Siegfried is not allowed in the temple? She wondered if she had heard wrong, but the resolute appearance of the priests remained unchanged. They couldn’t be stopping Raphael without reason. No, they wouldn’t dare do so out of fear of repercussions.

“…….”

“Please turn back.”

What was stranger was Raphael’s attitude. He wasn’t angry at all. It was as if he faced something inevitable. So, he knew from the start that he wouldn’t be able to enter the temple?

Could it be… That’s why he said what she was worried about wouldn’t happen? Because he couldn’t enter anyway?

“What is this impudence?”

She had no choice but to step forward. Maybe everyone was out of their minds. To not allow Raphael into the temple, of all people. He was a grand duke. And aren’t temples supposed to be places where everyone can enter?

Discriminating people under the title of the goddess of peace doesn’t make sense. And it didn’t make sense why Raphael especially was forbidden entry.

“Who are you?”

“Why is the Grand Duke’s entry forbidden?”

Amelia protested to the priests after taking off her robe. They couldn’t possibly block his way unless they had multiple lives.

“Huh…!”

The problem was that as soon as she took off her robe, gasps escaped from the priests’ mouths. Their inability to hide their anxiety and surprise looked very suspicious. The looks on their faces as if they had seen something they shouldn’t have made Amelia’s brow furrow.

Why are they making those faces? She felt displeased by their blatantly shocked expressions.

“Welcome. We’ve been waiting for you.”

Just as she was about to get angry, someone appeared and quickly defused the situation. The priests blocking Raphael stepped aside at a single gesture. They wore similar clothes to the priests but with a slightly different design.

“What is this…”

“Greetings. I am Enoch, the High Priest.”

High Priest? So that’s why he was dressed differently. Upon closer inspection, his inner priestly garments were the same, but only the overlaying piece was a different color. But it was strange. They were waiting for her? There had been no prior notice of her visit…

“How could you be waiting for me?”

“We just received a divine message. The Goddess mentioned that someone important would come.”

The Goddess informed them of this? The man, referred to as the high priest, seemed very devout. Should I say his face alone inspired trust? Hence, she found herself unable to speak carelessly. Anyone would probably feel the same.

“Why can’t Siegfried enter……”

Then she couldn’t enter either. After all, she was Amelia Siegfried. To think they couldn’t even enter the temple after coming all this way. Could it be that Raphael did something at the temple? Maybe that’s why he was blacklisted.

“I am also a Siegfried……”

“Ah, it seems we have led our priests to misunderstand.”

The high priest appeared, and Raphael’s face, which had been smiling, had long since stiffened. It seemed he hoped she would give up.

“Only those who carry Siegfried’s blood are forbidden from entering.”

“Carry the blood?”

“That means you, who are not related to Siegfried, Your Highness the Grand Duchess, can enter.”

Raphael can’t, but she can. Amelia was flustered by the completely unexpected situation. That meant Leonel couldn’t enter either. Leonel also carried Siegfried’s blood.

“Why can’t Siegfried enter?”

“That…… we do not know in detail. However, it’s a rule that has not been broken for 700 years. Siegfrieds cannot enter the Goddess’s temple.”

Despite his kind-looking face, his tone was firm. 700 years, who exactly is this Goddess to hold such a grudge? A curse that lasts 700 years and the prohibition for Siegfried to enter was also maintained for 700 years.

“Your Grace must have been aware of this fact.”

Looking at Raphael with a smile, somehow, Enoch didn’t seem to be as benevolent as he appeared. Even the priests were wary of Enoch’s mood. Was the position of high priest that high?

“Is that so?”

“……”

She gasped in surprise at his provoking tone. She might really not care about her life.

“Yes, that’s right. I can’t enter the temple.”

He knew all along and still accompanied her. Amelia felt a twinge in her heart at his words about not being able to enter where everyone else could.

“But if it’s completely destroyed, then no one can enter, which is the same thing, isn’t it?”

“Are you suggesting attacking the Goddess’s temple now?”

Amelia momentarily withdrew her sympathy for him. Indeed, sympathy did not suit Raphael Lloyd Siegfried.

“I’m not sure.”

Seems like I need to intervene before a fight breaks out here. Raphael really was someone who would do what he said.

“So Leonel can’t enter either?”

“Since the young master is not a complete Siegfried, it is possible.”

***

Because he is not a complete Siegfried, he can enter. Does that mean Leonel hasn’t awakened as a Siegfried yet?

It may also be due to his ability to handle demonic beasts not aligning with the Goddess.

“Please come this way.”

“Ah……”

“Unfortunately, it seems Your Grace will have to wait outside.”

Returning to his kind demeanor, Enoch’s guidance caught her off guard. As she entered the temple, whispers could be heard everywhere.

Should she say it was a look of reverence? She felt burdened by the stares pouring in with every step she took. Raphael’s willing attitude to wait was also surprising. It wasn’t hard to guess why they reacted this way towards her.

“High Priest, when did you receive the message about my visit?”

“Please speak comfortably. The Goddess conveyed the message today at noon.”

“Was it a message sent to all temples across the country?”

Did the Goddess know about her visit to the temple before she did? Amelia felt like she was being played in the palm of someone’s hand and squeezed Leonel’s hand tighter.

“No, it was a prophecy given only to our temple.”

The Goddess knew everything beforehand?

“This is the prayer room. If Your Highness wishes, you can also go to a private prayer room.”

Enoch didn’t ask why she came; he simply guided her through the temple.

“We can’t know the content of the prophecy, can we?”

“I’m sorry. I’m afraid I cannot tell you.”

Amelia silently looked at the statue of Goddess Elaina. True to being called the Goddess of Peace, her face looked merciful. Yet, she couldn’t understand why she felt such aversion.

“Mother?”

“Ah…… sorry, did I hold too tight?”

“No, it’s okay!”

Perhaps it was due to the fervent prayers of the surrounding devotees that her face grew more troubled.

“If you wish to discuss in detail, it would be better to go to a private prayer room.”

“A private prayer room means……”

“It’s a place you can go from the high priests’ building.”

They’re offering such a place to her on her first visit?

“The Goddess instructed us to serve without any lack.”

It was unbelievable that a high priest came out to guide a mere visitor. The private prayer room had only a small statue and nothing else special. The only difference was that it wasn’t an open space.

“You look like you have many questions.”

“I want to know about the Goddess.”

The aversion she couldn’t understand grew stronger upon entering the private prayer room. The statue, it was just a statue, yet it resembled her greatly – silver hair, purple eyes, similar facial features. No wonder people were surprised seeing her.

“Feel free to ask anything.”

Even just by looking into Enoch’s eyes right now, they were filled with anticipation towards her.

“Has there been a prophecy regarding a saintess?”

Looking at the statue, she seemed to understand. Amelia Seraphin is related to the imperial family in some way or another.