Chapter 32 : I Should Be Careful From Now On (2)
Old Man, just like his appearance, is thorough and disciplined in everything, like a butler. I’m curious about his past.
I opened the envelope and pulled out the documents. The information I asked him to find was about the contact between the anti-empire faction and the Imperial delegation, and whether they had met with anyone from the Lynin religion.
These days, I’ve been meeting with pro-empire and anti-empire nobles alternately, exhausting my mental energy every day, and focusing on the Empire Culture Street, so I haven’t been paying attention to Damachi.
In the end, this is information related to Damachi.
While I was reading the internal investigation documents, Jay sat crookedly and hummed a tune, and Old Man brewed and brought tea. I’m getting more and more curious about this person’s past career.
The information was generally unremarkable.
There was no one who picked a fight with the Lynin religion, and after the 70 or so thugs were beaten up by the knights and thrown in jail, there were no more troublemakers.
The information, which seemed to record the peaceful days of the delegation, also included the unremarkable fact that Damachi visited the Light of Origin, spoke with the Head Priest, and returned after being seen off.
……Wait. What was that just now?
Damachi Ir, High Priest. Visited the Light of Origin around 4 PM on the 19th. Returned around 5:30 PM. Seen off by the Head Priest and other high-ranking priests with warm expressions?
“Old Man, is this accurate?”
“Yes. Especially since you told me to keep an eye on High Priest Damachi Ir, I paid extra attention. I’m confident in its accuracy.”
I couldn’t help but twitch my lips. I haven’t said anything yet, have I? Moreover, even if I did, I didn’t think he would listen, so I’ve been anxious lately……What is this?
This is……too amicable.
To solve the question, to treat my wounds, and for various other reasons, I headed to the Light of Origin. My companions were only Joey and Aila.
Levidian……didn’t even open the door.
When I asked what if I went out and got attacked by the anti-empire nobles, her reply was,
“Just die!”
Ah, yes. You’re very upset. Hmm.
Let’s think about how to appease her later.
★⭐★⭐★⭐★
“I am Arisein Pen Herduke of the Imperial delegation. I don’t have an appointment, but I request a meeting with the Head Priest.”
I revealed my name and title at the Light of Origin’s guest reception. I tried to push through without a prior appointment. I’ll get inside to talk, but I don’t think it will be easy to get an appointment……
“This way, please. The Head Priest is waiting for you.”
“Huh?”
The female priest politely guided me, and I was dazed until Aila nudged me and I came to my senses.
“What are you doing? Let’s go.”
“Uh, uh……”
I followed the female priest who had moved a little further away, and under her guidance, I went back and forth through the somewhat complicated interior of the temple. I asked her on the way.
“Excuse me, did you say the Head Priest was waiting for me?”
“Yes. He said to guide you immediately if you happened to visit.”
If I happened to……you say?
I scratched my head and followed the female priest while admiring the grand temple I had never seen before, even in my past life.
After some time, we came out to a garden bathed in bright light……no, an orchard.
Aila commented briefly.
“Wow, it’s really random.”
“It seems like they decorated the garden with fruit trees.”
Joey’s words seem to be relatively accurate.
First of all, the cherry tree that suddenly sprouted next to the group of trifoliate orange trees was relatively close to the apple tree. The persimmon tree seemed quite old, so the peach tree looked a little short of sunlight, but it was less stunted than the tangerine tree immediately to its left.
The female priest walked among the random trees, and we followed her. As we passed a place where grapevines intertwined with pear trees, casting shadows on raspberry bushes……
“Head Priest, Mr. Arisein Pen Herduke is here.”
“Yes. Good work.”
The Head Priest of the Light of Origin, the Grand Temple that worships the God of Light, Lynin……was taking off his straw hat, wiping the sweat from his neck with a towel, wearing shorts and a white shirt.
Is he a farmer, or a gardener?
“The people are random too……”
“Sister, that’s a bit……”
Aila’s words were incredibly accurate. A random garden, a Head Priest dressed like a cross between a farmer and a gardener, working in a garden that could be considered excellent in terms of practicality. There’s a limit to randomness.
The random Head Priest chuckled, his healthy tanned skin creasing with wrinkles, and said.
“Haha, welcome. Well, this kid doesn’t even need a pole to steal fruit. How convenient.”
Aila and I unconsciously looked at Joey. Joey scratched the back of his head and said shyly.
