Chapter 122
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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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Chapter 122
Watching the High Priest's eyes widen, I offered him a playful wink.
"Why don't we have tea together? If there's anything you need, just ask. I'll help you out."
Right in front of the High Priest, I formed my index and thumb into the shape of money.
"I bet Crown Prince Kiaros would agree to anything just to get you out of here quickly, you know? He's so eager to be alone with me."
I laughed like a fool, patting the High Priest's arm repeatedly.
"My, you're quite energetic this early in the morning..."
The High Priest cleared his throat with a soft cough. He seemed to have immediately grasped the implication hidden in my words—that there would be no escort.
In fact, even Kibon, who was always present in my chambers, was absent at this moment.
"Thank you so much. Truly, I'm grateful."
A gleam began to appear in his eyes.
It seemed murderous intent was swirling around thoughts of attacking Crown Prince Kiaros.
"I do have several matters I've been meaning to request of the Crown Prince... Truly, it seems only you, Minister, think of us."
"See?"
At the High Priest's flattering words, I puffed up proudly and lifted my chin.
"Haven't I always said I want good things for you? Ohohohoho... I'm someone who believes in fair exchange. Remember that."
Just as I was basking in my own boasting,
a knock sounded at the door.
"It's me, Namia Loapi."
Right on schedule, it was Crown Prince Kiaros's voice, arriving at the appointed time.
"May I come in?"
* * *
The High Priest clicked his tongue inwardly.
'Good heavens. Look at all that effort he put into his appearance. Absolutely appalling.'
Crown Prince Kiaros gleamed from head to toe.
Already beautiful as an Imperial Official, he had deliberately groomed himself until he looked like a living work of art.
'He's truly lost his mind over Namia Loapi.'
The High Priest hadn't seen Crown Prince Kiaros frequently, but neither was this their first meeting.
Until now, Crown Prince Kiaros had shown no particular interest in grooming himself. Yet to see such a change—it was clear he had completely lost his senses to a woman.
Namia Loapi stared blankly at Crown Prince Kiaros for a moment, then suddenly laughed in surprise.
"Ahahaha, aha, my Crown Prince brother... you look especially handsome today?"
Hmm? Something seemed off...
When I sensed something was amiss,
Crown Prince Kiaros walked over with long strides and sat beside Namia Loapi, gazing at her with the gentlest eyes imaginable.
"I made an effort to look presentable. Does it suit me?"
Good heavens.
That 'Crown Prince Kiaros of Polariud' was actually seeking approval!
He added with a smile that somehow seemed pitiful:
"You keep rejecting me, so I wanted to try something. But so far, all I can offer you is this shell of mine—I haven't found anything else that might win your heart."
The High Priest froze momentarily, unable even to offer a greeting.
True, Crown Prince Kiaros was also ignoring the High Priest entirely, his gaze fixed solely on me.
I, however, found myself momentarily flustered and unable to respond. Of course, to the High Priest's eyes, this appeared to be my strategy.
'Ah, so she's taking a step back. How clever of her to make him so eager.'
Just then, an attendant brought another cup of tea for Crown Prince Kiaros.
The attendant also caught sight of Crown Prince Kiaros and seemed to experience a moment of vertigo, briefly steadying herself against her forehead.
"My apologies... My eyes have exceeded their capacity to contain such beauty..."
"I understand. I felt a bit dizzy earlier too."
Agreeing with the attendant's words, I finally seemed to regain my composure and smiled brightly.
The attendant who had brought the tea then staggered out of the room.
Only after she left did I belatedly respond to Crown Prince Kiaros's words.
"Difference? What are you talking about? Last time when I said I wanted to conduct an experiment, you gave me a tremendous amount of blood. I'm telling you, I trust Your Highness the Crown Prince's heart now."
Throughout this exchange, Crown Prince Kiaros continued to smile warmly at me with his eyes.
"Blood, tears, or anything else... Just give me an order. I'll obey immediately."
"What... How could someone as exalted as an Imperial Official say such things to me..."
"Don't think like that. Tell me whatever you want. I'll grant everything unconditionally. I think... this actually suits my temperament. Being your limbs and hands, Miss Namia Loapi."
The High Priest clicked his tongue inwardly.
'An Imperial Official as her limbs and hands? This madman is truly insane. The First Emperor must be weeping in heaven.'
At that moment, Crown Prince Kiaros, who had been preening like a peacock with its tail fully spread, slowly furrowed his brow.
"Wait, Namia Loapi. You have no escort. I distinctly told you not to be alone."
"I was with the High Priest. Oh, and I always carry this too. The Empress sent it to me last time along with some clothes."
I smiled and withdrew from my bosom a dagger—one honed to a sharp, chilling edge.
As the High Priest glanced at the dagger, I clapped my hands once.
"Ah yes, that reminds me! The High Priest has been using his sacred power for me every day recently. I'm so, so grateful for it..."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. But the Temple is apparently facing many difficulties."
I smiled sweetly and looked toward the High Priest.
"What do you think about hearing what the High Priest has to say?"
The High Priest exulted inwardly.
The opportunity had arrived. He smiled in a manner that appeared genuinely kind and spoke.
"Before I speak, this old man... there is one thing that troubles me. I fear it might appear as a request for favors, and as a man of the cloth, I find it burdensome."
"A request for favors? Goodness, why would you say such a thing? This is a personal request born from goodwill and friendship!"
I uttered a homophone for 'request for favors' and widened my eyes.
The High Priest sighed deeply and made his request of me.
"But I remain troubled... Would the Minister be able to use a soundproofing scroll? That would put my mind at ease."
"Ah, well, that's nothing."
I smiled and retrieved a cross bag that had been in the room.
It was packed densely with scrolls. Without hesitation, I withdrew a soundproofing scroll.
"I was going to activate it without you even asking. It's only natural when personal requests are being exchanged."
As I activated the soundproofing scroll, the High Priest struggled to conceal his excitement.
The plan was simple.
Kill Crown Prince Kiaros first, then kill Namia Loapi, and desecrate Crown Prince Kiaros's corpse with Namia Loapi's dagger.
'And then pin it all on Namia Loapi.'
No one would suspect that the seemingly frail and powerless High Priest could kill Crown Prince Kiaros.
But everyone would readily accept that Crown Prince Kiaros could let his guard down around Namia Loapi. Even the Minister of Education had once clicked his tongue, saying, 'That woman will surely ruin the Crown Prince.'
At this point... even if people said that Namia Loapi had jokingly suggested 'let's die together' and they actually died together, it would be believable.
'Since I used a soundproofing scroll, no noise will escape outside.'
Everything was proceeding smoothly.
"In any case, feel free to tell me anything. Speak comfortably."
Namia Loapi spoke with confidence.
The High Priest deliberately stood up and prostrated himself flat on the ground.
"I am grateful for the kindness of the Minister and the Crown Prince."
Namia Loapi then laughed in surprise.
"Oh, you needn't do this. Please, get up."
The High Priest bowed even deeper and did not rise.
Conveniently, there were no attendants, servants, or guards present.
It was the moment Namia Loapi stood and reached to take the High Priest's arm to help him up.
"Step back. I'll do it."
Crown Prince Kiaros stepped forward.
'Of course. He wouldn't allow his woman to be touched by another man.'
As Crown Prince Kiaros approached to help the High Priest up and bent forward, the High Priest swiftly twisted his body and strangled Crown Prince Kiaros's neck.
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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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