Chapter 51…….
The Writer and the Painter
“A missing persons case?”
“Yes.”
Across from Liness, who had asked in puzzlement, Eir gave a slight nod.
Epinas Eir. Just beneath Abis, the head of the Grand Temple, one of the five high-ranking priests known as Epinas, and an Anasha who possessed the ability to read the past. She might have looked cold and stern at first glance, but Liness knew well she was not entirely as she appeared.
Golden eyes, the same shade as her hair, stared steadily at him.
“A formal request for cooperation has arrived from the royal family. The temple will send a delegation, and I believe it would be best if you joined them.”
“Forgive me, but may I ask the reason?”
“Because there is no more suitable candidate than you.”
Liness probed further.
“Is there truly no one else you can rely on?”
“This is to prevent a repeat of what happened last time. I trust your instincts and your ability.”
“Epinas Eir. I know this may be a sensitive question, but…”
“Speak.”
“Two years ago—wasn’t there a similar incident? Are you keeping that in mind?”
At the mention of the scandal known as the greatest disgrace of the Grand Temple, Eir’s expression darkened.
The mass disappearances, which had been meticulously concealed for years, involved none other than high-ranking priests of the temple. From the beginning to the end, nothing about the affair was anything less than shocking.
Though the ringleader and his followers had been imprisoned and punished, the Grand Temple had since been struggling tirelessly to erase the stain left upon its name.
“They say this case is a bit different from the indiscriminate kidnappings of that time. For that reason, we’ll likely be working together with the royal family’s people this time.”
Meaning, the royal family still did not fully trust the temple. Remembering the horrors of that scandal, Liness could hardly fault them for it, and let the matter pass without objection.
“In what way is it different?”
“Before I answer that—will you join the investigation?”
Eir wanted a firm commitment first. Liness replied without hesitation.
“Yes, I will join.”
He needed an excuse to move freely about the capital anyway. If anyone else had asked, he might have feigned hesitation, but for Eir, there was no need.
To Liness, the woman before him was as close to an absolute commandment as one could get.
“I hear the number of victims is smaller this time, but the pattern is clear.”
“What kind of pattern…?”
“Young and beautiful women.”
Liness’s expression immediately grew grave. As if expecting that, Eir added calmly,
“Most are daughters of good families, which means their houses have been raising fierce protests. You’ll learn the details once you join the team.”
Eir handed him an identification token and a slip of paper with a place and time written on it. Liness accepted it carefully and checked it.
“To erase the disgrace of that time, we must conduct a proper investigation.”
“But… isn’t my career lacking for such an important role?”
“People are chosen for their ability. Epinas Benjamin recommended you as well, so the others will accept it.”
Why did he have to recommend me again…
Suddenly finding himself a favorite of powerful people, Liness didn’t know whether to be pleased or troubled. He wanted advancement, yes, but why did it feel so unsettling?
After checking the note, he tucked it away and rose to his feet. Eir’s voice was solemn as she said,
“Then, I leave it in your hands, Liness Sandria.”
The meeting place was a building located on the outskirts of the Grand Temple grounds. When he opened the door and stepped in, several people were already gathered inside.
He barely recognized any of them—apparently they were from different affiliations. Which was, he thought, just as well.
“Liness Sandria?”
The problem was the few faces he did recognize.
“You’re participating in this investigation too?”
The moment he saw Daniel Sandria’s questioning face, Liness mirrored the expression right back, even pointing a finger at him.
“You’re the one joining a team like this?”
Wasn’t Daniel the exceptional barrier mage, heir apparent to Epinas Benjamin if nothing else went wrong? No matter how much the noble-born complained, skill and dedication were the foremost requirements of a guardian—especially one charged with protecting the temple.
So why was someone with a guaranteed career being placed here? Could it be political faction struggles?
“…Personal reasons. That’s how it came to be.”
Apparently not.
As Liness glanced around, he drew close to Daniel and whispered quietly,
“Do you know one of the missing people, by any chance?”
“Don’t spout nonsense. How could I possibly be involved with common women in such a way?”
From the disgusted look on his face, it really didn’t seem like that was the case.
“You just thought I was a nuisance, didn’t you?”
“When did I—?”
