chapter 259​: The Town of Senf (7)

​The temple towering over the center of Senf was as majestic as its authority suggested.

​While its color palette was a subdued off-white, the carvings adorning the exterior walls were exquisite and beautiful. Though appearing symmetrical at a glance, the statues of deities carved into the walls near the roof took on various forms, depicting scenes from the myths passed down in the Kingdom of Slibegrad.

​The tightly closed double doors were iron gates, yet they were decorated with fine floral designs. Upon closer inspection, motifs from myth like small birds, rabbits, and apples were scattered throughout.

​Normally, the gate would not be opened for anyone who knocked. However, shortly before Liliana’s group arrived, two priests appeared from within the temple. Carrying spears longer than they were tall, they headed straight for the gate at a measured pace.

​The clothes they wore were long white robes, but they were entirely different from the robes worn by mages. Mages wore simple robes that prioritized practicality, with some only wearing a cord-like sash for decoration. What mages valued were not their clothes, but the magic tools they wore and the length of their hair.

​Priests, on the other hand, displayed their status and role through their attire. To show others that they served the holy gods, their robes were based in white and crimson, adorned with various embroideries. The two who emerged from the temple with spears wore clothes beneath their robes, dressed in a way that ensured the robes wouldn't be an obstacle if they had to fight.

​The two who opened the gates stood before them, staring ahead with sharp eyes.

​Liliana, arriving at the temple with Riley, couldn't help but knit her brows at the sight of the two priests at the gate.

​"What is it, Sasha?"

​Riley, noticing her expression instantly, asked gently. He followed the direction of her gaze and nodded as if realizing something. "Ah," he said, sounding impressed. "Good eye." He lowered his voice so those around them couldn't hear and leaned slightly toward Liliana.

​"Those two are priests. But you could say they specialize in martial arts. Normally, priests serve the gods and do not practice such arts. However, some temples that govern territory possess their own military force."

​"—Because Senf is land ruled by the temple. Does that mean they perform the same role as a knight order?"

​"Precisely. Though more often than not, you'll find vigilante groups formed by commoners."

​Liliana nodded in understanding. Books indeed stated that in lands governed by a temple, peasant vigilantes protected the territory. But Senf seemed to be an exception. And it also meant that the power of the Senf Temple was immense.

​"Sasha, would you mind wearing this before we go in?"

​Riley reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a familiar bracelet. It was the magic tool he had given her when she had lost her voice. With this bracelet, she could transmit her thoughts like telepathy just by thinking of words. However, the bracelet she was being handed now looked slightly different from the one she’d received before.

​At Liliana’s tilted head, Riley whispered in her ear.

​"It’s a bracelet-type magic tool that matches mine. The one I gave you before was a one-way connection from you to me, but this one is two-way. Also, it has a spell incorporated into it that nullifies magic and sorcery."

​Liliana’s eyes widened slightly. She didn't understand why Riley was giving her this bracelet now. Riley continued in a low voice.

​"Just while we’re inside the Senf Temple is fine. There shouldn't be a problem as long as you stay close to me and the guards, but please keep it on just in case."

​It wasn't just Senf. Temples, like churches, often had unique magic applied to them. Riley seemed to have been unsure for a while, but seeing the Senf Temple up close appeared to have changed his mind. He likely judged there was a high probability of getting caught up in some sort of danger within the temple.

​Liliana nodded and slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. Riley’s expression softened with relief as he offered his thanks.

​"Thank you."

​"It is a small matter."

​By the time Liliana answered, the party had arrived almost directly in front of the temple.

​The arrival of the Crown Prince's party was apparently reported within the temple immediately. When Liliana and the others stood before the gates, two more figures had appeared alongside the priests standing guard. One wore a priestly robe with a design similar to the spear-wielding priest, but he seemed to be an ordinary priest with long hems and large sleeves. The other appeared to be a high-ranking priest, his embroidery even more lavish. The color of his robe also differed from the other priests, being predominantly crimson.

​"Welcome, Your Highness the Crown Prince. I am Humphrey, the High Priest of the Senf Temple."

​The priest in the crimson robe took a step forward once he recognized Riley and the others, placing his right fist over his left chest in an elegant bow. It was a gesture different from that of nobles or knights, the bow a priest offered to those of the highest rank.

​Riley received the welcome with a pleasant smile and an air of royal grace.

​"I appreciate the welcome, High Priest Humphrey. Please, there’s no need for such formality. I don't intend for this inspection to be a stiff affair."

​"We are grateful for your generous heart."

