Chapter : 55
‘…But who was it that first said this to me?’
From beyond my completely darkened vision, a cool, refreshing voice whispered.
<You have to pay to listen to Count Hayden’s hymns.>
Half-asleep, I opened my mouth clumsily.
“How much?” I asked, and she burst into giggles.
Though nothing could be seen in the darkness, I somehow knew she was holding up her fingers.
<One one-carat diamond per song.>
When I muttered something in response, Bliar let out a small sigh.
<Ren. You’re jealous right now, aren’t you? Don’t worry. I love you just as much as I love him.>
Love, my foot.
Who in this world would be stupid enough to pay a one-carat gem for a single song?
Bliar was naïve—no, beyond naïve, she was downright foolish.
Ah. If only I were given another chance, I would ask you.
If, instead of this familiar yet unfamiliar world, I could meet you where I once knew you best.
“…Liar.”
“Sir.”
“Why did you kill me—”
“Sir Siren. Please wake up.”
Something lightly brushed across my cheek.
When I opened my eyes, Hayden’s face was right there, impossibly close.
“Gah—! What are you doing…?”
Startled, I jerked my head back. Hayden frowned slightly.
I was so flustered that I hit the back of my head against the carriage wall.
“Ow.”
Whether I protested or not, Hayden pulled out a handkerchief from his coat and began rubbing my face without warning.
“Mmph—what are you—wait!”
As I waved my hands to stop him, Hayden gently cradled the back of my head.
This time, he wiped around my eyes more carefully than before.
“I told you to stop!”
When I grabbed his wrists with both hands, he slowly lowered the handkerchief.
Hayden’s face looked just as angry as mine.
“Sir. Have you been getting enough rest lately?”
It was just as absurd a question as his sudden behavior.
“Of course I have. What do you think you’re doing? Move out of the way!”
What if someone saw us like this?
Just because this was the Temple of Searlus didn’t mean followers of the Dark God couldn’t enter.
Nodel, who had been deliberately averting his eyes in embarrassment, suddenly flung the carriage door wide open.
“Ahem. I’ll go on ahead, so the two of you can take your time.”
Then he jumped down from the carriage with an expression and movement that screamed awkwardness.
Good heavens. He completely misunderstood the situation…
Unlike me, who was frowning deeply, Hayden didn’t even glance at Nodel.
“Sir. Once we return, you should get more rest. From here on, I will handle everything.”
“You want me to go back as soon as we arrive?”
Even when I asked in disbelief, he merely nodded faintly.
Judging by how he kept watching my complexion without explanation, I must have looked exhausted even to him.
I gently brushed his hand off my shoulder.
“I think you’re mistaken, Hayden. Aren’t you already borrowing my strength before you’ve even begun?”
And yet he claimed he didn’t need me. How arrogant.
I turned away from the image of myself reflected in his eyes and stepped out of the carriage first.
I could feel Hayden’s gaze burning into the back of my head, but I didn’t look back until I reached the Grand Temple.
***
In front of the Naryal Grand Temple, an elderly high priest with snow-white hair stood alone, waiting for us.
“That must be him.”
A tall old man with a gentle face—at a glance, I knew he was Gezian.
His plain priestly robes and blue shoulder mantle were made of modest fabric for his rank, but the ornaments he wore were, without question, far removed from any notion of asceticism.
After confirming my face, Gezian gently raised both hands.
“My brothers and sisters. There is no need to kneel—come closer.”
The transparent stole embroidered with gold thread fluttered elegantly with every movement he made.
After warmly brushing over my hand, Hayden’s hand, and even Nodel’s back, Gezian offered me a dignified smile.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Priest Kalsiren. I heard yesterday that you were unwell, and I was concerned.”
“It’s an honor to meet the First Child of God. I must have grown weak from the long journey. Had I known this place was so beautiful, I would have arrived sooner.”
“It is dazzling even now, but Naryal in summer boasts scenery that ranks among the finest.”
“Then I suppose I’ll have to return in summer.”
Seemingly pleased with my answer, Gezian’s dimples deepened.
“You will always be welcome. Now, let us go inside.”
