Salvation Through Delusion C39

Chapter 39

 

At first glance, it looked like the Emperor had sacrificed himself for the good of the nation—but the documents Dr. Kim had given me told a different story. The Emperor had created the Eye of Hell even though he knew it could endanger the divine beast.

 

“Why would he do that?”

“Because he was an idiot.”

“How stupid are we talking?”

“Stupid enough to be pitied.”

 

But he was still the Emperor who ruled an entire continent, right? I frowned, and Dr. Kim added casually,

 

“He had a deep inferiority complex toward his younger sister, who could handle the power of the divine beast.”

“Even so…”

“He did it thinking the divine beast would die, not his sister. But in the end, both of them died.”

 

Ah. I finally understood and nodded.

Wow, he really was an idiot.

 

That’s why I could shake my head firmly now in response to Solongo’s words.

 

“No, it wasn’t the gem’s curse—it was because the former Emperor was an idiot.”

 

Solongo let out a small laugh.

 

“You sound exactly like Dr. Kim. I suppose that’s because you’re from another world. But for those born in Tuvine, divine beasts are engraved in their minds as beings of both awe and terror.

 

No matter how foolish a decision the former Emperor made, as the head of the Divine Beast House, no one dares to criticize him. The same goes for this temple. Even the poor make donations every year so the temple can shine whiter and brighter.”

 

Her last words carried a faint bitterness. Her eyes drifted around the pristine temple interior with a subdued expression.

 

Had the temple scammed her out of money or something?

 

Still, personal matters weren’t my business to pry into. But public ones? That was another story.

 

“Come to think of it, where exactly does the donation I gave the temple go? They don’t just use it to paint the walls whiter, do they?”

 

“Why wouldn’t they? A spotless exterior attracts people. The temple’s obsessed with this whiteness. Officially, though, the temple’s main role is healing. They help many through the power of divinity—but the number of people born with divine power keeps decreasing. So they’re desperate to create new reasons for people to come.”

 

Divine power, huh? That was just as fascinating as the magic carriages I’d seen.

 

“People with strong divine power and faith can sense divine beasts, right?”

 

“Yes, but only a handful in history ever have. Even then, it’s mostly the temple’s claim. The only one who can truly sense and communicate with a divine beast is the Savior.”

 

The Savior? I remembered Dr. Kim mentioning that once.

 

“He’s a mythical figure straight out of children’s fairy tales.”

 

“I’d say the fairy tales are more trustworthy than the temple’s claims.”

 

Did the temple scam her after all? The doubt crept in again when I saw the mocking twist of her smile.

 

“Still, many take the temple’s words as if they’re divine truth. Why else would the people of Sarne donate like fanatics?”

 

“That’s the place where divine beast power hasn’t appeared for three generations, right?”

 

“Yes. They’re desperate to restore that power through the temple’s aid. But Montaine, on the other hand…”

 

“Montaine’s donating too?”

 

“Their contributions have grown significantly in recent years.”

 

Solongo trailed off, tilting her head with puzzlement.

 

“The Grand Duke of Montaine is the most calculating man I know. We’ve been so focused on Koon’s side that I never looked into him. It might be worth investigating… Oh—excuse me.”

 

She stopped as a knock sounded at the door. One of the knights who had accompanied us from Adeye entered and whispered something quietly into her ear.

 

“The High Priest Cheki requested an audience with us?”

 

Solongo tilted her head, visibly puzzled. Cheki—the one rumored to be related to Hoiga?

 

Just then, my interface displayed a dossier automatically.

 

[High Priest Cheki – One of the highest-ranking priests in the temple, known for his integrity and strict adherence to doctrine. Frequently criticizes the temple’s senior officials for living in luxury off donations, and openly disapproves of the Adeye family’s large contributions to the temple.]

 

“He doesn’t like us, does he?”

 

“No, not at all.”

 

“Then why does he want to meet us?”

 

Solongo also seemed baffled. She frowned slightly.

 

“Normally, he never leaves the training hall. I can’t imagine why he’s here today of all days—especially on a festival day when he’s usually deep in prayer. Regardless, I should go.”

