Chapter 54
“Thanks to you, I smiled a bit. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard someone swear at me.”
“You didn’t hear it. You read it in my mind, right?”
“Haha, yeah, but you know what—it sounds louder when you read it in people’s heads.”
With a lingering smile, Theo stood up, straightening his clothes.
“I’d like to continue our conversation in the temple, but unfortunately, I have to leave for today.”
“Oh, yes. I took up your time. Once again… I apologize for following you.”
“It’s alright. Thanks to you, I had a good laugh.”
As Theo turned away, he suddenly looked back.
“Maybe it won’t be of much help, but let me give you a little gift.”
He then pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to me. It was a small, crystal-clear cube, about the size of my hand. The inside was transparent, and a golden light shimmered within.
“This… What is it?”
Theo smirked again at my question.
“Try breaking it near the royal warehouse you mentioned. It might help a bit in tracking down the culprit.”
“…Why are you giving this to me…?”
Theo, after a brief silence, smiled gracefully and replied, “Well… I would also like to know who would go to such lengths to frame the temple… would that be a sufficient answer?”
“Ah… Yes. Thank you then.”
“Then, I’ll take my leave.”
With those words, Theo turned away. Looking at the direction he was heading, it seemed to be towards the ballroom.
Oh, come to think of it, the final event of the ball was the blessing of the High Priest. In that scene, Mina would see Theo for the first time. The imposing High Priest would bestow a 7-star healing buff to everyone in the banquet hall with a brief prayer.
It is a blessing that heals any wound in less than a second if it is inflicted by creatures 7-star or lower. Thanks to that, the nearby hunting grounds would be bustling with nobles for the next week…
Watching the High Priest leisurely walking away to do such an impressive undertaking, I turned my attention away.
‘This is not the time.’
I decided to make use of the item I received right away.
***
When the High Priest made his appearance in the ballroom, the buzzing crowd fell silent. The High Priest’s blessing, holy in its mere presence, was reserved for the Imperial New Year, and to receive it so close and in person was a tremendous honor for everyone involved.
Theo closed his eyes. As he softly murmured a prayer, a gentle breeze began to sweep through the ballroom. Seconds later, a beam of intense light struck over everyone’s heads, as if a bolt of lightning had pierced the building. Ecstasy painted the faces of all in attendance.
The revitalizing energy coursing through their bodies made everything feel as light as a feather.
“Indeed, it’s Theo. Truly remarkable!”
“It’s my first time receiving a blessing from the High Priest. Truly… I can’t find the right words to describe it.”
When everyone is looking up at Theo in awe. Rai looked up at Theo with a pointed glare, and then smirked.
Leon came over to his side and asked, “…Isn’t this an 8th-rank blessing?”
“That’s right.”
“He always used to give 7th-rank blessings, so this is unexpected.”
“It seems the High Priest is in a good mood.”
After finishing the prayer, Theo stepped forward, offering his respects to the Emperor.
“Oh, the High Priest… You’ve come. Today’s prayer feels more invigorating than before. It seems the sacred power of the High Priest is growing stronger.”
Rather than answering directly, Theo responded with a brief smile.
After completing the prayer, Theo also approached Rai to offer his respects.
“It’s a bit late. Oh? The Tower Lord is in attendance as well. What brings you here?”
“Why ask about things when you don’t really want to know?”
“Oh, you caught me. As expected, you’re sharp.”
Theo raised an eyebrow, flashing a graceful smile.Rai looked away, expressionless, until Leon stepped up beside him.
“High Priest, I see your blessing is eight stars today. Is there something joyous on your mind?”
“Ah, yes. That.”
After a moment of contemplation, Theo smiled again and responded, “Yes, there was.”
“Really? If the High Priest is pleased, it must be something that brings joy to the entire empire.”
Theo remembered what happened earlier. Or more precisely, he recalled the voice now echoing in his mind.
‘Whether or not he’s a High Priest, he’s definitely a bullsh*tter.’
At the thought of that voice, Theo couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“I would say it is a greater joy than that.”
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.