Lafitte asked with a weary face.
“Since when...Since when has it been like that? Going to Klinefelter.”
Linden Klinefelter clicked his tongue at his nephew who asked in amazement.
“Do you not know why it must be so, eldest son?”
“...”
During the brief pause in thought, Linden Klinefelter slithered in as cunningly as a snake.
“When a high priest dies, it takes time until a new high priest is chosen. Of course, there has to be a funeral in the meantime. Since there is no high priest, there is no wedding either. Do you understand what I mean?”
So that meant he had plenty of time to spare. Lafitte's face hardened.
“Today is a good day. It’s getting dark at the gravesite.”
Darkness was the best device to cover up a murder.
“Think about it. What would be best to do? No. What would be most beneficial to you.”
“...”
Like the moon rising in the daytime, a conspiracy blossomed at an early hour.
“If you understand, then get out of the way. You’re getting in my way.”
The old man didn't move. Instead, he stared at Black with his bewildered eyes.
“Hey, I said get out of the way.”
As Black approached, the mercenaries responded. Their relaxed and loose postures had not changed much, but strangely, they felt straight as if cut with a knife in front of Black. It seemed as if they could see at a glance what kind of person Black was to them and how they regarded their leader.
“...”
Black's eyes scanned the old beggar. Liene saw the old man's one remaining eye tremble terribly the moment it met Black's. At that moment, he knew. What the old man had said.
“I see. Do you need more time?”
He was asking if they should talk more.
"No."
Liene turned around quickly. Fearing that her hands might tremble, Liene held onto Black’s arm.
“It’s unfortunate that he can’t speak properly. If we keep listening, we’ll be late for the funeral, so I think it would be best to just go. If you have anything to say to me, come and see me later.”
The last words were directed at the old man. The old man simply fluttered his eyelids without saying a word.
“Let’s just go.”
“...If you want.”
Black placed his other hand on the back of Liene's hand, which was holding his arm. Then, his body became half-embraced by him. Black slowly took his feet off from that position.
“Are you okay?”
"... Yes."
“You don’t look very good.”
It wasn't okay. The old man said... Liene clenched her teeth and tightened her grip on Black's arm.
“Once the funeral is over safely, everything will be okay.”
“I have given instructions not to let your guard down.”
"Thank god."
Fortunately, it wasn’t. The old man said
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“Since when...Since when has it been like that? Going to Klinefelter.”
Linden Klinefelter clicked his tongue at his nephew who asked in amazement.
“Do you not know why it must be so, eldest son?”
“Even without doing such things, Klinefelter enjoys the greatest power in this small land.”
“No way. You’re enjoying the present because we did such a thing. And the most powerful? Where did you hear that? The ruling power of Nauk is in the hands of the wrong family!”
“Do you want to have the power to rule so badly? Even knowing the humiliation that Princess Liene is going through while holding that power?”
“That’s all to say that the power is not in place. That little thing can’t even use what she has.”
It was the Klinefelters who made it happen. They controlled the High Priest's neck.
“The high priest must be replaced. You must know that.”
"...”
Lafitte made a face that said he was tired.
“What on earth are you trying to do?”
“Is the method the problem?”
There were many ways in which Klinefelter could have committed murder. The only problem was that his target was a high priest.
“... I guess we need to find a successor soon.”
No, that wasn't even the issue. For Linden Klinefelter, it was more important to decide who would be the next high priest.
“I tell you, don’t do it. He is the high priest. If this gets out, how are you going to deal with the consequences?”
“That's your problem.”
Linden Klinefelter glared at his nephew and let out a sigh.
“You’re weak and fragile. That’s why you had your woman stolen with your eyes open.”
Those words hit the nail on the head, like a sharp spear.
“Uncle!”
As expected, Lafitte immediately lost control and showed his emotions.
“It wasn’t taken away. I know how much Liene loves me!”
Linden was extremely disappointed in his nephew, who was trying to take his place.
“Isn’t it because you can’t even keep a single woman? Since the high priest has gone over to the other side, there is no way to postpone the wedding.”
“I will make it.”
“No way. You’re enjoying the present because we did such a thing. And the most powerful? Where did you hear that? The ruling power of Nauk is in the hands of the wrong family!”
“Do you want to have the power to rule so badly? Even knowing the humiliation that Princess Liene is going through while holding that power?”
“That’s all to say that the power is not in place. That little thing can’t even use what she has.”
It was the Klinefelters who made it happen. They controlled the High Priest's neck.
“The high priest must be replaced. You must know that.”
"...”
Lafitte made a face that said he was tired.
“What on earth are you trying to do?”
“Is the method the problem?”
There were many ways in which Klinefelter could have committed murder. The only problem was that his target was a high priest.
“... I guess we need to find a successor soon.”
