Chapter 19

“Would it be possible for me to go to the temple alone? I’m worried that Miss Bennett is pushing herself too hard with this schedule.”

When Ian raised an objection, Conrad held out the prepared letter.

“Aren’t you curious about what’s inside?”

“A knight obeys only his lord’s orders and should not question them.”

“There’s a story about Miss Elcia Bennett inside.”

“What……?”

Ian’s eyes, which had tried to persuade Conrad with only the most basic reasons, wavered for a moment. The sudden mention of her name startled Elcia as well. Conrad twisted the corner of his lips and began the main story.

“In fact, Nersian visited me some time ago, Ian. Guess what he asked for? He wanted me to send Miss Elcia Bennett to the temple, claiming he would make her a symbolic figure, no less than the Saint of the Tyr Church.”

“What?!”

“At first, he just asked me to send her, but later, he openly revealed his intention to use Miss Bennett’s healing magic to deceive the eyes and ears of the believers. Healing with dolls—wouldn’t such a miraculous story intrigue the general public who know nothing?”

“My goodness……! Did he really say that?”

Even in front of Conrad, Ian couldn’t hide his shock at such absurd words. Of course, he knew Elcia’s doll magic was extraordinary, but he, like Conrad, never wanted her remarkable talent to be forced under the name of duty or faith.

“I clearly refused, but he still tried to drag Miss Bennett away in broad daylight, in the middle of the city. It seems he hasn’t given up his useless ambitions. Just because the Saint of the Vanir Church died and a successor hasn’t appeared, does that mean another allied church should resort to such things?”

“Your Highness.”

Ian was surprised at himself for hearing about Kayla’s death from someone else’s mouth and feeling nothing. When he was holed up in Usley Castle, drowning in alcohol, he could never have imagined this. Back then, he would repeat the sorrowful name ‘Kayla’ and tear at his hair in agony.

“So, you must go to the Vanir Church and deliver this letter. As long as Nersian remains the Holy Knight Order’s leader, there will always be conflict not only with the Imperial Family but also with that side. We must be prepared for an uncertain future. Since you’re worried about Miss Bennett’s health, you’ll leave in two days. From now on, your mission also includes protecting Miss Elcia Bennett from Nersian’s grasp—don’t forget that.”

“Understood.”

Ian carefully put away Conrad’s letter and left the audience chamber with Elcia. Elcia was stunned by the unexpected story, but soon began to worry about Ian. As for the fake Saint issue, if Elcia insisted on refusing, Nersian would have no choice. But the trip to the Vanir temple was a knight’s mission that couldn’t be postponed.

He remained silent, then quietly asked in the carriage returning to Ceylon House,

“Elcia, why are you looking at me like that? Your eyes are practically shining.”

“…Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

Ian knew the countless implications in her words and smiled bitterly.

“If I weren’t alright, should I have refused to go? Should I have asked to return to the marquisate because protecting you is more important than the letter?”

“Ian, it’s not too late—even now, you could go back……!”

“…Elcia.”

“Yes?”

Night was falling, and the carriage without a lamp was gradually getting darker. So Elcia couldn’t see Ian’s expression clearly.

“A knight’s job is to be alright even when he’s not. If you aren’t calm and tough, you can’t overcome the impossible. That’s fate. I… don’t want to repeat my mistakes.”

“…….”

“I know you care about me, and I’m really grateful. But that’s not enough for me to abandon my mission. I won’t lose control over my past just because I go there. Whether it’s the temple or anywhere else… Even if I have to carry Levatein to the gates of Jotunheim again.”

“Are you really alright?”

Elcia asked seriously.

“If I were going to fall apart just by visiting the Vanir temple, His Highness wouldn’t have given me this task. You heard it too, right? I don’t want to be left in conflict with Nersian. But since he’s angered both you and His Highness, I can’t just stand by. Besides, His Highness entrusted this to me because it would be troublesome if word got out. This is my responsibility.”

“…I see.”

Ian touched the letter in his arms and murmured in a small voice,

“I had to go there at least once. Even though I brought the precious Saint there, I couldn’t bring her back. I’ve committed a grave sin there, so I must go and beg forgiveness… Even if it’s too late.”

The more Elcia was with him, the more she pitied Ian. He was the one most wounded by the death of Kayla, his beloved and the Saint of all, yet he had to apologize everywhere he went! Was it fair to call that the crime of being born with great talent?

During the two days they rested at the house, the Marchioness visited once. This time, she didn’t bring the Marquis or Alteon, so she openly took care of Ian. She brought out chicken soaked in jelly, a dish he’d eaten often as a child, and steamed vegetables coated in batter, causing Ian’s expression to twist in discomfort. The Marchioness was practically ready to feed Ian with a spoon herself.

Elcia deliberately pretended not to notice the loving skirmish between mother and son until the day they left for the temple. Following the Crown Prince’s order, Ian didn’t reveal their destination and reached out to Elcia.

