Chapter 129

Chapter 129
## Chapter 129: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

“……”

Rikschel kept his gaze fixed on me for an extended moment, finally making Lion realize that something was amiss.

*What could it be?*

Did he discover the Evil Beast’s Egg?

If not that, perhaps the Butterfly?

The sudden shift in demeanor suggested an underlying alteration in circumstances.

However, the complication lay in the sheer volume of potential concerns!

*Wait a minute. Let us regain our composure.*

Although Lion had been somewhat neglectful of interpersonal sentiments lately, he had once possessed a reputation for exceptional social awareness.

In other words, acute perceptiveness!

Judging by the superior officer’s countenance, displeasure was evident, but was it directed at Lion himself or the official report submitted?

Or perhaps it stemmed from the President who originally delegated this assignment?

Discerning such nuances and placating superiors formed the core duties of any subordinate employee.

What alternative remained even in the face of unfairness? That represented the familiar corporate grind Lion had long endured.

Consequently……

*Hmm, it certainly is not on account of the Butterfly.*

Lion methodically ruled out each conceivable issue.

To begin with, neither the Butterfly nor the Egg constituted a violation.

Had the Butterfly been spotted, the gaze would not have remained fixed squarely on Lion, and viewing the Egg from that specific angle posed a considerable challenge.

*Then, a matter concerning myself… Ah.*

Only at that precise juncture did Lion arrive at a realization, reaching up to gather a handful of loose strands of hair.

“Ughhh.”

This development proved quite unfortunate.

Lion detached the hairpin anchored within the locks.

As anticipated, the accessory detached effortlessly, its functional duration seemingly expired.

*Could the passage of time operate differently within the Sanctuary compared to the outside world?*

The environment favored accelerated botanical growth, completely masking the elapsed duration.

*If the hair hue has altered to this extent, the eye color must have reverted as well.*

At that point, only awaiting Rikschel’s ultimate reaction remained.

Even so, Lion retained complete confidence.

Despite entering the orphanage under a disguise, infiltrating the Temple itself had never been the initial intention.

Rather, Rikschel served as the catalyst who drew him inward.

Aware of this dynamic, Rikschel would hardly be in a position to voice immediate accusations, hence the paralyzed astonishment.

“……”

Yet, the level of shock seemed excessive.

Rikschel stood motionless as a carved pillar.

Any casual observer would likely conclude that a splash of cold well water was urgently required.

*Indeed, this constitutes a major crisis.*

Even in the absence of open hostility, the Temple and the Asteri Family functioned essentially as adversaries.

Despite that reality, a direct heir of the Asteri Family stood present.

Worse still, the eldest son had ventured directly into this Sanctuary to assist with its finalization?

Resolving this through mere good intentions was no longer feasible.

Even assuming the Archbishop and Rikschel’s siblings possessed benevolent characters, the Temple remained a structured institution with ongoing objectives for territorial expansion.

From the institutional perspective of the Temple, how might such an incident be leveraged?

*They will undoubtedly attempt to pin the blame squarely on me.*

Even a rudimentary estimation yielded merely two distinct stances the Temple could adopt.

First. Characterize Lion as an operative dispatched by a Magic Family.

Through this approach, Lion would absorb the penalty and serve as the scapegoat, concluding the affair.

Alternatively.

Strategic media manipulation.

The direct eldest scion of a Renowned Family served secretly as a Messenger of God!

Did this not prove that Divine Power inherently surpassed Magic?

Naturally, spinning the narrative in this direction carried a high probability.

Naturally, regardless of the ultimate outcome, his Grandfather would hardly remain idle……

*In truth, this explains my current tranquility.*

Ultimately, the standard progression followed a predictable course.

Naturally, prioritizing self-preservation represented the standard instinct.

Therefore, Rikschel, occupying the role of an Archbishop Candidate, ought to select the pragmatic route, yet……

Rikschel seized Lion by the wrist and raised his voice.

“Let us conceal this!”

“……What?”

“Fortunately, I alone have witnessed the righteous individual’s true identity. Adequate suppression remains entirely possible.”