No, that wasn't even the issue. For Linden Klinefelter, it was more important to decide who would be the next high priest.
“I tell you, don’t do it. He is the high priest. If this gets out, how are you going to deal with the consequences?”
“That's your problem.”
Linden Klinefelter glared at his nephew and let out a sigh.
“You’re weak and fragile. That’s why you had your woman stolen with your eyes open.”
Those words hit the nail on the head, like a sharp spear.
“Uncle!”
As expected, Lafitte immediately lost control and showed his emotions.
“It wasn’t taken away. I know how much Liene loves me!”
Linden was extremely disappointed in his nephew, who was trying to take his place.
“Isn’t it because you can’t even keep a single woman? Since the high priest has gone over to the other side, there is no way to postpone the wedding.”
“I will make it.”
"How?"
“...”
During the brief pause in thought, Linden Klinefelter slithered in as cunningly as a snake.
“When a high priest dies, it takes time until a new high priest is chosen. Of course, there has to be a funeral in the meantime. Since there is no high priest, there is no wedding either. Do you understand what I mean?”
So that meant he had plenty of time to spare. Lafitte's face hardened.
“Today is a good day. It’s getting dark at the gravesite.”
Darkness was the best device to cover up a murder.
“Think about it. What would be best to do? No. What would be most beneficial to you.”
“...”
Like the moon rising in the daytime, a conspiracy blossomed at an early hour.
***
The aftermath of the collapse of the temple steps was quite large. The most bewildered of all was probably the old beggar who went up to the temple once every two days to get a loaf of water bread for the priests.
“...”
The old beggar stood there, staring blankly at the collapsed stairs. The one remaining eye behind his dirty hair dripping with slop looked unusually cloudy today. Although he had two arms, the old beggar could not use one of them. His legs were no different. His shrunken left foot dragged on the dirt whenever he touched the ground with his cane. It was surprising that he could climb those high stairs every time with such a body.
“...”
The old beggar stood there, staring blankly at the collapsed stairs. The one remaining eye behind his dirty hair dripping with slop looked unusually cloudy today. Although he had two arms, the old beggar could not use one of them. His legs were no different. His shrunken left foot dragged on the dirt whenever he touched the ground with his cane. It was surprising that he could climb those high stairs every time with such a body.
“Hey, over there! It’s dangerous, get out of the way!”
Someone shouted at the old man. It was a Tiwakan mercenary who was preparing to receive the coffin that was coming down from above. It was an unusual sight, so there must have been quite a few people watching, but surprisingly, the front of the temple was empty.
Someone shouted at the old man. It was a Tiwakan mercenary who was preparing to receive the coffin that was coming down from above. It was an unusual sight, so there must have been quite a few people watching, but surprisingly, the front of the temple was empty.
The people of Nauk were still afraid of Tiwakan. Most of them believed that they would be beheaded if they made eye contact. The old beggar had not heard the rumor, or perhaps his mind was crazy, so he stood in the middle of the road and stared at them the whole time. At first, the mercenaries did not pay attention. However, as the coffin began to come down, it became a nuisance.
“That man...”
Instead of stepping aside, the old beggar approached the mercenary and spoke. His voice was so sharp, like boiling phlegm, that no one could understand it.
"What?"
The old man lifted his withered hand with difficulty and pointed somewhere.
The person at the tip of his finger was Black riding a black horse.
"Who..."
“Huh? What did you say?”
"Who..."
Unfortunately, the old man couldn’t use his neck as well as his hands and feet. However, he could clearly understand what he was trying to say. The mercenary looked at the old man’s fingertips and Black alternately. The Tiwakan mercenaries were the most brutal murderers on the battlefield, but they had a strict code among themselves. They never killed unarmed people unless there was a reason or permission.
“That man...”
Instead of stepping aside, the old beggar approached the mercenary and spoke. His voice was so sharp, like boiling phlegm, that no one could understand it.
"What?"
The old man lifted his withered hand with difficulty and pointed somewhere.
The person at the tip of his finger was Black riding a black horse.
"Who..."
“Huh? What did you say?”
"Who..."
Unfortunately, the old man couldn’t use his neck as well as his hands and feet. However, he could clearly understand what he was trying to say. The mercenary looked at the old man’s fingertips and Black alternately. The Tiwakan mercenaries were the most brutal murderers on the battlefield, but they had a strict code among themselves. They never killed unarmed people unless there was a reason or permission.
The mercenary was a little taken aback by the old man’s lack of recognition of Black, but he answered. It seemed that his eyesight was not good.
“He is the chief of Tiwakan and the god of those who use the name Tiwakan.”
“...”
“He is the chief of Tiwakan and the god of those who use the name Tiwakan.”
“...”
“If you understand, then get out of the way. You’re getting in my way.”
