Villain Family’s Strongest Butler - Chapter 18

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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 21

The interior of the Temple was largely silent.
As I followed the High Priest deeper within, I caught sight of scarcely another acolyte.
‘At this rate, isn’t this just the High Priest’s private villa?’
I pondered this while watching the High Priest’s back.
Silver hair cascading down to the waist gleamed like holy water in the Holy Grail.
‘Do all High Priests carry that same kind of atmosphere?’
Mysterious, enigmatic. And yet—I found no desire to draw closer.
In truth, I had never met the High Priest back in the Tenasis Empire.
More accurately, I’d never even been near the Temple.
Usually, when a military campaign was scheduled, the Imperial knights would stop at the Temple before departure to receive a blessing.
But I had never done so. Not once.
‘I’m probably the only knight in the entire Tenasis Empire who’s never set foot inside the Temple.’
Part of it was my nature—I didn’t believe in gods—but Serhin’s deep aversion to the Temple was the greater reason.
“The Temple’s clergy despise people like us, who live and breathe blood. Especially you, Sia. If you get branded a Heretic and caught in a Witch Hunt, don’t you dare go anywhere near them.”
Heretic. Witch Hunt. Words that made my skin crawl just hearing them.
“Sia, did you really think I wouldn’t notice that those burn scars on your face weren’t just an accident? I overlook it because it’s me. Even if Rebel Army blood runs through your veins, you’re already my closest friend. ……But will the Temple see it the same way?”
“…….”
I’d answered that it was enough. I understood—I wouldn’t go anywhere near the Temple or its clergy. He could stop now.
‘When I really think about it, he really does have a terrible temperament.’
Why did he have to be so blunt and frightening about it when he could have softened his words?
I shuddered as I recalled Serhin’s narrow gaze and cold voice.
How long had we been walking? Before I knew it, we’d arrived at the entrance to the Grand Hall.
The Grand Hall doors were made of something like pristine white marble, and because the ceilings were so high, the doors themselves towered impressively.
Perhaps because of that, the sound of the doors opening was deep and heavy.
“Steward.”
The Grand Duke turned to look at me before entering the Grand Hall, and the High Priest stopped walking alongside him, turning as well.
The Grand Duke said he had matters to discuss with the High Priest.
“Wait here. If you grow bored, you’re welcome to play in the garden we saw on the way in.”
“…….”
Does he take me for a foal that can’t tell the difference between things?
I offered a painted smile and simply gave a shallow nod instead of answering.
When I raised my head again, my eyes met the High Priest’s. I offered a polite nod in greeting as well.
As the two of them entered the Grand Hall, the doors closed automatically behind them.
Rumble-rumble-rumble—. The sound of the doors closing was loud enough to shake the quiet Temple.
‘…….’
I straightened my posture and decided to wait for the Grand Duke standing beside the doors.
One minute. Five minutes. Ten minutes…….
‘Looks like their conversation will take a while.’
I glanced sideways at the ornate Grand Hall doors, then quietly shifted my feet.
‘The garden. Let me go see the garden.’
This was my first outing in two years.
The Grand Duke wasn’t here to watch me, and I had permission to play. What more reason did I need?
I walked quickly, recalling the entrance to the Temple’s garden I’d seen on the way here.
Heh.

