Chapter 104

Her plan was simple.

Jester would appear riding the black dragon, draw the Holy Sword Juke, and demonstrate its divine power. Then, Juke would be handed down to confirm its authenticity as the Holy Sword, and everyone would exit the stage.

“The dance troupe and military band accompanying the entrance will prevent people from approaching. Mr. Jester, you just need to stand on the black dragon’s head, draw the Holy Sword, and then exit.”

“…Dance troupe? Military band?”

“Yes, Her Majesty has agreed to lend the royal dance troupe and military band. I even sketched the concept; would you like to see it?”

Evelyn rummaged through her belongings and pulled out a sketchbook. Jester flipped through the pages of the drawings Evelyn had worked hard on.

“It feels quite exotic.”

“Hehe, doesn’t it?”

The concept was inspired by “Prince Ali’s entrance” from Aladdin, which made it even more so.

Initially, Evelyn had planned to include animals like elephants and peacocks, but the King had firmly rejected the idea. Thankfully, the use of giant feather fans and banners was approved.

After reviewing all the drawings, Jester spoke with a troubled expression.

“I understand the situation, but I’m a man, so I can’t be a Priestess.”

This was one of the ten anticipated rejection responses.

Evelyn had prepared for this. She immediately unfolded the design for the Priestess’s attire.

“As you can see, the outfit covers you completely from head to toe. With a hood, veil, and gloves, not a single strand of hair will be visible. I’ll ensure your social honor is perfectly preserved.”

“…Even if my face isn’t visible, there’s my height. No one would think I’m a woman based on my height.”

“Mr. Jester, since you’ll be standing on the black dragon’s head the entire time, it’ll be difficult for anyone to accurately gauge your height.”

Jester pressed his lips together. Sensing he might refuse, Evelyn added in a dejected tone.

“I’m not forcing you. If I had to hand over the lead role to someone else, I thought you would be the best choice, Mr. Jester.”

“To me? Why?”

“Because you’re such a good person that it wouldn’t be strange for the Sky God to choose you.”

“…”

Evelyn didn’t necessarily want to be the lead, but she felt a slight regret at not being able to perform.

When the King asked if she wanted to direct the “Priestess’s entrance stage,” Evelyn had nodded for that reason.

Although she couldn’t be on stage herself, she wanted to present the best stage possible. For that, Jester was essential.

‘The highlight is when Juke beams brilliantly. We absolutely need someone who can wield the Holy Sword.’

Evelyn looked at Jester with burning determination in her eyes.

“I believe that together with you, Mr. Jester, we can create the best stage.”

Feeling burdened, Jester subtly avoided Evelyn’s gaze and pointed at the sketchbook.

“…Miss, when you proposed this stage, didn’t anyone object?”

“Her Majesty and the Duke were very enthusiastic. They entrusted me to make it happen.”

Evelyn spoke purely truthfully, but Jester didn’t seem to believe her.

“Those two would agree to anything you bring to them. What about others?”

“The White Tower Lord thought it was a brilliant plan and agreed to participate. The White Tower will handle special effects. The Temple of Water also agreed to assist.”

“The whole world has gone mad.”

Jester clasped his head.

Evelyn blinked, not understanding the issue.

“Well, I’m the director, but I’ll only be overseeing things. The court musicians will handle the music, and stage professionals will take care of the production, so you don’t have to worry about anything!”

Concerned that she might seem unreliable, Evelyn emphasized that experts were involved.

Looking at Evelyn with a weary face, Jester asked.

“If I refuse, what will you do?”

“If you accept, Her Majesty will reward you, and if you decline, there will be no disadvantage. I promise.”

Thinking she might have pressured him too much, Evelyn assured him there would be no harm in refusing. But Jester shook his head.

“I was asking what your plan would be.”

“Oh, you don’t need to worry about me. What’s important is your situation, so please focus on that while making your decision.”

Sighing, Jester replied.

“…Fine.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ll take on the role of the Priestess. It seems like things won’t work out otherwise, so let’s see it through to the end.”

“Th-Thank you!”

Evelyn jumped for joy and expressed her gratitude.

But Jester waved her off, saying thanks should wait until everything was over. He looked as if he had aged ten years.

***

News of the “Sky God’s Priestess” making an appearance stirred much commotion.

“Of course, it’s a scam. What era are we in that they claim there’s a Priestess?”

“They’re just attaching a plausible name to some weather phenomenon. It’s a classic trick.”

Unlike other countries, Astria didn’t believe in the existence of a Priestess at all. From the start, the atmosphere was one of dismissing and ridiculing the idea.

