Chapter 62
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 62
“What?”
“Lady Rohanson simply saved me. That is why I revere her.”
Contrary to Gabriel’s assumption that Michel was under some spell, blindly praising Evangeline, his reason was surprisingly practical and understandable.
Come to think of it, Canna had been the same. She’d said Evangeline had saved her when she was kidnapped by Donau Blue. Even Daisy, who was initially hostile toward the young lady, had come around in a similar way.
‘Then what about me?’
Gabriel had missed his chance to be saved. Even if Evangeline helped him in his dreams, it wouldn't bring the dead child back to life or change the reality of his loss.
Was that why he couldn’t accept her?
Shaking off the thoughts, Gabriel forced himself to focus. Even if a tidal wave was destined to submerge him one day, for now, he had to keep his guard up against the beast right in front of him.
As he headed toward Bishop Marik’s quarters, her aides welcomed him.
“Sir Gabriel. The Bishop has been waiting for you. Please, come inside.”
“Did you not send for Sir Michel?”
When Gabriel asked with a slight furrow of his brow, his intimidating aura was enough to make the priest lower his gaze. As the priest hesitated, unable to offer an excuse, another man beside him smoothly interjected.
“It seems there has been a misunderstanding. While we did summon Sir Michel, it was for a post-incident audit. That is our duty, not the Bishop’s.”
Realizing things were taking a strange turn, Michel glanced at Gabriel. He was doing nothing but dragging down his respected superior—truly an ‘outstanding’ subordinate, just as Raphaella had said.
“Haha. Surely the Commander knows that post-incident audits are a mandatory formality.”
“Indeed.”
The priest, who had been intimidated just moments before, regained his confidence and chimed in.
A month had already passed since Nopedi’s painting burned. As the priest said, serious incidents were typically subjected to a post-incident audit after a one-month interval. Gabriel had lost track of time and failed to see the true purpose behind Bishop Marik’s summons. It was a blunder.
Bishop Marik’s summons of Michel had been bait.
Since Gabriel had used every excuse in the book to postpone meeting Bishop Marik, she had resorted to a different tactic. That must be why they hadn't specified the reason for summoning Michel. If they had mentioned a post-incident audit, Gabriel obviously wouldn't have accompanied him.
And by playing this hand, she could avoid any criticism for summoning Gabriel without proper justification.
“Since you came together, why not have a chat with the Bishop while Sir Michel’s investigation is underway?”
“It is late. I wouldn’t want to impose.”
“Impose? Nonsense. Think of it as a kind gesture. Doesn’t the Commander have things he wishes to hear from me as well?”
As Gabriel tried to decline, another voice intervened. Having heard the commotion outside, Bishop Marik herself had stepped out. She was wearing her veil today as well.
“Surely you have time for a cup of tea and a brief chat? I always have tea before bed. It’s highly effective at relieving fatigue and helping one sleep soundly. The busy Commander looks to be in need of some rest, so I believe this tea will be of some help.”
It was a gentle coercion. The surrounding priests looked at Gabriel with deep envy, wishing they could share the honor of having tea with the Bishop. Unable to withstand her persistent invitation, Gabriel reluctantly relented.
“Thank you for your kindness. I have indeed been feeling quite fatigued lately.”
Gabriel parted from Michel with a nod. He had already instructed Michel on how much to disclose to outsiders, and he was certain Michel hadn't forgotten.
Although Raphaella had claimed Michel’s brain was fried, to Gabriel, it seemed he had simply transferred his blind devotion from Goddess Rachel to Evangeline. As their earlier conversation had shown, Michel was actually quite level-headed. He would never utter a word that could harm Evangeline. In that regard, he could be trusted.
“It is a humble place, but please, come in.”
Gabriel stepped into the office.
True to her word, the interior was far too spartan for a revered bishop’s quarters. Even the office of Bishop Zabaniya, who was renowned for his frugality, boasted several lavish decorations, but Bishop Marik’s office was utterly desolate. It felt more like a monastic cell.
Since Bishop Marik had originally been a nun, it was likely a habit from those days. Once they were seated, Bishop Marik personally brewed and poured the tea.
“This is the first time the Commander and I have spoken alone like this.”
After filling her own cup, Bishop Marik sat across from Gabriel.
She lifted her veil slightly to drink her tea. Her partially revealed lower face was covered in the melted scars of a severe burn.
“Is it unsightly?”
“Not at all.”
“There’s no need for empty platitudes. Even I am reluctant to look at my own face, which is why I keep it covered.”
That Bishop Marik had suffered burns and covered her face was a well-known fact among the Temple’s residents, as was her reluctance to show it. Consequently, she rarely dined with others.
