Chapter 161
Unaware of how much Duvalkan had been tormented, Ashtel’s small cabin was turned upside down by the next morning.
“The, the cardinal is coming!”
That was impossible. The cardinal hardly ever left the temple.
“Payne! Hurry and get ready! Your clothes, your things, your underwear…”
“Wait, please don’t throw that!”
It was still early morning, and half of the day seemed yet to begin.
It looked like the knights would arrive soon, and though reluctant, they had to leave as Ashtel commanded.
‘We can’t afford to delay any longer.’
Besides, they weren’t in any condition to linger.
“This might come in handy… Wait, should we pack the dishes too?”
“No. That won’t be necessary.”
Payne pressed his throbbing forehead as he answered.
He had regained consciousness a couple of hours after fainting but was far from rested.
Moreover, Ashtel’s relentless touches made even the slightest brush of fabric hurt his chest and member.
Fortunately, Payne was somewhat accustomed to pain from previous hardships, but the mental shock still lingered and it broke his heart.
‘Now… there’s no turning back.’
He had begged and pleaded for Ashtel’s touch, and sought pleasure in places not meant for s*x—he had, in effect, abandoned Katzel.
Thus, Payne sadly kept his cross tucked safely in his pocket rather than wearing it around his neck.
If he returned safely to the temple, he would have no choice but to confess all his sins and resign from his priesthood.
“All packed, I think. Payne, let’s go!”
Ashtel, back in her human maid form, slung a chaotic bag over her shoulder and called out energetically, making Payne sigh quietly.
Whether she knew what was inside him or not—
The very one who had doomed him to fall into the underground, beyond Katzel’s watchful gaze, smiled innocently and reached out her hand.
“Let’s hurry. Come here.”
Warm light streamed through the crack of the front door behind Ashtel.
Payne, as usual, looked at her as if entranced, but feeling the cross rattling softly in his pocket, bit his lip.
Eventually, he nodded and took a step closer to Ashtel.
“Where are we going?”
“Outside Singria!”
“…How do you plan to get out?”
“Over the mountains?”
“Hm?”
Staying beside this naive succubus who knew nothing of the world felt like a threat to his life.
* * *
A day in Katzel Mediale was bustling.
With hundreds of priests and nuns living there, thousands of clergy and worshippers visiting, and even Pope Serena attending, it was the oldest temple in the Roxa Empire—always crowded from dawn till night.
Yet today, the courtyard was strangely quiet.
The reason was the postponement of the monthly cardinal meeting.
‘All this chaos over just one priest?’
Noil, who had taken over Payne’s duties, moved about tidying up the aftermath of the canceled meeting.
‘What’s the problem? Father Payne was known for his diligence; this shouldn’t cause such a stir.’
But since they delayed the meeting to find Payne as soon as possible, it must be serious.
‘I’ve never seen Cardinal Prohmen so angry. He was complaining that Sir Duvalkan was absent. But why did Duvalkan suddenly disobey orders?’
Thanks to this, Van, a close friend and superior, was tracking Payne’s whereabouts. Rumors said Duvalkan had also disappeared, raising suspicions.
‘Ah, I don’t know. I hope it’s nothing serious.’
If Payne or Duvalkan had been caught up in a criminal group, that would be urgent—but Noil didn’t think it was a crisis serious enough to unsettle the high clergy.
They only moved when a great demon appeared in the human realm.
“Hmm…”
Deep in thought while walking, Noil stopped suddenly at hushed voices before turning the corner.
“…So, it seems the funds for this event cannot be embezzled.”
“Damn, if I’d known, I would have just put them in prison.”
“Calm down. That would have caused chaos in the Duchy.”
Two familiar voices, and one unknown—mostly men, two of whom Noil recognized.
‘Pope Serena and Cardinal Prohmen?!’
Noil couldn’t help but freeze.
He didn’t know what was going on, but they seemed to be having a very secretive conversation.
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