Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Holy Capital Assembly - Opening, Aselina's Re-Debut (2)
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Robertus's new appearance was nothing short of a transformation.
It was the complete opposite of how he looked at the banquet where the incident with the Ferris Duke had occurred.
Instead of his usual black coat, he wore a pristine white suit accented with gold buttons and a brooch.
His hair was no longer slicked back tightly; instead, his bangs fell softly forward, giving him a gentler impression than before.
And the most striking change was to his face.
He had completely erased the dark circles under his eyes through some method.
On top of that, rather than furrowing his brow and scowling threateningly as usual, he now wore a faint, serene smile.
"...Aselina's change is impressive, but I'm far more shocked by the Duke of Bilheim."
She covered her mouth with her fan, but her eyes remained fixed on Robertus.
Marquis Belter found it irritating how his wife's voice had turned so soft and flirtatious, but he too was staring intently at Robertus.
To be precise, aside from his outfit, his looks hadn't changed all that much.
He'd just altered his hairstyle a bit, applied some makeup to his face, and softened his expression.
"Yet how can his impression change by a full 180 degrees like that..."
There was no longer any trace of the cold Duke of the North who exuded charisma with every step and intimidated others with a mere glance.
If he had to put it into words...
The marquis racked his brain for a moment, unable to come up with a fitting description for Robertus's current look.
"...Right. He looks like the prince on a white horse from a romance novel."
He was startled by his own crude choice of words and quickly glanced around,
but fortunately, no one was paying him any mind.
All eyes were on the newly arrived pair.
Yet for some reason, a strange tension hung in the air among those watching them.
"Sh-Should we go say hello?"
"But it's Robertus and Aselina, of all people..."
Even the noblewomen gazing at Robertus with honey-dripping eyes hesitated to approach him.
The others were the same.
They were curious about the sudden change in the pair, but their established images held everyone back from making the first move.
Just as this peculiar atmosphere settled over the grand banquet hall,
"Welcome, Lady Aselina, and Duke of Bilheim!"
A young noble in a brown suit pushed through the crowd and strode confidently toward the two.
"Good to see you, Marquis Boel."
"I hope you've been well, Marquis Boel."
Marquis Boel was the first to step forward and greet them.
After a brief chat,
"Ah, right! There's someone I'd like to introduce you to."
He led them toward the crowd that had been watching.
"Pleased to meet you, Bishop Millun! How have you been?"
"Y-Yes? Oh... yes. Thanks to your concern, I've been faithfully following Lord God Juten's teachings."
"I see. That must be Lord God Juten's grace as well. I came to introduce these two to you..."
The bishop was taken aback by Marquis Boel's sudden action.
But soon enough, thanks to the affable marquis's mediation, he found himself naturally conversing with Aselina and Robertus.
"That said... this is astonishing, Lady Aselina. I almost didn't recognize you at first. What on earth happened...?"
"Nothing particularly special. It's the result of reflecting on my past reckless words and actions, and contemplating the proper demeanor for a saintess candidate."
"...I see. Even so, the change is so abrupt..."
'No way.'
Bishop Millun had watched how Aselina behaved in public settings up until now.
So the idea that she'd turned over a new leaf completely in just a few days—through her own efforts alone—was utterly ridiculous.
"...Of course, the devotion of Robertus here by my side was a tremendous help."
"The Duke of Bilheim?"
"You're too kind. I merely offered Lady Aselina a little assistance."
Robertus bowed his head toward Aselina with utmost humility.
The sight was like beholding an elegant queen and her loyal vassal.
Bishop Millun was bewildered.
'So... Aselina's dramatic change is due to the Duke of Bilheim?'
Aselina aside, the image of the 'vicious Duke of the North' ingrained in his mind didn't match the white-clad gentleman before him at all.
'Perhaps the Duke of Bilheim isn't the monster the rumors make him out to be.'
For a fleeting moment, the bishop's opinion shifted slightly.
'But one can't judge solely by appearances.'
Yet the stain of suspicion doesn't wipe away easily.
"Duke of Bilheim. Did you have breakfast?"
"Breakfast, you say?"
"Yes. This morning, I ate seven grilled sardines and three loaves of olive-studded wheat bread. And you?"
"...!"
Aselina and Boel caught the implication behind the bishop's words and tensed up.
The bishop's remark alluded to the tale of Lord God Juten descending to the starving masses and feeding them with seven sardines and three wheat loaves.
He was testing Robertus right now.
Do you even know this?
It was a famous anecdote known to any follower of the Radain Faith,
but Bishop Millun, already suspicious of him, would continue testing even if he answered correctly.
The two watched Robertus cautiously.
