Chapter 37
The children who blindly followed the High Priest clenched their fists, deciding that at the very least, this fact had to be told to the Tower Master. The saintesses and priests exchanged glances.
It was decided that the priests would remain here to keep watch on Hegelstern, while the saintesses would find the Tower Master and inform him. When Hegelstern wasn’t paying attention, the saintesses slipped away, blending into the crowd.
“Where is the Tower Master?”
However, the magicians, who had been annoyed by the children from the temple from the very beginning, were far from friendly. Even when the saintesses stopped passing magicians to ask about the Tower Master’s whereabouts, they would only frown and give no proper answer.
“What are you planning to do if you find out? Haven’t you bothered the Tower Master enough already? Just sit quietly until the carriage from the temple comes and then go home, all right?”
Not only did they refuse to answer, but they even threatened them in a harsh tone. The saintesses widened their eyes. These same people who had fawned over Hegelstern with cries of ‘Oh dear saintess!’ were acting so disrespectfully toward real saintesses?
“As expected, they say the Tower folk are a filthy lot.”
When the magicians disappeared from sight, the eldest child grumbled.
“The High Priest’s words are indeed correct.”
“Of course they are.”
Though grumbling in anger, the children continued to search for the Tower Master. At this point, their stubbornness flared up—no matter what, they had to tell him before they left.
After searching and climbing many flights of stairs, they finally found the Tower Master. The problem was that standing beside him… was that handsome man from the North.
“…Indeed, that makes sense. Then this ‘power’ must share a similar nature to mana?”
“When I explained to that person how to refine mana sharply, he was able to apply it when using ‘that power’ as well. Seeing that, I suspect their natures must be alike.”
The two men were engaged in a very serious discussion, speaking softly and in refined tones. But since they kept using vague words like that person and that power, without proper terms, the children couldn’t understand what they were talking about.
“It’s certain that the rat stole that person’s power and used it. The scent was the same.”
The Tower Master spoke gravely. At that, the saintesses nearly cried out in triumph. They didn’t know who “the rat” or “that person” really referred to, but by context it was clear—Hegelstern was the “rat,” and the High Priest was “that person.” As expected, the Tower Master had seen through it all at once. The saintesses’ faces brightened.
“That must be it. In any case, if my assumption is correct…”
“You mean that if left alone, he might self-destruct. Understood. I’ll focus on investigating that. I’ve already acquired quite a lot of material for my research.”
The Tower Master smiled faintly. The saintesses stared at his face in a daze before their eyes shifted to the man standing opposite him—Stuart Lefray.
“H-he really is… unbelievably handsome…”
One of the saintesses murmured dreamily. The others wholeheartedly agreed.
They’d been told Northerners were demons… Perhaps those so-called demons were simply beings who bewitched others with their beauty?
Every movement of Stuart’s lips made the saintesses’ hearts pound. His tall stature, broad shoulders, and solid chest… Even though his shirt and coat covered his body tightly, they couldn’t hide his well-built physique.
Just watching the veins running down his hands, the large palms, the long fingers shifting slightly—it sparked a sudden urge in them to hand over their very hearts.
So then… does that Northern young lord also know Hegelstern’s true identity?
If so, why had he taken Hegelstern all the way to the North? The saintesses whispered among themselves, puzzling over it. Surely it wasn’t just to hire a maid from the temple. Then… could it be—
“…His looks?”
No matter how they thought about it, Hegelstern’s only redeeming trait was his face. Though his lanky height spoiled his pretty features somewhat, Stuart was even taller, so the two standing together didn’t look bad.
“D-don’t tell me he brought Hegelstern back just because of his face…”
“Do you have something to say?”
“Eek!”
While they whispered among themselves, Stuart had somehow approached them. Despite his muscular build, he gave off a graceful impression rather than a clumsy one. His cold features softened quickly, and he gave them a radiant smile. The saintesses stared up at him, dumbstruck.
“What brings such noble young ladies all the way here?”
His voice, as soft as melting honey, drifted to their ears like a spring breeze. Blushing, flustered, the saintesses straightened themselves and spoke with resolve.
“We have something to tell you… about Lillie Hegelstern!”
“Ah, yes. You ladies must know her well, having lived together for quite some time.”
