“If you say you came because you missed me… would I get angry?”

Illeon was at a loss. Why was his voice trembling at this moment?

As if he had been nervous about seeing her again, as if he had regretted not looking at her face properly and just letting her go.

Unresolved emotions echoed in his voice.

‘Senior Priest Elescia’ remained a poignant wound for Illeon.

The way Elescia pushed him away, pretending not to know him.

She didn’t want to see such a completely dressed-up Elescia, who had prepared to return to the temple as a priestess.

The external appearance of Elescia, who had become a priestess, and the uncertainty of when he would see her again, constantly disturbed Illeon’s heart uncomfortably.

When he asked Mariela how long Elescia had to stay in Haedumsha, she honestly replied that Elescia could only leave Haedumsha if she successfully extracted the prophecy.

When would that be?

Three days later, a week later, maybe a few months later?

Illeon wanted to resist Mariela’s plan.

But the truth was that Illeon himself didn’t know anything about Sonatek.

He would gladly swing his sword to end a life that could be taken away so easily.

Why was it so complicated?

If he couldn’t be with Elescia, what was the meaning?

To endure a temporary separation for the sake of ‘eternity together.’

Illeon felt tortured by how his mind seemed to have been twisted.

Tactics and strategies were common sense learned over the years in the knight order. However, even Rev, who supported her as if agreeing with Mariela, seemed resentful.

You couldn’t face an unknown enemy.

Knowing one piece of information could save the lives of soldiers.

Yet, despite all that, Mariela’s words to send Elescia to Haedumsha were just unpleasant.

Hated it.

Didn’t like it.

How childish were these thoughts? Childish and unable to offer an alternative. He didn’t know anything.

Even after Elescia left for Haedumsha, regret surged that he should have seen her off, even just once.

Drawing a line as if Elescia was avoiding him wasn’t just a one-day affair.

After hearing the butler’s words and contemplating, thoughts that made him wonder if there had been misunderstandings or if her feelings were hurt crossed his mind.

It wasn’t meant in that way.

Even once, he should have seen her off, reassuring her that he would come to pick her up soon, offering comforting words, and enveloping her delicate and small face. At the very end of complex and simmering emotions was regret.

It was a loss for him not to see Elescia.

What a foolish thing I did, shaving off my own life.

After asking the butler how much donation was needed to request a priest and a carriage to Haedumsha, he prepared ten times the amount and rushed to him as soon as the day dawned.

“Are you Lady Elescia?”
The priest who welcomed Illeon looked puzzled.

“I apologize for the impoliteness, but Lady Elescia has just returned from exile in Haedumsha and has not yet been officially assigned to meet the believers….”

He examined the large purse of gold coins that Illeon silently offered with a hesitant expression, then showed a surprised expression. After that, he bowed his head and went straight to call Elescia.

All the priests here are possessed beings.

They don’t actually serve the Five Gods and Oder.

So, what they would serve universally is ‘money’ rather than faith. If professions and origins don’t change in this world, what is essential for survival is not faith but money.

After confirming that, Illeon became even more irritated. He disliked the idea of placing Elescia in a place like this, which was trying to prevent the possession of a being by leaving the temple.

Elescia remained silent until Illeon recounted his complicated feelings.

Was it a problem to suddenly hug her?

Still, even though it was a temple, should he have asked for permission and tidied things up?

Seeing Elescia’s expression, he sighed.

“…You’re angry after all.”

Elescia, why aren’t you saying anything?

With a heart that shook even more anxiously, Illeon slowly let her go.

Elescia’s violet eyes were staring at him with emotions that couldn’t be fathomed.

“…I missed you.”

The moment he heard those words, his heart, which had been swaying until a moment ago, stopped as if it had found its center.

Illeon carefully examined Elescia in priest attire.

Was she reluctant to show such a appearance?

Elescia, whose golden hair flowed down both shoulders of the reversed hood, gathered the ends, which had been whitened with her fists.

“Why are you like this?”

“Just… I don’t want to show this kind of appearance. It feels ridiculous to be in this state to use the gods.”

Evidence that they are the followers of the gods who follow their will.

Elescia’s hair, which had turned as white as a clean and unblemished sheet of paper, seemed to bother her as she repeatedly tried to hide her hair within her fist.

“Don’t do that.”

Illeon took it away from Elescia’s hand.

Then, he kissed the once brilliant golden end that had turned white.