“Actually, it’s quite convenient. Haha.”
……That’s not a compliment, Joey. I shook my head and approached the Head Priest, bowing politely.
“Greetings. I am Arisein Pen Herduke. May the radiance of Lynin be with the protector of the Light of Origin.”
“Nice to meet you. I’d rather be tending to the garden, but I’m Micheland, who also happens to be the Head Priest.”
Priests of Lynin abandon their surnames when they become priests.
Light shines equally on everyone, so there’s no need to distinguish people by their family names. Furthermore, Lynin is one of the celibate religions. They don’t need to think about passing on their surname to their children.
Aila gracefully lifted her skirt and bowed her head.
“I am Sermaila Hind.”
“I am Jounin Yuse. Ah, I……the trees are growing well. They look like plants that are being loved.”
Perhaps due to his experience as a former flower shop owner, Joey managed to give a somewhat awkward but excellent greeting. Head Priest Micheland grinned and fanned himself with his straw hat.
“Of course, if you want to eat delicious fruit, you have to grow them with love. Now, I can’t just stand here with guests. Let’s sit in the shade over there and talk. Benamijan, I’m sorry to ask, but could you pick some green apples for our guests? If you consult with the trees nicely, there should be something to eat.”
“Yes, Head Priest.”
The female priest called Benamijan bowed politely and withdrew, and Head Priest Micheland led us to the shade created by a few pine trees. There was a simple table and chairs placed there.
“Now, have a seat. It’s humble, but quite cool.”
“Excuse me.”
Joey just plopped down, but I spread my coat on Aila’s chair and gently held it for her.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
This is all part of etiquette. I sat down as well and looked at the Head Priest of Lynin.
His hair, which I thought would have been brown, was half-gray, and his face looked completely like an old man’s, but his body was quite healthy. It was inevitable that his belly protruded due to his age, but his exposed arms and legs had well-defined muscles with bulging veins.
He smiled, his face creased with wrinkles.
“So, you must be surprised that I welcomed you?”
“Honestly, yes. You used the word ‘if I happened to’, but it seemed like you were expecting my visit to some extent.”
“I suppose so. I was also thinking it was a 50/50 chance. However, after hearing High Priest Ir’s words, I became interested.”
“What did he say?”
I’m anxious. Damachi has a history of badmouthing me to Crown Prince Orange. His debating skills, which are inversely proportional to his ability to construct holy spells, are already recognized in the Empire, making me even more so.
Head Priest Micheland placed his straw hat on the table and spoke, still smiling.
“Well……he said you were a promising young man. He said you possess insight beyond your years, and the wisdom to skillfully utilize the knowledge you have. He also added that you have excellent judgment and will become a great person in the future. He even said that High Priest Ir personally has high hopes for you.”
“Is that……true?”
“Haha, to doubt the words of a Head Priest, you are indeed a promising young man. To be honest, when I heard those words, I thought High Priest Ir was talking about your father.”
I didn’t scold Aila for nodding her head. Because I was nodding along as well.
No, what on earth was that man thinking when he praised me like that? Could it be flattery, hoping I’ll continue to coax Levidian well?
“Furthermore, I personally became interested in a young man who received a knighthood, albeit honorary, at the age of sixteen. While the training here isn’t as harsh as in the Empire, it’s a title that requires skill to receive. Above all, the one who recommended you was the Crown Prince. He knows how to accurately assess a person’s abilities.”
“Honestly, His Highness the Crown Prince has a very high opinion of me. Besides, in terms of promoting friendship between our two countries, an honorary title would certainly give a good impression to the public.”
“You can think of it that way, but if you didn’t have the skills, wouldn’t it have been fine even without the knighthood? A vague title that sounds impressive would have been much better. It would have looked better to bestow a specially created title for someone who came to promote friendship.”
“That’s a valid point. In any case, I feel burdened by the title and knighthood I received. Thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince’s favorable opinion of me, I have been undeservedly honored.”
Just like when I met Crown Prince Orange, I was also troubled by Damachi’s evaluation. Criticism and praise have different ways of making one feel troubled, but in the end, they are both troublesome.
But why is Head Priest Micheland saying these things?
“Head Priest, I’ve picked a few.”
“Oh, yes. Good work. Have a seat. Oh, let me introduce you. This is Benamijan, our youngest High Priest.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The red-haired priestess bowed her head, and we had to go through another round of greetings. I was curious why a High Priest was at the guest reception, but I didn’t pry.