The old man didn't move. Instead, he stared at Black with his bewildered eyes.
“Hey, I said get out of the way.”
The words seemed to fall on deaf ears. Lips covered by ash-gray beards trembled, making sounds that could not be heard.
Will you return? The sins of Nauk. The blood could not flow that day. Is it about to flow now?
...It had been twenty-one years since the old beggar had appeared in Nauk. It had also been twenty-one years since the nine waterfalls had dried up and the signs of a severe drought had begun.
***
It was time to move to the chapel. Liene, dressed in mourning, had placed the darkest black roses in her hair as decoration. Madame Flambard thought that her hair looked even prettier, but she said nothing because it was a funeral.
Today, the gates were wide open. The funeral, which should have been held in the temple, had been changed to the royal chapel, so anyone who wanted to attend should have been able to attend as usual. Liene knew that quite a few people were heading to the royal chapel.
“I think there are more people than at previous funerals.”
As Liene muttered softly, Madame Flambard nodded once in response.
“I guess so. Everyone is curious.”
“What? ...Ah.”
Liene closed her mouth bitterly before speaking. She guessed they were curious. People would think Lafitte Kleinfelter was dead. They meant to see how Liene would fare at her dead lover’s funeral with her new fiancé. This was a bad situation. They might say bad things about Black and Tiwakan. It was also possible that the Kleinfelters had incited the gossip. It had happened before. Linden Kleinfelter had a pathological aversion to the people of Nauk showing affection for Liene.
“I should at least give a word to Lord Tiwakan.”
“I don’t know how to shut people’s mouths, but it would be better if you let him know. He’d probably be a little less angry.”
“...Could that be so?”
Somehow, that man didn't seem like he would get angry just because someone swore at him. Now that she thinks about it, she's never seen Black get angry before. But when Liene thinks of him, fear always coexists with other emotions.
“I think there are more people than at previous funerals.”
As Liene muttered softly, Madame Flambard nodded once in response.
“I guess so. Everyone is curious.”
“What? ...Ah.”
Liene closed her mouth bitterly before speaking. She guessed they were curious. People would think Lafitte Kleinfelter was dead. They meant to see how Liene would fare at her dead lover’s funeral with her new fiancé. This was a bad situation. They might say bad things about Black and Tiwakan. It was also possible that the Kleinfelters had incited the gossip. It had happened before. Linden Kleinfelter had a pathological aversion to the people of Nauk showing affection for Liene.
“I should at least give a word to Lord Tiwakan.”
“I don’t know how to shut people’s mouths, but it would be better if you let him know. He’d probably be a little less angry.”
“...Could that be so?”
Somehow, that man didn't seem like he would get angry just because someone swore at him. Now that she thinks about it, she's never seen Black get angry before. But when Liene thinks of him, fear always coexists with other emotions.
...A strange person. Liene didn't hate him, but she did hate him, and she wasn't scared, but she was scared.
“Princess. What are you thinking so deeply about?”
While Liene was thinking about Black, Madam Flambard asked, pulling on the hem of her dress slightly.
“You have to look ahead. The road here is uneven like inside a castle. You might fall.”
"...Ah."
Liene was surprised to find herself already near the chapel. She had only thought for a moment, but time had passed. It was as if he had stolen her time.
“Yeah. I need to come to my senses... Huh.”
Bam!
“Princess. What are you thinking so deeply about?”
While Liene was thinking about Black, Madam Flambard asked, pulling on the hem of her dress slightly.
“You have to look ahead. The road here is uneven like inside a castle. You might fall.”
"...Ah."
Liene was surprised to find herself already near the chapel. She had only thought for a moment, but time had passed. It was as if he had stolen her time.
“Yeah. I need to come to my senses... Huh.”
Bam!
It was not that she didn't notice, but something caught her foot at that very moment. She almost fell down horribly. Liene stopped walking precariously and looked at her foot. The end of someone's worn cane was sticking out from the side of the road as if it were intentional.
“...”
Liene moved her gaze to find the person holding out the staff. It was the old beggar in front of the temple.
“Madam, just a moment.”
Liene also knew of the old man's existence. Sometimes, when she visited the temple, she would bring him food and put it in his hand. The old man was not a bad person, just a miserable life.
“I have nothing to give you today since I’m going to a funeral. Would you like to wait until after the service?”
“...”
The old man just stared blankly at Liene without saying a word.
“A coffin will be carried down this road soon. Make sure you have a cane handy in case you trip.”
“... Daughter of K... Uk... Sinner.”
"Yes?"
His beard-covered lips moved, but Liene couldn't quite hear what he was saying.
“What did you say?”
Liene bowed slightly towards the old man, to hear what he had to say.
“Sin... leads to blood... past... now... Arsak’s daughter... will soon bleed...”
