After telling the Pope that he was waiting for results because he couldn’t lie, this was how he was treated—with complete disregard.

The isolated situation was so frustrating it was driving him mad.

“Whether they’re all alive or dead…”

Without a doubt, that bastard Aaron was certainly controlling the information network.

Now only one hope remained.

“The epidemic needs to spread.”

Taking out Lucilia’s eyes was optional—it could be done or not.

It was merely an attempt to remove the source of her sinister abilities when the opportunity arose.

But the epidemic was different.

Its success was necessary to achieve what the Pope desired. If that happened, the witch’s execution would naturally follow.

“If it’s difficult to get news from the Caldman camp, I’ll have to go through Mrangel.”

But that also didn’t seem easy.

Since matters related to the epidemic were communicated secretly with the Mrangel leader from the beginning, it would likely take a long time to receive an answer.

“D*mn it! Nothing is going right. I should have made one big score and left earlier…”

Having gotten in too deep, he was now just fretting anxiously.

The only consolation was the wealth in his possession.

The priest stirred the gold coins in his pocket.

Before fleeing, he had recruited one of the volunteers to leave the camp with the medicine.

Although it stung to give a portion of the money from selling the medicine as compensation, he felt it was better than nothing.

With his greed satisfied, the priest’s eyes sparkled.

Licking the wine at the corners of his mouth, he clutched the gold coins and kissed them.

“Yes, excessive greed leads to disaster. It wouldn’t be bad to be content with this much and step down from priesthood.”

A person needed to know when to strike and when to retreat.

But the Pope, who knew the priest’s greed better than anyone, wouldn’t leave him alone.

As if seeing through the priest’s sinister plans, a knock suddenly sounded.

Knock knock—

The priest quickly shoved the pouch under the bed and wiped his wine-stained lips with the back of his hand.

“Come in.”

As soon as the abbot appeared, the priest jumped up and hastily pushed the wine bottle aside.

“W-why have you come personally? If you had called for me, I would have visited you.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk… Instead of being holed up in your room brooding, you could have at least offered prayers. I didn’t expect to find you so immersed in alcohol.”

Though he spoke respectfully, his tone and expression clearly conveyed his contempt.

With his face red from shame, the priest awkwardly rubbed his hot cheeks.

“I was feeling stifled…”

“His Holiness has ordered you to return to Tudra.”

The priest openly displayed his complex emotions.

Just when he was trying to escape, why more orders?

The priest asked as if he hadn’t understood:

“Go to Tudra, you say?”

The straight gaze of the elderly abbot showed no room for compromise.

There was no choice in the matter.

“The Mrangel leader is dead. We were puzzled by the lack of information from the Caldman camp, but Mrangel has finally sent news.”

“H-how can this be… What about Sister Bonizella and Sister Mannea? Did they take out that witch’s eyes?”

“Get a grip! I just told you there’s been no news!”

The old man’s voice broke with anger, as the priest failed to understand even after a clear explanation.

The priest’s expression, which had frozen stupidly at the sudden outburst, became clearer.

The abbot glared disapprovingly at the wine bottle, then delivered his message and left.

“His Holiness said not to leave the temple until further orders. If you don’t want to lose not only the gold coins in your hand but also your life, you’d better obey quietly.”

Left alone, the priest stood motionless.

The Pope even knew about the kickbacks he’d received from selling the medicine. If he wanted, he could use this as grounds for punishment at any time.

Since charges could be fabricated as needed, he could be accused of blasphemy and face death.

No matter how much he protested that it was absurd, he had no chance of winning as long as the Pope held the reins.

Looking at reality coldly, the priest secured the pouch containing the gold coins with a long sigh.

“D*mn old man. Drop dead.”

* * *

The sunshine had grown noticeably warmer.

Fresh green buds sprouting on every branch added vitality, and Lucilia felt her own life force reviving in response.

She enjoyed a leisurely stroll in the garden after a long time.

As she was about to enter the study after her walk, Ension came running urgently.

“My lady!”

“Sir Willar.”

Without even pausing to catch his breath, he reported urgently:

“The priest has returned.”

“Is that so? Where is he now?”

“I’m told he just crossed the estate boundary.”

“Tell the merchants and village chief to come to the temple immediately.”

“Understood.”

Lucilia also prepared to go straight to the temple.

When she arrived, everyone was already assembled.

Having acted one step ahead of the priest, they strengthened their resolve not to back down.

The village chief spoke through gritted teeth:

“We will not allow an evil person to enter the temple.”

“That’s right! Even humble folk like us can discern right from wrong. We know who protects our village and who exploits and torments us!”

“We already promised to follow the lady’s orders while the lord is away, and we will certainly keep that promise!”

The merchants also united in agreement.

Just yesterday, they had sent a request to replace the priest of the Tudra parish. At least until a response came, they could block the priest’s entry to the temple.

Not long after they took up positions at the entrance, the priest appeared in the distance.

Walking slowly at first, he seemed to notice the strange scene and frowned deeply.

Then he froze like a statue upon discovering Lucilia in perfect condition.

Lucilia said nothing until the priest approached right in front of her.

Not only her, but no one acknowledged the priest. Far from bowing their heads, they shot him accusatory glances.

Sensing something was amiss, the priest awkwardly smiled and spoke:

“Baroness, it’s been a while. I didn’t know you had returned to the estate.”

“If you had been at the infirmary, you would have known about my return. Naturally, you didn’t know because you weren’t where you should have been.”

Lucilia rubbed her wound that had not yet fully healed.

The priest’s gaze followed her slender finger. It seemed Mannea had failed to complete her mission and had only clumsily inflicted a wound.

If things had gone according to plan, those bewitching eyes should have been plucked out, not just the area near the eyebrow.

The priest pretended not to hear and took a step forward.

Despite people forming a wall, he continued walking confidently and asked for understanding:

“Having been away from the temple for so long, there must be accumulated matters to handle. So please don’t block me and step aside.”

His eyes fixed on the people as he addressed Lucilia.

When she remained silent, everyone planted their feet firmly on the ground.

The priest had no choice but to try to push through the gaps.

As he struggled to enter, Lucilia flicked her hand.

At that, the soldiers struck their long spears on the ground with a “thud” as a warning.

Ension, needless to say, stepped forward with eyes wide open as if ready to flay the priest alive.

Feeling threatened, the priest considered taking a submissive stance but then pushed forward, trusting in the Pope.

“You’re trying to expel a parish priest without the Grand Temple’s permission? If you handle this unilaterally and I’m proven innocent, how will you bear the consequences?”

Thinking the Pope was behind him, his spirits soared and he said everything he wanted to say.

Not stopping there, he barked at the townspeople:

“I need to go inside, so move aside immediately!”

“You cannot enter!”

“I will report all your misdeeds to the Grand Temple in detail! Move aside, I said!”

“How many times must we tell you that you cannot enter? And the ones who should report to the Grand Temple are us, not you.”

Ension physically blocked the priest who was trying to squeeze through. A slight laugh escaped at the comical sight of the priest struggling with futile strength.

With his lips curled down, Ension spoke in a low voice:

“We’ve already sent a request urging your replacement. A response from the Grand Temple should arrive soon.”

“You… sent what?”

“Just as you heard.”

When Ension merely shrugged his shoulders and didn’t budge, the priest called out to Lucilia:

“Baroness! Please call the assistant priest. After discussing with him—”

“He’ll be busy with the temple repairs. Since he said the temple won’t be opened until the repairs are finished, there’s no need to meet.”