Chapter 226
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 226
Only after every last Holy Knight had been deployed was the Grand Temple finally able to suppress the monsters.
In the aftermath, the Grand Temple provided medical aid and sanctuary to the shaken guests.
The nobles of the Brillant Empire, as well as the major foreign delegations, were desperate to return home immediately, but there were simply too many injured. When the possibility of a contagious plague was mentioned, the guests found themselves unable to leave the temple. If the monsters’ wounds truly carried some kind of infectious toxin, it would be a catastrophe.
“So, what exactly are those monsters?”
At the question, the High Priest stole a glance at Lisian. Having changed his clothes, Lisian no longer looked like the knight who had been hacking through monsters with his sword just moments ago. He sat there as he always did, looking like the archangel from the sacred paintings that the priests so admired.
“We refer to them as ‘Creatures.’”
“Creatures.”
Marquis Aster Frezier furrowed his brow.
Every word of this conversation would be recorded and delivered to the Grand Duke. They weren't the only ones present; a large number of high-ranking officials were seated there, interrogating the High Priests.
“They are a type of monster created by fanatics. The Grand Temple has been conducting a secret investigation into them, but…”
“And why was this investigation kept secret?”
The High Priest’s eye twitched slightly. However, upon seeing who had asked the question, he quickly resumed his sorrowful expression.
The one who had spoken was the Crown Prince.
Ferdinand Cassel Ewigkeit.
He was completely unhurt, save for a few scratches on his neck and shoulders. Even those, it was said, were sustained while protecting Corico.
The Grand Temple had always opposed Ferdinand’s habit of frequenting battlefields. Yet, it was undeniably thanks to that experience that Ferdinand had survived today…
“The existence of fanatics breeds instability in the hearts of the continental citizens, Your Highness. That is why we investigated in secret.”
“High Priest.”
This time, Marquis Aster spoke up.
“Exactly which god do these fanatics worship?”
The Freziers had been conducting their own independent, secret investigation into the fanatics. He couldn't afford to miss this opportunity to hear the secrets the Temple had uncovered.
“We are not entirely sure of that ourselves. However, we never imagined they would launch an assault like this. We believe that since the Saintess and the Crown Prince were visiting the Grand Temple together, the fanatics caught wind of it and smuggled the monsters inside.”
The Marquis frowned.
“Is Corico alright?”
He still hadn't been able to properly check on Corico’s face.
“The Saintess is safe. However, she was greatly startled, so the priests are currently tending to her. She also mentioned that she wished to express her gratitude to His Highness…”
“That’s enough.”
Cutting the High Priest off in a blunt tone, Ferdinand stood up and walked straight out.
“High Priest. His Highness looks quite pale. Could he have more injuries than we realized?”
“Just in case, have a doctor examine him once more…”
The priests continued their discussion. The gathered nobles and royalty began returning to their assigned quarters.
As Marquis Aster walked down the long corridor with Lisian, he spoke casually.
“It twitched.”
“Yes,” Lisian replied succinctly.
After that, neither father nor son opened their mouths again. However, Lisian knew exactly what his father was thinking.
‘They’re hiding a lot.’
When asked for the name of the god the fanatics served, the High Priest’s right eye had definitely given a microscopic twitch.
Having guarded the border for a long time, Marquis Aster knew. He knew the High Priest was lying.
The Grand Temple already knew the identity of the god the fanatics worshipped. And yet, the reason they were hiding it was…
“I should go see my daughter.”
Come to think of it, one person was missing. Marquis Aster’s brow furrowed.
“Where did that brat Leon go? Surely he didn't die or get seriously injured?”
“Leon,” Lisian answered calmly, “went to Tulia… first.”
“…”
* * *
“Then please, get some rest, My Lady.”
“If you need anything, please pull the bell pull at any time.”
“I will.”
Once the priests left, I flopped onto the bed.
Just as they said, the bedroom assigned to me was incredibly spacious and grand. It was comparable to my room back in the Imperial Capital. Even the rooms for my father and the twins—the highest-ranking guests here today—weren't as nice as mine.
‘They gave me the best room because I’m Corico’s cousin?’
And yet, I hadn't even caught a proper glimpse of Corico today.
I heard she was so shocked that a flock of priests was busy hovering over her. I was dumbfounded when I heard that.
