Beguiling the Enemy’s Patriarch - Chapter 97

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 97
Ch 8. Winter and Spring, and Summer
The winter in Belgot, situated toward the northeast of the Laigar Continent, was bitterly cold. Not only the northern regions but even the central areas where the capital Barishard stood lay blanketed in pristine white snow. This winter proved unusually harsh compared to the previous year. The Southern Region was comparatively mild. Though snow fell occasionally, the air felt far more temperate than in the north.
“Coming south really does make life more bearable.”
“Indeed. The south is always warmer in winter. Though the summer heat is absolutely murderous.”
Two Novice Priests clad in plain white robes without markings conversed quietly together. They had just arrived at Hejad, a small city serving as a gateway to the empire’s Southern Region.
“So we must finish before next summer arrives. Now that I think about it, I suspect His Majesty calculated even this.”
“…Sometimes his thoroughness is almost frightening. …Oh dear. Snow again.”
The taller priest frowned as fresh snow began falling once more. He pulled his hood down firmly over his head and muttered quietly in complaint.
“Either way, the schedule remains impossibly tight.”
“Everyone thinks so.”
The shorter priest drew his hood over his head as well, tightening the drawstring as he responded.
“To purify this entire vast land… Of course, I understand His Majesty’s intention to uproot Black Magic entirely… But even so, two years seems excessive, doesn’t it?”
“Once this purification work concludes, half of Belgot’s priesthood will be bedridden. Myself included.”
Yet despite speaking thus, neither priest’s complexion appeared particularly pallid. It was only natural, given that they rotated shifts with clockwork precision, allowing four days of complete rest before returning to duty.
“In any case, nothing is impossible… Considering we’ve reached the Southern Region in just a year and a half, purifying the remaining territories within six months doesn’t seem entirely impossible.”
“That’s precisely what’s remarkable.”
The conversation continued in hushed tones. Snowflakes drifted down gently, crunching softly beneath their feet.
“I heard Schmart intends to come south this time.”
“Schmart himself? Why?”
“Apparently orders came down to pay special attention to the Southern Region.”
“Is that so? Well… there are fewer temples in the south, after all.”
The taller priest nodded as if understanding. The farther one traveled from Barishard, located slightly north of the central regions, the fewer temples dedicated to Raulus God became.
Though priests from regional temples conducted periodic inspections, the absolute shortage of personnel meant that some priests from the northeastern and northwestern regions had to venture south to conduct formal purification work. However, it seemed the matter his companion raised concerned a different point entirely. The shorter priest lowered his voice to a whisper.
“Beyond that, there’s talk that Kelkita is the final destination of the purification work.”
“Kelkita? The empire’s southernmost city?”
“Yes.”
The taller priest wore a bewildered expression.
“Isn’t Kelkita even smaller than Hejad here? It’s probably the region where the capital’s influence reaches last.”
“Perhaps that’s precisely why he’s paying such careful attention. In other words, it’s also the place most free from the capital’s authority.”
“Hmm.”
“The goal is supposedly to purify all the way to Kelkita before summer arrives.”
“But… if I recall correctly, wasn’t Kelkita the first region where purification was conducted?”
The taller priest tilted his head in confusion.
“I’m certain that when the initial order came to purify the entire empire, we started with Kelkita…”
“That’s right. But…”
The shorter priest trailed off.
“This is truly classified information…”
The shorter priest hesitated for a long moment before speaking carelessly.
“Apparently, orders came down to tear it all up and start over…”
“All of it?”
“Yes, all the way down to the underground, I’m telling you.”
“Down to the underground?”
“That’s right. It seems they regard that place as the Black Mages’ headquarters.”
The short priest fell silent, offering nothing more.
A figure suddenly blocked their path.
“Ah…”
“Ah.”
Small gasps escaped the priests’ lips as they beheld the figure before them. A silver cross embroidered on the hem of the white cloak marked him as a high priest. And hanging from his chest was a silver cross studded densely with deep crimson gems.
A tall, slender man slowly lifted his hood. A benevolent smile graced his face. The two priests’ expressions shifted instantly to shock upon recognizing him.
Diego Schmart, Vice-Archbishop of Barishard, greeted the startled priests with warmth.
“It’s been a long time, brothers.”
* * *
“I heard you were heading south, Vice-Archbishop. Why have you come this way first?”
“I had business in Hejad. It was rather urgent, so I was forced to hurry.”
