, Your Holiness. However, I cannot agree that Terdis is a ‘narrow fence.’ He is a person with a broader heart than anyone I know.”

 

At those words, Terdis’s face, which had been slowly losing its heat, seemed to turn bright red. Leticia continued.

 

“Furthermore, Terdis isn’t the only one who wants to hold onto the partner through ‘marriage.’ I also want Terdis to stay by my side and find joy in being with him. If I were to want to see the wide world…”

 

Leticia turned her head to look at Terdis.

 

“Then I would want Terdis to be with me. Because I want him by my side.”

 

At her confession, Terdis held back the urge to tremble with joy. He wanted to embrace her right then, but unfortunately, the Pope was right in front of them.

 

“I see. That is regrettable…”

 

The Pope knew it was time to decide. He recalled the Goddess’s voice echoing in his head.

 

Any other clergyman would have prostrated themselves in deep repentance at her words. But he was the Pope, a being chosen by no fewer than three gods.

 

‘Is the Celestial Goddess truly angry with me?’

 

The power of Goddess Asteria still flowed within him. It was rare, but not unheard of, for a god to take back their power in anger. It happened occasionally to clergymen who committed unforgivable acts.

 

The Pope suspected Renata’s voice might be a trick to mislead him. What he was doing now was nothing compared to what was done to other Saintesses.

 

‘The Order has already lost two Saintesses. Moreover, no new Saintess has appeared for quite a long time…’

 

That alone wouldn’t endanger the Order, but it was certainly a pity. The existence of a Saintess was like an irregular bonus for the Order.

 

Overflowing gold, rising faith among the people, and a status the Imperial family dared not challenge—these were the benefits. The charity the Saintess bestowed upon people all returned as profit to the Order.

 

He, as the Pope, could act in the Saintess’s stead, but he didn’t. High Priests with sufficient divine power, though not equal to a Saintess, also avoided such activities.

 

They knew it was harder and more difficult than dealing with nobles in the safety of the temple while receiving donations.

 

A Saintess carried symbolism.

 

The image of a faithful, beautiful, and pure being would become a jewel that illuminates the Order, like a diamond embedded in the scepter of the Pope, who is meant to be incorruptible.

 

‘As I thought…’

 

The Order needed a Saintess. Having made his judgment, the Pope raised the hand that was not holding Leticia’s. The walls on the left and right of the chapel opened, and hidden Paladins stepped inside. Leticia’s eyes widened at the sight of the heavily armed knights.

 

Startled, she tried to shake off the Pope’s hand, but he gripped it tightly and would not let go. What caused his grip to loosen was Terdis’s hand clamping down on the Pope’s wrist.

 

With the hand not holding Leticia, Terdis gripped the Pope’s arm with enough force to break it.

 

“Let go of that hand! I won’t say it twice!”

 

The Pope looked at him, breaking into a cold sweat from the pain.

 

“Do you have the leisure for that, Young Duke? This is hardly the time to be protecting your fiancée, is it?”

 

“Ter!”

 

At Leticia’s urgent cry, Terdis looked up. The spearheads of the heavily armed Paladins were pointed at Carlyle. Carlyle had gone somewhat pale, but he looked at the Pope, Terdis, and Leticia with a resolute face.

 

“Terdis, stay by Leticia! Even the Pope cannot kill the Duke of Lyon!”

 

“Father…!”

 

“What are you doing?! The Order won’t remain safe if you do this! The Empire and the nobles of Luendal will not stand for it!”

 

Despite Leticia’s words, the Pope remained composed.

 

“Yes. The Order would suffer great damage as well. However, the Saintess’s power is too dangerous for an individual to possess. I have judged that I must verify the Saintess’s abilities and make a decision. It is a choice for the continent, for all of humanity.”

 

The Celestial Goddess had given him only three gifts. But they were sufficiently great powers, and they were what solidified his position.

 

One was the ability to identify the abilities gods bestowed upon humans and know how to use them. The second was to summon and calm storms. The third was…

 

“I give you my word that I will not treat you like the other Saintesses. You are a noble Lady of Tesseia, after all. I cannot easily discard you as I might the Duke or Young Duke Lyon.”

 

“Don’t spout nonsense! Do you think I would give up Tisha?”

 

“The power of the Goddess is sometimes cruel and undeniable. It is a truly heartless power to humans in that it cannot be resisted.”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

Leticia looked at him as if she couldn’t understand. The Pope spoke as if amused.

 

“I am saying that Goddess Renata is not only the Goddess of Fate. You possess the ability to induce heat in others. …It is even possible to designate the target of that lust.”

 

“What?”

 

“What?!”

 

They were speechless with absurdity. Regardless of their shocked gazes, the Pope intended to use Leticia’s ability without hesitation. That was the third gift he had received from the Celestial Goddess.

 

He could freely use the divine gifts received by others. However, only while in physical contact with the target.

 

From behind the Paladins, a woman with a shy expression was approaching. Terdis was unsure of the situation, but Leticia looked at the Pope anxiously.

 

“What…”

 

“This might be a cruel sight for you. Since you will witness the man you love embracing another woman.”

 

It was the moment the Pope spoke those words and tried to use the ability. Leticia, startled by the sensation of something trying to rise within her, tried to correct it. But something beyond her will was attempting to awaken.

 

‘No!!!’

 

Thud.

 

The Pope’s body froze for an instant, and the energy spreading toward Leticia’s body receded like the tide. In that interval, Terdis latched onto the Pope’s hand and began prying his fingers off Leticia’s hand one by one. The Pope had no mind to protest against Terdis.

 

For one of the gifts given by the Celestial Goddess had vanished from his body.

 

“Ho-How can this…!”

 

Like children playing a rough game, the struggle between the Pope, who wouldn’t let go, and Terdis, who was determined to make him let go, ended in Terdis’s victory. The Pope could not overcome his physical strength.

 

When his hand finally lost its grip on Leticia, Terdis shoved her behind him.

 

“Ugh…”

 

Because a spearhead dug into Carlyle’s shoulder, a sound leaked from his mouth despite his effort not to groan. Terdis grabbed his pendant with a furious face. The Paladins were startled as the dragon-shaped pendant instantly transformed into a long sword.

 

“Back away from my father! If you do not retreat, I will kill you!”

 

Terdis was already moving away from the Pope with Leticia. The Pope, massaging his right hand which had been roughly handled while being pried open, shouted.

 

“Do not retreat!! This is for the Order, for the Goddess!”

