Betrayal Knight's Joyful Faith

Chapter 416

Arendt, who had stopped by the Neumann Merchant Group’s main office, hesitated for a while before heading to his next destination.He had already informed them of his visit, so it was hard to turn around, but he couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy.

“…Damn it.”

But his conflict was short-lived, and Arendt reluctantly headed toward the Great Temple.

Perhaps because it was early afternoon, the temple was more crowded than usual with ordinary believers and priests.

In the Great Temple, where renovations had been completely finished, there were no traces of the battle that had taken place that day.

‘I heard that after that day, donations poured in like crazy.’

Thanks to that, it was possible to replace not only the statues that were cracked and broken due to the battle, but also the old facilities.

So it wasn’t particularly strange that it looked even cleaner than in his memory.

Arendt, accustomed to the gazes of the believers and priests directed his way, deliberately walked more leisurely.

‘It was definitely effective.’

It seems that the one-act play performed at the victory banquet after he recovered from his illness went viral.

He was quite satisfied with the gazes of those who looked at him as if he was the ungrateful prodigal son who did not know grace.

After all, it was easier than anything to become someone so loathed they were avoided.

“Sir Arendt, you’ve come? We were just waiting for you after receiving your message about your visit.”

Of course, one person who was oblivious was Priest Benno, who smiled brightly and rushed towards him.

“The High Priest has requested if you could spare a moment.”

“Her Excellency?”

Arendt furrowed his brows at the unexpected words.

“I didn’t request a meeting with the High Priest… I only mentioned that I would just borrow a few books from the library today.”

“Yes. However, the High Priest was curious about Sir Arendt’s current situation. Her Excellency said she had prepared refreshments, and asked if, despite your busy schedule, you might spare a moment to meet.

Arendt nodded.

“What? The High Priest has invited me, so I must go.”

Despite Arendt’s arrogant nod, Benno smiled brightly, not caring.

“Then I shall escort you right away. Please follow me.”

“…”

Although he welcomed the hateful looks and the criticism, he felt somewhat uncomfortable with this kind of unprovoked kindness.

But Arendt didn’t show it and just walked along with Priest Benno.

In the large reception room, High Priest Lumiel had already arrived and was waiting.

“Your Excellency, I have brought Sir Arendt with me.”

“Thank you, Priest Benno. And welcome. It’s been a while.”

Lumiel greeted him with a kind smile as always.

After Benno left the room, Arendt sat down across from Lumiel.

“What brings such a busy person here? I was trying to be discreet because I didn’t want to bother anyone.”

“Aren’t you the one busier than anyone else, Sir Arendt? I haven’t seen you around lately, so I specifically requested to see you.”

Lumiel smiled affectionately.

“The last time we met, you looked quite ill, so I was genuinely worried like an old woman. But now you seem well. That’s a relief.”

Although she had been in the position of High Priest for quite some time, she still looked much the same as when she was a priestess.

“There’s no need to worry. I’m perfectly fine, as you can see.”

“It seems like you got hurt again, but… I guess it can’t be helped since it’s you.”

Lumiel smiled wryly as Arendt shrugged his shoulders.

“I’ve kept the time you asked me to keep safe. It doesn’t seem like it’s time to return it yet.”

“For someone who went to such lengths to find it, the owner doesn’t seem particularly eager to reclaim the item.”

He left Lexion’s book in the Great Temple with the intention of exploiting his weakness, but he didn’t seem to be very interested in getting it.

‘So, all he wanted was to know where it was.’

Or perhaps because he knew no one would read it anyway, as he seemed quite indifferent considering he had searched the entire continent for it as soon as he woke up from his sleep.

“So, if it’s alright with you, Your Excellency, please take care of it for a while longer.”

“Of course. I haven’t forgotten the password either.”

Arendt also chuckled as he faced the old woman’s playful smile.

“He’ll be definitely required to be brought here to recite it himself, so you must never forget it.”

“I’m looking forward to that day. He’s such an esteemed person and I would love to meet him someday as well.”

Lumiel’s expression brightened even more, as if she quite liked that remark.

But Arendt couldn’t simply nod in agreement so easily.

Lexion would obviously be reluctant to face the High Priest.

‘…This is Luce’s den.’

And the person he would meet was the High Priest who was loved by Luce.

The most important thing was that the very person who had pushed her to become High Priest was none other than Arendt himself.

‘Can we see God Luce and the High Priest Lumiel as separate entities?’

At least for now, that was impossible.

Whether she knew what was on his mind or not, Lumiel smiled playfully and said:

“Seeing you here is reassuring. I often hear news from the palace, but it seems you’re getting involved in more dangerous endeavors than usual.”

“As Your Excellency said earlier, that is my job.”

Suppressing various distracting thoughts, Arendt deliberately spoke with a colder, more distant tone.

He was conscious of his own reflection in the eyes of the High Priest.

