<Episode 10>
* * *
"The saintess went to the Temple?"
A cold voice sliced through the air.
Isaac, the Emperor's top aide, felt his heart shrink instinctively. Even though the tone was calm, the immense anger simmering beneath it was palpable.
"I apologize."
In moments like this, there was only one thing to do with his superior.
Bow his head.
It had been a year since the Emperor ascended the throne, but they'd been together for nearly a decade. Knowing the precise angle for atonement, Isaac bowed his waist skillfully.
'Why does my boss have to be the Emperor of all people?'
Honestly, if he'd served someone else, a mistake would just lead to a scolding and maybe dismissal at worst. But with the Emperor as his boss, it always felt like walking a tightrope between life and death.
Of course, Emperor Theodore wasn't one to kill without reason.
But seeing that furious face always terrified him, making his toes curl involuntarily.
How could such a beautiful, radiant face—like the sun personified—exude such biting coldness?
"Is that all?"
"...Pardon?"
"I'm asking if that's the only news my limbs brought back. Surely they didn't go all the way to Demong just to let the saintess slip away right in front of them."
The frozen sun chilled the entire staff. Ironically, the Empire's sun didn't shine by burning—it glowed by freezing.
"The Bishop of Demong and the carriage carrying the saintess... are heading straight to the Capital City. We tried to track them, but by the time we learned the truth, it was already..."
Isaac trailed off.
The subordinates had bungled the job, so why was he, the aide, getting reamed?
The answer: Because he was the top aide.
'I'd take a pay cut just to work as a lowly errand boy.'
Isaac swallowed his desperate prayer. His waist was starting to ache, and his legs were going numb. By the time the Emperor's anger subsided, he'd probably cramp up all over.
Good thing he'd asked the infirmary for muscle relaxant herbs beforehand.
"Why... of all places... did she go there?"
Meanwhile, Theodore couldn't shake the nagging unease.
"You said the Temple in Demong hadn't approached the saintess first in the past two months. In fact, more of them despised her as a fraud."
Wanting to clarify any connection between the Temple and the saintess, Theodore had ordered his men to interrogate the Demong Temple while retrieving her.
But the report was unexpected.
The Temple despised the saintess.
"Yes. So it seems unlikely they're connected... but then why flee to the Temple of all places...? It's hard to understand."
The situation grew even stranger.
Why run to the Temple? If she planned to seek refuge there, why not go earlier?
Why bolt to the Temple the moment the imperial side showed up? It was as if she'd been 'waiting' for Theodore to come for her.
Maybe she fled out of fear of punishment for her scam once the imperials arrived? That was the most logical hypothesis.
But if fleeing, she'd hide—not go to the Temple. And heading to the Capital City, where the Emperor resided, no less.
It was as if she knew the Emperor meant her harm and that the Temple—specifically, the High Priestess—could 'shield' her from it.
Like someone who knew well the tug-of-war between the Temple and the Emperor.
"...Strange."
"Pardon?"
"Isaac. Is my power struggle with the Temple that famous even among commoners?"
Theodore seemed lost in thought. This was the moment. He tended to calm down when deep in contemplation.
Isaac straightened his waist. Pain flooded in. A groan nearly escaped, but he gritted his teeth and swallowed it.
"No. The imperial family and Temple were always close originally... So nobles, Temple bishops, and priests might know, but it's not common knowledge among the populace. Even if it leaked, the Temple wouldn't spread it lest public sentiment turn against them."
"Indeed."
There was no benefit to either Theodore's reforms or the Temple's prestige if their feud leaked externally.
So how did that saintess know?
He'd never met her, so maybe all this suspicion was overblown.
But the unease persisted. Theodore's innate luck meant his instincts rarely failed.
"Your Majesty!"
Just then, the door burst open.
"Int-intelligence."
"What is it?"
Theodore sensed a headache incoming.
"The Grand Temple—will officially recognize the saintess's return. It hasn't been announced yet, but it's only a matter of time."
"...Very efficient."
Theodore flashed a sardonic smile.
"And the Grand Temple plans to hold a return ceremony displaying the saintess to the public. Soon... everything will be announced."
Everything about the saintess was progressing at breakneck speed. As if someone who saw through the world's every thread was orchestrating it.
Truly. Strange.
* * *
"Whoa..."
Yes. This is the world inside a romance novel!
The splendid streets of the Capital City, fountains gleaming gold. Outlandishly ornate carriages and the occasional glimpse of beautiful dresses in salons.
I hadn't realized in the rural city of Demong, but now it hit home.
We arrived at the Grand Temple and disembarked. Holy knights in armor saluted as we headed to the High Priestess's chambers.
"Saintess. Are you really going to help me return?"
