episode_0039

Isn’t it too cruel to continue to reject his feelings when he is trying so hard to save me?

‘I’m worried about leaving that child alone, but if Father Arthur is there to help…’

It might be possible.

‘I am cautious because I may be criticized for involving the Holy Empire in the struggle for the throne…’

I don’t think there can be much criticism given that they were provided with a safe place.

However, my heart was heavy because all of these plans were possible thanks to the help and sacrifice of Priest Arthur.

It was natural to feel bad because it seemed like someone was taking advantage of your good feelings.

◎ ◎ ◎

Princess Kanabi’s expression didn’t look good for some reason.

It is clear that, contrary to Princess Rasiel’s words, my persuasion was not very convincing.

I hope Princess Rasiel won’t be too disappointed, since she told me not to blame her for not changing her mind.

“This came out of a labyrinth?”

“Isn’t that surprising?”

When Bishop Haman saw the item I had received from Princess Rasiel, he said he had something to show me and took me to a place.

When I got there, he was bragging about the items he had obtained from the recent labyrinth conquest.

“Is that a new product?”

“Do you know why the country formed a punitive force? Because there are things to find in the labyrinth.”

“If you’re looking for something in the labyrinth… are you talking about the holy relics?”

“That’s right. You figured it out so quickly, even though I just gave you a little hint.”

“!!”

Why is the holy relic in the labyrinth?

At the same time that I had doubts, I also worried whether I should be hearing such an incredible story.

“Is there any information you can share with me?”

“It’s something that will be known to everyone soon anyway. It’s not like it’s a big deal if you find out a little early.”

“Why is the holy relic in the labyrinth? Did he tell you to go into the labyrinth and get the holy relic?”

“No priest heard anything from him other than that the labyrinth would open. It was thanks to the records that we were able to know that there was a relic. In our Holy Empire, the records of the past were not lost and were well preserved.”

Other countries had many records lost due to war.

A world that was thought to be at peace after the labyrinth closed.

But unfortunately, peace did not come as people expected.

Instead, they began to aim their spears and swords at each other, pouring all the force they had poured into the labyrinth.

‘Thanks to that war, the Holy Empire developed at an incredible pace.’

They attached themselves to this country and that country and made huge profits in exchange for medical treatment.

On the other hand, other countries were wasting their defense capabilities by fighting each other.

As a result, cultural assets were destroyed and large amounts of diligently recorded data were lost.

When the labyrinth was reopened due to the foolish choices of their ancestors, their descendants were forced to enter with only rare information.

“Is it also written in the records where the holy relics are?”

“There are some relics that are recorded, but they are not accurate. More information is needed.”

It seems that the holy relic was not found in this expedition.

“Also, the records were ambiguous, so I thought it was a sacred relic, but it turned out to be a statue.”

“Is finding the holy relic the main purpose of the expedition force going forward?”

“Yes. And I got a call from the Deltrak royal family.”

The Deltrak Imperial Family.

Because of Princess Canabi and Princess Rasiel, I unintentionally developed a deep connection with the Empire.

So, there was a high probability that what Bishop Haman was saying had something to do with me.

“In fact, there have been many places that have asked to hire a priest for their team. I have refused, saying that I cannot go without the permission of the Holy Empire.”

“You handled it well. The church does not like the private activities of priests. Wouldn’t it be unpleasant if someone died while doing private activities in the labyrinth? Many people think that private activities should be strictly restricted for the safety of priests.”

I knew it wouldn’t be easy.

Knowing that, Princess Rasiel borrowed the name of the Deltrak Imperial Family.

“But everyone recognizes the need to allow limited permission as part of diplomatic activities.”

As expected, it seems that the request could not be completely ignored, at least for the sake of diplomacy with the Deltrak royal family.

“The Deltrak Imperial Family specifically requested to take Arthur Priest with them. I understand that Arthur Priest is close to the royal family of the Deltrak Empire. Did Arthur Priestly agree to this request?”

“Yes. The princess asked my intention first. I accepted it because I thought it was necessary for treatment. However, she placed a restriction that it had to be approved by the church.”

“What if permission is granted? If you cannot refuse and have no choice but to make excuses, the church will protect you.”

Bishop Haman’s question was considerate of me.

I answered with a smile.

“I chose this because I thought it was necessary.”

“Okay, I understand. Orders will come soon.”

“Thank you for your attention.”

“I hope that Arthur Priest finds the relic in the labyrinth. If he finds the relic and brings it back to the church, he will receive great recognition.”

The name of the holy relic is never light.

‘Because it is an object imbued with the power of the sun god.’

