CHAPTER 34
“Anyway, it’s already happened… It might be better to teach her how to use it properly.”
Rafael tore his gaze from the artifact and finally spoke.
“Do you know how to use this artifact?”
“…No?”
Luisa replied after a brief hesitation, avoiding Rafael’s gaze and looking at the ring.
“I just noticed it transformed into a ring and was imprinted—but beyond that, I’m not sure…”
“I see. It appears to be an attack-type artifact. I’ll need to study it more—but typically these are activated by physical contact. We should test it later in a more open space.”
Rafael took the ring and watched Luisa slide it onto her middle finger, then stared out the window.
“Will you be staying long at the temple?” she asked.
“I’ll need to talk with the priest to know.”
Rafael met her eyes briefly, then said firmly,
“Make sure you’re escorted by at least two knights on the return.”
“But I already have several knights accompanying me. Having more would be cumbersome.”
“Two should suffice,” he insisted.
“…Alright.”
Rafael stood as the carriage stopped. He focused on the open door as a chill breeze brushed his cheek.
Later, in the temple priest’s private room—a modest chamber warmed by morning sunshine—Yoran, the priest, asked, “Do you still feel dizzy?”
“There’s no lingering aftereffect—thanks to the holy water, I think.”
“May I examine you?”
Luisa placed her hand in his gently. His warm touch and sacred proximity comforted her.
He closed his eyes, then opened them in wonder:
“You seem much stronger in holy power now.”
“Really?”
“The progress is faster than expected. Perhaps it’s due to your increased time near the templar captain?”
Luisa gave an awkward laugh. Am I the one worried about him? When she aligned with Yoran’s gaze, she saw Rafael’s earlier tension toward Yoran flash in her mind—a visible unease.
“Do you and he… have a problem?” she asked bluntly.
Yoran chuckled. “Not at all. I only suggested he watch over you more closely—naturally, as your fiancé.”
Luisa frowned, What a strange excuse…
Her eyes fell on a box on the desk—identical to one brought north by Braun. Rafael mentioned Duke Blake had departed early to bring something here.
“Is that sacred relic?” she asked.
“Yes.”
Yoran stepped forward. “We found it—tainted with demonic energy. I didn’t expect it this soon.”
“How many were found?”
“Five.”
Five? That’s more than the east. This region will be in serious danger…
Luisa approached the box, her fingers brushing its surface. Yoran called out:
“Please don’t touch it—”
Then why place it here? she thought.
She felt nauseous for a moment and withdrew her hand.
Later, outside on a terrace, Luisa stared into a steaming tea cup, mentally exhausted.
“Not all were purified,” Yoran’s voice came from behind. “Two are cleaned, three remain tainted.”
Only two—yet I felt that change when I touched the box…
“You felt holy power emanating from the box while you touched it, before you even spoke.” said Yoran.
So simply caring to me emits power that purifies demonic energy…? That can’t be normal.
Luisa sat frozen, troubled by the implications.
The translation seemed somewhat better than the last two chapters but it felt a bit rushed.