“Are you personally guiding us, Priest?”
“Of course. Such distinguished guests deserve distinguished treatment, do they not?”
“Oh my.”
Even without looking, I could feel the shoulders of those standing on either side of me stiffen.
Distinguished treatment.
I loved the phrase—but I never expected to hear it spoken from a priest’s lips.
Feigning emotion, I placed both hands over my chest.
“Thank you for your gracious consideration.”
“Now, let us proceed. Lord Searlus must also be awaiting His children.”
Despite the warm greetings at first, Gezian naturally ignored Hayden and Nodel as we moved.
I, too, ignored Hayden as though it were second nature.
“By the way, Priest. Those two already finished touring the temple yesterday, but today is my first time.”
Gezian immediately caught my signal that I wanted to speak alone.
Because we were facing each other, I caught the intense gleam that flashed in his eyes.
“I see. I failed to consider that.”
With a calm expression, Gezian gestured to a priest standing at a distance.
“Then we shall have the two priests tour the grounds, and we—”
“Let us all go to the prayer hall first.”
Hayden cut him off with a cold smile.
Gezian and I, who had already begun walking elsewhere, looked at Hayden in surprise.
“…What did you say?”
“We’ve come to a temple. Shouldn’t we first pay our respects to Lord Searlus?”
As I faltered, a faint glimmer of amusement crossed Hayden’s eyes—so fleeting I wondered if I’d imagined it.
‘Why is he doing something that wasn’t part of the plan?’
I could tell yesterday’s events had wounded his pride, but I never expected him to step in directly.
…I didn’t know how he planned to deal with this old fox, but he must have had something in mind.
I put on a mildly displeased expression and matched Hayden’s pace.
“We can see Lord Searlus later. He’ll be here all day, won’t he?”
“When one enters a temple, it is proper to pray to the god first.”
“We can pray later.”
“Temple sightseeing can be done later as well. Don’t you agree, Priest Gezian?”
When Hayden stared him down, Gezian smiled faintly.
“…Of course. Priest Hayden.”
“Hah!”
Unlike me, who couldn’t hide my irritation, Gezian moved forward as though this had been his intention all along.
“Since you saw the Grand Temple’s prayer hall yesterday, how about we go this way today?”
“There’s another prayer hall?”
“The larger the temple, the more prayer halls it has. This place has eleven in total.”
“Ah, I see. I didn’t hear about that yesterday.”
Hayden openly mocked the conversation between Gezian and me.
***
The prayer hall Gezian led us to was a full ten-minute walk away.
“Everything here is beautiful.”
I couldn’t stop admiring the statues placed at the entrance.
Though its exterior was so ornate it resembled a palace more than a prayer hall, I liked it.
“I want to build our main family’s prayer hall like this.”
“Many people say the same. They feel that when the place of prayer is beautiful, the heart becomes kinder as well.”
“I think I understand that.”
As we chatted amicably, a sharp glare stabbed into my back.
Ignoring Hayden’s gaze entirely, Gezian bowed lightly to me.
“Please offer your prayers at ease. I will wait over there.”
He pointed to another door that connected to the outside of the prayer hall.
Upon closer inspection, it wasn’t completely outdoors—more like a garden separated by low stone walls and pillars reaching up to the knees.
‘A private garden?’
Contrary to appearances, it seemed to be an area restricted from public access, as Gezian alone walked to the center of the garden.
“Hm. I think I’ll look around first.”
As I blatantly ignored the statue of Searlus, Nodel quietly followed me.
“Ahem. I’ll… do the same. It’s certainly extravagant, but undeniably beautiful. When I came here with Derin before, this place didn’t exist…”
While Nodel and I toured the inside of the prayer hall, Hayden settled down and began praying.
I deliberately admired only the expensive paintings and holy relics, then sat in the seat closest to the statue of Searlus.
Determined to act in complete opposition to Hayden, I didn’t remain seated for long.
After finishing a brief prayer and lifting my head, I saw Nodel’s back as he prayed in a low bow.
I didn’t know what he was praying for, but just by looking at his posture, I could tell how desperately sincere he was.
