Resetting Lady - Chapter 81

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

04. The Heretic’s Confession

“It’s hopeless. We can’t save him.”

The doctor who examined Sion, who was vomiting black blood, shook his head with a troubled expression.

Sion had been poisoned. It wasn’t an accident or coincidence, but a meal prepared to kill someone. If not for a slight chance, it would have been Raymond who died. A calculated meal filled with murderous intent. Raymond asked the doctor again.

“Is there really no way?”

“I’m sorry. His lungs are hardening. It’s impossible.”

Raymond looked at Sion’s face, which was turning black. His breathing was becoming increasingly shallow. It was a face he had seen many times before. The face of a corpse. But it was a color he should never get used to. However, experience prevented Raymond from clinging desperately. It prevented him from wailing. Raymond thought about the limits of what he could do.

“At least let him make his confession before he dies.”

That would be the greatest kindness he could offer. The doctor advised Raymond accordingly.

* * *

In the cathedral, endless prayers continued. Walking along the cloister, he listened to people’s prayers. People constantly yearned for something from God. Give me wealth, give me love, give me eternal life.

Prayers seeking salvation continued endlessly. Oh God, look down upon us with mercy. People’s prayers rose to the high ceiling. Hear our prayers. But the cathedral’s ceiling was far too high. People’s prayers rose endlessly. Until they reached God. Would those prayers truly reach Him? Raymond looked up at the ceiling. It was so far away.

“….”

What he needed now was time for waiting rather than prayer. He tried to pray, but prayer’s blessing did not descend upon him. He feared that if he didn’t receive the answer he wanted, he might fall into temptation.

Raymond always felt like he was being tested. Was life always difficult for others too? But Raymond couldn’t shake the suspicion that his problems seemed somewhat more difficult than others’. Waiting was suffering, and suffering led to temptation. Raymond pressed his forehead. He hated times like this. They made him fall into thought.

“Lord Raymond Sayertes.”

Fortunately, that waiting soon came to an end.

Someone approached Raymond. It was a young trainee detective.

“Priest Dulan has arrived.”

The trainee detective quietly informed Raymond. Raymond turned his head. At the end of the cathedral stairs, he could see the person Raymond had been waiting for. Dulan Lloyd. Raymond stood up from his seat. Raymond had come to meet Dulan. He could see his pale face.

“You’ve come.”

Raymond was about to say he was glad to see him, but wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to greet him that way. So he offered a more ordinary greeting and extended his hand.

“Hello, Dulan. It’s been a long time.”

“….”

But Dulan looked down at the hand and then turned away. It was an impolite and rude attitude. Raymond awkwardly lowered his extended hand. The trainee detective beside him bowed his head to Raymond with an embarrassed expression.

“I’m, I’m sorry. That person is a bit… Please understand, Sir Knight. He’s usually like that…”

He seemed about to bow deeply, so Raymond restrained him. It wasn’t something he needed to apologize for. And more importantly, it wasn’t particularly offensive. Dulan had given him something greater than that.

“It’s fine.”

That wasn’t what was important. That was a trivial matter. Raymond didn’t dwell on such things. Raymond asked the trainee detective about more important matters. He needed to hear the main point first.

“Is Count Sion safe?”

What mattered to that young knight was whether the subordinate who got involved because of him was alive.

“Yes.”

And the trainee detective gave him the answer he wanted. He looked at Raymond with apparent satisfaction at his concern for his subordinate. Seeing his smiling face, Raymond hurriedly followed behind Dulan.

“Priest.”

“….”

“Priest Dulan.”

Dulan paused briefly, glanced at Raymond, then resumed walking. But he didn’t block Raymond or anything. It was difficult to open his mouth to refuse. Raymond continued speaking while following Dulan.

“Thank you for saving Count Sion.”

It was a word of gratitude. But Dulan glanced at Raymond and spoke as if spitting out the words.

“…It was just something that had to be done.”

“Expressing gratitude is also something that has to be done.”

Raymond tried to take his hand, but Dulan stepped back.

“Then now… please go. I understand, so…”

Dulan seemed uncomfortable with Raymond. In fact, it wouldn’t be strange for him to be uncomfortable. What bound them together was just one woman named Karen. If not for Karen, they wouldn’t have had much occasion to be involved with each other. But this time, a different connection had formed. And Raymond decided to hold onto that thread a bit more.

