“How did you know?”
Cain’s expression hardened completely. A look of bewilderment appeared on his face. No one should have noticed his hidden intentions, yet Yohan Rahardt had seen right through him.
How? Where had the information leaked from? That was impossible. Cain’s reason for targeting Francia Pervache was the “curse.” That curse was his secret alone, something no one else could possibly know.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about… But as the Archbishop of the Holy Kingdom, I wouldn’t have come all the way to the Empire for personal reasons, would I?”
Cain chose to feign ignorance.
“Let’s say, for argument’s sake, that what you’re suggesting is true. If that were the case, I wouldn’t have traveled with the expeditionary force I would have secretly infiltrated the Empire instead. That would have made things much smoother.”
And then, he added reasoning to support his words.
This was a common tactic Cain used when lying.
People often mix truth with lies to make them more convincing, but a more effective method was to provide supporting arguments.
“…”
Yohan narrowed his eyes. If Cain had panicked and started rambling, his suspicion might have lessened. But the fact that he remained calm and rebutted the claim only made him more suspicious.
Perhaps his thoughts were leaning that way because he was already wary and distrustful of Cain, but Yohan knew Cain Luhar well enough.
‘The fact that he’s reacting like this means…’
Just as Yohan had suspected he was up to something.
For instance, he could be here to find Francia.
‘I don’t know why, but that’s the only thing that makes sense right now.’
Did he hate the Empire and come along for revenge? Unlikely. That didn’t seem very plausible. He certainly wasn’t here to sabotage the demon lair containment operation.
‘The risk and reward just don’t match up.’
If Cain disrupted the containment efforts in Rogino’s demon lair, he might experience a fleeting sense of satisfaction. But in exchange, he would lose his position as Archbishop and everything he had built.
It simply wasn’t a reasonable move.
‘In the end, it all leads to one conclusion.’
He was after Francia.
The reason remained unclear, but that was the most likely possibility.
Why?
Because as Archbishop, traveling with the expedition made it much easier for him to meet Francia.
“I see. My apologies. It’s rare for someone of your rank to personally take action, so I may have been overly sensitive. I apologize.”
Yohan forced a polite smile.
For now, he had no choice but to take a step back.
“It’s fine. Your suspicion is understandable. As you know, relations between the Holy Kingdom and the Empire aren’t exactly friendly. I also understand your position, Minister.”
Yohan’s questioning had been quite improper, but it wasn’t unreasonable. Anyone would have been wary, given the tense relations between the two nations.
Cain continued.
“But this matter transcends national relations, does it not? This is the first step toward saving the continent. At such a critical moment, how could I not take part? Politics are irrelevant here.”
In essence, he was representing the Holy Kingdom of Pantheon. While the saintess was at the heart of the expedition, Cain Luhar was the Holy Kingdom’s strongest warrior and its greatest Archbishop.
“Understood.”
Yohan decided to end the conversation here. Words were no longer enough he needed to monitor Cain’s actions instead.
“My aide, Elena, will distribute the operation plans. You must be exhausted from your long journey, so please get some rest.”
* * *
At the heart of the imperial capital, there was a top-tier inn where only permitted nobles could stay.
It existed to accommodate foreign envoys or esteemed guests invited by the imperial family.
The expedition from the Holy Kingdom of Pantheon was also staying there.
Although their numbers were large, the sheer size of the inn made it a non-issue. Backed by the imperial family and the great nobles, the establishment wasn’t limited to just one building.
Thus, the Holy Knights and priests were relaxing in the inn’s lobby, savoring imperial cuisine or enjoying drinks alongside their meals.
However, the alcohol they drank was far from ordinary it was “holy water” brewed in the sanctum of Pantheon. In truth, it was more of a potion that enhanced recovery rather than actual liquor.
For them, this was what drinking meant.
Clink.
A glass was placed on the table.
“Saintess, was the journey difficult for you?”
Archbishop Cain asked with a gentle smile. Perhaps due to the holy water, the fatigue had faded from his face.
“Huh? N-No? Did I look that way?”
Arbella, who had been looking dejected for a while, blinked at his words. Her large eyes were filled with confusion.
“Yes. You’ve seemed dispirited ever since your meeting with the minister. Did something happen?”
“Well…”
Just as she was about to answer, her shoulders slumped. Her eyelids drooped, and the lively sparkle that usually filled her eyes dulled.
“I was so sure that the Saint was destined to be my husband… But then I heard that we can never be together… Is our bond truly meant to end like this…?”
She had wished for a love bound by destiny pure and fated. Not an impure relationship that involved taking another’s man.
Thus, the meeting she had longed for with the Saint had instead delivered a great shock. It was almost as if the goddess Freya’s will had been impure.
“Haha, don’t be too disheartened. This is the will of Goddess Freya, is it not? Surely, there is something we cannot yet understand.”
As Cain spoke with an easy smile, Arbella’s eyes widened.
“Oh! You’re absolutely right! True love must endure hardships and trials…! Surely, Goddess Freya wishes for the eternal love between the Saint and me!”
