Chapter 12

Translator: Nox

<Episode 12>

Of all times, Theodore shows up now!

I'd worried he might abduct me, but I thought it'd be fine if the announcement as Saintess came out tomorrow.

He's moving this fast?

He's clearly here to check on me. And since he's the Emperor... even in the Grand Temple, he could frame me with some crime and drag me off if he wanted.

In short, meeting him now meant:

'Minimum abduction, maximum death.'

Just letting him see my face could make me vanish by the end of the day.

That's why I'd deliberately suppressed my presence with the Guardian Gods' divine power for every customer in Demong. They'd probably only remember the Five Direction Flags or the rattle bell.

'What kind of intelligence is this? It's only been two or three hours...!'

Theodore was here. Whether to drag me away or just confirm my appearance, either was dangerous.

I needed the Saintess position as my backing before facing him.

"It's a long explanation, but to put it simply, the High Priestess said,"

"You'll be in big trouble if you run into His Majesty the Emperor before the announcement? Of course. No way. Let's go. Where to?"

The High Priestess must have thought the same as me. Theodore was a man of action.

"Pardon? How did you know what I was going to say—"

"Later. Hurry first!"

"Ah. Yes, I. I'm heading to the prayer room on the top floor. His Majesty never goes there."

"Perfect! Let's go!"

I urged the slightly flustered priest and moved.

[Dorothy. Be careful. I can't read Theodore's path, so there's nothing I can do... Please be careful.]

With Agatha's encouragement—helpful yet not—I hurried along almost at a run.

Even then, I didn't forget to tuck my hair thoroughly under the shabby hooded robe I had flipped over my head.

"Um, over there. That's the elevator to the top floor."

Never had the backdrop of emerging modern civilization felt so welcome.

I wouldn't get caught by Theodore climbing the countless stairs to the top floor.

I followed the priest quickly onto the elevator.

"Here?"

At that moment, a chilling voice came from right beside us.

I swallowed hard and barely lifted my head. Theodore stood in the nearby corridor.

I couldn't miss him. I'd never seen anyone so beautiful, radiating an intense aura that screamed 'blessed by the gods' from every inch of his body.

On top of that, his physique was superior to anyone passing by, tall enough to stand out, and he shone as if bathed in sunlight.

His halo blended so seamlessly with the light, it was hard to tell if it was his own glow or the sun's.

Before the priest could notice Theodore, I yanked him away.

"On second thought, we might run into him on the way to the top floor. I'll hide in a crowded place."

"B-But the High Priestess—"

"It's urgent. The worship hall nearby—where is it? Somewhere crowded."

I cut off the priest and asked emphatically again.

Startled by my intensity, he stammered a response.

"Th-That would be... over there. There is one."

"Lead the way. Hurry."

I wanted to shout, but I couldn't. One glance from Theodore, and I'd be spotted.

The priest turned puzzled but complied as I pushed him along.

At that instant, I felt Theodore, who had been scanning around, shift his gaze our way.

Please, don't see me.

"That's it. The worship hall. It's open to civilians, so it's always fairly crowded."

"Good. Go now. Staying with you, a priest, will draw even more suspicion."

"Are you sure it'll be okay......?"

"It will! I'm going in!"

After telling the somewhat dim priest that, I entered the worship hall.

'Not... a ton of people, but enough. Lucky.'

There were plenty of people actually, but the worship hall in the Grand Temple was so enormous that they seemed sparse despite the crowd.

Still, this was better than nothing. Hiding alone in a remote corner screamed 'I'm the Saintess,' so blending into the crowd was best.

I pulled my hood low and moved to conceal myself among the people. I needed to tuck into a corner and pretend to pray.

Cold sweat dripped down my back the whole way.

'What is this, a chase scene?'

"Excuse me, pardon me."

I wedged into a suitable corner seat, deliberately between a few people. I settled in among them.

[Lady Agatha. You can't read him, but you can see—so tell me if Theodore enters the worship hall.]

