Episode 73
Raphael’s brow furrowed.
“……”
His lips moved slightly. His face showed a hint of hesitation.
But only for a moment. He nodded with a firm expression and turned his head to the side, as if forcing himself not to argue, even though he didn’t quite understand.
“Then I will wait outside the door. If anything happens, please shout.”
…Did he forget we’re about to meet the Archbishop? The remark was so absurd that Louisa instinctively glanced at the priest.
Fortunately, Raphael had spoken in a low enough voice that the priest probably hadn’t heard it. Still, to say something so risky—he certainly had nerves of steel.
Louisa rolled her eyes and pressed her lips together. Honestly, the more she looked, the more it seemed like he was the kind of person who always said whatever he wanted.
The idea that someone like him endured an engagement forced upon him by the Emperor made her wonder again if there had been some mistake.
“This way.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“No need to thank me. Your Holiness, Lady Blake has arrived.”
When the mahogany door was knocked, the golden handle turned, and the interior was slowly revealed.
“Welcome.”
With a deep voice, an elderly man with graying hair and a kind expression appeared.
Though his voice was strong, his small frame looked frail with age. Still, his jade-colored eyes were sharp, exuding a mysterious energy.
“You must have had a tiring journey. Please, have a seat.”
“May the blessings of the heavens shine upon you. Then, please excuse me.”
“May the blessings of the heavens shine upon you. I will wait outside the door.”
“Sir Raphael, if you don’t mind, you may come in.”
“I’m fine. I’ll wait outside.”
Raphael gave Louisa a brief glance before looking away.
“…I see. Very well then. Please, come in.”
The Archbishop stepped aside and pointed to the sofa. As the door closed behind them, Louisa and Raphael’s eyes briefly met.
“I’m sorry to have you come right after arriving, you must be tired.”
“It’s fine. I was planning to visit you anyway.”
“Ho ho, is that so? Thank you for understanding.”
“Your Holiness, please speak comfortably.”
His overly respectful tone made her feel burdened. Reading Louisa’s discomfort, the Archbishop smiled gently.
“How could I? I dare not speak casually to one blessed with holy power.”
He poured tea from the pot prepared on the table, speaking casually as he did so. Louisa reached for the teacup without much expression.
“I’m still not sure about this power. I was curious myself, which is why I wanted to meet with you.”
“Ho ho, I see. If there’s anything this old man knows, I will gladly answer to the best of my ability.”
How much should she reveal? She hesitated. There was no need to spill everything. Saying her divine power had suddenly awakened should suffice.
Louisa took small sips of the perfectly warm tea, buying herself time.
“I probably won’t last much longer.”
“What?”
So sudden? Louisa blinked wide-eyed.
“It’s a dangerous time. I’m barely clinging to life, and I could return to the gods’ embrace as soon as tomorrow.”
“Ah.”
Was he trying to say she didn’t need to be on guard? His candid expression of frailty left Louisa unsure of how to respond.
Hmm, I wasn’t really that wary, though…
Honestly, while she had wanted a private meeting, she hadn’t come expecting much from the Archbishop.
She merely hoped he would help her quietly get through this situation and wanted to confirm that the sudden surge of divine power wasn’t dangerous.
She was curious about Bella’s divine power or if it had any limits, but she had already given up on getting that kind of information—no one would carelessly reveal the current state of the Saint.
“Why would you say that? You still look strong.”
“Ho ho… Do I?”
“Yes. I just took a bit longer to answer because I didn’t think the question was that important.”
“There’s no such thing as an unimportant question. Please, feel free to speak.”
“Well, in that case… After divine power awakens, does it continue to grow? Is there usually a time limit?”
“Cases of divine power increasing are rare. Most believe the amount is set from the moment of awakening.”
“Oh… Then ‘most’ implies there are exceptions?”
“There are. Those chosen by the heavens—typically those appointed as Archbishops or Saints.”
“A Saint…”
Should she really keep talking about this? A chill crept down her spine.
