Chapter 119. ……………………………………..
The Temple (2)
His finger pointed toward the direction Vanessa had disappeared. There was a room there—one that Vanessa had entered. When Temia nodded, Lowell walked forward with steady steps and knocked on the door.
“It’s Lowell. I’d like to speak with you for a moment.”
Fortunately, the request for a meeting went smoothly. As the two people and one animal stepped inside, they immediately noticed the piles of documents stacked neatly on the desk, as if this were a workspace.
Everything was organized so cleanly that despite the sheer volume, it didn’t feel messy at all—almost as though it reflected the personality of the room’s owner.
As their eyes wandered around, Vanessa guided them to a simple reception table and served tea.
“I don’t often have guests, so I only have something simple. Please forgive me if it doesn’t suit your taste.”
“Of course. Thank you—we’ll enjoy it!”
After taking a polite sip, Temia finally opened the conversation. Carefully turning her cup in her hands, she spoke as gently as possible.
“Um… I didn’t mean to, but I happened to overhear some people talking in the hallway.”
“What kind of conversation?”
The voice that had been strict yet soft suddenly sharpened. Vanessa’s intense, slightly upturned eyes locked onto Temia. Startled, Temia confessed before she could stop herself.
“They were speaking badly about you… about bringing in ‘prohibited items’…”
“Oh, that.”
Vanessa remained calm, her expression unchanged.
“It isn’t a pleasant topic. I’m sorry you had to hear that.”
“Um… has something like that happened often?”
“Sometimes. But the temple is being run properly, so there’s no need to worry. I simply don’t want outsiders to feel uneasy.”
Her words were a clear boundary.
This isn’t your concern.
But instead of discouraging Temia, the attitude only strengthened her certainty.
She’s definitely hiding something.
And beyond that was concern for this stubborn woman.
There’s no way she’s fine after hearing things like that. She’s a colleague.
“That’s why I can’t ignore it. No one deserves to just endure such insults!”
“It was only a minor dispute. So unless you have anything else to say, I would like you to leave.”
The unspoken message felt like it pierced her ears:
Stop meddling.
Temia had expected resistance, but facing such sharp hostility still required resolve. She almost hiccuped from tension, barely holding it in.
Should I… just go?
For a brief moment, she nearly gave in.
Then—
Something tapped lightly against her fingertips.
Under the table, Lowell had gently hooked Temia’s pinky with his own, wiggling it teasingly like mischievous children playing in secret.
Why is he doing this all of a sudden…?
Even so, Temia had to suppress the smile creeping up.
The warmth of his touch felt like encouragement. Her tension slowly melted away.
Don’t be scared. I’m not trying to fight. I just want an explanation.
It was reckless, but Temia wanted to confront the truth. And she believed the only one who could explain it was Vanessa.
If the worst possibility was true—if the temple was connected to Prometheus, and prohibited items were involved—then Vanessa, the one confiscating them, was an insider completely separate from that group.
More than anything, Vanessa had stood out to her from the beginning.
—
“You still need rest. Please remain in bed, guest.”
Her voice had been stiff, but her hands, tucking the blanket over the child’s body, were gentle.
And not only that—
“She looks scary, but she’s kind.”
The patient had been perceptive and bold enough to speak up about the temple’s suspicious nature. If even that child defended Vanessa, it meant she truly had been sincere during their short time together.
Temia wanted to believe in that sincerity.
Then Lowell’s sly voice rang out.
“Then could you show us the item you confiscated? Isn’t it a magical object? I happen to be quite knowledgeable in that field.”
Caught completely off guard, Vanessa sharply inhaled.
It was an obvious reaction.
Lowell leaned forward with a deep smile, as if he’d found his opening.
“And just so you know… I’m also very good at making things bigger than they need to be.”
“W-What do you mean…?”
“Surely a peaceful conversation is better than me turning the entire temple upside down. What do you think will happen if word spreads that prohibited items are openly circulating here?”
“……”
“I knew you’d understand. Shall we change the topic now?”
Lowell turned toward Temia, looking proud as if asking, Did I do well?
Temia wasn’t sure whether to praise him or scold him.
Realizing the conversation’s control had shifted back to Temia, Vanessa’s gaze followed.
In the end, Temia sighed deeply and raised her hands.
“I truly didn’t mean to threaten you. I really didn’t…”
* * *
After that, it took some time for Temia to calm Vanessa down. Once she heard that suspicious activity within the temple was already under investigation, she finally nodded in reluctant acceptance—though her glare toward Lowell remained intense.
Only after Temia reassured her again did Vanessa finally speak.
“…I suppose I always knew this day would come. Perhaps I was just waiting for someone to push me.”
With that, Vanessa retrieved something from a locked drawer.
“What is that?”
“The evidence I’ve been gathering. I’ll explain everything, so please listen.”
Her voice was calm as she began.
“As you overheard, it’s true that I forcibly confiscated certain items.”
She placed several potion bottles on the table.
Lowell’s eyes widened.
“These are illegal potions.”
Vanessa nodded heavily.
Temia finally understood why Vanessa had tried to hide it.
For illegal activity to be openly happening inside a temple managed by the kingdom… was a disgrace. Even if Vanessa wasn’t directly involved, as a fellow cleric she would still bear the blame.
Until she could prove her innocence, she could be imprisoned. Worse, her entire family could be stained with shame.
Just like… Kylie in her previous life.
But then another question surfaced.
“If you wanted to deny it, you could have. Why are you telling us honestly?”
“Because I don’t think I can hide it anymore.”
Vanessa’s eyes drifted somewhere far away. Filled with regret, she began recounting the past.
“Healers are often cornered by circumstances.”
“Many become researchers or start private businesses if they have talent,” Lowell added. “But otherwise, the temple is the best path available.”
“Yes… and beyond that…”
Vanessa pressed a hand to her forehead.
“The work started being judged more and more by results. The pressure increased.”
“At first, it was only vague guidelines. But gradually, they became more specific… even though this isn’t the kind of work that can be measured that way.”
“So that’s why people turned to illegal potions?”
“I won’t justify it. But it became an excuse. And then… more and more people began doing dangerous things.”
“You suspected it?”
Vanessa shook her head.
“Only vaguely. I knew it wasn’t normal. I tried to stop it, but it wasn’t easy.”
The evidence she had carefully gathered showed her efforts. Yet the result had been the cold hostility they’d seen earlier.
Temia gently clasped her own hands on the table.
“With this much evidence, they can be arrested. But ignoring it is also a crime. You won’t escape unscathed.”
“…I expected that the moment I spoke. But this is no longer something I can avoid. If you ask for testimony, I will give it.”
Lowell smiled, collecting the bottles.
“Very cooperative. Then we’ll contact you when needed.”
Vanessa lifted her head.
“However… there is one condition.”
“A condition?”
“Yes. I am prepared to take responsibility. But… I don’t want the newcomers, or those who couldn’t endure and left, to suffer as well.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean… please make sure innocent people are not dragged into this. They truly knew nothing. If you can’t guarantee that, I cannot hand over this evidence.”
Vanessa’s eyes shone with determination.
She was someone who had already made peace with her resolve.
Lowell and Temia exchanged troubled expressions.
To uncover the case would inevitably require a full investigation of the clergy. It would be difficult for no one to be harmed.
Still, Temia answered bravely—for Vanessa’s courage.
“I promise I’ll do everything I can so innocent people won’t be hurt! With all my strength!”
“…That is enough.”
Only then did a faint smile appear on Vanessa’s lips—one filled with the weight of long years.
It was a relieved expression.
