148

The low-ranking priest remained calm even after seeing Rio’s condition.

“It’s a temporary symptom. It will subside once he receives divine power.”

He then poured divine power into him. Contrary to his confidence, the divine power from his hands was weak. As he said, Rio’s complexion gradually returned to normal. Still, I couldn’t accept it that easily.

“He seems worse than before the treatment.”

“Those not accustomed to divine power can have temporary reactive symptoms. Don’t worry.”

“It’s been some time since the treatment started. How much longer will he need divine power treatment?”

The low-ranking priest always spoke solemnly, but the longer I watched, the more I suspected he didn’t care much about curing Rio’s illness.

“Well, I can’t guarantee it either.”

“We requested divine power treatment because it’s said to be faster and more certain than medicine. If your ability is insufficient, bring a higher-ranking priest.”

“I’m sufficient; there’s no need to bring a high-ranking priest for just a few minutes.”

“What?”

“Perhaps there’s a lack of devotion toward Lord Remer. If the deity is pleased, wouldn’t he heal anytime? Then I’ll come by for the next treatment. Call me if anything happens.”

He blatantly said money was lacking and left leisurely.

“…What the hell.”

It felt like Rio’s treatment was being held hostage. I roughly ran my hand through my hair and forced myself to hold back my anger.

“Hmm… Sister, I’m okay now.”

Julie and I rushed to Rio, who had come to his senses.

“What about my brother?”

“He hasn’t come back from the academy yet. He said training would be long today. Shall I call him?”

Rio weakly shook his head.

“No. Maybe… what if this is the last time and I leave without seeing his face…”

“…!”

He’d been thinking that while he was sick.

“Why would you think that? I told you I’d make sure you get better.”

“Yeah. I believe you. Hehe…”

I unconsciously clenched my fist. Even now he was saying things he didn’t mean to be considerate of me. He could have said he was scared or didn’t trust me. It hurt that this child had suffered for years because he hadn’t received timely early treatment.

“Call the physician again.”

I needed to know if he was even being treated. I called the steward and had him fetch the physician who had treated Rio before.

“That’s strange.”

“Strange?”

The physician, who examined Rio’s body here and there, tilted his head.

“You say he’s receiving divine power treatment; I can’t say for certain about that, so I won’t give a definite answer, but it doesn’t seem like his condition is improving. Maintaining the status quo? No. It might actually be getting a bit worse… Of course, with divine power present it’s hard to be precise.”

That was enough.

“Thank you. Is it possible to stop the divine power treatment and return to medicine?”

The physician thought for a moment before speaking.

“I wouldn’t recommend that right now. His body is fluctuating. Even if I prescribe the same medicine, it’s uncertain it’ll be as effective as before. It could worsen.”

“Hmm…”

The more I dug, the more I felt something was wrong.

When I witnessed divine power treatment in the plague zone, the infected saw immediate effects. They weren’t treated for this long like Rio.

“Understood. Steward, we’re going to the temple now. Prepare it.”

“Yes, Count.”

My visit was blocked by the mid-ranking priest who had accepted my request last time. I explained Rio’s current condition to him.

“The patron deity will examine him.”

He repeated the same words as the low-ranking priest. It was frustrating.

“So you’re telling me to receive divine power treatment with no guarantee?”

For reference, the cost of one divine power treatment was an amount ordinary people couldn’t dream of. Even calling the low-ranking priest cost that much. Previously, we’d made a large donation to the temple so the low-ranking priest didn’t make a fuss; his talk of devotion earlier was a hint to cough up the treatment fee again.

“Then call a mid- or high-ranking priest, or even a deputy. If they can provide certain treatment, I’ll make a donation commensurate with it.”

But the priest only smiled faintly and refused.

“Unfortunately, the other priests are all busy. There’s no need to send a deputy for curing a mere child. The low-ranking priest I sent is sufficient, so please wait.”

He kept repeating the same parroted line.

‘So in the end they’re saying to accept the low-ranking priest’s treatment. But is divine power treatment normally administered this way?’

“Others don’t even have the opportunity to receive divine power treatment. Only those of noble status receive benefits under scrutiny.”

I couldn’t help but snort in disbelief.

I tilted my head and scrutinized the priest addressing me. He looked flimsy and untrustworthy.