“May I ask more about Count Sion’s condition?”

“Th, there shouldn’t be any major problems.”

Dulan asked. Their eyes met.

“Y, you must have already sent someone. Why did you c, come all the way here?”

He asked Raymond why he had come here. Raymond looked at him and said.

“I wanted to express my gratitude.”

“…I understand, so pl, please go back.”

“Priest.”

“Is th, there an, another reason?”

The first reason was Sion. But that wasn’t all. Dulan knew that. Raymond became slightly embarrassed and lowered his gaze. The reason he had come was for something more different. The latter reason might be more important.

Even if Dulan didn’t point it out, Raymond knew it too. But Raymond realized that this wasn’t his shame to bear. He needed to talk with Dulan. Even if he wanted to avoid it.

“I want to make a confession.”

“…I’m a b, bit busy right now.”

Dulan was clearly trying to avoid Raymond. But Raymond had no intention of letting him go. There was no time to delay. He couldn’t gauge how much time was allowed to him. Prince Guiz had begun to move. Raymond needed to talk with Dulan. He needed to confirm.

“When will you have time?”

“Well… I, I don’t know.”

“I won’t go back until you have time.”

Dulan’s face openly showed displeasure, but Raymond extended both hands. He would not back down.

“I want to make a confession.”

“….”

“Right now.”

In the end, Raymond drove the constantly hesitating Dulan to the confessional as if herding him.

Thud.

He could feel the humid and cool air.

The dark confessional was made of old oak wood, and its deep, heavy presence seemed to calm one’s heart. Raymond sat down and closed his eyes. Waiting for Dulan to enter through the slight gap.

This confessional, located in a quiet back area where people rarely went instead of the main church, didn’t hide the identity of either the person confessing or the clergy member listening at all. But because of that, it was used by a more diverse range of people.

“…I’ve come to make my confession to you.”

Seeing Dulan sitting across from him, awkwardly wearing a purple stole, Raymond opened his mouth. It didn’t seem like hearing confessions was a common occurrence for Dulan. Everything looked awkward. But when Dulan sat down and faced Raymond, Raymond felt a strange sensation.

What kind of relationship did he have with this man? When they first met at the Hyer Estate, he had thought of him as a man who was somewhat lacking in social skills. And then after that, after that. Raymond found it difficult to know how to think of him in relation to Karen. But there was something he needed to confirm from him.

“I have committed a sin.”

“Wh…what sin have you committed?”

“…I killed someone.”

Raymond confessed a sin that had become routine for him. That wasn’t the main point. Both Raymond and Dulan knew that. Murder was the greatest sin, but not for someone whose profession it was. He had a greater sin than that. Raymond thought of a sin greater than murder.

“I am harboring suspicion.”

“…Who are you susp, suspecting?”

Raymond looked at Dulan.

“Priest Dulan. I suspect you.”

Dulan said nothing.

“I suspect you. I suspect that you helped Karen Hyer kill people, conceal bodies, set fires, and made Isella Evans the way she is.”

Raymond continued speaking while looking at Dulan’s black eyes through the gap.

“Can my sin be forgiven?”

Sacred music echoed between them. It was music that didn’t suit this situation. Raymond looked at Dulan. Dulan also looked at Raymond. Unlike in the corridor, he didn’t avoid his gaze. He wasn’t afraid either. Dulan looked at Raymond with unreadable eyes. And he answered.

“…You don’t need to be forgiven. Your susp, suspicion is justified.”

“Is that so.”

Raymond heard Dulan’s answer. It wasn’t surprising. Hadn’t he been expecting Dulan’s response? That day’s fire really wasn’t natural after all.

Raymond bowed his head and clasped his hands together. Even though he was confirming a story he had suspected, he couldn’t help but feel strange about it. Raymond felt something tickling around his chest.

“….”

Raymond closed his eyes. In his ears, he could hear sacred music from the distant main church. Give blessings. The inappropriate sacred music echoed. But Raymond felt an impossible emotion welling up in his chest. Raymond opened his eyes. He could see Dulan’s flushed face.

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