Stuart’s eyes narrowed slightly as he smiled. If their vision had been clearer, the saintesses might have noticed that the narrowed eyes hid a simmering rage. But unfortunately, dazzled by his beauty, they did not.
“Y-yes! And that’s why we know how filthy and… how utterly trivial her holy power is!”
It must have been their imagination, but the Tower Master’s violet eyes behind him seemed to glimmer with anger. Surely it was just their imagination…
“The holy power she uses belongs to the High Priest. We feared you noble men might be deceived by that traitor.”
“Do you have a reason to believe that?”
This time Stuart’s voice was louder, clearer, yet still polite. The saintesses eagerly nodded.
“Of course! Holy power has a unique scent to each individual. The fragrance of the High Priest’s power is the same as that which comes from Lillie Hegelstern’s.”
“So you’re saying that when the High Priest uses his holy power, the scent is identical to when Lillie Hegelstern uses hers?”
“Yes, that’s correct!”
They declared it boldly, almost like knights giving testimony. Stuart smiled faintly and said, “Thank you for your testimony,” then shut the door in their faces without hesitation.
The saintesses blinked at the door that had just slammed in front of them. “How dare he be so rude!”
“We thought he was a polite nobleman, but to think he’s this discourteous! As expected, Northerners must not even be taught basic manners!”
While their complaints drifted in the hallway, Stuart pulled a sound-recording mana stone from his pocket. Pouring mana into it, the stone replayed the words the saintesses had just spoken.
“You’ve got a strong stomach,” the Tower Master said, shaking his head. Even if you paid me a fortune, I couldn’t smile while listening to such nonsense.
With his usual cool expression back in place, Stuart replied casually, “When it comes to tolerance, who could possibly surpass the High Saintess?”
At that, the Tower Master burst into hearty laughter.
❀ ❀ ❀
Stuart was seen again just before lunch. He and the Tower Master descended the stairs together, still deep in conversation, while the saintesses cast cold looks their way.
“Young master!”
Lillie quickly rushed over to Stuart, subtly blocking the saintesses’ gaze with her back.
Stuart’s eyes, which had been fixed on the Tower Master, turned instantly to Lillie, and his lips curved into a smile as sweet as honey.
I thought they didn’t get along… but maybe I was wrong.
The two of them, speaking quietly together, looked undeniably close. Lillie glanced between Stuart and the Tower Master before sitting down.
“How’s your health?”
Having ended his talk with the Tower Master, Stuart immediately addressed Lillie. Startled out of her daze, she hurried to gather her thoughts.
“Since you can’t answer, I suppose you overexerted yourself again while I was gone.”
“No, that’s not it! There weren’t any curses too difficult to lift, so I’m really—”
“Thank you so much, Saintess! You’re truly amazing! How could such a noble person have come to the Tower? Your very existence is nothing short of a miracle—ugh!”
“Goodness, you don’t have to flatter me like that. I’ll treat you all anyway.”
“Ah! Saintess, where did you go? Why is it that only radiant light remains where you stood…!”
Even when Lillie tried to clamp her hand over the chattering magician’s mouth, his babble wouldn’t stop.
Stuart watched as Lillie struggled to quiet the magician, then glanced between them. The magician was shorter, with shorter legs, a flatter nose, and a softer jawline. Yet the Tower Master, watching the scene, had called it “cute” play between the two. Stuart could not fathom such an aesthetic sense. That bothersome magician, forcing himself on someone who clearly disliked it—what part of that was cute?
“You shouldn’t trouble the lady.”
Stuart spoke calmly, drawing Lillie to his side. The magician’s face briefly fell, but he quickly smiled again.
“Then enjoy your meal, Saintess! I’ll come by later!”
“There’s no need—”
“I’ll come! Definitely!”
“Such pathetic behavior…”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing.”
The surroundings were so noisy that Lillie didn’t hear Stuart’s low mutter, which was fortunate for him. The Tower Master, walking with them, barely stifled his laughter.
Stuart and Lillie were served separately in the guest reception dining room, prepared specially for honored guests. The Tower Master accompanied them only to the door, then excused himself.
He repeatedly thanked Lillie for her help, then leaned toward Stuart with a subtle gesture and whispered,
“I’ll sort through the information and come to you tonight, so don’t fall asleep too early.”
