Though they were blood relatives, they were filthy humans who viewed her as a source of income.

He wanted to accompany her and confirm her safety before returning to the temple. But he had no grounds to intervene since they had no relationship.

Hameres decided to trust her word that she had a contingency plan.

However, he couldn’t leave out this one thing:

“If they use violence again, officially report it to the family.”

“Who would listen to me? I’m practically an orphan with no connections.”

“If there’s truly no way, come to me.”

“I can’t do that. I’ve already caused you too much trouble.”

He wanted to break her stubbornness even if it meant arguing, but he held back for now. Hameres took out the white crystal from his chest.

“I wanted to have it crafted for you, but keep it as is just in case.”

The “just in case” implied the possibility of being beaten.

What mattered was that it could heal wounds, not how pretty it looked.

Beni preciously received the raw white crystal with both hands.

“Thank you so much for your efforts. I’ve received such a great favor that I don’t know how to repay you.”

“Recover your health. That’s enough.”

“‘Just don’t run away, recover your health.’ That’s what you said, right? I understand it means I should do my best for myself where I am. I’ll definitely do that.”

All along, Hameres hadn’t expected grand repayment. He only wished for her to do what she could.

Understanding her meaning, Hameres nodded as if pleased.

“That’s right. You’ve given me the answer I wanted.”

“Then I’ll be going now. See you at the temple.”

Suddenly, a crack appeared in his consistently expressionless face.

When he remained silent, Beni became anxious.

“Why…… Are you worried people might misunderstand our relationship if other priests or believers see us?”

“……”

“I, I see. I was thoughtless.”

“That’s not it. Strengthening your morning prayers was also my intention. However.”

When he cut off his words, Beni nervously swallowed. Her restless appearance looked exactly like someone about to receive a farewell notice, making him feel strange.

To prevent himself from indulging in such thoughts, he quickly added an explanation.

“Now that I’ve become an official priest, I won’t be cleaning anymore.”

“Ah…… I’ll only be able to see you during scheduled worship times.”

Beni smiled humbly as if she understood and bowed deeply.

“Thank you for everything. I received attention I hadn’t gotten from anyone except my parents, and I’m deeply indebted to you.”

This wasn’t right.

She was the one giving the farewell notice.

Growing anxious, Hameres harshly squeezed out his voice before Beni could turn away.

“On second thought, since few people visit the waterfall anyway, I might as well take charge of cleaning it for my training.”

“Really?”

Who would stop him from taking on such a menial task?

But if Hameres Hiya, who was neither altruistic and had a high nose, volunteered to clean the waterfall, more than a few people would faint from shock.

Regardless, as long as he didn’t disappoint Beni, that was all that mattered.

After sending Beni home first, Hameres visited his family home for the first time in years.

When his father, the owner of vast lands, got caught in a territorial war, the current High Priest provided great help. In return, they offered Hameres, their intelligent and upright eldest son, to the temple.

That incident led Hameres down the path of priesthood. Naturally, to avoid being bound by worldly matters, he cleanly severed ties with his family.

Though the eldest son disappeared, the second son continued the family line, and the Duke’s prestige remained high.

Hameres stopped in front of the enormous mansion. Leaning against a large tree, he stared at the scene with unreadable eyes.

“I see you’re living well, whether you have a son or not.”

He muttered cynically as if his father stood before him.

He plucked a blade of grass and placed it between his lips.

Whik—. Wheeesh—.

After sending the signal, he leisurely twirled the blade of grass.

Shortly after, an eagle flew from the distant sky.

Though they hadn’t coordinated since he entered the temple, the clever eagle recognized its master and flew to perch on his forearm.

“Have you been well? Did Collic feed you properly?”

Hameres affectionately stroked the eagle’s feathers and then sent it back toward the sky. When he modified the whistle sound to send a different signal, the eagle immediately disappeared toward the mansion.

After a long, boring wait……

“You didn’t show your face for ages, so why are you looking for me now?”

“Collic. Have you thrown your fear into the gutter while I was gone?”