 

At the Pope’s shout, strength returned to the spearheads of the hesitating Paladins. Terdis ground his teeth, narrowing the distance while holding Leticia with one arm.

 

“Stop there! If the Young Duke comes any closer, stab the Duke of Lyon’s heart!”

 

“Pope!!”

 

Terdis screamed, but the Pope didn’t bat an eye. He was looking at Leticia, not Terdis.

 

“Saintess. How about exchanging Duke Lyon’s life for ten years of yours? Swear it here. If you swear to Goddess Renata that you will spend ten years as a Saintess in the Order, I will let Duke Lyon go.”

 

Leticia was dumbfounded by the Pope’s blatant demand.

 

“Is that something a person called ‘Your Holiness’ should say? Are you not ashamed before the Goddess?”

 

“It is for all humans of the continent. You must look broader, Saintess. The reason such power resides in your body, the deep meaning of the Goddess contained in the blessing…”

 

The Pope, who was continuing his speech, stiffened again. The second gift bestowed by the Celestial Goddess had been revoked. He had now lost the power to control storms.

 

‘Why?’

 

But before he could even think of a reason, another power disappeared. This time, the most distinct power that had elevated him to the position of Pope vanished.

 

‘Ah…’

 

His shocked eyes rolled wildly. He was examining the abilities granted by the other two gods. The gifts, two from each, were still within him.

 

‘I-It’s fine. The other two gods have not abandoned me yet.’

 

It wasn’t fine at all. Being chosen by the Celestial Goddess carried symbolism in itself.

 

‘Why now?’

 

She had turned a blind eye to the tears and pain of countless Saintesses. She pretended not to see even when she knew a High Priest was educating a Saintess harshly. Because she didn’t think it crossed the line.

 

‘What makes this Lady so different!’

 

Even if she was ostracized as an illegitimate child in the Tesseia Duchy, it was still a noble life. It couldn’t be compared to the lives of many people outside the castle who were starving, poor, and threatened by monsters.

 

The Pope was someone who had crawled up from the bottom, and even after moving far away from such a life, he thought he was different from them.

 

He couldn’t back down here. The Saintess couldn’t control her power well anyway, and she would only be able to use her abilities properly with his help. If he utilized her power, the Order could achieve so much.

 

‘This is a power I tried to obtain even by giving up the Goddess’s power! I can’t give up now…’

 

“Your Holiness?”

 

One of the Paladins called out to the Pope, who kept a long silence with a pale face. They were anxious too. This act they were committing was not righteous.

 

The Pope ignored him. He was afraid his wavering heart would be discovered. What he was looking at was Leticia hiding behind Terdis.

 

“…Understand the will of the Goddess, Saintess. Even if the Young Duke’s love seems like it will last forever, will it be the same after he loses his father because of you?”

 

“Do not listen to the Pope! They cannot kill m— Ugh!”

 

“Father!!”

 

Terdis flinched as if ready to throw himself forward as the spear went deeper. Leticia looked at Carlyle with a pale face.

 

If the Pope was mistaken about anything, it was the thought that Carlyle wasn’t important to Leticia. Although perhaps not as much as Terdis, Leticia thought of Carlyle like her own father.

 

“Stop!! Stop it! I-I’ll do it, so…”

 

As a scream-like voice burst from Leticia’s lips, Terdis gritted his teeth and tightened his grip on his sword. Carlyle shook his head, but he couldn’t help groaning as the spear blade dug in deeper.

 

“Ridiculous. What is this situation, Pope?”

 

At the chillingly cold voice, everyone’s gaze turned to the entrance of the chapel. The perfectly fine door split into several pieces and collapsed in an instant, revealing Aaron behind it.

 

Dust rose lightly as pieces of the door and wall fell.

 

“W-What?!”

 

“What rudeness is this, Duke!!”

 

The guards who were guarding the entrance had already lost consciousness and collapsed. Whether he hadn’t brought the knights of the Tesseia Duchy guarding the carriage, he was alone.

 

The Pope frowned. He had already received a report that Aaron, the Duke of Tesseia, was staying near the Grand Temple.

 

“I do not recall inviting Duke Tesseia.”

 

“And I did not know the Pope would summon my daughter to threaten her.”

 

Aaron retorted coldly and strode toward the Pope. At this, the Paladin who was thrusting his spear into Carlyle’s shoulder raised his voice.

 

“Stop there! If you come any closer… Aaaagh!”

 

“Argh!”

 

“Gaaah!”

 

Dozens of sword strikes rained down on the Paladins surrounding Carlyle. Arms aiming spearheads at Carlyle were severed, wrists were cut, and screams rang out.

 

Leticia squeezed her eyes shut at the cruel sight, and Terdis pulled her into his embrace. It wasn’t that he hadn’t thought of doing this, but he couldn’t move.

 

Killing monsters and slaughtering Paladins were different. If he killed a Paladin, a war between the Order and the Lyon Duchy could break out.

 

Though a Young Duke, he was merely a young man who had never experienced war. But because he knew the weight of war, he hadn’t been able to move rashly.

 

“Terdis. Where has the spirit gone with which you stormed into my house and my banquet? You are the son of the Lyon Duke and the son-in-law of me, the Duke of Tesseia.”

 

Terdis’s eyes widened as Aaron spoke while passing by him. Seeing Aaron’s actions, he regretted his hesitation.

 

“Do not hesitate again. The blood of royalty is heavier than their lives… Behind you stand I and the Duke of Lyon.”

 

Aaron’s eyes met Leticia’s as she lifted her head slightly from Terdis’s embrace to look at him. He softened his expression for a moment but soon turned his gaze to glare at the Pope.

 

The Pope ground his teeth as he looked at the Paladins collapsed in the center of the chapel. These were the Paladins intended to deal with Terdis if necessary. Naturally, they were elites, and he thought each one possessed divine power equivalent to a Sword Master.

 

‘To think they were no match at all!’

 

Was that all? Dozens of Paladins were rendered combat-ineffective with just a few sword strokes. Although they were stopping the bleeding by manifesting their respective divine powers, they were heavily wounded.

 

“Duke Tesseia!! Where do you think you are?”

 

“Your Holiness.”

 

He paid his respects according to the etiquette of the Order, as if the thick smell of blood meant nothing. Blood was dripping from the tip of his sword, which had not yet been returned to its scabbard, but only the Pope paid attention to those drops of blood.

 

“I punished wicked men for daring to harm royalty in front of Your Holiness. Surely it is not the will of Your Holiness and the Order to let the blood of the Luendal Imperial Family flow in vain?”