‘One of them was protected by a male lead who’s a master swordsman. The other was trembling in front of a corpse, gritting her teeth as she ran for her life before being rescued by a male lead.’
Logically, shouldn't the latter be the one trembling from mental instability right now?
Whether it was because she was the Saintess or not, the priests’ favoritism was beyond extreme.
‘Wait, did they hide something in this bedroom too?’
I’ve become the villainess, after all, and I’m the one who gave her the name Corico. They said their goal was to kill me from the start. If they were going to make a move, wouldn't now be the perfect time to take me out?
Getting worried, I stood up.
“I’ll just go sleep with Dad!”
Why stay here and tremble? I could just call Dad and the twins and the four of us could sleep together! If someone breaks in, Leon can grab them, then Dad can finish them off, and I can run away with Lisian!
Humming to myself, I grabbed a shawl to throw over my pajamas. I even grabbed my pillow and swung the door wide open, only to—
“…?!”
I let out a sharp gasp.
A small figure stood there, barely reaching my chest.
He had cocoa-colored hair that always looked sweet, and eyes like strawberry jam…
A boy of clean, cold beauty.
“Your Highness?”
Why did you get so short?
* * *
“High Priest. He has stopped breathing.”
“Tsk. Useless thing…”
The High Priest stood up. The priest who had just died after being subjected to extreme torture was none other than the one who had told Lisian the name ‘Creature.’
“Dispose of him.”
“Yes, High Priest.”
As the High Priest walked out, he asked, “And the Crown Prince?”
“The physician says there are no further injuries.”
“Hmm… Then it seems he was simply startled after overexerting himself. Oh, but why did His Highness give his own bedroom to the Frezier lady?”
“We aren't certain of the exact reason, but we heard that the Crown Prince once proposed to her…”
“Well, he is at an age where he’d be looking for a woman.”
In the ascetic and noble Grand Temple, such words should never have been uttered. But the High Priest was merely indifferent. His attitude was no different than if he were discussing tossing someone a toy.
“I see. Don't worry about it further, and don't send anyone to that building. Let His Highness do as he pleases.”
* * *
“Where were you going?”
“To my father’s room. But Your Highness, why did you shrink?”
“Don't go.”
“Pardon?”
Leaving only those cold words behind, Ferdinand strode right into my bedroom. I watched his retreating back in disbelief.
“Wait, Your Highness?”
“What?”
“This is my bedroom.”
“The bed is wide. Five people could sleep in it.”
“No, are you actually suggesting we sleep together?”
Ferdinand nodded. I was even more flustered and lost for words when I caught a glimpse of skin through his loose robe. Meanwhile, Ferdinand naturally looked around the room. He looked so comfortable, you’d think it was his own bedroom.
“Wait, Your Highness.”
I closed the bedroom door for now and stepped inside.
“I asked why you’ve turned back into a child.”
“It happened because you took my divine power, My Lady.”
“What? That makes no sense…”
‘…Wait, Kim Ddong-byul, is this your doing?’
Ever since I woke up as Tulia, every strange phenomenon had been related to that guy…
I wanted to grab Kim Ddong-byul and beat the answers out of him right now, but Ferdinand was sitting on the bed, staring up at me.
“My neck hurts. Sit down.”
“Yes, sir.”
I sat down next to Ferdinand and asked again.
“Then, Your Highness… are you going to stay small like this?”
I’d never seen a plot point like this even in The Milk Bread.
Fortunately, Ferdinand shook his head.
“It’s a side effect of having my divine power suddenly taken by you. I don't know the details beyond that.”
“How can you not know the details of your own body?”
“Do you know exactly why you’ve caught a cold the moment you start sneezing?”
“Fair point.”
I was convinced instantly.
“Then what should we do? Hurry up and take your divine power back.”
“That’s why I’m here.”
“In the middle of the night? Alright. Then how…”
In an instant, images of countless monsters and young sacrifices being offered at altars flashed through my mind.
I slowly backed away and asked, “Do you… have to offer me as a sacrifice?”
I still had my protective barrier with half its durability left, even if it was tattered and torn…!
But the young Ferdinand immediately furrowed his brow.
“Just what do you take me for, My Lady?”
“I just thought I’d check. My apologies if I’m wrong.”
“If you’re sorry, why do you keep moving away? Come closer.”
C-Come closer?