Chapter 20
: A Perfect Plan to Avoid the Death Ending
Despite being the most skilled among the candidates for High Priest, Ethan ranked the lowest.
The reason was simple—his status.
The other two candidates were nobles and, naturally, had people backing them. But Ethan, a commoner, had no such support.
So, he couldn’t help but be pushed out in the power struggle.
“In the end, life is all about connections—school ties, regional ties, and blood ties.”
It was truly remarkable that Ethan had climbed this far on his own, without using any cheats like others.
Of course, Ronen cherished Ethan, but officially, the High Priest wasn’t supposed to support any particular candidate.
“That’s why he tried to make Ethan and me friends. So that I’d support Ethan.”
But Ethan would win on his own, without anyone’s help. Even without a contract built on blackmail and mutual weakness.
“Not that I ever intended to tell him that.”
Wasn’t it deeply ironic?
That a temple meant to love all equally was dividing people by class and engaged in power struggles?
People often liken the temple to light.
But the stronger the light, the deeper the shadow.
Ethan was fighting alone in that invisible shadow.
“Keep thinking. Think over and over. And then accept my offer.”
As Siena wished, Ethan’s mind was a chaotic mess.
“What the hell is she up to?”
He should have rejected her outright.
He should have shaken off her hand, spat in her face, and exposed her filthy intentions.
Then, he should have reported Siena, who had committed an unforgivable crime, and had her tried and punished.
“I already know what I should do. So why am I hesitating?”
The truth was—he knew.
That it was impossible to become High Priest through his own power alone.
No one knew the injustices of the world better than he did.
“If Siena supports me, I’ll definitely win the succession battle.”
The Winter Ducal House—a powerful family even the imperial family dared not touch.
And Siena Winter, the youngest daughter of that family. The notorious troublemaker.
She had everything she wanted under the protection of the Duke and the young Duke. She did everything she pleased.
Because they were the kind of people who would do anything for their sick daughter and sister.
If Siena, the most cherished person of the two most influential men in the Empire, said she wanted a commoner to become High Priest, Ethan could easily win the seat.
Then getting rid of the other candidates—who relied solely on their backers—would be a piece of cake.
If he just closed his eyes once, he could finally have the thing he’d longed for.
But… was that really okay?
Ethan looked at the devil still baring her teeth at him.
“…To stand on the same side as a devil—God would never forgive me.”
But he had to become High Priest.
For those who lived at the lowest rungs of society.
For the mother who had died, ignored by everyone.
To save people like her.
“Do you need more time to think?”
Perhaps running out of patience, Siena waved her hand lazily.
“…You don’t have much time left, do you?”
It was clear now that her terminal illness wasn’t a lie.
You couldn’t fake something like that.
She was acting like everything was fine, but her complexion was terrible.
It made him anxious. What if she suddenly collapsed…?
“Am I crazy? Am I actually worried about Siena Winter right now?”
Even if only for a brief moment, the fact that he’d worried about her shocked Ethan, and he dropped his gaze to the floor.
He didn’t want Siena to catch on to what he was thinking.
Misunderstanding his reaction, Siena shrugged as if she’d expected it.
“Hmph, you’re worried I’ll die and the deal will fall through, right? Don’t worry. I don’t plan on dying that easily.”
She hadn’t wanted to show weakness, but it couldn’t be helped.
Siena casually dropped a hint about the Millennium Herb.
“Even if I fail… even if I die as expected, I’ll still keep my promise.”
Ethan was destined to become High Priest anyway.
It wouldn’t be so bad to nudge that fate forward a bit and place a spoon at the table.
Ethan was someone who knew how to repay kindness. One day, he would surely help her father and brother.
“Let’s just say it’s my final act of filial piety.”
At Siena’s unexpected words, Ethan asked,
“…Why?”
“Because you’re the one who’s going to be the High Priest.”
Siena replied nonchalantly. For her, it was obvious—she knew the future.
But not for Ethan.
