CHAPTER 27.
Something seemed a little off.
Can gods get sick too?
Though the thought was odd, what followed was a flicker of concern.
“…Are you feeling unwell, by any chance?”
When she grabbed his wrist, his body felt hot. Wondering if he had a fever, she asked again, and Cretes quickly pulled his hand away.
Then, putting on his usual face, he replied:
“What, were you worried about me?”
Seeing him ask with a smile, Asilia narrowed her eyes. If he were truly sick, he wouldn’t be spouting nonsense, she figured and shook her head.
“Ah, I plan to be away for a while starting today.”
“Away?”
“I want to revisit discussions regarding the monsters… If an agreement is reached today, I plan to depart immediately.”
Choosing her words carefully, Asilia eventually just spoke honestly. There was no need to lie.
Truthfully, she wanted to put off the monster issue for later.
She was already busy with matters regarding Isaiah, and there were things to consider about Revilla as well.
But each time she hesitated, innocent people died. That weighed on her.
Since she couldn’t just head to Revilla immediately, she decided to deal with the monster situation for now while thinking things through.
“In that case… I’ll join you after I finish speaking with Sir Monique.”
“…Excuse me?”
“I told you, didn’t I? I won’t allow any other man near you. You weren’t planning to go alone, were you?”
Asilia’s lips parted slightly. Was he being serious when he said that?
She nodded in the end.
“Good. Then I’ll summon Sir Monique right away.”
Cretes got up from the bed with a cheerful expression and walked toward the bathroom.
Watching his back, Asilia let out a soft laugh.
Startled by herself, she quickly pressed her lips together.
“…Ahem.”
Clearing her throat, Asilia stood up from the bed.
Later, her conversation with Adrian went smoothly.
Asilia told him there was no need to explain how to escape Moria. Instead, she offered a proposal in return for his help in dealing with the monsters.
“If I help you, I’d like you to help me in return.”
“If it’s not about escaping Moria… is there something else I can do?”
“Something might come up. Maybe not now, but eventually.”
Adrian stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Asilia wasn’t asking for immediate assistance.
She was simply saying—if ever something happens, lend me your hand.
“It might be something simple. Or it could be dangerous enough to risk your life. What will you do?”
At that, Adrian shrugged.
“Well, telling you how to escape Moria nearly cost me my life too.”
“…”
“I accept your proposal.”
Adrian grinned, showing his teeth.
After that, the next step was to visit the temple.
Since this was going to be a large-scale subjugation, the imperial palace dispatched as many people as possible to the temple.
There were many monsters, and it was best to eliminate them all in one sweep.
“I didn’t expect even Princess Formilla to join.”
Noticing Asilia belatedly, Formilla approached and offered a polite greeting.
“I greet Your Majesty, the Empress.”
Asilia nodded lightly and observed Formilla’s outfit.
She wore comfortable clothes for movement and carried a large bow in hand. Asilia couldn’t help but wonder if her small frame could manage such a large weapon.
Perhaps noticing Asilia’s gaze, Formilla smiled.
“Despite how I look, I was famous as a sharpshooter in my homeland.”
“As long as you can protect yourself, that’s all that matters.”
“Thank you for saying so. By the way… was there a change in plans? I thought—”
Formilla furrowed her brows, unsure if she had misunderstood something.
But Asilia shook her head.
“There were… quite a few variables. So I have something I’d like to ask you.”
“Please speak.”
“Do you know anything about Revilla?”
At that, Formilla’s eyes widened. To hear such a question come from Asilia—
Realizing the significance, Formilla let out a small exhale.
“This doesn’t seem like something to discuss in public. May I visit Your Majesty after the subjugation ends?”
“I’ll be waiting.”
With her crisp response, Formilla bowed again.
Soon after, Lenoa appeared, carrying a large water container.
“We’re ready.”
She spoke indifferently, not even making eye contact with Asilia. Her attitude was clearly different from a few days ago.
Before Asilia could dwell on it, Lenoa continued bluntly:
“This water is holy water, created through long hours of prayer at the temple. Place your hand in it, pray, then use these laurel leaves to sprinkle it on the knights.”
Asilia nodded and mentally repeated the instructions.
“What should I say in the prayer?”
Lenoa frowned.
Worried she had said something wrong, Asilia looked at her carefully, only for Lenoa to sigh.
“Prayer is about expressing your wish. It’s not something I can teach you.”
Her tone was firm, and Asilia nodded.
“You must not be used to praying, coming from a country that doesn’t worship gods.”
It wasn’t Asilia who responded—but Formilla, cutting in sharply.
Perhaps she found Lenoa’s words and tone disrespectful. Her gaze grew sharper as she looked at Lenoa.
“As a priest, shouldn’t teaching the proper way to pray come first?”
Lenoa stared at Formilla for a long moment.
“…I spoke out of turn.”
She finally looked away and began explaining more properly. Pray with your heart, hold a sincere wish—none of it was familiar to Asilia.
Despite the unfamiliarity, she completed her prayer without difficulty. The knight dispatch then began.
Asilia adjusted her clothes and fastened her sword at her waist. Seeing this, Formilla approached in surprise.
“Your Majesty is joining the subjugation?”
“I thought it would be best if I did, so yes.”
“Did His Majesty allow this?”
“…He’ll be coming with me.”
At that, Formilla let out a small sigh of pity. She gently patted Asilia on the back, as if to offer strength. Asilia cleared her throat again.
“You mean… he’s accompanying you?”
That wasn’t the end of it. Lenoa, who had been nearby, suddenly stepped forward, shocked.
“Is something wrong?”
“Do you know what state His Majesty is in right now…!”
As she was about to speak, Lenoa quickly clamped her mouth shut.
As nearby eyes turned toward them due to her raised voice, she bit the inside of her cheek and said:
“There’s something I must speak to you about. Please come with me.”
With a stiff expression, Lenoa took the lead. As Asilia moved to follow, Formilla whispered quietly:
“High Priestess Lenoa has long been rumored to have a special relationship with His Majesty.”
“…?”
“In contrast to someone like me, who sought to marry the Emperor for gain, her situation may be… different.”
Asilia nodded lightly at Formilla’s words.
So this is what jealousy feels like?
If she truly loved Cretes, maybe she’d be upset.
But her relationship with Cretes wasn’t based on love.
She had no reason to be jealous—nor did she feel any such emotion.
Once they had moved away from the crowd, Lenoa finally turned to face her.
“Your Majesty… do you know what condition His Majesty is in?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
Lenoa clenched her fists.
With a face full of conflicting emotions, she bit her lip and said:
“You’ll find out soon enough. At this rate, with how His Majesty is now…”
Asilia furrowed her brows in growing discomfort. She had no idea what this woman was talking about.
“If you notice anything strange about His Majesty while you’re together… then Your Majesty will be needed.”
“…”
“It could be as minor as physical contact—or as major as mucosal contact.”
At the mention of mucosal contact, Asilia’s eyes widened.
Is she… talking about what I think she is?
What on earth is wrong with Cretes that she’s saying this?
“Mucosal contact is most effective when a large surface area is involved. So, the two of you must… Well, I’ll stop there.”
Asilia was baffled.
Cretes being in some strange condition? That she would need to do something?
“I heard the High Priestess is also His Majesty’s physician.”
“I’m asking this because there’s nothing more I can do. I leave it to you, Your Majesty.”
“…”
“Your divine blessing surpasses the one I received from the god of life.”
