The High Priest was wearing a ceremonial robe that trailed long on the floor.

The robe had a dazzlingly white background, mixed with gold thread to create an elegant and sacred atmosphere.

In the center of the robe’s chest, a transparent diamond brooch symbolizing the Central and Capital High Priest, one of only five in the empire, sparkled conspicuously under the chandelier.

The High Priest smiled kindly towards the guests, then sat on the left of the three sacred constellations placed behind the altar of the temple.

‘…Ah, that’s the spot on the floor I scrubbed hard at dawn.’

As if Nigel Ars’ efforts in quickly scrubbing were worthwhile, the High Priest’s robe remained clean without any contamination.

Next, accompanied by the soft melody of string instruments, the Northern High Priest wearing a sapphire blue brooch appeared and sat on the right constellation.

The remaining place, the central chair that only the Holy Maiden could sit on, remained unfilled until the end.

Nigel Ars looked at the empty constellation with a strange gaze.

She briefly indulged in useless fantasies about how she would behave if she sat on that constellation, if she had unimaginable power now.

It was then.

“…!”

The eyes of the Central High Priest fell on Nigel Ars standing in the corner of the poorly visible corridor.

The Central High Priest. He was the top minion of Nigel Ars during her mad dog days.

At first, he adamantly refused, but he eventually lost his sense of mission as a High Priest, becoming addicted to the power and wealth Nigel Ars offered.

She had read a passage saying that after the mad dog was executed by Beselion’s sword, he barely saved his life by claiming he had temporarily lost his mind, falling for the wicked Holy Maiden’s tricks.

And now, that person was looking straight at Nigel Ars.

If she had thought the gaze directed at her earlier was a coincidence, now she was certain.

Until now, fortunately, she had managed to avoid detection of her holy power thanks to Zeronin’s ring, but was there something different in the High Priest’s eyes?

No emotion could be read on the face of the High Priest, who was just smiling kindly and benevolently.

Nigel Ars’ two hands hidden behind her back couldn’t stay still and fidgeted.

Wanting to leave this place immediately, her feet anxiously lifted and touched the floor repeatedly.

At that moment, the first chapter of the Goddess’s hymn began to play.

The majestic and sacred music signaling the official start of the event instantly transformed the atmosphere of the vast temple.

As this song playing meant that Nigel Ars had to go assist Kyle, she barely moved her stiff legs, tense with nervousness.

Rustle.

When Nigel Ars entered the room past the cloth screen, inside was Kyle wearing a clean priest’s robe without any decorations.

“Is your mind still the same?”

“Of course.”

Kyle’s face was gentle, as if he had made up his mind.

“This is the best way to ensure that child doesn’t suffer.”

“Even if it means throwing away your life? Living as a priest means you won’t be able to marry or have a family, let alone assert your own will in anything for the rest of your life.”

“That’s something I’ve prepared for.”

A soft laugh from Kyle was heard.

“It’s much better than watching Sid live oppressed for life, unknowingly entering a rigged card game from the start.”

“Because you can protect your younger brother?”

“Yes. For over ten years, he devoted his life to surpassing me and becoming the head of the family. If I can protect my brother’s dream just by becoming a priest… It’s an incredibly profitable deal, isn’t it?”

This time, Nigel Ars let out a small laugh.

“…Nigel Ars, you always laugh at unexpected times.”

Kyle’s face wrinkled slightly.

“It’s truly aristocratic how you act as if you have the upper hand even when cornered on the edge of a cliff.”

“I graciously accept the compliment.”

Kyle nodded his head elegantly.

That appearance was closer to that of an aristocrat than a priest candidate about to be appointed, so Nigel Ars opened her mouth with mixed feelings.

“Anyway, congratulations on your appointment.”

Nigel Ars took off the silver ring on her ring finger and carefully kissed Kyle’s hand.

“What is this…!”

Kyle’s face, which had always been like a cold wall, instantly turned bright red.

‘Even this reaction is exactly like Sid’s.’

Nigel Ars quickly put the ring back on and smiled brightly, regardless of whether Kyle was lecturing about ladies while flushed.

“I hope Sid’s persuasion works well on you.”

“Even if Sid has sneaked in here as you say, unfortunately, that’s impossible unless a miracle happens.”

Because the temple was very sensitive about security, it was almost a miracle that Sid could enter as a servant.

Nigel Ars was only able to do this because she had the guaranteed status of a trainee priest.

In this situation, the only chance for Sid to meet Kyle was the brief moment of handing over a lily as a blessing on the path of the newly appointed priest entering the temple.

“…It would make me happy if that child gave me a flower.”

