Upon returning to her room, the princess instructed the maid to gather information about the recent abnormalities in the priests. It didn’t take long for the information collected by the informants to reach her.

As Princess Lala read the report, her face quickly stiffened. “Yes. I’ve heard of this before. News about a young priest suddenly losing their abilities. It caused a stir in the theological community for a while, as it was unprecedented for a youth to experience such a thing.”

She reread the report. “” The princess’s gaze was fixated on the short sentence, seemingly unimpressed by the information gathered by the informants.

Not only that, there was more news about priests losing their abilities. While there was no mention of Igraine, suspicions lingered. Four priests lost their abilities, and five were missing.

“The latter is the work of imperial spies.” It was among the few facts that could be discovered even through severe torture.

Priest abduction and torture. The purpose remained unknown. Perhaps they died before revealing it.

“Ha, unbelievable. Have so many priests really undergone such changes recently? Why has it been so quiet until now?”

They had been overly immersed in prolonged peace. Princess Lala supported her forehead with one hand; suddenly, her head felt heavy.

There was a chill, even a shiver. She, too, was a priest. She couldn’t help but empathize with the situation of the unfortunate priests.

“If priests who lost their abilities concealed it like Aris, there might be more incapable priests than reported.”

Her gaze went to one sentence. “”

The resolute cry of Aris echoed vividly in her ears.

“If this is true.”

Supporting her forehead with her hand, the princess, who had been reading the report, had a formidable look in her eyes. It wasn’t the gaze of a stubborn princess but that of Liorosa’s powerful priestess and protector of the kingdom.

“We need to confirm this with Igraine.”

Stealing a priest’s abilities was chilling and horrifying. A priest’s abilities were a divine blessing, and opposing them was extremely dangerous and wicked.

“I’ll report to the king when it’s certain. For now, I need more confirmation.”

Believing that the water ability was a divine blessing, Princess Lala, who did not doubt it, headed straight for the chief priest.

This was a different issue from when she imprisoned Igraine out of personal emotions.

If my speculation is correct, Igraine is the most dangerous enemy of the kingdom.

“The atmosphere lately is quite strange.”

“Dark rumors are spreading within and around the holy city.”

“Could it be due to the continuous bad harvest?”

“Right. Our territory is also problematic. Severe drought has caused crops to wither. Even when we request priests, they respond lukewarmly compared to before…”
“We are in this situation, but what about ordinary peasants? The royal family should come up with measures to address this.”

The minor nobles sighed, expressing their concerns. As they spoke, the kingdom’s atmosphere was uneasy.

As the drought began, the temples that could resolve this issue remained silent, adding to the worries.

Furthermore, as the identity of the corpse found in the old residence of Amtein turned out to be a priest, the public sentiment became even more ominous.

Drought, resulting in a bad harvest, the disappearance and murder of priests—dark rumors circulated, spreading worries and anxieties like mold.

“This is a precursor to disaster.”

Dufang, a mysterious author and theologian, requested a public hearing in the temple. The priests, fearing the murders, stopped their actions and returned to the temple.

As life became difficult, as usual, cults hidden in the shadows raised their heads, shouting that the kingdom was cursed.

Rumors that were ignored when there were no issues now properly stirred public sentiment.

Various crime rates increased, and people unable to withstand the anxiety flocked to the temples and the royal palace for prayers.

“God will look after us. Those with deep faith endured it, but those influenced by the cult’s whispers believed that the royal family had done something wrong and was cursed.”

“The royal family must quickly devise a plan to lift the curse!”

“If you have done wrong, pray! Apologize!”

In response to the citizens’ cries outside the palace, the king rubbed his throbbing head.

“Someone shut their mouths!”

“I will send soldiers.”

While the chief commander conveyed orders to his subordinates, the king’s reception room was eerily quiet.

Despite a considerable number of people gathering, not a single person spoke.

Hubert Lorenst, one of the king’s attendants, was absent due to troublesome household affairs, and Duke Legatan remained silent with closed eyes.

In this uncomfortable situation, where no brave subordinate came forward, a young deputy stepped up.

“We need a scapegoat.”