152

“Have you come, Your Highness?”

Lawrence had never felt better these days. Problems that had been a headache were unraveling one by one. Above all, seeing the suffering of those troublesome people was more satisfying than anything.

“No troubles, right?”

The High Priest bowed to him with a gentle, priestly smile. They had maintained a cooperative relationship for quite some time. They provided funding, and Lorence put power into their hands — a perfectly profitable arrangement.

“Yes. By Your Highness’s order, mid-ranking priests and above cannot perform treatment activities without permission. In particular, families connected to Chancellor Cornelia are delaying or denying approval. As you know, the Duke of Ariadne also came, but he did not obtain what he sought.”

Lawrence’s mouth curled up as if splitting.

“And the Chancellor’s side?”

“The treatment intervals have increased, but perhaps they couldn’t stop divine-power treatments altogether, so they keep sending lower-ranking priests. According to them, there’s nothing particularly wrong.”

“It’s useless for me to struggle.”

She would have come to the capital for her younger sibling and by now would be frantically searching for a way. But Lawrence was certain he had closed every loophole.

“She’ll come to me soon and beg at my feet to spare her.”

He was already so excited at what offer might come that he had goosebumps on his arms.

‘Resign the Chancellorship? Or maybe ask for a petition claiming Marcus and Dorian were framed. Just say the Chancellery botched the search. Even Vespera would be forced to sign.’

He remembered her boldness when she spoke her mind to him, and the radiant smile she wore in a dress he’d never seen at the banquet. She was annoyingly cute, if not off-putting.

‘It wouldn’t be bad to send her as a concubine or a madam.’

If that happened, it could deliver a fatal blow to Vespera. An heir archduke who couldn’t even protect his woman. It was truly delicious.

“Report immediately if there’s any change.”

“Yes, understood.”

“And since this matter is confirmed, ensure everything proceeds smoothly with him.”

“Is there any doubt? Do not worry.”

“How did you get here…?”

I was stunned as if my mind had gone blank watching him wave his hand with an innocent smile.

He was the Deputy High Priest of the Yuno Lemer Temple. Of course, he had been the first person considered when looking into treatments for Rio. When relations with the temple soured because of Lawrence and seeking mercy had failed, he was the one who first came to mind.

‘He was inscrutable, but he said he became a priest because of Rio’s treatment. Oracle or whatever — I can’t wait any longer.’

Wasn’t all the family’s wealth funneled to him? Morally, whether oracle or anything else, he ought to have come rushing at a summons.

But after the envoy returned to Rusera, contact with him was cut off. Even when I tried to contact him again about Rio’s illness, there was no reply. Instead, a High Priest who seemed like his mentor responded on his behalf.

Deputy High Priest Olgard’s health is not good.

He has been suffering from a high fever.

Divine power hasn’t brought improvement, so we’re seeking a method now; we’ll contact you once he regains his health.

We hope nothing happens until then.

That was the last contact.

It was phrased euphemistically, but it meant he had health issues and couldn’t use divine power. Paranoia flared and I even checked with Treasurer Marcel, who had ties to Yuno, but it proved true and I completely gave up. I even thought they might arrest the two of the Libertas family instead.

But that man, who just a few days ago couldn’t move because he was sick, was sitting in our house neat and well, drinking tea.

‘Then could it be.’

Olgard grinned as if reading my thoughts.

“It’s time to finish why I became a priest. I have a number of other things to do as well.”

He stood up and came close in front of me.

“Sorry I’m late. I’ll treat Rio.”

I expected to grab him by the collar at once, but my strength left me and I slumped into a seat.

“Ria!”

“Hey!”

I made a reassuring gesture to Ren, who was about to support me, and forced a smile.

“My tension just released. I’m so, so relieved that I…”

I should build up my stamina. Lately I’ve been so stressed and sensitive that I often stagger. In any case, Olgard’s visit would resolve many tangled matters.

First and foremost, Rio’s relentless illness would be cured. He had weighed on my mind since the moment I crossed into this world. Because of him, my dream of independence kept being postponed. The determination to heal Rio was a major reason I continued living with my family until now. Of course, now that we accept each other, I don’t particularly want to leave.