“Come.”

“…Thank you.”

“Elcia, you said you’ve been to the Tyr temple before, right?”

Elcia recalled her not-so-good memories.

“Yes. It’s my first time at the Vanir temple, but I’ve been to the Tyr temple. When White Bunny first awakened, I went to confirm her healing powers. By the way… Are there any special customs I need to observe at the Vanir temple?”

Ian let out a hollow sigh.

“No, not really. Well… I’ve never entered the deepest parts of the Vanir temple myself. As the leader of the Tyr Church’s Holy Knight Order, it was actually taboo for me to approach. There weren’t many reasons to go there, anyway.”

“I see.”

Then how did he become close with Kayla? Elcia didn’t want to dig into Ian’s past, but curiosity kept rising inside her like clouds. It was like a mesmerizing Pandora’s box playing music from an old music box.

She couldn’t bring herself to ask Ian about his painful past. 

When they arrived at the Vanir temple, they were led through a narrow secret passage to where the High Priest was waiting.

The elderly Vanir High Priest was sitting in a chair with his eyes closed. Ah, he hadn’t kept the old promise to bring the Saint back safely! Meeting the High Priest after so long, Ian placed a hand over his heart and bowed respectfully.

“It’s been a long time, High Priest.”

“Oh…! Sir Ian Kypris, I never thought I’d see you again… Please come in.”

When the Saint was alive, the High Priest had a pure white beard and was upright and dignified. But his complexion had grown haggard in just a few years. His hunched shoulders made him look so frail, he seemed likely to pass away at any moment. Ian quickly waved his hand.

“No need to get up.”

“Heh, it’s alright, Sir Kypris. If I don’t move my old body, it’ll only get worse… I’m grateful you returned safely.”

“This is Miss Elcia Bennett. First, please check the letter from His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“If you don’t mind, could you break the seal for me? My hands have gotten so weak these days, heh heh.”

“Of course.”

Ian broke the seal himself for the frail High Priest and handed over Conrad’s letter. Ian worried that the High Priest might faint from anger while reading it, but thankfully, that didn’t happen. There was no need for Elcia to summon White Bunny in a hurry.

After reading the letter, the High Priest placed it back in the envelope and smiled kindly.

“So this is what happened… Then… Is this young lady’s name Elcia Bennett?”

“Yes…….”

He gently tapped the back of Elcia’s hand with his wrinkled fingers, bestowing a blessing.

“May the Vanir Goddess shine a light on your path and take away your fears, Miss Elcia Bennett. Those who threaten others in vain will be struck by the hammer of justice, so don’t be afraid even if you’re frail, child of the Goddess.”

“Thank you.”

“High Priest, is there no reply to the letter?”

The High Priest straightened his back and spoke clearly.

“No. Whatever the Holy Knight Order’s leader Nersian is plotting, it would be strange for us to object in advance. Wouldn’t you agree? If more priests develop divine power and save the masses, that should be a good thing.”

“But…!”

“Sir Kypris, our church wasn’t founded to fight anyone. From the beginning… That was our philosophy. Lord Tyr governs all creation and gave us the World Tree, but the Vanir Goddess did not involve herself in the birth of life. Instead, she gave us a separate duty. Our role is to embrace all creatures and gently comfort them—a small but important mission.”

Elcia wasn’t particularly interested in mythical stories, but the wise High Priest’s words drew her in.

“High Priest…….”

“If the Holy Knight Order’s leader Nersian ever threatens Miss Elcia Bennett and tries to take her by force, we can always hide her here. That much we can do. I’ll inform all the priests under me, so don’t worry too much. Heh, does that answer your question? Please give my regards to His Highness the Crown Prince.”

Ian gazed at the High Priest, who had aged so much in less than five years.

“…High Priest, you’ve grown old.”

“Old, yes, heh heh. That’s right. I’m old… When I was young, I was obsessed with reviving the Vanir Church and increasing the number of believers. All those foolish dreams… Only after losing the Saint, who was like a granddaughter to me, did I realize how pointless they were. Ideals? Justice? Those aren’t more important than a person’s life. Even now, when I close my eyes, I can see her begging me to fill the ritual room with water so she could play…”

“…….”

Ian couldn’t answer. He wanted to slap his own foolish mouth, which had once vowed to risk his life to protect and bring the Saint back safely.

The High Priest’s gentle, wrinkled face wore a lonely smile.

“I must be tired too. I said I wanted to retire and rest, but nobody listens. I guess I’ll work until the day I die, heh.”

Ian hesitated, then offered an old apology.

“I’m sorry. For not bringing the Saint… back…”

“Oh, Sir Kypris. Don’t apologize for the Saint’s death. That was a fate beyond human control, and her sad choice. Don’t keep her righteous sacrifice in your heart and suffer every day, just…”

The High Priest looked at the goddess statue in the center of the secret chamber.