The Northern Temple is located far from the central area.
In an empire with a developed central government, it might be different, but no matter how grand a temple it is, it’s impossible to thoroughly inspect all the temples in the provinces.
As the central authority gradually weakened, the Northern Temple began to maintain its own independent system.
This independent system didn’t mean they carried out missionary work independently. It meant they used the temple’s influence to deal with people.
Therefore, the northern temple’s storerooms were filled, unlike the impoverished northern domain, and the priests were well-fed, unlike the skinny northern people.
Hence, they hoped to maintain a suitable distance from the central authority.
If the central authority were to intervene, they would lose all the privileges they had enjoyed so far.
“…So, that is what has happened.”
Contrary to his calm explanation, Yuriel’s clasped hands were trembling. It was such a disgraceful matter for the young Dehan to hear. Moreover, in front of the Daimon family…
It was shameful. Yuriel hung his head low.
“Well, I understand that the northern people are corrupt, but why did they try to kill you?”
“It’s because we were called directly by the central authority. They wanted to kill us so that we wouldn’t reveal anything when we got to the central authority.”
Arthur answered Shekina’s question on Yuriel’s behalf.
“Em-embarrassingly… yes…”
Yuriel stammered.
“Th-there hasn’t been a p-priest who has l-left the north… until now…”
“They all died?”
“…Yes.”
“Wow, they are such a trash.”
Shekina laughed mockingly.
According to the game scenario, until Shekina died at the age of 15, the north wasn’t a significant place. Hence, Shekina never paid attention to it.
But now that she’s looking at it, it’s really a mess.
Monsters attacking, demonic beings lurking, and a corrupt temple.
‘It would be perfect if it all just collapsed.’
Shekina clicked her tongue.
“We… we thought we’d be okay… since the Pope himself called… and not me, but Dehan…”
The reason why the Pope called Dehan.
They still don’t know his purpose.
But they will find out. Soon.
Shekina’s eyes glinted.
“Alright. We were planning to go to the capital too, so let’s go together. I’ll take you there.”
“What?!”
Yuriel was astonished.
He thought it was enough that they had been saved. But not only did they save them, but they also provided accommodations and called a doctor. Hence, Yuriel didn’t expect anything more. Expecting more would be greedy.
He was thinking of finding another carriage and heading to the capital somehow… But to accompany them to the capital.
The temple he considered as home tried to kill him.
On the other hand, the Daimon family, whom he considered as enemies, saved him twice.
So who is truly good? Who is the evil?
Yuriel felt a surge of emotion.
“Th-thank you… for your grace…”
Unable to hide his overwhelming emotions, Shekina smiled even more broadly, thinking it was for the best.
“Really? You’re thankful to me?”
Shekina jumped off her chair and ran to Yuriel.
“Then I have a request.”
“Y-yes! Please, tell me!”
“Take me with you when you go into the Pope’s residence.”
The Pope’s residence was a place where only priests could enter, so Yuriel and Dehan hesitated for a moment, but Shekina was unwavering.
“I really want to see it. I’m curious.”
Of course, she wasn’t curious at all.
But she had a reason for wanting to go there so badly.
‘Dungeon.’
Because there is a dungeon under the Pope’s residence.
‘Let’s strip it clean.’
Despite the harmless smile on her face, Shekina’s intentions were filled with malice.
***
“Phew.”
Lucart planted his great sword into the ground and sighed briefly.
His body was covered in the blood of monsters. From dawn until now, he had been endlessly fighting monsters.
“This is truly endless.”
He muttered as he lightly snapped his fingers. Immediately, a white light enveloped his body, and the sticky monster blood disappeared completely.
After brushing off his clothes, Lucart turned his gaze beyond the mountains.
– I can control monsters.
– And I can go to the demon world too.
The words of the youngest homunculus, who spoke one word at a time despite trembling, came to mind.
An entity capable of summoning and using the gateways to the demon world.
The reason for her to not speaking up about that fact before,
– Once I’ve done everything I need to, I’ll probably be kicked out.
She was worried about being kicked out of her sanctuary, the Demon King’s Castle.
Lucart knew this too. The homunculus who created now would be abandoned when they returned to the demon world.
They were beings created out of necessity, nothing more and nothing less.
They were not demons, nor were they humans.
As beings of the third kind, Lucart had never considered how they would live after he left.
But now, he started to ponder a little.
Could they live well?
After the demons leave, would they be able to live proper lives?
Could they blend in with humans?
‘I don’t know.’
Lucart furrowed his brow and tousled his bangs.
Such worries could be thought about after everything was over.
He put aside his concerns.
For now, he had to focus on his task.
He needed to regain his lost power.
– I will find the Demon King’s power.
He decided not to pay attention to the words of that homunculus that suddenly came to mind.
Lucart pulled out his great sword again.
***
After the conversation ended, Yuriel fainted, Arthur went out to prepare a meal, and Shekina went to the bath, saying she needed to wash up. Left alone, Dehan awkwardly wandered around the room.
He understood that the Daimon family had shown them great kindness.
He felt grateful, but also ashamed.
They were children of God, chosen beings. Yet the priests, who were supposed to be in the same position, had driven them out and tried to kill them.
‘I don’t know what’s right anymore.’
Dehan had only resolved to eradicate the bandits that attacked his village, so it was even harder for him to distinguish between good and evil.
Even Yuriel, who had been suspicious of the Daimon family until recently, now regarded them as benefactors.
‘Should I stop thinking altogether?’
Should he just continue solving the problems before him as he always had?
Dehan muttered to himself as he gazed blankly out the window.
Just then,
– Thud!
A well-packed snowball hit the window. Startled, Dehan approached the window and saw the twins playing with the snow on the first floor.
“Hey! Come down!”
Merdes shouted. Dehan widened his eyes.
“Are you talking to me?”
“Who else would it be? Come down quickly!”
Not knowing why he was being called, Dehan obediently went down to the first floor. There, he saw the twins making snowballs and throwing them at each other.
“Hey! Let’s join with us! Hurry up and make some snowballs!”
“…What?”
“Let’s play!”
Caught up in their energy, Dehan found himself making snowballs and throwing them. After a few hits and throws, he started to get the hang of it. Gripping a snowball tightly, he threw it with force.
“Ouch!”
Merdes, who got hit by the snowball, fell over. He brushed off the snow from his head and laughed.
“What the heck? How can a human be so strong?”
Dehan’s face turned pale. Had he overdone it? Did he throw too hard? He grew anxious.
“Oh, I’m… I’m sorry.”
He bowed his head deeply in apology, but the twins laughed as if it was no big deal.
“What’s this? It’s just a game. The one who gets hit by the snowball is at fault.”
“That’s right.”
They dispersed and began making more snowballs.
“……..…”
Is it really okay to play like this?
Are they not angry?
Since leaving the village, Dehan hadn’t had any friends his age. Only Yuriel and the other priests had been with him, so he was always alone. Overcoming and moving forward on his own… But he was just a five-year-old child, unable to do anything by himself.
Dehan’s cheeks turned red, and his chest swelled with emotion. His excited heart wouldn’t calm down easily.
“Hey, I got beaten up by my brother earlier. Let’s team up and get him.”
“Okay!”
Dehan ran towards Pardes with Merdes, a brighter smile on his face than ever before.
