He finally reached chapter 312 and scanned down to verse 25.

And just as Tilda had said – there it was.

He read aloud:

“‘It is wise to put the good of the many before the good of the few. But if the cost of the few is human life, then the few must come first.'”

‘N-No…This can’t be…!’

Glenn stared blankly down at the scripture, completely stunned.

“To memorise and study the teachings of the Goddess – surely that is one of the most basic virtues of a faithful priest in her service.”

Although burning with humiliation, Glenn had no choice but to bow his head.

“I was wrong. I will take your words to heart.”

And with that, the meeting was adjourned.

It ended with the decision to release the hostages by handing over Dumfries Island to the pirates.

But with an added measure to ensure that such a mistake would not be repeated: to strengthen the southern coastal defences and form a pirate suppression force to eventually retake the island when the opportunity arose.

Tilda’s conclusion was, by all accounts, impeccable.

“As was to be expected of the Holy Pope’s granddaughter… She wasn’t lacking in ability – she just never showed it.”

“I heard she was top of her class at the seminary… but I never imagined this. Who would’ve thought that someone could actually memorise the whole scripture?”

“Archpriest Glenn won’t be able to show his face for a while.”

The priests muttered to each other.

For Tilda, memorising the scriptures was as natural as breathing. It was nothing to boast about.

She had blamed herself for her mother’s death – she believed it had been caused by her own ignorance.

Since that day she had studied as if to devour all the knowledge in the world.

And of all her studies, theology had become her deepest focus. In that sense, her mastery made perfect sense.

“Tilda.”

Someone called to her.

She turned – and saw a man with a bright, clear smile on a pale, gentle face.

“…Ross Port?”

Without meaning to, she softly repeated his name aloud.

“So you know my name.”

Of course she did.

He was one of only three Archpriests in the entire Empire.

They had exchanged a few words in the past.

And of all the people in the Great Temple, he was one of the few who had never looked at her with prejudice.

Tilda was well aware of that.

“What were you going to say?”

“I, too, have long been interested in the Drogheda Scroll. But I had no idea you’d read the whole thing, Lady Tilda.”

“They should be using the Drogheda Scroll in seminaries, not the standard edition. The standard one leaves out so much. That’s exactly why people like Lord Glenn end up misinterpreting the teachings.”

When Tilda scolded him in her usual vacant tone, Ross os smiled faintly.

“You’re more amusing than I expected, Lady Tilda.”

“……”

“If seminarians had to memorise the Drogheda Bible instead of the standard edition, I imagine half of them would drop out halfway through.”

Well, that was probably true.

Tilda began to wonder why Ross had bothered to talk to her at all.

Perhaps sensing her silent ‘get to the point’ look, Ross scratched his neck awkwardly and continued.

“Will you be attending the weekly meetings from now on? If so, as Lord Glenn said, we’ll have to make sure your proper place is prepared next time.”

Tilda gave a small nod.

“Please do.”

“And also…”

“Ross.”

Just as Ross was about to say more, someone else approached and interrupted.

“Lord Calles.”

As Ross had said, the man who interrupted was none other than Calles.

Tilda’s brow furrowed slightly.

There was no trace of the dishevelled Calles she had seen at the villa.

He was impeccably dressed, the buttons of his archpriest’s robes buttoned to his neck, not a wrinkle in sight – it fit him like a second skin.

His silver hair glistened in the sunlight, and his deep green eyes, like peridot gems, sparkled just as brightly.

At the Grand Temple, he looked every bit the perfect priest.

“You really should be over there right now, comforting Lord Glenn, I’d do it myself, but he doesn’t seem to like me very much.”

In other words, Glenn was probably still seething somewhere – and Calles had no intention of helping.

His blunt remark about Glenn, spoken so openly in front of Tilda, made Ross look uncomfortable as he looked around anxiously.

Tilda, on the other hand, didn’t seem the least bit bothered.

Ever since she had learned of Glenn Godleaux ‘s close ties to Aklaire, she had more or less figured out what kind of man he was.

‘A person like him, holding the title of Archpriest…’

Tilda felt once again that the Grand Temple needed serious reform.

