An unexpected counterargument, and one backed by scripture at that. The priest’s eyes narrowed at Alicia’s words.

“Ahem, ahem. That is true, however, it is also a duty given by the gods that those who have more must give more.”

“You are right. He did indeed say to give. And yet something seems strange.”

Alicia’s gaze moved to the priest’s belly.

“Every priest serving in this temple has a protruding belly. Rather like those who have filled only their own stomachs without giving anything at all.”

“That is a misunderstanding. What priest would dare covet what belongs to the gods for the sake of his own belly?”

“Then what of the skin-and-bones people outside? Why do you turn a blind eye to their hunger?”

“……”

The priest’s expression stiffened for a moment at Alicia’s reproachful words.

His lips twitched with anger, but it was plain he was barely holding himself back, knowing his opponent was the Grand Duchess.

“Are you rebuking us priests now for failing to perform good deeds?”

“Only Delpiro would know that.”

Then another priest, unable to hold back any longer, raised his voice sharply.

“So you are saying you will not make the thanksgiving offering? Are you truly not afraid of divine punishment?”

In that moment, Alicia burst out laughing.

“Ha ha ha.”

The flustered priest stared at her in silence at the sudden laughter. Alicia wiped the tears from her eyes and answered.

“I am afraid. Yes, very much so. That is why I intend to use the money I brought for this offering in a slightly different way. I wish to discern for myself what the true will of the gods is.”

Alicia shook the leather pouch she had brought. The priest watching her narrowed his eyes. But Alicia only smiled.

“So watch closely. What effect my actions and decisions have on the people of this domain. And whether or not I receive divine punishment.”

Alicia turned and walked out of the temple.

The sharp gazes of the priests followed her from behind. But her steps held not a moment’s hesitation.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

On the way out of the temple.

To one side, priests could be seen indulging in a spread of appetizing food laid out on a table.

“Ha ha, brothers. Let us give glory to Delpiro, who has blessed us with such an abundant spread today as well.”

“Indeed we must. Surely Delpiro rejoices more than anyone at the happiness of those of us who devote ourselves to Him.”

They praised one another and enjoyed the food, without a single mention of the principality’s difficult circumstances.

Priests claiming to offer everything to the gods while filling their own bellies were no different from greedy pigs.

‘Can these people truly claim to represent the will of the gods? While the people are suffering, they are doing nothing but filling their own stomachs?’

Alicia drew a deep breath at their revolting behavior.

Eager to leave this place as quickly as possible, she hurried out of the temple.

“You took a while.”

Outside, Grand Duke Evander was waiting with his arms crossed.

“Did you make the offering?”

Alicia shook her head.

“I couldn’t trust the priests.”

Grand Duke Evander let out a short laugh. This time Alicia asked.

“Did Your Highness make an offering?”

He shook his head.

“No. I stopped believing in the gods some time ago.”

A faint smile rose on both their faces at the oddly matching exchange. The two turned and began walking down the long steps.

“Please, priest…… give us something to eat.”

“Just one coin, please, just one coin.”

Late afternoon had come, but the temple entrance was still crowded with beggars.

They had pleaded and called out all day, yet no one had paid them any attention. Even the gods had not looked after those who had been abandoned.

Then, a child, unable to endure the hunger any longer, fainted and collapsed. The puddle of water that had gathered splashed up and soiled a priest’s ceremonial robe.

“Do you want to die? How dare you defile a sacred garment?”

A heavyset priest began stomping on the child without mercy. Too weak to resist, the child was trampled without being able to fight back.

Then,

“I, I’m sorry!”

The mother threw herself in the way.

Her own belly swollen with child, she pressed her hands together until they were raw, begging to save her child.

“I have committed a terrible sin…… please forgive us just this once.”

She begged until her hands were raw, but the priest’s fury showed no sign of abating.

“How dare you defile the robes of the gods’ spokesman! Do you think you will still receive salvation after this!”

