Not a Confession, but a Declaration - Chapter 18

The holy water business was one of the temple’s primary sources of revenue, which meant that even fellow clergymen rarely had the opportunity to see the highest-grade holy water now resting in Abel’s hand.

“I don’t need it.”

“There’ll be even more guests tomorrow, though.”

Holy water did nothing for mental fatigue, but the bright, pure aura naturally radiating from divine power was enough to improve one’s mood simply by keeping it nearby.

That was not merely Abel’s personal opinion; it was the conclusion reached by the temple’s own rather objective research.

Those wealthy enough sometimes sprinkled holy water over their beds before sleeping in hopes of a good night’s rest. And if they found that too wasteful, they would at least unstopper the vial for a while and bask in the sacred aura flowing from it.

“You could mix it into tea. It’s good that way.”

A drop or two in tea made it pleasantly refreshing, rather like drinking peppermint tea.

“Or in alcohol?”

Although clergymen were encouraged to avoid alcohol, it was not actually forbidden, and many among them enjoyed drinking in moderation.

Since the Father’s trials wasn’t exactly a vacation, there had been no opportunity to relax over a drink, so Abel had never actually seen Felix drink. Still, one never knew.

Perhaps Felix liked alcohol.

If he does, should I give him some of the liquor I’ve received as gifts? Abel thought as he glanced around the room, only for Felix to shake his head firmly.

“I truly don’t need it.”

Was he not tired? Or did he simply dislike receiving things from Abel?

“If you don’t use it, you could always sell it.”

“Selling holy water privately is forbidden.”

As if Abel would not know that. He shrugged.

“Even if they don’t openly sell it, people trade it in private all the time. Or use it as a bribe.”

Since word that Abel loved Felix was spreading nicely through the temple, no one would find it strange if Felix possessed top-grade holy water.

If anything, once people learned that Felix had access to top-grade holy water, more of them would try to curry favor with him. And in time, Felix’s standing within the temple would naturally rise as well.

‘Should I make more for him?’

So that Felix could take some whenever he wanted.

Or perhaps it would not be a bad idea to set aside a private reserve for him. What if the temple forbade it? Abel was the Herald of God, and as long as he remained so, neither the temple nor Gregory would dare do anything to him.

Besides, ninety percent of all top-grade holy water was made by Abel in the first place.

“There are plenty of people within the temple who would want top-grade holy water.”

All clergymen could wield divine power, but even to them, top-grade holy water was precious. Not everyone could spend divine power as lavishly as Abel.

“…Top-grade holy water?”

Had he not realized it was top-grade holy water? Abel quickly nodded and held it out to Felix once more.

“Yes.”

But Felix’s reaction was strange.

“Why are you giving this to me?”

He sounded angry. Or perhaps genuinely curious. Either way, Abel could not quite grasp what Felix meant.

Was he asking why Abel was giving him holy water at all? Or why he was giving him top-grade holy water?

The reason for giving him holy water was simple: Abel loved Felix, and he did not want to see him exhausted.

‘I’ve already told him I love him often enough.’

The Felix Abel knew was intelligent. There was no way he could fail to understand such a straightforward chain of cause and effect, so Abel assumed he was asking why he was being given top-grade holy water.

“Because I only have top-grade holy water.”

Abel had little use for holy water himself, but whenever he made some, people insisted that he ought to keep a few vials on hand and forced him to accept them.

To be honest, no matter how exceptional it was, having Abel use his divine power directly was both more efficient and more effective.

“And you don’t like it when I touch you directly.”

Felix’s reactions had been negative both when Abel had healed his lip before and when he had grabbed his sleeve earlier that day.

So giving him holy water was the only option.

“…How is your hand?”

Felix asked out of nowhere?

“It’s fine.”

Abel deliberately raised his hand to show him the unblemished back of it. Seeing this, Felix bit his lip, furrowed his brow, and turned his head away as though avoiding Abel’s gaze.

“Forget it.”