Chapter 82
“Stop immediately!”
Lexion’s face was filled with confusion at the sudden appearance of someone unexpected.
“…Johan.”
The owner of the voice was Johan.
Behind Johan, who hurriedly dismounted, were clerics dressed in the same attire. They were all affiliated with the temple.
“Why are you here…?”
Lexion had no idea what was going on. After all, he had never discussed such matters in detail with Johan. The reason was simple, as a high priest who must always remain neutral, Lexion worried that Johan might get involved in unnecessary scandals because of him.
“…High Priest.”
Belles’ face hardened slightly as he recognized Johan. Johan looked at him silently for a moment before slowly opening his mouth to speak.
“You must all be aware that harming a cleric in the Carteia Empire is one of the gravest crimes, regardless of the circumstances.”
There was nothing wrong with what he said. That’s why clerics were almost never purged even when the imperial power changed. The temple always held its own power, and no emperor dared challenge it.
In this situation, Bellles was the only one at a disadvantage. However, Belles was not as foolish as Royden. He had enough intelligence to fear the consequences.
Even if the rebellion succeeded and Grand Duke Clan took the throne, attacking a high priest here would lead to dire consequences. After the rebellion, the empire would be chaotic, and if the temple turned against the new emperor… there would be nothing worse.
“High Priest, why are you here?”
“I am merely here to perform the temple’s duties.”
“What temple duties would there be here?”
Belles shouted, his face red with anger.
“Everyone knows you have a close relationship with Lexion Rosenvester! Ultimately, High Priest, you are using your position to support Lexion!”
“…”
“If you, a high priest, side with him…”
Belles’ mind raced. It might be easier to kill everyone here. If he disguised Johan’s death as an accident…
“I have clearly stated that I am here on temple business.”
“…”
“The temple’s affairs are the temple’s business. There is no reason for a layperson to know. Are you challenging the temple’s authority, Count? No emperor of the Carteia Empire has ever done that!”
Johan continued with a cold expression.
“If I do not return at the scheduled time today, the temple will hold you responsible, Count. I informed them of my destination beforehand.”
“What?”
“This villa belongs to Count Belles Verdellete, does it not? And did you not just say that everyone knows of my close relationship with Lexion Rosenvester?”
“…”
“So, if anything happens to me, who do you think they will hold accountable?”
Belles had no response to Johan’s words.
Unlike Belles, Johan remained unshaken, as if he had anticipated this reaction.
Johan then shifted his gaze to Seriniel, recalling the letter she had sent him through Kina a few days earlier.
Specifically, on the day Lexion went to meet the Rosenvester branch family.
[Please deliver this urgently…]
The letter Kina handed over to Johan briefly explained the situation of Lexion and Seriniel.
– So, Duke Lexion has gone to meet the branch family. But as you know, it is unlikely that they will help him. Therefore, I plan to go to Viscount Belles’ villa with him to retrieve the Magic stone that proves he killed my parents. If we cannot find evidence of their rebellion, we can at least arrest Belles for murder.
Johan easily grasped the current situation. He also sensed that the timid emperor had not yet given Lexion control of the military.
Moreover, a rebellion was not good news for the temple either.
– When we depart for the villa, my butler Vain will inform you. But Belles is a cunning man, capable of any trick. Thus, I dare to ask for your help.
A few hours ago, a man named Vain arrived, just as the letter said. He informed Johan that they had left for the villa, providing the address as well.
– I don’t ask for much. If we successfully retrieve the Magic stone, I wish to go to the temple with you to verify that it has not been tampered with.
Since the Magic stone involved magic, verification was possible at both the magic tower and the temple. This was not an unreasonable request.
However, what bothered Johan was…
– …In case something serious happens, I plan to entrust the Magic stone to you, High Priest. They won’t be able to harm you, so I earnestly ask you to leave with the stone. I know it’s incredibly presumptuous to ask for such help, but I hope you understand my desperate situation.
In the end, Johan was here purely because of Seriniel.
And Seriniel was right. The situation was not good at all.
“…”
Johan’s eyes met Seriniel’s in the air, and Lexion, seeing this, realized the wisest choice he needed to make.
“Yes, the temple must attend to its duties.”
Lexion slowly began to speak.
“Johan, fulfill your purpose here and leave.”
…Purpose?
Seriniel looked back at Lexion.
“Seriniel Verdellete is closely tied to this matter. So, if you take Seriniel with you, the temple can complete its mission safely.”
In other words, Lexion would buy time so Johan could take Seriniel to safety.
Understanding his intention, Seriniel began to protest silently, but Lexion acted faster.
“Please, I beg you.”
Lexion leaned in and whispered into Seriniel’s ear.
“I promise, I will return alive.”
“…”
“Seriniel, I have never broken a promise to you, trust me just this once.”
Seriniel looked at Lexion silently.
Those always kind and straightforward black eyes that looked at her.
Lexion was right. He had never broken a promise to her.
And Seriniel knew very well what choice she needed to make now.
“…”
With a face that seemed about to cry, Seriniel nodded, and Lexion gestured to Johan. Johan sighed briefly, then led the horse closer to Seriniel, and Lexion helped her mount.
“No.”
Just as Johan was about to mount in front of Seriniel, Belles, who had been biting his lip, spoke shakily.
“Seize them.”
He couldn’t let them escape like this.
Not just the Magic stone, but that document…
“Seize them by any means necessary!”
Belles shouted loudly, and Johan clenched his teeth. He then began to gallop away with Seriniel behind him at full speed.
“Keep them from getting close to Seriniel and the High Priest!”
The clanging of metal and shouts filled the air continuously, and Seriniel could only watch as Lexion’s figure grew smaller in the distance.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
How long had they been riding?
An hour? Two hours? Perhaps even longer.
“…”
There was no light on Seriniel’s face as she sat on the horse, staring blankly, saying nothing.
“Madam.”
Johan spoke in a low voice as he steered the horse.
“He will come soon.”
“…”
“The Lord I know has never lost a battle. No matter the circumstances, he always prevails. This time will be no different.”
So, Madam…
Johan was about to continue when Seriniel interrupted.
“High Priest, are we heading to the Rosenvester estate?”
“Yes. The soldiers are there, so it’s the safest place for now.”
Sure, she might not want to go.
Johan understood Seriniel’s feelings, with Lexion in immediate danger, returning home alone must be agonizing.
“No, I have somewhere else to go.”
But Seriniel’s next words took Johan by surprise.
“The palace. Take me to the palace.”
“Madam…?”
“I need to see His Majesty immediately.”
Seriniel said with a trembling voice, gripping the box tightly.