Diego answered with a virtuous smile, though his expression was subtly awkward. They had arrived at the Temple in Hejad, positioned at the very crossroads leading south from Belgot.
The two Novice Priests were visibly flustered by the sudden appearance of the Barishard Vice-Archbishop. Diego smiled calmly.
“Are you two coming from Sielas?”
“Yes. We had just finished our report and were entering Hejad.”
“I see. You encountered no difficulties? Ah, Sielas is indeed renowned for its devotion.”
“Yes, yes… Nothing of note occurred.”
Even as they conversed with the Vice-Archbishop himself, the priests’ eyes kept darting toward the figures behind him—four or five Knights arrayed like a painting. Though all wore hoods, the sharp, piercing aura that emanated from them was unmistakably that of Holy Knights, far more intense than that of ordinary priests.
The shorter priest hesitantly opened his mouth.
“Vice-Archbishop, sir… what business could be important enough to bring Holy Knights with you?”
“Ah, it’s nothing grave. Once this matter is concluded, I intend to proceed directly south. You two need not concern yourselves with this. Simply carry out your orders as instructed.”
“Yes, yes…”
Yet the number of Holy Knights he had brought was far from negligible. Moreover, the man standing directly behind Diego had his face completely obscured by his hood and collar, yet he radiated an oppressive presence even greater than Diego, Belgot’s second-ranking priest. Though he wore the same garb as the Holy Knights behind him, the very air around him felt distinctly different. The way his lower face was entirely concealed, as if he alone wore a mask, the way his gaze seemed to pierce through despite the hood covering his eyes—he was unmistakably no ordinary figure. His presence was far too overwhelming for common priests to withstand.
“And brothers.”
Diego opened his mouth with a gentle voice, redirecting the priests’ attention. The two priests snapped to awareness, their gaze returning to the Vice-Archbishop. Diego spoke with warmth, yet with unmistakable sternness.
“Confidentiality is confidentiality. You understand?”
“Yes.”
“It’s fine among us brothers, but please ensure this does not spread to the common people. Once word begins to circulate, the purpose of keeping it confidential becomes meaningless.”
The taller priest nodded with a guilty expression.
“Yes, yes, Schmart. I will keep it in mind.”
Diego smiled benevolently.
“Then we shall take our leave to offer prayers to Raulus. Please do your best, brothers.”
“Yes, yes, Vice-Archbishop. May Raulus’ will always be with you.”
“May Raulus always be with you.”
Only after watching the hesitant priests bow and retreat did Diego turn around with a deep sigh.
“If you carry on so conspicuously, even a Novice Priest would notice. Do try to be more discreet.”
“I haven’t done anything.”
The man, who had kept his face concealed beneath a hood and a high collar the entire time, replied with an air of indifference. Between the hood that had slipped slightly backward, a smooth silver gleam flickered. Diego Schmart exhaled a sigh.
“Yes, you certainly haven’t done anything at all….”
By doing nothing, the sanctity that ordinarily swirled around him remained diffused broadly through the air. It was the overwhelming pressure of an emperor. Auredhian Belgot pulled down the high collar that masked his sharp jawline and mouth like a veil, shrugging his shoulders.
“It seems you only ever offer carrots. You’re fine, but people are far too harmful.”
Was he suggesting I correct my temperament? Diego Schmart laughed ambiguously.
“I am not a leader, am I not? All the priests of Belgot are brothers. How could I turn a blade against my brothers?”
Auredhian Belgot clicked his tongue briefly. He knew better than anyone the nature of the man he himself had designated as the next Archbishop. Diego Schmart continued with gravity.
“They are faithful brothers. You receive all reports on the purification operations, do you not? This is an unfounded complaint.”
“I wish you were half as strict with me as you are with them.”
Auredhian Belgot chuckled softly and unfastened a couple of buttons on his fastened cloak with a tap-tap. A long necklace tumbled from beneath his high-collared garment. A small silver cross set with a deep crimson gem in the center glimmered as it hung from the silver chain.
It was a somewhat unnatural shape for the sort of cross necklace priests typically wore. It was no larger than a finger joint, and crafted with such ornate precision that it appeared more like jewelry than a symbol. Diego Schmart gazed at the necklace for a moment before lifting his gaze back to the emperor.
“Well…. In any case.”
The snow that clung to the hem of the cloak and at his feet melted silently into the void. Auredhian Belgot murmured with indifference.
“I hope there is some result commensurate with having come this far.”
“The information will be accurate. It is the trace of months of pursuit, after all.”
“I look forward to it.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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