​The priest in the crimson robe said the words without changing his expression at all. Despite maintaining proper etiquette for the Crown Prince, there was no hint of sycophancy in his posture. If anything, he gave off a subtle impression of looking down on Riley. In other words, his attitude seemed to say that while the boy might call himself the Crown Prince, he was ultimately just a powerless child in his presence.

​Among the knights gathered to guard Riley, those sensitive to the man’s attitude grew slightly hostile, but Riley didn't seem to care at all as he followed the priests inside.

​Once inside the temple, even the guards, who usually showed no emotion while on duty, seemed struck with admiration. Riley, Liliana, and Clyde also couldn't hide their surprise.

​The interior of the temple was unlike any other temple Liliana and the others had ever seen. She had thought the central authority’s temple in the capital was the most lavish, but the Senf Temple was of a different breed. The interior, which incorporated Eastern designs, depicted the myths believed in the Kingdom of Slibegrad, yet it exuded a multi-colored majesty.

​"This is... incredible. When exactly was this temple established?"

​"I am told it was approximately thirty years ago."

​It was High Priest Humphrey who answered Riley’s question. Beside Riley, Liliana also listened to the High Priest's explanation in silence. The High Priest began to explain the designs within the temple with a clinical detachment. Since Riley and the others had visited this place for an inspection, it was only natural.

​"Here, depicted near the ceiling on the left, is the scene where the Goddess of Fertility, Formont, bestows her blessing upon this earth. It differs from typical temples because our temple’s architectural style partially employs Eastern techniques—"

​High Priest Humphrey's explanation was clear and concise. Since Liliana, Riley, and Clyde were all well-read, they possessed a decent level of basic knowledge. Consequently, they occasionally noticed things the High Priest omitted from his explanation.

​"The Goddess Formont is generally depicted alongside the Sun God Helios, but she isn't seen much in this temple."

​At Riley’s point, High Priest Humphrey showed a look of surprise for just a second. However, he immediately returned to his expressionless state and gave an affirmative "Yes."

​"The light of the sun is something that hides the moon."

​"I see, so that is why the God Orthros appears so frequently?"

​"Indeed. It is the darkness of the night that truly makes the moon's beauty shine."

​Orthros was the god of the night. However, while other gods only had one name, Orthros, who governed the night, also possessed another name: Vrazi. Orthros was a good god, but Vrazi was considered an evil god. The night was a mirror reflecting the hearts of men—therefore, if evil flourished, the god of the night, Orthros, would fall and turn into Vrazi, and the world would perish.

​Only the Sun God Helios could return Vrazi to the good god Orthros. For that reason, temples usually only depicted Helios and Formont, and the god of the night, Orthros, only appeared in scenes depicting the end of the world. The fact that Orthros was depicted more than Helios was itself a testament to the peculiarity of the Senf Temple.

​High Priest Humphrey continued to provide explanations about the interior decorations and regulations of the temple without a hitch. It was Riley and Clyde who asked occasional questions, while Liliana listened to their conversation in silence.

​There was nothing off about the High Priest's story. Since the atmosphere was so different from other temples, she had considered the possibility that their interpretation of the myths might differ from the standard one, but so far, that didn't seem to be the case. It was certain that they had a poor relationship with the central authority, as no matter how much Riley or Clyde tried to lead the conversation, High Priest Humphrey steered clear of any topics concerning the capital's temple.

​(He is quite the formidable opponent, isn't he?)

​Liliana evaluated High Priest Humphrey as she watched his back.

​At first glance, the High Priest gave the impression of being serious and devout, but he chose his words with instant calculation to ensure he never revealed any weaknesses. Though young for a High Priest, he might have been chosen for precisely that nature.

​"I heard that you, Lord Humphrey, became the High Priest about six months ago."

​"That is correct. The previous High Priest was suddenly called before the God. He wasn't particularly old, but unluckily, he happened to fall from a horse. The will of God is something we mortals cannot grasp."

​"I see. He must have been a fine man."

​When Riley put on a somber expression, High Priest Humphrey smiled for just a fleeting second. But the expression vanished instantly, and he replied with his usual flat, expressionless tone.

​"Yes. He was beloved by the priests. Many mourned his passing."

​The others didn't seem to notice the change in the High Priest's expression. Liliana blinked, wondering if she’d misseen it, but she felt a gaze and raised her head. Riley, who was escorting her, was looking down at her. His face wore a gentle smile, but his eyes were full of meaning.

​When Liliana tilted her head slightly, Riley gave a small nod.

​'—He was smiling just now, wasn't he?'

​'Yes, it appeared that way to me too.'