Second is saving Priest Nora from the risk of dismissal. No matter how secretly she comes, if she’s followed, it would inevitably be revealed that she visits our home regularly. If we finish this matter beforehand, Nora can continue a safe working life.

And the final third: there will be no need to bow to Crown Prince Lorence. Literally. If Rio recovers, there will be no reason to plead with him. I could deliver an invisible punch to that smug face who’s already celebrating.

A thousand thoughts passed in a short instant.

“Get up. I was waiting for you to go see Rio.”

Supported by the two, I rose. Ren nodded and lent strength. I headed to Rio’s room with the two of them.

“When you said you became the Chancellor right after returning to the country, I thought Rio would recover quickly. At that level you can summon priests. Going from Yuno to Seraphina involves a lot of procedures and takes time.”

I could only give a bitter smile at his claim that he hadn’t expected this situation.

In Rio’s room, Marcella and Julie were keeping him company. Rio had barely been able to attend the academy recently due to the worsening illness. At least Priest Nora poured divine power on him so he didn’t suffer.

Marcella and Julie had apparently already greeted Olgard and said nothing more, bowing politely to Ren and me.

Rio opened his mouth when he saw Olgard.

“Who are you?”

I was slightly taken aback. I thought Marcella and Julie had already told him. But they just stood there blankly as if he didn’t know.

“Don’t you remember, Rio? I told you I met my eldest brother when I went with the Yuno delegation. He’s Brother Olgard. He became a very fine Deputy High Priest and came to cure your illness.”

“Ah….”

That was it. I thought there’d be hugs and tears… At least a greeting asking how he had been…

“Greetings can wait; it’s better to start treatment first.”

The most rational, Ren, took the center and steadied things.

“Then I’ll take a quick look.”

A faint light emerged from his hand, enveloped Rio’s body, and quickly changed into an intense hue.

‘This is a Deputy High Priest’s divine power!’

The light was dazzling and I instinctively narrowed my eyes. After a moment, the light stopped and Rio fell asleep. Our gazes turned to Olgard. He smiled quietly.

“You won’t be sick anymore.”

At those words, Marcella, Julie, Ren, the steward and I were happier than ever. This dreadful illness had finally, finally left Rio. The disease that had so easily ruined a child’s life disappeared so easily by the Deputy High Priest’s hand. It seemed so simple that it honestly didn’t feel real.

I immediately expressed my thanks to him.

“Thank you, Olgard.”

“Thank you….”

Marcella and Julie were crying their hearts out in emotion. Seeing them, tears threatened my own eyes, but I held them back.

“But there’s one problem.”

“…What?”

At those words Marcella and Julie abruptly stopped crying. The emotion that had pricked our noses vanished in an instant.

“It seems someone put something on Rio’s body.”

I immediately told him about the relic story I had heard from Priest Nora. He listened silently and then nodded as if he understood.

“It’s more like the energy of a relic than a magical artifact. I purified all of Rio’s illness, but as long as the relic’s energy remains, whatever disease he contracts will be hard to cure. Even a cold would require a Deputy High Priest-level to treat.”

“…!”

That despicable bastard Lawrence. My teeth ground together.

“It seems less like a relic and more like a curse.”

“Originally it was probably a relic designed to keep holy energy from escaping. I didn’t expect it to be used like this.”

Ren asked.

“Then what should we do? At this rate the same situation will just repeat.”

“The surest way is to find that relic and destroy it.”

A new concern had arisen. But it was a much better situation than before.

“I’ll stay by Rio’s side for the time being, so don’t worry and focus on finding the relic.”

In that moment, I had an inexplicable hunch.

“Olgard, did you come to Rusera because of an oracle?”

His eyes widened.

“How did you know?”

“What kind of oracle?”

“I was told I’d know if I went to you. But now I think I understand what it is.”

He said this while calmly gazing at the sleeping Rio.

“The reason Lord Lemere has only now sent me here.”

Somehow it felt like Rio’s treatment wasn’t the whole story.