The Nerd Next Door Turned Out To Be The Magic Tower Master - Chapter 74

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 74
Silver hair scattered by the breeze, eyes a clear, piercing blue, posture impeccable and expression gentle.
It was Miguel.
“Your Holiness, it’s an honor to receive you.”
Miguel, dressed sharply in his ceremonial regalia, greeted her with a soft smile.
The way he showed his delight without reservation reminded her of a large dog—though she hardly dared say so aloud.
This stern Holy Knight had somehow opened his heart so completely. It was almost overwhelming.
“Thank you for meeting me.”
“Not at all. Please, be careful as you step down.”
Miguel stepped forward to the very edge of the carriage and extended his hand without hesitation.
She moved to take it naturally, as she had before, then caught herself mid-motion.
Lien’s words had surfaced unbidden in her mind.
When she’d told Lien about the trip to the Temple, he’d fallen silent for a long while before grudgingly speaking.
“If, by some chance, something happens at the Temple while I’m not there, ask that Holy Knight for help.”
“That Holy Knight? You mean Miguel?”
“…Yes.”
“You two glare at each other constantly, but it seems he’s trustworthy after all?”
“Because he was Cecilia’s…”
“What?”
“Her lover! …He was.”
Even as he spoke, Lien had looked deeply displeased, and he’d actually bitten his own tongue.
After that, he’d added things she hadn’t asked for—that it wasn’t every time, only occasionally; that he’d never truly kept to the role despite daring to take the lover’s place; that his timing was always terrible but he was stronger; endless unsolicited commentary.
‘This man was Cecilia’s lover…’
A romance between a Holy Knight and a Saint? It had never happened in this life, yet somehow it felt transgressive.
Cecilia withdrew her hand and politely declined his escort.
“I’m fine, thank you. Perhaps you could attend to the Princess instead?”
She drew a subtle boundary—just in case her jealous lover was watching from somewhere and might lose his mind to it.
The shift was transparent. He opened his mouth as if to speak, then closed it without a word, his shoulders sagging slightly. There was something dejected in the set of his eyes.
Cecilia pretended not to notice and deliberately brightened her tone.
“What’s the schedule for today? Should we go see the Pope first?”
“You can leave your luggage to us. The Archbishop is waiting to see you both.”
“The Archbishop?”
“Yes, though we should present you to the Pope first, he’s stepped away on urgent business. The Archbishop will receive you instead.”
Cecilia glanced sideways at Regina.
While the Emperor’s audience with the Saint had held no good intent, he had at least granted it personally. And now, having come all this way to the holy site, the Pope absented himself and sent the Archbishop in his stead?
It would have been natural to show displeasure. Yet the Princess did not narrow her eyes or reveal the slightest irritation.
“Shall we go?”
She even took the lead without hesitation.
It was Cecilia who felt uneasy instead. Not from disappointment at missing the Pope, but from a disquieting sense of foreboding.
‘With the Temple ceremony coming up, and now the Archbishop of all people? Surely not…’
And ill omens, it seemed, never missed their mark.
The black-robed priest sitting limp in the reception room welcomed them with scant energy.
“Princess Regina Hill Rishatria, I am honored to make your acquaintance.”
“God’s servant, Kiar Luceteim. Though it shall be but a single day, should you find anything wanting, you need only ask.”
“We are grateful for your consideration.”
The formal, barren exchange concluded, and dark eyes shifted slowly toward Cecilia.
“My dear Saint… how fortunate that you survived your ordeal. What a pity it was not an opportunity for you to rest in God’s embrace.”
“I could hardly presume to claim such glory before the Archbishop himself.”
“Ah, at last we have words worth hearing. Do understand—just because you’ve become a formal Saint does not mean you’ll escape the proper order of things.”
‘He was being sarcastic, and now he’s the one bringing up competition?’
The Archbishop, whom she hadn’t seen in some time, looked much as before—dark beneath the eyes, ashen-complexioned, dour, and above all, decidedly unsound of mind.
‘What is wrong with this man?’
Regina’s lips formed a silent question, but Cecilia averted her gaze. Inexplicably, she felt embarrassed on the Archbishop’s behalf, though she bore no close relationship with him.
Whether he sensed her discomfort or not, Kiar abruptly turned to the main business.
“Have you heard about tomorrow’s investiture ceremony?”
“Only vaguely. I understand they’ve arranged an audience with the believers to celebrate my formal appointment as Saint.”
