Chapter 51
I lightly jumped down from the stopped carriage. With no maid or escort, I'd arrived alone, so there was no one waiting below to catch me.
The grand building loomed before me, leaving me momentarily speechless. The temple, glowing white, exuded an overwhelming power.
Similar vibe to Helene.
I recalled the restaurant where I'd lingered for so long and let out a soft chuckle. The face of that one person I'd met there came to mind.
Today, I'd come to keep my promise with Julian, but more importantly, there was something I needed to confirm.
I need certainty for my guess.
I hated agonizing over it alone. I wasn't sure if I'd get to meet him, but either way, I planned to settle things today.
"L-Lady Crisis?"
A holy knight who'd spotted me striding toward the temple doors gaped in surprise. Nobles usually made appointments well in advance, but I'd shown up without a word—that's what startled him.
I gave the flustered knight, who didn't know what to do with such a bigwig's sudden arrival, a gentle smile.
"I've come quietly to receive a prayer from a priest. I hope there hasn't been any fuss."
I emphasized the last part, enunciating clearly, and the knight—who'd seemed about to call his superior—snapped to attention.
"The temple is always open to everyone, isn't it?"
"O-Of course!"
He couldn't very well turn away someone who'd come quietly to pray. After eyeing me for a moment, the knight pointed to the sword at my waist.
"Um... weapons aren't allowed inside. If you hand it over, we'll keep it safe."
"Ah, of course. It's a cherished sword, so I'd appreciate it if you took good care of it."
I hated parting with it, but I forced a smile and handed the sheathed blade to the knight. He made a subtle expression—surprised that a noble lady carried a sword—but quickly composed himself and opened the door.
Creeeak.
The massive doors swung open. I stepped inside onto the spotless marble floor. The temple, bathed in multicolored light streaming through the stained glass, brimmed with grandeur and solemnity.
A priest guarding the corridor spotted me and flinched in surprise but quickly schooled his features into a holy smile.
"Thank you for visiting the temple, sister. May the Sun God's blessing be with you."
"Thank you for the welcome. May you always dwell in the light, priest."
"Is there a special reason for your visit?"
I smiled softly. "I'd like to meet High Priest Julian personally. Could you tell him I have questions about 'El'?"
You couldn't usually meet a high priest without prior notice, but I was a Crisis. The priest pondered with a troubled look before speaking.
"Would you wait here a moment? I'll go ask the High Priest."
I sat in the chair he indicated and waited about five minutes when the priest hurried back.
"The High Priest says it's fine to meet you right now. Shall I show you to the reception room?"
"Of course."
I smiled and followed him down the corridor. He led me to a room and bowed.
"The High Priest will arrive shortly."
I watched the priest's retreating back intently before flopping onto the prepared sofa. With eyes full of resolve, I stared at the door where Julian would enter.
I'm asking directly.
I'd considered confronting El himself, but since he never corrected me when I called him High Priest, he might dodge it. But Julian will answer honestly.
Thinking of how he'd acted around me, it seemed like he'd hoped I'd figure it out.
I brewed tea from the tea set on the table and waited about ten minutes.
"Holy hell, there are all kinds of bullshit. You think I'm as idle as you?"
"Oh, come on, you'll love it, I swear! Just come! You won't regret it!"
Bickering voices drifted from outside the door. Both were familiar.
So he figured out why I'm here.
Julian was quick on the uptake, as expected. I'd planned to just ask, but dragging the man himself here for confirmation was downright mischievous.
"Why the hell should I meet some noble who wants to see you personally?"
"Jeez, just come already. Knock knock! Can we come in?"
"Come in."
I gave light permission upon hearing Julian's voice mimicking a knock amid their squabble.
Freeze.
The presence outside stiffened instantly. Then came the sound of frantic flailing.
"Let go! I said let go, you damn birdbrain...!"
"Ow! Don't step on my foot! Crazy, don't pull my hair! 'Don't run away' my ass!"
"Just change your clothes—no, the hat too...!"
"How long are you gonna keep hiding, you idiot! Gah, wait just...!"
Bang.
I'd be waiting all night if I let them drag it out, so I opened the door myself. They were whispering to avoid my ears, but their fight was so loud I couldn't pretend not to hear.
As I opened the door, the two figures—who'd been flopping around like fish out of water—froze. Julian, hair disheveled, met my eyes and hiccuped.
