The Fortune-Teller Saintess - Chapter 106
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
As I stood blankly in front of the door, Yuriel, who had been watching me intently, pointed to the sofa next to him and said.
“Please don’t stand there, have a seat, Holy Lady.”
“Ah, yes.”
I carefully went and sat down next to him.
Then a long silence followed. Not only me, but even Yuriel, who chattered away every time we met, was also quiet.
Unable to bear the suffocating silence any longer, I was the first to speak.
“You don’t look well… Are you alright?”
At my question, Yuriel glanced at me and let out a small sigh.
“Well. I wonder if I should say I’m alright… A lot has happened, you see.”
“Is it perhaps because of the Prophet?”
Yuriel smiled bitterly. It seemed I was right.
After a brief silence, he soon began to speak in a low voice.
“I lost my people overnight. Not only Count Evis, but even Cardinal Barion, whom I had respected… Even to think that those two were the Prophet and his subordinate.”
“…”
“It was so shocking and hard to believe that I even went to see my brother, but reality didn’t change. My faith has been betrayed, Holy Lady.”
“It’s not Your Highness’s fault.”
“Yes. It’s not my fault. That’s why it’s painful.”
‘Hmm.’
It seemed Yuriel had received quite a shock. Well, Yuriel must have relied on those two people quite a bit, so how must his heart feel.
After thinking it over, I carefully asked Yuriel.
“Your Highness… do you think from this incident that God might not exist?”
“…”
Yuriel’s lips moved slightly.
After a moment, the words that came from his mouth were neither affirmation nor denial.
“I’m not sure. I want to believe He exists, but if so, then why did He give me such a harsh trial…”
“That’s what human life is like.”
Yuriel turned to look at me.
Meeting his confused-looking eyes, I smiled awkwardly.
“Doesn’t everyone experience difficult things at least once in their life? What’s important is whether there’s someone by your side to support you so you don’t collapse.”
“…”
“If Your Highness also has such a person, I think you’ve lived well up until now.”
Yuriel’s eyes trembled finely and tears began to well up.
While I was surprised and taking out a handkerchief from my bosom, Yuriel spoke with a smile.
“You’re right. As expected, Holy Lady, you are wise.”
‘Not really though…’
When I smiled awkwardly and offered the handkerchief, Yuriel took it and looked down at it intently.
“Those two people abandoned my faith, and honestly, I’m deeply hurt. But as the Holy Lady said, it’s also true that there are many who support me. This too must be God’s arrangement.”
Soon, Yuriel gripped the handkerchief tightly and looked at me with a determined face.
“I will also help the Temple.”
“What?”
I asked back in surprise without realizing it. I hadn’t said anything yet, had I?
When I looked at him in confusion, Yuriel smiled gently and said.
“When I heard the Holy Lady was coming, I roughly guessed. You came to ask for help with the Temple, didn’t you?”
‘…Now I understand why he’s Jacad’s younger brother.’
He had a gentle face but was quite shrewd. In that aspect, he was exactly like Jacad.
At Yuriel’s direct question, I decided not to hide it anymore either.
“That’s right. Right now the Temple lacks not only trust but also finances. The nobles have turned their backs on us. But if Your Highness, who has always believed in God, helps us, the nobles will return too.”
“Hmm.”
“If Your Highness still has faith in God, I would like you to come to the Temple and offer prayers.”
That alone would be proof that the Second Prince still believes in God and the Temple.
At my earnest request, Yuriel fell silent as if lost in thought. I became nervous and unconsciously swallowed my saliva.
‘He wouldn’t suddenly back out after saying he’d help, would he?’
Just as I was looking at Yuriel with anxious eyes, he finally opened his mouth.
“That alone won’t be enough.”
“What?”
“If we’re going to do it.”
Yuriel grinned and looked at me, adding.
“It would be better to do it thoroughly.”
I blinked at his refreshingly confident smile that I was seeing for the first time.
I was able to understand what those words meant not long after.
***
“…Holy Lady Ellia.”
“Yes, Acting Priest Hamel.”
“What on earth is that?”
At that voice asking in disbelief while looking somewhere, I smiled awkwardly.
“That, you say. Please refrain from such language toward a person, moreover His Highness the Second Prince.”