And she was to receive a blessing meant for the Princess as well, according to the Pope’s letter.
“You’ve heard only vaguely indeed.”
……
‘This conversation after so long is making me even more irritated.’
“After you dress in the Ceremonial Robe, you’ll meet with the Followers.”
Kiar emphasized the word as he spoke.
Cecilia exhaled something between a sigh and a groan.
‘I knew this would happen.’
Ever since the Archbishop had mentioned the appointment ceremony in the same breath as the relief festival, she’d harbored a terrible suspicion—and now it was confirmed.
Just like during the relief festival, it seemed he planned to drag her through another ordeal of ceremonial robes.
“I’ve also selected the Ceremonial Robe you’ll wear at this appointment ceremony beforehand.”
The moment the Archbishop finished speaking, apprentice priests filed in carrying white robes draped over their arms.
At a glance, there were easily more than ten of them.
‘I’m doomed.’
Reflecting on her past experience, Cecilia squeezed her eyes shut.
But Regina, oblivious to the gravity of the situation, showed interest instead.
“I’ve never seen Temple Ceremonial Robes before. They’re fascinating. Do I need to try them on too?”
‘No, no, no!’
But Kiar’s eyes were already gleaming darkly.
“Oh? You’re interested?”
Alas, the milk had already been spilled.
* * *
The fitting, which she had anticipated would be long and arduous, finally ended after a full three hours.
Cecilia sprawled across the sofa like a defeated soldier. This time she hadn’t even skipped a meal, yet she lacked the strength to lift her arms.
She thought of the Crown Princess, who was likely enduring the same torment in another room.
‘…She didn’t collapse, did she?’
The woman had an underlying condition, even though Cecilia had transferred Divine Power to her.
Her worry was short-lived. The Archbishop, who seemed to have drained so much vigor from the Princess that he was practically radiating energy himself, informed her of Regina’s whereabouts.
“The Crown Princess returned to her assigned quarters two hours ago. But what will you do, Saint? Ah, your room has been prepared in the same location as last time.”
‘So the Crown Princess escaped long ago…’
Betrayal and indignation coursed through her, and her body trembled. Yet she couldn’t simply leave.
She still had business to attend to.
“Excuse me, Archbishop.”
“Yes, please speak.”
Cecilia, who had been sprawled carelessly across the sofa, hastily straightened her posture.
“Since His Holiness isn’t here, I’m asking you instead—would it be possible to see some sacred articles?”
“Of course. Ah, if you intend to examine the items you’ll use tomorrow beforehand, I’ll have them brought here.”
“No, that’s not what I mean… What I want to see is the Record of God.”
“…The Record of God?”
“You see, last time you said that only a Saint and the Pope could view the Gifts of God. I’ve been curious ever since. Now that I’m officially a Saint… is it not possible?”
The Archbishop, who had worn an enigmatic expression, shook his head.
“You need not ask my permission. However, since the Gifts of God are managed by His Holiness, I believe we should seek his approval first.”
“I’d prefer to see them as soon as possible…”
“Then I’ll send word. Would tomorrow morning suit you?”
“Yes, yes! Thank you so much!”
She’d expected to hear something like “handle it yourself,” but for the Archbishop to show such consideration!
She was so grateful that she could forgive him entirely for three hours of torment.
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow!”
With her spirits considerably lifted, Cecilia bid him farewell cheerfully and returned to her quarters.
‘I’ve resolved one major problem at least. Now I should collapse in bed until evening!’
But the moment Cecilia opened her door, she froze. Another gift from the Archbishop was waiting for her in the room.
“Sena! Riri!”
“Saint!”
Sena rushed over and embraced her eagerly.
“Did you have a good time?”
“Yes, have you both been well?”
Sena beamed and nodded vigorously. She seemed to have grown somewhat, and now she looked closer to her actual age.
And Riri was…
Cecilia looked at the child standing hesitantly in the center of the room, different from Sena.
Without the Veil, the child’s eyes were a pale crimson, not what they had been before.
‘So her natural eye color was similar all along—that’s why she looked purple like Lien.’
Come to think of it, this was her first real meeting with Riri.
“Have you been well, Riri?”
“…Riri?”
[“Li, call me Riri! Please, call me Riri!”]
‘That must have been something Lien said.’
I nearly clicked my tongue in exasperation, catching myself just in time before I reached out a hand toward the child.
“It’s lovely to meet you too, Marie.”
The moment I spoke, the girl’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson. Just like last time.
‘Don’t tell me…’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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