Chapter 231
“Troubles…”
Roina’s words continued calmly. Mana looked at her with a kind smile.
She pondered. Where should she start?
“This is my first time visiting a temple like this, and it’s also my first time experiencing a consultation with a priest… May I ask what kind of work you do?”
The pretext was to offer a donation and request a blessing, and it seemed that the priest one could meet varied depending on the amount of the donation. Priest Mana was the one who met those who made the largest donations. Roina carefully observed her counterpart.
He was a male priest who looked kind and handsome at first glance. He resembled a Castrello native, yet also seemed to have some imperial blood. Was Priest Mana of mixed heritage?
He simply smiled and nodded at Roina’s words.
“The creator god Kail and the goddess of water and life Aiha pursue harmony. It is a good thing that Castrello is prospering more thanks to the empire. I am here to convey this change, attend to the people’s difficulties, and offer prayers.”
“Then, what about what happened earlier?”
Roina looked at the priest in bewilderment. Mana simply nodded with a regretful expression.
“Now that you mention it, you were there at that time. I remember. There are occasionally people who are unaware of this grace. It is a sad and heartbreaking thing. To be caught up in vain delusions…”
“That person’s story was different.”
Roina interrupted him and subtly showed Neilla’s amulet and the note inside.
“Look at this. This belongs to Neilla and was found on the temple wall. It seems to be evidence that Neilla came here last night. What do you think of this? Is it really just a vain delusion?”
Mana lowered his eyebrows. He already had a somewhat delicate impression, and doing so made him look even more pitiful.
“Well… If that’s really the case, we’ll have to investigate a little more. However, I swear I have nothing to do with that. I don’t know anything about it.”
Roina quietly closed her eyes. Since becoming able to sense mana, she had been trying to perceive people’s energies, and she had realized something. That when people lied or were anxious, their unique energy fluctuated. When she quietly examined Mana’s energy, she saw traces of his energy outwardly appearing calm but subtly fluctuating and wavering. Roina opened her eyes wide.
“You’re lying.”
“On what grounds do you say that…? As someone who has become a priest, I have strived to convey the truth my whole life.”
Roina met his gaze with an indifferent expression.
“But because you have such a striking appearance, you have also been discriminated against for being of mixed Castrello and Kailum heritage… It seems you are also that kind of person, ma’am.”
Mana, saying that, looked truly pitiful.
“Someone who says they have spoken the truth doesn’t even feel flustered and looks for evidence first. Could it be that you know there is no evidence?”
Mana even took out a handkerchief at some point and dabbed at his eyes.
“If you have already branded me as such, there’s nothing I can do… However, I hope you will at least recognize the sincerity of my heart.”
He spoke with a faint smile and teary eyes, looking like a truly innocent person. Roina sighed. He’s determined to play dumb. However, was he really on the empire’s side? Her intuition said no. Roina decided to play her trump card.
“We came here on Neilla-nim’s introduction.”
Mana’s smile cracked at Roina’s words. He froze as soon as he heard the name ‘Neilla.’
“Neilla-nim said that Mana-nim would help us.”
At those words, Mana stopped acting and turned to face her with a somewhat pale face. It was not a sad face at all, but ironically, the tears that had welled up flowed down his smooth face in a single line.
“Teacher, did you say…”
“Yes. I can also show you proof.”
Roina took out the small branch she had received from Neilla from her bosom. The mysterious branch, faintly glowing with a unique blue light from its leaves, had not withered at all during her journey here. Rather, it was as fresh as if it had just been picked.
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