Hamel turned his head to look at me, then stared at me with eyes that said ‘is that what’s important right now?’
I avoided his gaze and made an excuse for no reason.
“I’m telling you in advance in case there’s a misunderstanding, but I didn’t make him do it.”
“Then…?”
“His Highness volunteered to do it himself.”
At my words, Hamel’s eyes widened.
I smiled awkwardly at him and turned my gaze to where Yuriel was.
Right now, Yuriel was distributing food to people who had come to get food along with the priests.
Most people didn’t recognize Yuriel as the Second Prince, but occasionally someone would appear who recognized his face.
“Your Highness the Second Prince! How are you distributing food to people like us in a place like this!”
“It’s all something I want to do, so don’t worry about it. Would you like some more stew?”
“…Your Highness! I will treasure this stew Your Highness gave me as a family heirloom!”
…And they generally showed this kind of reaction.
Even though the repeated situation should have been tiresome, Yuriel didn’t stop. Rather, he smiled gently each time.
His saint-like appearance made even my heart tremble.
‘…What am I thinking. It’s fortunate Nein isn’t here.’
Come to think of it, where did that guy Nein go when he said he’d be right back?
Just as I was looking around in puzzlement.
“The Temple must not ignore God’s will!”
“Huh?”
I turned my head toward where the sound came from.
In front of the Temple where food was being distributed, someone was shouting loudly.
“The Prophet is the one who follows God’s will! How can those who claim to believe in God turn away from His will!”
…while spouting such nonsensical words.
Meeting eyes with Hamel, I went down the stairs with him. At the sudden appearance of a madman, the area was instantly thrown into chaos and buzzing with noise.
“Holy Lady.”
Before I knew it, Yuriel had approached and showed his concern. I waved my hand as if to say it was fine and said to him.
“It could be dangerous, so please stay near your guard, Your Highness.”
“The Holy Lady could also be in danger.”
“Still, I have to go.”
Since I’m currently the person with the highest authority in the Temple.
Yuriel looked at me with worry, but eventually returned to his guard’s side as I said.
I confirmed this and walked toward the Madman together with Hamel.
“Who are you to cause such a commotion in front of the Temple?”
“So you’re the rumored Holy Lady.”
The Madman’s eyes flashed as he gritted his teeth and added.
“The fake Holy Lady Ellia who drove out the noble Prophet!”
“…You’re saying I’m a fake Holy Lady?”
What kind of nonsense is this now?
***
“Cardinal Kettel, is it really okay to do this?”
At one Cardinal’s anxious question, Kettel nodded.
“We must do this. Only then can we regain our authority.”
“Even so, this is a bit…”
“If you’re truly worried.”
Kettel glanced around at the other Cardinals and added coldly.
“You’re free to withdraw from this matter?”
“…”
The Cardinals glanced at each other and kept their mouths shut. Seeing that they ultimately didn’t refuse, Kettel inwardly sneered.
‘I suppose their fear of losing their positions is greater.’
For those who claim to believe in God to have such strong lust for power.
Kettel shook his head disapprovingly.
Soon, his eyes sharpened as he turned toward where the Madman and Holy Lady were confronting each other.
‘Well, it works out well for me.’
The Madman’s appearance was something Kettel himself had orchestrated. To amplify suspicion toward the Temple and push out Holy Lady Ellia.
All of it was in preparation for when Prophet Barion would return.
Of course, by then the Temple would have failed in its role and collapsed. The believers who lost their place to go would then be embraced by Barion who returned to the Temple.
Thus a new sect led by Barion would be born.
‘Everything is according to the Prophet’s will, God’s will.’
Kettel made a small sign of the cross and murmured quietly.
“For our sake too, Holy Lady Ellia must step down from that position.”
“Hmm, what kind of talk is this?”
“…!”
Kettel whirled around. The other Cardinals were also staring behind them with pale faces.
Ellia’s closest ally, Mage Tower Master Nein Opert—who to Kettel was no different from a heretic—was smiling coldly as he watched them.
He tapped his shoulder with the bouquet in his hand and spoke in a crooked voice.
“I need you to repeat what you just said properly.”
The smile disappeared from his face.
“Who dares to drag down whom?”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————