That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 81

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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 81

After breakfast ended, Evelyn hurriedly headed to her room.

She desperately needed proper food.

What was it called, the root of the Hanis flower? It seemed like it would be better to just chew it raw.

Today too, Theo’s consideration was so touching it brought tears to her eyes.

As each day passed, she could truly feel his overflowing affection.

‘Then what about my feelings…?’

Lately, she had been thinking about Theo more frequently.

But strangely, whenever he came close to her, her body would stiffen.

Even while having pleasant conversations, her mind would go completely blank.

The more time she spent with Theo, the more unfamiliar sensations she had never known before began to bloom.

It was when Evelyn was feeling confused.

Before long, the sound of a welcome knock could be heard.

Daisy had come carrying a tray.

Today’s dessert was a tart topped with plenty of fruit.

“Thank you, Priest Daisy.”

Evelyn expressed her gratitude without taking her eyes off the tart.

Daisy smiled brightly and set the plate down on the table. Then she asked in a light tone.

“Temple life must be monotonous, right? You must miss outside food.”

“Haha… No, you don’t know how wonderful this peaceful atmosphere is.”

“Still, there’s no place more suitable for living a life of faith than this. Are you going to the library again today?”

“Yes, I plan to.”

“Then please enjoy your meal.”

Daisy finished the conversation and went outside.

Evelyn, who had been savoring the taste of the refreshing fruit tart, tilted her head.

“How did she know I went to the library?”

Did she see me? Then why didn’t she greet me?

She took a sip of tea. The red tea was sweet enough to make her tongue tingle today as well.

At the same time, her mind became hazy and her doubts flew far away.

“Well, giving desserts is a secret… so it would be awkward to acknowledge it.”

Evelyn took another sip of the sweet tea.

Perhaps because she had been up since dawn, her body gradually began to feel languid.

Fortunately, it wasn’t severe fatigue.

It seemed she still needed more time to adapt to waking up early.

* * *

Right on time, Theo and Evelyn headed to the Envoy’s office.

The Sacred Knight guarding his quarters informed them that the Envoy had not yet arrived due to his schedule.

The two had to follow the Sacred Knight and sit on the sofa in the office to wait.

The Envoy’s bookshelf was filled not only with theological texts but also with documents.

When Evelyn turned her head to examine the bookshelf on the wall, the Sacred Knight standing nearby subtly moved his body.

It looked as if he was trying to block the bookshelf.

Before long, the Envoy arrived.

Only then did the Sacred Knight who had been with them the whole time leave the office.

“Sorry for being late. Things took longer than expected.”

Theo responded to his apology.

“You’ve been busy since morning. Did you have a meeting?”

“I went to the confessional with the High Priests. We had time to confess our sins to each other.”

The Envoy smiled gently.

“The confessional is on the first floor of the bell tower, so if Theo and Evelyn have any concerns, please come find me.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

When Evelyn expressed her gratitude, the Envoy nodded and brought up the main topic.

“Today I thought we’d discuss sacred artifacts.”

It was as expected. After all, the reason for calling Theo and Evelyn to the Holy Kingdom was because of the prophecy.

“First, could I see Yulia’s Stone? I’d like to examine if there have been any changes in its sacred power.”

At those words, Theo untied the necklace and handed it over.

The Envoy, who received the sacred artifact, looked at the necklace cord and said.

“You’ve put it on a cord.”

“It’s such a precious item, after all.”

“That’s right. It would be much safer.”

Then he grasped the edge of the pendant with his fingers and examined it slowly.

Even at the Envoy’s touch, Yulia’s Stone showed no reaction. However, he could clearly feel it.

That it possessed stronger sacred power than any existing sacred artifact.

If it were to make him its master and unleash its power…

A strange gleam appeared in the Envoy’s eyes. Theo didn’t miss his flashing golden eyes.

The Envoy spoke in an ecstatic voice, as if viewing a precious work of art.

“There must be a reason the goddess chose you two instead of me.”

After examining and caressing every corner of the sacred artifact as if gauging something, he soon returned the pendant.

“It’s not much different from when I saw it last time. It seems comfortable being by your sides.”

At those words, Evelyn flinched and looked at Yulia’s Stone.

