CHAPTER 22
“Ah, I got caught up in it.”
Adele unconsciously nodded in agreement, then belatedly shook her head.
As expected of a knight—he charged in so suddenly.
Frustrated, she bit her lip, then opened her eyes wide.
‘Wait, did he just smile?’
Unless she was mistaken, those cool eyes, always like moonlight, had softened for a brief moment. She tried to check again, but Killian was already several steps ahead.
“Hey, wait up!”
“Aren’t I already doing that?”
“Haa, haa.”
So far, it had seemed like he was matching her pace, but now that he was walking at his own speed, she found it hard to keep up.
It wasn’t impossible to catch up, but at this rate, she couldn’t even get a good look at that annoyingly handsome face.
‘Is he trying to atone for some sin or what?’
Every time she got close enough to speak, he’d quicken his pace again. But if she lagged behind, he’d stop as if he had eyes on the back of his head.
Only when they reached the entrance of the grand temple did his steps slow, but by then, he’d returned to his usual self.
‘Of course. I must’ve imagined it.’
Honestly, in such a secluded place, it was a relief he hadn’t cut her down in annoyance.
There was no reason this man would show her kindness or goodwill.
“Here you are. Go inside.”
“Yes.”
Adele accepted the basket he handed over, hiding her disappointment. She never thought he’d be an easy man, but he was truly difficult.
Killian glanced toward the priestesses’ quarters, his expression stern.
“You were unharmed today, but you never know when a demonic beast might appear. Be cautious from now on.”
“You be careful too, Captain.”
“…Are you worried about me now?”
Killian’s voice rose slightly, as if something had struck a nerve. He narrowed one eye and stepped in front of her.
“How unexpected. If you’re concerned I might fall prey to a demonic beast—”
“No, not the beast. I meant me.”
Adele let out a sly chuckle.
If he could catch her off guard, then why couldn’t she do the same to him?
Rather than sulking over his rigid demeanor, she figured it was better to jab the fruit she couldn’t have.
“You don’t think I’m less dangerous than a demonic beast, do you, Captain?”
“Is that—”
“I’m joking, joking!”
“…”
“Don’t worry. I know full well you’re not interested in me, so why would I chase after you? I’ll go my way. Please have a peaceful night.”
Even as Adele turned away with a smile, Killian remained silent.
His brows, which had furrowed the moment he stepped in front of her, only deepened, but he didn’t react in any other way.
Her dark hair fluttered above her pale nape as she hurried away, fanning herself with her hand.
“…Captain, are you just returning now?”
“Mikael.”
Mikael, emerging from the training hall, called out to him, and only then did Killian turn around.
What was he looking at?
Mikael glanced around, but everything appeared normal.
As the chilly night breeze brushed past, Mikael took the lead toward the building.
“Shall we go in? The night air is getting cold.”
“…No, go on ahead.”
“Where are you going then? I’ll—”
“No need to wait.”
Before Mikael could finish, Killian turned on his heel and walked off.
As Mikael started to follow, Killian shook his head firmly. The dim moonlight, hidden behind the clouds, cast shadows over his brooding expression.
“I think I need another wash.”
On the third day since arriving at the monastery…
Adele could now carry thirty food trays in one hand without issue.
She didn’t have superhuman strength or stamina, but her adaptability was second to none.
“Young Lady, are you really okay?”
“Instead of asking, try piling a few more on.”
Adele urged Jacqueline, who was hesitating, to stack more trays. When Jacqueline nervously did so, Adele straightened her back with perfect balance.
“Huup!”
My body remembers—the life of a humble commoner.
Adele recalled her past life fondly as she headed for the dining hall.
Is poverty in the genes or something?
It was absurdly strong. She’d lived swathed in diamonds for over twenty years, but within just a few days, her body had fallen back into labor mode.
‘A little depressing, honestly.’
She couldn’t even be happy about it, and swallowed her bitterness.