***

‘The name really does have a certain restraint to it.’
As expected from a garden within a Temple.
I paused for a moment to look at the nameplate marking the garden’s entrance.
It seemed to be a simple affair—someone had taken a reasonably clean piece of wood, carved the name into it, drilled some holes, tied a string through, and hung it at the entrance.
‘Normally wouldn’t they add ornate gold leaf and etch more intricate patterns?’
As I mused on this, the High Priest came to mind.
That face showing no worldly desire, wearing a generous smile.
I found myself wondering if the High Priest had perhaps carved this nameplate with his own hands.
I took my eyes off the sign and walked into the garden.
“Ah.”
A short breath of wonder. The moment I passed through the garden’s entrance, the season shifted entirely.
A moment ago I’d been deep in a long, bitter winter; now the warmth of spring surrounded me completely.
‘I’d believe this was another world altogether.’
They must have installed some kind of temperature control device.
The Grand Duke’s Estate had similar climate-regulation systems in the wine cellar and tea storage.
I strolled at leisure between the colorful, fragrant flowers.
How long had it been since I’d felt anything like nature?
I breathed deeply, savoring what little freedom I had left.
Then, suddenly.
‘Wait.’
I stopped walking and considered the thought seriously.
‘Could this be an escape opportunity I’ll never get again?’
The Grand Duke’s Sir Allen and Ed weren’t here, and neither was the Grand Duke’s direct surveillance.
For once, I stood utterly free—unobserved by anyone.
Hmm…….
But I quickly abandoned the thought of running.
‘The Grand Duke isn’t a fool.’
He’d have prepared for the possibility of my escape.
Especially the Dog Collar.
I flicked the blue jewel of the Dog Collar with my fingertip—ping, ping—and resumed my walk through the garden.
‘He can imprison or free me with a single finger.’
I shouldn’t underestimate him.
Truth be told, there was no reason to rush.
I’d already spent two years at the Grand Duke’s Estate. The place was vast enough that I never felt truly imprisoned.
‘Even when I was in Tenasis, I never left the Imperial Palace or the Battlefield.’
Besides, if we’re talking confinement, Serhin had it worse with me.
Serhin wouldn’t tolerate me disappearing from his sight.
He kept me within his field of vision as though he couldn’t survive a moment without me there.
‘……Is he doing well?’
He must have been devastated when I died right before his eyes.
Though I suppose no one could be as shocked as the one who actually died.
Perhaps it was the unfamiliar leisure, but thoughts I didn’t usually entertain began to cloud my mind.
Then.
[It hurts so much…….]
What?
A voice came out of nowhere, and I spun around, searching.
‘I was alone here, wasn’t I?’
Yet I saw no one, felt no presence.
Had I misheard? Was I hearing things now?
Unable to find the source of that voice, I resumed walking through the garden.
Then again.
[Those wretched, depraved humans……. I’ll curse them. Even if I’m nothing but a spirit after death, I’ll curse them to suffer.]
The voice came again. It was chilling—this talk of cursing even beyond death.
‘Who on earth is that?’
The hair on my arms stood up. Of all places, I was in a Temple—that boundary between the dead and the living.
‘Could it be……am I hearing the voice of the Departed Spirit?’
A cold chill ran down my neck.
But fear aside,
‘I need to find where that sound is coming from.’
I’ve never been able to ignore my curiosity, so I picked up my pace, searching for the source of the voice.
[Ah, it hurts…….]
“…….”
[Am I really dying like this? ……I don’t want to. I want to live.]
“…….”
[I thought I’d survive if I came to the Temple, but who knew there’d be mad priests among them too…….]
“…….”
The tiny voice rambled on ceaselessly.
It sounded like a child’s voice, yet the tone was that of an adult bitter with the world.
[Even heaven turns a deaf ear……. I don’t want to die yet……. Ugh, even breathing is becoming difficult…….]
Her voice grew fainter with each word, like a candle sputtering out.
‘She said she was in pain earlier.’
Where was she hurt?
It was then that I stopped in my tracks, having spotted something in a corner of the garden.
Beneath the shadow of a large tree lay something that would have gone unnoticed without careful scrutiny.
‘Charcoal?’
At first glance, the round, pitch-black mass looked like nothing more than a lump of charcoal.
But as I drew closer, I could make out the shape of an animal covered in dark fur.
‘A beast……?’
Disbelieving, I looked around the garden again.
‘Could the owner of this creature have been nearby?’
That tiny ball of fur couldn’t possibly have been the one speaking, after all.
I approached the bundle of fur.
Then.
[Footsteps? ……What is that?]
In an instant, the curled-up ball of fur lifted its head and looked directly at me.
Our eyes met perfectly.
[It doesn’t seem to be a priest.]
Upon spotting me, the creature puffed up its fur in obvious alarm.
It was an animal covered entirely in black fur, with pointed ears and bright blue eyes.
What struck me most was the marking on its forehead—white fur grew there in the unmistakable shape of a star.
And it wasn’t merely star-like; it was an uncommonly perfect star shape.
I studied the star marking for a moment, then examined the rest of the creature.
‘It’s been hurt.’
Patches of fur were missing from its body, and deep gashes marked its skin.
I stepped closer to assess its condition, and the animal suddenly shrieked, “Kee-yowwww!” baring its sharp white teeth in warning.
“…….”
Quite the temperament.
Ignoring the threat, I moved closer—only to be met with the fierce snarl of a wounded predator.
[Don’t come any closer, human! I’m not dead yet. See? My claws?]
If you get too near, I’ll tear you to shreds! Do you understand?! It’ll hurt like nothing else!]
The creature flexed its round, plump paws, extending razor-sharp claws as it howled.
“Mew! Mrow! Meeeoowww!”
It was a cat.

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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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