Chapter 148
‘I can’t waste any more time here.’
Sylaria turned away. Since Arendtert himself had kicked her out, there was no reason to hesitate.
“Milady!”
“Are you alright?”
The moment she stepped out of the room, Cora and Marin rushed over with worried faces. Morris was with them as well. Sylaria noticed he was fully armed and widened her eyes.
“Why is Morris here? He should be at Euclid’s side!”
“His Highness the Imperial Crown Prince ordered me to guard you. I will escort you safely to the palace.”
At his reply, Sylaria instinctively looked out the window. With monsters rampaging everywhere, it was impossible to tell where Euclid was now.
“I’m fine though…”
“Even so, he told me to stay by your side no matter what.”
“Did Euclid even know I’d say something like that?”
Morris only gave her a small, knowing smile. She followed him as they made their way toward the palace.
“Your younger sister has been taken to the Crown Prince’s Palace. There is no need to worry.”
While slicing down the monsters that ambushed them along the way, Morris offered the explanation. Sylaria felt her heart ease. She was touched and grateful for Euclid’s attentiveness.
‘He even took care of Ellie already.’
Sylaria entered the Crown Prince’s Palace with the group. What had once been the First Prince’s Palace was renamed after Euclid inherited the title. According to tradition, they should have moved to a different residence, but Euclid and Sylaria refused.
The residence meant for the imperial heir was far larger than the First Prince’s Palace. It required many more attendants. That increased the risk that the Empress might plant spies among them without being noticed. Remaining in the First Prince’s Palace was far safer.
“Morris, I have a request.”
Safely back in her room thanks to Morris’s protection, Sylaria bit her lip.
All the way here, she had been thinking.
How could she help Euclid, who was risking his life in battle?
‘I have to meet with the High Priest.’
Dozens of Maws opening at once was not normal. To find even the smallest clue about why this was happening, she needed someone well versed in the nature of the Maw.
“Can you bring the High Priest here?”
“Right now?”
“I want to hear about the Maw. He must know something.”
“…Understood.”
Morris hesitated briefly, but after hearing her reasoning, he hardened his expression with resolve. Even inside a guarded room, the cries of monsters and the screams of people echoed nonstop. Sylaria swallowed hard.
“Please be careful.”
“Yes, Milady.”
As soon as he received the order, Morris left the palace at once. Sylaria brought her hands together anxiously. Sitting on the sofa, she prayed that Euclid would return safely, and that Morris would bring back the High Priest unharmed.
* * *
“Hiieek!”
When the monsters’ menacing cries finally began to subside.
A middle-aged man in the temple’s white priest robes knelt before Sylaria. Dragged here by Morris, he pressed both palms against the cold marble and bowed his head.
“I am Linder Kasimir, the most faithful servant of the Davoud Empire. For what reason have you summoned me…?”
Startled by his disheveled appearance, Sylaria looked to Morris. She had told him to bring the High Priest, not drag him here. Reading her expression, Morris said calmly,
“He refused to come, so I used a little force.”
“High Priest. This is strange. Last time, you left His Highness the Imperial Crown Prince waiting, and now you refuse my summons as well?”
“M-My health has been poor…”
Linder trembled violently as he muttered. For a man who served as the Empire’s High Priest, he looked far too pitiful. Sylaria narrowed her eyes.
‘He’s hiding something.’
She was certain. Now that she was facing him directly, she understood why he had avoided Euclid. Even when dragged here, he still tried to make excuses. No amount of persuasion would open his mouth.
‘If persuasion won’t work, then only one option remains.’
Sylaria dismissed everyone except Morris. Once the attendants had left the room, she signaled him with her eyes.
Understanding her intent, Morris drew his sword. The finely honed blade pressed coldly against the old priest’s neck.
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