That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 72

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. 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 72

After enduring the dazzling light for a brief moment, they immediately arrived at the Holy Kingdom.

In front of the Gate located in the subterranean temple, a middle-aged woman was waiting.

“I am Cleric Sophia, who will be serving you both.”

She smiled kindly, saying that the Grand Cleric was waiting for them.

“I heard you came from the Solaris Empire? To think you have such deep faith… I was moved when I heard about you both.”

“What exactly did you hear…?”

“I heard that you volunteered to come to the Holy Kingdom to serve Goddess Yulia. It’s not common on the continent these days. Especially among young people.”

“Ah, I see…”

Evelyn answered naturally, reading the situation.

Theo whispered so only she could hear.

“It seems the Grand Cleric made up an appropriate story to hide Yulia’s Stone.”

“How so?”

“It looks like he’s planning to have us experience being clerics. Clerics don’t reveal their status and address each other equally by name.”

Therefore, the clerics would never know Theo’s true position until the end.

Sophia and the other clerics were extremely generous to them both.

Just walking through the corridors and encountering them, they would brighten up and smile joyfully.

Sophia introduced various parts of the building to the two guests.

“The clerics’ quarters are divided into three main areas. Centered around the garden, the north side is used by men, and the south side by women.”

At those words, Theo asked urgently.

“The lodging areas are different based on gender?”

“Of course. Within the temple, men and women are kept separate.”

“Even though we’re not clerics?”

“You came to experience being clerics, didn’t you? Naturally, you must follow the rules.”

Sigh.

Theo pressed his forehead as if in despair.

He could reach Evelyn’s location just by crossing the garden…

Somehow, just being in a different building made him feel distant from her.

Sophia continued cheerfully.

“Between the lodgings, that is, on the west side of the garden, there’s a small building. The Grand Cleric uses it exclusively, so please refrain from entering.”

Leaving the building that housed the Gate, they entered the garden she had mentioned.

Evelyn walked along the flat stone path, looking around the garden.

‘Is it affected by holy power?’

The flowers, trees, and grass scattered throughout were glowing and sparkling with light.

The Imperial Palace was the same, but the Holy Kingdom’s light felt more gentle.

Noticing Evelyn’s gaze, Sophia explained.

“The Holy Kingdom, especially the temple, overflows with holy power. Not only plants, but birds are also affected and glow softly.”

“How fascinating.”

However she interpreted the admiring expression, Sophia looked extremely pleased.

“It’s all thanks to Goddess Yulia.”

Soon, the garden path split into three directions.

Following Sophia toward the center, a white manor came into view.

Unlike the grand lodgings on either side, it had a modest appearance.

“This is the Grand Cleric’s residence.”

A Sacred Knight who had been notified in advance opened the door to greet them.

“Grand Cleric, the guests have arrived.”

Sophia spoke in a cheerful voice as she entered the interior.

“Come in.”

A gentle voice could be heard from afar.

Evelyn walked through the manor with Theo, examining various places.

With a sacred appearance like a miniaturized temple, statues and murals of the goddess were placed throughout.

“The structure is really unique.”

When Evelyn pointed to one side and spoke, Sophia nodded.

“The Grand Cleric loves nature very much. He always wanted to keep it close.”

In the center of the manor was a glass atrium.

It was filled with green plants, and small birds fluttered about, adding vitality.

Passing through the central courtyard, Sophia stopped in front of a door and once again announced the guests’ arrival.

With quiet permission, the door opened and the Grand Cleric appeared.

“You must be tired from the long journey. Theo, and Evelyn.”

The two exchanged brief greetings with the Grand Cleric, then took seats on the long chair beside the table.

“Sophia, thank you for the guidance.”

“Not at all. All of this is joy for me.”

The Grand Cleric introduced Sophia to Evelyn.

“She looks after the clerics’ lodgings. She mainly stays at the women’s quarters, so if you have any inconveniences, please visit her.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Sophia looked at them both with a satisfied expression until the end, then left the reception room.

