IFLDMHF | Chapter 107

Episode 107

Damien coldly declared his words and turned away. Then, he felt a slight tinge of regret.

There had been no need to speak so ruthlessly.

After all, it wasn’t unusual for women to develop feelings for a priest and confess them.

Though such incidents had ceased after he became the High Priest, Damien had always drawn followers since his days as an apprentice priest due to his exceptional appearance. Back then, receiving such confessions had not been uncommon.

At first, he had been flustered and would sternly refuse, but over time, he had learned how to reject them more gently.

He could have handled this situation in the same way, so why hadn’t he?

Damien thought that, unlike before, he had held some affection and sympathy for her, which made the betrayal feel more intense.

Though calling it a betrayal was an overstatement, as they had no deep connection.

It was just that Damien saw himself in Melissa—a woman of low status, powerless yet strikingly beautiful.

Having been born in the slums with an angelic appearance himself, Damien knew all too well how difficult it was to protect oneself from the countless hands reaching out to take advantage.

He had admired Melissa for maintaining her pure and kind heart despite her harsh circumstances. At the same time, he had worried for her and thus had spoken to her with particular kindness.

He had sincerely wished for her to receive the goddess’s protection and live a peaceful life free from misfortune.

That was why, when he learned that Melissa was actually the niece of Duke Basilian and would be adopted into the noble family, he had felt relief and joy as if it were his own good fortune.

But then…

‘I never imagined she would harbor such foolish feelings.’

Even if she was young and in a desperate situation, confusing gratitude and kindness with romantic emotions was unacceptable.

Damien firmly believed he should never feel such emotions himself, nor allow anyone else to misinterpret them.

And since she had now become a high-ranking noble, they would inevitably meet again—but he could no longer treat her as he once did.

However, contrary to Damien’s thoughts, his connection with Melissa was far stronger and more relentless than he had anticipated.

Not even in his dreams could he have imagined— That in a world reduced to ruins, Melissa would be one of the few people he could rely on.

Knowing that future, Damien couldn’t bear the thought of meeting her again, hearing another confession, and having to hurt her with his response once more.

More importantly, there was something more urgent than his volunteer work.

He had to warn his benefactor to find a safe place to hide.

‘Surely, she hasn’t acted already…?’

Damien’s expression turned harsher than ever.

If it was her, it was entirely possible.

The woman he had just been thinking about—Melissa—was deeply intertwined with another person, someone he had recently officiated a wedding for.

Evgenia Basilian.

— I have the illegitimate child of the late emperor. The current emperor had cast him into the underworld as a slave, but I bought him.

She had spoken those chilling words with an eerie calm, enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine.

— You need only do as you’re told, High Priest. I will take care of the rest.

— What in the world are you saying…?

— You dislike the current imperial family as much as I do, do you not?

With a crooked smile, she had uttered those words in a cold voice, her face filled with such hatred and rage that even Damien, who strove to treat all people with compassion, had been taken aback.

Yet, at that time, he had had no intention of opposing Evgenia.

She had spoken of stopping the war and ensuring the temple’s independence, but Damien had never believed she truly meant to keep those promises.

Even if her reputation as a ruthless schemer was just a façade and she was secretly a capable strategist planning a rebellion, he doubted she could truly succeed.

More than anything, though she claimed she wanted to end the war, her own actions were far from peaceful.

Regardless of what kind of person the current emperor was, military conflict was inevitable. If a civil war were to break out, the devastation could surpass even that of a war with a foreign nation.

So Damien’s answer had already been decided.

He had intended to persuade her gently.

— I trust you do not seriously believe I would accept such a proposal. I fail to understand—why would I follow the orders of the Duke’s wife…?

— I am not the Duke’s wife.

Her sharp interruption caught him off guard.

— I am divorced. I have no ties to House Rudion, so I would appreciate it if you never called me that again.

Seeing her firmly sever all ties with the Rudion Ducal House, he grew suspicious.

Was it possible she had not let go of her feelings for the Crown Prince and was orchestrating all of this for his sake?

If so, then she was truly beyond saving.

And just as he was about to conclude this, Evgenia uttered something that sounded like sheer blasphemy.

— High Priest, you would do well to comply with me—if you wish to protect that woman who visits the old prayer room.

— …What did you just say?

— I found the illegitimate child of the late emperor, hidden away by the current ruler. Do you think I cannot find a single woman who is important to you?

As she tilted her head slightly, her mocking words made his heart stop.

Even now, the horror of that moment remained fresh in his mind. Damian bit his lip.

‘I thought I could protect her this time…’

Muttering anxiously, Damien suddenly narrowed his eyes.

He turned to Antonio.

“When did Lady Basilian arrive in the capital?”

“Pardon? Lady Melissa has been in the capital the whole time, hasn’t she?”

“I mean Lady Evgenia Basilian.”

“Ah, you mean the Duchess of Rudion?”

“That’s… yes. When did the Duchess come to the capital from the north?”

Damien asked, his expression tense.

“I haven’t heard any news of that.”

As a high-ranking priest responsible for receiving noble visitors, Antonio was well-informed about the aristocracy’s affairs.

“If the Duchess were in the capital right now, it would be a huge uproar. Her marriage news and the troubles in the north have already caused enough commotion.”

Come to think of it, the northern affairs had never been such a widespread topic in the capital before.

Yet Evgenia, who had already shaken the city with her wedding, had reappeared to shock everyone once more.

And if his memory was correct, even the Crown Prince had returned from the war earlier than expected.

Damien swept a hand over his confused face.

“In any case, isn’t she newlywed? She’s probably doing well up north, even if not quietly.”

Antonio joked, but Damien only let out a small scoff.

In the past, he had not officiated Evgenia’s wedding.

But this time, despite everything, he had made a point to face her directly.

She’ll just get divorced and go crawling back to the Crown Prince anyway.

Recalling her shameless face swearing to protect Duke Rudion with her life, he found it laughable.

But if she hadn’t come to the capital yet…

“This volunteer mission will be at the Rudion Duchy’s temple.”

It was a half-impulsive decision, but even with careful thought, he would have chosen the same.

With no other way to contact his benefactor, he had no choice but to confront Evgenia himself.

And although he still found it distasteful, there were things that needed to be said.

“The north?”

Antonio was stunned by the sudden decision.

While he was glad they finally had a definite answer for those inquiring about their schedule…

“You’ve never been there before, have you?”

“Which is precisely why I should have gone long ago.”

“It’s too far, and… honestly, the timing isn’t great. This could be interpreted politically.”

“That doesn’t matter.”

Having made his decision, Damian added—

“Also, this time, no devotees should be allowed to follow us. This is neither near the capital nor a pleasant trip to the south.”

N| The situation is strange? Suddenly we find out that Damien is backtracking? I hope the author will explain this part more in the coming chapters.