It was mind-boggling. Someone who had been away from Nauk for a month was saying the same thing Klinefelter had said.
“What... why on earth would you say something like that? Where on earth is there such a thing as a curse? I believe that you are not the type of person to be swayed by such absurd words.”
“There is a curse, Princess. Gainers stole the power of the gods. In return, the gods cursed Nauk with eternal drought. As long as Gainers lives, the drought will never end. The blood must be shed.”
He's so excited.
“Speak sense! How could a human do such a thing! What kind of god would be so inferior to a human that he would just sit back and let his power be taken away!”
“I’m sorry, Princess.”
Instead of answering, Werose covered Liene's mouth. As Liene struggled, Werose took something out of his pocket and dropped it on the back of Liene's hand.
“...!”
A purple stain appeared on the back of her hand. Although the color was different, Liene guessed that it was the same poison that Bayar had used. It was used in the same way and had the same smell. The Grand Prince of Alito, the messenger of the Kingdom of Sharka, Werose...There was something that tied them together.
Perhaps, someone who never wanted to accept the name Gainers in this land again. That person could only be Kleinfelter...
The first thing that came to mind was the connection between Lafitte and the Kingdom of Sharka. And the Princess of the Kingdom of Sharkah...
Coincidentally, the newly widowed Princess of Sharka was the Grand Princess of Alito who had proposed to Black. The moment the three enemies became one in her head, Liene lost consciousness.
***
Knock, knock, knock knock.
The short knocks that rang out were the prearranged signals. Werose opened the door. The men who had brought him in on a stretcher were standing there. Just now, they hit the wall, signaling that they had dealt with the guards who had been watching, and crossed over to Werose’s room. One of them handed Werose a large sack. It was Werose’s luggage, but the useless clothes inside had already been taken out. Werose put Liene into the empty sack. The sack swallowed Liene’s small body as if it were a lie.
“You, support me. If I continue like this, I will be suspected.”
One of them stepped forward and put Werose's arm around his neck. The other carried the sack containing Liene on his back.
"Let's go."
“...”
The four, including Werose, left the empty guard quarters. They had no intention of crossing the gate. Even if Werose was involved, it would have been suspicious enough. Instead, Werose took the path that the person who had joined his hand for this task had told him. It was a side road that led from the backwater to the now dried-up waterfall. Tiwakan had meticulously locked the secret passage leading from Nauk’s castle, but there was no way to stop anyone from going out from the inside.
The move to the backwater was easy. The area that was already guarded had more guards than Tiwakan. The guards were glad that Werose had regained consciousness, and they had no doubt that he was seeing off his benefactors who had left in a hurry for some reason and that he wanted to light a cigarette before doing so.
Squeak. In the corner of the backwater where he had arrived, Werose opened the tightly closed lock and opened the door blocking the passage.
“From Liene.”
The one who appeared as the door opened spoke. Displeasure and concern were visible on Werose’s face, but he had no choice but to hand over the bag containing Liene.
“..."
He hurriedly untied the opening of the bag, which had been tied with a rope. Werose struck his hand away.
“What are you doing?”
“I just want to see her face... At least her face.”
The loose bag fell down, revealing tangled blond hair. The man who had been trying to see at least the face grabbed a handful of the blond hair and brushed it against his lips.
“Lieene...”
He was Lafitte Kleinfelter, who had crossed the border yesterday with the messager party of the Kingdom of Sharka.
“From Liene.”
The one who appeared as the door opened spoke. Displeasure and concern were visible on Werose’s face, but he had no choice but to hand over the bag containing Liene.
“..."
He hurriedly untied the opening of the bag, which had been tied with a rope. Werose struck his hand away.
“What are you doing?”
“I just want to see her face... At least her face.”
The loose bag fell down, revealing tangled blond hair. The man who had been trying to see at least the face grabbed a handful of the blond hair and brushed it against his lips.
“Lieene...”
He was Lafitte Kleinfelter, who had crossed the border yesterday with the messager party of the Kingdom of Sharka.
