episode_0070

“I was so out of it the last time we were subduing that I couldn’t talk to you like this, but I ask for your help in the future.”

Although the princess told them to get along well, the gap that arose from their different social status could not be resolved with just a few words.

She knew it too, as she did not point out that the nobles and commoners were awkward with each other.

However, since he could not continue to distance himself from the commoners in a place where they were supposed to hang out together, he singled out one person and poured his attention on him.

And unfortunately, I am the one who has to endure their outpouring of attention.

‘It’s probably easier for priests than for commoners.’

Although I understood their feelings, I felt burdened by the attention pouring in.

“I am the one who needs your help.”

“What happened to the evil altar that was discovered last time?”

“Ah-! I was wondering about that.”

“I have informed the church about the altar and I understand that they are currently investigating the matter.”

“They said you could have all sorts of experiences in the labyrinth, but I didn’t know it would be an altar to the evil god.”

“If it weren’t for the priest, I would’ve touched that and they’d all be cursed and screaming. I was really lucky.”

“I didn’t know that having a priest would be this reassuring.”

I never expected to be groomed like this by nobles.

The situation is too burdensome to actively fight back.

“The priest is embarrassed.”

“Did we make things too burdensome for you?”

“No.”

At first, the country was flooded with interest in people, and after I had barely finished that, questions started pouring in.

“Priest, is the place you work in the temple in the Labyrinth City?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I went there last time, but I guess I was unlucky and they weren’t there. They said it was their day off.”

“Is that so? You don’t have many days off… . I didn’t even hear that you were coming.”

“I told you not to tell me. I thought it would be a burden to you.”

There were even people who said they had visited the temple to see me.

“I was treated by a priest, but when I was treated by another priest, my body didn’t get better. You’re the youngest chief healer, right? Is it hard to become a chief healer?”

He also praised my healing skills through his reverse experience.

Things are getting tough these days, so maybe I should give some attention to other people?

I was getting increasingly tired, but they finally paid attention to someone else.

“But this person is very reserved.”

“Ah! I should have introduced you to Sister Melody… .”

I made a mistake because I was so driven that I didn’t even realize it.

He hurriedly introduced her to the nobles.

“This is Sister Melody, who will be my escort.”

“Nice to meet you.”

It was only then that Sister Melody spoke up.

“If you escort, are you a knight?”

“Yes.”

“This is my first time seeing a paladin up close… . If you have time later, would you like to spar with me?”

Sister Melody said to the man who showed his competitive spirit.

“I can’t give you a definitive answer because I’m on a mission.”

“Please do it when the time is right!”

I knew that nobles used swords, but I had no idea to what extent they were skilled.

Since the most famous thing in the Holy Empire was the Paladin, it couldn’t be considered a simple duel.

A duel between a Holy Empire Paladin and a Deltrak Empire Knight.

It could be a fight that represents each country.

“What is your name?”

“Ah! I haven’t introduced myself. I am the second Baron Moyle of the Counts of Tenes.”

Although she is Princess Rasiel’s childhood friend, they are not all the same age.

They grew up as the princess’s classmates since childhood, and there was an age difference of about 5 to 6 years.

When people say childhood friends, I thought they were all the same age, but it is said that it is rare for young royals to have someone younger than them as a friend.

‘Because if you’re too young, you might not be able to tell right from wrong and end up causing an accident.’

What would a child know?

He is honest about his feelings and sometimes he can be so stubborn that he seems like the devil.

What if you show such stubbornness to the royal family?

So it is said that the friends of the royal family usually give them older children.

They were also older than the princess.

However, because the princess was so young, their ages were only in their early twenties.

That is, it means that it is an age when one is reckless and full of energy to think and act.

“Yes, Baron Moyle.”

It must have been said with the intention of making it something to remember.

But Baron Moyle was waiting for his sister’s next words.

A normal person would have said something to continue the conversation.

But as you know, Sister Melody was not a good person to talk to.

Everyone looked at Sister Melody with a bewildered expression, and silence naturally fell.

I said that I thought it would be a good idea for me to step forward at this point.

“My sister is a bit reserved.”

“Ahh… .”

“He didn’t say much from the beginning, but he really was a quiet person.”

Fortunately, they seemed to be forgiving and understanding of Sister Melody’s reticence, not seeing it as a flaw.

“Is it because you don’t drink alcohol that you have to escort someone?”

“Yes.”

