Chapter 78
While the High Priest went to pray, Nox quietly slipped into his room without anyone noticing.
He began to search the room thoroughly.
‘I definitely heard that rustling sound right after he said it.’
Yesterday, after the High Priest mentioned that he would manipulate the prophecy book, there was a rustling sound, as if he was writing something.
The servants hadn’t come to clean yet, so the paper had to be somewhere in the room.
But no matter how carefully Nox searched, there was no paper containing any writing about manipulating the prophecy book.
He flipped through every book, checked between the pages, searched under the drawers, under the desk, and even under the carpet—but found nothing.
“Should I look somewhere else…?”
If it’s not in the room, maybe he hid it in the prayer room he often visits.
As Nox turned to leave the room, his eyes casually fell on the trash bin.
Inside, he saw shredded pieces of paper.
Nox’s eyes widened, and he quickly dumped the trash onto the floor.
The torn pieces of paper scattered everywhere.
Nox, eager to piece the letters together immediately, glanced at the clock.
Unexpectedly, much time had passed—it was nearly the moment the High Priest would return from his prayers.
Reluctantly, Nox pocketed the scraps of paper.
Hurrying back to his room, he spread the pieces across the desk.
“This has to be the paper…”
Nox muttered nonstop like a maniac, his eyes wide with focus.
The pieces were small and difficult to assemble, but he concentrated with a single thought: to bring down the High Priest.
It was even harder because the text wasn’t written on blank paper—it was on scrap paper with writing on the reverse side.
Skipping dinner, Nox finally pieced it all together.
He read the words slowly:
“Five days later, at twelve o’clock… manipulation of the prophecy book…”
Since the plan had been made yesterday, there were now four days left.
Nox memorized the date carefully, then scattered the painstakingly reconstructed paper once more.
He tossed it into the blazing fireplace.
“The High Priest is fine in every other way, but he’s just not thorough enough…”
Nox chuckled softly.
Only after watching the paper burn to black ashes did Nox rise to his feet.
Now, there was only one step left to reach the High Priest’s position.
The High Priest was still holding his ground.
Being the chief, no other clerics could act without his permission.
This caused Jonas a headache.
“If there’s nothing to hide, just accept my proposal already.”
“There’s something to hide, that’s why.”
“So what if you make mistakes? Apologize, and just don’t do it again next time.”
Jonas clicked his tongue.
Ridel nodded expressionlessly from behind.
Jonas slouched in his chair, but Ridel immediately rebuked him.
“Your Majesty, sit up straight. This is unbecoming.”
“There’s no one here anyway. So what?”
“Am I not a person?”
Jonas ignored him and hummed a tune.
Ridel sighed deeply, groaning.
In his life, he had never met anyone so lacking in dignity and decorum as Jonas.
Ridel had a lot to say but swallowed it.
With someone like this, no matter how much you scolded them privately, it would just go in one ear and out the other.
At that moment, the voice of the head servant was heard outside.
“Your Majesty, Duke Rockfelt has arrived.”
“What?”
Jonas quickly sat up straight.
In a solemn voice, he commanded,
“Show him in.”
The door opened, and Arsen entered, bowing his head in greeting.
“I pay respects to the Sun of the Empire.”
Jonas smiled slightly and asked,
“What brings you here, all alone?”
“I have something to report to Your Majesty.”
“What is it?”
Jonas’s eyes widened.
“I will help with the temple’s affairs.”
“…Why?”
“I don’t like seeing Ivelina worry about Your Majesty.”
“Huh…”
Jonas exhaled in disbelief.
“That’s the reason?”
“I also want her worries to disappear as quickly as possible.”
“Well… not too surprising.”
Arsen was clearly a devoted husband, so Jonas could understand even if the reason was that simple.
“So, what do you want in return?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
Jonas asked, dumbfounded.
Arsen hesitated, then replied,
“Oh, there is one thing. Please do not acknowledge us at the palace.”
“…?”
“Even if Ivelina greets first, do not approach her proactively, Your Majesty.”
“…Why?”
“It’s annoying.”
Jonas was at a loss for words.
He narrowed his eyes and said,
“Do you realize how rude that statement is to me?”