“You’re still aristocratic in a way that doesn’t fit the temple, Mr. Kyle Cromwell.”

As Kyle was about to ask the meaning of Nigel Ars’ significant smile.

Rustle.

“Priest candidate Kyle, a request for a private interview has been received.”

Someone’s voice was heard from beyond the curtain.

Kyle furrowed his brow and looked at Nigel Ars, wondering what this was about.

Nigel Ars maintained her smile and spoke.

“As an insightful person, you already know the conditions for who can request a private interview with a priest candidate before the appointment ceremony, right?”

“Of course, it’s only possible when the head or heir of one of the eight families blessed by the goddess applies. But you and Sid…!”

“That’s right, I’m just an orphan and the Cromwell family isn’t from the eight families. But I’m disappointed, you should have known who my best friend is.”

“…Noah Beselion.”

Kyle’s eyes wavered as he realized the truth.

“Well then, shall we go to the interview, priest candidate? I’ll safely escort you on your way.”

Nigel Ars cheerfully said, lifting the curtain.

“…Are you certain that the meaning of ‘safe’ that you and I know is truly the same?”

Kyle’s troubled face changed to bewilderment after circling the old tree standing tall in the center of the temple three times.

“I’ll lead the way, I know the geography of this place thoroughly.”

At those words, Nigel Ars willingly gave up the lead.

And not long after Kyle took the lead, they arrived at the interview location.

Kyle, who was smart enough to pass the difficult priest exam in one go and spoke and acted without hesitation as if he knew all the answers, hesitated for a long time in front of the white marble door.

Knowing that she must not take the initiative, Nigel Ars quietly waited for him to open the door.

Just as it was about to be too late for the ceremony if they delayed any longer, the white door opened.

Inside were Noah Beselion with a flushed face as if feverish, and Sid looking anxious and tired in shabby clothes.

“Kyle…!”

Sid, upon seeing Kyle, was full of joy and tension.

Kyle’s face was so cold that it was hard to believe he was the same person who only smiled when talking about Sid and hesitated for a long time in front of the door where his brother was.

Step, step.

Kyle walked towards Sid with elegant and weighty steps that closely resembled Sid’s footsteps.

“…What on earth are you doing, Sid Cromwell?”

A voice devoid of any warmth struck Sid directly.

“Well, I came to find Kyle…”

Sid’s attitude instantly lost spirit and became subdued.

“If the family members saw you now, who would think you’re the one to inherit the Cromwell family? I’ve always told you to be careful with your words and actions… How is this the appearance of the future head of the Cromwell earldom?”

Kyle glared coldly at Sid.

However, Kyle’s hand hidden behind his back was slightly trembling, clenched so tightly that the veins were clearly visible.

Sid looked up at Kyle with an expression more painful than being stabbed by a sword.

“…Kyle is still Kyle even wearing priest’s robes.”

And he forced a smile, raising the corners of his mouth.

“I told you, I came to find Kyle. Ah, do you remember? When we were young, whenever I was scolded by our parents for being inferior to Kyle and hid under the bed in my room crying… like magic, Kyle would come find me, pull me out, and comfort me.”

“…”

Kyle’s cold face wavered for a moment.

“So, I came to find Kyle who’s hiding in the temple.”

Sid smiled broadly, somewhat foolishly.

That face overlapped with the crying face of his younger self running to him holding an ancient language dictionary, causing Kyle to quickly turn his head away.

“I know everything.”

Sid continued speaking calmly, unconcerned.

“That mother didn’t want to give birth to me, that’s why my name is Sid to reflect you, that the succession ceremony is almost decided… I know it all.”

At those words, Kyle raised his head.

“Those are facts you don’t need to know.”

“I’m no longer a little child crying hidden under the bed, brother.”

Kyle’s determined eyes clearly wavered.

“None of that matters.”

Sid said with a faint smile.

“…Why? Then why did you study through the nights and try so hard to please our parents?”

Kyle’s mask completely shattered, revealing a confused voice.

“Because I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

“What…!”

“When I was young, I felt betrayed. Being born as a foil to make you shine, my pride was so strong, you know.”

Sid grinned and continued speaking.

“But I know why you emphasized the heir’s behavior to me and went to the temple. I wanted to compete fairly with you, to reach even your toes, so I’ve been working hard.”

Having finished speaking, Sid held out his hand to Kyle.

Just as Kyle had held out his hand to Sid who had gone under the bed.

“Kyle, let’s go back to the family.”

Kyle’s hand, which had hesitated in the air for a while, touched the tip of Sid’s fingers.

It was then.

“Priest candidate Kyle, it’s time for the appointment ceremony.”

The mercilessly passed time showed no mercy to the two brothers.