“Huff…… it’s because you wouldn’t see me even when I visited.”

His old subordinate’s eyes grew moist.

His master no longer used the family name.

He heard the temple had granted a new surname at the High Priest’s request. Thus, Hameres Hakin became Hameres Hiya.

Collic carelessly wiped his tingling nose.

“You wouldn’t let me come pray, wouldn’t let me bring offerings. I thought you had completely cut ties with me.”

“Seeing you makes my heart waver.”

Collic clicked his tongue at the rather heartfelt expression. He felt awkward being someone who could shake his master.

Not knowing that Hameres thoroughly understood his weaknesses and manipulated him accordingly.

Hameres took advantage of his subordinate’s sentimental moment to make his request.

“I have a favor to ask.”

With a polite attitude, using the word “favor.”

Of course, the subordinate wouldn’t betray his former master.

In reality, Collic was the one whose heart wavered.

“What favor?”

“I need you to investigate someone.”

“Is there a priest with a suspicious background that needs investigation?”

After completely separating from his family, Hameres’ only connections were those residing in the temple.

Even before becoming a priest, he didn’t have extensive relationships, so Collic’s range of inference was necessarily narrow.

Once he started investigating, it wouldn’t take even a day to uncover Hameres’ involvement with Beni.

Then he would conclude his former master was seeing a woman, wouldn’t he?

Imagining Collic falling over in shock already made his temples throb. However, now was the time to coax him into action.

Hameres responded half-heartedly to Collic’s puzzled inquiry.

“It’s to help a believer in distress.”

“Indeed, becoming a priest has broadened your generosity. In the past, you didn’t care if others starved or froze to death.”

“So are you saying you’ll help or not?”

“With all the history between us, of course I should help.”

Collic’s voice, revealing his pride at being chosen, landed secretly in his ear.

“Endi Anbred, Baron.”

“Where does he live?”

“Tubon.”

“I know most nobles in the capital, but that Baron is unfamiliar. Must be an insignificant figure.”

Collic stroked his chin and bowed his head resolutely with gleaming eyes.

“You want me to dig up every little detail, correct? I’ll handle the task and report back to you soon.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll visit you personally at the temple.”

“Fine.”

With business concluded, Hameres had nothing more to discuss with Collic.

About to return, Hameres stroked the horse and then thr*st the reins toward Collic.

“Consider it payment for your labor and take it.”

“You’re giving it to me?”

“I’d appreciate if you considered the circumstances of a priest who must live a modest life.”

Though it sounded humble at a glance, Collic could tell from Hameres’s incredibly arrogant expression that he was dumping a troublesome burden on him.

Suddenly Collic pulled out a whistle from his chest. Before Hameres could ask what he was doing, he blew it toward the sky.

Shortly after, an eagle circled in the air and descended rapidly, landing on Collic’s extended forearm.

“Take the eagle with you.”

“Why should I?”

“Because you’re its original master.”

“I have no use for it even if I take it.”

“Whether you train it or keep it as a companion, that’s for you to decide. But you personally raised and taught it for communication, shouldn’t its lineage continue?”

Despite refusing several times, Collic stubbornly insisted.

He knew too well that Collic wanted to leave one small connection for his master, who had almost completely severed ties with the world.

He could have declined to the end, but seeing the eagle move to Hameres and steadfastly maintain its position, he changed his mind.

Hameres indifferently said while feeding the dried meat Collic handed him to the eagle:

“That’s true. It would be a waste to let such a clever creature rot away.”

Hameres accepted the eagle instead of the horse.

After sending it into the sky, he snatched the whistle from Collic’s hand and gave a signal. The eagle, recognizing the command to follow, drew a large circle.

* * *

Priests quickly gathered around Hameres who appeared after a week.

Having never formed bonds with people, he had no close priest friends. They welcomed him so warmly because they wanted something.

Friendship with an outstanding priest.

That would create opportunities to connect with those who held real power in the temple.

Even these seemingly noble individuals couldn’t help being human, so they weren’t completely passive about establishing their positions.

“Priest Hiya.”