Does the sacred stone have feelings too?

When Theo treated it like a person, she had just laughed it off…

“Now let me tell you what we’ve discovered about the prophecy in earnest.”

The Envoy brought up the second prophecy.

“Surely it said that dark red darkness would gradually roll in like fog and swallow everyone.”

“Yes, you said that the fog means ‘the silent majority’ and the darkness means ‘forces of evil.'”

“You remembered, Evelyn.”

He continued his explanation.

“To interpret the prophecy, I examined theological records with the High Priests. Rest assured, they are tight-lipped. His Majesty the Emperor has also given permission.”

Then he opened the drawer at the table in front of the sofa, took out several sheets of paper, and placed them on the table.

“Since ancient times, most of what fought against Goddess Julia were monsters. So we’re planning to first assume the ‘evil’ in the prophecy refers to monsters and investigate further.”

“Are you saying there are forces building power using monsters?”

Theo read the materials spread out in front of him.

As the Envoy said, it was mostly monsters that opposed the gods and tormented humans. The battle records supported this.

Then, Evelyn voiced her opinion.

“If what you say is true, Envoy, one would need to visit Monster Mountain to use monsters. But when we first discovered Yulia’s Stone, there were no traces of people.”

Evelyn’s work as an Imperial Researcher wasn’t limited to interpreting ancient languages.

To study ancient languages, she had to learn what history was contained in artifacts and be able to determine whether they were damaged.

But during that business trip, there were no traces whatsoever on the gravestone that blocked the dungeon.

To make contact with monsters, it would be essential to disturb it.

“Moreover, people sent by the Royal Court are guarding Monster Mountain. As a result of their examination of the entire Monster Mountain, they said there were no particular traces. If there had been suspicious movements, wouldn’t they have reported immediately?”

At Evelyn’s unexpected criticism, the Envoy remained silent for a while.

“Evelyn.”

The Envoy straightened his posture and sat up properly.

“I already know about the situation at that time. The energy of Monster Mountain was strange, so they called Theo, who is a Sword Mage, right? In the end, you couldn’t find the cause.”

“That’s correct.”

“Just as there were no particular traces but you couldn’t find the cause of the strange energy, they might use methods we don’t expect. They could move monsters without necessarily making direct contact.”

He smoothly continued with his next words.

“We still don’t know the true identity of ‘evil.’ So I’m saying we should watch the most suspicious things first.”

Theo, who had been listening, smiled like a mask.

“You’ve already spoken to His Majesty the Emperor. About sending the Grand Cleric’s people to dig into Monster Mountain.”

“My people, you say? Clerics are those who watch over the entire continent.”

The Grand Cleric smoothly deflected Theo’s words.

The corner of Theo’s mouth curved upward.

Already received permission…

It hadn’t been long since he came to the Holy Kingdom with Evelyn.

If so, there was a strong possibility that he had already coordinated with the Emperor beforehand.

If he was certain that the darkness was related to monsters, what could be the reason for specifically calling them?

What had transpired between the Emperor and the Grand Cleric?

“Understood. Then we’ll continue investigating in connection with the monsters.”

Theo decided to stop here. Revealing his suspicions might complicate the situation.

The Grand Cleric showed a satisfied expression at the clean conclusion.

“Good. Ah, there’s something I have for Theo…”

He stood up from his seat and handed over something from the desk.

“This belongs to Duchess Ashford.”

“…”

A silence fell between them at the unexpected item.

Theo’s usually calm eyes wavered. Evelyn immediately read his turbulent emotions.

“This is a wish knot that the Duchess made when she came to the Holy Kingdom. She made it while praying for Theo’s well-being.”

It was a purple knot that closely resembled Theo’s eyes.

“Once made, the knots must be imbued with the prayers and holy power of the Clerics for several months. But when it was completed, the Duchess was already…”

Theo slowly took the knot and caressed it.

“Please always carry the Duchess’s heart with you.”

“…I understand.”

Theo couldn’t take his eyes off the knot.

The Grand Cleric quietly observed him.

Though his face appeared calm at first glance, he must be ruminating over countless memories.

Let him long for his family, let him become even more bound to the past.

The moment Theo finally breaks down…

He intended to perform a miracle for him.

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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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