The dullness in her eyes vanished instantly, and strength returned to her slumped shoulders. Her faith in Goddess Freya and her feelings for Saint Yohan only grew stronger.
“I, Arbella, cannot give up like this! For the will of Freya, for my love! I will do everything in my power to get closer to the Saint!”
Clasping her delicate hands together, she closed her eyes. She was praying.
“I’m glad to see your spirits have returned.”
Cain smiled at her usual demeanor. However, his eyes did not smile.
‘…I’ll have to use Arbella to get closer.’
For some reason, Yohan Rahardt was suspicious of him. That meant he needed to divert the man’s attention. The Lady of Pervache was his fiancée, after all.
‘And the positioning isn’t bad either.’
A shadow passed over Cain’s eyes.
The army conducting the demon lair containment operation was divided into five units, and Lady Pervache was in the third unit. Cain was stationed in the adjacent second unit.
‘That would naturally lead to encounters, and I’ll be able to confirm the abilities of Lady Pervache.’
Her power of purification if he could obtain that, he could break the curse.
The curse that had tormented him relentlessly for over 25 years.
“Um, Archbishop Cain?”
Lost in thought, Cain blinked as Arbella waved her delicate hand in front of his eyes.
“…Ah, did you call for me?”
“Yes! You weren’t responding, so I waved my hand.”
Then, suddenly, Arbella’s eyes lit up with curiosity.
“Oh! Were you deep in thought about something important?!”
“Haha… Not at all. You may speak freely. What is it?”
Cain smiled graciously.
“Well, I have absolutely no idea what men find attractive in women! But surely you, Archbishop Cain, would know?”
For twenty years, Arbella had never once considered what men liked in women.
There had never been a reason to, nor had she wanted to.
But now, she had to learn.
Because she had to win over Saint Yohan Rahardt!
“Hmm… To be honest, I wouldn’t know. I’ve never had much to do with emotions like love.”
Cain furrowed his brows slightly and stroked his chin.
“And… it’s not just me. If you ask other paladins or priests, they’ll say the same thing. Saint Yohan is quite different from most men.”
Arbella tilted her head.
“Different in what way?”
“In how he perceives attraction to the opposite sex.”
“Isn’t attraction just about looks and personality?”
“Haha, not necessarily.”
Cain’s eyes softened with amusement.
“Attraction also includes a person’s status, abilities, wealth, character, and background… These factors play a significant role. That’s why in the Rogino Empire and other nations, noble families often arrange political marriages.”
It was a common practice in aristocratic societies, but to Arbella who had been born and raised in the Holy Kingdom under the goddess Freya, where all people were considered equal it was a foreign concept.
“I see! Then, by Rogino’s standards, I must be a highly attractive person! I’m perfect in every way!”
Arbella’s confidence surged after hearing Cain’s words. With her status as a saint, her beautiful appearance, and her kind and compassionate nature, she lacked nothing!
“Haha, that’s true. I can’t say for certain what Saint Yohan’s preferences are, but as a saint, you certainly have a chance to win his heart.”
Cain simply nodded. After all, she wasn’t entirely wrong.
Arbella suddenly shot up from her seat, taking a determined breath. Her small fists clenched tightly.
“I, Arbella, will definitely win the saint’s heart!”
* * *
The Celestial Mage’s archive, now in shambles due to the fierce battle and the passage of time.
At its center, Rudbeckia poured the last of her magic into the crystal orb.
“Haaah…!”
As she took a deep breath, her fingertips trembled. The more she squeezed out her magic, the more her body was engulfed in a sinking pain. But she clenched her teeth and forced herself to endure, pouring out every last drop of power.
“Just… a little more…!”
Her voice was hoarse, laced with exhaustion, and a faint madness flickered in her green eyes.
“Ugh…”
A pained groan escaped her dry lips. How could it not? She had gone months without proper rest or meals, pushing herself to the brink.
Fighting off the overwhelming fatigue, hunger, and thirst, Rudbeckia focused once more on the Regression Grimoire.
Her face was gaunt, her skin had turned deathly pale, yet her green eyes still held a spark of life. It was both hope and desperate longing.
‘I’ve deciphered the incantation, and I’ve made all the necessary preparations. Now, I just need to fill it with magic.’
At first, the task had seemed impossible. As a mere First-Class Mage, she lacked the power to charge the Celestial Mage’s crystal orb, and deciphering the runes had been a daunting challenge.
But she had learned a great deal from Yohan, enough to at least read the runes. And fortunately, the incantations recorded in the Regression Grimoire weren’t overly complex.
The real problem had been the magic required to charge the crystal orb. No matter how much she tried, her own power was simply insufficient.
Yet, even in the face of despair, Rudbeckia had found an answer.
The residual magic seeping from the corpse of the Archmage, sprawled lifeless in the corner.
In life, he had been a transcendent magician, the strongest on the continent. Even in death, his magic still filled the archive. Simply gathering it had been a tremendous help.
And so, Rudbeckia was on the verge of regression.
‘Just a little longer.’
She wanted to see Yohan again.
Even if it was only unrequited love at least if he was alive, there would still be a chance.