‘I wonder what kind of feelings they have.’

Ray, the priest, seemed to be boiling with anger towards herself. But the expression of the High Priest was very peculiar.

‘I got too excited as well.’

But she should have firmly stated that what’s not right is not right.

In the past, Sesenia rarely got angry even when such things happened to her.

Thinking that going along was the best option, she would just laugh it off even when she was harmed.

All she got from acting that way was being called stupid. Rather, there was nothing to gain from such behaviors.

No matter how kind someone is, no matter how much goodwill they show, they just become an interesting topic of gossip for others.

The kind of gossip that even strangers in social circles chew on endlessly. That some young lady from some family is utterly stupid.

If she was going to be the subject of such gossip in this life anyway, Sesenia hoped to be a wicked and vicious person, so she just stared silently at the High Priest.

“High Priest?”

“Ah.”

“Do you need further confirmation?”

“No. I was just thinking for a moment…”

Sesenia looked at Tedel. Her slightly drooping eyes seemed to be telling Tedel something.

Whatever it was, Tedel was just busy smiling, pleased by the fact that Sesenia was looking at him. Her hand firmly grasped Tedel’s.

“It didn’t need to go as far as an apology. I’m sorry. Teddy cares for me too much…”

“Ah.”

“It’s not really the High Priest’s fault, to be honest…”

“No, it is something to apologize for. After all, he is under my charge, and I’m the one who brought him here.”

At this moment, Sesenia clearly felt what kind of thoughts the High Priest had.

The High Priest doesn’t think it’s his fault. If there’s any fault of his, it’s just that he brought Ray here.

Sensing this, Sesenia responded to the High Priest’s words.

“That’s right. That’s not your fault at all, High Priest.”

Their gazes turned to Ray simultaneously.

“Yes. I shouldn’t have kept him from the beginning.”

Though no words were spoken, Ray’s complexion hardened just from the sudden gazes directed at him.

This isn’t right. He only wanted to be loved by the High Priest. Why did things turn out like this?

Ray, who had been hostile towards Sesenia from today, no, from their first meeting, felt wronged.

It’s not his fault. It’s that woman’s fault. Until she came, there had been no problems between him and the High Priest.

His expression changed in real-time.

“Well then, let’s move on from this topic. In the end, Ray the priest is the only one who made a mistake. There’s no problem between the High Priest, me, and Tedel.”

It’s not difficult to corner one person.

It’s also not difficult for the relationship between the rest to become closer because of that one person.

Originally, when people talk about one subject, they tend to become closer. Especially when badmouthing someone, it shines particularly bright.

Whether spoken in front or behind.

“That’s right. Haha. Thank you for understanding. I didn’t want to be on bad terms with Saint Sesenia who helped raise the temple, or with a member of the imperial family. I was worried there might be a problem because of this incident, but I’m glad.”

‘Then you shouldn’t have been at odds with me.’

At this moment, Ray would taste despair. Because the High Priest he so faithfully followed had essentially abandoned him.

“How could there be a problem? Rather, I want to apologize. I shouldn’t have created a situation where we all end up feeling upset…”

“No. Saint Sesenia, you absolutely don’t need to apologize.”

The High Priest was a pacifist. More precisely, a bat-like pacifist who clings to whatever suits him. And he was determined to cling to Sesenia, who was currently the most beneficial to him.

‘A person who uses any means necessary for what benefits him most. In contrast, for things that don’t benefit him, or rather might cause harm… a person who avoids them.’

Everyone was the same, but the High Priest was a bit different.

He had a tendency to try to pin things that might harm him onto someone else.

Shifting responsibility and avoiding responsibility.

A person always prepared to be the victim, so to speak.

‘That’s why even when he took in the Salmon royalty in the past, he always asked the emperor, fearing it might cause problems. So he could shift all responsibility to the emperor.’

In fact, he had asked Helbert, Sesenia’s husband and the emperor, to even create documents.

He asked him to explicitly state that it was the emperor who ordered to take in the Salmon royalty. The reason was that he didn’t want to take the blame if diplomatic issues arose.

In the end, they managed to protect their own integrity while taking in the Salmon royalty, ensuring that not even a speck of harm would come to themselves.

That’s probably why they’re called incorruptible, for doing such blatantly obvious things.