A sacred object that is said to bring miracles to the world.

I don’t know how many there are in the labyrinth, but if you find a holy relic, you will be eligible to challenge the cardinal.

‘There are more and more reasons to enter the labyrinth.’

There was no specific goal of challenging for the position of cardinal.

At first, I thought I would just suck up some honey and come back without going into the labyrinth, but aren’t people’s hearts really that treacherous?

The path to success was wide open before my eyes, but it couldn’t have been easy to turn away from it.

As circumstances change, we become more and more greedy and push ourselves too hard.

To the point where you find yourself volunteering to do things you swore you would never do.

“If you find a relic or know its location, please let me know.”

“Of course.”

I readily agreed to do so at Bishop Haman’s request.

There was someone close to me who was making my life more convenient, so there was no reason to share the benefits by sending a holy object to a stranger.

“I’m not sure if I’ll ever get such a glorious opportunity.”

“You never know.”

The future is something only he knows.

Even if you don’t have high expectations, it seems like he left a message because entering the labyrinth itself means that the possibility isn’t 0%.

Shortly after Bishop Haman’s permission was granted, a surprising story came from Princess Rasiel.

“My sister gave me permission! I told you so! Persuasion will work!”

The surprising news is that Princess Canabi has agreed to Princess Rasiel’s plan.

◎ ◎ ◎

Who are the people after Princess Canabee?

If you know Princess Canabi’s background, it’s easy to understand.

There is currently a crown prince who has been designated as the next emperor of the Deltrak Empire.

However, the current crown prince’s support base was very weak because his mother was a court lady.

On the other hand, Princess Kanabi’s mother was an empress of noble birth.

If the empress had given birth to a son, the prince who was a court lady would not have been able to ascend to the crown prince position.

After the former empress died.

The woman who was the emperor’s concubine managed to make her son the crown prince.

And she herself successfully ascended to the position of empress, proving firsthand what it means to turn one’s life around.

‘Empress Deltrak is so cruel and vicious.’

Perhaps the person trying to kill Princess Canaby is someone on Empress Deltrak’s side.

This is because the nobles support Princess Kanabi for reasons of tradition.

I think that if Princess Canabi isn’t there, no one will be able to get in the way of the Crown Prince.

‘It seems that the Holy Empire protested strongly and they have been holding back since then… .’

There was no way of knowing when he would act impulsively again.

Once they realize that I’m completely on the side of Princess Canabi and Princess Rasiel, they’ll start moving again.

Before that, Princess Canabi had to be moved to a safe place.

If they didn’t want to go to war with the Holy Empire, they wouldn’t be searching the inside of the temple to find Princess Kanabi.

So, if we are careful just about moving to the panic room, we can ensure Princess Canabi’s safety.

‘It’s tough living as royalty.’

How can someone bear the fear of someone trying to kill them so calmly?

And that too from family, who should be the most trustworthy people in life.

‘It’s definitely a prejudice to say that royals grow up in luxury.’

Princess Canabi, Princess Rasiel, and I, the three of us gathered in one place.

Now that Princess Canabi has finally accepted Princess Rasiel’s proposal, shouldn’t we start getting things started?

Princess Rasiel, feeling pleased to have her sister’s permission, excitedly explained her plan in more detail.

I’m saying that I’ll think of various ways to solve the curse without killing monsters, and with items from the labyrinth.

“You planned it well. That’s amazing.”

“I told you that I would prove to you that I can do well. Now, just think about yourself. Got it?”

“I don’t know if I can do that. It’s too much of a burden to you… .”

“I know what you’re worried about, Sister. They’ll never be able to kill me. You know how strong I am.”

Princess Rasiel raised her arm without any sense of confidence.

When you think about the strength those thin arms can produce, someone like me should never be laughed at.

People who don’t know might laugh and think it’s cute.

“Only Princess Rasiel and I know the information about the Panic Room. You must not share it with the knights. The existence of the Panic Room is strictly the property of the Holy Empire. Please understand that you are borrowing it.”

“We are grateful that you are helping us, so we cannot cause trouble. We will do so.”

“There’s something you need to know before that.”

Princess Rasiel looked back and forth between Princess Canabi and me, her eyes wide.

“Please speak.”

“Curse, right? What the hell is it?”

Princess Cannabi’s cursed state.

“… That’s.”

Princess Canabi was unable to continue speaking, perhaps because she found it difficult to speak to her younger sister.

“Tell me. I’m not a kid. I think it’s okay to know this much.”

It was also funny how they said they would trust me enough to entrust me with such an important mission, but then didn’t tell me how serious the curse was.