​For the first time since entering the Senf Temple, Riley spoke through telepathy. Liliana responded quietly, relieved that the magic tool was working without issue.

​'Have you sensed any abnormalities or anything off so far?'

​Riley asked further. He too seemed to be wary of his surroundings, but he apparently hadn't sensed anything unusual.

​Liliana too, while captivated by the unique architectural style rarely seen in the Kingdom of Slibegrad, hadn't felt any particular abnormalities or strange presence.

​'No, I have not.'

​'I see. I haven't either, but I'm relieved to hear you say the same.'

​Riley nodded with relief. Then, feigning nonchalance, Riley posed a question to High Priest Humphrey.

​"Because the previous High Priest was so beloved, has the turnover of priests been unusually high in recent years?"

​At those words, High Priest Humphrey’s brow twitched ever so slightly. A sharp glint, devoid of all emotion, pierced Riley, but the dangerous light vanished a second later.

​"Unrelated to that, there were simply many who were of advanced age. The timing simply coincided."

​"—I see. Then you must have faced many hardships."

​Riley simply affirmed the High Priest's words and even offered his sympathy. However, Liliana could sense that Riley had set a trap.

​High Priest Humphrey hadn't noticed that much. But perhaps sensing something unsettling, he narrowed his eyes.

​"No—as it is by God’s guidance, I do not consider it a hardship."

​"I see. That’s admirable."

​Riley limited his response to a pleasant one and didn't press further. The High Priest cast a suspicious eye toward Riley, but perhaps his guard lowered when the Crown Prince didn't push any further, as he continued down the corridor and opened the door to a reception room located deep inside.

​"I would ask Your Highnesses to wait here for a while. I shall bring the documents from our temple that you requested beforehand."

​"Ah, thank you."

​Upon receiving High Priest Humphrey’s words, the priest who had been standing beside him the whole time bowed and left the room. Apparently, he was the one going to fetch the documents.

​The party, invited to the sofas, sat across from the High Priest. Riley was in the center, flanked by Liliana and Clyde. Austin, Olga, and the other guards stood behind them and outside the door.

​"This inspection is to check on the town of Senf, but as I informed you beforehand, I wanted to understand your position. I've heard various things from the central authority, but there are many things for which I cannot judge the credibility."

​"I am grateful for Your Highness’s consideration."

​Riley spoke after the door was closed. The High Priest offered his thanks, but his condescension was undeniable. The guards grew hostile at the High Priest's next words.

​"I had assumed our side of the story would simply be ignored, so this consideration was a surprise to us as well."

​It was an incredibly disrespectful statement. Clyde knit his brows in displeasure, and Riley gave a wry smile. Liliana’s eyes widened in pure shock.

​The High Priest watched their three different reactions as if searching for something. A tense atmosphere filled the reception room—and the silence was broken by Clyde’s cold words.

​"Is that not an incredibly disrespectful statement, High Priest Humphrey?"

​It was Clyde who voiced the complaint. High Priest Humphrey raised one eyebrow slightly and looked at Clyde.

​"Disrespectful? In what way?"

​"Exactly as I said. To make a statement that belittles His Highness, who has taken the trouble to visit despite his busy schedule, is nothing but disrespect."

​High Priest Humphrey smiled for the first time at Clyde’s words. He glanced at Clyde with a mocking expression. However, he didn't argue back, simply shrugging.

​"My apologies. Many things have happened lately, and my nerves seem to be a bit on edge."

​The Senf Temple governed the town of Senf. Its power was immense. While it didn't stand out within the Kingdom of Slibegrad due to the presence of the Three Great Ducal houses and the Margrave houses, High Priest Humphrey possessed the leisure typical of those in power.

​The confidence that even royalty couldn't harm him oozed from every part of his demeanor. Clyde knit his brows, but Riley simply raised one eyebrow slightly and showed no other reaction.

​Just then, there was a knock at the door. The priest who had gone to fetch the documents entered the room. He carried a stack of documents in both hands and placed them on the table.

​Despite the awkward atmosphere, Riley didn't engage and proceeded with the business at hand matter-of-factly.

​"Well then, shall we hear what you have to say?"

​"I'd hate to take up any more of your time," Riley added, smoothly throwing High Priest Humphrey’s own logic back at him. A crease appeared between the High Priest's brows, but he couldn't argue back. The High Priest clenched both hands tightly and looked Riley straight in the eye.

​"What would you like me to start with?"

​His tone was almost provocative. Perhaps for High Priest Humphrey, this attitude was the standard. But Liliana sighed inwardly, thinking it couldn't be any more difficult to deal with.

—-

Toc