Reset Life – Chapter 33

Chapter 33: I Should Be Careful From Now On (3)

 

Suddenly, my thoughts came to a halt.

 

Head Priest Benamijan, acknowledged by Head Priest Micheland, said Damachi had no ill intentions. Since the priests of the Lynin religion cannot lie due to their promise with the god, there are two possibilities.

 

Either Damachi truly changed his mind, or these two were wrong.

 

Neither option brought me much comfort. The thought of the infamous Damachi repenting, or the esteemed High Priest and the youngest High Priestess being mistaken, was almost blasphemous, defying the laws of the world.

 

“By the way, why did you introduce High Priestess Benamijan to us?”

 

Aila asked, reaching for an apple. Head Priest Micheland smiled gently and asked her.

 

“Why do you think so, Lady Hind?”

 

“I question the necessity. If you’re talking about High Priest Ir’s thoughts, you alone are sufficient, Head Priest-nim. It’s a given that a priest of Lynin, especially the High Priest-nim, cannot lie, so there’s no need for further assurance.”

 

And she bit into the apple. What she said was actually something I was curious about as well. However, one wouldn’t normally ask so directly. Thanks to her, the conversation that had been going in circles seemed to be moving forward properly.

 

Head Priest Micheland nodded.

 

“You’re astute. I was going to tell you when the conversation progressed a bit further, but it seems Lady Hind dislikes boredom. Then I’ll be brief. I would like you to take High Priestess Benamijan with you when you return to the Empire.”

 

“Yes?”

 

It was rather pathetic, but that was the only way I could react.

 

From a religious perspective, the two countries were rivals, and even with the current envoy’s visit, the arrival of a High Priestess of Lynin in the Empire would be a significant issue.

 

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be your group, but I believe it’s a good opportunity. I had to dispatch High Priestess Benamijan to the Empire soon anyway. Whether it’s official or unofficial doesn’t really matter. I intend to take her to the Empire for a pilgrimage.”

 

“For what reason?”

 

If he said it was literally for the easing of religious conflicts between the two countries, I would immediately refuse even if an official request came through the envoy.

 

As a mere sixteen-year-old second son of a Duke, my decision wouldn’t have much effect, but from the moment I received my title, I was recognized as an adult, even if informally. I have sufficient right to speak.

 

No, it would be like throwing a rabbit into a wolves’ den.

 

If the goodwill continued and led to an alliance instead of war in ten years, then maybe, but at a time like this, if High Priestess Benamijan appeared in the Empire, she would probably be torn apart more miserably than a rabbit thrown into a wolves’ den.

 

“There’s someone we need to find.”

 

“Is it a matter of the Lynin religion? Even so, High Priestess Benamijan’s visit to the Empire is not a good idea at present. She’ll become the center of the commotion, for better or worse.”

 

“I know. However……Sigh, don’t tell others. He is a public enemy that the Lynin religion must confront with all its might.”

 

Public enemy.

 

Someone so unacceptable that even those who don’t engage in hostility would consider them an enemy.

 

Among the gods of light, Lynin is one of the three most influential deities. To be a public enemy of the Lynin religion means being an enemy of all Lynin followers spread across the continent.

 

Forgive my rudeness, but for a moment, disbelief crept in. I had never heard of such a person before, even before I died.

 

“Can such a person exist? If he’s an enemy of the religion, it means he’s an enemy of the god, doesn’t it? Why hasn’t such a person become known? Even if the Lynin and Achuni religions are not on good terms, if he’s a public enemy of one religion, he should have sufficient notoriety.”

 

If such a person existed, they would inevitably become known, for better or worse. Infamy is also a form of fame.

 

“It’s embarrassing for me to say this, but he became a public enemy of the religion because he’s an enemy of the god. However, I’m certain such a person exists. And while tracking his whereabouts, we learned that he went to the Empire.”

 

“Who is that person?”

 

Head Priest Micheland, with a solemn and serious expression, uttered a name.

 

“Artshever. Artshever Le Setrife.”

 

A feeling I had never experienced before surged within me.

 

It was strange to feel three different emotions simultaneously. Especially when they were completely different in nature.

 

The unfamiliarity of hearing the name for the first time was natural.

 

However, at the same time, the familiarity, like feeling the breeze of my hometown, and the repulsion, like an unbearable wave of nausea, what were they?

 

Unfamiliar yet familiar, familiar yet repulsive, a cross of emotions I had never felt before.

 

“Artshever Le Setrife……”

 

I repeated his name. Somehow, it was imprinted in my memory at once. No, it was more like it was engraved.