Curiosity about me naturally spread to Sister Melody.

“Hey, how many people are here? Let’s enjoy ourselves today. Didn’t the princess give permission?”

“I will decline.”

Even though they heard that he was a quiet person, they didn’t stop poking him.

It seemed like he was trying to break Sister Melody’s silence somehow.

‘I thought it was because I was a priest, but it turns out everyone does that to others.’

Sister Melody, who has a tough personality, wasn’t the only one who was bombarded with questions like me.

“Where did you originally work?”

“I don’t think I can tell you because it’s a mission-related secret.”

“Oh, is it a secret mission or something? That’s interesting.”

By flatly refusing to answer, he was destroying their will to ask questions.

Rather than feeling bad about being rejected, it seemed like each rejection only made him more curious about the paladin.

“Do you catch devils too?”

“Confidential.”

“Why can’t we just kill all the heretics? We’ve had a lot of headaches because of their misdeeds all over the empire.”

“… … .”

The nobles were so curious that it seemed like they should stop now.

“Then can you tell me why there are so many heretics? Is this also confidential? It’s so strange that there are so many heretics, even though it’s obvious that they’ll die if they’re caught.”

This time too, I saw that he kept his mouth shut as if he wasn’t going to answer, so I ended up stepping forward.

“It’s because you can’t resist temptation. The evil spirit digs into your heart and says it will give you what you desire.”

“Oh, so if I say I want to become a sword master, you’ll listen to me?”

“Yes, I promise I will.”

“Wow… That’s a really scary thing to say. Not just anyone can become a Sword Master. But I’ve never heard of a Sword Master emerging from a heretic?”

“Of course, that’s the only way. The evil spirit doesn’t give you the reward right away. He changes his words and says he’ll reward you if you follow him and do good deeds.”

“Oh. That’s definitely a bad kid.”

Thanks to my efforts to keep things from getting out of hand, I was able to prevent the situation from becoming an irreversible mess.

But if Sister Melody’s stubbornness continues, problems will eventually arise.

Their attention needs to be diverted elsewhere.

Of course, showing interest means you want to get to know that person and become close to them, so it was a bitter situation where I had no choice but to intentionally steal their attention.

‘The period of time it takes for people to become close is different for each person.’

It is not right to force friendship on someone who has difficulty making friends.

I decided not to regret stepping forward for her.

“I heard that you and Princess Rasiel have been close friends since childhood.”

“Oh, right. We’ve known the princess for a long time.”

“This is a secret, but even though you are still cute now, when you were younger, the princess was so cute that you couldn’t even speak.”

When Princess Rasiel was mentioned, the nobles’ faces brightened again.

“It must not have been an easy decision to enter the labyrinth. How did you make that decision?”

Baron Moyle was the first to answer my question.

“It was something that had to be done. Aren’t you a noble of the empire? Noblesse oblige!”

It is said that when the princess earnestly asked for help, there was no reason to refuse her request.

“I was interested in the labyrinth. If the princess hadn’t suggested it, I would have formed a team and entered the labyrinth.”

Some people came because they were interested in the labyrinth itself.

After hearing everyone’s reasons, I realized that the reason I decided to enter the labyrinth wasn’t all that special.

In addition, there was a noble who joined the team for the most special reason of all.

“Is it because of Princess Cannabi?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

It was an answer that seemed somewhat tragic.

He was a man who was still boyish, but so handsome that the word pretty boy suited him well.

“Tsk tsk.”

Judging from the way the surrounding nobles shook their heads in disapproval of his words, it seemed like he had some kind of story involving Princess Kanabi.

“I immediately accepted when I heard that it was related to Princess Kanabi. Princess Rasiel had been very close to her sister Princess Kanabi since they were young. I couldn’t refuse since it was for her.”

“If you say it indirectly, how can the priest not understand? Just be honest. I said I would do it because I have a crush on Princess Cannabi.”

“Ah, unrequited love… .”

Judging from the fact that it was called unrequited love, it seems like it was a relationship that would be difficult to achieve.

“Why did you conclude that it was unrequited love! You never know!”

“Why would he marry someone like you? I don’t know if you’re the eldest, but if you’re the youngest.”

If you are the first, you will inherit the family line and therefore have power.

But usually, the youngest child in a family receives a certain amount of property and has to figure out how to make a living for himself.

That’s probably why he couldn’t properly express his feelings to Princess Canabi even though he had her in mind.