Hearing the word “conceal” uttered directly by a consecrated priest carried a surprisingly profound impact.

“You intend to withhold the truth of my identity?”

“Would exposing it not place the righteous person in an untenable position?”

“That is correct.”

“Then withholding it is the only logical course.”

“……”

Encountering such innocent, principled declarations immediately following a suggestion to orchestrate a cover-up felt somewhat disorienting.

*Wait a minute. Am I the one tainted by worldly cynicism…*

Myself…?

That seemed utterly unbelievable!

The internal grime accumulated over a lifetime appeared to have been largely cleansed following possession, yet evidently, encounters with genuine purity still provoked a mismatch.

*Quite right, that alignment represents the proper moral stance.*

Extend assistance to those in genuine need.

Especially since that very individual demonstrated prior benevolence.

*An Archbishop Candidate remains merely a candidate.*

Lion felt his previously jaded spirit undergo a minor purification.

“This is no time for hesitation. A viable method has just occurred to me!”

In summary, Rikschel’s proposed strategy unfolded as follows.

“Are you suggesting I pretend to have accidentally fallen into the water?”

“Precisely.”

The narrative would establish that while watering the grounds, a misstep caused a plunge into the water channel; out of concern for potential illness, Rikschel offered his hooded priest’s robe, allowing an exit wrapped securely within it.

While minor suspicions might linger, fellow priests would likely concentrate their attention on the sudden flooding of the unfinished sanctuary, facilitating a smooth oversight.

Furthermore…

*Does this liquid not qualify technically as holy water as well?*

Would physical benefits not prove extraordinary?

Substances beneficial to physical vitality were invariably better consumed than avoided, and executed rather than neglected.

Naturally, excess carried drawbacks, yet when else would an opportunity arise to douse oneself entirely in holy water?

The present circumstance matched those criteria precisely.

Analyzed from that perspective, the plan possessed considerable merit.

“Let us proceed with that.”

Fortunately, the necessary provisions were readily available.

Two watering cans filled with holy water should prove more than sufficient.

Lion, without hesitation, moments before drenching his head…

“Nature.”

“Beep.”

He instructed Nature to evacuate and handed the carrying bag over to Rikschel.

Then.

*Swoosh!*

A literal holy bucket challenge ensued.

—

Ultimately, Rikschel’s strategy achieved a remarkable degree of success.

As Lion, thoroughly soaked in holy water, emerged from the sanctuary with the hood drawn low, the exterior was enveloped in considerable commotion!

“Incredible, the sanctuary has reached completion!”

“And accomplished by the Candidate rather than the Archbishop…!”

“Magnificent indeed!”

Onlookers had gathered in substantial numbers!

Not only ordinary priests but senior clerical figures remaining within the temple grounds had assembled.

*How did word spread so quickly?*

As Lion glanced toward the sanctuary from beneath the hood pulled down to the bridge of his nose, Rikschel whispered quietly while addressing inquiries from surrounding priests.

“The concentration of divine power here is intense. Any priest capable of sensing divine energy would have noticed immediately.”

Having spoken, Rikschel assumed the lead to clear a path.

“This achievement does not belong to me alone. Without our esteemed guest, initiating this endeavor would have been impossible.”

“……”

Honestly, airing remarks of that nature at this exact juncture felt counterproductive.

Would that not simply draw unwanted scrutiny?

“Ah, our esteemed guest!”

“A genuine Messenger of God…!”

Regardless, Rikschel undoubtedly had a calculated objective in mind.

Lion simply narrowed his eyes as far as possible, pulling the hood downward and committing fully to the act.

Hesitation inevitably breeds errors.

Remaining as motionless as possible offered the safest course.

“However, the Guest’s physical stamina is currently severely depleted. For the Guest’s well-being, might we postpone inquiries regarding the Sanctuary and clear the corridor?”

“Ah…!”

“Understood! Of course!”

The gathering priests parted, and the Paladins stationed to protect the Sanctuary instinctively flanked Rikschel and Lion, initiating an escort formation.

“Shall I escort you directly to the guest quarters?”

“Negative. Due to security protocols, I will proceed to my private chambers first.”

