Episode 92
Lillian’s expression stiffened at Asher’s words. If it was implications through divine powers, she certainly knew, just as she knew about Asher’s words. There had been a time in the past when Damian had implied things to Lillian.
And she remembered how subtly it had dominated her mind at the time. If Lillian hadn’t displayed her divine powers at the right time, Damian would have gotten what he wanted.
But that was between Lillian, Theo, and Damian. After confirming that Lillian wasn’t affected by the implications, Theo didn’t ask anything and didn’t disclose anything. So even Cedric didn’t know exactly what had happened between Damian and Lillian.
Up to now, Lillian and Theo had kept the secret, so there was only one way Asher could know.
“You, deceived me. Are you in league with Damian?”
Lillian asked tensely, but instead, Asher widened his eyes.
“Are you talking about Damian Portier? Of course, I know his name. But being in league with him, that’s a misunderstanding.”
“Don’t lie! Since when have you deceived me? Was even your theological research a lie? If Damian sent you—”
As Lillian’s voice grew louder, Victoria intervened between the two.
“Wait, wait. Asher, I’ve said it before, haven’t I? All truths require trust. It’s natural for this person to misunderstand when you throw such bold statements out there.”
“Oh, I, I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant, it’s just that my social skills are lacking…”
Asher spoke so confidently at one moment, but then quickly became flustered, his neck turning red. It was exactly like what Lillian had seen in the temple. Confused by his sudden change in attitude, Lillian wondered.
‘What are these people?’
But one thing became clear from this.
“Anyway, it wasn’t a coincidence that you brought me here.”
“Yes. I thought you would surely be interested here. You came here with suspicion, and in the end, didn’t you find out what you wanted? I hope you’re not too angry about being deceived.”
Victoria’s tone was gentle, but that didn’t make Lillian’s guard go down.
“This is separate from my feelings. And I still don’t know everything I wanted. If you want to apologize for deceiving me, just speak straight.”
No, the more they talked, the stiffer Lillian’s voice became.
“If you really aren’t in league with Damian, then how come I’ve been affected by implications? Why did you bring me here?”
Until this was certain, Lillian had no intention of cooperating with anything. With a stern tone, Victoria seemed a bit puzzled. Of course, she didn’t seem particularly upset.
“I did intend to tell you at some point… Well, alright. Our socially inept researcher has made things awkward.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, Asher.”
Victoria’s tone was soothing, and her speech was seasoned with experience. You couldn’t properly guess her appearance because of the ornate half-mask covering her eyebrows to her temples, but the lower half visible under the mask was young. However, judging from Victoria’s demeanor in dealing with Asher and the experience she exuded, it was clear that Victoria was not as young as she appeared.
‘Quite an unexpected combination.’
Lillian didn’t intend to take everything Victoria said at face value.
At least, not until she spoke up like this.
“We are the people gathered to destroy the temple. Outside, we are called heretics.”
“….Heretics, you say?”
“Yes. So we essentially have a common enemy.”
Smoke rose long from the tip of Victoria’s pipe as she spoke.
“We’ve been watching you for a long time. Maynard’s daughter.”
* * *
Victoria and Asher were said to be figures corresponding to the leadership of the heretics. While they couldn’t exactly say who these individuals were or where they were located, it was true that Asher was conducting theological research.
“Asher doesn’t necessarily align with us in terms of ideology. But pure curiosity is perhaps the most frightening thing for people harboring secrets.”
“So, I wasn’t accepted by the temple. Merely attempting to research the relics, considered the property of the divine, was enough of a heretical act, in fact.”
Asher said so with an innocent smile. He seemed to be the type who didn’t mind as long as he could conduct research on theology and relics anywhere. Moreover, the things that piqued his interest were more suitable for the ideology of the heretics than the ideology of the temple. So, eccentric as Asher was, he might have been the most suitable person to be involved with.
Thus, strictly speaking, it was Victoria rather than Asher who wanted to destroy the temple.
“The reason you were brought here is simple. Because you are needed by us.”
“Is it because I am targeted by the temple?”
“You could put it that way. But to be precise, it’s because you are the last daughter of Moonlight.”
Lillian frowned. They, too, had the same misunderstanding as the temple. Lillian tried to rebut the statement without realizing it, but she hesitated.
‘Would revealing the truth really benefit me?’
Since it became widely known that Odile was a fake, Lillian had firmly established her position as the legitimate daughter of Maynard. Now, no one dared to bring up the idea that she was fake in front of her. Furthermore, Lillian had divine powers, so it was only natural for those who knew that fact to think of her as the last daughter of Moonlight.
All truths were known only to Lillian and Theo.
‘Maybe I can complete my revenge by using these people.’
The fact that they wanted to destroy the temple, the fact that they had the same enemy, dried up Lillian’s mouth. While Lillian remained silent, Victoria’s voice continued.
“As you also know, the late Duchess Maynard was the last descendant of Moonlight. And now, you have inherited that. The reason the temple is seeking you out, and the reason we are seeking you out, it’s all because of that.”
“Because I am the last daughter of Moonlight.”
“That’s right.”
Assurance settled in Lillian’s green eyes.
I shouldn’t speak the truth.
“Then tell me that reason. Why are you looking for the daughter of Moonlight—”
“I can’t tell you more than that. As Asher mentioned earlier, to hear more than this, you’ll have to take a vow of silence.”
Lillian knew what a vow of silence meant, having heard it from the priests of Bosworth Kingdom.
A vow of silence was simple. It was an agreement made through divine powers. With this agreement, one couldn’t disclose the truth under any circumstances.
Lillian wanted to say she would take the vow immediately, but reason restrained her. In the end, she closed her eyes tightly and opened them.
“….Give me time to think.”
“Okay. A week later, at the same time and place, a reading club will be held. I’ll give you until then. Think carefully. I hope I can see you again next week.”
“Thank you.”
With that, Lillian stood up. Theo had promised to ensure her safety until she entered her room, but that time was running out.
As Lillian approached the door, a voice came from behind.
“Oh, I have one piece of advice.”
Lillian’s steps abruptly stopped. She turned around. Victoria was looking at her with an unknown smile.
“It’s best not to discuss this matter with your close friend standing outside the door.”
“…It’s quite intrusive. I’ll handle it myself.”
“All members of the temple receive baptism, Lillian. With that baptism, everyone is subjected to a powerful implication to follow the orders of the temple.”
That meant that without realizing it, one could do things for the temple.
Such as reporting on friends or doing things contrary to one’s beliefs.
“Think about it. Wasn’t he eager enough to follow you here, to the point where it seemed suspicious?”
Was that really a coincidence?
