The Fortune-Teller Saintess - Chapter 73

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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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The Fortune Teller Saint

Chapter 73

Upon returning to the Imperial Palace, we immediately brought Priest Rowen before Jacad.

After hearing the situation, Jacad immediately imprisoned Rowen in the Imperial Palace dungeon. Just when it seemed the matter would be concluded.

A problem arose.

“He denies the charges?”

At my question, Jacad nodded with a serious expression.

“No matter how much we interrogate him, he won’t confess to his crimes. He insists that the water he gave to the holy relic was ordinary water.”

“That’s ridiculous. Then why would such a person try to kill us, claiming someone was looking for him?”

“I think the same way. In fact, with my authority, I could confirm Priest Rowen as the culprit and close this case. However.”

Jacad let out a small sigh and added with a troubled expression.

“If I do that, we’ll face backlash from the Temple, and there’s a high probability that suspicions toward the Mage Tower Master won’t be completely cleared either.”

“That would be troublesome.”

“Then we need to find other clear evidence.”

At Jacad’s firm words, I couldn’t help but furrow my brow.

Several days had passed since the incident occurred. There was a high probability that Rowen had already disposed of other evidence. That’s probably why he was being so brazen.

‘Just when I was happy that we finally caught the culprit, things get complicated like this.’

Nein, who seemed to share similar feelings, spoke to Jacad with a voice full of irritation.

“Then let’s arrest all those who oppose us too. Until they can no longer raise their voices.”

“…”

“Nein…”

“What? Why?”

I solemnly opened my mouth to calm Nein, who was spouting nonsense.

“Listen carefully, Nein. There are a million reasons why you shouldn’t do such things, but I’ll explain briefly. First, if you do that, instead of clearing your false accusations, you’ll end up being blamed for crimes. Second, His Highness the Crown Prince would become a tyrant. Third…”

Only after I gave a long explanation of why he shouldn’t do such things did Nein close his mouth.

Of course, his eyes were still fierce, as if he couldn’t accept it at all.

While I was comforting Nein, Jacad, who had been lost in thought, opened his mouth with a sigh.

“At times like this, if the previous Holy Lady were still alive…”

At those words, Nein’s movements stopped abruptly.

Glancing at Nein, I turned my gaze to Jacad and asked.

“By the previous Holy Lady, you mean Lady Estina, right? Why her?”

“Because the former Holy Lady’s ability was to discern the guilt of others. If that ability were still available, we could reveal that Priest Rowen’s words are lies…”

“Ha.”

At the laughter that pierced our ears, we stopped our conversation and looked at Nein.

Nein spoke with a sneer filling the corners of his mouth.

“Well. Even if that woman were alive, I don’t think she would have been much help.”

“Why is that?”

“I mean that woman might have protected the culprit instead, claiming they were fellow priests.”

The atmosphere instantly turned cold at Nein’s statement.

Especially Lucian, who had devoted his loyalty to the Temple, found it harder to listen and intervened with a stern face.

“Do not insult Lady Estina. She lived and passed away leading a noble life.”

“That’s right, Lord Nein. Your remarks are excessive.”

When even Robelina joined in, Nein’s eyebrows twitched.

“A noble life?”

Nein burst into derisive laughter and added in a cynical voice.

“Don’t give me that bullshit.”

Then he hardened his face and stormed out.

“How dare…!”

“Count Lucian, please calm down.”

“But Holy Lady, this is an insult to the Temple.”

Lucian spoke with a stern voice.

This time, even I found it difficult to cover for Nein. As I stood with a troubled expression, Wilrend, who had been sitting quietly nearby, approached.

“I’ll apologize on his behalf.”

“Lord Wilrend.”

“But please understand. Nein has his circumstances for acting that way.”

“Circumstances?”

Robelina tilted her head and asked.

Wilrend shook his head and spoke firmly.

“I cannot tell a story that Nein hasn’t brought up himself. I’ll bring that boy back, so please wait a moment.”

Leaving those words, Wilrend used spatial movement magic and disappeared instantly.

Lucian still muttered with an unresolved angry expression.

“I don’t know what circumstances they might be, but as of now, I cannot forgive that mage’s remarks.”

“Hmm.”

I only let out a troubled sound with a perplexed expression. Then I glanced toward where Nein had disappeared.

