The Fortune-Teller Saintess - Chapter 100

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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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‘Why is Priest Hamel here?’

My eyes trembled at the appearance of an unexpected figure.

Then my eyes met with Hamel’s.

He showed me a gentle smile. Seeing his smiling face as if everything was okay now, as if everything would be okay, my restless heart unknowingly settled down calmly.

“H-Cardinal Hamel?!”

‘Huh?’

Someone in the meeting hall looked at Hamel and shouted in a surprised voice.

No, but wait a moment.

‘Did they just say Cardinal…?’

I opened my eyes wide and stared at Hamel.

Hamel swept his gaze over those gathered in the meeting hall once, then opened his mouth with his characteristic gentle voice.

“I see familiar faces and new faces as well. Have you all been well during this time?”

“We were doing well. …Until recently, that is.”

Those who seemed to know Hamel exchanged warm greetings with him. Meanwhile, those who didn’t know him well just stood there blankly.

One of them carefully asked the cardinal standing in front of Hamel.

“Um… who exactly is that person that everyone is welcoming him so warmly?”

“Cardinal Hamel is a cardinal who used to be at our temple in the past. If we’re talking about years of service as a priest, no one here could match him.”

I, who had been approaching Hamel, opened my eyes wide upon hearing those words.

‘To think that Priest Hamel had such a past hidden away.’

But why did someone who left the temple suddenly return?

My question flew to Hamel through someone else’s inquiry.

“Cardinal Hamel, have you returned to the temple? As you know, the temple’s situation is not good right now. We’re happy and glad you’ve returned, but we’re not in a position to welcome you properly.”

“I know. It’s because of the Cardinal, no, the Seer, isn’t it?”

At Hamel’s question, everyone fell silent. Some even avoided eye contact with uncomfortable expressions.

Hamel smiled knowingly, then suddenly looked at me and continued speaking.

“I came because of that matter. If the Holy Lady and everyone here is alright with it, I would like to act as deputy Cardinal.”

“…!”

“D-Deputy Cardinal, you mean?”

Everyone looked at Hamel in surprise.

Among them, I alone was thinking hard.

‘This might not be bad?’

According to what I heard earlier, Hamel is a cardinal who worked at the temple for a long time. Although he’s not currently affiliated with the temple, that experience would still be accumulated in his body.

Above all, the character that Hamel had shown was trustworthy. The other cardinals who knew him seemed to follow him well too.

But as always happens everywhere, there are always people who oppose.

“Ahem! It’s not that we don’t trust Cardinal Hamel, but hasn’t it been a while since you became independent from the temple?”

“That’s right. Rather, how about entrusting it to someone else who is currently affiliated with the temple…”

“Hmm.”

Hamel wore a troubled smile.

At that, I stepped forward. It was to take Hamel’s side if necessary.

However, I soon realized that wouldn’t be necessary.

“Would this not be acceptable?”

“Gasp!”

“Th-that item is…!”

Along with the shocked cardinals, I also slightly opened my mouth and looked at the golden plaque that Hamel had taken out.

While the one to become Holy Lady is chosen by the sacred relic, the Cardinal was different. The Cardinal is decided under unanimous agreement of the cardinals after thoroughly considering their career as a priest, conduct, abilities, and so on.

But there were cases when the Cardinal couldn’t perform their duties. In situations like falling into unconsciousness, or like now, becoming a criminal and being pursued.

In such cases, usually the Holy Lady would handle the Cardinal’s work instead. But since it could be burdensome alone, the temple gave her one privilege.

The privilege to appoint someone to act as deputy Cardinal until the Cardinal returns or the next one is decided.

The golden plaque signifying that was held in Hamel’s hand.

“This is a plaque that former Holy Lady Estina gave me in the past. She asked me to return if the temple ever fell into danger. This should be fine, shouldn’t it?”

“Hmm…”

“Ahem…”

Both the cardinals who had been opposing and those who had remained silent all fell quiet at once. They couldn’t refuse a task entrusted by the former Holy Lady.

Among them, I let out a small sigh of relief. Then my eyes met directly with Hamel’s.

At his pitying gaze that seemed to understand everything, I smiled awkwardly.

***

The meeting ended with Hamel’s appearance. Although no one said anything, they all seemed to have let out a sigh of relief now that a person in charge had been decided.

I approached Hamel under the pretense of discussing future matters and conveyed the greeting I couldn’t finish earlier.

“I was surprised. I never would have thought that Priest Hamel was a cardinal.”

“Though I’ve stepped down from power now.”

“Will you be alright? Don’t you need to return to Lebri Village?”

When I subtly expressed concern, Hamel smiled brightly and said.

“It’s fine. There are many trustworthy people besides me who can take care of the children. I’ll return once I finish this work.”

“If that’s the case, then it’s fortunate, but…”

“And how could I refuse Nein’s request?”

“What? Nein’s request?”

When I asked back in surprise, Hamel laughed meaningfully.

“You didn’t know, it seems. Nein asked me. To go to the temple and help the Holy Lady.”

“Nein did…”

“A child who never made requests in his life suddenly came to me and said that, how could I refuse?”

Hamel, who had been laughing pleasantly, suddenly looked at me and asked.

“Isn’t his heart thinking of the Holy Lady truly admirable?”

“…Indeed.”

Tears suddenly welled up. To think that Nein had made such a request to Hamel.

The emotion that rose before curiosity was gratitude. I wiped my eyes with my sleeve and looked up at Hamel with a serious expression.

“Do you happen to know where Nein is? I’d like to visit him directly and thank him.”

***

I was surprised when I heard Hamel’s words. It was because Nein was in an unexpected place.

I hesitated for a moment, but still wanting to express my gratitude, I immediately headed to where Nein was said to be.

That place was the Memorial Park, specifically the area where temple people were mainly buried.

“…There he is.”

Nein’s appearance was distinctive enough to spot from far away, so I could find him quickly.

As I approached closer, I soon stopped hesitantly. It was because Nein was staring intently at a tombstone.

And with very empty eyes at that.

Since it was the first time seeing Nein with such an expression, I couldn’t carelessly speak to him and just stood quietly in that spot.

Until that gaze turned toward me.

“…Why did you come here?”

Nein finally asked.

I hesitated, then carefully answered his question.

“I wanted to say thank you. I heard you asked Priest Hamel… no, His Eminence the Cardinal to go to the temple.”

“Father said something unnecessary again.”

“It’s not unnecessary. That’s why I came to express my gratitude.”

After answering firmly, I glanced toward the tombstone Nein was looking at.

The tombstone read as follows:

Holy Lady Estina Lebein, resting in God’s embrace.

The grave of former Holy Lady Estina.

Seeing it reminded me of what Barion had said when he revealed his identity not long ago.

‘If I had known you would interfere with us like this, I should have dealt with you along with Estina that day.’

And also what Hamel had mentioned in Lebri Village.

‘The previous Holy Lady had also visited this village before. She often stopped by the orphanage to play with the children. With Nein too…’

‘Father.’

Although Nein had silenced Hamel that day, those words allowed me to somewhat infer the relationship between the former Holy Lady and Nein.

But I was confused.

‘Does Nein resent the former Holy Lady? Or…’

I recalled Nein’s anger when Barion spoke of eliminating Estina.

I hesitated, then carefully opened my mouth.

“Nein.”

Nein’s violet eyes turned toward me.

I swallowed and met those eyes, then slowly began to speak.

“What kind of relationship did you have with Lady Estina?”

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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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