Yikes. He’s quick to catch on…
Originally, Liness had thought to use this opportunity to investigate that old woman who had given him the crystal orb.
He hadn’t told anyone yet, since it wasn’t certain, but from a magician’s perspective, the probability was high that the old woman was still in the capital.
Anyone capable of crafting such a tool was no ordinary talent. Most likely she had the disposition of a researcher, which meant she’d naturally want to observe the results of her work.
Why he even understood such twisted psychology, he’d rather not explain. Just recalling the mad scholar types in the temple sent a chill down his spine.
But if he had to move alongside this meddlesome man, it wouldn’t be easy. Casting him a sidelong glare, Liness suddenly voiced a thought.
“If you volunteered, you must know some of the internal details.”
“To some extent.”
“Then who is the royal family sending?”
“That would be—”
“Oh, so everyone has already gathered. Seems we’re late.”
The door opened and several men in priestly garb entered. Their movements were orderly despite their numbers—they were soldiers.
As soon as the door closed behind them, the one in the lead pulled back his hood. His easy smile contrasted sharply with the frown creasing Liness’s brow. Daniel, noticing, looked at him in puzzlement.
The man stepped forward and extended his hand in greeting.
“Tirein May. A pleasure to work with you.”
“So, I was hoping to delay the deadline this time.”
With apple pie and tea set before her, Cordelia spoke calmly.
She had already written of it in a letter, but it felt right to discuss it properly. Her father always said one must treat people sincerely.
Yet her nervousness turned out to be needless. Luther only smiled warmly, as usual, and nodded.
“I expected as much. Word has spread that suitors have been flocking to the ducal house.”
“R-really?”
“Yes. With your temperament, it would be stranger if you managed to keep your pen moving in the middle of all that.”
He probably didn’t mean anything by it, but somehow it sounded like an insult.
Cordelia narrowed her eyes at him, but Luther avoided her gaze with practiced ease. Relieved, she dug her fork into the pie.
Surely by now he’d earned enough that such errands could be left to servants, but he still always insisted on such diligence.
“Frankly, it’s rare for an author to publish as steadily as you do. Perhaps you should think of this as a well-earned break.”
“You mean… it’s fine if I do?”
“Pushing hard has its merits, but rest is necessary for good work too. Forcing it won’t produce results.”
“Hm, I suppose so. Still, I don’t think I’ve ever been this blocked before.”
“You still haven’t found a story you want to tell?”
“Well, actually, lately I’ve—”
Cordelia stopped herself from mentioning Noah. Luther tilted his head, eyes wide.
“Yes?”
“Ah, nothing.”
He was one of the few who knew her secret, and after over ten years, he was practically family.
With him, her heart felt at ease in a way different from with her sisters. When she had someone she liked or even started a romance, she sometimes talked with him for advice. Luther was a good listener, and discreet besides.
And truthfully, inspiration came from lived experience. Being with Noah had sparked plenty of scenes and ideas.
So why couldn’t she bring herself to say a word of it?
“It’s not that I have nothing I want to write. It’s just… nothing comes together clearly.”
Groaning, Cordelia ran her hands through her hair in frustration. Even sweet pie couldn’t quite soothe her restless mood.
“Hey, Luther. If I wrote in another genre, do you think it would still sell?”
“Another genre…?”
“Like, say… chivalric tales or adventure stories?”
Mentioning the kingdom’s most popular genres, she saw Luther nod with a slightly surprised expression.
“If it’s interesting, any manuscript will do well.”
‘This story is truly fascinating. Rough, perhaps, but all the stronger for it—the emotions come through vividly. I’m eager to see how the tragic love of these two ends.’
He had praised her first manuscript like that, even though now she could see all its flaws. Honestly, what had sixteen-year-old her been thinking, writing such a thing?
It had been a stormy, restless time. Back then she had poured everything into exploring the emotions between two characters, without considering the broader world around them.
The beautiful princess, and the prince of an enemy kingdom who loved her.
If she wrote such a story again now, it would surely come out very differently. Living through something so similar herself now, she realized how agonizingly difficult it was.
A love so consuming you could throw everything away for it. Easy enough to write characters like that, but to be that character—it was unbearably hard.
Especially when the other had far more to lose than she did.
“So what made you suddenly start thinking about this?”
