Sigmund did not disappoint Idel’s expectations. Just a few seconds after she sent the note, the raven artifact spat it back out.
[Get lost.]
His emotion was palpable in the scribbled handwriting, making Idel burst into laughter again.
Her body, which had felt heavy just moments ago, now felt somewhat lighter.
Just as she was about to tear the paper to respond to his remark, the crow artifact spat out a few more notes.
[Enough. Master. Suspicious]
[Secretly. Meet]
[Master. Symbol. Not saying]
As soon as Idel read the notes, she understood what Sigmund was trying to say.
‘So, Vilred isn’t telling him about the Symbol? He’s still acting suspiciously like before?’
Why?
[My. Letter. Seen?]
After a moment of contemplation, Idel activated the artifact again.
[Seen. Just me.]
So since Vilred was acting suspicious, he hid the letter she sent.
Idel rubbed her chin with her small hand and slowly rolled her eyes.
The connections between the Symbol, Melisa, Vilred, and Patrick seemed elusive.
‘Is there any small clue?’
As Idel squinted in thought, her eyes suddenly widened.
‘Come to think of it, Patrick said something strange not long ago.’
Something about a rabbit hole or something.
‘Miss, have you ever heard that rabbits dig multiple holes? I found one under a tree next to the well not long ago.’
“There are always unexpected treasures in places like that.”
Idel struggled to recall his words, but she still didn’t understand.
It felt like a riddle, or just meaningless nonsense.
While Idel furrowed her brow in thought, Sigmund, who was waiting for her response, sent a note first.
[No. Small. Clue?]
No small clues?
She hadn’t interpreted Patrick’s words yet, but she did have an answer to this note.
‘The abandoned orphanage.’
It was a place she had always wanted to visit. It was almost the only place where she could get clues about Melisa.
‘…Now that it’s been revealed that the Duchess is the person Melisa likes, I don’t know what else is left.’
Still, there was a chance to gather information like her name before adoption or her affiliation.
Perhaps the orphanage itself could be related to the symbol.
‘What if it turns out to be a group formed by people from the same orphanage…?’
Wait, people from the same orphanage?
‘Ah, but seriously, aren’t you interested in rabbit holes or treasure hunting? I’m someone who enjoys exploring abandoned places, and I often find treasures there.’
Exploring abandoned places and the abandoned orphanage… Could this be a coincidence? Or was it just Patrick’s trick to confuse her?
Idel stared intently at the air.
She felt as if she could see Patrick’s annoying smile.
‘Honestly, this can’t be a coincidence. Then it means he intentionally dropped a clue…’
But why?
Is he trying to test whether I follow Melisa well?
If he’s on Melisa’s side, how much does he know?
All sorts of thoughts swirled in Idel’s mind. However, in the end, the conclusion was the same as when she let the crow in through the window.
“There’s only one answer for now.”
No matter what, she had no choice but to go. Idel set aside all her thoughts and wrote a positive response on the note before sending it.
Sigmund’s reply came back quickly.
[I have. Clue.]
[When. Investigate?]
When…?
‘This is a bit hard to answer.’
She had no idea when or how Veronica might pressure her further.
‘For now, I’m holding on and trying to do more…’
What she needed now was not just these small details but a decisive blow.
‘It was Melisa’s plan to provoke the initial users and corner me, so if things drag on, they won’t just sit still. I don’t know what they’ll do, but they’ll take action.’
Then she could proceed with her planned actions in line with that timing.
Of course, for now, there was no way to know the exact timing.
Her contemplation was brief. Sigmund wasn’t someone difficult like the Duke or the Duchess, so if she didn’t know, she could just say she didn’t know.
[I don’t know. Contact later.]
[Okay.]
Idel smiled, pulling one corner of her mouth up at his concise response, which was as she expected.
Now all that was left was to handle the notes exchanged with him and…
“Caw!”
Giving a reward to the crow that visited her room and sending it back was about all that remained.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Karimba Monastery.
The monastery, famous for its priests’ silent meditation, was thrown into chaos.
Recently, Priest Riphen had disappeared just before the dawn prayer.
And the center of the commotion, Priest Riphen—no, Farell Underwood—was walking through the streets of the monastery in tattered priestly robes.
“Excuse me, Priest? Why are you dressed like that…? Ah, are you perhaps on your way to the temple in the monastery?”
“Ah, stop it. The symbol on that robe is from Karimba Monastery. How embarrassed would the priest be if you asked him questions while he’s meditating in silence.”
“Oh, I see! I’m sorry, Priest, I’m just not knowledgeable about these things…”
Farell nodded slightly in response to the well-wishes of the people wishing him a safe journey. Of course, contrary to his somewhat priestly demeanor, he was gritting his teeth beneath the hood of his robe.
“Damn it, damn it, damn it! I can’t believe I have to bow to these lowly people!”
His pride as a noble was being torn to shreds. Farell’s blue eyes burned fiercely under the dark robe.
‘This is all because of Ivan Ernest, Vivian, and that little girl.’
Farell’s eyes dug into the recent past.
On the day of Ivan and Vivian’s wedding.
That night, when he had been shamefully subdued in front of everyone, Farell had received a thunderous message from his father.
“Father, what… what do you mean? You want to send me to Karimba Monastery?”
“You heard me correctly. A formal proposal has come to the family from the temple. From now on, you are no longer Farell Underwood, but ‘Ripen Divinewalker.’”
“Divinewalker…?”
Farell muttered the name his father had mentioned, his face twisting in disbelief.
Divinewalker was a title given only to priests and clerics who followed the will of the gods.
It represented their vow to live entirely according to the will of the gods and their determination to lead a life completely severed from the secular world.
Farell’s lips trembled at the unbelievable reality he had just heard.
“Are you saying you want to expel me from the family? Father! How could you…!”
“Shut up! Who told you to use such crude dark magic? Your reputation is spreading in high society! You’re bringing shame to the family!”
The head of the Underwood family shouted, veins bulging in his neck, breathing heavily.
“Do you even know what you’ve done? It’s only because the temple and the count’s family intervened that we’re not completely ruined! And on top of that, you dared to touch the daughter of the duke in a café where everyone could see?”
“What? What do you mean…?”
“Vivian Bright, the countess, said so! The daughter of Duke Clementine experienced the same humiliation as Ivan Ernest!”
“…No way…”
“No way? Farell, did you not even know who you were dealing with? No matter how bad the rumors are, she’s officially registered with the duke’s family! It’s quiet now, but if Clementine decides to take revenge, then…”
The head of the Underwood family glared at Farell as if there was nothing more to say.
“The story ends here, Farell. You caused this mess, so you will take responsibility. Go quietly to the monastery for the sake of the family.”
“But, Father…!”
“If you hate it that much, then you might as well drink this poison and die!”
The head of the Underwood family pulled out a small vial from the drawer, looking serious.
As if simply pulling it out wouldn’t convey his determination, he even placed the vial in his son’s hands.
Farell’s face turned pale in disbelief at the poison in his hands. He had truly been abandoned by his family and father.
After that, things progressed quickly.
The Temple took Farrell away within a day, and after a brief investigation, they sent him to the Karimba Monastery.
‘Since that time until today, how much humiliation have I endured…?’
Recalling all the shameful memories, Farell seethed with anger in his piercing eyes.
‘You know, Vivian? The only advantage of that damned Karimba Monastery is that there’s plenty of time to think.’
And during that long time, Farell thought and thought about how he had ended up in such a situation.
How Vivian and Ivan had managed to turn the tables so quickly.
After laying out all the pieces and pondering, he reached one conclusion.
‘The Clementine Duke family interfered. That girl got revenge on me.’