No matter the task, her body moved before her brain could think.
After all, old habits die hard.
In her previous life as a Korean saleswoman, Adele had made the impossible possible.
She drank alcohol she couldn’t stand, manufactured patience she didn’t have, and lifted dishes large enough for grown men with ease.
“Wait! Lady Adelaide! What on earth are you doing?”
“Oh, Priestess Rebecca.”
Rebecca, who had been lurking for a chance to catch Adele slipping, halted her just before she entered the hall.
The mountain of trays was enough to make anyone dizzy. It looked like it could topple with the slightest breeze, yet somehow, it was perfectly balanced.
“As you can see, I’m carrying trays since it’s mealtime.”
“And you’re planning to enter like that?”
“Yes. I figured doing it all in one go would be more efficient.”
What did she even do before this?!
Rebecca stared, dumbfounded, at Adele’s casual smile.
Dealing with this audacious woman was burning her up inside despite her best efforts to stay calm.
She couldn’t let her go unchallenged.
Frantically scanning for something to nitpick, Rebecca spotted the stack of water cups.
“You’re still going to have to come back for the cups. What’s so efficient about that?”
“Oh… the cups.”
Ah, she forgot.
Adele glanced at the pile of cups near the entrance. Rebecca inhaled sharply, ready to pounce.
“See? I told you—”
“Like this, it’s fine, right?”
Huup!
Adele shifted the trays into one hand and grabbed the cups with the other.
Her fragile-looking frame carried the enormous stack with perfect balance. Rebecca gasped, unable to release the breath she’d taken.
“Y-You—!”
“I’ll be going in now.”
And Adele strode confidently into the hall.
Within just a few days, she’d become something of a legend. The knights couldn’t take their eyes off her.
Rebecca, rooted in place, clenched her fists.
What is she?! Why is she so good at everything?!
She wasn’t just doing chores—she was doing them perfectly.
Tasks that no noble lady should be able to handle—especially not one from the wealthiest house in the south.
Or so Rebecca had believed.
“See that? Ever since Lady Agnes arrived, the atmosphere has really brightened.”
“Totally. She’s so different from what we expected. Maybe we were prejudiced. Honestly, Priestess Rebecca has been a bit… mmph—”
The apprentice priestesses scurried away, cutting themselves off the moment they spotted Rebecca.
To think those who serve the gods could be fooled so easily! Steam practically shot from Rebecca’s head.
The temple is slowly being tainted by evil…
She had to expose this wicked woman!
Overflowing with righteous fury, Rebecca scanned the knights surrounding Adele.
“Lady Agnes, may I have more potatoes?”
“Over here! I’d like some too!”
“Ha!”
Even knights who normally wouldn’t glance at potatoes were lining up for seconds.
Rebecca scoffed louder.
The high priestess wouldn’t step in on this, so she had no choice but to act.
To think a place blessed by the sun god, San Fidelio, has so few capable people!
She clicked her tongue and passed by the gathered knights in disdain. But surely at least one person here would share her convictions—
‘Huh?’
There was someone.
Across the table, someone was staring at Adele with eyes as cold as hers.
While everyone else laughed with stars in their eyes, he alone looked sharp and unamused.
Rebecca forgot all decorum and rushed over.
“Captain, here you are!”
“…Priestess.”
“I wondered why you looked so grim. Ahh, you were watching Lady Adelaide.”
Rebecca sat beside him, pretending not to notice anything.
As expected.
Killian, at least, was on her side. Just look at how displeased he was, staring so severely at Adele.
“Look at that. How could those serving the gods behave so lightly?”
“…Indeed.”
His voice fell like lead on black marble.
“Utterly disgraceful.”
“Right? I knew you’d understand me, Captain.”
Rebecca beamed, feeling validated at last.
Oh great sun god! My eyes and ears are finally open!
“Whatever trick she’s using, there’s something fishy for sure. Just look at that smug smile.”