 

The Pope looked down at Aaron in silence. He might appear to have taken a step back to give the Pope a chance, but he was issuing a warning.

 

If he took one more step here, he would be facing not just two Ducal houses, but the Imperial Family as well. Indeed, piercing Duke Lyon with a spear was a dangerous choice even for the Order.

 

As the Pope watched, Leticia slipped out of Terdis’s embrace and went to Carlyle. It must have been terrible with severed arms and wrists rolling around, but she moved urgently due to Carlyle’s injury, as his shoulder was nearly pierced through.

 

Terdis pulled out the spear, and Leticia opened his clothes to examine the wound. There was a hole below his shoulder large enough for two fingers to easily fit in.

 

Seeing tears welling up in her eyes as if she could guess his pain, Carlyle wanted to say he was fine, but the pain was substantial.

 

Leticia first poured divine power to free Carlyle from the pain. Then, as she was stopping the bleeding and making the flesh heal, Carlyle hurriedly spoke.

 

“…No need to heal it completely. Depending on His Holiness’s answer, this wound might become necessary.”

 

It was visible that his face, which had been sweating from pain, became much more comfortable. Carlyle looked at the Pope leisurely, as if agreeing with Aaron’s words.

 

On the other hand, Leticia, clinging to Carlyle’s side, was shedding tears and glaring at the Pope with eyes that looked at an enemy. The glare of such a young thing didn’t even tickle, but it was regrettable.

 

‘Any more is impossible.’

 

Handling Terdis, who, although a Sword Master, had never opposed such powerful figures, was vastly different from dealing with Aaron, who had been vying for power with nobles and foreign experts for decades.

 

“I will remember this matter, Duke. For the sake of the Tesseia Duchy, I hope you will reconsider sending your daughter as a Saintess.”

 

“Royal blood is noble, Your Holiness. When the Order is full of such impure people, what father could be at ease? Please understand a parent’s heart.”

 

The Pope gritted his teeth. He had lost too much, but even if he proceeded further, the chances of getting what he wanted were slim. He had created an opportunity by saving the Empress’s life, but that was only possible if the conflict didn’t escalate.

 

Since the Empress was a born politician, she would likely side with the two Ducal houses first and then try to negotiate with the Order later.

 

It was a different weight between his plan—where Leticia remained in the Order and only the Lyon Duke and Young Duke returned to accuse the Order—and the Duke of Tesseia participating and testifying to this event.

 

‘If only I could have kept the Saintess by my side, I could have even traded her life with Duke Tesseia…’

 

“Go. Since further persuasion seems impossible. …What can I say to those who turn away from the Goddess’s words?”

 

The Pope turned away, speaking with displeasure. Carlyle was partially relieved, and Aaron bowed with an exaggerated bend of his upper body. While the Paladins, either collapsed or kneeling on one knee, looked on in fear, Carlyle stood up with Leticia.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

Leticia looked at Carlyle with concern and walked out with him, while Terdis and Aaron followed behind as if protecting them. At the sharp gaze of Aaron looking back, the Paladins who were sneakily trying to grab their swords lost strength in their hands.

 

Judging by his eyes, if even one of the Paladins showed an attitude of attacking, he looked ready to take a head this time as an example.

 

“Do not act rashly.”

 

At the Pope’s annoyed remark, the Paladins stiffened. Aaron looked at the Pope as if disappointed, then leisurely exited the chapel.

 

 

***

 

 

The Lyon Duchy’s escort knights stiffened when they saw Carlyle’s condition. They had sensed that the atmosphere was taking a strange turn, but due to the distance to the chapel, they hadn’t detected the commotion inside at all.

 

Terdis suspected that some sort of divine magic had been used within the chapel to keep them in the dark. Their senses might not be on the level of a Sword Master, but they weren’t dull enough to miss a disturbance like that otherwise.

 

“Thanks to you, I managed to keep my shoulder.”

 

Carlyle was certain that even if Aaron hadn’t appeared, he wouldn’t have died. Killing the Duke of Lyon would have been a dangerous move even for the Order. At this, Leticia wondered if she had said something foolish.

 

“I’m sorry. I…”

 

Seeing Leticia hang her head sullenly, Carlyle laughed heartily.

 

“No, Leticia. If they hadn’t gotten the answer they wanted from you, they would have tortured me, even if they didn’t kill me.”

 

Carlyle answered casually, but Leticia’s face was growing pale. She felt responsible for any possibility and was apologetic.

 

“It’s not your fault. I… I should have protected both of you, but I misjudged.”

 

Terdis should have just acted, regardless of whether the opponents were Paladins or whatever. He wouldn’t have killed the Pope, and even if he cut off arms or wrists, their divine power would have allowed them to regenerate or reattach them, albeit with time.

 

Killing them might have escalated things. But eventually, it would have been smoothed over. Because Carlyle had been injured by a spear there.

 

He should have been able to gauge that, but he hadn’t. He didn’t know what abilities the Pope was hiding, and he thought he might lose his father.

 

He couldn’t send Leticia away, so he might have acted regardless… but he might not have been able to stop Leticia’s vow.

 

Aaron stared at Terdis for a moment, then asked Carlyle.

 

“I heard there are people from the Order in your house.”

 

At Aaron’s question, Carlyle thought of Haron. If Haron had joined in when that incident occurred, things could have become complicated.

 

But perhaps because the Pope knew his character, Haron wasn’t there. Either he was elsewhere by the Pope’s order… or Haron himself chose not to appear. Carlyle adjusted his assessment of Haron while rubbing his sore spot.

 

“Since things have come to this, I’ll have to send him out. …I was truly surprised by this affair.”

 

As he spoke, Carlyle glanced at Leticia. One of the abilities the Pope revealed about Leticia was truly shocking.

 

‘It would be best not to mention that.’

 

There was courtesy to be maintained even between parent and child. Besides, he didn’t want to trouble Leticia with such things.

 

“Since we don’t know what will happen for a while, you should be careful. And leave this wound be.”

 

“If you leave it for too long, it will scar.”

 

“That much is fine, daughter-in-law.”

 

When Leticia spoke with concern, Carlyle grinned and replied. He worried that Leticia would feel guilty every time she saw the scar, but reasoned that since she wouldn’t have cause to see his bare shoulder, it would be fine.

 

Before they knew it, they were near the entrance of the Grand Temple. The Lyon Duchy’s carriage was parked right at the entrance. Aaron thought to part ways here since he had left his carriage outside the Grand Temple. Leticia would likely feel uncomfortable around him.