 

Aila asked with a serious expression.

 

“What sin did he commit?”

 

“I cannot say at present. If I told you and you refused to help our religion, we would have to treat you as enemies. That’s what a public enemy is.”

 

Head Priest Micheland was sincere. His eyes and expression spoke for him.

 

What did the owner of the name engraved in my mind do? I was extremely curious. If he’s a public enemy of the Lynin religion, I could assume he’s a villain worthy of being treated as an enemy, but……it was too early to decide.

 

I steered the conversation in a different direction.

 

“Then, is it over by taking High Priestess Benamijan with us? Or are you asking for cooperation in other ways?”

 

“No matter what, High Priestess Benamijan’s dispatch will be carried out secretly. Since that’s the situation, I must ask for cooperation through unofficial channels. That’s why I’m specifically asking you.”

 

「Thanks to you, the nights have been noisy lately. I thought you might be able to help her.」

 

The words echoed in my head. There was no sign of him constructing a holy spell, yet Head Priest Micheland was sending words directly into my mind. I pretended to be lost in thought, pressing between my eyes to hide my surprise.

 

“Unofficial cooperation. Covert assistance……I don’t have the power for that. You’re overestimating my abilities.”

 

“I’m not overestimating. I’m saying this because I believe you can do it.”

 

「There’s no use pretending you don’t know. As the second son of a Duke, you must know at least a part of the Achuni religion’s unique information network. This religion has also established the same.」

 

Followers gather at temples. And followers share many stories within the temples.

 

It’s a given that temples are places to devoutly pray to and serve the god. However, for followers, temples are also a part of their daily lives, and therefore, they can be used as a place for socializing.

 

Rumors from the streets, gossip about someone, secretly exchanged stories, confidential confessions, etc.

 

Assuming these stories can be collected, temples are the best places to obtain all sorts of information the fastest.

 

The saying that stories told in a temple reach the ears of the god is actually false. To be precise, they reach the ears of some priests in the temple.

 

There’s a similar story about the Grand Sunshine, the main temple of Lynin. Although not officially confirmed, cautious nobles refrain from discussing secrets within the Grand Sunshine.

 

And among the Duke’s confidential documents are records about the information accumulated in the Grand Sunshine and their information gathering system. I remember seeing it before I died.

 

“I’m not sure what you know that makes you say that, among the things I can do.”

 

“I believe in the skills that earned you a knighthood at the age of sixteen.”

 

「Among the followers, there are also rogues of the night. It doesn’t mean they don’t believe in the god. However, they break the doctrines like they eat, and on top of that, they consider the temple as a place to issue indulgences, but they tell quite interesting stories. I think you don’t intend to leave them in Azot.」

 

Although specific names weren’t mentioned, I wanted to surrender. I thought I proceeded as secretly as possible, but how did he find out?

 

I sighed softly and rose from my seat.

 

“Would you mind showing me around the garden for a moment, Head Priest Micheland?”

 

“Certainly. It’s not very large, but there are various things to see. High Priestess Benamijan, please entertain Lady Hind and Sir Yuse.”

 

“Yes, Head Priest-nim.”

 

The Head Priest and I began to stroll through the garden.

 

“What did you talk about? Huh?”

 

In the returning carriage, Aila urged me to tell her with a dissatisfied expression. However, I kept my mouth shut and said nothing.

 

“Risel, Risel. Risel! Hello? Yoo-hoo!”

 

Aila tried various methods to get my attention as I looked out the window, but I ignored her. The conversation with the Head Priest was so back-alley-like that it made me wonder if he was truly a Head Priest serving the god of light.

 

“If you don’t tell me, I’ll say my clothes were ripped and I was r@ped!”

 

“As if there’s anything to see.”

 

“I said it! No, that’s not it. Really……are you ignoring me? I purposely followed you, but I missed the important parts! I feel like I went to a vineyard and only ate the grape skins!”

 

“Now that you mention it, the fruits there were quite plump.”

 

“Yeah, they were. I’ve never tasted such delicious green apples. It was like the taste of the god’s love was overflowing. I should have gotten a few……This is not the point, Risel!”

 

Seeing Aila so easily fall for the change of subject, I chuckled. It seemed like I wouldn’t be able to satisfy her curiosity today.

 

“But Hyung-nim, uh……what are you going to do?”

 

“Huh? About what?”

 

“About High Priestess Benamijan……coming to the Empire.”

 

“Ah, that’s what you mean. Hmm, Aila, you help.”

 

“What?”