“…They’ve all lost their minds.”
“Exactly!”
Adele must’ve cracked a joke—Reynald and the knights burst out laughing.
Rebecca didn’t notice the shift in Killian’s gaze.
He wasn’t looking with her.
“Even when I spoke up, no one listened. She’s already turned even the priestesses. Someone with discernment must step in. What do you suggest, Captain?”
“If I could, I’d send them all to the Kelrohan Ice Caverns…”
“Eh? But they’re women! Isn’t that a bit harsh?”
Rebecca tilted her head, but Killian swallowed hard and picked up his wine glass.
Instead of drinking, he stared deeply into the glass, as though searching for something.
“…Captain?”
“Pathetic.”
“…What’s pathetic? Oh—yes! Completely disgraceful.”
Caught off guard by the chilly tone, Rebecca hurried to agree.
There’s only one person he could mean.
She glared daggers at Adele.
“She’s definitely got a secret helper. No way she’s done all this alone. Maybe she called in someone behind the scenes or used a maid…”
“…And what do you plan to do about Lady Agnes?”
Suddenly, there was a sharp edge in Killian’s gaze.
But Rebecca, too busy seething, didn’t notice.
“I’ll have to increase surveillance. That way, we’ll definitely catch something.”
“Surveillance, you say.”
“The priestesses are too soft-hearted now, and they’ve all been swayed. We need someone to shadow Lady Adele and warn the knights. I thought… maybe Captain Mikael?”
“Denied.”
“…Excuse me?”
Rebecca blinked at the harshness in his tone, almost offended.
Weren’t we on the same side?
Killian lifted his wine glass and finally took a sip.
The sight of his chiseled profile and the movement of his throat was enough to make even a pious priestess blush.
“Captain Mikael is too soft. He’s not suited to cold surveillance.”
“Mikael?”
“Even in battle, while others dispatch enemies in threes and fours, Mikael carefully handles one at a time.”
“Oh… I didn’t know that.”
Enchanted by his glow, Rebecca clapped her hands in admiration.
She didn’t even question what on earth combat efficiency had to do with watching Adele.
“What about brave Reynald, then?”
“Even after seeing that?”
“Ah…”
Reynald was the one laughing the loudest behind Adele.
Rebecca couldn’t openly insult him, so she searched for another name.
“What about one of the junior knights—?”
“Too weak.”
“Then Archbishop Samuel…”
“Too old to chase anyone around.”
“Then…”
Every name she listed, Killian rejected.
But his reasons were always so sound, and she respected him too much to doubt him.
If it comes from those noble lips, it must be truth and light.
“Oh… Then who do we entrust this to? We can’t just leave things as they are.”
“Of course not.”
At his firm tone, Rebecca made the sign of the sun god.
As expected, a true paladin. No mercy for evil.
Unlike those foolish knights, or that overly kind high priestess…
“Sigh… then…”
“No choice. I’ll have to watch her myself.”
“…You, Captain?”
Rebecca blinked.
Did she hear that right?
His tone had been far too serious.
“I’m acting in the archbishop’s stead. Everything in this temple is my responsibility.”
“B-But surely this isn’t something you should—”
“…Do you not trust me?”
“N-No! Of course I do!”
Overwhelmed by his stern presence, Rebecca surrendered completely.
If not him, then who?
He hadn’t gone soft over some woman, and he didn’t smile kindly at everyone like the high priestess.
He was pure as the ancient snow, perhaps even beyond human emotion.
Truly…
Not even when she first gained divine power had Rebecca felt such a tremor in her soul.
“If you’ll personally watch her, I’d be deeply grateful. I can finally rest easy.”
“…”
“That wicked smile of hers won’t last much longer.”
Watching the lively crowd laughing together, Rebecca’s face lit up with hope.
Killian, eyes fixed in the same direction, focused not on the group—
but on one person alone.
Blue flames flared behind his gaze.
“…You mean her, don’t you.”