 

“I will take my leave here. My carriage is over there.”

 

“Ah… I see.”

 

Carlyle glanced at Leticia, unable to bring himself to stop him. It was Leticia’s voice that stopped Aaron as he turned to leave.

 

“Um.”

 

His body flinched and halted. It might have seemed funny for the man titled the Empire’s strongest and the continent’s mightiest to react like that, but both Terdis and Carlyle held their breath and watched.

 

Leticia spoke to Aaron’s back, as he didn’t turn around.

 

“Thank you so much… for today.”

 

“Right.”

 

Aaron said that and started walking again. Leticia didn’t know, but Terdis thought his voice sounded slightly choked up.

 

‘Surely he isn’t crying?’

 

As he left the Grand Temple and disappeared across the street, Terdis turned to Carlyle.

 

“It was Father, wasn’t it?”

 

“Hm?”

 

“Calling Father-in-law here. Even if he was nearby… how did he know the situation?”

 

“Ah, about that.”

 

Carlyle smiled slyly and pulled a ring out of his jacket pocket. It was one of Carlyle’s numerous collectibles.

 

“This is a holy relic, a pair of rings. It’s an ancient artifact, though its effect isn’t much. If one person takes off their ring while the other is wearing theirs, the color of the gem changes.”

 

“So you signaled Father-in-law with that.”

 

At Terdis’s words, Carlyle put the ring back in his pocket.

 

“They would only be wary of magic. Just in case, I decided to signal with a holy relic instead of magic.”

 

Thanks to that, a messenger had to run diligently to the Tesseia Duchy last night. As they approached the carriage, one of the escort knights quickly opened the carriage door.

 

“Tisha.”

 

At Terdis’s call, Leticia took his hand and boarded the carriage. As she went inside, she glanced at the entrance of the Grand Temple and saw Haron standing there.

 

‘Oh?’

 

When their eyes met, he bowed his head quietly. Leticia also nodded slightly and took her seat inside the carriage. When Terdis looked back, Haron was already turning around and entering the Grand Temple.

 

“It seems Sir Erpe intends not to leave.”

 

At Carlyle’s remark, Terdis snorted.

 

“If he has any shame, he wouldn’t say he’s coming with us. I should go right now and deal with that priest too…”

 

“Just hurry up and get in.”

 

The commotion that occurred in the chapel used only for special occasions inside the Grand Temple would be unknown to ordinary clergy, and likely would remain unknown. Carlyle pushed Terdis’s back to hurry him into the carriage and climbed in himself.

 

Haron had already gone inside and could no longer be seen, but Carlyle considered it fortunate enough that Haron hadn’t intervened the moment Aaron barged in.

 

‘It must mean the time spent at the Lyon Duchy wasn’t in vain.’

 

As Carlyle gave the signal, the coachman hurriedly started the carriage. Nothing had been resolved yet, but just leaving the front yard of the Grand Temple felt relieving.

 

 

***

 

 

“Every time I see that child, I wonder if your mother would have had another son like him if she were alive.’”

 

‘Damn it. As if that’s possible! Stupid father…’

 

Sebastian stood in a corner of the banquet hall with a crumpled face, glaring at Isello surrounded by young ladies in the distance. Godfrey was worried about Isello, who had been getting into trouble frequently lately, and since he couldn’t go himself, he sent Sebastian instead.

 

‘My brothers are too soft! Leticia is coming home tomorrow! What will the atmosphere be like if that guy is in the house then!’

 

When Father first brought Isello home, both of them talked about opposing it and whatnot, but it was all talk. Sebastian was the only one who actually showed any movement to kick the guy out, while Godfrey had started looking out for him at some point.

 

When Sebastian confronted him about it, Godfrey said something frustrating.

 

“Sebastian, I want to become a different person from the one who tormented Leticia. If you and I had treated that child fairly, we wouldn’t have become so distant.”

 

“What kind of nonsense is that? Leticia is definitely our sister! That jerk doesn’t share a drop of blood with us, and he’s a commoner! Even if I die and wake up again, the result won’t change that he isn’t actually our brother!”

 

Sebastian got annoyed, but Godfrey gave him a look that said he couldn’t get through to him.

 

“Still, you shouldn’t torment Isello. Adopting that child is Father’s will, so if you really don’t like it, you should stand up to Father.”

 

“You sound like Cesare.”

 

Hearing the right thing was always annoying. Father was originally someone you couldn’t reason with and someone who didn’t change his mind easily once made up.

 

He felt a crisis looming that if things went on like this, Father would really threaten the vassals and put that guy under their name.

 

Isello was already using the ducal family name, Tesseia, by Father’s order. Of course, since he wasn’t true royalty, he couldn’t attach ‘de’ to his name.

 

“Ah, seriously!”

 

As Sebastian ruffled his hair in annoyance, he saw a new group of young ladies approaching Isello. He wondered if they ever got tired of it; so many ladies wanted to see Isello’s face, which was said to look exactly like Cesare’s, and once they saw it, they were desperate to get close to him.

 

‘Where do they look alike!’

 

He wanted to deny it, but the resemblance was undeniable. Although he couldn’t match Cesare in handsomeness, Isello was cuter and unpleasantly pretty. That seemed to attract men too.

 

“…What?”

 

Sebastian’s eyes widened as he saw a familiar face among the newly approaching ladies. Olga de Valentine, who had been scarce for a while due to the shock of her broken engagement with Cesare, was among them.

 

‘Damn it, is she trying to pick a fight…!’

 

Sebastian was about to approach in annoyance, but then the thought occurred to him: why did he have to look after that guy to that extent? Godfrey had sent him along, but Sebastian had clearly stated, “I will leave that guy alone regardless of what happens to him.”

 

“Whatever.”

 

Sebastian turned his head, pretending not to know, and looked for a waiter. Although it was midday, alcohol was being served at this banquet.

 

 

***

 

 

The anomaly occurred immediately after receiving the report that the Saintess had returned with her family. It was after the Pope had summoned tight-lipped priests to treat the Paladins and returned to the study he used.

 

That study originally belonged to Orlando, who managed the Grand Temple, but it had been given to the Pope as he began an extended stay there.

 

The Pope was receiving a report from a High Priest stating that the severed sections of the Paladins’ arms and wrists were clean, so ‘reattachment’ rather than ‘regeneration’ would suffice.

 

It was a small mercy in the midst of misfortune, but the fact that Duke Tesseia had committed such a blasphemous act in the middle of a chapel could not be forgiven.