"-Then you've enjoyed a meal brimming with Lord God's grace."
Robertus replied without hesitation.
"Hoh."
'Impressive. For a northern bumpkin, he knows the basics. Now, what to test next...'
But Robertus's words didn't end there.
"I had wine and thin wafers."
"...!"
Bishop Millun visibly faltered.
Wine and thin wheat wafers—the menu of Lord God Juten's last supper before his martyrdom.
"While contemplating Lord God's final moments and reflecting on His sublime sacrifice for us."
"...A truly admirable mindset."
Once again, the bishop slightly revised his assessment.
"But Bishop Millun. Do you know why I chose those for breakfast?"
"Why is that?"
"It was to reflect on a mistake I made the day before."
"A mistake?"
"Yes. I have a very close friend, and I'd been doubting his achievements up until now. But yesterday, I realized he had truly accomplished them."
"I see."
"So I went to him, apologized for doubting him, and he laughed heartily and replied thus."
"Hoh. I'd love to hear that reply."
"'Doubt is like that. Instead of seeing with your eyes, hearing with your ears, and then thinking to decide, you think first and seek out things to fit your preconceptions, moving your eyes and ears accordingly—how can you grasp the truth that way?'"
Robertus smiled faintly.
"...He scolded me like that."
"!"
Bishop Millun jumped in surprise.
Robertus's words were drawn from the anecdote where Juten rebuked the disciple who betrayed him before his martyrdom.
Is Juten truly a god? Are His achievements real?
The disciple, endlessly doubting, eventually denounced Him as a false prophet to the local lord.
But just before Juten's execution, the disciple realized his error, tearfully begged forgiveness,
and Juten's sermon to him was exactly what Robertus had just quoted.
That disciple later spread Juten's teachings and followed Him in martyrdom.
The bishop realized the deeper meaning Robertus intended.
-You're approaching me with your answer already decided, trying to force a conclusion. How is that any different from the disciple who betrayed Lord God?
"A-Ahem. I see..."
The flustered bishop didn't know what to do.
He had tried to test Robertus using one of Juten's anecdotes, only for Robertus to rebuke him using another.
Yet the bishop could say nothing.
How could he possibly refute the words left by Lord God Himself?
He felt the gazes of those around them murmuring as they grasped the subtext of the exchange.
A servant of God had tried to test another using divine lore, only to be countered with God's own words.
For a priest, it was an exceedingly awkward situation.
"-But then my friend added, 'People change, and that's what makes them human.' Fortunately, he forgave me, and our friendship remains unchanged."
"Ah, haha."
"People change, and that's what makes them human." Another verse from scripture.
-I won't escalate things here. How about we keep things amicable?
As Robertus extended his hand,
"What splendid news! Excellent. Lord God, looking down on the duke's demeanor, must surely be pleased..."
the bishop hurriedly clasped it.
And with that, the tense atmosphere around the onlookers eased.
-Maybe the Duke of Bilheim is more magnanimous than I thought.
Those who witnessed Robertus embracing the bishop began to think along those lines.
"Um, Lady Aselina. And Duke of Bilheim. Pleased to meet you."
Finally, Marquis Belter and his wife, who had been hesitating at a distance, mustered their courage and approached.
And from that moment, a throng of people swarmed around Aselina and Robertus.
"You might not remember me, Lady Aselina! I'm Marquis Wilhelm—we fought together in the Wendigo subjugation battle. You look truly radiant today..."
"I'm Lady Violet, Duke of Bilheim. I've wanted to speak with you someday! Who knew you were so well-versed in doctrine as well..."
Not just at banquets, but ever since the Ferris Duke incident, wherever Robertus went, people had started avoiding him.
Aselina's reputation in high society hadn't been great either.
Feeling the favorable gazes from the crowd now surrounding them,
'...Exactly as planned.'
Robertus was certain his strategy had succeeded.
'It really went according to plan...!'
Aselina felt the exact same way.
Step 1. Capture attention with changes in attire and style.
Step 2. Have the well-connected Marquis Boel introduce them to suitable people—not from Loretta's faction, but those not particularly friendly toward Aselina.
Step 3. Through conversation with that person, showcase their changed demeanor, lowering the wariness of onlookers and creating an environment where others naturally approach.
'The bishop's question wasn't part of the plan, but Robertus handled it brilliantly, turning it into an opportunity.'
Even as Aselina was surrounded by people, exchanging words busily, her eyes kept drifting toward Robertus.
'...The more I learn about him, the more fascinating he becomes. Truly.'
As Aselina sank into those curious thoughts,
-The head of the Cruciform Sisterhood, Lady Loretta, has arrived!
the doorman announced the entrance of another saintess candidate.