It wasn’t something she could do right away, but when her grandfather returned, it would be a matter worth raising.

‘Even if he doesn’t like me… he’s a man of principle.’

While Tilda was lost in this thought, Ross gave her a polite nod.

“Then I’ll take my leave for now. Until next time.”

Tilda returned the nod and Ross quietly leave.

Now that they were alone, Calles tilted his head slightly and smiled, then asked Tilda – his lips curling in that familiar, amused way.

“I need to tell you something in private, Lady Tilda. If you don’t mind, could you give me a moment?”

Tilda looked at Calles, who was shamelessly pretending to be a polite and pious priest. His lips curved into a gentle smile, but his eyes were filled with a hunger that seemed ready to devour her at any moment.

‘That lustful gleam in his eyes.’

‘He looks at me like that and still claims I’m the only woman he’s ever brought into his chambers?’

Tilda didn’t believe him.

Even if he really hadn’t slept with any woman, he was undoubtedly full of debauched and obscene fantasies.

She wanted to reject him – but she couldn’t. What plagued her was the fear that someone would look into his eyes… and realise that Calles was a Turin.

If his identity was revealed now, he wouldn’t be the only one in trouble.

“The chapel should be empty. Will go there.”

Tilda said, turning quickly and striding ahead. Calles followed, keeping just enough distance between them.

***

Just as Tilda had said, the Chapel of the Hazy Hour was completely deserted.

As soon as Calles stepped inside, he grabbed Tilda’s wrist and led her behind the curtains that hung along the corridor.

Startled, Tilda instinctively dug in her heels to resist.

“I’m just trying to avoid being seen.”

Calles whispered softly, as if to reassure her.

‘Then maybe you shouldn’t have created this situation in the first place!’

She wanted to shout at him – but for now she had no choice but to follow him.

Beyond the curtains, the room was narrow and dim.

Just being alone with a man in such a cramped corner, especially with the statue of the goddess Vallinea nearby, made Tilda feel as if she were committing a sin.

Calles looked down at her and said,

“To an outsider it might seem that I’m bothering you.”

“Do us both a favour and keep your mouth shut.”

Tilda snapped, a sharp warning slipping between her clenched teeth.

“I just wanted to congratulate you.”

“For this? This is your idea of congratulations-“

“You walked into that chamber and captivated everyone with your dazzling presence. How is that not worth celebrating?”

Despite his words, Calles’ gaze was hard.

Far from sounding congratulatory, he seemed clearly displeased.

“Looks like Ross Port saw you in a new light. Came running after you like a bloody mutt.”

“Calles Moin.”

Tilda warned in a quiet voice. Their eyes met and the tension between them grew.

Calles’ throat tightened and he swallowed hard.

Even though he had been the one to bring her here, he was already beginning to regret it.

Just the sound of her voice calling his name in that low, chastening tone sent a jolt through his legs and caused a deep heat to stir in his gut.

‘Damn you, Tilda Vallinea. What am I to do with you?’

Seeing her again in the Great Temple satisfied him – but at this rate, he might end up shedding the mask he’d worn so well as High Priest.

Unaware of Calles’ inner turmoil, Tilda continued her warning.

“Either help me or get out of my way. Choose one.”

“…”

“This-this attitude of yours doesn’t help me in the least.”

Calles curled his lips into a wry grin.

“Then how can I help you?”

Tilda’s brow furrowed in irritation, but Calles continued, outwardly calm.

“After today, Glenn Godleaux will be nitpicking every little thing and making your life miserable. Shall I be proactive and bring you his head before that happens?”

She knew he was just saying that to provoke her.

But the dangerous glint in his eyes today made it difficult for her to react lightly.

“If I were willing to go that far, I would have killed Aklair with my own hands a long time ago.”

“That works too.”

His casual reply finally made Tilda sigh.

“I still don’t understand you.”

“You don’t have to.”

‘Just accept it.’

That’s what Calles wanted to say – but the words never left his lips.

For not even he fully understood what he meant by them.

Only then did a little clarity return to Calles’ mind.

‘Enough of these dangerous games.’

He wiped the smirk from his face and finally said.

“The real reason I brought you here is to talk about the temple event scheduled for a week from now.”