 

‘To dare make Paladins shed blood in the sacred hall of God!’

 

“What do you intend to do about this matter, Your Holiness?”

 

High Priest Orlando asked the Pope cautiously. Orlando was unaware that Paladins had even been mobilized, as this ‘accident’ was orchestrated solely by the Pope.

 

He only found out after the Saintess had left and he heard about the Paladins’ injuries.

 

“We will keep quiet about this. If it leaks, the loss will be greater than the gain…”

 

“Then are you giving up on the Saintess?”

 

‘Giving up?’

 

The Pope recalled the power he felt from Leticia when he read her abilities. And he remembered the Goddess’s gift that had vanished. He tried to hope that his ability was only temporarily locked, but there was no sign of it returning.

 

“How could I give up? The Saintess is…”

 

The Pope clutched his chest, noticing another ability disappearing. Seeing him stumble as if about to collapse, Orlando hurriedly approached to support him. The Pope extended his hand as if to stop him and looked at the sky outside the window.

 

‘Why? Are you really trying to abandon me?’

 

Powers received from Tis, the God of Light, and Itarius, the God of Water, vanished one by one. The Pope now knew the clear intent shown by the Celestial Goddess. This could not be misinterpreted.

 

He was seized by a sense of injustice and grief. He couldn’t shake the feeling that only Leticia enjoyed a special status.

 

But like water slipping through fingers, one by one… the last remaining ability vanished.

 

“Your Holiness?”

 

Orlando examined the Pope with a worried face. The Pope, pressing his hand to his chest, waved him away urgently.

 

“I am fine, so leave.”

 

“But…”

 

“I said get out!”

 

Only after the Pope raised his voice did Orlando and the other priests hurriedly leave. After sending out even the young priests who attended him, the Pope stumbled and sat on the sofa.

 

The divine power still remained. The immense and mighty divine power bestowed by the two gods and the Goddess was still his. However… if his current state became known, the elders of the Order would want to appoint a successor to the Pope.

 

‘I cannot tell anyone.’

 

He knew Haron would be waiting outside the door, having returned to his duty as the Pope’s escort, but the Pope thought he couldn’t let anyone know—not Haron, nor anyone else.

 

 

***

 

 

The carriage arrived at the Duke’s estate, and Carlyle was the first to step out. He watched as Terdis helped Leticia down, then turned his gaze to the butler who had already approached.

 

“Master! There is blood on your shoulder…. Have you been injured?”

 

Since he had ostensibly only visited the temple in the capital, there should have been no reason for an injury. The butler asked in alarm, but Carlyle remained composed.

 

“It is nothing of concern. Leticia has already treated the wound, so pay it no mind. More importantly, where is Priest Julius?”

 

“He should be in his room.”

 

“Tell him to come to my study. And instruct two servants to clear the Paladin’s room and prepare to send his luggage to the Great Temple.”

 

The butler looked somewhat surprised by Carlyle’s orders, but seeing that Haron had not stepped out of the carriage, he seemed to grasp the situation and bowed his head.

 

“Understood, Master.”

 

“You two go up and rest. I will send the priest away myself. Much has happened today, so there is no need for you to face him.”

 

Leticia thought she should perhaps say goodbye, considering Julius had taught her for a short time, but after seeing Carlyle’s shoulder, she changed her mind.

 

“Will you be alright alone?”

 

When she asked this, Carlyle gave a bitter smile.

 

“Of course I will. Is this not my own home? I will meet him with my guard knights, so do not worry.”

 

He gestured for them to go up quickly. Terdis looked at Carlyle with hesitation. He seemed troubled by the fact that he hadn’t been able to protect his father because he was sticking close to Leticia.

 

“I said, go on.”

 

At the hand pushing his back with a chuckle, Terdis reluctantly led Leticia into the mansion. Watching them recede into the distance, Carlyle let out a long sigh. He was pretending to be fine, but his shoulder still throbbed.

 

‘Leticia really is remarkable. To have a wound of that magnitude feel only like a stiff muscle now.’

 

The spear had nearly pierced right through his shoulder. Without the aid of divine power, it was an injury that could have cost him the use of his arm.

 

The butler was still standing by Carlyle’s side. He looked as if he would refuse to move until he was told exactly what had caused the injury.

 

Carlyle chuckled and walked into the mansion with him. He intended to explain the details while changing his clothes….

 

“Silence the servants. Word of my injury today or the expulsion of the priest must not leak outside.”

 

“I understand, Master.”

 

 

***

 

 

Terdis glanced back nervously as he took Leticia’s hand and hurried up the stairs. Knowing that Terdis was trying to eavesdrop on Carlyle, Leticia quietly tugged at his hand.

 

“How is he? Is Father really okay?”

 

“He seemed to be overexerting himself the whole time, but it seems to be just muscle pain now.”

 

“Are you sure?”

 

“I’m sure. I’ve heard those kinds of groans from him plenty of times.”

 

At Leticia’s skeptical look, Terdis answered firmly. Only then did Leticia look relieved.

 

‘For a normal person, that was a wound that could have caused death from shock….’

 

She hadn’t even seen how the sword energy had flown, but rather than the gruesome sight of Paladins’ severed arms falling like rain, she had been more terrified of what might happen to Carlyle.

 

“That’s a relief…. Still, I wanted to heal the rest of the wound.”

 

“It was Father’s decision. We don’t know how they will act in the future, so we can’t make our side’s cards disappear completely. It could put my father in a difficult position.”

 

At Terdis’s words, Leticia bowed her head glumly.

 

“Why did it turn out like this? I…. I only offered prayers.”

 

It wasn’t that she didn’t have greed—she had wanted divine power, wanted to be a saintess. But she never imagined she would be swept up in something this big.

 

“It’s not your fault, Tisha. They are the bad ones.”

 

“I know, but still….”

 

Despite his comforting words as he held her hands, Leticia’s gaze kept dropping to the floor. He had gone through something unnecessary because of her.

 

“Father said he is fine. And next time, I won’t let something like this happen again….”

 

One wrong move, and both his father and Leticia could have been in danger. A moment of hesitation could have led to fatal results.

 

‘If Father-in-law hadn’t come to that place…. Before I could even do anything, Leticia would have made a vow to save Father.’

 

It was terrible just to imagine, but Terdis decided to acknowledge the possibility. In that moment, he should have been more decisive. His fear of escalating the situation had caused him to hesitate, which nearly led to losing what mattered most.

 

Terdis strode forward and suddenly pulled Leticia into a tight embrace. In front of the Pope, Leticia had boldly declared she wanted to stay by his side, yet he had stood there foolishly.

