Ch.233233. I Have Come by Imperial Order.

“Wow!! It’s my first time visiting a temple. By any chance, have you been here before, Young Master?”

“I haven’t either.”

Jawil Wilson, sitting next to me on the reception room sofa, looks around with a dazed expression before opening his mouth.

“Come to think of it, this is also my first time meeting the Holy Maiden. Have you seen her before, Young Master?”

“Everything’s a first for me too.”

At that, Jawil Wilson tilts his head curiously.

“But why are you so calm, Young Master? Aren’t you amazed by this sacred atmosphere?”

I was just as surprised as Jawil Wilson.

The quiet reception room of the temple.

It had quite a splendid yet solemn atmosphere.

The walls were decorated with ancient murals, and the ceiling softly illuminated the entire room.

At one end of the room, unfamiliar flowers placed in vases spread their fragrance through the air.

“It’s my first time too, but unlike you, I’m not the type to show it like some country bumpkin.”

“C-country bumpkin? Wow!! Are you looking down on me because I’m from Pandera territory!?”

“That’s not it. I’m saying the way you’re acting right now is like a country bumpkin.”

“Young Master, you’re being too harsh.”

Jawil Wilson’s shoulders droop sadly.

Ignoring him, I continued speaking.

“Don’t make any verbal mistakes with the Holy Maiden just because you’re excited.”

“….Why do you call the Holy Maiden just ‘Holy Maiden’?”

“That’s only because it’s just the two of us.”

“What if someone hears you? Or what if I accidentally tell others that you referred to the Holy Maiden as just ‘Holy Maiden’—”

I cut off Jawil Wilson’s words and folded my arms firmly.

“Then I suppose I could just kill you to prevent any further leaks, couldn’t I?”

“….I apologize.”

“What do you have to be sorry for? It’s your mouth that’s the problem.”

“….I’m just sorry for everything.”

Jawil Wilson slumps his shoulders again.

By the way, does it always take the Holy Maiden this long to prepare?

Claudia, the Holy Maiden.

When she first appeared in the original story, she was uniquely introduced as someone who didn’t seem “crazy.”

Well, she did have serious flaws later on, but that’s something that will happen in the future and doesn’t concern me.

I wasn’t worried.

After all, among the original female characters, she “was” the most normal one after Serion Lycus and Rio.

“Jawil Wilson.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“What do you think the Holy Maiden is?”

“Just a sacred person who resides in the temple?”

“And?”

“I don’t know beyond that?”

I sighed briefly before continuing.

“What did I tell you in the carriage?”

After pondering for a moment, Jawil Wilson’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“You said His Majesty the Emperor has fallen ill with a fatal disease.”

“To be precise, not a fatal disease, but an illness of unknown cause.”

“An… unknown illness?”

“Yes.”

“Then why are we seeking the Holy Maiden? Shouldn’t we be looking for Rebecca, who specializes in healing magic, or physicians?”

Most people only know the Holy Maiden as someone who serves the gods in the temple.

That’s half right and half wrong.

Among Holy Maidens, there are those who can heal people with sacred energy.

However.

As I mentioned earlier, the Holy Maiden serves the gods.

But how would someone who doesn’t believe in gods think?

Naturally, they would dismiss the Holy Maiden’s healing abilities as mere rumors.

There’s good reason for this.

Unlike physicians and mages who treat people with herbs, acupuncture, and magic, the Holy Maiden requires sacred power.

Of course, she can gather sacred power quickly using relics and holy objects, but that’s only possible when they’re available.

Most of the time, sacred power is accumulated through prayer and meditation, communing with the gods.

Ultimately, there are many obstacles when using sacred power.

Therefore.

Unless someone had directly witnessed or experienced the Holy Maiden’s healing power, they wouldn’t believe it.

Currently, the Holy Maiden was merely seen as a sacred being who serves the gods.

Or someone who makes prophecies, nothing more.

That’s why even Emperor Malius hadn’t asked the Holy Maiden to cure his illness.

“It’s a time when the Holy Maiden doesn’t yet have much presence.”

“….What? I don’t understand what the Holy Maiden’s lack of presence has to do with His Majesty’s illness….”

I stared at Jawil Wilson for a moment before letting out a deep sigh.

“Do you think the Emperor hasn’t consulted physicians and mages?”

“I-I suppose he would have.”

