CH 78

The Grand Temple was not a safe place. There were spies mixed in with the employees as well as among the priests. Top-secret information that had obviously been treated as confidential was somehow leaked out and came back as a sword aimed at them.

It was no exaggeration to say that the eyes and ears of the enemies were circling all parts of the temple, except the Hall of Prophecy, which was protected by the absolute power of the Goddess.

“If those children had been brought to the temple, they would have been an immediate target. Even if the Hall of Prophecy was safe, once outside the door, there would be enemies on all sides, and I wonder how long they would have been able to hold out.”

“I understand. It is just because I feel sorry for them. I’m sorry that I hadn’t done anything to help them back then.”

Judith replied with a long sigh.

The dangerous part was not merely spies passing on information. There were well-trained assassins, masking their true identities like ordinary people, strutting freely in the temple area.

Just a few days ago, one of the priests had met a questionable death, and the atmosphere in the temple was restless.

“It’s precisely why we didn’t do anything that we managed to protect them. Just imagine what would have happened if the temple showed interest.”

Adele, who left the world without a word of any kind, forced the two of them to go through countless trials and errors over the past seven years.

But thanks to that, the two successors of Chartus, the one with a special ability, and the one chosen by the Goddess, were able to survive.

But Judith’s worries only grew.

“Still, I can’t believe that the man she married is Calix Benvito, of all people. Seriously, he should have killed that filthy dog Philip long ago.”

Some harsh words escaped Judith’s mouth.

“This is not what Your Holiness, who must take care of the world, should be saying.”

“It is also a crime against God to let a man who deserves to die live.”

“Look, I can’t win over you with words.”

“I wonder, who do you think I take after?”

“You aren’t saying it’s me, are you?”

“Goddess Hernia, I didn’t say anything.”

Judith took a praying posture with her hands crossed in an exaggerated gesture. Then she smiled meaningfully at Roshan who was slightly frowning.

Roshan shook her head as if she couldn’t stop Judith and opened her mouth again, this time with a serious look on her face.

“Maybe this marriage was part of Adele’s big picture, too.”

“Why though?”

“I don’t know about that.”

Her head growing more complicated, Roshan rubbed her temples harder.

That damned Adele. 

Adele had been blessed with the divine ability to foretell the future, almost a god-like ability.

There was no way they could have guessed Adele’s scheme by themselves. At any rate, she was selfish while she was alive, and still was even long after her death.

“I cannot fathom it. Why would Adele choose Calix Benvito of all people?”

“I can’t explain it, but somehow it just feels like it.”

“That’s ridiculous, Master! You know that too! His power is way too dangerous.”

While the power passed down through Chartus’ direct lineage was a gift of the Goddess Hernia, the source of the terrifyingly powerful power coming down to the Benvito family was unknown, to the point that even the term “demonic power” was often linked to the Benvito family in the public eyes. 

“This absolutely cannot be the intention of Adele. Perhaps it was just Calix Benvito’s move with Mariel’s awakening in mind so he would have a chance to use the child’s power to his own advantage.”

“That’s impos- never mind, your words must be right.”

Roshan almost said, “That’s impossible.” Even though all the given circumstances and conditions supported what Judith said.

‘Why?’

The face of Asella, whom she had just met, came to her mind. This was the first time she had seen the child since she last saw her seven years ago before Adele’s death. Although she had grown up, she was able to recognize her with no difficulty because she still looked like she did when she was a little girl.

Although she was quite worried at the mention of a wound sustained by a magical beast, when she unwrapped the bandage, Roshan found that it was perfectly treated. While she was relieved, she couldn’t help but be surprised.

‘I can’t believe the Grand Duke treated her personally,’

That Calix Benvito. The Grand Duke himself! It was a shock, almost like being smacked in the head with a hammer.

“This is not the time to speak nonsense! The Grand Duke may hand over the children to the imperial family! We must seek them before that happens!”

Judith, who had no idea of Roshan’s mixed feelings, exclaimed irritably, biting her lip. Although the Grand Duke and the Emperor were not on good terms now, there was no telling what would happen in the future.

“Even if you didn’t say it, I already gave Asella a portal to come to the temple.”

Judith’s eyes rolled back in surprise.

“Really? How did you do that? It’s not as if there were no eyes watching your every move in that place?”

“I pretended to pick up a dropped item and gave it to her, although I couldn’t explain how to use it.”

Roshan stared earnestly at Judith. The firm determination of certainty came over her face.

“Don’t worry too much, Judith. The child is doing the best she can in her own way.”