Gabriel had not expected to be one of the rare exceptions. Following her lead, he brought the cup to his lips. The tea was lukewarm, barely hot at all.
“So, what was it you wished to discuss with me?”
“One must have patience when dealing with others.”
When Gabriel pressed, Bishop Marik admonished him not to rush. Only after she had finished her tea and lowered her veil did she broach the main topic.
“It seems congratulations are in order for the Commander.”
“For me?”
“Haha. You look as though you have no idea. Why, there is a lot of talk about you being Lady Rohanson’s debutante partner.”
“Yes. That is correct.”
So she called me here to gather information on Evangeline? Gabriel nodded. The rumors had spread while he was busy securing an invitation to the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet.
“A debutante at twenty…”
“Lady Rohanson was sickly. Now that she has recovered, I thought it best for her to make her debut, even if it is late.”
“So the Commander went to such lengths for the lady he holds in such high regard? Indeed, the Commander is the only one Lady Rohanson has to lean on.”
Bishop Marik sounded as if she were praising Gabriel’s thoughtfulness, but she was actually mocking Evangeline’s circumstances.
“Since Lady Rohanson has no mother, she must have no one to rely on. She has had no interaction with other nobles, and she severed ties with her mother’s family, did she not?”
That, too, was a well-known rumor. Furthermore, since her biological father, Count Rohanson, avoided returning home under all sorts of pretexts, the rumors surrounding Evangeline only intensified.
“I did not expect the Bishop to pay heed to idle rumors.”
“When one’s eyes grow dim, one’s ears grow sharper.”
Gabriel observed Bishop Marik while feigning composure. Because of the veil, he could not read her expression.
“Is that why Marchioness Toten agreed to be her chaperone?”
Marchioness Toten agreeing to be the chaperone was a secret known only to those involved. Where had the information leaked?
Doline Phonor's side had been thoroughly silenced, and the servants at the Rohanson mansion wouldn't have let it slip. Had she placed more surveillance because she couldn't fully trust Bishop Zabaniya, a man she used like a puppet? She might have monitored the carriages of the Rohanson mansion. Or, conversely, it could have leaked from the relatively lax Toten side.
“But it seems things have taken an unfortunate turn. Ever since the young lady visited the Marquis’s estate, Marchioness Toten has shut herself inside, hasn’t she? She hasn’t even come to the Temple, so I doubt she is taking the Commander’s calls either.”
How much did she know? Did she even know about the deal between him and Madame Toten? And why was she intentionally revealing this to him?
“Shall I act as her chaperone instead?”
Gabriel froze. Bishop Marik sat perfectly upright. She displayed no particular habits or unusual behaviors, making it impossible to guess what she was thinking.
“It is simply because I find Lady Rohanson’s situation pitiful.”
Bishop Marik’s voice was incredibly benevolent.
“I was under the impression you disliked high society, Bishop. I couldn’t possibly trouble you with such a burden.”
“I am offering to do so as part of my own plans. Since it is the banquet of His Highness the Crown Prince, the future glory of the empire, shouldn’t the Temple send its regards? I, too, have received an invitation and decided to attend.”
The future glory. Everyone in the empire knew the Emperor was still on the throne only because he refused to abdicate in favor of his son. Yet Bishop Marik had a knack for presenting lies as truth.
“If it cannot be Madame Toten, I shall be her chaperone.”
Gabriel felt certain that the eyes hidden beneath her veil were flashing with intent.
*
Gabriel sent an urgent message. Using a knight as a mail carrier, even if he is the Commander? Impressive.
Raphaella looked utterly exhausted, showing just how fast he had ridden. No, wait. It was the horse that did the running. Speaking of which, Melek had coaxed the horse Raphaella rode and led it to the stable. Why is he, a cow beastkin, so much better with horses, anyway?
“Pant, gasp…”
“Sir Raphaella, please have some water.”
“Th-thank you.”
As Hena handed him the water, Raphaella gulped it down. Wow, how does someone make drinking water look so delicious? He could start a mukbang channel.
While Raphaella was catching his breath, I finished reading the letter Gabriel had sent. I was worried because we parted on bad terms last time, but seeing him look out for me like this, Gabriel must really like me quite a lot. Phew. I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.
I handed the finished letter back to Raphaella. It was too scary to keep, so he could dispose of it himself.
“Is Bishop Marik a dangerous person?”
“She is very kind to the believers, but to you, My Lady, she is undoubtedly dangerous.”
Don't tell me she's an exorcist. If she finds out I'm a possessor, is she going to perform an ‘exorcism’—which is just another word for torture? I really have to be careful. If they find out I've possessed this body, I'm finished. Gabriel wasn't making a fuss over nothing. But based on this letter… aren’t I in deep trouble?
“A person like that is going to be my chaperone?”