“Yes, he’s already thoroughly sought out the best physicians and healing mages in the Eastern Continent.”

Jawil Wilson hesitated before clapping his hands as if something had occurred to him.

“Ah! Then we must be seeking the Holy Maiden’s prophecy to find a physician or mage who can cure His Majesty?”

“Your brain is working, but that’s not the correct answer.”

“….Huh? Then…?”

Creeeeak-!

At that moment, the reception room door opened.

And there appeared Claudia the Holy Maiden, accompanied by a holy knight who looked formidable at first glance.

She wore a pure white robe.

Her hair shone golden, and her eyes were as calm and serene as if they contained a vast ocean.

“Holy Maiden Claudia, it is an honor to meet you.”

Rising from the sofa, I placed my right hand on my left chest and greeted her respectfully. Claudia the Holy Maiden responded with a gentle smile.

“Lord Selden Alphonse, I’ve been wanting to meet you too.”

“Haha…. is that so?”

“You’re the first person in the Eastern Continent to stop a monster wave. Thanks to you, our territory no longer needs to worry about monster waves.”

After exchanging pleasantries, Claudia the Holy Maiden and I sat facing each other on the sofa.

Even the holy knight standing behind her looked at me with curious eyes.

Of course, Jawil Wilson behind me was also repeatedly exclaiming in admiration at Claudia the Holy Maiden’s appearance.

“….I didn’t know I was this famous.”

“My, Lord Selden Alphonse is even modest?”

“You flatter me. I merely stopped the monster wave by luck.”

At my words, Claudia the Holy Maiden shook her head.

“No, I was truly amazed when I first saw your defense formation design.”

“Is that so?”

“May I ask how you constructed such an elaborate defense formation when the monster wave wasn’t even certain?”

“I made a fortune in business and reinvested it for the safety of the people living in Lake territory, that’s all.”

Claudia the Holy Maiden reacted with wide, rabbit-like eyes.

“Even nobles who have gained wealth through business often only look after their own interests…. Lord Selden Alphonse, you truly are special.”

Claudia the Holy Maiden smiled solemnly once more.

Her nose stood elegantly, with small, delicate nostrils.

Her skin glowed white like milk and looked smooth.

Particularly, all her features harmonized perfectly, highlighting her noble dignity befitting a Holy Maiden.

“I’m at a loss for words with such praise from the Holy Maiden.”

Jawil Wilson stared at me curiously, seemingly surprised by my display of utmost courtesy.

Meanwhile, Claudia the Holy Maiden neatly placed her hands on the table and spoke.

“May I ask why you’ve come?”

When I hesitated, Claudia the Holy Maiden seemed to notice and gestured for the holy knight to leave the reception room.

The holy knight left without resistance.

Then she spoke again.

“Can you tell me now?”

After confirming the holy knight had left, I adjusted my posture to begin the conversation in earnest.

“This is actually highly confidential.”

At the word “confidential,” Claudia the Holy Maiden swallowed hard.

“….Meaning it shouldn’t be disclosed to anyone?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“What brings you here?”

“I’ve come by imperial order.”

“I-imperial order?”

“Before coming here, I met with His Majesty the Emperor at the imperial palace.”

I deliberately exaggerated the term “imperial order.”

To prevent any possible rejection.

Even Claudia the Holy Maiden seemed taken aback by the sudden mention of an “imperial order,” blinking her eyes.

“If I may ask, what business does His Majesty have with me?”

“Currently, His Majesty has fallen ill with an unknown disease. All the famous physicians and healing mages in the Eastern Continent have been secretly summoned, but none could even identify the illness.”

“….I see.”

“That’s why we need your help, Holy Maiden.”

Claudia the Holy Maiden took a deep breath and continued calmly.

“I am merely a Holy Maiden, not a physician or a mage.”

“I’ve heard that Holy Maiden Claudia can heal people with sacred power.”

“That is true, but I don’t have the ability to cure every disease in this world.”

“Still, His Majesty believes that healing with sacred power is the last resort.”

“….Then please give me time to think.”

Claudia the Holy Maiden replied, biting her lip slightly.

I had expected her cautious nature would take quite some time….

Should I use her weakness to make sure?

Swish-!

I grabbed Claudia the Holy Maiden’s hands, which were neatly placed on the table, and continued.

“Please help us. If His Majesty passes away, a bloodbath will ensue in the imperial palace.”