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‌‌
Chapter 53
No matter how brilliant and sharp Belzeon was, his ‌‌‌‌youth left him wanting in experience.
Compared to Kieran, who had evolved ‌‌into a viper through the corruption of society, he was merely a hatchling.
Where Belzeon could ‌‌leap, Kieran soared through the air.
However many moves ahead Belzeon planned, Kieran would overturn the entire board and reconstruct it in his favor.
Under these circumstances, even if Belzeon ‌‌managed to escape abroad according to his original plan, it would prove futile.
With Kieran wielding the power of the Underworld and backed by Duchess Ibroyel's assistance as well. ‌‌‌
'He would employ both illegal and ‌‌‌lawful means—I would certainly be captured regardless.'
Duchess Ibroyel was precisely the sort of figure who ‌‌‌could navigate foreign relations without difficulty, ‌‌‌‌making the situation all ‌‌‌the more dire.
Yet I had no desire to crush the young boy's spirit by revealing the truth.
Instead, I gently redirected Belzeon away from his intended destination.
"Would you buy just one flower for me?"
"A flower?"
"Yes."
That Chesa adored flowers was common knowledge among all the men of House of Basilian.
Thus, without suspicion, I could easily steer Belzeon toward the Flower Market Stall.
I sent a butterfly to lure Hailon there as well.
Not a witch's ‌‌‌butterfly, ‌‌but an ordinary white one.
Yet Hailon would surely follow it. ‌‌
As expected, Hailon pursued the butterfly and encountered Belzeon before the stall.
Upon seeing Hailon, Chesa's ‌‌eyes widened.
She cried out with a bright smile, as though delighted by this fortunate coincidence.
"Sir Knight!"
With the pretense of acquaintance, Belzeon's wariness eased somewhat.
Hailon briefly revealed his identity.
"I am Hailon, the Holy Knight assigned to escort the child participating in the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony."
"...!"
Belzeon's eyes flickered slightly.
The astute Belzeon immediately grasped that this situation presented a rather favorable opportunity.
A relatively safe domain that Kieran could not recklessly touch.
A chance for the young Chesa to avoid the hardships of a grueling journey.
Having swiftly assessed the situation, Belzeon responded directly to Hailon.
"I am Belzeon Basilian of House of Basilian."
The heir who would inherit the title of Count Basilian appearing suddenly on the street with ‌‌‌Chesa was far from natural.
Especially not when dressed in shabby clothes and bearing the appearance of a fugitive.
Hailon's eyes narrowed to slits.
Though such a piercing gaze ‌‌might have intimidated others, Belzeon continued composedly.
"I questioned whether it was proper to bring such a young child to the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony. I disagreed with the Count, and in my foolishness, I acted rashly."
It was a carefully seasoned tale—truth concealed just enough to bait the Holy Knight's ‌‌‌interest.
Hailon and Belzeon regarded each other intently.
A prolonged silence stretched between them, their eyes locked in unspoken understanding.
Through that gaze, they confirmed their desires aligned perfectly.
Hailon's voice softened as he broke the silence.
"If you wish, the ‌‌‌Holy Temple can provide ‌you protection."
"That's ‌‌kind of you, but I cannot impose such a burden on you, sir."
"As the knight assigned to ‌‌‌‌your protection, I cannot simply overlook this matter. Please accept my offer without concern—even if you cannot attend the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony, it would ease my mind."
"Then I humbly accept your kindness."
The conversation, its conclusion already predetermined, flowed smoothly through the customary ‌‌‌‌exchange of courtesies until both parties reached their shared objective.
'Belzeon... he'd do remarkably well in High Society.'
I genuinely admired his disarmingly skillful demeanor ‌‌‌‌and eloquence.
In truth, such a convincing pretense wasn't even necessary.
Even if Belzeon had refused, Hailon would have taken me ‌‌with him regardless.
As a Heretic Inquisitor investigating House of Basilian, securing a relevant person was only natural.
"Oh, one more thing."