No one had ever told him he would become High Priest.
He couldn’t even believe it himself. Not even Ronen, who had raised him, was certain.
“Why are you overthinking it? There’s no way I’d fail to support you.”
Arrogant, but no one could argue with it.
“And who else fits the role of High Priest better than you? Maybe not personality-wise, but your skills are top-notch. It’s ridiculous that you’re being overshadowed by those losers.”
If one of those guys became High Priest, the Empire was doomed. Doomed.
It was a basic truth, but Ethan still looked unconvinced.
“I knew it. That’s why I brought insurance.”
Siena reached out, and Herais pulled a document from his inner coat and handed it to her.
“It’s the Oath of Promise.”
The Oath of Promise.
It looked like a normal contract, but it was imbued with magic—it took effect the moment a fingerprint was pressed.
Up to that point, it was like any other magical contract.
But its true power was revealed when someone broke it.
Anyone who violated it paid a price.
Even if that price was death.
It was a dangerous tool—insurance to some, a shackle to others.
“…What’s the cost?”
“The tongue that spoke deceit shall be cut out.”
“Are you insane?!”
Startled, Ethan raised his voice without meaning to.
“What, can’t handle it?”
“That’s not like you at all.”
Siena, who treated her body like a shrine, would never do something that could harm it.
“They say people change when they’re dying…”
She was so different from the Siena he knew, it threw him off.
“That’s how serious I am. So just press your seal already. I need to go rest.”
She shook the contract that already bore her fingerprint.
Her lighthearted manner drained all the tension out of him.
He felt stupid for being the only one so worked up.
“What’s there to overthink? She’s been exposed as a devil, yet she’s still so shameless.”
That devil looked… well, a little—no, very much—pathetic.
“And her powers are sealed anyway. For now, it should be fine.”
Ethan cleared his mind of all doubts.
“The deal is made.”
“I won’t say ‘I’m counting on you.’ We’re not that kind of relationship, right?”
“Exactly what I was going to say.”
With the contract split between them, the two turned away without a trace of regret.
“Because you’re the one who’s going to be the High Priest.”
Back at the Grand Temple, Ethan kept wiping his face, Siena’s words echoing in his ears.
He couldn’t figure out what he was feeling.
Siena, who had always looked down on him for being a commoner, had acknowledged him.
“When did she start thinking that way?”
Then why had she always treated him so harshly?
The questions just kept coming.
“Ethan! Where have you been? I thought something terrible had happened when you disappeared.”
Seeing the worried face of the High Priest, Ethan bowed his head.
“Ethan, did you happen to see Siena? We were together, but I lost hold of her hand… I’m worried something might’ve happened.”
“Siena wasn’t feeling well, so I escorted her back to the duchy.”
As agreed in their deal, Ethan concealed the truth.
“Siena? She’s ill? How ill is she? Was she injured in the heretic attack? She’s already a sick child—this is terrible. I must go immediately and heal her—!”
“She was just startled by the intrusion. She’s fine, so please don’t worry.”
“Really? Is she truly alright?”
“She just looked a little tired. She was sharp-tongued with me as usual, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
Relieved, Ronen let out a breath and carefully asked,
“But… you took her home yourself?”
“Yes. We made up. There had been some misunderstandings, but we cleared them up and agreed to get along.”
A light returned to Ronen’s face.
The two people he’d long hoped would reconcile finally had. He couldn’t be happier.
“Well done. Truly well done. She always seems sharp and harsh, but she’s a kind child. It’s the illness that’s made her that way. She’s not a bad person.”
“…I thought so, too.”
Ethan recalled the image of her coughing in pain.
Coughing up blood, calmly wiping it away.
“Just how much has she suffered? What kind of days has she lived to accept death so calmly?”
If every single day was agony, even the greatest saint would eventually break.
He was beginning to understand why Siena had always been so sensitive.
“If not for that Marquess Maze… Siena wouldn’t have had to suffer so much…”
