I Ended Up Saving the Duke Who Was Meant to Die - Chapter 6.8
Severus nodded slightly. Eliza, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, carefully spoke.
“The fact that someone with holy power had appeared became known through rumors. Though we don’t know where it started, it was talked about in social circles for a while. To the noble ladies, Michaelo was quite handsome, so it was natural.”
As Eliza said, judging purely by his face, it was an understandable story. His tall stature and a face that seemed to purify one’s heart just by looking at it. His appearance was indeed fitting for a High Priest.
“Yes, certainly the current High Priest has increased the number of believers. As a result, the temple grew and became what it is today.”
Albert nodded and added to Eliza’s words.
“But until now, no other information about the High Priest has been revealed.”
I didn’t know anything about him except his name. I didn’t even know how old he was. Everything surrounding him was truly mysterious.
“One thing that’s certain is that the priests found him, sensed Michaelo’s strong holy power, and groomed him to be the next High Priest.”
Considering his personality up until now, I thought it might have been planned from the beginning.
“Perhaps he made it so they had no choice but to find him. We need to question everything.”
I couldn’t get that underground space out of my mind. The sacrifices, and the pale faces and soulless appearances of the priests. Though I couldn’t estimate his age, there was no difference between the Michaelo I saw when I was young and the Michaelo now. That must be why we don’t know his age.
At that moment, something crossed my mind.
“What if…”
But could this make sense? No, such a thing couldn’t be possible.
Even to myself, it seemed nonsensical. So I shook my head and said, “No, it’s nothing.”
“Irene, it’s alright to say anything if you have something on your mind.”
“If he wasn’t killing them but simply taking their power… I thought it might make some sense. The priests and children I saw then seemed completely empty. I felt their holy powers were weak too, so this thought suddenly occurred to me.”
Everyone was quiet at my words. Perhaps I had said something ridiculous after all.
“He’s right. All the children who were taken were homeless children, children abandoned by their parents, or those who were sold and had lost all family connections.”
“Children whose disappearance wouldn’t raise suspicions. If these children had even a little holy power, my theory might be correct.”
To think he would use such methods to fill his lacking holy power. Perhaps the one sitting in the High Priest’s position was truly a devil.
“Someone needs to go to the temple to rescue the children.”
Severus shook his head at my words. He must have realized that someone meant me. There was no one more qualified than I was.
“He might drain all your power. He must be getting anxious since you’re not by his side. Moreover, if he’s been sustaining himself by taking others’ power until now, this timing is dangerous.”
“But it has to be me. Others don’t have holy power, and they’re not familiar with the temple building. And recruiting new people would be too risky.”
“Irene, I don’t like this.”
“If someone has to do it, I want it to be me.”
Especially if his true nature needs to be revealed.
***
Severus organized the list. He met with noble families who were dissatisfied with the current imperial family. He gave them what they wanted and took what he wanted.
Since the Blake duchy had overflowing funds, sharing some with those who sided with him wouldn’t cause significant losses.
He even had the support of the imperial citizens, so it wasn’t a bad choice for nobles to bet on him. It would be enough if they just hindered the imperial family’s movements when necessary.
“If we remove him from the High Priest position, will the temple disappear?”
“Not likely. Those who remain will establish a new temple and try to raise their status again. We can only hope it won’t be as corrupt as the current one.”
“I’m worried about Madam. We don’t know what the High Priest might do…”
“We agreed to move only after setting up sufficient countermeasures. The emperor’s reaction is what worries me.”
“If the nobles move according to plan, it should be fine.”
Severus scanned the list and put it in the drawer.
“If it’s revealed that human trafficking is taking place, other nobles won’t easily side with the imperial family either. Or if it’s revealed how Michaelo maintains his life, the situation would change.”
Severus tapped the desk with his hand, lost in thought.
‘We can’t blow up the basement. No, wait, can we blow it up?’
The evidence would disappear, but remembering Irene’s horrified face, even that didn’t matter. Though Michaelo wouldn’t be able to deny it if others witnessed it, he still didn’t like the idea.
***
I changed my clothes and looked in the mirror. My red hair flowed down. People call me a witch, but for someone with healing abilities to be called a witch – I wondered if they would say the same thing even after learning the truth.
‘Perhaps they’ll say I borrowed power from the devil.’
Even Severus, who returned alive after winning difficult battles, was called a devil by people. I stroked my red hair.
The maid finished the preparations and left the room. I saw Eliza standing outside the door.
“Come in. We still have time, so we can talk briefly.”
Her eyes were full of worry.
“Don’t worry. I’ll return safely this time too. Severus won’t be coming with me.”
“…Will Madam be going alone?”
“Yes, there’s no need for others to risk themselves.”
“But it’s dangerous alone. I heard the imperial family might react unpredictably since they’re quite agitated.”
“The High Priest will never be honest about me. I’m certain of this.”