 

She started to rise but paused when I didn’t move. I waved a hand lazily.

 

“Go ahead.”

 

“Lord Rue, you must come as well. We can’t refuse an audience with a High Priest.”

 

“So what? You just said he hates us.”

 

“Well, that’s true.”

 

Solongo nodded coolly and left.

 

As soon as I was alone, I let out the anger I’d been holding in.

 

“Damn Tyroc.”

 

Sure, I’d managed to get the diamond in the end—but at the cost of five million gold I shouldn’t have had to pay. And because Solongo actually deducted it from my allowance, my stomach burned with resentment.

 

It’s not like I even had much use for money, but just knowing I couldn’t spend it thanks to Tyroc made my blood boil. The worst part, though, was the way his gaze lingered on my lips. What the hell was that look supposed to mean…

 

“Ugh, screw him.”

 

Determined to erase him from my mind, I gave a command to Mo.

 

“Show me the temple layout.”

 

A three-dimensional schematic appeared before my eyes. It was detailed, but unlike the others I’d received, it didn’t include any secret passages.

 

Guess even Dr. Kim couldn’t bribe his way into uncovering the central temple’s deepest secrets.

 

Still, I had Mo—and Mo was good at finding hidden spaces.

 

Sure enough, glowing markers began appearing on the map, highlighting potential passageways.

 

After a while of studying the layout, my gaze stopped at one spot. One room was noticeably smaller than the one opposite it—as if a hidden corridor lay behind the wall.

 

Wait a second… that’s the room next to mine.

 

[Ahhhh!!! Don’t touch me!!! Put me down!!!!]

 

The diamond’s sudden scream made me jump. That crying rock was supposed to be alone in the next room! I leapt to my feet and grabbed the doorknob leading to the adjoining chamber.

 

One of those Gollums must’ve broken in!

 

But when I burst through the door, what I heard was… strange.

 

[Don’t tou—oh? Less filthy.]

 

Less filthy?

 

I blinked and threw the door open wide. There stood Gollum No. 1—but my gaze went past him to the other figure standing by the table.

 

Blue eyes met mine.

 

Clear and radiant, like a sky washed clean after rain—so bright I found myself momentarily lost in them.

 

Then my attention shifted to his pale skin—so flawless it looked like porcelain.

 

He wore the same robes as the other mid-level priests, yet somehow, on him, they looked entirely different.

 

Not that it mattered what he was wearing—or wasn’t, for that matter.

Because right now, he was setting the black diamond back into its case.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

At my sharp tone, his hands froze. He quickly withdrew from the gem, bowing his head in flustered silence.

 

Gollum No. 1 rushed forward, babbling nervously,

 

“Ah, this gem carries divine energy! The temple merely wished to measure it precisely, and—”

 

I ignored him and strode toward the blue-eyed priest.

 

“W-What are you doing, my lord?”

 

The Gollum tried to block me, but I brushed him aside and fixed my eyes on the other man.

 

“I asked you what you were doing.”

 

The blue-eyed priest mumbled, voice barely above a whisper, “I was measuring the divine energy within the relic…”

 

“You measure it by stealing it?”

 

He froze at my words, then slowly turned his head. I saw the faint tremor in his blue eyes as my gaze dropped to his left hand.

 

“Hand it over,” I ordered coldly. “The gem you swapped out.”

 

 

—

 

Meanwhile, across the temple—

 

Why was this old man acting like this?

 

Solongo eyed High Priest Cheki suspiciously. Contrary to what she’d expected, he had no important matter to discuss. He’d only exchanged a few meaningless pleasantries. Then he added,

 

“If the Adeye follower, Lord Rue, is unwell, I could take a look at him myself.”

 

“That won’t be necessary, High Priest. He’s fine.”

 

“Then did he injure his leg?”

 

Though it sounded casual, to Solongo’s ears, it was a rebuke. The implication was clear—If he’s unhurt, why hasn’t he come to greet me himself?

 

Wow. This old man’s got attitude. Why was he suddenly so eager to see Lord Rue?

 

He’d never cared before—aside from openly despising the Adeye family for their donations.