Chapter 69
After the wedding ceremony ended, the reception continued.
At first, most of the attendees were probably there just to gain the Count’s favor, but the atmosphere changed entirely because of the enormous delegation from San Fidelio.
A spectacular scene unfolded: people knelt at various spots, receiving blessings from the priestesses and priests, without anyone leaving their seats.
“Please bless us!”
“Bless us!”
Even the knights had come, leaving only the minimum number of troops behind to celebrate their captain’s wedding, so their presence alone was notable.
For parents with daughters, there was no better opportunity than this.
Noble young ladies dreaming of knighthood and even children eager to see swords gathered, making it the most bustling night the Count’s mansion had ever seen.
“This… is truly a den of sin.”
Rebecca, surveying the Count’s mansion, quickly made the sign of the cross as if even witnessing this scene made her dizzy.
The venue, modeled after a temple, didn’t seem unfamiliar.
Seeing the world’s rarest jewels, exotic flora and fauna, and—most astonishingly—the wine waterfall and brandy fountain she had only heard about in rumors, left her utterly speechless.
“…Wouldn’t you like some?”
“No, thank you.”
Adel offered her a cup, but Rebecca radiated nothing but coldness.
Of course. This was the kind of person she had always been.
“Still, thank you for coming all the way here. I didn’t expect it.”
“It was the High Priestess’s command. It wasn’t my choice, so don’t take it the wrong way.”
“I know. I don’t expect you, Rebecca, to bless me.”
“….”
“But I also know that if you truly didn’t want to come, you wouldn’t have come at all.”
Adel smiled gently and handed the cup again.
Rebecca, looking slightly exasperated, reluctantly took it.
“Try it. I’m sure it’ll suit your taste.”
“I highly doubt that.”
She spoke sharply, bringing the cup to her lips.
Just a sip of alcohol.
Even before tasting it, the aroma alone was exquisite.
If even a priestess who rarely drinks could feel this way, how refined must it be?
“…Priestess?”
“How could someone living in a place like this do such things?”
Rebecca gazed at the amber liquid with unease before suddenly lifting her eyes to ask the question.
“Honestly, Agnes—or rather, Lady Adel—I have no idea why you were peeling potatoes. For someone living in a place like this, it must have seemed trivial.”
“Well…”
“Don’t deny it. Even if you held ill intentions toward the captain, you didn’t have to go that far.”
Rebecca couldn’t understand at all.
She hadn’t understood even when the Archbishop blessed the holy relics, but how this young lady, living at the pinnacle of luxury, could smile while doing all the menial tasks she was assigned—and do them so well—was even more incomprehensible.
“With all this wealth, what could possibly be missing…”
“You know better than anyone, Rebecca,” Adel said, pointing to Killian, who, alongside his father, was receiving guests’ greetings.
He drew attention like a living relic, radiant in his natural presence.
“She’s someone who insists on being involved no matter what.”
“…Hah! Truly shameless, or what.”
“Why? People have both their true selves and public personas.”
“What did you say?”
“This is the first time I’ve seen Rebecca, a priestess, so holy.”
Ta-da! Adel playfully clinked her cup.
Rebecca, having realized this woman was unstoppable by force of will, resigned herself.
Perhaps that was why the aroma from the cup seemed even sweeter.
“Enough. What’s the point of talking more with someone like Agnes?”
“Right. When there’s alcohol, you should just drink first.”
“That’s not what I meant…”
Rebecca, unable to speak, merely moved her lips and downed the rest of the cup in one go, letting go of everything.
Seeing Adel slightly startled, she wore a troubled expression.
“…A shadow of darkness looms here.”
“Pardon?”
“No matter how much Agnes dislikes someone, she wouldn’t sabotage another’s wedding.”
Rebecca’s voice grew cold as she looked down over the mansion.
As she lifted her white veil fully, the expression on her face hinted at a conflict: whether or not to say such things.
“I don’t know the details, but the moment I entered this place, I felt a shadow of darkness.”
“A shadow of darkness…?”
“With the ability to heal and save, there are moments when one can sense death. Faintly, I can sense it here in Count Sergio’s mansion.”
“…Priestess.”
“Why do you look at me like that? You think I’m just someone cursing others for no reason…”
“No. I realize you really are a priestess.”
I should’ve shown her better!
Adel, belatedly respectful, inwardly expressed her admiration.
Of course, her practical sense had kept her alive at the temple all this time.
If there was a shadow of darkness, she had likely glimpsed Noella’s future.
“Agnes! This isn’t a joking matter!”
“I know. It’s real.”
“….”
“So… is there any way?”
Adel pleaded with earnest eyes, and Rebecca frowned.
She had spoken assuming Adel wouldn’t believe her, but had never imagined she’d be so serious.
Rebecca coughed awkwardly and turned away.
“I don’t know. I only feel the energy. Even if I did, when, how, and who is involved is strictly forbidden knowledge at the temple.”
“…I see.”
“One word from us could cause great chaos in the world. That’s why one may descend from San Fidelio only with the Archbishop’s permission.”
It was ironic that the moment she descended, she felt the mansion’s shadow.
Rebecca habitually made the sign of the cross, and Adel showed unease.
“I suppose so. Raising the matter out of concern, then begging for solutions like me could put priestesses in a difficult position.”
“That’s not it.”
“…Excuse me? If not that…”
“Even if only one in a million, there is still a chance it might not happen.”
“….”
“Human fate is infinite; I won’t let someone waste their life dwelling on one possibility. It’s not because I’m selfish, understand?”
Rebecca’s face radiated pride in fulfilling the divine will.
Indeed, at her home temple, a priestess is a priestess, no matter what.
Adel, realizing a truth about the world in an unexpected place, nodded deeply.
“…Even a predetermined fate can change, even if only a one-in-a-million chance.”
“The Sun God has spoken so.”
“Oh, glorious Enes!”
There she goes again.
Rebecca found Adel’s sudden prayerful devotion strangely familiar, though it made her lips twitch.
She tried not to look at Adel, laughing unintentionally, as the woman clasped her hands and muttered.
“Ahem, then I should be going.”
“Excuse me? Where?”
“Where else? The Count has prepared a separate wing, so I’ll check there.”
“…You’re leaving just like this?”
Adel, searching for a divine sign, suddenly blocked Rebecca’s path.
Step aside.
Even glaring wouldn’t move her.
“You came to the wedding and won’t give a gift? How could a holy priestess do such a thing?”
“Gift? I’ve already given one!”
“That was from the Archbishop.”
“….”
“You even drank the wine I gave you.”
It was expensive.
Adel gestured at the empty cup, and Rebecca’s face flushed red and blue.
Of course. That figures.
Rebecca snorted, but Adel stood firm like an iron wall.
“What the—! Step aside! And what do I have to give to someone sent here by the Archbishop? Rich people are even more stubborn; you’re too much!”
“No. Why must a priestess give a gift materially?”
“…Then what?”
“You must use your ability. Aren’t you a priestess of salvation?”
Even Rebecca had only realized this today.
Adel clung to her as if supporting her.
Rebecca touched her head; she must be getting tipsy.
“Oh, don’t be surprised. This wine is strong. I got hit all at once a few days ago, so I understand.”
“What? No… this is useless! As I said, if I use my power recklessly, there will be chaos in the world…”
“Yes, yes. Of course.”
Adel nodded along, clutching Rebecca’s arm even tighter. Anyone would think they were inseparable best friends.
“Then… what if it’s not a person?”
