Don’t Be Holy! - Chapter 199

Despite Rubel’s reputation falling among the clergy, only those who underestimated his influence on the Divine Empire would say such things.

Those who could properly assess the political situation knew that Rubel had seized too much power to lose everything over a mere ‘scandal.’

Moreover, hadn’t that witch woman entangled in rumors with Rubel Shinote betrayed other witches and recovered God’s treasure?

With even the Proxy personally protecting the woman, the situation had become ambiguous, where no one could act carelessly anymore.

Besides, at this point when the Proxy had unusually left the Central Temple for the Albarm matter, the only one who could protect and maintain the Central Temple was none other than Rubel Shinote himself.

“The Proxy has entrusted you with a calling. He asked that you take good care of the Central Temple while he’s away. But remember this. His entrusting you with this task is the final way for you to prove your usefulness.”

Rubel knelt on one knee and heard the order and warning, and now everything had fallen back into his hands again.

Even Eir, who was detained as a criminal.

“How are you doing? I heard it was quite chaotic on your first day. Have those fools shut their mouths now?”

“It seems they’re being cautious since it’s the Central Temple, so they don’t appear to be moving much.”

Rubel was in the midst of hearing a report about Eir while heading to the training grounds for the maintenance and training of the holy knights.

Just the news that Shinote had returned was enough to make the knights training in the grounds display remarkable spirit. With each sword strike, their fervor boiled over. Rubel frowned at the sunlight breaking on the sharp blades and asked:

“About the curse.”

“Since there are many forbidden books, it was difficult to find, but for now, related books and summaries have been organized and placed in the office.”

“Have you found anything with potential?”

“To revive a curse, the curse must remain within the body. And it seems the power of a witch is needed…… I couldn’t yet find out the specific details.”

“A witch…….”

Just then, clouds passed by, blocking the sunlight. The attendant noticed some strange emotion flitting across Rubel’s face as he gazed into the distance, but he lowered his head, feeling as though even witnessing it would be committing blasphemy.

“I understand. I’ll look into the rest. You must be busy, so go ahead.”

Rubel dismissed him and continued walking toward where the knights were gathered. The knight who had been left behind hesitated before hurrying to catch up and stand beside Rubel.

“I have something to report. It’s regarding the first young master.”

As expected, Rubel’s previously smooth face immediately creased. But as if deciding to trust his loyal attendant’s judgment, he lifted his chin once, stopped walking, and gestured for him to speak.

The attendant moistened his lips once with his tongue and continued.

“The first young master caused a suicide commotion in prison. He said he would die if a priest wasn’t called.”

“Did father come?”

Rubel asked dryly upon hearing this. The knight replied with a colorless face.

“No, there’s been no separate contact yet. Rather, to the captain…….”

The knight swallowed hard, thinking of the numerous letters sent from the duke’s household. Though Rubel must have known about the situation, he simply cut off the knight’s words with a shrug.

“Leave him be. That bastard needs to suffer until his flesh festers and rots away. All that commotion is just to get father’s attention.”

Though his tone was even, Rubel’s eyes were gleaming with hatred. There was nothing he regretted more than not killing Magnus at that time.

Of course, there was resentment for not completing his revenge, but Rubel had also realized something more through that incident.

It was that everything he had achieved, everything he had accomplished so far, was ultimately futile.

No matter how excellent he was, despite standing at the head of the duke’s knights and being one of the few who had grasped power in the Divine Empire, he was ultimately just a tool executing what the organization wanted.

He couldn’t do anything to save Eir. He had to keep pleading and making deals.

Rubel was realizing that things that hadn’t been issues at all when he lived according to God’s will were now each grabbing at his ankles.

Then what should he do to overturn all of this?

Rubel’s eyes sank deeply before quickly returning to their usual appearance. He lightly patted the attendant’s shoulder and then went far ahead.

The attendant left behind wasn’t surprised, having expected Rubel to say exactly that, and turned his body. However, he paused his steps when he suddenly remembered one fact he hadn’t yet reported to Rubel.

It was that Magnus had asked for a priest not for treatment, but for purification. That was a bit strange, and he had intended to report it to Rubel.

The attendant turned back and saw Rubel’s figure already distant.

After weighing various considerations briefly, the attendant decided that reporting this wouldn’t change anything and continued on his way.

The current Rubel detested even the fact that Magnus was alive to such an extent that he wouldn’t pay any attention to what Magnus intended to do with a priest. He must be a coward asking for purification for fear of being cursed after visiting the witches’ den.

Thinking this, the attendant erased the matter from his mind.