The priest, with the gods at his back, unleashed a torrent of curses.

In that moment, Alicia saw her own past self in the frail mother.

‘When I was pouring out my grief, did I look like that too? How could my mother-in-law treat me so harshly? Someone this pitiable……’

Lost in thought, the priest’s shout rang out again.

“Get out of my sight!”

He looked ready to strike the child at any moment.

Alicia, watching, stepped forward quickly to block him.

“That is enough.”

“Who are you…… no, Your Highness the Grand Duchess?”

The priest recognized Alicia and took a step back.

“Why are you intervening? Did you not see it yourself, Your Highness? These people soiled my robes.”

Alicia nodded at the furious priest’s words.

“Yes. The child soiled the priest’s robes. But are you not defiling something far greater?”

The priest’s brow furrowed deeply.

“Me? What on earth do you mean by that?”

“A priest, the gods’ spokesman, just cursed a small child for a simple mistake. Is that truly the will of the gods?”

“……”

“What must be purer than those robes is ultimately your faith. So let us leave it at this.”

At Alicia’s firm tone, the priest was caught off guard for the first time. His lips twitched several times, but he could not find a suitable rebuttal.

Then another priest jabbed the angry one in the side.

“Brother……”

His fellow priest gestured toward the surroundings with his eyes.

Only then did the priest who had been raging feel the gazes of the people pouring down on him.

“……”

An awkward cough escaped him under the stares mixed with resentment and anger.

“Ahem, ahem. I shall show special mercy for Your Highness’s sake. What are you doing? Move aside.”

The priests turned away with disgruntled expressions and walked off.

Once they were gone, Alicia knelt and lifted the collapsed child.

“Hah, hah……”

Even the child’s breathing was faint.

“Thank you…… this child hasn’t been able to eat anything for days……”

Thin herself, the mother shed tears worrying about her child. Lieutenant Derick, watching, quickly checked the child’s condition.

“It appears to be malnutrition from prolonged hunger. The condition is not good.”

Alicia nodded.

“So hunger is the root of it. For this child, and for all of them.”

Alicia raised her head and looked around. The hungry eyes of the people poured down on her.

Alicia looked at Lieutenant Derick with the air of someone who had made up her mind.

“Could we distribute food to the people here?”

“Pardon?”

“I have the money right here.”

Lieutenant Derick’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the leather pouch Alicia held out.

“But was that not the offering for the blessing mass?”

“Filling a priest’s belly with an offering, or saving a people dying of hunger right now. Which do you think the gods would prefer? If it becomes a problem, I will take responsibility.”

“That……”

The usually composed Lieutenant Derick’s eyes wavered for the first time. It was not a decision a mere lieutenant could make. He turned his head slowly and looked at Evander.

“……”

Evander looked on in silence, then gave a slow nod. With the lord’s permission granted, Lieutenant Derick slowly nodded as well.

“Understood, Your Highness the Grand Duchess. I will see to it at once.”

He bowed respectfully and received Alicia’s order.

And as Derick bowed his head, the corners of his lips slowly rose.

Though no one saw it.

˗ˋˏ ♡ ˎˊ˗

Under the afternoon sun.

Lieutenant Derick and the soldiers moved quickly and began distributing food to the people.

“Form a line to receive your share!”

“If you take twice, others will go without, so take only what you need!”

Food gathered from nearby shops. It was nothing but dried bread and a few measures of grain, but the faces of the people lit up with hope.

“Oh, thank you so much.”

“Such a precious thing……”

The people received the bread Alicia distributed with her own hands and offered their thanks.

“Your Highness the Grand Duchess, to show such kindness to lowly people like us…… we are truly grateful.”

“Save your thanks and take some extra grain as well.”

“Thank you, truly, thank you.”

They wept at Alicia’s generous hand.

Of course, there were also those who watched with a cold eye.

In one corner of the open square, a hunched old woman looked at the small grain pouch in her hands and let out a lament.