Chapter 15
And Lekia, of course, had no idea of the strangeness behind it.
Instead, he merely smiled, seeming somewhat regretful.
“The Rodain family has been visiting the temple less frequently lately. Yet, you showed them mercy. We shall have to expect a change in them.”
In other words, he meant, why give holy water to a family that doesn’t even bring money to the temple.
Indeed, it must be something that would annoy Lekia, who monopolizes the sale of holy water for power and financial gain.
Even though the holy water from wells and the holy water Ian directly makes differ in concentration,
It seems he doesn’t want to miss even a single penny of profit.
Nauseated, Ian skillfully suppressed it.
“Naturally, I believe they will. But what brings you here…?”
As he asked for the main point, Lekia smiled and sat on the sofa in his room.
Then, he spread his hands.
“I wanted to report that the complicated matters related to Beakin are mostly settled. Above all, I would be uncomfortable if I, Lekia, who raised Your Holiness like a father, did not offer some praise for the great achievement you have accomplished.”
Though lost long ago, the ‘father’ in Ian’s mind was far from a being who branded hearts, brainwashed, and wrung out holy water.
‘Like a father’ my foot.
Unaware of his thoughts, Lekia continued.
“Beakin, which deeply shamed Archion, has fallen. The blades of the holy knights anointed with holy water cleaved them. Is this not all Your Holiness’s achievement?”
He let out a hearty laugh.
“Truly, Your Holiness cannot be anything but a blessing to Archion. When you first came here, I worried that your sharp nature, honed outside the church, might make you unable to follow Lady Ephina’s will…”
Meaning, he had worried Ian wouldn’t obey.
“…but to have you become her faithful servant and be with us like this is truly a blessing. A blessing.”
After laughing heartily for a while, the smile on Lekia’s face faded slightly.
“Now, only one thing remains.”
What, the empire’s destruction?
Wanting to say just that, Ian’s heart was already protesting with a wringing pain.
But having skillfully contained the pain, he asked,
“Do you mean spreading Lady Ephina’s will to the people of Beakin?”
As Ian took up the thread, Lekia’s eyes widened briefly before he smiled.
“As expected of Your Holiness. That, of course, is part of it. But hasn’t the opportunity to resolve Archion’s long-held resentment finally fallen into our hands?”
Lekia’s eyes gleamed. Spreading his hand and then clenching it tightly, he said,
“Making the princess fall into the abyss. That is all that remains.”
At those words, Ian nearly clutched his chest.
It was because he felt a strong revulsion at Lekia’s words.
“Send the last bloodline of Beakin into the deepest abyss, so those lowly slaves who call themselves Beakin’s people learn their place!”
Lekia cried out with eyes flashing with madness.
“I’ve heard the princess still doesn’t know her place and walks with her head held high. So I’ve ordered a special rite to be prepared for tomorrow.”
Lekia smiled.
“A ‘Purification Rite’ to cleanse the filthy blood and essence of Beakin.”
Ah.
By then, Ian was on the verge of breaking into a cold sweat from suppressing the pain.
“…I suppose I must attend as well.”
Barely suppressing the pain, he spoke naturally.
But Lekia waved his hand dismissively, as if to say, ‘Why?’
“Is it really such a grand rite for Your Holiness to observe? We will handle it, educate her, and send her on her way. Do not worry.”
Lekia spoke with a face that seemed genuinely concerned for him.
“I heard that lowly thing has already provoked Your Holiness’s wrath in the short time it’s been here. We will surely draw out the filthy energy in this Purification Rite, so please, do not worry.”
That’s precisely what I’m worried about—but he couldn’t say the words aloud.
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