I had nearly forgotten an important ‌‌question.
"Would it be alright if I brought Hata along?"
I showed him Hata, whom I'd been cradling in my arms within the bag.
Daren, the adjutant standing behind Hailon, muttered something.
"Is it a doll?"
"A dog."
When those blue eyes turned toward Hata, I felt a flutter of nervousness, but I puffed out ‌‌my chest confidently.
Even Karha, who possessed a beast's instincts, hadn't seen through the deception, so Hailon, being human, should ‌‌‌‌‌be fine.
Hata fixed Hailon with a ‌‌mischievous expression.
Of course, she still looked nothing more than an adorable puppy.
After observing Hata for a ‌‌‌‌moment, Hailon withdrew his gaze and spoke indifferently.
"Do as you wish."
Thus, the silver-haired boy, the infant, and the dog set out for the ‌‌Holy Temple alongside the Holy Knight.
Hailon brought me to the Holy Temple in the Capital.
Given its location in the Imperial Capital, the Holy Temple was remarkably vast.
The exterior walls, constructed of pristine marble, gleamed ‌‌‌with meticulous care.
Towering columns lined the ‌‌main entrance, naturally imposing an oppressive weight upon those who entered, as if crushed beneath ‌‌‌the relentless geometry of their arrangement.
A massive circular window pierced the domed ceiling, casting soft, ethereal light throughout the temple's interior.
Hailon's adjutant entered the Holy Temple first, revealed his credentials, ‌‌and announced Hailon's arrival. ‌‌‌‌
Hailon waited at the main entrance with the other knights.
From the distant murmur of conversation, it became clear that this Holy Temple also recognized Hailon as a Holy Knight of the First ‌‌‌‌Rank Holy Knight Order.
'Well, the Heretic Inquisitor position is classified externally, after all.'
Though incomparable to the Heretic Inquisitor rank, the First Rank Holy Knight Order itself commanded tremendous prestige.
Even the Holy ‌Temple in the Imperial Capital received him with reverent deference.
"Hailon!"
The priests and knights emerged joyfully to greet him, apparently having received him on previous visits.
But then I caught sight of the group Hailon had brought ‌‌along, and I faltered.
An infant, a boy, and a puppy appearing out of nowhere—it was only natural to be taken aback.
Especially knowing that Hailon was not the sort to take interest in children or show compassion to anyone.
Of course, regardless of what anyone else thought, Hailon paid them no mind.
Thanks to his indifference, Chesa and Belzeon were able to remain safely within the Holy Temple.
Once I draped the white cape the Holy Temple had provided over my shoulders, the reality of it ‌‌all truly sank in.
'A sorceress ‌‌‌staying as a guest in the Holy Temple....' ‌‌‌‌
The world had gone mad.
'I must never ‌‌‌let ‌Hailon find out.'
If he discovered this, the shame would follow me to my grave.
The moment I imagined Hailon finding out, my face drained of color as pale as the cape draped across ‌‌‌my shoulders.
I resolved to avoid Hailon as much as possible while within the Holy Temple.
"Belzeon. ‌‌‌Might you spare me a moment?"
Daren, Hailon's adjutant, had something to ‌‌‌‌discuss and whisked Belzeon away.
Left alone with Hailon, I glanced at him sideways—only to be startled.
He had scooped me up into his arms without warning.
His voice was cool as he asked.
"Have you eaten anything?"
At Hailon's question, I, the Holy Knight standing nearby, and even ‌‌‌a passing priest all widened our eyes in shock.
"I've heard infants eat frequently."
But he wasn't the type to ask such things while showing care, was he?
Had something gone wrong while I wasn't looking?
While I stood frozen in astonishment, Hailon alone continued speaking with perfect composure.
"Until the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony, ‌‌‌I am your escort knight. So there's no harm in growing closer. I have questions, after all."
"W-what could you possibly be curious about?"
"Well...."
To me, stammering in confusion, he whispered meaningfully.
"Your biological father, for instance."

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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support ‌our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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