***
His guess was right. Ternan Kleinfelter was hiding in the temple. It was obvious from the priests' desperate attempts to block his way. At first, Black was annoyed, but later he started to get angry.
“My lord, don’t you think it takes too much time if you treat them so politely?”
Black agreed. He couldn't figure out how much Klinefelter had done for the priests to throw themselves at him like this. Even if they were just imitating the gestures while wearing a sheath, some accidents broke bones. He couldn't make Liene a tyrant, so he was trying hard, but he didn't like this slow pace. He wondered if he was going to be pressuring Randall again because he couldn't wait.
“My lord, don’t you think it takes too much time if you treat them so politely?”
Black agreed. He couldn't figure out how much Klinefelter had done for the priests to throw themselves at him like this. Even if they were just imitating the gestures while wearing a sheath, some accidents broke bones. He couldn't make Liene a tyrant, so he was trying hard, but he didn't like this slow pace. He wondered if he was going to be pressuring Randall again because he couldn't wait.
He couldn't help but laugh when he thought of Liene. She might have forgotten to put on his shoes and left the room, causing trouble for someone. He had told Randall not to bring Liene, so he would be desperate...
Black should stop thinking about it. Once the thought crossed his mind, his annoyance doubled. He was so angry that he was about to explode with frustration at having to deal with the dark priests while being careful when he should be lying in bed holding Liene.
“I need to change my method.”
Black decided to abandon courtesy. Courtesy meant nothing to the humans who were already coming to Klinefelter's defense.
“How do you say that?”
Black put down his sword, stood with his hand on the floor, and spoke to the priests.
“I know that Ternan Klinefelter is hiding here.”
“...What kind of accusation have you been talking about since a while ago?”
One priest who seemed to have some experience came forward and spoke.
“We are guarding this place because we cannot stand the sword of the world defiling the house of God. It is out of the question to hide anyone.”
Perhaps the relatively young priests were simply doing whatever the senior priests told them to do. But as Black said, their circumstances were of no concern to him.
“1000 gold.”
Black stood tall and recited the numbers.
“I need to change my method.”
Black decided to abandon courtesy. Courtesy meant nothing to the humans who were already coming to Klinefelter's defense.
“How do you say that?”
Black put down his sword, stood with his hand on the floor, and spoke to the priests.
“I know that Ternan Klinefelter is hiding here.”
“...What kind of accusation have you been talking about since a while ago?”
One priest who seemed to have some experience came forward and spoke.
“We are guarding this place because we cannot stand the sword of the world defiling the house of God. It is out of the question to hide anyone.”
Perhaps the relatively young priests were simply doing whatever the senior priests told them to do. But as Black said, their circumstances were of no concern to him.
“1000 gold.”
Black stood tall and recited the numbers.
“What are you talking about?”
“I’ll give it to you if you get out of the way.”
“How can you insult me like that! Are you now offering worldly gold in front of the child of God and asking him to betray God?”
“It’s not a betrayal, it’s a chance to check. Just get out of the way. I’ll pay the same amount even if Klinefelter isn’t here.”
“I’ll give it to you if you get out of the way.”
“How can you insult me like that! Are you now offering worldly gold in front of the child of God and asking him to betray God?”
“It’s not a betrayal, it’s a chance to check. Just get out of the way. I’ll pay the same amount even if Klinefelter isn’t here.”
“Oh, even if I say no?”
“Even if you try to block the road, nothing will change. Some will have their bones broken, some will faint, etc. From my perspective, it will just take more time. Wouldn’t it be better to check it out? If Klinefelter isn’t here, back off cleanly. And apologize.”
“...”
The priests hesitated. It was proof that they were almost there.
“...”
The priests hesitated. It was proof that they were almost there.
“If you really have nothing to hide, then there is no reason for you to stop me from bending down this much. If what you are really trying to protect is the house of God.”
“...Then, then.”
The priest who had been leading the way asked hesitantly.
“Are you really going to apologize? Will you promise, on the honor of the crown, that you will never again profane the sacred ground where God dwells for worldly reasons?”
“I promise.”
The priests rolled their eyes at each other. Black's guess was correct. They were simply blocking the path to the priest's quarters, following the orders of the high priests without even knowing what was going on.
