<Chapter 58>

His eyes and expression revealed a noticeable tension.

Because of that, the fleeting thought of playing a prank on him vanished as quickly as it came.

“It’s not that. It’s just… his eyes were the same color as mine. Honestly, it’s not a common color, is it?”

“His eyes…?”

Temenos stroked his chin with a puzzled expression, as if asking himself, “Was that so?”

Despite confronting the intruder up close, it seemed he hadn’t noticed the color of his opponent’s eyes.

“What’s going on here?! …Gasp! Master! Madam!”

It was then that two guards came running toward the commotion. Upon spotting Temenos and me, they immediately snapped to a salute.

Temenos frowned as he glanced at the two men.

“You’re awfully quick, aren’t you? A moment ago, an intruder attempted to attack the Duchess. What exactly were you two doing at that time?”

“S-sorry, sir! We had no idea!”

“No idea? Is that something a guard should ever say?”

The atmosphere around Temenos grew increasingly menacing, and the two guards turned pale as if their throats were being squeezed.

I lightly nudged Temenos’ side with my elbow to diffuse the situation.

“Let’s deal with this tomorrow. I’m tired. Yaaawn…”

I deliberately yawned loudly, and the oppressive air around him visibly subsided.

After briefly glancing at me, Temenos turned back to the guards and issued his orders.

“Gather the retired knights to reinforce security, and investigate where the intruder entered and escaped. Submit a report by tomorrow morning.”

“Yes, Your Grace!”

“We’ll get to it immediately!”

The two men practically bolted from the scene.

Watching their retreating backs, I felt a pang of sympathy for their undeserved scolding before heading toward the shattered remains of the pendant.

‘Might as well pick it up just in case.’

I crouched down and started collecting the pieces. The pendant had been struck directly in the center, breaking it into six fragments like slices of pizza.

How it got destroyed, I had no idea, but Ferry must’ve done it properly… huh?

“Is that… a sunflower seed?”

Why is this here? Judging by the neat little bite marks on the edge, it seems like Flurry has been snacking on it.

“Squeak, squeak!”

“You dropped it because you were startled, didn’t you? This is useless now, so let’s toss it. I’ll get you a new one.”

“By the way, where did that hamster come from?”

Temenos bent down and extended a hand toward me. It seemed like he was offering to hold the pendant pieces, so I placed them in his palm.

“It’s a friend Ferry brought back. Since he didn’t bring any luggage with him when he returned, I’m guessing he disappeared to fetch it.”

“……”

Temenos stared blankly at the pendant fragments in his hand.

Dusting off my palms, I noticed his odd reaction and asked, “What’s wrong? Do you know something about that pendant?”

“Last time, I thought… no, never mind.”

He sighed lightly and then glanced briefly at my hand before answering my question.

“That pendant is something all priests blessed with divinity must carry, correct? I’ve heard it’s essential for offering prayers to God or channeling divine power…”

As if he had just realized something, Temenos looked at me and asked, “How can you pray to God without that pendant?”

“I don’t know. I can just do it without one.”

Oh, great. How am I supposed to explain this without sounding heretical?

‘If I told him the Great Temple—from the Pope down to the apprentices—worships something other than the real god, would he believe me?’

Revealing that the current Great Temple is heretical would shake the very foundation of the empire. I can’t attack the temple without solid preparation.

‘If only I knew exactly what role this pendant plays…’

I glanced around.

Was there a priest carrying one of those pendants nearby who wouldn’t be too hard to deal with…? Ah!

“I have a question. Did Bishop Roam return to the capital?”

“He’s been in the jail for days after getting drunk and causing a scene. Do you need something from him?”

“Hmm. I do have some business, but it’s something that shouldn’t be made public. Would that be alright?”

“Oh.”

Temenos nodded as if he understood.

“But you can’t go alone. I’ll accompany you. Is that acceptable?”

“Of course. That’s fine.”

“Good. Then we’ll go at dawn tomorrow.”

“Sounds perfect.”

Now, what experiment could I run on Bishop Roam? He was so annoying; I could probably justify pulling out a few strands of his hair in the name of research.

‘Considering how much he seemed to have tormented Inosensia, I should at least exact some form of revenge for her.’

As I entertained various ideas for revenge, I noticed Temenos watching me with an oddly troubled expression.

“What’s with the look?”

“What kind of look?”

“Like you’ve got a lot on your mind…”

Temenos stared at me before letting out a long sigh.

“……It’s nothing.”

“…Huh?”

What’s with him? He suddenly started staring at the full moon dramatically. Is he about to—oh, no!

“As soon as you meet her eyes, pull her into your arms and kiss her without hesitation.”

Ugh! The timing is completely ruined!

*  *  *

After finally shaking off his pursuers and finding himself alone, the man noticed the eastern sky beginning to brighten.

Avoiding the dawn sunlight, he slipped into a cave and clutched his throbbing head, trying to recall the events that had just transpired.

‘Where am I? Who were those people earlier? Why am I here? What was I doing?’

His memories were hazy, as if shrouded in fog. He clung desperately to the few clear fragments left in his mind.

A dark garden. A relentless boy who had tracked him even to this place. A man with monstrous strength who had overpowered him.

And, standing out vividly even in the shadows, a woman with radiant lavender hair and eyes.

“Don’t, Brother!”}

“…Brother?”

A name suddenly surfaced in his mind.

“Inosensia?”

In that instant, the fog in his mind lifted, and memories came flooding in like a broken dam.

“Become my sword, and I’ll erase your criminal record.”

“…On one condition. Find my little sister and ensure the Great Temple protects her.”

“Your little sister, you say… What does she look like?”

“I found your sister. She was wandering the streets like a beggar.”

“Like a beggar…?”

“Luckily, there’s a vacancy among the saintess candidates. I’ll have her pose as one.”

“Pose as one…? Is that even possible? Won’t the truth be discovered?”

“Of course not. Who do you think I am?”

“……”

“Your sister will live a life of utmost care as a saintess candidate. She might even awaken as a saintess someday.”

“I don’t wish for her to become a saintess. That would burden her with far too much responsibility.”

“Fine. She won’t be chosen as the saintess. Does this satisfy you?”

“Yes. As long as Your Holiness keeps this promise, I swear to serve as your sword for life.”

“Good. Take this pendant.”

The last memory he had was of the Pope handing him the pendant.

He had no idea how much time had passed since then.

But judging by how much his hair had grown, it must have been years.

And yet…

‘That woman who called me Brother… was she Inosensia?’

The last time he’d seen Inosensia, she was just a frail little girl barely reaching his waist. Plus, she wouldn’t have even known she had a brother.

Wait.

‘Didn’t I… try to kill her with my own hands?’

A chill ran down his spine. His heart pounded wildly, and cold sweat trickled down his body.

Fighting off the instinctive repulsion, he gagged several times before sensing someone’s presence nearby.

Reflexively, he released his energy, but to his surprise, no divine spear appeared.

Standing at the entrance to the cave was Ferry, blinking innocently as he regarded him.

“You’re… Inosensia’s guard, aren’t you?”

Ferry tilted his head, noting the absence of hostility from him this time.

Seeing this, the man raised both hands in surrender.

“I won’t attack. I’m sorry. There was a misunderstanding earlier.”

It sounded like the textbook excuse of a defeated man.

Even he wouldn’t have believed himself. But, unexpectedly, Ferry smiled brightly and sheathed his sword, as though relieved.
 

<To be continued>

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