 

“I will become stronger. I won’t let anyone covet you.”

 

‘You are already strong enough….’

 

Even for Terdis, this situation had been unavoidable. If the Order and the Lyon Duchy clashed, it could have started a war between the Holy Kingdom and the Luendal Empire.

 

Furthermore, what if Carlyle had died by some mistake? Since Carlyle was injured again, Leticia did not blame Terdis.

 

“By the way, Tisha. Earlier…. Didn’t that man say something about your power? He spoke as if he could control your ability.”

 

Although they were inside the Duke’s residence, it wasn’t wise to mention the Pope by name in front of the servants. Leticia understood and referred to him as ‘that man.’

 

“I don’t know exactly either, but when he sent some kind of energy towards me, it felt like something inside me moved. Even though I was rejecting it.”

 

“And then?”

 

“Suddenly, that power disappeared. Like it was swept away by the wind.”

 

When Leticia mentioned the wind, Terdis inadvertently thought of Asteia, the Celestial Goddess.

 

“Is that so?”

 

“Yeah…. After that, you removed his hand, and it was fine. He seemed flustered that the power had vanished too.”

 

At her words, Terdis made a strange expression.

 

“That’s odd.”

 

“Right?”

 

“You didn’t do that with your own ability?”

 

Leticia shook her head at Terdis’s question. That was one thing she could answer with certainty. She had been desperate, instinctively feeling that if she let the Pope do as he pleased, something terrible would happen to Terdis.

 

They had reached the top of the third-floor stairs and were entering their quarters. Terdis told the servants he would call for them later, sent them away, and entered the bedroom with Leticia, closing the door.

 

“Do you remember the Pope saying one of your abilities causes arousal?”

 

“What? I-I remember…. But why do you ask?”

 

“Can you use that? No, have you ever used it?”

 

At Terdis’s sly question, Leticia jumped in surprise.

 

“Of course I haven’t! I didn’t even know I had such an ability!”

 

“Not even on me?”

 

Leticia looked at Terdis with a peculiar expression. Terdis was looking at her with a grin.

 

“I absolutely won’t use it. Even now, if I couldn’t use divine power, my back would be hurting…. Ah. Do you perhaps think I used it on you, and that’s why you’ve been like that until now?”

 

“No, no? Though I do think it would have been fun if you had used it on me unknowingly….”

 

He was more than half convinced of that. After all, he had been coveting Leticia even before they were married.

 

He simply thought there was a possibility she had used her ability on him unconsciously while melting into him during their intimate moments.

 

“Do you want to try using it on me?”

 

“No. It was really scary earlier.”

 

As he pulled her into another hug, Leticia glared at him. She had realized what Terdis was thinking.

 

“…You’re trying to get me to cast it on you, aren’t you? Saying that since he cast it on you, now it’s my turn.”

 

“Hmm…. I’ve been caught.”

 

Seeing Terdis slyly avert his eyes, Leticia pinched his cheek.

 

“Ah, since it doesn’t hurt, this must be a dream.”

 

As he whispered this and pecked her on the lips, Leticia cupped his cheeks and kissed him deeply. Her words earlier about being scared had not been a lie.

 

‘I don’t know why it stopped, but it was such a relief. Truly, thank you so, so much….’

 

Leticia offered thanks to an unknown entity and clung tightly to Terdis’s neck. Terdis, too, embraced Leticia with his whole body, reveling in the joy that they had not lost one another.

 

 

***

 

 

“Duke. You called for me?”

 

From the strangely sharp gazes of the servants, Julius guessed that something bad had happened. Since Carlyle had changed clothes in the meantime, Julius was spared the sight of one side of his shoulder soaked in blood.

 

“Priest Julius. Please, sit down.”

 

Carlyle gestured for tea, and as Julius took a seat, he glanced at the Duke’s attendants and maids. The Duke was not the type to keep many people around him. He used only the minimum number of capable individuals.

 

‘The servants of the Lyon Duchy are fiercely loyal.’

 

So, the fact that their gazes were unkind meant that whatever happened at the Great Temple had gone wrong.

 

What could have happened?

 

Tea was soon served, and the attendants, maids, and even the butler left the room. Carlyle lifted his teacup and tasted the appropriately warm tea, but Julius could not easily lift his.

 

“…Did something happen at the Great Temple?”

 

Carlyle glanced at Julius. There was a slight tension on his neat and clean face. Carlyle thought that if he had a daughter, she might have fallen head over heels for Julius or Haron, which would have been a headache.

 

“Did you not receive any word? If Leticia had been forced to stay there, you would have found yourself in a very difficult position in this household.”

 

“I do not understand what you mean. Was there any danger to His Holiness the Pope?”

 

“Hm.”

 

Clack.

 

The teacup was set down on the saucer. Determining that he truly didn’t know what had transpired within the Great Temple, Carlyle spoke.

 

“The Pope had the Paladins aim their spears at me and tried to force Leticia to become a Saintess.”

 

“What?!”

 

Startled, he hit the teacup, but only a little tea spilled; the cup did not overturn. Julius looked between the teacup and Carlyle with a stunned expression.

 

“From the Order’s perspective, things did not go well. I…. escaped with only an injury, and both Leticia and Terdis returned like this.”

 

Julius looked deeply confused. He knew the Pope was a man who made somewhat unreasonable demands, but he never imagined he would instigate such a major incident.

 

“You can probably guess why Sir Haron did not return with us. I regret to say this, but I have no choice but to ask the same of you.”

 

“I will pack my bags and leave immediately. Since things have turned out this way….”

 

“I know that you are in a position where you cannot defy His Holiness. I am aware that you treated Leticia well while staying in my home. You did not get angry even at Terdis’s rude attitude.”

 

At Carlyle’s calm demeanor, Julius felt ashamed. He was ashamed of what the Pope had done, and the Order’s lack of integrity felt like a sin against the Goddess and the gods.

 

“I am truly sorry, Your Grace.”

 

“Indeed. Later…. I hope we can meet again under better circumstances. Please understand that Leticia cannot see you off. I, too, do not wish for her to meet with you separately.”

 

“That is only natural.”

 

Feeling his face burn, Julius bowed his head. Since Carlyle had given the order to leave, he rose from his seat.

 

When he went to his quarters, he saw two servants emptying Haron’s room. Julius also went into the guest room he had been using and packed his few belongings.

 

‘What on earth is His Holiness thinking!’

