Chapter 32
: How to Overcome Depression (5)
‘Oops. I just poured fuel on my own misunderstanding.’
Ilena quickly straightened her posture, but it was already too late.
“High Priestess!”
“Yes, we do have a High Priestess here.”
‘Huh?’
The elders suddenly brightened, their eyes shining, and asked with passionate voices:
“What does the High Priestess think?”
“It’s cowardly! Isn’t the High Priestess also from the North?”
“And she’s a High Priestess!”
“What! What! So what! Isn’t the High Priestess someone who conveys the words of the gods? She will surely give a fair answer!”
Once again, the assembly erupted in commotion.
At that moment, a young minister sprang up and shouted:
“Everyone, quiet down!”
Suddenly, the noisy assembly hall fell as silent as a mouse.
Taking advantage of the brief quiet, a serious-looking minister asked:
“What do you think? Does the High Priestess truly believe that the smuggler’s wrist should be cut off?”
Ministers of all generations fell silent, all eyes fixed tensely on Ilena.
“I…”
Ilena spoke calmly. She showed no sign of being intimidated despite all the attention.
“Y-Yes, High Priestess…”
The elders’ eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Ilena smiled beautifully and softly, saying:
“I believe that anyone who recklessly wields a body part should have that body part cut off.”
“Truly merciful… huh?”
“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”
Ignoring the elders’ bafflement, Ilena kept her serene smile.
“I was taught that if someone strikes your right cheek, you should strike their left cheek three times in return.”
“W-Where… did you hear such a thing?”
One elder, with the sternest expression among them, tried to muster his dignity and shouted:
“Who dares speak such blasphemy to the High Priestess!”
“My late grandfather said it.”
Ilena replied coolly.
The elders, who had been trying to maintain their authority, immediately crumbled, waving their hands in panic.
“Ah… no wonder!”
“To have received such noble teaching!”
“Indeed. So that’s how the High Priestess grew into such a remarkable person!”
“Hey! Why are you speaking like that! You’ve always been a bit reckless.”
“Sorry… I really don’t know why I said that.”
Even the elder who had boldly shouted now shrank down, humbled.
“Then, let’s handle this case according to the truce agreement and move on.”
Taking the opportunity, Iago slyly stamped the papers with the seal.
“Ah, no. That needs more discussion first…”
“The High Priestess is the one who conveys the words of the gods, didn’t you just say that? Will you defy the words of the gods?”
“Of course. I am one who conveys the words of the gods in this land.”
Ilena nodded boldly and shamelessly. The elders, having spoken their own words, couldn’t retort.
From that point, everything went smoothly.
“There has been a consistent suggestion to increase the military expenditure by 1% within the army.”
“This could spark a meaningless arms race on the island!”
“Then we must completely crush any attempt at war by using our financial power from the start.”
Ilena smiled sweetly and said firmly:
“In a truce, only 1.5%? I think even 4% is acceptable.”
“The High Priestess thinks so.”
Iago smirked slyly at the elders.
“Then, let’s raise it to 2.5% for now. This motion passes.”
Bang!
“Next: the proposal to send aid to the storm-hit regions of the West.”
“There’s no need to send large amounts initially while damage is ongoing. A symbolic gesture will suffice.”
“Excellent idea. Passed!”
Bang!
“Next.”
“Passed!”
Bang!
“Next.”
“Passed!!”
Bang!!
Iago, excited, stamped the seal with increasing vigor. By the time the meeting concluded, he was secretly smiling. Meanwhile, the elders were completely exhausted, slumped over the table.
They couldn’t keep up with the vigor and stamina of the young ministers supporting the High Priestess. The other young ministers all looked energized.
“This is the first time we’ve handled so many pending motions at once!”
“Every time, the elders who talked about the will of the gods and peace couldn’t make a dent.”
‘So that’s why there were so many piled-up documents.’
Ilena nodded, recalling Iago’s office, where paperwork had completely taken over the desks and floor.
“Well done.”
A soft voice came from beside her. She turned to see Iago smiling faintly at her. Seeing the mix of fatigue and satisfaction on his face, Ilena smiled lightly as well.
