I stared at the hamster, Mu, on Elihu’s head with a stunned look.

Why is no one paying attention when there’s clearly a hamster on the Chancellor’s head? Am I the only one who can see it?

“…Empress?”

Startled, I came to my senses at the sound of Elihu calling me. I looked around and many people were watching me.

“Ah, yes.”

I took my eyes off the hamster on Elihu’s head and regained my composure.

“Have a strong day, Chancellor.”

“Please speak comfortably. I am your subordinate.”

“Mmm. Okay. Have strength today, Elihu.”

“Thank you for your kind words, Empress. I’ll escort both of you this way. I’ve prepared a separate room so you can rest comfortably before the ceremony begins.”

As Elihu turned and entered inside, Levanfell came closer to me.

“Are you okay, Empress?”

“…Yes. I’m fine.”

I nodded and followed Elihu with Levanfell.

Inside the Chancellor’s Palace, hundreds were gathered for today’s sacred ceremony to pray. Some were already in a devout posture, offering prayers.

Everyone wanted one thing. That this world would be preserved.

We entered the special room prepared by Elihu and decided to enjoy a light tea time before the ceremony began.

During the preparation for tea time, Mu, which was on Elihu’s head, had disappeared somewhere.

“I’m sorry for startling you before, Empress. I wanted to apologize.”

“Mmm. It’s okay.”

Elihu, who noticed me avoiding his gaze all along, apologized with an awkward smile and sincerity.

“Actually, I felt the divine power of the god Semula from you, and I unknowingly reached out.”

Flustered.

“I shouldn’t have done that… I must still be immature. I regretted it a lot after returning that day.”

Did the energy transfer from spending time with Mu…?

“But recently, I’ve felt Semula’s divine power in various places in the Chancellor’s Palace. …It might be because I’m tired from a long journey.”

No, it’s really Semula. It was on your head just now.

…Of course, not in the way you think.

“The Chancellor really is the Chancellor. He feels the energy of the god all at once.”

“If you ever need my help later, please call me anytime. If you call me, I’ll help you with anything.”

“Elihu. Won’t you help if I call you?”

“Ha ha. If His Majesty calls, I’m ready to follow anywhere.”

Speaking of which, Levanfell was the same, and Mu earlier.

No one ever spoke ill of Elihu. In fact, when he had trouble with Duke Liranef, Elihu helped.

It wasn’t his fault, I was just scared that my secret would be discovered.

“Elihu.”

“Yes, Empress.”

“I have one thing I’m curious about. Can you tell me?”

“I will do whatever I can within my knowledge.”

“The god you serve, Semula.”

“…Semula?”

“I want to know about that Semula.”

Better than reading a book in the library about Semula was the person who knew him well.

It was the son of the god who serves the god, Chancellor Elihu.

“Wai, wait. Empress. Asking Elihu about the god Semula is taboo…”

Surprised, Levanfell tried to stop me belatedly, but it was too late.

I had already spoken.

“Like Semula’s favorite gems, or favorite desserts, food names, or… favorite games?”

“…Yes?”

Elihu tilted his head with a perplexed look, and Levanfell looked at me with a terrified, pale face.

.

.

.

Elihu rattled off everything he knew about Semula.

“…So Semula planted the part of power, the World Tree, in this land.”

Of course, I couldn’t find out his favorite type of gem or food.

The story of when Semula first gifted the World Tree to humans, or the story of the human who met Semula, etc.

They were all boring stories.

“Empress. Are you listening?”

“Eh? Ah, ye, yes.”

Elihu, always gentle and smiling, turned passionate as soon as Semula’s story began.

I hadn’t seen him many times, but it was my first time seeing Elihu clutch his fists and speak with passion.

And that was already two hours.

‘I feel like yawning.’

I should have just read the book.

My eyelids were heavy without a break, because of the lullaby that kept coming.

Certainly! Here is the translation of the passage following the guidelines:

I felt like I was the only one, so I glanced to the side and saw Levanfell fast asleep with his arms crossed.

‘I’ll never talk to Elihu about Semula again.’

I seemed to understand why Levanfell had tried to stop me earlier. If Semula’s question came up, it would change this passionately.

It was too much. My stomach was full, and a soft lullaby rang in my ears.

For two hours straight.

I quietly prepared to nod off, supporting my chin.

“……Actually.”

The moment I was about to close my eyes, the power drained from Elihu’s voice, which had been passionately praising Semula.

“Huh?”

“People don’t praise Lord Semula as much as they used to. I met a lot of people while on this service trip.”

“……”

“Some cursed Semula and threw stones at us for worshipping a god that brought ruin to this world.”

I straightened up, making my upper body erect. Levanfell, who had been dozing off, was awake, staring at Elihu.

“The world is perishing, so they need someone to blame. …Elihu, what about you?”