A Different Husband Every Night (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 16
I stared blankly with bewildered eyes at Mew, the hamster atop Elihu’s head.
Clearly, there was a hamster sitting on the High Priest’s head—so why wasn’t anyone reacting? Could it be visible only to me?
“…Your Majesty?”
Startled out of my daze by Elihu’s voice, I snapped back to my senses. Looking around, I noticed many people were staring at me.
“Oh, yes.”
I quickly pulled my gaze away from the hamster on Elihu’s head.
“Good luck today, High Priest.”
“Please speak more casually. I am but your servant, Your Majesty.”
“Mm. Right. Hang in there today, Elihu.”
“Thank you kindly, Your Majesty. I’ll escort both of you to a private chamber I’ve prepared, so you may rest comfortably before the ceremony begins.”
As Elihu turned and stepped inside, Levanfel moved closer to my side.
“Are you all right, Empress?”
“…Yes. I’m fine.”
I nodded and followed Elihu inside together with Levanfel.
Hundreds had gathered in the Grand Temple today, all here to join in the sacred ritual and offer their prayers. Some had already begun praying devoutly in solemn postures.
They all shared the same hope: that this world would be preserved.
We entered the private chamber Elihu had prepared in advance and decided to enjoy a light tea time before the ceremony commenced.
While tea was being prepared, Mew, who had been perched on Elihu’s crown, had vanished without a trace.
“I’m truly sorry for startling you the other day, Your Majesty. I’ve been meaning to apologize properly.”
“Mm. It’s all right.”
Noticing I’d been subtly avoiding eye contact, Elihu offered an awkward smile and sincerely apologized.
“To be honest, I sensed the divine power of Lord Semula emanating from you back then, and I impulsively reached out without thinking.”
Oh dear.
“That was wrong of me… I suppose I’m still too inexperienced. I deeply regretted it after returning that day.”
Could the energy have rubbed off from spending time with Mew…?
“But recently, I’ve sensed Lord Semula’s divine presence throughout various corners of the Grand Temple as well… Perhaps it’s simply because I’ve grown weary from my long journey.”
No, that really was Semula. He was literally on your head just moments ago.
…Though admittedly, not in the form you imagine.
‘The High Priest truly is a High Priest—able to perceive divine energy instantly.’
“If you ever need my help, Your Majesty, please call for me anytime. I’ll do anything to assist you.”
“Elihu. Would you really refuse if I called?”
“Haha. If His Majesty summons me, I’m ready to follow anywhere.”
Come to think of it, Levanfel was like that too, and so was Mew earlier.
No one had ever spoken ill of Elihu. In fact, hadn’t he helped us when Viscount Liranef caused trouble?
I’d only avoided him out of fear my secret would be exposed—it wasn’t his fault at all.
“Elihu.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“I have one question—can you tell me about it?”
“I’ll answer anything within my knowledge.”
“The god you serve—Semula.”
“…Lord Semula?”
“I want to know about that Semula.”
Rather than reading books in the library, the best source of knowledge about Semula was none other than Elihu himself—the High Priest and son of the god he served.
“Wait, wait—Empress, asking Elihu about Lord Semula is taboo…”
Levanfel belatedly tried to stop me, but it was already too late.
The words had already left my mouth.
“For example… what kind of gemstones does Semula like? Favorite desserts, specific foods, or… maybe favorite games?”
“…Excuse me?”
Elihu tilted his head with a bewildered expression, while Levanfel stared at me, pale with terror.
.
.
.
Elihu proceeded to recite everything he knew about Semula as if memorized by heart.
“…And thus, Lord Semula anchored the World Tree—the vessel of His power—into this land.”
Of course, he couldn’t tell me Semula’s favorite gemstones or dishes.
He only recounted dull tales—like how Semula first gifted the World Tree to humanity or accounts from those who claimed to have met Semula.
“Your Majesty… are you still listening?”
“Huh? Oh—yes, yes… I’m listening.”