"Then..."
The young priests quietly stepped aside without saying who would go first. Money was money, but the promise of an apology was more important. The priests were afraid of the sword, too, but Black offered a suitable carrot so that the priests could step aside without losing face.
“Since it is the words of a worldly ruler, I will give it that much weight.”
The path to the priest's house opened. Black lightly lifted the sword that had been on the ground and took a step. Tiwakan followed the path that opened easily. If Fermos were here, he would have been better at negotiating than fighting. Searching the priest's house was easier than expected. And Ternan Kleinfelter was hiding in the priest's house, as expected.
“...Then, then.”
The priest who had been leading the way asked hesitantly.
“Are you really going to apologize? Will you promise, on the honor of the crown, that you will never again profane the sacred ground where God dwells for worldly reasons?”
“I promise.”
The priests rolled their eyes at each other. Black's guess was correct. They were simply blocking the path to the priest's quarters, following the orders of the high priests without even knowing what was going on.
"Then..."
The young priests quietly stepped aside without saying who would go first. Money was money, but the promise of an apology was more important. The priests were afraid of the sword, too, but Black offered a suitable carrot so that the priests could step aside without losing face.
“Since it is the words of a worldly ruler, I will give it that much weight.”
The path to the priest's house opened. Black lightly lifted the sword that had been on the ground and took a step. Tiwakan followed the path that opened easily. If Fermos were here, he would have been better at negotiating than fighting. Searching the priest's house was easier than expected. And Ternan Kleinfelter was hiding in the priest's house, as expected.
***
This time, it was the high priests. Now, he was starting to wonder about that vicious connection.
“How much are you guys?”
Black asked.
“Call me. I’ll pass if the price is right.”
The high priests who stood in front of the room where Ternan Kleinfelter was supposedly hiding exchanged furtive glances. However, it was not necessarily because they were blinded by worldly tidbits.
“I despise that shallow worldliness that regards the children of God as objects to be bought and sold for money. Stop talking now.”
“If it goes on like this, both of us will get tired.”
“God will surely punish the one who tramples down His house with force. If you are afraid of the curse that will be added to your name, then go back.”
“Let’s say I’m worldly. Then you.”
Black spoke softly, more quickly than usual. He spoke faster when he was annoyed.
“What ties you to Klinefelter?”
No fool would believe that it wasn't about money. But even if it was a relationship built on money, this time it was different. The priests believed that it was God's will that Ternan Kleinfelter had come back to life. It had to be so. He had a past that could do that.
“God knows your name.”
"Yes?"
It was not surprising. If Ternan Klinefelter had come back to life, then so had the past.
“The children of God will never again allow that accursed name to take root in the land of Nauk. Such is the will of God.”
“There is something you are mistaken about.”
It was nothing new for priests to talk nonsense. It had been that way in the past, too. Words of curses had never leaked out without going through the temple. It was the mouth of the gods that made him a cursed Prince and turned his father into a mad tyrant who turned his back on God. If there had been no temple, the rebellion would not have been possible. That was why Manau, who recognized his face, shed tears and asked to be killed.
“How much are you guys?”
Black asked.
“Call me. I’ll pass if the price is right.”
The high priests who stood in front of the room where Ternan Kleinfelter was supposedly hiding exchanged furtive glances. However, it was not necessarily because they were blinded by worldly tidbits.
“I despise that shallow worldliness that regards the children of God as objects to be bought and sold for money. Stop talking now.”
“If it goes on like this, both of us will get tired.”
“God will surely punish the one who tramples down His house with force. If you are afraid of the curse that will be added to your name, then go back.”
“Let’s say I’m worldly. Then you.”
Black spoke softly, more quickly than usual. He spoke faster when he was annoyed.
“What ties you to Klinefelter?”
No fool would believe that it wasn't about money. But even if it was a relationship built on money, this time it was different. The priests believed that it was God's will that Ternan Kleinfelter had come back to life. It had to be so. He had a past that could do that.
“God knows your name.”
"Yes?"
