Chapter 46
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I'll purchase divine power with money.
Chapter 46
Seth always informed Victoria or Monica first whenever he had reason to visit me.
So this was the first time I'd seen him standing alone in front of my door like this.
"You're already awake? You must be exhausted from what happened last night. Shouldn't you rest more?"
"I've grown accustomed to waking early. But Holy Knight Commander, why are you standing here like this?"
If he were visiting me, he would have been facing the door, but Seth was standing with his back to it.
Just like Victoria, who normally guards the front of my room.
"...Don't tell me you've been standing guard all dawn?"
"Not all night. I had the criminal imprisoned and repositioned the Holy Knights for surveillance."
"So you've been here the entire time since then?"
"Did I not assure you that tonight, no one would disturb the Saint's sleep?"
That single remark he'd left last night.
I'd thought it was merely a greeting, but was it actually a promise to protect my rest through the night?
"...Did you sleep peacefully?"
He asked hesitantly, with careful consideration.
Only then did his complexion come into focus.
Though as a Sword Master he should have found staying awake one night trivial, his face was far more pallid than mine had been when I coughed blood yesterday.
The guilt and self-directed fury dwelling within him were painfully evident.
"Yes, I slept well. I didn't wake once and slept soundly until morning."
I nodded vigorously to offer him whatever reassurance I could.
It wasn't a lie. After washing away the blood from my body and nightclothes, exhaustion overtook me and I couldn't think of anything else.
Since this wasn't my first brush with death threats, I harbored no particular trauma and slept dreamlessly and deeply.
"I'm relieved."
The man who had willingly sacrificed his own sleep for mine smiled faintly.
Yet guilt still lingered visibly on his face.
He undoubtedly believed everything I'd experienced last night was entirely his fault—that no one had noticed the intruder until I, the Saint, apprehended him.
I needed to quickly tell him that Jeremy was no ordinary person, or his self-esteem would plummet further.
"Let's go have a meal. Now that I think of it, where is Victoria?"
"She's temporarily away due to 2nd Holy Knight Division duties. Until then, I shall escort the Saint. ...Is that troublesome for you?"
Seth asked hesitantly as he followed me toward the Dining Hall.
This is maddening. He's reading my mood over something so trivial. This incident must have been quite a shock for him.
"How could it be? I find you most reassuring, actually. Oh, please keep this secret from Victoria. She'd feel hurt."
At my jest, Seth finally smiled a little.
I laughed along with that lovely smile of his, when suddenly a chill swept over me.
"2nd Holy Knight Division duties? Could it be that Victoria left for work because of the matter of my escort?"
I almost let it slip by, entranced by Seth's expression!
As I asked urgently, he avoided my gaze with a smile instead of answering.
No, was he really planning to brush this off with his face? Given his nature, he can't lie, so he resorted to his handsome appearance?
"I haven't agreed to increase my escort yet."
"...."
"Holy Knight Commander, Holy Knight Commander? Please answer me!"
Yet Seth remained silent.
It was a powerful resolve to never compromise on this particular matter.
"I will go to the 2nd Holy Knight Division myself."
The moment I declared I would resolve this issue, Seth finally responded.
"It will be futile. Victoria Lawrence heard about what happened last night and expressed considerable indignation."
...I'm losing my mind. Seth alone is overwhelming enough, and now Victoria joins the fray.
"Holy Priestess. I understand your discomfort, but your safety is the safety of this Temple of the Sun God itself. Now that an attack has occurred, we cannot simply overlook it."
Seth stopped walking and spoke with utmost seriousness, his expression grave.
I know. I understand, but my situation is simply too extraordinary right now.
"Please trust us and leave this matter in our hands. If you remain uncomfortable, tell us then. We will make adjustments accordingly."
Yet Seth was far too resolute, and my circumstances were ones I could not possibly disclose.
In the end, I acquiesced inwardly, tears streaming down my face.
* * *
What is this? Why is today like this?
I moved my spoon while cold sweat beaded on my forehead.
The strangeness began the moment I arrived at the Dining Hall.
Whenever I normally entered the Dining Hall, people who chattered away merrily would stiffen their faces and eat in silence.
Today was no exception, yet something felt different.
"...?"
I lifted my head, sensing prickling gazes during my meal, but no one was looking at me.
At first, I thought it was a misunderstanding.
After all, everyone was always so eager to avoid my gaze, as if they'd turn to stone if our eyes met.
So I lowered my head again and continued eating, when I felt the gazes once more.
Bewildered, I glanced around again, but this time too, no one was watching me.
After this happened several times, I finally asked Seth cautiously.
"Holy Knight Commander, did I do something wrong?"
Do I have some unknown sleepwalking condition? Did I strike someone last night?
"No, not at all. Nothing of the sort happened."
Fortunately, Seth, who had kept watch outside my room all night, shook his head.
Then what on earth is the problem...?
I surveyed the Dining Hall once more, carefully.
I saw only people continuing to eat with their noses buried in their bowls.
Yet for some reason, the atmosphere felt slightly peculiar.
If the usual silence was rigid and tinged with fear, today's silence carried a subtle restlessness.
I asked Seth in an even quieter voice than before.
"Does everyone know about the intrusion incident from last night?"
"The rumors have spread. It's not something that can be hidden."
My goodness. I felt the world spin.
So that was the cause.
Everyone found out that an assassin infiltrated the Temple of the Sun God to kill me, and that's why they're all upset!
They must be shocked, wondering what terrible deeds that Saint of the Sea God Temple committed to warrant an assassin breaching this impoverished Temple of the Sun God.
I've worked so hard to rehabilitate my image all this time, and now it's all crumbling away!
This is all because of those bastards at the Grand Temple of Sea God. I will never let this slide.
I finished off the remaining food and shot up from my seat.
This was no time to leisurely eat.
"Where is that bastard from yesterday?"
"I'll show you the way."
Seth Noel, who had already finished his meal, rose and guided me.
The moment I turned around, I felt people's gazes upon me again, but this time I couldn't bring myself to look back. I feared meeting eyes filled with reproach.
I was trembling with indignation.
"As he's a serious criminal, he's held in the deepest Underground Prison... Would you be comfortable going there directly?"
"That's completely fine."
What was there to fear about a prison? Right now, resolving the assassin incident was far more urgent.
The prison entrance was located near the Training Grounds—the place where I had previously attempted to destroy a box I'd created out of boredom using holy relics and divine artifacts.
Since the entrance was underground and concealed by vegetation, I hadn't noticed it until now.
"If the Temple of the Sun God's prison were visible, it might create unease among the people."
Seth Noel's explanation made sense to me.
Passing through the entrance guarded by two Holy Knights and entering the prison, I was greeted by an interior far cleaner than expected.
Unexpected. I had imagined the damp, moss-covered dungeons from medieval films.
Instead, stone resembling solid marble was laid throughout, making it remarkably pristine.
"It's a stone with the ability to block magic, sword energy, and other divine powers. Only the Sun God's divine power can be used here."
Seth Noel explained as I tapped the marble-like wall.
Likely, the prison was kept clean to maintain the stone's abilities at their fullest.
"The criminal is held in a place even deeper than this. Please come this way."
Seth Noel led me down the stairs, and thanks to his courtesy of holding my hand to prevent me from stumbling, I descended safely.
Jeremy's location required descending further and traveling much deeper inside.
And at the closed prison door, I encountered someone I hadn't anticipated.
"Oh, High Priest?"
High Priest Airic Dert,
stood in the dark prison corridor with a rare, cold, expressionless face.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org