The ever-gentle and mild-mannered Elihu transformed into a passionate speaker the moment Semula’s story began.
Though I’d only seen him a few times, this was the first time I’d witnessed Elihu clenching both fists with such fervor.
And he’d been going at it for two whole hours already.
‘I’m about to yawn.’
I should’ve just read a book instead.
His ceaseless, lullaby-like voice made my eyelids heavy.
Wondering if I was the only one, I glanced sideways—only to find Levanfel already crossed-armed and dozing off with rhythmic blinks.
‘I’ll never ask Elihu about Semula again.’
Now I understood why Levanfel had tried to stop me earlier. Who knew a question about Lord Semula would ignite such zealous enthusiasm?
It was too much. My stomach was full, and a soothing lullaby echoed in my ears—
For two hours straight.
I quietly propped my chin up, ready to doze off.
“…Actually.”
Just as I was about to close my eyes, Elihu’s voice—previously brimming with fervent praise for Semula—abruptly lost its strength.
“Hm?”
“People no longer praise Lord Semula as they once did. During this pilgrimage, I’ve met so many individuals.”
“…”
“Some cursed Him, even throwing stones at us believers, calling us worshippers of the god who brought ruin upon this world.”
I straightened my posture, sitting upright. Even Levanfel, who’d been asleep moments earlier, now gazed intently at Elihu.
“When the world is ending, people need someone to blame… Elihu, what about you?”
Elihu lifted his head at my question.
“I heard that in some regions, they’ve even destroyed Semula’s temples, and many priests have abandoned their posts. Elihu… don’t you resent Semula?”
“If parents, who’ve raised you without lacking anything, now tell you to become independent, could you truly resent them?”
“What if they suddenly cast you out overnight without any warning or preparation?”
“One cannot expect parents to care for you forever.”
Elihu genuinely didn’t seem to harbor any resentment toward Semula.
It was remarkable conviction.
Yet most people weren’t like Elihu. Though Semula had merely shared a portion of His power, humans had grown accustomed to it.
Thus, when Semula reclaimed that power, He was branded a malevolent deity who brought about the world’s destruction.
“I don’t see it that way.”
Levanfel, who’d been quietly listening, rubbed his tired eyes and spoke up.
“If He intended to take it back, He shouldn’t have given it in the first place. It would’ve been better never to know.”
Levanfel was one who’d suffered because of the World Tree. Naturally, he resented Semula for taking it away.
An oppressive silence settled over the table, thick as waterlogged cotton.
Just then, an urgent voice called out for Elihu.
“High Priest! Lord Elihu!”
We all turned simultaneously. Jaerim burst into the private chamber without knocking, his face deathly pale as he searched for Elihu.
I’d never seen Jaerim so frantic before.
“Counselor?”
Elihu rose halfway from his seat. Levanfel, beside him, frowned deeply and scolded Jaerim.
“Jaerim—without even knocking…”
But Levanfel couldn’t finish his sentence.
“High Priest!!”
Another junior priest followed Jaerim inside, also barging in without knocking.
Elihu and Levanfel exchanged glances, both their expressions hardening instantly.
Something serious had clearly happened.
“What’s going on?”
“You must come quickly—right away.”
“What?”
“What happened? Jaerim, summarize the key points first.”
Alarmed, Elihu pushed his chair aside and stood abruptly. Sensing the urgency, Levanfel urged Jaerim to speak.
Jaerim shoved the junior priest aside and got straight to the point.
“We’ve just received word that some senior priests who departed on an expedition days ago have been brought back unconscious.”
“Brought back unconscious?”
Elihu’s face went ashen at Jaerim’s blunt delivery.
A dreadful premonition seized me.
And that premonition swiftly became reality.
“It appears the senior priests have contracted the plague.”
“…!”
Jaerim moistened his dry lips.
Elihu rolled up his sleeves, ready to rush out of the chamber immediately.
“How many were brought back? If it’s still early and the number is small, I can treat them myself. Are they at the treatment facility? I’ll go there before the ceremony begins!”