The Bishop of Demong whispered.
The Grand Temple. The power that could protect me against the Emperor lay here. The Demong Temple couldn't shield me.
So I needed to appeal to the High Priestess for refuge, which required the Bishop's help.
Per the novel's info, regional bishops—unlike regular priests—had the right to request an audience with the High Priestess.
A group rotten with power cliques.
"Of course."
I smiled warmly.
I had no real intention of helping the Bishop, but for now, I played along. No need to stir trouble with the man essential for meeting the High Priestess.
Once I achieved my goal of seeing her, even if I ghosted him later, the Bishop couldn't harm me.
I'd be the Saintess, after all.
The Grand Temple, meant to house the gods, was as opulent as a royal palace.
[The Grand Temple always leaves me conflicted whenever I visit. It's so different from the old days...]
Agatha muttered in a somber voice.
[Sigh. How did our names end up being used like this?]
No wonder she felt down. Who wouldn't rage if some rinky-dink restaurant slapped your name on the sign and ran it however they pleased? What Agatha endured was devouring the entire Empire.
"We're here."
We arrived, and the door opened. I stepped through.
"Ugh..."
My eyes squinted.
Dazzling peach marble floors and pillars, chandeliers with so many crystals they'd be impossible to count...
And nearly every object, pillar, floor... even the tiles finished in gold.
This was insane extravagance.
"Bishop. Twenty years."
A low, resonant voice vibrated the air.
Gazes shifted involuntarily. At the center of all this splendor sat a golden throne.
Upon it lounged a middle-aged woman with her hair pinned up, legs crossed in arrogant poise.
"H-High Priestess..."
The Bishop hastily knelt.
"I recall telling you never to show your face again... Was that amusing?"
Did leaders of such vast organizations need that level of charisma? Her soft voice cut like a knife.
"N-No! Not at all! I just came to report... about the saintess's return!"
"Saintess?"
The High Priestess's gaze shifted to me. Curiosity... and contempt bloomed on her furrowed brow.
"Ah. The fraud who graced the front page."
"Hello, High Priestess."
I bowed lightly in greeting. She scoffed.
"A country bumpkin who doesn't even know proper etiquette masquerading as a saintess? The gods must be appalled."
This bitch...
Greedy wretch who can't even hear the gods' voices... masquerading as a priestess.
I suppressed my rising ire and spoke.
"I can make you believe I'm the saintess."
"Hmph."
"And I'll tell you the benefits of allying with me."
"Insolent girl."
Flames ignited in the High Priestess's eyes, as if she'd devour me. This time, it was scary. A total beast.
"You've wanted... to check the Emperor, haven't you?"
Her face hardened instantly.
But I wasn't intimidated.
Of course, I'd cower plenty before the Emperor, who blocks even divine power. But against anyone else, with Agatha, I feared nothing.
"Bishop, withdraw. And you priests, all of you—ensure no one hears this room. Let absolutely no one listen in."
The High Priestess waved them out dismissively. The vast room hid how many attendants she had.
Murmurs faded, leaving only silence between her and me.
"What can you do?"
"I hear the gods' voices."
"How?"
"I can learn anything I'm curious about. Like the location of your secret vault you treasure so dearly."
"Secret vault. Vivid imagination. You get plenty of such slander in this position."
She dismissed it casually.
"You prepared a separate house, right? Location: Miguel Street. Posing as a small tavern, but a massive secret vault underground. My goodness. What do you even use it all for?"
Info Agatha and the other gods had scouted by zipping in and out of the Grand Temple.
Some secrets only surface up close.
So we'd picked the one to most rattle the High Priestess.
"You... how do you know..."
"Is it true, High Priestess? The alias you made for it is Judith. Quite a cute name!"
"How... that..."
"Even the Emperor hasn't uncovered it? Indeed. How did I know?"
Her face paled.
"High Priestess. I am the saintess. I can converse with the eight Guardian Gods, including Lady Agatha."
"Impossible. Converse? Even oracle-receiving priests can't do that. The gods don't share such details."
Her lips trembled. Head shaking in disbelief—like shock personified.
"I can fully aid your fight. Even lead it to victory. The return of the legendary saintess... seems profitable for the Temple too."
Even as I spoke, it felt like a devil's whisper.
"And... before coming here, the Emperor sent men for me. Investigate, and you'll see. With him targeting me now, will you let me slip away?"
I'd lure her in, use her as a shield for Theodore, then topple the Temple. Felt kinda shitty human-wise.
Well. Agatha approved the plan, so no divine punishment. Being tied to gods made spotting 'heavenly retribution' a breeze.
"...Saintess. Your name?"
"Dorothy."
A gleam lit her eyes.
To put it precisely: Greed-filled light.