“I heard the Duke Elmaier’s fiancée is the Priestess. Did you hear that?”

“That’s nonsense. At first, there were rumors that she was the Priestess, but then they said she wasn’t.”

“Then who is the real Priestess?”

“That’s what we’re here to find out, isn’t it?”

Evelyn’s prepared stage was set in the royal garden.

The guests sat at tables arranged on either side, chatting while eating the prepared food.

Meanwhile, spies infiltrating under false identities carried a more serious demeanor.

-All information about the Priestess must be sent to the homeland. Don’t miss a single detail.

Some were simply seeking information, while others had more sinister intentions.

-Look for an opportunity to target the Priestess’s life. If the assassination succeeds, kill yourself immediately.

And then there were those attending for entirely different reasons.

‘I haven’t even had a chance to thank Miss Evelyn for saving the North. Before returning to the North, I must express my gratitude.’

This was Urs Balthazar, Marquess of the North.

Having passionately appreciated Evelyn for her bold actions during the Great Lord’s Assembly that saved the North, Urs had been trying to meet her.

But every time he sought her, Evelyn was either on vacation, under house arrest, or absent.

Wondering if she might be avoiding him, Urs had dug into the ground in frustration. Upon hearing that Evelyn would attend, he had come to the event.

“Come to think of it, the North also worships Priestesses or Saints. Marquess, do you believe in the existence of a Priestess?”

At that moment, one of the nobles turned the conversation toward Urs. Urs, initially intending to ignore him, sensed danger in the noble’s slyly gleaming eyes.

Remaining silent here would spread bad rumors about the North. Normally, Urs wouldn’t care, but Evelyn might get swept up in the gossip.

In a deep, resonant voice, Urs replied.

“The North worships only one—Her Majesty, the rightful ruler bound by sacred covenant.”

“…Hmm, we are all loyal subjects of Her Majesty.”

The noble, failing to achieve his goal, smacked his lips in disappointment.

Urs had to suppress the urge to crush the man’s head with his fist.

“The great sun of Astria, Her Majesty, is entering. Everyone rise and show your respect!”

At that moment, the chamberlain announced the King’s entrance. The nobles rose simultaneously and bowed. Thanks to this, Urs managed to calm himself.

The pragmatic King wasted no time, immediately addressing the matter.

“Today, I am delighted to introduce the Priestess sent by the Sky God before everyone. May you all welcome her appearance with discretion.”

The guests cast meaningful glances at Evelyn Hynes standing behind the King.

This confirmed that Evelyn Hynes was not the Priestess.

‘Well, Her Majesty wouldn’t put forth someone obviously fake as the Priestess.’

‘I’m curious about what woman will appear.’

The nobles hid their sneers and awaited the Priestess’s appearance. Spies discreetly pulled out hidden recording devices, and assassins checked their weapons one last time.

-Wooong!

Sensitive individuals first felt the vibrations in the ground. Soon, with a rumbling sound, the dishes on the tables began to clatter.

‘Something is approaching?’

Instinctively wary, the nobles glanced around. Vibrations were felt from all directions, as if hundreds of people were charging toward them.

In reality, this was the effect of sound magic devices Evelyn had installed everywhere, but no one realized this due to the resonance.

Moments later, the dance troupe appeared, accompanied by exotic recorded music that burst forth as if striking the stage.

Startled, the nobles jumped, but realizing it was nothing serious, they clutched their chests.

‘What is this? My heart feels strange.’

Drawing on memories from her past life, Evelyn had poured money into creating an extravagant procession.

She arranged heroic orchestral music, layered vibrations over the sound, and added dazzling visual effects with flashy costumes and magic.

However, Astria’s nobles, as delicate as greenhouse plants, had no immunity to such stimulation.

It was like showing 4D effects to people fainting from black-and-white movies.

“Oh, suddenly my head…”

“I feel dizzy…”

As the dancers spread their colorful skirts and petals burst forth, people began collapsing one by one. Even those helping them staggered.

By the time the marching band entered with drums, half the guests were on the verge of fainting.

Finally, Jester, disguised as the Priestess, appeared. Riding the black dragon, whose scales glittered magically, he left the remaining people dazed.

Amid the chaos, only the King, the Captain of the Guard, Urs Balthazar, and Evelyn remained composed.

The King laughed heartily and clapped.

“Truly magnificent. As expected of the Priestess sent by the Sky God, what majesty!”

Spies reported the event as follows:

[The Priestess’s majesty was so overwhelming that humans could barely face her with their eyes.]