‘I’m glad I could help.’
Even with the elders slumped over, their eyes still sparkled as they watched. But now, the young ministers joined in too.
“The devout elders only liked her because she’s a High Priestess, but how could anyone trust a cunning Northern High Priestess?”
“W-wow….”
“Truly amazing!”
Though they were incredibly naive, even herbivores have their own survival strategies. Their instincts were shouting: We must have her!
Among the excited, whispering ministers, there was only one person with a twisted expression: Iro.
Even the young ministers who had doubted the High Priestess were now convinced. If left unchecked, this fake High Priestess would completely dominate the South.
‘She’s a fake. She must be. Otherwise, my son wouldn’t have died!’
“Then, let’s conclude the elders’ meeting for today.”
Just as the king, seated on the golden throne, prepared to announce the end of the meeting in a solemn voice:
“No, there’s still one motion left.”
Iro spoke in a heavy voice.
“You haven’t addressed the motion I proposed today, Your Majesty.”
“Ah, that one.”
The king replied lazily and smoothly.
Iro’s burning gaze followed him as he idly stroked the last document left on the table.
“I cut it off myself because it would have been a meaningless debate. We can’t waste everyone’s precious time.”
“Meaningless?!”
Iro snapped angrily.
“Hey, Iro—”
“Why are you like this again? Did you drink again?”
In the past ten years, no one had dared challenge the Black King. Externally calm, the elders surrounding the king tried to restrain Iro with elbows, sensing the dangerous atmosphere. They had all been his friends for many years.
But Iro, fueled by anger and the lingering effects of last night’s drinking, was not in his right mind.
“As a member of this island who serves the same god, it is natural to follow the High Priestess’ words… But still.”
Iro’s yellow eyes, full of anger, fixed on the expressionless Ilena.
“Did the North really send us a savior to the South?”
Among the devout elders, a commotion erupted.
“Iro! Are you really insane?”
“Your Majesty, High Priestess, please forgive him. He’s not usually like this…”
However, the young ministers’ faces betrayed an unmistakable doubt. They couldn’t ask directly, but the question everyone carried in their hearts was:
‘Is she really the High Priestess?’
Some even whispered that all of this was a false rumor created by the North.
Sensing the division, Iro pressed on forcefully:
“Why not verify it directly?”
“Iro.”
Unlike the king’s calm voice, his cold violet eyes carried a clear warning.
“Doesn’t our royal family have an ancient heirloom passed down through generations?”
Iro did not back down. This was why he had requested the High Priestess attend today’s meeting.
He proclaimed boldly:
“The heirloom that the First King prophesied would interpret the meaning for anyone who inherits the will of the gods!”
‘There’s such a thing?’
Ilena glanced at Iago’s side. As a member of the royal family, he would surely know about it, yet had never mentioned it to her.
‘He must have been trying not to burden me…’
The thought of his unseen consideration touched her heart.
“There’s no evidence that it necessarily refers to the legendary savior.”
Iago, who had been staring coldly at Iro, finally spoke.
“At least it can show whether she truly inherited the will of the gods!”
Iro, excited, immediately shot back:
“At least it proves she isn’t a cunning spy sent from the North!”
Iago sprang to his feet from the throne. Fortunately, he had no sword at his waist during the meeting.
His slightly wild eyes made him seem completely unhinged. The immense presence radiating from his massive frame made even Iro flinch and step back slightly.
“How dare you—”
“I’ll do it!”
At that moment, Ilena quickly stepped in front of Iago and shouted.
Internal division is dangerous. This wasn’t just Iro’s problem. She could clearly feel the doubt rippling through the ministers, spreading like waves across a lake.
Even a tiny doubt can become the seed of great discord within an organization. Ilena had learned this truth deeply, etched into her bones.
“Ilena…”
Glancing at Iago, whose gaze seemed to regain some composure, Ilena shouted once more:
“I don’t know what the will of the gods engraved in that heirloom says—but I’m going to try and interpret it!”
