It was about avoiding the soldiers’ eyes and entering the Netton mansion.

“Uncle is in the middle of home pension, so the security is strict. What should we do, Your Highness?”

Suzanne asked.

Franz, hiding his golden hair with a worn hunting cap, smirked.

“It would be better to change the title to ‘Doyen.’ It stands out too much.”

“Then I’ll call you Young Master. Just like when we met Boris.”
“As it became urgent, he told me to call you quickly? Just call me Franz.”

“Yes?”

“Why are you so surprised? People usually call each other by their names.”

As if asking her to accept only that command, Suzanne clapped her hands with a pale face.

“How can I address His Highness!”

“Elizabeth even uses casual language. Well.”

“Sister is Your Highness’s mentor. I have no relationship with Your Highness….”

Suzanne mumbled, making excuses.

Franz’s emerald eyes dimmed for a moment, but it was only momentary.

“If your identity is revealed, you’ll be dragged to the palace. I’m tired of being confined in a room.”

“Your Highness….”

“Call me Franz.”

Franz corrected Suzanne’s form of address.

Suzanne hugged her trembling chest and bowed deeply.

“Okay, Franz.”

Just by calling his name, it felt like they had become very intimate.

To the point where her heart was pounding.

‘Our family has never been treated as nobles… I became the alchemist of the palace and got close to His Highness. Thanks to Elizabeth. I have to help her quickly.’

Suzanne clenched her small fist.

Franz gestured to the soldiers.

“Now, call that person, Suzanne.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I learned from Elizabeth. Sometimes revealing yourself is safer than hiding.”

Suzanne couldn’t understand Franz’s intentions.

When Franz took out a robe stained with blood from his bag, she gasped in shock.

“Don’t be surprised. It’s just paint.”

“Why did you bring such clothes?”

“Because I need to look like a bleeding patient.”

“Do you want me to pretend to treat you, Franz?”

“As expected, Suzanne is clever.”

Franz praised Suzanne with a thumbs up.

As if determined, Suzanne brought both hands to her mouth.

“Someone collapsed here! Please help!”

Two soldiers guarding the Netton mansion rushed over.

Franz collapsed, his robe stained with red paint.

“W-What happened?”

The soldiers were in confusion, trying to figure out the situation.

Supporting Franz, Suzanne spoke in a cheerful voice.

“How long are you going to just stand there? Move this patient into the mansion. I’ll take care of him.”

Nikolai didn’t say a word the whole time.

He stared straight ahead with a picture-like expression.

The steps toward the chapel felt heavy and tangled in my mind like a mess of threads.

Underworld Flower, the emperor’s duties, stench, fragrance, white light…

Of course, the man named Nikolai was the one confusing me the most.

“Welcome, esteemed guests who have come to see the Goddess of Healing.”

The Grand Chamberlain, who had been waiting in the chapel, came out with a smile and greeted Nikolai.

He was around sixty? An old man with a skinny body and thin beard like a goat.

With neat priestly clothes and a pure white hat, he didn’t seem like someone engaged in profiteering with donations.

“Do you wish to hear the sermon?”

“There’s something I want to ask the Grand Chamberlain as well.”
“So, you came all the way to this remote place?”

“Yes.”

“It would be good to have a quiet conversation. I will lead you inside.”

Only when they were in the stable.

As expected, money talks. I followed the Grand Chamberlain, thinking.

In the modestly decorated reception room, the Grand Chamberlain spoke.

“What are you curious about, sister?”

After sipping on the tea brought by the young priest, he asked.

“Do you know anything about the relic of Moracynia?”

“When you get older, you don’t waver in the legends about relics.”

“Do you just think of it as a legend?”

“How can you confine the power of the goddess to worldly objects? I understand the desire for miracles, but I advise you not to be misled. However…”

The Grand Chamberlain blurred the end of his words, leaving room.

Maintaining a benevolent smile, the Grand Chamberlain glanced at me knowingly.

“When you guard an old temple, you hear various rumors. You might gain special secrets. You shouldn’t reveal them to just anyone, though.”

At the mention of a secret, I bit my lip.

Nikolai still had no expression.

If we were trapped in this space alone, I wouldn’t be able to endure the suffocating silence.

Not showing much interest, the Grand Chamberlain threw a bait.

“Perhaps that secret is related to the relic you, sister, are curious about.”

Feeling annoyed at the old man circling around, I took the bait.

“If it’s a secret, do you know it or not?”

Seeming embarrassed, the Grand Chamberlain smiled, raising his eyebrows.

“It depends on you, sister. I only follow the will of the gods.”

“Tell me all the information you know. I will give you the donation as you wish.”

“It seems you have a deep faith even without a formal admission.”

“Do the gods measure the depth of faith with money?”

I threw a sharp question.

Unfazed like an old fox, the Grand Chamberlain didn’t waver.

“Faith cannot be seen, you see. If you want to spread the will of the goddess widely, you can’t avoid gold.”

“Whatever.”

“So, how much will you offer? The deeper your faith, the deeper the words of the goddess I can convey.”

For the first time, the Grand Chamberlain’s eyes sparkled.

Even priests like him preach, baptize, and perhaps even perform exorcisms, right?

I thought those nobles who only brighten their insides would be the worst, but rotten priests were no different.

However, the one feeling regret right now was me.

“Would you be satisfied with 50 million gold?”

At the moment the Grand Chamberlain’s face blossomed with an undisguised smile, a sudden commotion erupted outside.

It was because an unexpected figure appeared.