Chapter 19………………………………………….
The deity worshiped in Linex is called “Verdandi,” and believers are said to be fairly widespread not only in the holy nation of Linex but across the continent.
Even though the holy nation of Linex possesses a relatively weak military compared to its abundant deposits of magical stones, this was exactly why no other country had dared attack it so far.
Anyone who dares to provoke a god, be they king or commoner, would be finished by the hands of the deity’s followers across the continent.
That must be why Linex can act so arrogantly and assertively even within its own borders.
“Do we not need a proper temple? Surely the holy relic alone has its limits.”
“That’s already been checked. By the way, since multiple people are painting it, there are some differences in appearance.”
“Recently, the trend is to follow the model used by the master Lionel when painting Verdandi’s holy relic.”
“Even so, if you copy the holy relic too literally, it will feel unnatural.”
Faith, in a broad sense, is just like a fandom. And among the true devotees of Linex, recent trends could be ignored entirely, with them thinking, “My interpretation of the character isn’t like that! I can’t accept it!” and rejecting it outright.
“Perhaps we should go back to the classics after all.”
It seemed best to follow the ancient methods, as the light existed from the very beginning.
I had been wondering how to gracefully tell them that, despite all their meticulous care, it had ultimately been useless.
“Lady…”
Just then, Justin suddenly spoke while observing the holy relic.
“Do you believe in gods?”
“No?”
If I did, I wouldn’t be cramming for this now.
Answering immediately without a hint of hesitation, Justin let out a small chuckle.
“An expected answer, but still a little surprising. Usually, people rely on gods for hope in life, don’t they?”
“No, well…”
Even if gods truly existed, how could I trust a being that had twice forced me into this miserable illness? I’d instantly become a heretic and curse them for life.
Ah… maybe that’s why I’m sick? In that case, I’ll convert today.
“And what about you, Grand Duke?”
I already knew the answer, of course.
Pretending curiosity, I asked, and Justin replied confidently.
“I don’t believe either. Rather than believing in an uncertain existence, I prefer to trust myself.”
“Ah, I see.”
Just as I thought. Truly a self-absorbed fellow.
I responded mechanically to Justin’s words, and he continued with the same faint smile.
“Though I don’t believe in gods or transcendent beings, there is, in fact, an old legend that has been passed down here in Somnium as well.”
“You mean the legend that the first emperor made a pact with a dragon and was promised eternal prosperity?”
A frequently cited foundation myth. To solidify an emperor’s power, one such legend was necessary. After all, that way, no blind rebel would try to take the throne in their place.
<“Dragons exist”—the claim of a magician who survived 50 years after going missing. Is it true?>
Now that I think about it, the monthly paper had a story about a magician claiming to have seen a dragon.
When they went to the place the magician indicated, nothing could be seen, and it was ultimately deemed a rumor.
“In the common folk, that’s where the story ends.”
“It sounds like the truth is otherwise.”
“There is, however, another legend passed down orally only among the royal family.”
Justin spoke, tilting his eyes gently, his voice carrying an unmistakable playfulness.
I frowned reflexively, thinking over his words.
A legend passed down only among royalty…
“Are you going to tell me that?”
I’m not royalty—just your stiff business partner.
If it’s only passed down among royalty, isn’t that supposed to be a secret?
Am I… being let in on something?
“This reaction is a bit different from what I expected. Didn’t you say you wanted to share information on equal footing?”
“Yes, but…”
That doesn’t mean I want to hear some special imperial secret.
I rolled my eyes and coughed lightly, unsure what to do.
Of course, I was curious. It’s a legend passed down only to royalty. Whatever it is, it must be important enough to keep secret.
But if I hear it and someone thinks, “You know this top-secret information! You can’t be left alone!” and comes after my family…
I may be doomed anyway, but my parents are innocent.
“Grand Duke.”
Better not to hear this.
I rolled my eyes but resolutely spoke.
“I’m not interested in heavy information that’s useless and doesn’t earn me anything.”
“And if it were useful?”
“Ugh… still, if it’s not absolutely necessary, I don’t want to hear it.”
I’m busy reviving my own house; I don’t have time to worry about someone else’s. Plus, I recently even got a puppy-like disciple.
“That’s an answer I like.”
Justin nodded, clearly satisfied. I clenched and unclenched my fists while watching the faint smile on his lips.
He never intended to tell me in the first place, did he? And he was just testing how I’d respond.
This guy constantly puts me in situations like this.
“Even if information is shared equally, there must be boundaries. That’s why I asked.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t be too disappointed. Who knows? Maybe one day, I’ll tell you all the secrets.”
“If I’m on my deathbed, that could make a fine bamboo forest for the Grand Duke…”
“A bamboo forest?”
Ah, no such proverb here.
I shook my head as if it were nothing. Then, for a moment, my head spun.
Ah, I must have shaken my head too violently.
Being around Justin makes me tense, and strangely, it makes the pain feel less.
Of course, the aftereffects are worse.
“…Time’s up.”
I was pondering whether working with Justin would be more efficient or keeping him away better for my recovery, when he stood.
Reflexively, I followed his movement with my eyes.
“Are you leaving?”
“I need to leave now if I want to participate in the auction in a few hours.”
“Oh, today’s the day.”
The Thales mine is being auctioned.
Understanding immediately, I got up from the sofa to follow him. Justin raised an eyebrow and quickly added:
“No need to see me off.”
“I… I was just about to return to my room and rest…”
“Oh.”
Justin let out a surprised sound at my words. I tried to calm my twitching lips.
I did get up to see him off! I might as well tease him once—when else would I?
Now I can’t even transform into a benevolent angel.
“Then, please take care at the auction, Grand Duke.”
“Don’t worry about this. Rest well. I’ll come again. Make sure to take the medicine I sent you.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
I don’t like being sick either.
And I even got free medicine—of course I’ll take it properly.
Chuckling, Justin shook his head a few times and left the reception room.
He walked slightly faster than usual, perhaps thinking I wouldn’t see him off.
The Sanders Auction House in the capital, Rampas. The eyes of the assembled nobles and merchants were fixed on one spot.
“The Grand Duke of Aberdin came here himself…”
“Then he must have a lot riding on this auction item.”
“I don’t recall anything remarkable in this auction, though. Strange. Also, isn’t it a bit more crowded than usual?”
Ignoring the murmurs, Justin sat alone, seemingly unbothered, spinning a sign and lost in thought.
According to Miena Sidus, about five people were caught wandering around the Thales mine.
Surely that small number wouldn’t make the crowd seem large.
The auction items were also mediocre, so the increased attention must be because of him.
Nothing unusual about that.
Wherever he went, he became the center of attention.
Except for one…
“That child.”
A small smile formed on Justin’s lips.
The day he first properly met Miena Sidus, the angel who appeared in his dreams.
If he wasn’t taken aback by her appearance—so different from what he expected—that would have been a lie.
A body too small and frail for a twelve-year-old, weakened by a long-standing illness and raised with care.
After the shocking first impression, the emotion he felt next wasn’t annoyance or surprise, but interest.
The confusion and embarrassment in her blue eyes disappeared the moment she greeted him.
“She’s no amateur in acting.”
If he hadn’t given her a hint, the clever child would have pretended not to understand at all.
Such a talent was too valuable to waste.
