Chapter 88

When Adelia received a letter from Bishop Berg, she immediately sent a letter to Cardinal Eustaf.

The contents of it were about the relics. Now that there’s not enough information about holy relics, the best source to find out was Eustaf. However, the reply back from him did not contain a story about the holy relics.

I asked about the sacred relics, but he sent an invitation, I guess we have to talk face-to-face.

Adelia sighed softly. She felt like she had to go on a short trip.

Ivan asked in a low voice at Adelia’s sigh.

“Did you get any information on the holy relics?”

Adelia shook her head quietly at the question.

“No, I got an invitation instead of information about the relics.”

“You mean he can’t tell you in writing.”

“Maybe so.”

“But fortunately, he has some information about the relics.”

Adelia agreed with Ivan. Surely it wasn’t such a bad thing to receive an invitation like this. If Eustaf didn’t know anything about the relics, he would have sent an apology, not an invitation.

“What are you going to do?”

At Ivan’s question Adelia felt deeply troubled. Her eyes turned to the stacked invitation. After the emperor declared her as a prophet, invitations poured in day after day.

She could certainly feel that her status in society had risen.

“…I’m a little sad to leave the capital right now.”

Ivan shook his head at Adelia’s words.

“You’re definitely in the spotlight now, it would be a big loss to leave the capital.”

“I know.”

Adelia thought, pointing to her forehead. She had to be prudent right now. What would be the best move in a situation where she can’t refuse Eustaf’s invitation? At that moment, a trick came to Adelia’s head.

“Come to think of it, Selcred is approaching.”

“That’s right. My brother is having a hard time because of that.”

Seeing him frown like that just by talking about Theo. He must be really worried. 

Adelia was lost in thought when she saw Ivan’s reaction.

Selcred is a festival representing the Vishna religion, and the dictionary meaning is the day when the boundary between heaven and earth is divided.

The countries that serve the goddesses, including the Vishna religion, hold a grand festival in commemoration of Selcred, with the Holy Land at the center.

The Huizeniac Empire, called the continent’s strongest, selects a noble lady to mark the end of the festival and sends her to the Holy Land.

A person who will set the torch on a huge altar in the center of the holy land.

I’m sure Hestine is the best person in the situation.

This was a fact that no one could deny.

Now that Hestine is playing the role of a saint, there was no one better fit than her to put the torch on. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that Hestine is the only one who can do it.

Officially, the guardian of the torch is determined by the emperor. Therefore, it was not only the saint who could hold the torch. It’s just that the saint has the most suitable qualifications. In that way, Adelia was also entitled to be the guardian of the torch.

If she goes to the Holy Land as the guardian of the torch, she will be able to maintain the current attention. Selcred was a golden opportunity for Adelia.

A significant smile came to Adelia’s lips. Ivan followed her with a fine fold in the tail of his eyes. As if he knew what she was thinking. Adelia’s conjecture soon turned to conviction.

“I will recommend you as the guardian of the torch.”

“I beg you. By the way, Lady Valkyr will be busy with the disaster, so I think I can help.”

Adelia also gave a reasonable excuse in case some nobles protested when the emperor selected her as the guardian of the torch.

Ivan’s low laughter tickled Adelia’s ears.

“As per the headquarters.”

Ivan gently raised Adelia’s hand and kissed it gently. The warmth of his lips that she felt through the gloves made Adelia blush.

Adelia coughed loudly, avoiding Ivan’s gaze. Then she gently pulled out her hand feeling embarrassed. Ivan opened his mouth with a shallow smile at Adelia’s response.

“I’ll go to the palace right away. I don’t think it’s going to take long…… Will you wait for me this evening?”

His low voice was enough to make Adelia’s face as red as a well-read tomato.

“….. Stop it and get out of here.”

Ivan’s shoulders drooped slightly when Adelia issued the order.

Adelia was well aware. How good he is at acting. He was obviously pretending to be sullen to make fun of her. 

“Stop acting.”

“It doesn’t work now?”

“Of course.”

As Adelia shouted at his brazen attitude, Ivan stepped back with a look of regret.

“But I’d like you to spare me some time tonight. You’ve been so busy lately.”

Adelia understood Ivan’s complaint. She spent less time with him since they came to the capital.

“…Hurry up and come back.”

