That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 78

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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 78

This time, the priest didn’t come alone. He brought three others of his age with him.

“These are priests studying ancient languages together with me. There are some difficult parts—could you take a look at them?”

“We won’t take up too much of your time!”

“The temple’s policy is that we must learn subjects like ancient languages on our own… We have nowhere else to ask.”

Then shouldn’t you not be asking me either?

Evelyn had her doubts, but she couldn’t bring herself to nitpick at their earnest expressions.

In the end, she allowed a short lesson.

They quickly took seats in front of Evelyn and Theo and excitedly began bringing out various questions.

Evelyn faithfully answered them despite the chaos, while Theo had to endure a terrible sense of loss.

‘So this is what it feels like to be lonely even when surrounded by people.’

Everyone except him was united by ancient languages.

Unlike the Empire, within the temple everyone was equal except for the Envoy and High Priest.

They weren’t allowed to reveal their family names, nor mention their origins.

Because of this, Theo became a nobody in this place.

He was only perceived as a young noble who came to experience being a cleric, while Evelyn, knowledgeable in ancient languages, was a far more valuable person.

Every time she scribbled ancient text, sounds of admiration like ‘Ooh-‘ followed.

Until the priests who had solved their difficult problems left, all Theo could do was quietly watch Evelyn.

He summarized book contents and organized necessary information on Evelyn’s behalf while she was busy, but the priests simply wouldn’t leave.

Finally, after quite some time had passed, they left the library with words of gratitude.

When the surroundings finally became quiet, he voiced his dissatisfaction.

“I want to return to the Empire right now.”

“Why? Do you have a lot of work left behind?”

Theo muttered with a deliberately serious expression.

“There’s no time to be alone with you. Not during the day, not at night.”

At those words, Evelyn slyly pulled her chair away, creating distance from Theo.

“Where are you going?”

She answered coldly to his pitiful voice.

“Maintaining proper distance.”

It was something that would make Sophia very happy to hear.

“Now let’s seriously learn about the goddess.”

“Leaving me lonely?”

“You won’t be lonely.”

Evelyn slid several history books on the desk toward Theo.

“You’ll be with books.”

“…”

“If you find anything related to prophecies, let’s organize it separately.”

When Theo nodded, she smiled slightly and immersed herself in her book.

In Evelyn’s small hand was the fountain pen he had given her as a gift.

A sense of satisfaction filled him at the scene before his eyes.

For now, he should be satisfied with this much.

Theo chuckled softly and looked at Evelyn again.

Then, she tilted her head curiously.

“This book is peculiar.”

Then she examined the cover.

“What’s wrong?”

At Theo’s question, she said.

“The content organized by chapters doesn’t seem to harmonize. It’s as if different authors wrote it?”

Theo moved closer and examined the history book Evelyn had been reading.

Then he quickly figured out the reason.

“You’re right. They compiled records written by various people and made them into a book.”

“How do you know that?”

“The paper quality is different for each chapter.”

He caressed the pages with his fingertips, noticing the subtle differences.

“It might not be an officially published book. The priests probably gathered what they discovered in one place.”

“Then this book would only exist in the temple.”

“Right. There’s probably more than just one or two. Maybe they contain more personal content than official theological texts.”

“Ooh…”

Evelyn’s eyes lit up. Having come this far, she was determined to find some clue somehow.

The Envoy had certainly said he would help interpret the prophecy. That’s why he called them to the Holy Kingdom.

But on their first day here, Evelyn noticed.

The Envoy had no intention of helping them. Didn’t he look reluctant even to write the certificate?

They had no choice but to find the necessary materials themselves.

As Evelyn fell deep in thought, Theo stood up from his seat.

“Let’s divide the roles. You take charge of Goddess Yulia’s history. I’ll look into the sacred artifacts.”

She nodded at his efficient suggestion.

After that, for quite some time, both were buried in books.

Evelyn continued reading that book containing records from various people. It contained more detailed content than existing history books, but conversely, no personal scenes were visible at all.

It was a book meant to contain only the goddess’s piety.

Evelyn, who had been reading for a while, focused on one particular section.

It was about the time when Yulia and humans lived together.

The goddess didn’t demand one-sided sacrifice from humans. Rather, she detested giving commands to anyone with divine authority.

Whenever she needed someone to help her, she waited quietly.

Humans had to prove that their desire to help the god came purely from their own will.

Most would record their faith in the ancient language used at the time and recite it before her, or inflict light wounds on themselves to show their blood.

Fresh blood was uniquely their own, resembling no one else.

Yulia was greatly moved and reportedly told everyone.

[Since humans offer me their voice and fresh blood, this is an oath and pledge to goodness.]

After that, only those who offered blood and voice could serve Yulia’s calling.

“…”

Evelyn’s hand holding the fountain pen began trembling.

So that means…

Theo, who offered blood to Yulia’s Stone, and Evelyn, who recited the prophecy…

‘We chose the sacred artifact ourselves!’

It was no different from clinging and begging to please give them work.

Goddess Yulia had simply waited quietly and then given a mission to the two who came to her on their own feet.

How could their luck be so terribly bad!

If they had just passed by, she could have peacefully maintained her work life.

Now she couldn’t even blame the god. It was entirely the result of her own choice.

How absurd it must be from the goddess’s perspective.

To come offering blood and voice asking for work, then resenting it afterward.

Evelyn collapsed weakly onto the desk.

Theo didn’t ask for a reason and quietly tucked her hair behind her ear.

She muttered gloomily.

“Theo, I just had a huge realization…”

“What is it?”

“I shouldn’t have meddled in unnecessary business….”

At those words, Theo glanced through her book.

Understanding the reason, he laughed out loud.

“Even if you went back to that time, you would make the same choice.”

“I said I wouldn’t.”

“You have quite a diligent personality. That’s why you investigated to report even trivial matters.”

“….”

It was true.

If she had just passed it by, she would have lost sleep for days from the nagging feeling.

“Think of it as fate.”

Theo’s comfort wasn’t helpful at all.

The gloom was brief, as Evelyn got up again and continued reading the records.

“See, I told you you’re diligent.”

When Theo said this teasingly, she glared at him.

“Did you find out anything?”

“Ah, I discovered something interesting.”

A gleam appeared in Theo’s eyes.

“In ancient times, they could absorb the sacred power contained in sacred artifacts.”

“Is that possible?”

“The detailed method wasn’t mentioned. You know how formidable the number of ancient demons was, right? The clerics were busy sealing them. But there were limits to the sacred power within their bodies, so they used sacred artifacts each time.”

Theo continued in a low voice.

“It was something only possible in ancient times. After that, the method seems to have disappeared due to some incident.”

“What kind of incident?”

“That’s also unknown. From a certain point, related content stopped appearing, so I was just speculating on my own.”

Evelyn looked at him with a serious expression and meticulously wrote it down.

She made it a habit to record any newly learned information.

The secret investigation that no one knew about continued.

Most of the clerics in the library had left long ago, and the remaining people were scattered, focusing on their own tasks.

At that moment, someone from a distant bookshelf stared directly at Evelyn.

The large eyes didn’t blink at all, focusing only on their target.

When the alert Theo turned around, the small body quickly hid itself.

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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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