Chapter 109
Before the festival, including the public unveiling of the Saint, Altahaf was ordered to be summoned to the Promaia High Temple. The garden of the High Temple, known as the Goddess’s Garden, was lined with the Sutre Holy Knights.
“Welcome, High Councillor Altahaf.”
The captain of the Sutre Knights escorted Altahaf into the temple. Their treatment revealed the High Temple’s true intent: to corner the High Councillor if he faltered in the slightest. Even Altahaf’s subordinates showed their displeasure.
Sutre Holy Knights were the lowest-ranked among the knights, responsible for all the dirty and vile work in the temple. Normally, they wouldn’t even make eye contact with someone like him. That they were the ones guiding the High Councillor was an insult in itself.
Altahaf, however, did not take offense. The place they led him to was the entrance to the courtroom. The knights ordered him to leave all his subordinates outside and enter alone.
“This is incredibly rude. How can a mere captain of the Sutre Knights give orders to the High Councillor?”
Aelya protested, and murmurs of dissent spread around. But the High Councillor silenced even the objections of his followers. He gently gripped Aelya’s shoulder and said,
“This is likely the will of the High Temple, not just the Sutre Knights. They would not harm me, the High Councillor. Wait here for a moment, Aelya.”
“…Yes, High Councillor.”
Excessive loyalty can breed resentment. Hesitating briefly, Aelya lowered her gaze. Altahaf, patting her shoulder, instructed the captain to open the courtroom doors.
The light from inside the courtroom was blinding. Entering alone, the High Councillor expressed his gratitude.
“I will remember your courteous reception.”
His face, once proud with the support of the High Temple, twisted for a moment—but he quickly recovered. Few emerged unscathed from the courtroom, and unofficial trials were even more dangerous.
Finally, I’ll see that arrogant face fall.
Whatever crime had brought the High Councillor here was of no concern to the captain. With that, the doors closed. The trial had begun.
The courtroom was like a colosseum. Its interior had multiple tiers, each representing a different social rank from bottom to top. Seats that should have been filled with observers were empty.
Altahaf, standing in the defendant’s position, tilted his head upward. At the very top stood a figure of immense nobility, looking down at him.
“Your Highness.”
Altahaf bowed to the High Temple’s ruler. One of the ruler’s eyebrows raised sharply. The ruler’s mood was as sharp as the reason for summoning the High Councillor.
The High Temple’s ruler did not respond to the greeting. Altahaf obediently lowered his gaze, but that alone was insufficient. Before the one he revered most, the High Councillor fell to both knees.
“I reflect on my unilateral actions.”
Altahaf acted as if he knew his crime. Naturally, the ruler’s breathing calmed slightly at this display of humility. But Altahaf sought understanding for his actions.
“However, that child is indispensable.”
“Nonsense! How can you seat the daughter of a demon as the Saint?!”
The courtroom shook under the thunderous roar. The ruler’s eyes blazed as he looked at Altahaf. The demon’s daughter, dyed blonde, had already been sent to the temple checkpoint. Her face was so horrifying that the ruler might have wanted to bury her alive alongside the High Councillor.
Disgusting and vile.
The cunning one merely pretended to repent. It was the ruler, Mitor, who had made Altahaf the High Councillor. Yet, the ruler also regretted it the most.
If you raise a lowly creature, it should at least lick your feet.
He wanted a dog that obeyed without question. Altahaf had acted the loyal dog to become the High Councillor, and that performance had won the ruler’s favor. But that too was an act—he was the sheep most suited for the Goddess’s serpent.
“Your reasoning is sound. Yet, to purify the north, the Duke’s daughter is essential. The sacred army could not invade the north due to the foolish emperor’s decree, correct?”
“…That is true!”
The emperor’s misguided loyalty silenced the ruler. Even with sufficient justification, the temple could not act in the north—it was a disgrace. But here lay the key. The ruler glared fiercely at Altahaf.
It’s all because of the High Councillor! And refusing to testify there, the High Councillor has fallen into the demon’s trap!
Even if the High Councillor had merely testified, the northern border could have been secured. Yet he refrained—an unmistakable sign of corruption. Still, Altahaf did not flinch under the ruler’s pressure.
“Your Highness, anyone can burn trash. But purifying the seeds of demons is the Goddess’s will. Only you can perform it.”
His voice served the most noble and special. Altahaf read the subtle shift in the ruler’s eyes—the once furious gaze now wavered.
“This is your chance to demonstrate greatness. The Saint is meant to be used and discarded. Use her to subdue the north, then act as you wish.”
The temple followed continental law to maintain dignity. Surrounding nations must not perceive the temple as acting unjustly. The northern affairs were no exception. Altahaf had secured hostages capable of compelling northern obedience without attracting scandal.
“…I heard you had a dream of the stars.”
After a moment of silence, the ruler spoke. The Goddess’s dreams represented power. Whoever dreamed of discovering the Saint and appointing the holy figure would gain leverage. It was a power show, and the ruler did not wish Altahaf’s position to rise further.
“That’s not difficult. Simply announce it in your Highness’s name.”
“There will be witnesses.”
Altahaf proposed a simple solution, yet the ruler remained skeptical. But even this Altahaf had planned for.
“Then send everyone present there into the Goddess’s embrace.”
Witnesses could simply be eliminated. Even if there were hundreds of soldiers, death would seal their mouths. No one would trust the words of northern knights anyway, so only the easy solution needed handling.
“…Very well. I will trust you.”
The ruler, who had intended to dismiss the High Councillor today, visibly softened. He always desired special and noble treatment, and the hostages Altahaf brought were fitting.
“I will always remain the obedient sheep.”
The High Councillor bowed. This allowed the ruler to avoid looking at Altahaf’s face.
Thus, the festival unveiling the Saint’s face commenced. Afterward, the Saint was to bestow blessings at the royal party of Piecen—a place to showcase the first special bait.
The Crown Prince’s residence was secluded. After the first day’s conversations, he personally delivered the invitation sent to the Duke. It was a royal party celebrating the Saint’s inauguration. Both the ruler and High Councillor would attend, and the reason the invitation had reached the Duke was obvious.
It would be a dangerous plan. Yet she had no choice but to go. Only the hope of meeting Ellen freed her from fear.
“I will see you again at the palace.”
The Crown Prince had departed for the capital two days prior. The royal palace party was today. Ninia boarded the Duke’s carriage, marked with his crest, alongside Tarahan. Before the doors closed, Bias stood before them.
Ninia’s gaze was subtle. She had used Bias, and she felt some guilt. Yet it was merely part of the transaction. He had performed a service, so she intended to repay it. But this time, she could not understand it.
“Why step forward to help me? Even if you help, my answer will not change.”
On the day the Crown Prince and the Duke clashed, Bias had widened the gap. He declared he would help rescue Ellen. His plan, targeting the chance only a minority tribe could exploit, seemed plausible.
To her question, Bias faintly smiled. The Duke and the purebloods remained cold. But since that day, Tarahan had not threatened to kill him.
“It’s not like that. I simply aligned with the Crown Prince’s will… and… I wanted to.”
“…I ask of you.”
She could say nothing else. At last, the carriage doors closed, and the six-horse black carriage adorned with a lion emblem set off toward the capital.