 

Aila’s eyes widened. I looked into her golden eyes and lightly tossed the words.

 

“You’re going to disguise High Priestess Benamijan as a maid you bought here and take her with you.”

 

“What about you?”

 

“I’m a man. Plus, there’s Joey. I don’t want people to think I have a hobby of collecting servants.”

 

For now, he’s my sworn brother, but outwardly, Joey is my attendant. I intend to introduce him as such when I take him to my family home.

 

The same goes for High Priestess Benamijan. Considering her position, it’s unfair treatment, but it’s something I’ve already accepted. I have no choice but to change the method of disguise.

 

However, Aila made a face like she had just bitten into a bug. With an expression filled with about 30,000 complaints, she crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks.

 

“Hey, Sir Herduke. Are you just telling me to help without any explanation?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“You’re so blunt, I’m speechless……Sigh. So you’ve decided to help, it seems. That who-whats-his-name……Arts……”

 

“Artshever. Artshever Le Setrife.”

 

“Oh, right. That person……what are you going to do? Are you supposed to chase him, or catch him? Don’t tell me you’re going to kill him?”

 

I fell into thought for a moment. I had finished that discussion with the High Priest as well……Should I answer? Aila, looking at me like that, was making a bargain with her sparkling eyes.

 

Not ‘Give me a rice cake and I won’t eat you’, but more like,”I’ll cooperate with Benamijan’s disguise in exchange for hearing that much.”

 

“Catch and rehabilitate. Kill if he resists.”

 

“Wow, that’s brutal. It’s like the security forces dealing with a vicious criminal. Kill if he resists! Mwahahaha!”

 

“Normally, I wouldn’t laugh. Anyway, that’s the plan.”

 

“Just accept it. But, is that Benamijan person strong? She didn’t look like it……”

 

Aila gently pressed her finger against her lips and tilted her head. I thought so too. The body beneath the loose priestly robes had definite lines, but overall, she was slender.

 

The red-haired, red-eyed priestess looked more suited to the role of quietly guiding people rather than being combative. However, she wasn’t a High Priestess for nothing.

 

“She’s twenty years old and already a High Priestess. She must have some abilities. Besides, if she’s a High Priestess, Wordless Incantation should be a given, unlike Damachi.”

 

“Even so, she’s not a battle priest. And the Lynin religion itself is hardly combative.”

 

I shrugged. I hadn’t heard anything about that either. I had the same question, but Head Priest Micheland told me to ask her directly.

 

If the being they were chasing was a demon, I would have nodded. Lynin and Achuni are unmatched when it comes to exorcism. But this Artshever is said to be human.

 

“Um, Hyung-nim, are you going to……help her?”

 

“I have no choice. Besides, this Artshever person is strangely bothering me.”

 

“Me too. A public enemy of a religion, that’s just too much. Is he some crazy summoning magician who summoned a great demon or something?”

 

“Anyway, I have to help.”

 

“Then……that’s good.”

 

Joey sighed and patted his chest in relief. Somehow, it seemed like he wanted me to help her.

 

“Why? Did you want me to help?”

 

“Yes. Uh, she seems like a good person……”

 

“Eh?”

 

“Ah! Right! She was very kind to Joey!”

 

Aila clapped her hands once and made a very mischievous expression. And Joey, with his large frame, fidgeted shyly. A bear acting shy, oh my, Joey. Are you perhaps……?

 

“No, I……haven’t had many strangers be kind to me……”

 

Joey laughed awkwardly and scratched his head. It made his rugged face with the scar on his forehead look innocent.

 

Objectively, I had always thought his appearance was far from innocent, but oh my goodness. This was the first time I’d seen him like this.

 

Aila smiled and said.

 

“Risel, this can’t be helped. We have to help her for Joey’s sake. Hmm. Well, a five-year age difference is nothing.”

 

“S, Sister, that’s not it……”

 

“Oh my, really. This brother is happy. Even though the Lynin religion forbids marriage, dating is allowed. Actually, it’s just that they don’t get married, many priests do everything married people do. There’s plenty of possibility.”

 

“H, Hyung-nim!”

 

To the flustered Joey, Aila and I smiled simultaneously and said.

 

“Congratulations, Joey.”

 

“Congratulations, Joey.”

 

“Th-th-that’s, th-th-that’s not it……!”

 

Joey stammered and waved his hands with a flustered expression, but it only fueled our already ignited playfulness, accelerating it instead of stopping it.

 

Until we returned, Aila and I thoroughly enjoyed teasing Joey to the point of explosion.

 

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