Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 53
High Priest Grein watched in relief as a maid carrying pastries entered the carriage.
Irene still disliked interacting with the outside world, but she seemed to be in a not-so-bad mood nonetheless.
The sky was less cloudy than usual. That alone was enough to soothe Grein’s heart. Allen did not seem to bear any ill will towards Irene, and King Garan felt the same.
‘Perhaps this pilgrimage could go smoothly after all.’
Now, all that was left was for Roxon, who remained at the temple, to fulfill his duty.
“Do not seek me out.”
After Saint Irene departed, Roxon holed up in the prayer room. He used to visit the prayer room every few days, but this time, the duration was noticeably longer.
The priest who always followed him looked anxiously at the prayer room’s door, which showed no signs of opening.
If Grein had been there, he could have asked her to peek inside, but she had set out on this pilgrimage.
“Your Grace.”
The priest knocked on the door with a tense expression.
With one of only two High Priests absent, it was frustrating to be left with duties he couldn’t address alone.
‘There are matters I can’t handle by myself.’
The priest’s duties were clear by his position, so he could not take over the High Priest’s responsibilities. Thus, he had no choice but to wait for Roxon.
How long had he been waiting outside the prayer room when another priest came to find him?
“Priest Rudd.”
Priest Rudd responded to his call.
“Yes, what is it?”
“It’s just that…”
The approaching priest, with an embarrassed look, spoke to Rudd.
“Lady Ramiel wishes to pray to the Goddess.”
Ramiel. Everyone had believed she would become a saint, yet, did not.
Some even speculated that there must have been a flaw in her, stirring rumors.
Thus, even Rudd, who was following Roxon, hesitated to meet her readily.
“Lady Ramiel is a regular devotee. Shouldn’t this be resolved by simply directing her to the confessional?”
“She wishes to meet Lord Roxon after her prayer.”
“Lord Roxon is currently praying to the Goddess. He cannot meet her.”
“I have explained that, but it doesn’t seem like she wants to leave.”
The priest wore a troubled expression. Rudd felt his inconvenience grow.
This should be handled nicely. To think she would bring up such a request.
Now, Ramiel is neither a saint nor a candidate. But what are they to do if she refuses to leave?
Previously, concessions were made because Ramiel was a candidate for sainthood.
‘Still, Lord Roxon did care for Ramiel.’
Rudd swallowed a deep sigh.
“I will convey the message to Lord Roxon. Please have her wait for now.”
“Understood.”
The priest, relieved, withdrew. Rudd, swallowing another sigh, knocked on the prayer room door.
Roxon cried out, his head bowed to the floor.
Since entering the prayer room, Roxon had spoken incessantly, and though his voice was hoarse, he paid it no heed.
If only he could convey his words to the Goddess, it felt as though he could do anything.
“O Goddess, please hear me.”
He prayed, bowing down, repeatedly calling out to the Goddess with desperation, but no answer came.
The prayer room remained dark and silent, with only his own voice echoing back.
“O Goddess!”
There were two ways to become a priest.
One was to demonstrate one’s divine power in the occasional discernment tests held at the temple, and the other was to hear the voice of the Goddess.
Those who heard the Goddess’s voice were eventually marked with the Goddess’s emblem and invariably became High Priests.
Roxon, too, had followed this path to become a High Priest.
‘I am beloved by the Goddess.’
There was a time he believed this. But since when has it changed? The voice of the Goddess no longer reached him.
Grein, too, had confessed that the voice of the Goddess had grown fainter and harder to hear since some time ago.
It seemed he might be committing some great sin, unknown and tormenting to him.
If so, how grave must be the sin of one who lost the voice of the Goddess even quicker than Grein?
‘No, that’s not it.’
Roxon shook his head. The Goddess had not abandoned him.
It was merely a trial she had imposed. He thought that he must pray even harder.
With this in mind, he bowed his head again, but then he heard a knock from outside.
“Lord Roxon.”
I said not to disturb me during an important prayer. Roxon’s expression showed his annoyance as he rose up.
The prayer room had candles lit, but no windows. It could really be an urgent matter calling for him.
He moved with heavy steps.
“What is it?”
As he stepped outside and asked, the response came quickly.
“Lady Ramiel has come to visit.”
