The Fortune-Teller Saintess - Chapter 103

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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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“….”

Lucian, who had been sitting alone in the Grand Cathedral, silently raised his gaze. A statue carved in the likeness of a god looked down at him with a benevolent smile.

Lucian lowered his gaze slightly to look at the altar. It was the very place where he had received his sword from Barion when he was appointed as a Holy Knight in the past.

At that time, Barion had spoken to him with the same benevolent smile as the statue of the god behind him. He had asked him to continue drawing his sword for the Temple, for the people.

Lucian could never forget that memory. The sight of the smiling Barion had brought back vivid memories of the heart that had sworn to devote loyalty to the Temple.

But now that heart was wavering. He had risen to the position of Holy Knight Captain out of respect for Barion, so why had Barion….

‘Become the Seer….’

Lucian clenched his fist tightly.

He couldn’t understand it. Why on earth had Barion done such a thing? He had spent a long time wondering if something was wrong.

But Ellia, who was the Holy Lady, and Jacad, who was the Crown Prince, had already concluded that Barion was the Seer and were pursuing him. What was wrong was his own faith.

Lucian’s blue eyes trembled finely at the feeling that his very foundation was shaking.

“Count Lucian!”

Lucian whipped his head around. Ellia, accompanied by Nein, was walking toward where he was.

Ellia’s expression was not very good. Her eyes looking at him were filled with worry.

“Are you alright? You missed the meeting too, are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

“No. …I just have some things to think about.”

“…I see.”

Ellia didn’t pry further and closed her mouth.

Grateful for that, Lucian drew a slight smile.

“Hey.”

Then Nein pulled Ellia’s shoulder toward him and spoke to Lucian.

“The Holy Lady is mine now, right?”

“…Ah.”

“Nein! Why are you suddenly saying such things!”

“Obviously to brag about it. Is there any other reason?”

“That’s not what I meant, I’m telling you to read the atmosphere!”

Lucian quietly watched Ellia and Nein bickering.

Actually, he had expected it. That this would happen.

But when he actually faced the reality, he felt pain in his chest.

‘It’s quite… painful.’

“Ahem, just because my relationship with Nein has changed doesn’t mean there’s much to worry about.”

Lucian raised his head.

Ellia was looking at him with a bright smile.

“Our relationship won’t change. Right?”

‘…Won’t change.’

Lucian couldn’t bring himself to agree and closed his mouth.

Changes were already happening. His attitude toward Ellia, his loyalty toward Barion. Everything was changing.

That’s why he was confused. What should he do from now on?

‘Captain Lucian, great changes will soon come to the Empire.’

Lucian paused. It was because Barion’s words to him came to mind.

It was what he had said when he met him at the banquet hall before Barion disappeared.

‘When that time comes, I will disappear from the Empire.’

‘What do you mean….’

‘When changes come to the Empire, and if you still want to believe in me… come to this place.’

Lucian placed his hand over the pocket near his chest.

It was where the note Barion had given him was.

‘I hope you will believe in me.’

“Count Lucian? What’s wrong? Does your chest hurt?”

Lucian snapped back to his senses at Ellia’s words.

Hastily shaking his head, Lucian hesitated before carefully opening his mouth.

“…Holy Lady, I know the Temple is currently in chaos, but may I apply for leave?”

“Leave?”

“Yes.”

For the first time, Lucian’s wavering gaze looked straight at Ellia.

“For me to remain as Holy Knight Captain in the future, there’s someone I must meet. I want to have a conversation with that person.”

“….”

Ellia looked up at him quietly. Just as Lucian was getting nervous, she opened her mouth.

“I understand. Please go.”

“…! Thank you.”

“Not at all.”

Ellia shook her head and said with a bright smile.

“I hope Count Lucian’s heart becomes as firm as before when you return.”

At those words, Lucian paused. Ellia didn’t seem to know where he was going, but she seemed to have noticed his state of mind.

Hesitating, Lucian put a smile on his lips and said.

“…Yes. I will definitely do so.”

***

Lucian, who had said he would go on leave, left the Temple the very next day.

But there was no time to feel his absence. I also had many things to do on my own.

“Hmm….”

I frowned while looking at the recent donation records.

It had definitely decreased. Both the donation amounts and the number of people donating.

Especially, the names of those who had donated regularly and were always recorded in the ledger were nowhere to be seen.

If this state continued, the Temple might collapse completely.

‘This must also be Barion’s influence.’

A deep sigh escaped me. What kind of disaster was all this because of that damn Seer?

From my position of having to clean up the mess, only anger toward Barion was rising.

‘Damn Barion. That bastard who should be packed up with his subordinates and thrown into hell.’

I suppressed the urge to crumple up the documents in my hand like Barion and let out a sigh.

Knock knock-

“Holy Lady, may I come in?”

“Please come in.”

Then the door opened and two people entered. It was Hamel, who was acting as Cardinal, and Robelina.

Hamel, who approached the desk where I was sitting, glanced at the documents in my hand and said with a bitter smile.

“You were looking at the donation records.”

“Yes. Donations have drastically decreased since it was revealed that Barion was the Seer.”

I held my head in my hands and muttered.

“This won’t do. We need to devise something to turn the believers’ hearts….”

“It’s certainly a problem.”

Hamel also fell into thought, rubbing his chin.

Then Robelina, who had been lost in thought beside him, muttered in a small voice.

“It would be good if we could show people that God is watching over the Temple….”

Hearing those words, an idea came to mind and I let out an exclamation.

“Ah! What if we use the sacred relics?”

“Sacred relics?”

“The sacred relics also contain divine power, don’t they? We could put on a performance with the relics or help people—show them something to restore public sentiment! How about it?”

“Hmm.”

Honestly, I expected to hear that it was a good idea. But both Hamel and Robelina just made contemplative sounds and kept their words to themselves.

Noticing their reaction, I asked cautiously.

“Is it not good…?”

“No. I think it’s a good idea. But Holy Lady.”

Robelina, who had been hesitating, spoke while watching my expression.

“I was actually going to tell you, but there’s a problem.”

“…How did this happen?”

I asked in a trembling voice as I looked around the room.

Then Robelina, who was behind me, spoke with a sigh.

“The Seer stole all the sacred relics. It seems like he gathered the relics in advance with the intention of fleeing from the start.”

Just as she said, the Sacred Relic Storage Room was completely empty. He had stolen everything so thoroughly that not even a trace of the sacred relics remained.

I trembled at my fingertips before clenching my fists tightly and expressing my anger.

“Barion…! That damn bastard of a Seer!”

“Holy Lady! No cursing!”

Robelina hurriedly covered my mouth. After struggling for a while, I finally calmed down and only let out harsh, ragged breaths.

Then Hamel, who had been standing quietly behind us, carefully spoke up.

“This is troublesome. How should we restore the believers’ lost faith…”

“…There’s only one way.”

When I spoke, both of their gazes focused on me.

I looked back at Hamel with determined, shining eyes.

“Deputy Hamel, did Barion also touch the Temple’s public funds?”

“As for the Temple’s public funds, there’s a separate priest who manages them, so it seems he couldn’t touch them carelessly.”

“Good. Then let’s leave just the bare minimum and spend it all.”

“What?”

Hamel and Robelina cast surprised looks. In contrast, I grinned widely, excited at the thought of spending money for once.

“We’ll restore faith with money.”

After all, there was no one in the world who didn’t like money.

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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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