I Transmigrated as an Extra in a Trashy Dark Romance Game - Chapter 38

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※ This work contains depictions of coercive relationships, explicit language, and other graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.

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“I’m so sorry to have kept you waiting!”

The empty space left by the departed duke was quickly filled by Serenity, who came running from afar, looking apologetic. Accompanied by a knight, she grabbed Edith’s hand and apologized.

“I didn’t expect so many people to swarm like that! I wanted to show you around the temple… What should we do? I had no idea it would take this long… You weren’t too bored waiting alone, were you?”

Edith tried to calm the overly dramatic Serenity.

“It was truly fine. I ran into an acquaintance and we talked for a bit.”

“Ah, what a relief… We should start heading back now, but I always say hello to the High Priest before I leave. Let me introduce you, Edith!”

The High Priest. She knew he was a godfather-like figure who assisted Serenity in fulfilling her role as Saintess.

Since he was someone who cherished Serenity deeply, Edith thought it would be good to remember his face. It might be helpful later when aiding Serenity, so she agreed.

Upon asking a priest in the hallway about the High Priest’s whereabouts, they were told he was likely conducting a ritual in the inner sanctum. The two headed there to meet him and, with perfect timing, encountered the High Priest and several other priests emerging, as if the ritual had just concluded.

“High Priest!”

“Saintess, was today your day to visit the temple?”

[High Priest, Ortega, Age 70]

Perhaps because she’d heard about him from Serenity, the information for the High Priest was visible. Whether through the goddess’s blessing or maintained youth, he appeared far younger than his actual, quite advanced age.

With his graying beard and wearing the more intricate robes of a high priest, he emerged with his hands clasped behind his back. Recognizing Serenity, he offered her a benevolent smile and spoke.

Then, he turned his head and saw Edith. His eyes widened in apparent surprise.

“And this is…”

“Edith Moulton, High Priest Ortega.”

“She’s my closest friend among the noble ladies. I wanted to introduce you.”

Edith swiftly offered her greeting, and Serenity shyly added her piece beside her. Seeing the two of them, the High Priest let out a deflated chuckle, then closed his eyes gently as if contemplating something.

He opened them and spoke cryptic words.

“Hoho… It seems the goddess has other thoughts… Lady Moulton, I believe I met you once when the Viscount brought you to see me during my tenure as Head Priest. My, you’ve grown into such a fine lady in the meantime.”

‘With the Viscount?’

She was flustered to learn of this unexpected connection with the High Priest. Whether he read her expression or not, the High Priest merely smiled.

Feeling like she might be missing a crucial clue, Edith wanted to talk more, but due to the urging of the surrounding priests and the impossibility of detaining a high-ranking person for long, she had to let him go.

“Then may the goddess’s blessing be with the three of you…”

‘It would be difficult to meet him alone, without Serenity.’

Leaving behind another brief encounter that, like the one with the Crown Prince, only left more questions, Edith exited the temple with Serenity and her watchful knight, feeling a pang of regret.

As if he’d been waiting for them, Kaidros was leaning against a tree outside the temple. Seeing Edith, he frowned and approached.

“Haa… What on earth happened inside you? It’s raging in there again.”

Kaidros often said things Edith couldn’t understand. Then, he flicked her forehead and let out a deep sigh.

She seemed to recall him flicking her forehead and saying something similar before, but too much time had passed and her memory was hazy.

“Oh my…”

Observing Kaidros and Edith, Serenity, who had long misunderstood the peculiar dynamic between them, covered her mouth in surprise. Then she offered them a ride home.

On the carriage ride back, belatedly concerned about the knight who must have witnessed everything, Edith tried to casually strike up a conversation.

“By the way, Sir Knight, is Sir Carlton very busy these days?”

“Yes. The Commander is currently occupied carrying out another command.”

Seeing him shut her down with a stiff, knightly tone, Edith gave up, thinking she wouldn’t be able to glean anything.

She was inwardly worried about Carlton, whom she hadn’t seen since that day. Although he had escorted her to the carriage, judging by his severe injuries and the Crown Prince’s attitude, it seemed he was suffering more, not less.

The image of his beheading ending flickered in her mind, making her uneasy.

‘I should find him and meet him soon.’