I scanned the room coolly, arms crossed. Julian was hugging someone tightly to prevent escape. His pristine priest robes bore several shoe prints from kicks. And El—who gaped wide-eyed—had his sky-blue hair, wavy like rippling waves, peeking from under his hat for the first time. He wore the white uniform emblazoned with the sun emblem, permitted only to the temple's master.
Even doing cartwheels, he'd still look like the Pope.
I eyed El steadily. He couldn't meet my gaze, his pupils trembling pitifully.
Hoo...
I exhaled a sigh laced with anger. I'd already been 95% sure, but this confirmation hit different. No one had tricked me, but I still felt thoroughly played. Gritting my teeth, I smiled with seething irritation.
"Pleased to meet you, Your Holiness the Pope. I'm Lady Kashmir Crisis."
El's face drained of color.
"Ack! Haha! How's the taste of justice's hammer, you rascal!"
"Yeah, that's what you get for tormenting your underlings!"
In the reception room, Julian and El sat across from me, their expressions polar opposites. El trembled, legs shaking, avoiding my gaze. Julian beamed with glee at his friend's suffering, like it was his own joy.
My expression, watching them coolly, was icy.
"Julian."
"Kyaha! Yes?"
"Out."
"Yessir!"
At my firm tone, Julian bolted like lightning. I didn't even glance at the closing door, just fixed El with my stare. Sweat beaded on his sky-blue hair and trickled down.
I tapped my crossed legs and stroked my chin.
"Your Holiness."
"...Y-Yes?"
"Why so tense? I haven't done anything yet."
El's shoulders twitched. The sight of his large frame shrinking didn't suit him.
"...Are you angry?"
"No."
After a long pause, at his cautious question, I shook my head.
"I was pretty pissed right after seeing your face, but I'm fine now."
Twitch.
El's pretty hands, neatly folded on his lap, trembled. I sighed at his bewilderment.
At my heavy sigh, he lifted his head from where he'd bowed it. His silver eyes shimmered with tears.
"Now... do you hate me?"
His voice quivered pitifully. Tears welled largely in his eyes. If I said yes, he'd plummet to hell right then—that's how desperate his gaze was.
...Why does he look so much like...
I pressed my temple at the lingering memory fragment. The thick lily scent he'd exuded since entering muddled my mind.
I sighed again and answered like a lament.
"How could I hate El?"
I still didn't fully grasp how El saw me. Human kindness had always been hard for me to read, and he was always so vague. But one thing was certain: I valued him deeply.
Even if my past life made me doubt his goodwill and disbelieve his words, I couldn't hate the man who'd helped me in my darkest times.
I was weak to emotions. Foolishly so.
I tapped the sofa armrest with my fingers, watching El stare at me with wide eyes, then slowly spoke.
"I have a few questions. Will you answer them?"
"...If that's what you want, gladly."
He replied with a sigh. I chose my words carefully.
"Why didn't you tell me you were the Pope? Was it amusing watching me chase false leads?"
"No! Absolutely not."
I'd tossed it out half-jokingly to lighten the mood, but El denied it vehemently. Blinking at his reaction, he continued with a somber expression.
"I wanted to tell you. I really did, but..."
"But?"
"If you'd known I was the Pope, would you have done business with me?"
That was an unexpected angle. I pondered: if I'd known El was the Pope, would I have dealt with him?
Honestly, no. It would've been too intimidating.
As I clamped my mouth shut, El looked like he'd expected as much.
"...Fair enough. Then here's the next question: Why have you been doing business with me all this time?"
"......"
"You know it doesn't make sense for the Pope to need magic beast byproducts so badly he'd deal directly with a mercenary. One word from you, and people would fetch them in droves."
El's lips parted as if to reply, then closed. He stayed silent for a long time. His eyes darkened. His expression cooled to ice. It was a face he'd never shown me.
I watched his silver eyes deepen, as if recalling something grim, and waited for his answer.
"I... wanted to help you."
"I get that, and I'm truly grateful for the help. But what I want to know is why you wanted to help me."
I was determined to confirm what I'd always suspected. El's lips, which had parted with effort, closed again. He avoided my gaze.
I could tell he didn't want to answer. After watching his hesitation, I exhaled softly.
"If it's difficult, you don't have to. I'll ask something else instead."
The question I'd meant to ask at the debutante ball but ran out of time for. Meeting El's shaken eyes, I spoke slowly.
"El. Do you have a little sister?"