Chapter 54
***
Crossing the main gate of the Temple, Cecilia looked up at the magnificent building.
‘How many people did they have to grind to make this?’
It was splendid even from a distance, but up close, it only elicited gasps. The technique of directly embedding various colored stones into the wall to create patterns was nothing short of miraculous.
Climbing to the very top of the massive Temple to decorate it, and transporting and carving all these stones—none of it was easy. No, it was even doubtful whether all of this was truly possible through human effort alone.
“Sister of God, do you require assistance?”
“Do you happen to know where the Holy Knights’ training ground is?”
“You should head that way.”
“Thank you.”
Cecilia smiled sweetly at the Temple guide who had suddenly approached her and moved on.
Today, she intended to first map out the Temple’s layout. If luck was on her side, she might be able to tackle a few things she had planned, but she didn’t have high expectations.
‘Besides, Rogerick will be here.’
Cecilia’s plans were all insidious. She couldn’t possibly do anything uncivilized right in front of him.
After a short while, the outdoor training ground appeared. Holy Knights in white uniforms were swinging their swords. Cecilia paused briefly and watched them with interest.
‘…Not great, are they?’
She was curious about the Knights’ skill level, but most were below expectations. She didn’t know much about the sword, but they seemed to lack both power and fighting sense. In fact, the most lacking thing was enthusiasm.
‘To be depending on men like this for public security. It’s absolutely pathetic.’
The coachman she had met in the forest was far more threatening. If a Holy Knight here had fought him one-on-one, the Knight would surely have lost.
“Um… are you looking for someone?”
A Holy Knight of similar height to Cecilia approached and spoke to her. His face flushed when their eyes met, and he hurriedly averted his gaze.
“I am Holy Knight Pavel. If you are looking for someone, I will help you. And…….”
The Knight, who hesitated for a long time, trying to say something, finally spat it out as if in horror.
“N-Nobles are not here, Lady.”
Why was that so difficult for him to say?
It was as Cecilia tilted her head.
“Pavel! Lord Pavel! I just… Huk!”
A tall, thin man who had been rushing over quickly was startled upon seeing Cecilia. Cecilia’s eyes narrowed.
‘I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere…… Ah.’
She knew now.
“The… I suddenly have something busy to attend to? I should go!”
“That’s the one.”
The tall man, who was unnaturally turning his back, stopped abruptly.
Cecilia smiled broadly and pointed at the man’s back.
“I was looking for him.”
It was unmistakable. He was the man who had been spying on Rogerick and her at the party. She recognized him by his distinct vermilion eyes and vacant expression.
Moreover, his back stiffening at her single sentence confirmed it further.
“…Jamie?”
The short man, Pavel’s, expression turned strange. He seemed even more offended than when he had mentioned the nobles.
He’s a weird guy. Sensing this instinctively, Cecilia put some distance between herself and him. Then she called out to Jamie.
“Hello, Lord Jamie. We’ve met before, haven’t we?”
Jamie, who had been standing with his back to her until then, stiffly turned back to Cecilia. His awkwardly contorted face looked extremely troubled.
“Ah… Hello, Lady.”
“Lord Jamie, how do you know someone like her?”
Pavel abruptly interjected.
“Huh? Huh? Ah, I saw her before… while I was working, somehow.”
“Really?”
Pavel’s glare toward Jamie was excessively sharp. He was clearly a troublesome person to get involved with. Cecilia took a bold step toward Jamie.
“I need a favor. May I ask you for some help?”
“Pardon? Yes… but what kind of help…….”
“It’s about Lord Rogerick. Please spare me a moment.”
“……Come this way.”
Jamie led Cecilia, nervously glancing at Pavel. She felt an intense gaze from behind. That gaze only disappeared after they turned a corner.
Jamie led Cecilia to a shabby, secluded area. After busily confirming that no one was around, he looked at Cecilia with an extremely anxious face.
“Why did you come here? What do you want from me!”
“…What’s this now, an outburst right away?”
“W-What did you say?”
“Shouldn’t you be apologizing? You perverted fucker who stared blankly at someone else’s intimate moment.”
“What are you talking about!”
“If that’s not it, then why were you startled the moment you saw my face, and why did you drag me to a place like this when I asked for a moment of your time?”
Jamie gnawed at his lips. His wildly shaking gaze and restless fingers spoke volumes about his emotional state.
‘He won’t last long.’
Sure enough, he squeezed his eyes shut and admitted the truth.
“Agh! So what do you want from me!”
“You know, don’t you? What kind of relationship I have with Lord Rogerick.”
“…….”
“You can’t touch me, and I can touch you. You live in this territory. Your family must be here, too?”
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