Chapter 12 Part 2
They must have realized that I had roughly caught on to the flow of the conversation.
However, none of them said, “The Grand Temple wishes to purify the Holy Maiden’s black heart.”
They probably wouldn’t say it so directly in the future either.
These are the kind of people who speak in circles and then play dumb when things turn unfavorable.
“There’s no room for anyone else by my side right now.”
Breaking the silence, I opened my mouth again to express my clear intention.
Unlike some weak-willed individuals, I specialized in speaking directly.
“Lady Laté, the Marquis of Feros possesses little spiritual power. He is not a suitable person to stand beside the Holy Maiden who needs purification.”
Xenoph continued with a calm face, shaking his head slightly.
Even the High Priest can’t foresee everything, it seems. My heart is already being purified by Hyle. Fools.
“I’ll be going now.”
There was nothing more to hear. I had successfully completed the spiritual power test as they requested and finished my duty.
So I didn’t want to stay at the Grand Temple for even a moment longer.
“Lady Laté, a divine prophecy is expected to come down soon. The day when the moon wanes to half is the day Renesia delivers her message. So if perhaps…”
As I was about to turn around and head for the exit, Xenoph’s quiet voice suddenly came from behind me.
As if having something more to say, Xenoph trailed off and paused for a moment.
“If you wish to hear the prophecy, you may accompany us that day.”
…What? Is he inviting me to receive the prophecy with them? My goodness, that’s the most chilling thing I’ve heard all year.
While I might not mind in the distant future, right now, I had no desire to get any closer to Renesia.
The demonic power flowing through my body was instinctively rejecting Renesia.
That’s why I had just barely managed to complete the spiritual power test.
And now, not content with that, they were suggesting I approach the goddess directly and listen to her voice?
If such a thing were to happen to me… there was no way I could finish with my sanity intact.
“No thank you. Please send the prophecy by letter.”
After briefly and firmly declining, I continued on my way. It seemed much later than I had thought.
Above all, today was the day I was supposed to meet with Hyle to receive spiritual power… would he be waiting for me?
* * *
As soon as Rosiel disappeared, the quiet murmuring among the priests gradually grew louder.
They knew the Lady Laté was originally decisive and resolute in character, but meeting Rosiel Laté in person showed she was truly non-negotiable! The most unyielding type.
Typically, when the High Priest said something, listeners would nod as if enchanted, but the only one immune to this was Rosiel.
She even silenced them with her flawless, perfectly paced demeanor that left no room for criticism.
When she declared that her light was Hyle, her pink eyes shining steadfastly, they truly couldn’t say a word.
It was a breathtaking moment when they nearly found themselves nodding in agreement with her words.
“Your Eminence, the Holy Maiden…”
“It’s all right. There’s no need to rush; the Lady will safely become the Holy Maiden.”
One priest’s voice trembled with anxiety.
Noticing this, Xenoph offered a kind response with the same gentle expression he had shown to Rosiel earlier.
Faced with Xenoph’s reassuring demeanor that made it impossible not to feel at ease, the priest forcibly swallowed his unease.
Then another priest beside him spoke up.
“Your Eminence, lately, the Holy Maiden has been frequently seen with the Marquis of Feros. Perhaps she is already having her demonic power purified by him.”
At the priest’s plausible assumption, the other priests’ faces instantly grew cold and stiff.
Such a thing must not happen. Xenoph opened his mouth gently with an expressionless face.
“Priest, I told you before. His Highness possesses far more spiritual power than the Marquis. Although he may be unskilled in using it, he has enough to share with someone without issue.”
Do you understand what I mean?
Though Xenoph’s tone was quietly murmuring, his sharp follow-up words reached everyone’s ears clearly.
“There is no better means to purify the filthy black power that the Holy Maiden has yet to discard. Meanwhile, the Marquis of Feros has truly great spiritual power, but in small quantity. If he continues to purify the Holy Maiden in such a state, he will eventually be overwhelmed and lose his life.”
As Xenoph continued speaking, the priests’ faces began to change from moment to moment.
How could they maintain composure when such extreme hypotheses flowed so readily?
“The Marquis knows this better than anyone… so he wouldn’t do anything reckless. After all, he’s been a prodigy since childhood. Unless he’s a fool, he won’t try to interfere with our work.”
The priests had no choice but to nod at Xenoph’s words.
They too had seen and heard enough about Hyle Feros’s reputation for a long time, so they couldn’t help but acknowledge his brilliance and wisdom.
“But if he’s not interfering, why are they spending so much time together lately…”
“One who cannot help is merely an obstacle. Your Eminence, shouldn’t we find a solution quickly before the Holy Maiden becomes even closer to the Marquis?”
However, it was a clear fact that Hyle and Rosiel were spending time together in an unusually close manner.
If this continued, Rosiel’s purification would not happen quickly.
“That too will be momentary. The Lady is the unquestionable candidate for Holy Maiden, designated by Renesia herself. This is something no one can oppose. Not even the Marquis of Feros.”
Having skillfully placated the priests, Xenoph showed a smooth smile. The priests reluctantly closed their mouths and silently indicated their agreement.
“For now, it would be best to wait for the new prophecy. She will provide us with an answer. As she always has…”
With Xenoph’s quiet words, the breaths that had lingered in one place began to scatter to their respective positions.
* * *
“It’s later than I expected.”
I had arranged to receive spiritual power from Hyle tonight, but we hadn’t set a specific time.
However, since we had regularly met late at night, today too had become an unspoken agreement for the late hours.
I had donned a black robe to prevent attention being drawn to my conspicuously vibrant pink hair at night, which was sufficient disguise for our clandestine meeting.
“Entrie… it would take too long to bring him.”
I needed to contact Hyle through a courier bird, but going back to the mansion to fetch Entrie would take too much time.
“…No choice then. Raphla!”
In the end, I summoned Raphla. Calling Raphla once seemed less tiring than using black magic teleportation twice.
After instructing Raphla to contact Hyle, I decided to wait for him in a secluded alley where the bright lights of the bustling streets couldn’t reach.
Though unintentionally using Raphla had drained quite a bit of my energy… I would soon receive spiritual power purification from Hyle, so this much should be fine.
“Rosiel.”
After some time had passed, Hyle appeared from between the alleys.
His voice as he spoke my name was deeper than usual, perhaps because of the late hour.
But something about Hyle’s condition seemed quite different from normal. He looked somewhat tired…
“You’re late. Did the test just end?”
“It took longer than I expected. But Hyle, are you all right? You don’t look well.”
After lightly acknowledging Hyle’s words, I tilted my head slightly to examine his unusual complexion.
“I’m fine. Just a bit tired.”
Hyle shrugged as if it were nothing, then abruptly extended his hand to me.
“Your hand.”
Momentarily stunned by his simple, direct request, I placed my hand on his without understanding why.
…Wait, this is just like a dog. Don’t puppies give their paws to humans this way!?
“Umm, Hyle, this is kind of…”
