Come and Cry at My Funeral - Chapter 85
The illegitimate wench’s position
In the capital’s temple, as Thea had said, a long line of people awaited blessings from newly inaugurated priests.
However, Freesia was grateful for her noble status for the first time, as it allowed her to bypass the seemingly endless queue due to the weather.
‘Thankfully, they didn’t inquire too closely because the line was long.’
The distinction between nobles and commoners was clear through just the attire, and with knights and a maid in tow, Freesia’s noble yet anonymous appearance sufficiently proved her status.
Especially since the temple publicly preached Adamant’s equal love for both nobles and commoners, they couldn’t expose their true feelings during such an important outdoor event.
Soon, Freesia was introduced to someone unexpected—the priest from Deneb. The moment Freesia stepped forward, the man seated on a white marble stool looked up.
His red eyes twinkled with surprise.
“You are—”
“……!”
Freesia widened her eyes at the priest’s recognizing gaze. She remembered the priest, but he remembered her too?
However, instead of loudly announcing her as ‘the duchess’ upon recognition, he smiled reverently and extended his right hand.
‘Ah.’
It meant to offer the item for blessing and to pray together. Freesia quickly pulled out the linen-wrapped item and knelt before the priest.
“May Adamant’s radiant protection be upon you, my lady.”
“And upon you, priest, may glory come your way.”
As the priest gently touched the linen during the prayer, his hand briefly met Freesia’s. It felt as though a star’s light was seeping through, a mystical sensation she felt for the first time since she had never been sick due to her tough upbringing.
But as she looked up in wonder, she involuntarily flinched.
‘……? Is he, smiling a bit?’
It was an expression somewhat tinged by greed, as if he had discovered an unexpected treasure.
“Priest……?”
“Oh, my apologies.”
Yet, as if it were a lie, the priest’s expression returned to a reverent smile as if a veil had misled his eyes.
He withdrew his hand from Freesia and whispered calmly,
“I am glad to see you in good health, my lady.”
“As am I. Congratulations on your elevation to the capital’s temple.”
“What an overstatement.”
The priest chuckled warmly, helping Freesia to her feet gently.
“Meeting again like this must be an arrangement by God…”
He led Freesia towards the waiting room, explaining,
“Should you ever be troubled, come find me. Since you are interested in doctrine, I may be of some help.”
“Thank you for your words, priest. How may I address you?”
“Ah.”
The priest hesitated for a moment but then smiled warmly and replied,
“Canopus. Please seek out Canopus of Deneb.”
* * *
The blessing procession concluded late in the afternoon.
The new priests, overwhelmed by the transition from their hometowns, began to express their exhaustion in the lounge.
However, Canopus leisurely admired the capital’s vista from the corridor, casually flexing his hand. That accidental meeting had confirmed it.
‘That woman is blessed by God, just like me.’
Before this, he asked himself—was it just now awakening, or was the energy still too faint?
But now, he was certain.
Monsters, as Adamant teaches, are sent to warn humans of corruption. Thus, the fact that he could summon monsters was indeed confirmation that he was the chosen one who would punish this corrupt empire.
On the other hand, how about that woman?
‘After the first attack, I sent wolf monsters a few more times to the group from Arcturus.’
But after feeling fear towards the woman once, the wolf monster must have communicated with its peers, as no other monsters dared approach her location anymore.
Perhaps a stronger monster could…
‘The ability to instill fear in monsters, preventing them from even approaching…’
Canopus suppressed the rising thrill of excitement by brushing his lips with his hand.
“Ha…!”
The power, perfectly symmetrical to his own—a chosen one just like him.
That woman was of his kind.
And perhaps, a perfect match for Arcturus, destined to destroy monsters as if bestowed the last mercy by Adamant to that cursed family!
But what about the woman’s appearance earlier?
Claiming to be a ‘duchess,’ but accompanied only by a single maid and knight! Even to Deneb and in this capital!
“Haha…!”
Canopus covered his mouth and bent over as he burst into stifled laughter, then slowly raised his head with a grin.
“…That foolish knave.”
His great step-brother, the comet, Izar.
Pursuing the restoration of the family’s honor, yet unaware of the blessing that had fallen into his lap.
Those damned servants of the cursed Arcturus family were no different.
‘Haa… I wonder what his expression will be when he learns of this.’
Initially, he just hoped that woman would become Izar’s weakness…
‘…Perhaps it’s time to alter the plan to take her life?’
If she was also chosen by God, might she not see the world from the same perspective as himself? It would be delightful for him to find someone who understands life as he does.
‘But there’s something to do before we meet again.’
It was time to explore the secrets hidden within the capital’s temple in this corrupt empire.
