The Runaway Maid is Loved by the Archmage - Chapter 233

※ This book contains depictions of coercive/dubcon/noncon acts, violence, and immorality. Reader discretion is advised.

There was a space inside the temple that ordinary visitors could not enter, and the direction Mana was leading them was that way. They passed by priests and some paladins who were there for guard duty. Although there were some who looked at them with curious eyes, they all turned their gazes away after seeing Mana leading the way.

“After occupying this place, the empire turned this temple of Aiha into a temple of Kail.”

Mana said calmly as he walked steadily.

“Do you know what happened then? People’s religion is not something that can be changed so easily. Even the group that actively welcomed Kailum rejected that. It was I who stepped in at that time.”

Mana’s steps, heading deeper into the temple, were firm. He opened a large door guarded by a paladin, bypassed the straight path ahead, passed through a narrow passage hidden behind a statue, and stood in front of a small door at the innermost part.

“The harmony of Aiha and Kail – the persuasion to worship both gods worked plausibly. Although there were still many who disagreed, it was a suitable compromise for the traitors.”

Mana shrugged and took out a small key from inside his sleeve, inserting it below the door handle. The key was drawn into the tiny keyhole as if being sucked in, and made a small click as it engaged.

Creak- Mana carefully opened the door and bowed his head to enter first. Ethan, who had stopped Roina from following immediately, entered first, followed by Roina, Jason, and Rager in that order. As soon as they all entered, the door closed on its own.

Mana and Roina could pass through without much difficulty, only needing to stoop slightly, but the three men were not so fortunate. Ethan, who was clearly struggling to squeeze through, could be seen ahead, and behind them, Jason’s voice, complaining quietly about the uncomfortable passage, could be heard.

“In the Kailum Empire, there was a custom of not interfering in temple affairs unless one was a member of the imperial family. I took advantage of that loophole.”

Mana chuckled with a sigh. It was a self-deprecating laugh.

“With such a large space and manpower available without interference, wouldn’t it be possible to put on this much of an act? It took some time to drive out the priests sent by the empire and take control of everything.”

As Roina listened to this story, she imagined the things Mana had experienced in the past. There must have been many things that couldn’t be summarized in just a few words. There must have been many dangerous moments. He spoke of it easily, but there must have been a lot of painstaking effort and unimaginable political struggles.

But Mana only spoke up to that point and then fell silent. Only the sound of footsteps treading through the narrow space and the rustling of clothes could be heard. As they went further, there was almost no light, so they had no choice but to rely on the person in front of them by placing a hand on their back.

Roina, slightly nervous, scanned the surroundings with mana, staying in a state where she could protect everyone at any time. It was because her only experience in such dark spaces was having something pop out.

After a little more time, Mana stopped. He seemed to be making sure that everyone following behind had stopped, and some time passed after that. When everyone’s movement stopped and the surroundings became quiet, Mana’s voice was heard from the darkness.

“Now, I’m going to open the door to the next place, and it might be a bit bright. Please be careful, everyone.”

After waiting for about three seconds, Mana opened the door. Bright light suddenly flooded the surroundings, which had been covered in darkness. Even though they had been prepared, the light was so dazzling that Roina narrowed her eyes. She could faintly smell a refreshing fragrance and hear the sound of water dripping.

Sensing Mana leaving, the group went outside one by one, and what they saw when everyone was out was a much brighter and wider space than they had imagined. It was hard to believe how they had come to such a place, with lush forests and waterfalls and ponds falling from various places, and women sitting freely around them, or drawing water.

“Welcome to the temple of Aiha that I protect.”