‘He called it “mere”? A priest using such a word? And they’re taking far too much money to call it a “benefit.”’

“Then I’ll go inside.”

A priest who refused payment.

I felt a pile of things I couldn’t understand.

‘Should I ask Ren?’

I thought the duke’s household could summon a higher-ranking priest.

On the way back I went to the prayer room to see the statue of Remer, planning to hurl insults. Fortunately, no one was there.

‘Remer, you rotten patron.’

You dragged people into this world to suffer, yet you don’t appear when needed.

“Why did you let the temple be managed like this? You’re giving out divine power to those unworthy.”

With no respect at all, I spoke as if to a friend.

“Don’t you see I’m suffering because of you? If you had any conscience, you’d heal the sick yourself or send a deputy or even the Pope by oracle!”

At least the insults eased my frustration somewhat.

“These priests don’t explain anything properly and use you as an excuse at the slightest thing. Just wait. Once Rio gets better, I won’t let this go. Remer… I’m watching you.”

Even so, the frustration wasn’t completely gone. What use is all this if Rio doesn’t actually get better?

After scolding, I turned to go ask Ren, but someone stood frozen.

Damn, I quickly made an excuse as if I hadn’t seen anything.

“I was just so angry during confession that I couldn’t help it… It’s not a message to the deity, so don’t misunderstand.”

“Chancellor…?”

The silhouette and voice from afar seemed familiar. I approached to confirm the identity.

“Priest Nora?”

He was the very priest who had willingly become my slave in the plague zone.

“Chancellor, what on earth…?”

He seemed shaken by the sight of me moments ago; his pupils trembled. I paid it no mind, put my hand on his shoulder, glanced once at the Remer statue behind him, and grinned at him.

“Took you long enough to find. Neglected Slave.”

“Yes…?”

“Come with me for a moment.”

He’d appeared at exactly the right time.

I took Priest Nora straight home with me and went up to the room where Rio was.

“Just as you said in the carriage. The low-ranking priest assigned by the temple can’t cure my sibling, so I’m asking you, a mid-ranking priest, for help.”

Priest Nora lightly nodded.

“You said it was a difficult request, but it’s nothing.”

“…I hope so.”

I brushed past Julie and Marcella, who were by Rio’s side after returning from the academy, and stood Priest Nora up.

“Coco, who is he… Oh, I see.”

Marcella was about to ask but fell silent upon seeing the priest’s robes.

“I should at least offer tea, but given the situation, I’m asking a favor.”

Priest Nora shook his head at my request.

“Asking the neglect slave who lost the bet? Command me comfortably. Let’s see…”

Despite being a mid-ranking priest, Priest Nora had been the medical supervisor in the plague zone and was highly capable. He was rude to me, but I respected his attitude toward patients, his diligence, and his healing ability. He inspired much more trust than the stuck-up low-ranking priest sent by the temple.

Priest Nora held a faint light in his hand and examined Rio’s body all over. As the light passed through various parts of Rio, he tilted his head.

“Hmm?”

Priest Nora poured divine power toward Rio’s chest. A bright, holy light incomparable to the low-ranking priest’s enveloped Rio’s body.

After a moment the light subsided and then stopped completely. Rio fell asleep peacefully. But unlike my expectations, Priest Nora’s expression was grave.

“Don’t sugarcoat it; tell me exactly what you see.”

“It’s strange.”

“Strange?”

“Yes. It’s as if something is blocking him; beyond a certain point he cannot absorb divine power.”

“Blocked?”

“Yes. In his current state, he absolutely cannot be cured with a low-ranking priest’s divine power. Honestly, at best I can prevent progression and ease the pain. Yet the incurable disease you described should be treatable by this point even in severe cases…”

Something seemed suspicious.

Seeing him glance at Julie and Marcella and the surroundings, I moved closer into the room.

“It’s okay now, so tell me.”

He spoke in a heavy voice.

“Someone… seems to have artificially blocked the healing. With divine power…”

“What?”

“It seems like an artifact or a relic was used, but I don’t know exactly what. However, to break this at least a deputy-level divine power is needed.”

“…!”

Now the true nature behind all my uneasy feelings became clear. The moments I dismissed as intuition because I couldn’t explain them, and the temple corrupt to the point of obsession with money.

“So those bastards did something terrible to my sibling, then?”