‘What exactly happened between Nein and the previous Holy Lady?’

***

Wilrend, who had said he would bring Nein back, didn’t return even after a long time had passed.

I was worried enough to wonder if he had been beaten up by the angry Nein and collapsed on the street.

‘No matter what, he wouldn’t do such a thing to his own master… would he?’

I suddenly became anxious. Nein was a rascal with no sense of hierarchy.

Unable to bear it any longer as I groaned with an uncomfortable expression, I abruptly stood up from my seat.

“Ria? Where are you going?”

“I’ll go find Nein and Lord Wilrend. I’m really worried.”

“I’ll come with you.”

Lucian also rose from his seat to follow me. I said it was fine, but he was resolute.

“No holy knight would let the Holy Lady go alone.”

“Hmm.”

I glanced at Robelina and Jacad behind Lucian. Jacad kept stealing glances at Robelina.

‘Sigh, fine. I’ll help.’

With a slight smile, I left the room with Lucian.

Finding the two people who had disappeared with magic was more difficult than expected. The Imperial Palace was vast enough to make it so.

Still, thinking they wouldn’t have left the Crown Prince’s palace, I wandered around the vicinity.

“They’re not here either. Where on earth did they go?”

As I pouted and grumbled, I suddenly felt someone’s gaze. When I turned my head, Lucian was staring intently at me.

“Count Lucian? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“…You don’t seem angry, Holy Lady.”

“Ah.”

I let out an exclamation and scratched my cheek with an embarrassed expression.

“Hmm. You’re right, Count Lucian. Unlike Cardinal Robelina and Count Lucian, I’m not that angry.”

“That mage insulted Lady Estina, and furthermore, the Temple. How can you be so composed?”

I could sense from Lucian’s tone that he couldn’t understand me.

Honestly, I didn’t think Nein had done well either. When I heard words criticizing someone, it made me uncomfortable too.

Nevertheless, the image of Nein I had seen so far flickered before my eyes, and I found myself defending him without realizing it.

“Because Nein must have his circumstances.”

“Do you trust him?”

“I trust him. And.”

After hesitating, I carefully added.

“I want to trust him. Nein.”

“…”

Lucian fell silent.

After a moment, he opened his mouth and asked a question with a cautious attitude.

“If I had been in that mage’s position… would the Holy Lady have trusted me as well?”

“Of course. Where else would I find someone as trustworthy as Count Lucian?”

“Then…”

Lucian, who had been trailing off, spoke with a serious expression.

“May I expect the same feelings you have when dealing with that mage?”

“…Pardon?”

It was a bewildering question.

The same feelings I have when dealing with Nein?

‘They’re both my friends, so naturally…’

Naturally. Somehow, it was difficult to continue those words.

Huh?

‘Are they the same feelings?’

Even if Lucian had left the room, I would have chased after him just the same. I would have trusted him.

But even in that situation, would my heart be as anxious as now, with my mind filled entirely with thoughts of Lucian?

‘I don’t think so.’

The reason I’m anxiously chasing after Nein now, the reason I want to trust Nein is.

Because it’s Nein.

Upon realizing this, I became dazed as if I’d been struck in the head.

In the midst of this, Lucian was waiting for my answer. Under that earnest gaze, I found myself blurting out.

“Of course.”

A lie.

At that moment, Lucian’s eyes wavered.

“I see.”

“Y-yes.”

Silence flowed.

Until now, when silence fell while I was with Lucian, it hadn’t been awkward, but this time I wanted to run away anywhere.

Fortunately, I was able to avoid such a situation thanks to Lucian speaking up.

“I can hear voices talking over there.”

“Could it be Nein and Lord Wilrend? Let’s go see.”

I hurriedly moved my steps as if fleeing.

After a while, I heard the sound of Lucian following behind.

When I went to the place Lucian mentioned, Nein and Wilrend were indeed there.

However, I stopped walking as I felt the atmosphere between them was not ordinary.

At that moment, I heard Wilrend sternly questioning Nein, who had his back turned to him.

“Are you still keeping what happened with her in your heart?”

‘Her?’

I hesitated at the word that pierced my ears.

From the context, the ‘her’ Wilrend mentioned must have been referring to the former Holy 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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