 

Anger came belatedly, but he thought it would be alright. Judging by the fact that the Duke dismissed people before speaking of the incident, it seemed the Duke of Lyon had decided not to wage war against the Order.

 

He left the room with his luggage bag. A servant was waiting in the hallway where his room was located.

 

“The Duke has prepared a carriage for you.”

 

“Is that so. Please convey my gratitude.”

 

Though it was embarrassing, Julius did not refuse the kindness. The greatest repayment he could offer was to leave this house as quickly as possible.

 

In that short time, he saw a few servants he had been friendly with waiting in the entrance hall. Julius exchanged light greetings with them and boarded the carriage. It seemed Haron’s luggage was also loaded onto it.

 

‘To think we would part ways like this.’

 

Impulsively, he stopped the attendant who was about to close the carriage door.

 

“Wait just a moment.”

 

Getting off the carriage, he approached one of the maids. Then, he took a small book from his chest pocket and held it out to her.

 

“This is…?”

 

“Please give this to the Young Duchess. It is an item that will be helpful to her.”

 

Wondering what to expect, the maid looked momentarily flustered, then embarrassed. Julius did not realize what she had been anticipating.

 

“I entrust this to you.”

 

“Ah, yes! I-I will deliver it. Definitely!”

 

As Julius bowed his head once more and retreated, the maid swallowed a sigh of disappointment. Since he had suddenly gotten off the carriage and approached her, she had thought he was going to confess his feelings or something.

 

As the Duke’s carriage exited the main gate, the servants flocked around her.

 

“What is it? What was it?”

 

“It’s just a book.”

 

Since there was no warning not to open it, they opened the book to see handwritten text in unknown characters and formulas.

 

“What is this? Is it like a wizard’s notebook?”

 

“He’s a priest. What wizard?”

 

As it was passed around among several servants, the maid who had first received the note rushed in and snatched it back.

 

“Give it here! He told me to give it to our Young Madam!”

 

“How can you give it to her without knowing what it is?”

 

At one servant’s scolding, the maid hesitated with a look that said, ‘Is that so?’ When the servant tried to take it back, the maid stuffed it into her pocket.

 

“I’ll ask the butler and handle it myself!”

 

The maid left the spot quickly, afraid it would be taken by someone else.

 

 

***

 

 

From the bedroom where Leticia and Terdis were staying, the main gate of the ducal estate was not visible, even from the balcony. However, Leticia could see the white light of the carriage moving away from the estate, and the pure white thread trailing from him.

 

A vivid, almost painfully bright bluish-white thread followed the path of the carriage. Since it matched the direction he was heading, Leticia was certain that the Great Temple lay at its end. After all, Priest Julius was in that carriage.

 

Leticia’s gaze followed the carriage, but she did not peer inside. She did not wish to spy on Julius using the Goddess’s power.

 

Her gaze soon drifted further, taking in the entire city. Against the backdrop of the slowly setting sun, streetlamps were beginning to light up along the wide main roads.

 

‘A pitch-black thread is… coiling around the Great Temple.’

 

Although a black light did not always signify death, she thought that this time, it was certain. In the game, Julius was the character who ascended to the position of Pope after the current Pope’s death.

 

Seeing the thread shining so brightly on his fate seemed to suggest that his destiny was not far off. Leticia intuitively realized that the Pope would meet his end sooner than in the original story.

 

 

***

 

 

‘The Goddess said she would seal my powers…. But they’ve been unsealed. Why?’

 

She could see them even though she wasn’t asleep right now. It seemed that once the Goddess had opened the path, it remained accessible.

 

Leticia briefly considered spying on Entinus, but decided against it. If Entinus noticed her presence and tried to attack like last time, the current Leticia had no means of defense.

 

‘Why was it unsealed?’

 

She was afraid that the unsealing of her ability meant a new threat was approaching them. However, her weak foresight didn’t detect any specific crisis, and when she looked at her own body, there were no distinct threads visible. Unlike in that dream.

 

“Tisha? What’s wrong?”

 

Terdis, who had gone to the adjacent room to fetch something, returned. Leticia closing her eyes and watching Julius’s carriage had happened in a brief moment, lasting less than a few dozen seconds.

 

Seeing her lost in thought, Terdis sat beside her with a worried expression.

 

“Are you feeling anxious?”

 

Leticia buried her body familiarly into the arms that pulled her close. The fact that there was a warmth she could lean on like this made Leticia happy.

 

“A little.”

 

Leticia debated whether or not to tell Terdis that one of her abilities had been unsealed.

 

In truth, she hadn’t even told Terdis that her powers had been temporarily sealed by the Goddess. Since the ability to watch someone through dreams wasn’t something she could control at will anyway.

 

Neither Carlyle nor Terdis had ever asked her to use this ability, so she hadn’t bothered to explain that it had been sealed.

 

“Don’t worry. Something like this won’t happen again.”

 

Terdis spoke firmly, tightening his arms around Leticia. He intended to etch this incident into his bones—the foolishness of letting his guard down simply because the opponent was a clergyman, resulting in his father getting hurt.

 

If he had acted properly, his father wouldn’t have been injured, and Leticia wouldn’t have had to shed tears at the sight.

 

He didn’t respect Aaron, but he thought he should emulate the way Aaron treated his enemies. If Duke Tesseia had been the opponent, the Pope would never have been able to treat his father that way.

 

“I’m always sorry, Ter…. Since becoming a Saintess, I feel like I’m only causing you trouble.”

 

“That’s not true. The people of the duchy were happy that the Young Duchess became a Saintess. This happened because the Order got too greedy. It is absolutely not your fault.”

 

Terdis said that, but Leticia wondered if his feelings would remain the same if incidents like this kept repeating.

 

He probably wouldn’t change. Not because he was the male lead of the original story, but because Terdis was just that kind of person.

 

“Still, I’m sorry. I keep feeling like it’s my mistake.”

 

“I’ll tell you as many times as it takes. It’s not your fault. This time…. I’m just worried that my response was so foolish that it terrified you.”

 

“You didn’t do anything wrong. Who could have thought the Order would take Father hostage?”

 

Terdis couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud, but he believed that if he had to choose between the two, choosing Leticia without hesitation would have been the right thing to do. After all, his father was a man, and not an old one at that. Carlyle was still young to be called elderly.

 

Furthermore, Carlyle himself was the kind of person who would tell him to save Leticia over himself.

 

‘But if Father had died there, Leticia would have blamed herself severely.’

