Considering Irtis’s personality, it’s impossible for him to have a romantic relationship during the competition.

Anyway, Leke regretted rejecting Prodia’s proposal belatedly.

If he had accepted her offer, he could have had an excuse to get closer to Irtis.

Although he had somewhat restored trust during the previous treasure hunt competition, he still had a long way to go.

Irtis was absolutely necessary for Leke to achieve his grand goal.

So, he had to turn Irtis back into his person.
By the way, if even the renowned Irtis believes and contracts, Prodia must also be a formidable talent.

“Perhaps she could be of help to me.”

After finishing his calculations, Leke left with a cold smile, disappearing into the alley.

On the other hand, Papiér and Shalak were wandering around the square, enjoying the festival.

Growing up poor in the commoners’ village, Papiér had lived an austere life in the monastery as an adult.

To Papiér, the sights before him were surprisingly new.

The bustling sounds, the sweet scent wafting through his nose, and various decorations on the stall roofs enchanted Papiér with each step.

However, the joy was short-lived as a sense of guilt soon overwhelmed him.

Seeing Papiér rapidly quiet down, Shalak asked, “What’s wrong, Papiér? If it’s not fun, should we go somewhere else?”

“It’s not that…”

Papiér hesitated for a moment, but for some reason, it seemed okay to tell Shalak anything.

Papiér cautiously opened up, “As someone who serves the deity… Is it right for me to enjoy such pleasures?”

He looked quite crushed by a sense of sin.

In response, Shalak scratched his head and said, “Hmm. I’m not well-versed in religion, but doesn’t the deity love all of us?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, the deity would probably prefer to see you enjoy the festival rather than being so reserved.”

At Shalak’s words, Papiér blinked his eyes rapidly.

Shalak continued with a gentle expression, “I was worried you weren’t enjoying the festival earlier. The deity probably wishes to see you happily laughing. That’s my guess.”

“Ah…”

He had never thought about it that way.

Shalak’s words became a great comfort to him.

A person who became such a source of strength for him was, except for the Duke, the first.

Now, Papiér finally began to think.

‘Maybe his grace felt the same way?’

Out of love for me, and wanting to show me a broader world.

Thinking like that made his heart swell with emotion.

So, Papiér decided to enjoy the moment gifted by the deity.

For the first time, he began honestly expressing his desires to someone.

“Um… Sir Shalak. Actually, I wanted to see that side since earlier.”

“Oh, great! Let’s go check it out right away.”

Shalak promptly pierced through the crowd and advanced.

With a resolute heart, Papiér followed behind him.

At that moment, an odd phenomenon caught his eye.

On the opposite side, the deity’s energy burst like fireworks.

It was a scene he had witnessed once before.

Precisely when he first met Prodia at the Divine Temple.

‘Could it be that Lady Prodia is here?’

Papiér turned his head to search for Prodia.
Soon, at the end of his gaze, a woman in a bright red dress entered.

Although he couldn’t confirm her face behind the mask, Papiér was convinced that she was Prodia.

The divine fireworks were blooming only around her.

However, that wasn’t the end of it.

A man emitting powerful magic was guarding her from behind.

People with such strong magical power were not common.

‘Is that Irtis as well?’

Why were the two of them together, even with their faces covered with masks?

According to the set three precepts, Irtis should not be with a woman.

Even if she was Prodia.

However, from Papiér’s perspective, he was more concerned about the sacred aura emanating near Prodia.

Why was such an energy following her?

In this festival setting, there was no way Prodia would be walking around praying.

Moreover, upon closer inspection, he finally seemed to understand.

It wasn’t ordinary sacred energy.

‘The Deity is speaking to Lady Prodia…!’

Yes, that was undoubtedly the aura of divine trust.

It was undoubtedly a great utterance that even the Duke had never received.

But why was the Deity bestowing such special trust upon Prodia, who wasn’t even a cleric?

Papiér couldn’t bear the curiosity.

In fact, if he just set his mind to it, confirming the trust was relatively simple.

But it was not his place to secretly open letters received by others.

Furthermore, such an act carried responsibility.

At that moment, Shalak’s voice calling him sounded.

“Papiér, what’s going on?”

Papiér hesitated for a moment.

Should he tell Shalak this truth?

Currently, both Prodia and Irtis were breaking the rules set by everyone.

Even if they were wearing masks, they still violated the precepts.

However, for some reason, Papiér wanted to cover it up.

The sight of the two enjoying the festival was just too pleasant.

Both of them were always in a tense state at the Duchy.

Especially Prodia, he had never seen her properly at ease.

So, Papiér decided to let it go.

The fact that the two were together, the special divine trust bestowed upon Prodia.

Let them be oblivious to it all.

Papiér turned his head and hurriedly ran towards Shalak.

“It’s nothing.”

It was the first lie Papiér had ever told since he was born.

The two companions soon got swept away in the crowd, moving further away.