CH 187

I realized yet again, as I looked up at the smiling face.

“Hmm?”

“Well, looking at it, I can understand why the girls are attracted to your face.”

It was enough to bewitch the noble girls who were meant to be sensible and logical.

Bertin, who looked a bit flustered, quickly composed himself and threw out a joke.

“Then you take me.”

“Sounds good. If that decision doesn’t change even after five years, ask me again then.”

“Okay.”

I saw a customer of a greengrocer next to us steal a glance because of his low, pleasing voice.

How scary. The mojo paladin who bewitches people with his voice alone.

As if he noticed I was aware of our surroundings, he quickly stepped into the bookstore.

Because I had checked numerous times, I knew that not only in this bookstore, the work of Mikel Jayhorn wasn’t in any bookstore in the capital.

However, I was curious about the ‘Saintess’ that was continuously mentioned in the “founding myth of the empire.”

Though it was said they were from different religious colors, since they were dealing with the same ‘god’, wouldn’t there be some clues?

“You can just recommend some books without coming this far with me.”

“I want to give you this.”

He took out something heavy from his arms.

Inside, it was full of tiny letters that appeared to be a list of things.

As I took a closer look, it was like names.

“What is this?”

“The Holy Scripture.”

I almost dropped what I was holding, but fortunately, he quickly caught it and explained.

“You said you want to learn history. It’s good to learn from the Temple’s perspective, not only from the perspective of the history scholar.”

“I mean . . .”

How could you give the Holy Scripture to someone who just wants to learn history?

“How on earth do you bring this out?”

“With my connections?”

I got flabbergasted as I saw his refreshing smile.

There was no way the ‘connections’ he meant was simply someone he knew.

I looked up at him out of worry.

Not only this was hidden from the masses, neither could this be approached unless it was a high-level priest or higher.

It could have been a huge problem if he was caught bringing it outside.

“You should have just copied the content. Rany sells artifacts for copy.”

“Artifacts cannot be used. It wouldn’t work because this is made with the divine power as the foundation.”

“. . .”

Seeing that I had no idea what to say, he changed the topic.

“And about the abbey you told me previously.”

“Mhm.”

“Like what you said, there’s indeed a small abbey in the Pakit district. It’s closed now and there’s no priest staying there. Initially, it was part of Henkel County, but the owner changed a few years ago.”

“To whom?”

“The Bolton family.”

I looked up at the unexpected words.

How did the Bolton family come to acquire such a remote area?

“A few years ago, the Duke mediated a dispute on the frontier and the Imperial family declared they would compensate the Duke, but he refused. He also refused the Imperial family’s treasure, and it seems like he asked for suitable land to build a vacation home.”

It could have a beautiful nature view because it was in a remote area, but I didn’t think that place had enough value to be accepted as compensation.

Besides, if that place was in the possession of the Bolton family, then it would be even more absurd for Mom to go there.

And even more strange if Duke Miller accompanied her.

“There’s one thing I’m curious about.”

My thoughts were broken by Bertin’s low voice.

“These days, you’re not avoiding Zen, right?”

“I’m not avoiding him.”

“You won’t ask me this kind of favor.”

“Well, it’s a bit troublesome to meet him.”

Unfortunately, if I met him alone, there would much talk about the Miller family holding hands with the magic tower and such.

Furthermore, there was a possibility we would be misunderstood by the Crown Prince, who was obsessed with making Zen ‘his person’.

“I also think that I can’t ask you for help anymore.”

I couldn’t believe he took away the entire Holy Scripture, which was very illegal and against multiple rules, when I only asked him to find some information.

He shrugged his shoulders when I looked down at the thick book with a complicated expression.

“This isn’t that dangerous. I am fortunately trusted. Besides, Rany and Zen can’t give you this. Don’t tell me this isn’t helpful.”

“This is very helpful. I’m just worried about your circumstances.”

Last time, I almost fainted because of the holy water, but this time the Holy Scripture?

I was scared that he would present the Saintess before me next time.

Though it was me who asked for a favor . . .

“Aren’t you committing yourself to too much sacrifice and voluntary service?”

The professional spirit of the paladin, it was scary.

“Who says that? Sacrifice and voluntary service?”

“Then?”

“Earlier you said you would take me if there was no one else. You can say this is a strategic move for the future.”

“Even if you’re branded for heresy or became a rebel, there would be an abundance of people who would take you.”

The world would come to end first before it was my turn to take him.

He shrugged at my bewildered remark.

Then, the moment his robe was slightly shifted aside, I saw a mottled bruise on his neck.

He quickly fixed his robe, but my hand was faster.

The guy, who tried to stop me, flinched and lowered his hands.

He must have hesitated because he worried I would get hurt if he blocked my hand.

The discolored skin had already festered and was slowly regenerating.

“Is this your brother’s doing?”

“No. This wouldn’t end like this if it was my older brother. It was my mother.”

After admitting it honestly, he adjusted his robe again.

I did think the contact was lessened nowadays, and it seemed he was being harassed.

How could she corner him that far, a biological child she gave birth to?