“I do. But… I believe I’ve been very lenient until now.”
Arsen smiled faintly, a rare occurrence.
Jonas flinched and avoided his gaze, clearing his throat.
He had thought Arsen had softened after marriage, but apparently not—he was only gentle around Ivelina.
“Ahem, so how exactly do you plan to help?”
“Soon, a cardinal will come to report a whistleblower.”
“A whistleblower?”
“Yes. You just need to properly organize the evidence he brings and notify the temple authorities.”
Jonas raised his hand.
Arsen looked at him as if puzzled.
“Surely… you’re not going to manipulate it, are you?”
Arsen’s eyebrows twitched at the question.
“What do you take me for?”
Jonas shrugged casually.
Arsen sighed lightly and spoke again.
“I won’t manipulate anything. The High Priest did misinterpret the facts; I’m just nudging the situation.”
“…”
“I’ll send the whistleblower to you soon.”
Jonas nodded slowly.
Arsen bowed slightly and opened the door to leave.
Just as he was about to exit, he turned briefly and said,
“This must remain a secret from Ivelina.”
“…Understood.”
Jonas replied reluctantly as Arsen left the office.
He wanted to finish this quickly and return north.
He had come to accelerate the process—while keeping everything completely secret from Ivelina.
Back at his residence, Arsen immediately summoned Noah.
“You called?”
“Do you remember the cardinal we investigated earlier?”
“Yes, I remember.”
Noah nodded.
“Contact him as soon as possible. Tell him I want to meet.”
“Where should we meet?”
“At my office.”
“Understood.”
Noah bowed and left.
The clock struck twelve.
Normally, he would have been asleep, but Nox was awake.
And Nox was not in his room—he was in front of the prophecy chamber.
‘He said twelve o’clock, so he should be coming soon.’
After twelve, no one could move except the High Priest.
The High Priest had taken advantage of this.
Nox shouldn’t have moved either, but he had to seize the opportunity to find a weakness, so he sneaked out.
As he scanned the dark surroundings, hurried footsteps approached.
Nox crouched low, hiding in the shadows.
The footsteps drew closer.
Soon, the High Priest appeared, holding a faintly glowing lantern.
Nox almost cried out in joy but swallowed the exclamation.
The High Priest looked around, unaware that Nox was there.
“Quickly, quickly…”
He moved hastily.
Although he alone could move after twelve, being seen at this hour could raise suspicion.
He swallowed and placed his hand on the orb in front of the prophecy chamber.
The orb glowed as he infused it with divine power, and the chamber door slowly opened.
After a final glance around, the High Priest hurried inside.
Nox dashed in just before the door closed with a slam.
‘That was too close.’
He almost got trapped, and his plan would have failed.
Nox took a deep breath and crept inside silently.
It was his first time in the prophecy chamber as well.
He was briefly fascinated but soon spotted the High Priest inside.
The High Priest held a small vial, about to drop a single drop onto the prophecy book.
Nox immediately called out, making footsteps echo:
“High Priest.”
“Gah…!”
Startled, the High Priest jumped.
The vial slipped and shattered on the stone floor.
Nox checked the recording device and small vial in his pocket, smiled, and approached.
“What are you doing here, High Priest?”
“N-N-Nox? Th-That is, um…”
The High Priest panicked.
Nox should have been punished for moving after twelve and sneaking into the chamber, but he didn’t care.
The High Priest’s mind was full of how to handle this situation.
Nox stepped closer and asked,
“I asked what you are doing here, High Priest.”
“I…I came to check the prophecy book. I had a troubling dream…”
He stammered, finally answering.
“But there’s nothing wrong, so I was about to leave.”
“Is that so? Then what is this vial?”
Nox bent down to pick up the broken pieces.
The High Priest flinched and bit his lip hard.
“That’s my medicine! I almost drank it, but you startled me, and it fell.”
“Is that so…”
Nox smiled lazily.
The High Priest decided to brazen it out.
He thought Nox knew nothing.
“Ha! Then what are you doing here—”
“You were trying to manipulate the prophecy book, weren’t you?”
“Wha…?”
The High Priest stared at Nox, as if to say, How do you know that?