“Receiving a paycheck isn’t easy. So, I have no choice but to move.”

“That’s a funny joke, Sir Arendt. Haven’t you already amassed enough wealth to avoid needing a salary for a lifetime?”

“Of course, but these days, trying to enjoy the life of a nouveau riche is just asking for trouble. Your Excellency knows that all too well.”

Arendt shrugged.

“That’s true. That’s why I’m always worried about you.”

“…”

But the reply that came next left Arendt speechless.

He could sense a subtle sarcasm in her voice that claimed to be worried.

“…Is there anything you’d like to say? If you’re going to nag me, please do it quickly. I have to leave for my assignment soon.”

After a brief pause, Arendt let out a deep sigh.

“To be honest, this position isn’t exactly comfortable. I trust you understand why. It’s not that I regret it or feel guilty, but no matter what, I’m not foolish enough to act recklessly in front of Your Excellency.”

“You say you won’t act recklessly, yet you have no intention of hiding anything at all.”

“I’m the type of person who doesn’t tell lies that don’t work. Doing so would just be a waste of time.”

Lumiel burst out laughing lightly at the shameless words.

“I don’t particularly intend to blame Sir Arendt. An unexpected accident forced us to spend a significant amount of money, but His Royal Highness provided funding for restoration. Thanks to him, the statue is now even more magnificent than before.”

“…Somehow the temple looked like it was sparkling.”

As expected, Lumiel was not an easy person.

This was even more so because she was certain that Arendt was the one who destroyed the statue, yet she faced him with an indifferent expression.

“It’s not something I can comment on since His Highness has condoned it and let it slide. Above all else…”

Lumiel continued speaking calmly.

“Because I know very well that Sir Arendt is not the type of person to act without reason.”

A soft curve formed at the corner of the aged High Priest’s mouth.

“Sir Arendt never relied on God. But in the past, he spared no effort to restore the relationship between the royal family and the temple.”

“…”

“As a result, Priest Theodore was forced to step down from his position.”

Thanks to this, the imperial family and the temple were currently actively cooperating.

This was also the result of Arendt changing the scenario by bringing down High Priest Theodore.

“Until then, Sir Arendt seemed to have considered the temple, or rather, Lord Luce, an ally. But… have you changed your mind now?”

“…”

The apprentice knight did not deny it.

The High Priest, who had read the affirmative answer from the silence, smiled sadly.

“So, it seems like it would be difficult to meet in private now. I deliberately arranged this meeting for someone as busy as you.”

She was declaring an end to the unspoken alliance she had maintained with Arendt.

“You said you came to the Great Temple today to borrow some scriptures. I heard you specifically requested texts concerning the angels serving Lord Luce and other gods.”

“…”

“Most of those texts were compiled by me in my younger days. Take your time returning them, and please use them wherever you need.”

The High Priest spoke steadily, unwavering as ever. Her gaze was gentle, as if looking upon a young grandchild.

“Sir Arendt, do you seek the truth?”

Arendt answered her question rather dryly.

“Yes. And using that truth….”

Arendt, with his golden eyes, looked directly at High Priest Lumiel.

“I plan to one day smear the face of that utterly hypocritical god.”

“I see..”

Lumiel nodded slowly, showing no sign of surprise.

“…To seek the truth is undoubtedly a noble pursuit.”

After a brief silence in the reception room, Lumiel spoke again.

“I, too, was once deeply absorbed in that. The passion and anxiety of youth kept me awake at night, unable to rest.”

Her tone was as if she were tracing the edges of a dream.

“And I found my answer by resting in Lord Luce’s embrace.”

“…Was that the right answer?”

“Well, I don’t know. There’s no right answer in this world.”

Lumiel answered softly, but firmly.

“But at least for me, it was a relief and a solution, as it was for many others. But it seems that Sir Arendt sees a different world.”

She continued.

“For those of you who are on the front lines fighting the Evil Cult, I will spare no effort in supporting you. At the same time, I have a duty to protect those who follow Lord Luce’s justice.”

That was her responsibility as High Priest.

“So, Sir Arendt, do not hesitate and walk your path as a knight. I will see to it that my will is fulfilled.”

Arendt, who had been listening quietly, smiled bitterly.

“I thought you would say that, Your Excellency.”

“I will keep the item you entrusted to me safe until you come to collect it. I hope that will be an opportunity to speak with Sir Arendt again someday.”

Even as she spoke her final words, her gaze fixed on Arendt was full of affection.

“And when the day comes when everything is settled… I don’t know when this conflict will end, and I don’t know in what form it will come.”

Lumiel spoke slowly, as if she was sad that this conversation was coming to an end.

“I would like to pick a sunny day and enjoy a leisurely walk with Sir Arendt.”

Arendt knew better than anyone that those words were sincere.

But instead of answering, he remained silent.

How would this scenario end, and would the old woman’s small wish be granted?

It was because he couldn’t be sure of it yet.