That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 100

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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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That’s not what kissing means!
Episode 100

After the service concluded, the Envoy had to resume meeting with the faithful following a brief respite.
He concealed his exhaustion and made his way to the Confessional.
High-ranking officials from various nations demanded special treatment even within the Holy Kingdom.
Because of this, the Envoy had to meet with them personally.
Primarily, he would offer prayers on their behalf, bestow blessings, and subtly encourage larger donations.
Those who had experienced miracles willingly gave substantial donations without much persuasion, but they were few.
By the time the individual blessings concluded, the sky had darkened.
“I shall take my leave now. You’ve recorded the donations properly, yes?”
“Of course. We even obtained their pledges, so there should be no issues.”
Colin, who managed the accounts, replied.
The Envoy nodded and his eyes gleamed.
“Today is an exceedingly important day. For our grand endeavor.”
“Yes, the rehearsal for the immortality ritual is today.”
Observing his solemn expression, the Envoy smiled with satisfaction.
“Then I shall see you later.”
He rose from his seat, leaving Colin behind.
The Envoy approached the innermost wall of the Confessional.
As he withdrew a key from his breast, the magic stone embedded at its center began to glow.
He slid aside the frame containing the portrait of Goddess Yulia, then inserted the key into the revealed aperture.
Immediately, a fissure appeared in the previously seamless wall, and an entrance opened.
The Envoy descended the stone staircase before him without hesitation.
Shortly after, the split sealed itself shut, returning to an ordinary wall.
“….”
Colin lifted his gaze from the ledger and stared at the closed wall.
Only after sensing the silence that had settled did he rise from his seat.
He made his way to his Office.
He placed documents related to the donations and several gold coins he had been concealing into a document case.
Then he left through the Side Door behind the Lodging rather than the main entrance.
He did not forget to hand a gold coin to the Holy Knight guarding the Side Door.
“Tell no one that I’ve gone out. Absolutely no one!”
“Yes, understood.”
The Holy Knight accepted the coin with practiced ease and turned a blind eye to his departure.
Colin removed his clerical vestments and placed them into his case.
Colin, dressed in a shirt, made his way to a teahouse not far from the Temple.
He sat across from a man who had been sitting alone in a corner of the teahouse.
Though he had done this countless times before, the tension never lessened. So consumed was Colin by his anxiety that he failed to notice who had taken the seat behind him.
“We’ve collected quite a substantial amount of donations this time.”
As he withdrew a ledger and placed it on the table, the man across from him smirked.
“Understood. I’ll arrange for half of the donations to be contributed to a charitable organization this time as well. In name only, of course.”
“Watch your tongue. I’m not paying you such a hefty commission for nothing.”
The man was a money launderer who worked for the Temple.
Under the guise of charitable donations, he would launder the funds through a charity organization that existed in name only, then funnel the money back to the Temple.
The Grand Cleric believed Colin was handling the donations directly.
For this reason, Colin had to conduct these clandestine meetings away from prying eyes.
“With this amount of money… I suppose we should set aside about a hundred gold for you, Colin?”
“Fine. As always, have it sent to my parents back in my hometown. Handle the details yourself.”
Colin had been conducting business with this launderer for a long time.
What had begun as mere money laundering of donations had gradually evolved into something far more sinister. He had begun embezzling from the donations themselves, and the amount he was stealing grew larger with each transaction.
After concluding their profitable exchange, Colin left the teahouse with the launderer.
Vanessa, who had been sitting in the seat behind him, sipped her tea.
“Birds of a feather truly do flock together.”
In her hand, a voice recorder continued its silent work.

* * *

Evelyn and Theo were heading toward the Bell Tower.
“The security is quite stringent.”
Just as Theo said, three Holy Knights stood guard in front of the Bell Tower.
Unlike the usual single guard who stood with a bored expression, their faces were taut with tension.
The Grand Cleric had issued a strict order.
An incident like the Office breach could not happen again.
As Theo and Evelyn approached, the Knights straightened their posture and watched them warily.
Theo paid them no attention and led her toward the Library.
Only then did the Knights’ heightened vigilance ease somewhat.
“The book containing the immortality ritual mentioned the Confessional as the entrance?”
“Yes, it appeared to be the only entrance and exit.”
“That’s strange. After examining the footage, the structure resembles an ancient underground dungeon. If that’s the case, there should be another entrance on the opposite side.”
“You mean there’s a door not mentioned in the book?”
“A place that secretive would naturally keep such things hidden.”
At those words, Evelyn fell into thought.
The underground structure formed a large rectangle. In other words, it was a space connected in a straight line without any twists or turns….
“Theo, there’s only one place connected in a straight line to the Bell Tower.”
He nodded at her words.
“And I sensed magical energy similar to the Confessional there.”
Both their gazes turned toward the area behind the Library.
The place where Daisy had disappeared while trailing Evelyn.

* * *

Beneath the pitch-black night sky, the Temple gleamed with an otherworldly radiance—courtesy of the magical lanterns installed for the guests.
Though the hour was ordinarily reserved for sleep, tonight was a day of blessing.
The Clerics buzzed with anticipation, eager to witness the fireworks honoring Goddess Yulia.
“They say this will be the most magnificent display in history?”
“Yes, the Grand Cleric has spared no expense in supporting it!”
“There’s not much time left. We should hurry to find a spot with a clear view of the fireworks.”
The Clerics and guests hastened toward the Chapel.
It was the ideal vantage point to witness the spectacle.
Colin’s steps were light. He hummed cheerfully as he received greetings from all around.
Yet before he could enter his Office, an unwelcome visitor appeared.
“At last you’ve come.”
“What is the meaning of this! I’ll summon the Holy Knights!”
Colin’s face flooded with dread. Instinctively, his hand went to the back of his neck.
The pain from earlier remained vivid and raw.
Theo spoke with a chilling laugh.
“Then I’ll summon the Grand Cleric.”
“Do you truly believe he would take your side?”
“Over someone who embezzles sacred donations? Yes.”
Colin gasped in shock.
“W-what are you talking about…!”
“I’ve already recorded our conversation at the Teahouse.”
Theo casually brandished a voice recording device.
“Shall we discuss this inside?”
Colin had no choice but to open the Office door with trembling hands.
Theo strode in as though he owned the place.
Colin remained standing, looking up at Theo with frightened eyes.
“Have you come to blackmail me? What do you want…!”
Then, once again, a firm, deadly pressure pressed against the back of his neck.
It was Theo’s touch—the same one from this morning.
“I want the key to the Confessional.”
“That’s impossible! As one who serves the Grand Cleric, I cannot—”
“You seem to be under a misunderstanding. I didn’t come here to negotiate with you.”
Theo continued.
“So the key is definitely on you.”
Colin’s expression shifted to one of realization. He clutched at something on his chest.
Theo’s face remained expressionless as he yanked Colin’s neck backward, pressure mounting against his tender flesh.
Then, with tremendous force, he drove Colin toward something.
Crash!
Colin was powerless to resist Theo’s strength. His face slammed into the wall, and he went limp.
“Did he lose consciousness?”
As I released my grip, Colin collapsed limply to the ground.
From within his garments, Theo retrieved a single necklace—a key embedded with a magical stone.
The key emanated a magical resonance similar to that of the Confessional.
Colin, now unconscious, would not awaken for some time. Nor could he report Theo’s actions.
“Returning the key will be difficult.”
He spoke those words to Colin’s unconscious form with an expressionless face.

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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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