 

To Leticia, Carlyle was the first adult she had met in her life whom she could trust and rely on. He thought he would probably never understand just how special that existence was to her. He had a father and mother he could trust, and many other reliable adults besides them.

 

‘I can’t let Father or Leticia get hurt. I have to protect them.’

 

He didn’t just intend to be a normal, skilled swordsman. He was already a Sword Master, and he wanted to be someone who could protect everyone.

 

He wanted to be someone who could protect people like his father, who had protected him when he went through terrible things, and Leticia, who had shielded him. He had to become that person.

 

Because he had only ever received protection. To have grown up safely based on that protection and sacrifice, only to be unhelpful in a moment like this, was shameful.

 

He hadn’t learned the sword just to escape the curse. He picked up the sword to protect his father and Leticia.

 

Terdis lowered his head to meet Leticia’s eyes.

 

“So it’s not your fault either. Okay?”

 

At his soft, coaxing voice, Leticia slowly nodded. Terdis smiled with satisfaction and whispered.

 

“The answer?”

 

“Okay.”

 

“Then, kiss me now.”

 

At his feigned sternness, Leticia smiled and pressed her lips against his. Terdis’s eyes narrowed as her soft, petal-like lips rubbed against his and her hot, sweet tongue delved between his lips.

 

“I really like you, Tisha…. I love you.”

 

Hearing his sincerity flow out like a sweet breath, Leticia slowly closed her eyes.

 

 

***

 

 

‘My goodness.’

 

Olga de Valentine gasped when she spotted Isello surrounded by young noblewomen. If Cesare was a handsome man beyond her imagination, Isello looked like a cute boy who was the spitting image of Cesare.

 

She had been very disappointed when she first met that rude Sebastian. Not only his personality but his appearance made it hard to believe he was Cesare’s brother.

 

But Isello looked exactly how Olga had imagined Cesare’s youngest brother would look.

 

‘I want him.’

 

Isello was originally a commoner, they said. Lowly people whispered that Duke Tesseia had awakened to sodomy and adopted Isello to hide it, but Olga knew the truth. Duke Tesseia was not that kind of man.

 

‘I should have met that boy before the Duke did….’

 

If she had, she would have made him her slave by any means necessary. She would have locked him in her bedroom, made him wait on her, and tormented him in various ways. All while savoring that face that resembled Cesare.

 

Olga inadvertently imagined having both Cesare and Isello on each arm, but she knew that was impossible.

 

Leaving aside the boy named Isello, Cesare de Tesseia was a man who had left her hands. He was the type who would never look back.

 

While remembering that fact angered her, Olga stepped back as if satisfied with just admiring Isello’s face. Her followers looked at her strangely.

 

“Princess, aren’t you going to greet that commoner?”

 

“Seeing his face is enough. To speak first to a mere commoner…. The prestige of the Valentine Duchy hasn’t fallen that low.”

 

It was a statement that would have caused Isello’s followers to throw a fit, insisting that he was not a commoner but of high noble status.

 

However, gathered here were Olga’s followers, and while they might have found Isello’s appearance appealing, they were of the opinion that he should not become the adopted son of a ducal house.

 

‘To think a mere commoner pretends to have higher status than me just because he resembles the late Duchess!’

 

It was something worth getting angry about, something they considered deserving of condemnation. Didn’t even the vassals of the Tesseia Duchy oppose it?

 

They had taken their positions not far from Isello’s group. Therefore, just by straining their ears slightly, they could overhear the chatter.

 

Sure enough, the young ladies on the outskirts of Isello’s group overheard a few words and blushed with anger. It was Isello who stopped them from charging over immediately.

 

“I am fine! They are just people who speak harsh words behind others’ backs. I do not want kind people like you to get hurt by clashing with people like that.”

 

He stopped them desperately, fearing the incident would blow up. The young ladies were delighted that Isello was worried about them, while simultaneously slandering Olga and her followers. They seemed very pleased that Isello viewed Olga’s group as being of a lower class than them.

 

“You’re right! If they’re going to spout such things, they should go somewhere else. Just seeing where they’ve settled makes me feel their lowliness.”

 

“Do you see them glaring over there? How vicious everyone is….”

 

Isello felt a chill at how excitedly they were tearing into the other group, but he forced a smile. Then, one of Olga’s followers blushed and glared ferociously.

 

Since the two groups were close, she had heard their chatter.

 

“Are you talking about us right now?!”

 

“Look at her picking a fight. Oh my, how scary.”

 

“Isello, those people are too scary.”

 

As the young ladies clung to Isello one after another claiming to be scared, the noblewoman who had started the confrontation snapped her fan shut as if astounded.

 

“Are you all out of your minds?!”

 

She wanted to mention that lowly commoner, but knowing he was the prospective adopted son of the Tesseia Duchy, she couldn’t say it openly. They might curse him behind his back, but if they clashed head-on, Duke Tesseia wouldn’t stand still.

 

The noblewoman glared at them with a fierce face until her eyes met Isello’s. When Isello smiled with an awkward expression, her face instantly turned red.

 

“My Lady.”

 

Another young lady beside her poked her in the side, telling her to snap out of it. The blushing noblewoman lost her will to fight and hurriedly fanned her face. Olga clicked her tongue inwardly.

 

‘Everyone is so weak to a pretty face….’

 

It wasn’t a thought that should come from someone who had acted the part of a quiet and composed person for over ten years because she had fallen for Cesare’s face, but she had completely forgotten her past.

 

“It seems difficult to stay in the same space since our levels don’t match.”

 

Olga spoke coldly and left the area with the young ladies. The space they retreated to was still within the banquet hall, but much further away than before.

 

Isello sighed in relief inwardly. He didn’t want to get entangled with Olga after Nastasha.

 

“Aren’t you holding on for too long? You have no shame.”

 

Perhaps finding the young lady clinging to Isello’s arm annoying, Nastasha approached stealthily and tried to pry her arm off, causing voices to rise immediately.

 

Isello hurriedly mediated between them to prevent the fight from growing, looking around as he did. Sebastian had already bolted somewhere; he was nowhere to be seen.

 

‘Yeah. I knew you’d do that. Go bump into some drunk guy and get into a fight.’

 

The reason he frequently attended noble banquets and balls was that Aaron’s aide had recommended it. The idea was that if public opinion of him improved, the vassals might change their minds.

 

He didn’t know how much this would help, but he was attending invitations from families recommended by the aide anyway.

 

‘Ah~ I wish I could be formally adopted as soon as possible.’

 

He was very worried, as he would have to meet Leticia—the villainess who married the male lead—tomorrow.