As the sound of her footsteps faded, the Grand Cleric personally poured tea for them.

“I didn’t tell the clerics the detailed story. They just think you’re nobles who came to the temple to learn doctrine and observe.”

“Are there nobles who come to observe regularly?”

At Evelyn’s question, he shook his head.

“Sometimes people personally selected by His Majesty the Emperor come representing the Empire.”

“Representing… the Empire…?”

It was a position that couldn’t even be dreamed of without considerable qualifications.

Until now, nobles who had led exceptionally faithful religious lives would have been chosen.

“It’s been several years. Since the Empire officially sent guests.”

At those words, the clerics’ special welcome made sense.

‘This is somewhat burdensome…’

She had to somehow meet their expectations.

Then, Theo smiled leisurely.

Since that smile always preceded bombshell stories, Evelyn shrank her shoulders.

“I will do my best to show my faith toward Goddess Yulia.”

“Excellent, Theo.”

“But did you hear from His Majesty? About my request, I mean.”

Request? This was content Evelyn hadn’t heard about.

The Grand Cleric slowly leaned his upper body forward.

“All authority in the Holy Kingdom rests with me. Theo knows this well, doesn’t he?”

“Of course.”

Their gazes intertwined. Neither avoided the other as they faced each other.

Of course, the Grand Cleric had no intention of letting him run wild throughout the Holy Kingdom.

What could be more meaningless than verbal promises?

Finally, the eyes containing golden irises curved long.

“I will permit it. Since it’s for the sake of the continent.”

As if he had expected this, Theo also smiled gently.

He opened his mouth toward Evelyn.

“The Grand Cleric has granted us access to all places in the Holy Kingdom. Thanks to that, we can investigate freely.”

Both places and records.

At those words, Evelyn’s eyes widened.

When had he secured such a tremendous promise?

In any case, this was an opportunity. If they could delve into the sacred artifacts’ prophecy, they would be able to complete the imperial command much faster.

Evelyn’s eyes lit up as she expressed her gratitude.

“Thank you, Grand Cleric.”

It was when the Grand Cleric smiled silently.

“Then could you write us a certificate?”

A pure, clear voice continued.

Following Theo, this woman was going even further.

“If we carelessly wander around the temple here and there, the clerics will be uncomfortable.”

“So you’re demanding a certificate from me?”

“I think it would be convenient to show a certificate before receiving any unnecessary misunderstandings.”

“Should I even stamp it with the Grand Cleric’s seal?”

Though he subtly showed signs of discomfort, Evelyn smiled even more brightly.

“Would you do that? If there’s a definite proof, the clerics won’t be on guard either.”

It was unclear whether she was being innocent or pretending to be oblivious.

Duke Ashford should have noticed all of this, yet he simply looked at Evelyn with a pleased expression.

The Grand Cleric took out a sheet of paper and spent a long time infusing it with his holy power.

The clerics could distinguish each other’s holy power and would be able to identify the certificate’s source.

When the work was finished, the Grand Cleric picked up an ink pen and began writing plausibly.

Looking at the inscribed content, Theo tilted his chin sideways.

“The expression ‘places permitted by the Grand Cleric’ is too vague.”

“What do you mean?”

“This way, the clerics will experience inconvenience. They’ll have to check with the Grand Cleric every time to confirm if it’s a permitted area.”

“…”

Theo sharply pointed out the Grand Cleric’s ulterior motive.

“Content that permits all places in the Holy Kingdom would be good.”

Evelyn nodded beside him.

“Since you’re saying the same thing anyway. Then there would be no room for misunderstanding.”

Her overwhelmingly clear gaze seemed to pierce through the Grand Cleric.

“If I’m to make corrections, it will take quite some time. I’ll need to infuse holy power again.”

“We can wait as long as necessary.”

“…”

They were more persistent than expected.

In the end, Theo and Evelyn were given a certificate stamped with the Grand Cleric’s seal.

One containing the perfect content they desired.

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