While Benamijan was peeling the apples, Head Priest Micheland said.
“So, if you’ve come here, you must have a reason. First of all, I understand that you need to treat the wound on your face. Come to think of it, I heard there was a commotion at the Empire Culture Street. Is that how you got injured?”
“No. It’s due to a slightly more delicate matter. Anyway, that’s one of the reasons, but I also came here because I was worried that High Priest Ir might cause trouble.”
“Trouble?”
“Yes. I don’t know exactly what kind of image he showed you, Head Priest Micheland, but with all due respect, I have concerns about him.”
“Concerns……Is it because of the Achuni religion’s doctrine that Lynin is a subordinate god to Achuni?”
For a moment, Benamijan’s hand stopped and then started moving again. The subtle displeasure that appeared on her face is probably the same displeasure that most Lynin priests would show.
I nodded.
“Yes. In fact, his debating skills are well-known even in the Empire. That’s why I came here as soon as I heard the news that High Priest Ir visited the Light of Origin.”
“Is that so? Hmm, well. He didn’t seem like that kind of person.”
“I apologize for the intrusive request, but could I possibly hear a little of the conversation High Priest Ir had with you, Head Priest?”
Aila calmly asked Head Priest Micheland while looking at him. He crossed his arms and fell into thought, then suddenly grabbed a peeled apple and ate it with an indifferent expression.
“High Priest Ir simply said that he hopes the religious communities of both countries can smoothly acknowledge each other. As children of noble families, you would know well. All the gods in the world ultimately originated from the ‘One and Only’.”
Aila and I nodded, and only Joey was munching on an apple with a puzzled expression. Head Priest Micheland stared at Joey for a moment, then smiled kindly and said to Benamijan.
“Head Priest Benamijan, would you mind talking about the One and Only?”
Benamijan put down the apple she was peeling and raised her reddish eyes.
“The One and Only refers to the ‘Will’ itself that existed before this world, this dimension, was created. It refers to the origin that created the world, created people, created gods, created everything. Strictly speaking, all the gods in the world can be considered subordinate to this One and Only. Because it was literally the ‘One and Only’ before light and darkness even existed in the world.”
“You remember well. Do you understand, Mr. Yuse?”
“I roughly……understand. It’s like the seed that made the world bloom. Huh? Am I understanding this correctly?”
“That’s good enough. Going deeper into it would become theology. Anyway, when you think about it, both Achuni and Lynin are equally brilliant. There’s no time to waste on such meaningless comparisons. Even if it’s a subordinate god, so what? It’s just a slight sense of superiority. It’s a wasteful debate.”
At those words, I tilted my head. Head Priest Micheland didn’t seem offended; he was just stating it matter-of-factly, like saying one plus one equals two. I asked.
“Didn’t High Priest Ir say anything about that?”
“No, he didn’t. He didn’t seem to have any intention of doing so either.”
On the one hand, it’s a relief, but on the other hand, I’m anxious.
It’s not good to distrust people, but I don’t think Damachi would change his long-held beliefs and attitude just because he owes me a favor.
However, the Head Priest wouldn’t lie either. Priests of Light cannot lie in any way because they must reveal and expose everything. Their doctrine is bound by restrictions.
It’s not that he won’t do it, but that he can’t.
“I understand. For now, my anxiety has lessened. Is there anything else noteworthy? Did High Priest Ir mention anything about external activities?”
“External activities……He asked for a brief opportunity to speak at the celebratory prayer meeting three days from now.”
“And?”
“Isn’t that a good thing? I accepted. Isn’t that right, Head Priest Benamijan?”
“Yes. High Priest Ir’s expression when he made the request didn’t seem to harbor any ill intentions.”
“That’s what he said. Benamijan’s ability to judge people is the best in the religion. I guarantee it on the light of Lynin.”
“It’s just a trivial ability.”
Benamijan shook her head and expressed humility. And I realized that there was someone even more expressionless than Levidian. Expressing humility with a blank face can really make it seem trivial.
I fell into thought. The Light of Origin was scheduled to oversee the conclusion of the festival. It’s only natural, considering Azot has Lynin as its national religion.
Many people would undoubtedly participate in such a celebratory prayer meeting, and it’s a place where one can express their thoughts to the largest possible audience. If Damachi were to stand on the podium at such a place……
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