The temple did the same thing when they took in the Salmon royalty for their own benefit, and it was so obvious that they were called incorruptible.

‘Even earlier, when he drew everyone’s attention to me in front of all those people, saying I was the one who brought the sacred object… that must have been it too.’

Once she started thinking negatively, the High Priest’s actions became crystal clear.

And she felt stupid for not realizing it until now.

“I really want to get along well.”

“Yes.”

To live as the cleanest High Priest possible.

To avoid any stains whatsoever.

For himself.

Sesenia suppressed the laughter that was trying to escape and cleared her throat.

“Anyway, I can’t go into details, but Tedel spent time in a slave caravan. Therefore, he doesn’t have strong backing. That’s why I want to postpone the announcement as much as possible.”

“I see, so that was the reason.”

“Yes. So I’m trying to gather as many people as possible to help.”

Of course, that wasn’t true. Sesenia had already finished gathering people to help.

The Iar Association that Sesenia created would become Teddy’s financial backing.

The Master of the Magic Tower, who would secretly support Teddy while claiming the current imperial family is no good, would become Teddy’s hidden helper.

The royalty of the Salmon Kingdom who made a contract, Silian, would become Teddy’s sponsor.

And Teddy’s very existence would become a powerful imperial bloodline.

But Sesenia was curious about what the High Priest would say. So Sesenia opened her mouth towards the High Priest as if to show off.

“Then wouldn’t it be okay to reveal his imperial status at that time?”

“No. We need to reveal that he is of imperial blood so that we can go looking for people to support him. Now, if we go out and say that the High Priest has certified this, someone will surely help.”

“I don’t think it’s good to create a power base that way.”

Suddenly, all of Sesenia’s assumptions were nailed shut. The one who had been pretending to be on Sesenia’s side all along revealed his true colors.

“Why is that? Don’t worry. There won’t be any harm coming to you, High Priest.”

The High Priest looked at Ray the priest beside him as if urging him, but perhaps due to the aftermath from earlier, he kept his mouth firmly shut. In the end, the High Priest made an awkward expression and waved his hands.

“It’s absolutely, absolutely not because I’m worried about being harmed. Saint, you saved our temple, so how could such a thing be important?”

“Then why are you saying not to do it?”

“It seems that the Saint still doesn’t know much about this world, so I’m just saying a word of caution. Please don’t misunderstand at all. I’m just a little worried. While the imperial family is noble just by existing, they still check each other, even if they don’t kill each other like ordinary royalty.”

Sesenia quietly listened to his words.

“Checking…”

“Yes. And it’s natural that there will be checks against an imperial family member who suddenly appears. So don’t bother creating a power base. I only wish for Tedel, for the imperial family member, to live comfortably as part of the imperial family. And I hope that Saint Sesenia doesn’t get caught up in this and have a hard time… That’s my only wish. You understand, don’t you? My feelings.”

No. I don’t understand. No matter how I listen, it sounds like you’re telling me not to go around using your name to prove imperial status.

Sesenia swallowed the words that were rising to her throat and nodded.

“Hmm…”

“I absolutely don’t have any other intentions.”

“I understand.”

“I thought you would understand my intentions.”

“But my request to announce Tedel’s imperial status at the Emperor’s birthday celebration in spring remains unchanged. Since the High Priest has to participate in most of the empire’s events, that seems like the most appropriate occasion.”

His expression hardened again.

Did she not understand his meaning, should he speak more directly, such concerns were visible on the High Priest’s face.

“Ah. Of course, I understand your intentions very well, High Priest. Come to think of it, creating a power base doesn’t seem like a good idea.”

“Right? I thought you would understand my intentions, and you’re someone I can communicate well with. But why are you postponing until then?”

“Because he’s still lacking. As I mentioned, he was in a slave caravan, so his education is weak. So I want to change him into somewhat of an imperial family member by then.”

“That’s good.”

‘How ridiculous. The current Teddy is perfect.’

Maybe it’s just rose-colored glasses.

Or maybe it’s because the High Priest’s gaze looking at Tedel is annoying, but to Sesenia, Tedel seemed absolutely perfect.

No, it was definitely rose-colored glasses. But not knowing this, a shadow of darkness suddenly covered Sesenia’s face.

The High Priest’s body flinched for a moment.