The capital had established an isolated treatment facility specifically for plague victims.
‘If the senior priests were taken directly to the facility, this shouldn’t be a major crisis.’
I narrowed my eyes, scanning Jaerim and the junior priest. Jaerim remained rigid.
‘Surely not…’
Jaerim firmly grabbed Elihu’s wrist, stopping him just as he was about to bolt.
“That’s not the issue, Lord Elihu.”
“What do you mean?”
“The problem is that some novice priests brought the infected senior priests into the Grand Temple.”
‘I knew it.’
I closed my eyes, dizzy with dread.
The imperial capital had remained unscathed only because it responded swiftly during the plague’s initial outbreak.
If that response now faltered…
“Hundreds have gathered here for the ceremony.”
“…!”
“All of them may have already been exposed to the plague. Including me. His Majesty. And Your Majesty.”
Jaerim’s gaze swept slowly over us. Elihu, too, looked at Levanfel and me with trembling eyes.
The Grand Temple stood in the heart of the imperial capital.
Which meant this plague might now spread uncontrollably through the capital of the Grand Empire.
A sharp, chilling silence fell. Levanfel, arms still crossed as he’d listened quietly, broke it first.
“Jaerim. What’s our medical capacity?”
“From what we’ve determined so far, aside from a few senior priests, all others have been dispatched to treat the plague outbreak in the provinces. Even Lord Elihu has a daily limit on how many he can heal…”
“What are you saying?”
“There are currently no priests in the Grand Temple capable of treating such a large number of people immediately.”
Hearing this, Elihu’s green eyes grew distant and unsteady. His face twisted in anguish.
“Elihu.”
Levanfel stood and placed a hand firmly on Elihu’s shoulder, his voice colder than usual as he laid out the harsh truth.
“Seal off the Grand Temple.”
“…Your Majesty.”
“Only you, as High Priest, hold the authority to seal the temple. If you don’t act now, it’ll spiral beyond control.”
“…”
Elihu clenched his fists tightly and lowered his head.
“And Jaerim.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Are there troops stationed outside the temple?”
“Yes. The security force is standing by.”
“Order them to carry out the lockdown immediately. Also, send word right away to the nearest High Priests and senior priests requesting urgent assistance. Their arrival will greatly bolster our healing capacity.”
“Yes, I’ll see to it at once.”
“What about troops inside the temple? Once this gets out, panic will spread among those inside. We’ll need manpower to maintain order.”
“I’ll verify that immediately… Lord Elihu, could you assist in sending the message outside?”
Elihu bit down hard on his lower lip. With a resolute expression, he looked at Levanfel and made his decision.
“By my authority as High Priest Elihu, I hereby seal the Grand Temple.”
Scarcely had Elihu finished speaking when Jaerim turned to the junior priest behind him and relayed the order. The junior priest nodded and hurried out.
Elihu turned to face Levanfel.
“Your Majesty, I’ll attempt to treat the people.”
“Elihu, I understand your heart—but if it truly is the plague, healing everyone now is impossible. You’ll only exhaust yourself.”
“The plague doesn’t kill instantly. If I prioritize the most critical cases, I might still bring the situation under control.”
“Elihu.”
“These are all people who were waiting for me.”
Elihu clasped his hands reverently and smiled.
“I believe Lord Semula granted me this power specifically to help others. That is my faith.”
Levanfel, Elihu, and Jaerim exchanged stern, unwavering glances.
“Very well. If that is your resolve, Elihu.”
It seemed the matter was settled.
Watching the three of them, I quietly raised my hand.
“Um…”
All three turned their eyes to me at once.
“If you’ve finished deciding on a solution, I have something I need to ask. I know this is an extremely urgent situation, but I’m asking because it’s truly necessary—please don’t think it’s strange…”
“Yes?”
“Elihu.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“…That hamster you had on your head earlier—do you happen to know where it is?”
Because if I can just find that hamster—Lord Semula Himself—this problem would be easily solved.
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
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