“Understood.”

“Ah, should any visitors arrive seeking the esteemed guest, please direct them to my chambers as well.”

“Very well.”

The Paladin offered a formal bow to Rikschel and Lion before departing the corridor.

Rikschel, following a meticulous inspection of the room to ensure absolute privacy, exhaled a long breath of relief.

“…Hoo. Righteous Person. The danger has passed.”

“Your crisis management skills are quite impressive.”

“This likely constitutes the most monumental falsehood of my existence.”

“Strictly speaking, falsehoods were strictly avoided.”

Lion offered a light chuckle, tousling his damp hair with the towel Rikschel extended.

“Spare me the teasing. My heart continues to race.”

Rikschel clasped his hands tightly in a gesture mirroring prayer, his earnest distress entirely transparent.

“Ah, allow me to lend you a change of garments.”

“My thanks.”

While falling short of the comfort provided by his personal wardrobe at home, the replacement items consisted of decent casual wear tailored from quality textiles.

So ordinary garments were available after all?

If standard civilian attire was provided…

“Is it possible I am expected to effect an escape?”

“Actually, that contingency crossed my mind as well.”

How then did he propose to manage the ensuing fallout?

Lion fixed a steady, questioning gaze upon Rikschel.

The Guest’s Token carried the explicit designation of a Messenger of God.

Should that designated Guest vanish from the Temple without a trace, what would follow?

Would the individual who originally bestowed the ‘Guest’s Token’ not face severe accountability?

“Well…”

Rikschel released a heavy sigh, pulling up a chair to sit opposite Lion.

“Truthfully, managing a crisis of this magnitude is a first for me, leaving me uncertain of the proper next steps. If my siblings discover this, or should the Archbishop uncover the truth…”

Rikschel clutched his head, emitting a lament reminiscent of a junior heir who had committed an irrecoverable blunder, before burying his forehead against the desk in pure despair.

To Lion’s perspective, Rikschel bore the exact resemblance of a rookie employee who had triggered a catastrophic corporate failure and lacked the courage to notify upper management.

“Hmm…”

In reality, Lion possessed viable solutions.

More importantly, multiple options existed for slipping away completely undetected.

*Yet he goes to such lengths to assist me.*

The confirmation that Rikschel lacked malicious intent was absolute.

Under those circumstances…

Since both the Marquis of Byedantis and Rikschel were already entangled in the affair, why not incorporate the primary candidate for Archbishop alongside his younger brother into the equation?

* Maintaining perpetual hostility purely out of rival status serves no functional purpose.*

Would pursuing peace not yield superior outcomes?

Should his younger brother eventually ascend to head the Family, a collective family vacation might even become feasible!

By the way.

*This kindhearted priest appears inclined to offer endless unconditional assistance if I merely continue accepting it.*

Kindness remained a virtue, but excessive reliance risked transforming assistance into an entitlement.

What might happen if a single error occurred thereafter?

Would the resulting disillusionment not prove measureless?

Establishing a balanced, healthy relationship required both parties to maintain a healthy caution regarding such emotional dynamics.

Consequently, framing the proposition directly was preferable.

“Mr. Rikschel.”

“Yes?”

“Given our mutual entanglement in this predicament, how would you view entering into an agreement with me?”

“An, an agreement?”

At the mention of a transaction, a flicker of wariness crossed Rikschel’s features.

Previously, ignorance regarding Lion’s affiliation with the Asteri Family prevailed, but the current situation was different.

Exposure to biased narratives cultivated within the temple environment made that reaction inevitable.

The stereotype of a Magic Family!

Calculated, self-absorbed, devoid of empathy or tears, entirely selfish, and devoid of regard for others…!

Naturally, minor kernels of truth underpinned a few of those assumptions.

“Indeed. My objective is to depart the temple without exposing my identity. After all, my lineage traces back to a prominent Magic Family.”

“…Indeed. That is correct.”

“Assist me in achieving that goal. In exchange.”

“In exchange?”

“I will arrange for someone capable of resolving this mess cleanly.”

A peculiar smile touched Lion’s lips.