No time to watch the entrance, so I asked Agatha, but no reply came.

[Lady Agatha?]

[......]

'What? Can't even communicate now?'

Agatha had said she couldn't 'read' Theodore, not that our connection would break. Did she not know?

I grew even more anxious. I wondered if Theodore had come.

I hunched low and turned my head toward the entrance.

Peeking through hair and hood narrowed my vision. But this way, my face wouldn't show.

Lifting my head a bit more, I spotted Theodore in the distance.

'He chases this fast?'

What a monstrous intuition.

Tension surged. I gripped my robe hem tightly and prayed desperately.

'I'll live righteously, please not now. Please.'

I could see Theodore's lips forming orders to his men.

'Find her.'

He didn't even know my face, yet his subordinates scattered efficiently at the firm command. Theodore moved too, with a man who looked like his aide.

'Why of all places......!'

But why this direction?

He frowned slightly and strode straight toward me without hesitation. No way he recognizes me. Right? No way......!

Theodore occasionally stopped random people, turning them around to check faces and ask names. He'd verify IDs and pose a few questions.

No clue on his selection criteria. Probably some instinct beyond ordinary comprehension.

Those grabbed by Theodore started annoyed but lost themselves upon seeing his beautiful face.

He drew closer and closer to me like that.

"Hello, brothers and sisters."

Unsettled, I greeted chattily to blend in as one of the worshippers.

"Welcome, sister."

"Blessings, love, peace."

"Thank you. Peace to you. How are you feeling today?"

"Pardon? Uh... I'm fine."

After greetings, exchanging somewhat forced small talk made me look like the most ordinary Maelta Church devotee.

"When will the Lord answer? It's so hard today too. This damn arthritis."

"They say donate more tithes."

"But times are tough......"

Luckily, people were talkative. Natural complaints and responses flowed, so I just nodded in empathy.

I didn't look at Theodore, but I sensed him approaching instinctively.

My heart pounded like it would burst. And soon.

'Gone... past!'

Had my desperate prayer worked? Theodore passed right by me.

Thank goodness. Yeah, even a freakishly lucky guy couldn't find me hidden like this—

"You there."

A cold voice flowed into both ears. My heart chilled.

Ah. Busted.

I clamped my mouth shut and gripped my clasped hands tighter. Pretend not to hear, not to hear......

Theodore ignored my intent completely and stood before me.

"Lift your head."

Standing there calling me while I kept my head down would look suspicious.

Swallowing tears, I lifted my head like eating bitter herbs.

"Your name?"

He frowned and stared straight at me as he asked.

His eyes were incredibly blue. Clearer and more beautiful than the sky or pristine tropical seas.

Fascinated by that pure light, I forgot my shock and gazed at him.

'How can such a beautiful color exist?'

That thought crossed my mind. Staring into those eyes made everything slow down.

The blue eyes met mine without flinching, then he stepped even closer. The distance shrank.

"Answer."

As my thoughts tried to continue, Theodore urged with a cold, languid voice.

Those around me peeked nervously, awed by his presence.

"Ma... ria."

I barely recalled the name of the devotee who helped at the shrine in Demong.

I'd overheard her grumbling that Maria was the most common name in the world, consoled by the neighbor lady. When deceiving, the commonplace works best.

"Maria."

It's fine. Lots of eyes here, no proof I'm the Saintess. I hadn't shown my face to Theodore's men who came for me.

Nothing will happen. Gaining courage, I moved to stand.

"Take off the hood."

"I'm... in the middle of... devotion."

I gave a lame excuse and bowed my head more. Theodore chuckled. Coldness dripped from the end of his laugh.

"Fine... If devotion comes first, then do so."

"Pardon?"

Really? No need to remove it? Hope surged that his words were sincere as they seemed.

But... no way.

I clasped my damp-with-nerves hands. I wanted to look at Theodore's face but couldn't.

'Worst case......'

"If devotion comes before your life."

No, who prioritizes that? Seriously, I'm scared to death.