“The temple people are generally quiet.”

“Maintaining dignity is also a virtue of the clergy; there’s no need to behave poorly, right?”

The door to the prayer room closed again.

Hanelly, adjusting his white temple attire, asked Sharlov.

“Do you know why black magic was rejected?”

Sharlov tilted his head and answered.

“Because of death, I suppose.”

“Correct. Fear of death is an instinctive fear that humans have.”

And black magic governs such death.

“Monsters and black magic are the next issues. The essence of black magic is death. People have feared that if the soul is tainted by black magic, it cannot be saved.”

Hanelly spoke as he lit a candle.

“The nobles won’t get involved in this matter.”

Hanelly was already convinced.

“They’ll be afraid of their own deaths. The higher the noble status, the older they are, the more sensitive they are to my death. It’s a law that becomes more sensitive as you go up in rank and age.”

It was a straightforward language, far from the title of Grand Inquisitor.

“…Is it because of the belief that it touches upon death?”
“……Has Beberga followed suit?”

“Well, Beberga’s mistress died twice. The first wife gave birth to the heir and died a year later, and the second wife, who had just recently held a wedding, also died.”

Benhamin narrowed his eyes.

“Both mistresses died with stiffened bodies, and their deaths were easily covered up.”

Benhamin approached, enclosing Sharl’s jaw with his hand.

“Sharl.”

Their gazes were tightly intertwined.

Captivated. It was difficult to erase that feeling.

“Choose to breathe.”

“……. ”

“There are no villains here who will harm you.”

He spoke as if he knew something.

More time passed. Although information agents and spies were scattered everywhere, there were still no traces of those men.

Dealing with sinners who handle black magic was beyond the realm of human affairs.

“The situation has been resolved for now.”

Rosskella reported, lowering the document.

“For complete manifestation of black magic in the future, it will take more time.”

“How much more time is expected?”

“It will be effective until the expiration of the pact. If they had violated the pact, it wouldn’t be as quiet as it is now. The existence of black magic alone distorts norms.”

Rosskella asked cautiously.

“How is the Empress?”

“She’s fine.”

“Are you sure it’s okay? Saying she’s fine means…”

“I won’t show any signs.”

He killed his emotions.

It was originally as natural as that.

“You resemble him.”

“Who?”

“His Majesty. It’s like you resemble him and don’t at the same time.”

Rosskella asked cautiously.

“Are you okay?”

“……. ”

“He’s a direct relative.”

He emphasized solemnly, putting down the document.

“Black magic is not a light offense. It is strictly prohibited by the teachings of the temple and imperial law. According to the past imperial laws, it is a crime to exterminate three generations and deny existence.”

The Tuty family was tied as heretics. The Tuty family was the Empress’s immediate family.

Even if the Empress did not put Tutyga down, it was sufficient to hold them responsible side by side.

“Even if it came from a family enemy.”

Blood ties were like that.

“There will be disturbances side by side.”

It wasn’t a time to stay quiet. It wasn’t a time to close one’s mouth and remain silent.

“What should we do about this?”

“The Imperial Family must uphold the balance of the Empire uprightly, and such pillars should maintain the center. If the Imperial Family loses its center, external chaos will worsen.”

The weight of that crime was heavy. The law was strict, and the punishment was heavy.

“The sinner must be killed to establish the norms.”

The Empress is holding the center well. There is no shaking at all.

It just looks a bit lonely.

The Empress has fulfilled her duties completely.

“You act as if nothing is too wrong.”

Benhamin extended his arm.

Having finished work in the office, Benhamin took off his glasses. Time continued to flow. He pressed his temples.

Fatigue slowly crept in. As if saying, “Let’s tidy up for today,” fatigue pushed his shoulders.
The lobby of the Imperial Palace was quiet.

Benhamin stood tall in the lobby.

He killed his presence and followed someone.

The lobby of the Imperial Palace led to a long corridor.

Sharl was standing there.

A red carpet was laid on the corridor, and several courtiers passed by.

When Benhamin raised his arm, the courtiers also left their positions.

“Sharl.”

He uttered Sharl’s name familiarly.

“Why again.”

Why are you doing this again,

He swallowed the rest of his words.

For some reason, it felt like scolding the Empress.

The corridor stretched straight, and the nearby footsteps left one by one.

The two just quietly looked ahead.

Then, a shallow sigh burst from the red lips.

“My ankles felt heavy.”

“……. ”

“I just walked for a moment.”

She blurred the end of her words.

“It must be because of my mood.”

Sharl slightly lowered her head.

“Why were the courtiers following you?”

“Because it seemed more comfortable for you that way.”

“Are you alone?”

“Why talk like I’m alone when I’m right by your side.”

She slowly started walking.

The red carpet stretched long.

Her slender body was light as a feather. However, that did not mean her steps were light.

Sharl tilted her head slightly. Her small lips murmured something to herself.

“For some reason, it feels like my ankles are getting heavier…”

As she walked out, stepping on the red carpet, the shawl draped over her shoulders flowed lifelessly.

“Sharl.”

Benhamin called her back.

“Sharlrof Visennof.”

Sharlrof turned her head to look back at Benhamin. Approaching her, Benhamin covered Sharl’s shoulders with the shawl.

“Take hold of it.”

“……. ”

“Don’t walk alone.”

Benhamin pointed to his hand and gestured to his chin.

“Where do you want to go?”

She asked after a short silence.

“…You seem to know something and not know something at the same time. Why don’t you ask?”

“You look at me with a face that’s about to burst into tears. It doesn’t make sense for me to interrogate you.”

Sharlrof nodded.

“Now you seem like you want to tear yourself apart and scatter, and if you were to die, it feels like those guys would drag your ankles and go with you.”