It might be premature, but there was a big difference between her purification powers being known and being declared a Saint. Becoming one would pit her directly against Bella and surely increase the Empress’s scrutiny.
And most of all, the worst part: the temple would start bothering her nonstop—ordering her around to do this and that. She had absolutely no intention of meekly complying.
“Is your divine power still increasing?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I said no, would you?”
The Archbishop laughed at her awkward expression.
He laughs so brightly… For someone who claims to be frail, his voice sure echoes. Louisa, half in resignation, lifted her teacup—then froze at his next words.
“How about I keep it a secret for you?”
“A secret?”
“Yes. My ability may be minor, but I can sense divine power without needing to touch someone.”
“…Without any contact?”
“Ho ho. Which is why I find it hard to pretend not to notice your vast divine power.”
No wonder he’s the Archbishop. What a unique ability. Louisa was impressed, and though it was pointless, she instinctively leaned back a little.
“I had heard of your purification ability, so I suspected as much, but your capabilities far exceeded my expectations. Still, I won’t force you into anything you don’t wish. I just have one question.”
“…”
“Do you not wish to become the Saint?”
“…!”
Louisa stared blankly at the Archbishop, who had spoken such a delicate question with a gentle smile.
“Ho ho, your expression says it all. In that case, how about this? As long as I remain in this position, I will delay any discussions about appointing a new Saint as much as I can.”
“Can you really do that?”
“For now, we already have a Saint, so it should be fine. And for those who witnessed your abilities, I can simply say that you offered help as a devout follower who dislikes formalities.”
“…Why would you go so far?”
“It’s only natural to repay kindness. Everyone in the temple is like family to me, and I haven’t forgotten how you saved one of my family’s lives. That’s one reason I invited you—but more than that, I trust your conviction in heading east.”
He believes I won’t turn away from danger? Louisa’s expression became complicated.
The Archbishop looked at her kindly, the wrinkles around his eyes deepening as he smiled.
“If there ever comes a time you need this old man’s help, don’t hesitate to reach out.”
The sky was now completely clear, as if it had never rained.
Empress Harlin squinted slightly at the intense sunlight pouring through the arched window.
“Your Majesty, shall I draw the curtains?”
“Go ahead.”
Click. As she set down her teacup, the Empress glanced at the person seated across from her. Marquis Dmitri’s expression had grown even more rigid.
“What a nuisance. After all the investment, to think it’d end so uselessly.”
“…I apologize. He was taken care of before reaching the underground.”
Partha George, who had been sentenced to prison for wine plagiarism, met his end on the way to confinement. Who would’ve expected a patent to trip him up?
If only the illegal slave trade hadn’t been exposed, things wouldn’t have gone this far. Unexpected setbacks kept dragging things down.
Marquis Dmitri, visibly tense, closely watched the Empress’s mood.
Even as family, there was no room for forgiveness from Harlin.
She had abandoned her own father and personally installed her younger brother as Marquis—a person of ruthless decisiveness and action.
Long ago, her face as she looked coldly down at the former Marquis Dmitri, lying in a pool of blood like a red carpet, flashed in his mind.
The smell of blood had filled the air. Her fingers had smeared blood on the floor—such a chilling act.
That was when she had become truly unstoppable.
“Do you know why I’m showing you this tragedy?”
“W-What the hell are you doing…? You weren’t like this. Have you been possessed or something? How could you kill Father…?!”
“You’re right. I wasn’t like this. I never knew real love like that Empress. So I tried to act obedient, to pretend to be loved.”
“Pretend to be loved? You were taken in from the slums, registered into the family, fed and raised—what more did you want…?”
“Enough. Even in this moment, your head’s full of flowers.”
“What?”
“Of course, how could you understand? You’re the noble legitimate heir of a Marquis family. I was a lowly bastard—just a tool raised out of necessity. What would you know of that?”
“W-What are you doing? What are you drawing with the blood—”
To be continued.