It was not surprising. If Ternan Klinefelter had come back to life, then so had the past.
“The children of God will never again allow that accursed name to take root in the land of Nauk. Such is the will of God.”
“There is something you are mistaken about.”
It was nothing new for priests to talk nonsense. It had been that way in the past, too. Words of curses had never leaked out without going through the temple. It was the mouth of the gods that made him a cursed Prince and turned his father into a mad tyrant who turned his back on God. If there had been no temple, the rebellion would not have been possible. That was why Manau, who recognized his face, shed tears and asked to be killed.
However, things are different now than they were twenty years ago. The current monarch of Nauk was idealistic without a single flaw, and the six families who had used the temple had been made to obey him. Kleinfelter had nothing left but his name. Even if he had embezzled his wealth, he could not use it as he had before.
“What happens if you don’t allow it?”
Now the royal family was free from the sway of those who were supposed to be under its control.
“You want to butt heads again and try to cut my throat? Do you believe that’s possible?”
"That..."
The priests were silent. It was obvious to them that this could not be true. The one holding the sword here was not the Six Houses, but Black and the name of the sword was Tiwakan.
“This is all I can give you. Whether you are a high priest or a disciple, your life is all mine. I have avoided killing dozens, so cutting the heads of the remaining seven is no problem.”
“..."
“Considering what you guys are going to say in the future, it would be a good idea to shut your mouths in advance.”
The priests' faces turned pale.
“If you understand, then get out of the way.”
The pale faces looked at each other.
“That, that’s... that’s..."
“You said no?”
A slap. The sword in its sheath made an eerie clanking sound as Black tapped his waist. Black nodded slightly.
"Then."
Ssut! It was a moment when the sword was pulled out.
“Oh, no!”
A priest fell to the ground in fear as the blade flashed before his eyes. That was the beginning.
“Uh, uh...”
The priests began to back away slowly. As Black took a step forward, their retreat became faster.
“Ah, no... We already swore an oath. We said we would protect Nauk with our lives...”
One of the priests muttered belatedly, but it was already useless. Black was the winner. The past was not erased, but it was not repeated either.
“Open the door.”
As Black spoke softly, one of the priests opened the door hesitantly. There was no one in the room. Instead, the window leading outside was open.
“Oh, you don’t have any?”
Still, Black didn't seem too flustered.
“Get out of the way.”
As Black pushed the priest away and headed towards the window, Tiwakan's voice was heard outside the window.
“What happens if you don’t allow it?”
Now the royal family was free from the sway of those who were supposed to be under its control.
“You want to butt heads again and try to cut my throat? Do you believe that’s possible?”
"That..."
The priests were silent. It was obvious to them that this could not be true. The one holding the sword here was not the Six Houses, but Black and the name of the sword was Tiwakan.
“This is all I can give you. Whether you are a high priest or a disciple, your life is all mine. I have avoided killing dozens, so cutting the heads of the remaining seven is no problem.”
“..."
“Considering what you guys are going to say in the future, it would be a good idea to shut your mouths in advance.”
The priests' faces turned pale.
“If you understand, then get out of the way.”
The pale faces looked at each other.
“That, that’s... that’s..."
“You said no?”
A slap. The sword in its sheath made an eerie clanking sound as Black tapped his waist. Black nodded slightly.
"Then."
Ssut! It was a moment when the sword was pulled out.
“Oh, no!”
A priest fell to the ground in fear as the blade flashed before his eyes. That was the beginning.
“Uh, uh...”
The priests began to back away slowly. As Black took a step forward, their retreat became faster.
“Ah, no... We already swore an oath. We said we would protect Nauk with our lives...”
One of the priests muttered belatedly, but it was already useless. Black was the winner. The past was not erased, but it was not repeated either.
“Open the door.”
As Black spoke softly, one of the priests opened the door hesitantly. There was no one in the room. Instead, the window leading outside was open.
“Oh, you don’t have any?”
Still, Black didn't seem too flustered.
“Get out of the way.”
As Black pushed the priest away and headed towards the window, Tiwakan's voice was heard outside the window.
“Gotcha, my lord!”
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