When Adelia’s words of consent came out of her mouth, Ivan’s lips were filled with a deep smile.

He hurriedly prepared to go outside. Until the moment he left the mansion in his overcoat, Ivan kept his eyes on Adelia.

Adelia sighed as she saw his carriage leaving the mansion.

“Dylan.”

“Yes, viscount.”

“Prepare my bags in advance. I think it’s going to be a hectic day out.”

“I’ll be ready right away.”

Dylan immediately left the room to carry out Adelia’s orders. Adelia stared quietly out of the window in the room after being left alone. The clear sky of the capital came into Adelia’s sight.

The emperor will not be able to refuse Ivan’s request.

The Valkyr family has already seized huge power in a short time. For the emperor, the Valkyr family is a thorn in the side.

It was obvious that there would be a backlash if she became the guardian of the torch, but it didn’t matter much to the emperor. The most important thing for him is the imperial power.

At a time where the power of the nobility was rapidly increasing, led by the Duke of Valkyr, it was essential for the emperor to keep the nobility in check.

That’s why I declared myself a prophet in the first place. 

If so, what she had to do was already decided.

“To play the role of a prophet until I safely survive and the disaster is over.”

Adelia had a sharp smile around her mouth.

***

A girl with brown hair tied high into one rushed across the long hallway.

I’m going to be late for the theology class at this rate…!

Emily ran with books in her arms. Fortunately, Emily’s efforts were not wasted. Even when she entered the auditorium, the platform was empty. She sighed with relief and looked around the auditorium for a seat. Just in time, she made eye contact with Neriel, who was taking the same class as her.

“Emily, here you go!”

Emily approached Neriel’s seat and flung the book down.

“The professor isn’t here yet, is he?”

“Yeah, you’re a little late today. Did you sleep in again?”

When asked by Neriel, Emily scratched her cheek with an awkward smile.

“Yes… I want to study something separately.”

“You’re going through a lot, too. Do you have to keep the top position that much? You said your patron wasn’t the tight type.”

“Yes, my patron is a very good person. She’ll probably praise me even if I fail.”

“Wow, I’m so jealous. My family will probably excommunicate me if I fail.”

Neriel pouted her lips and envied Emily, who just smiled and sat down. Neriel opened her mouth to inquire who Emily’s sponsor was, but soon gave up because of the professor entering the auditorium.

“I’m a little late because I have a problem to deal with today. Let’s get right into class.”

Professor Dert, wearing a white priest’s uniform that reflects the characteristics of the class, conducted the class calmly. As soon as the class began, Emily’s eyes were filled with determination. She continued to take notes diligently so she would not miss anything the professor said. Neriel, who was watching Emily, had no choice but to stick her tongue out.

Actually, when Neriel first saw Emily, she ignored her. A commoner girl who has nothing but good brains. It was like an instinct for Neriel, who grew up under her parents, who were stained with aristocracy to the core, to underestimate the common people.

But Neriel’s prejudice has been shattered since the semester began. Emily immediately proved her abilities. It wasn’t just an innate talent. It was achieved through sheer determination and perseverance. 

She’s really respectable.

Neriel with a happy smile, followed Emily and focused on her class.

“That’s all for today.”

With half an hour left before class was over, Professor Dert closed the book. The students expressed their doubts at his unusual appearance. Professor Dert looked at those students and smiled softly.

“I have something to tell you in the remaining 30 minutes.”

Emily pricked her ears and focused on Dert’s voice.

“Selcred’s day is coming soon. Again, a festival held in holy land to commemorate the day when Vishna separated the land from the sky. As you all know, the end of this festival ends with the torch’s guardian lighting the altar.”

Emily thought as she listened attentively to Dert. Who will be the guardian of this torch?

I’m sure it’s going to be the saint. 

Emily recalled the saint she had encountered briefly in Rohen. Emily’s complexion naturally darkened as she recalled her miserable hometown.

“According to tradition, our academy should elect a preliminary priest to support the guardian of the torch. This is a very important role, so raise your hand if you have any ideas.”

Several students raised their hands at Dert’s words. Emily agonized over the sight. But the trouble wasn’t that long.

Emily immediately raised her hand.

“A lot of people listened. All right, we’ll do individual interviews later, and then we’ll pick three people to make a list.”

Dert left the lecture hall.