"What...?"
Madame Flambard, sensing that Liene's expression had changed, stepped in and grabbed Liene's arm.
“Princess! You shouldn’t come too close. How can you trust someone you don’t even know?”
“Wait a minute. I think he's trying to tell me something.”
Meanwhile, Tiwakan's mercenaries, who were in charge of security within the castle today, came running from afar.
“Princess! Are you okay?”
The two mercenaries quickly grabbed the old beggar and dragged him away, putting some distance between them.
“Yes, it’s okay. But we're not done talking yet. Could you please step aside?”
“Oh, is that so?”
The mercenaries readily moved away. However, their eyes were fixed fiercely on the old beggar. Their intention to tell him not to do anything because they were guarding him was frighteningly obvious. Liene faced the old man again and asked.
“Can you say that again? What do you mean?”
The old man licked his lips.
"...just."
“...?”
There was a moment when Liene shook her head, wondering if she had heard wrong.
"What's the matter."
Liene turned her back to the sound and Black was standing there. She couldn't tell when he had come.
“The Princess has spoken to this man.”
“...”
Liene moved her gaze to find the person holding out the staff. It was the old beggar in front of the temple.
“Madam, just a moment.”
Liene also knew of the old man's existence. Sometimes, when she visited the temple, she would bring him food and put it in his hand. The old man was not a bad person, just a miserable life.
“I have nothing to give you today since I’m going to a funeral. Would you like to wait until after the service?”
“...”
The old man just stared blankly at Liene without saying a word.
“A coffin will be carried down this road soon. Make sure you have a cane handy in case you trip.”
“... Daughter of K... Uk... Sinner.”
"Yes?"
His beard-covered lips moved, but Liene couldn't quite hear what he was saying.
“What did you say?”
Liene bowed slightly towards the old man, to hear what he had to say.
“Sin... leads to blood... past... now... Arsak’s daughter... will soon bleed...”
"What...?"
Madame Flambard, sensing that Liene's expression had changed, stepped in and grabbed Liene's arm.
“Princess! You shouldn’t come too close. How can you trust someone you don’t even know?”
“Wait a minute. I think he's trying to tell me something.”
Meanwhile, Tiwakan's mercenaries, who were in charge of security within the castle today, came running from afar.
“Princess! Are you okay?”
The two mercenaries quickly grabbed the old beggar and dragged him away, putting some distance between them.
“Yes, it’s okay. But we're not done talking yet. Could you please step aside?”
“Oh, is that so?”
The mercenaries readily moved away. However, their eyes were fixed fiercely on the old beggar. Their intention to tell him not to do anything because they were guarding him was frighteningly obvious. Liene faced the old man again and asked.
“Can you say that again? What do you mean?”
The old man licked his lips.
"...just."
“...?”
There was a moment when Liene shook her head, wondering if she had heard wrong.
"What's the matter."
Liene turned her back to the sound and Black was standing there. She couldn't tell when he had come.
“The Princess has spoken to this man.”
As Black approached, the mercenaries responded. Their relaxed and loose postures had not changed much, but strangely, they felt straight as if cut with a knife in front of Black. It seemed as if they could see at a glance what kind of person Black was to them and how they regarded their leader.
“...”
Black's eyes scanned the old beggar. Liene saw the old man's one remaining eye tremble terribly the moment it met Black's. At that moment, he knew. What the old man had said.
“I see. Do you need more time?”
He was asking if they should talk more.
"No."
Liene turned around quickly. Fearing that her hands might tremble, Liene held onto Black’s arm.
“It’s unfortunate that he can’t speak properly. If we keep listening, we’ll be late for the funeral, so I think it would be best to just go. If you have anything to say to me, come and see me later.”
The last words were directed at the old man. The old man simply fluttered his eyelids without saying a word.
“Let’s just go.”
“...If you want.”
Black placed his other hand on the back of Liene's hand, which was holding his arm. Then, his body became half-embraced by him. Black slowly took his feet off from that position.
“Are you okay?”
"... Yes."
“You don’t look very good.”
It wasn't okay. The old man said... Liene clenched her teeth and tightened her grip on Black's arm.
“Once the funeral is over safely, everything will be okay.”
“I have given instructions not to let your guard down.”
"Thank god."
Fortunately, it wasn’t. The old man said
...Arsak’s daughter will bleed.
The muddy voice that had been interrupted intermittently now continued with a chilling clarity and rang in my head.
Because of revenge.
Who on earth is the old man? How does he know Black? Is the revenge he speaks of Black’s revenge? Is the person Black is seeking revenge on himself?
“...”
Deeng, deeng!
“...”
Deeng, deeng!
Just then, the chapel bell rang, shaking her thoughts. Her mind felt like it was going to be a jumbled mess.
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