12.

The priest’s expression brightened. It wasn’t exactly an ordinary matter, after all.

Wintran wasn’t the only one who had been surprised by the news of the high priest’s visit from the Great Temple. The Thornfeld capital’s temple had only been informed a few days earlier.

The high priest was not one to move unless for serious matters. For him to travel from the holy land to Thornfeld’s capital—this was no ordinary affair.

Even if he was known to be humble and frugal, they could not afford to host him carelessly. The priest had been fussing and pushing the acolytes around, trying to prepare.

“Well…”

War costs money. The temple’s coffers had run dry, given how much they’d spent aiding the people during the war. And, annoyingly enough, the nobles had been lukewarm in their donations. During the war, they claimed they were busy with war efforts, and now that it was over, they were indulging themselves in luxuries to compensate for the hardships. They spent lavishly on themselves, giving little thought to honoring the gods.

As a result, the temple’s finances were stretched thin, and Wintran’s offer felt like a lifeline.

Swallowing his pride, the priest leaned forward slightly.

“Anything you need, simply tell the steward here, and the palace will provide.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Wintran gently cut off the priest, who looked like he was about to launch into a lengthy list of requests. The priest, caught off guard, merely expressed his gratitude.

“For me to feel at ease and maintain dignity, everything should be prepared without lack. It is a rare honor, after all, for the high priest to visit all the way to the Thornfeld capital.”

He winked with a sly smile.

“And to think he’s coming to bestow the title of ‘Hero’ upon Leo fric. Naturally, the palace must support such an event.”

“Oh! I heard about that too. I’ve only ever heard of the Hero’s Blessing—I never thought I’d witness it myself. And to have the high priest himself deliver it! This is all thanks to Your Majesty’s efforts in concluding the war with minimal sacrifice.”

The priest’s flattery was not unpleasant. Though he seemed clueless, he possessed a certain talent for tact. Still smiling, Wintran gently voiced his curiosity.

If the high priest’s personal presence wasn’t necessary, what was the true reason for his visit?

“Ah, so is it not essential for the high priest himself to conduct the blessing?”

“Yes. Typically, a priest dispatched from the holy land presides over such ceremonies. It’s rare for the high priest to perform the blessing himself. But I imagine it has something to do with… well…”

The priest hesitated, realizing he might have said too much.

“Something to do with what? Is there something in the capital?”

“Well…”

Curse my loose tongue, thought the priest, silently berating himself.

Wintran held back his irritation at the priest’s evasiveness, finding it difficult to press him too forcefully. Instead, he smiled even more gently.

“You’ve made me curious.”

“…It’s… perhaps because Princess Ateira is here. It seems he’s coming partially for that reason.”

After some hesitation, the priest chose his words carefully, gauging Wintran’s reaction. He figured the king wouldn’t be pleased to hear about the captive princess.

“Ateira, the princess? And what is the connection between her and the high priest?”

Thankfully, Wintran’s expression hadn’t changed; he merely looked intrigued. The priest relaxed a bit and continued.

“They are quite close, I understand. The young members of the Ledetian imperial family are often ordained as honorary priests of Akalem. The high priest was the one who ordained Princess Ateira and Prince Dermin. Before their ordination, they spent some time in the Great Temple for religious instruction, which he reportedly oversaw personally. I was already in the kingdom’s capital at the time, so I don’t know the details, but it seems he has a special attachment to them, having known them since they were young.”

“…I see.”

This was unexpected.

He’d heard that the young royals of Ledetian received unique education and that they were ordained as honorary priests. But he hadn’t known that the high priest had personally officiated the ceremony.

“That makes sense. Having known them from childhood, it’s only natural he would feel an attachment.”

So, for the high priest, the princess was the main focus, and Leo fric was secondary.

This could prove useful. Wintran realized that he might not have to stand by idly while Leo fric received the Hero’s Blessing.

Feeling pleased with this valuable bit of information, Wintran’s smile grew brighter.

* * *

Count Zellered received responses to both of the reports he had sent out.

One bore the royal seal, while the other’s seal was so smudged that it was difficult to discern.

The response from the royal palace contained a document affirming the princess’s identity, stamped with King Wintran’s official seal.

The letter sent separately to Count Zellered did not contain entirely pleasant news. It subtly urged him to complete his task within a week. It also included a veiled criticism, implying that Zellered had been lax in his oversight and management.

Not exactly helpful for the count.

“How is this my fault?”

Count Zellered snapped, annoyed.

It was the palace’s fault for failing to anticipate Princess Ateira’s erratic behavior.

Besides, Leo fric was unlikely to be appeased by a mere document. He might accuse Zellered of forging the certificate or question how His Majesty would even know if he’d swapped out the bride mid-arrangement.

Irritated, he tore open the other letter, the one with the smudged seal.

It was from a figure to whom Count Zellered offered secret allegiance.

To him, this was not a betrayal. The reason was simple: this person was also acting in Wintran’s interests. Both he and this individual were working for the good of His Majesty’s welfare, even if it occasionally meant keeping the king in the dark.

His Majesty Wintran, in his boundless kindness, occasionally made questionable choices. For instance, his desire to bring the Helton family back into central power.

Count Zellered unfolded the letter without hesitation. As he read through its contents slowly, his pupils grew large.

Beneath a brief note about the unusual education Princess Ateira had received, there was a clear instruction:

[…Have Princess Ateira kill Leo fric Helton.]

Count Zellered’s hand trembled as he clutched the letter. His fingers turned cold, and a faint sheen of sweat dampened his palms.

He paused, glancing back at Wintran’s official order, which was of a very different nature. After a brief consideration, he folded and set aside the king’s decree with an unexpected sense of relief. Zellered much preferred the other directive.

After all, if the princess were to fail even in attempting to assassinate Leo fric, this command could simply cease to exist. In that case, as per the king’s instructions, she would marry Leo fric and leave. Thus, he reasoned, he wouldn’t be defying His Majesty’s orders.

With alarming ease, Zellered rationalized his decision and resolved to carry out the alternative command with enthusiasm.

Using that defiant, impudent woman to rid himself of that hero-playing nuisance?

Count Zellered pressed his lips together to stifle the smirk that was beginning to creep up.

The chilling directive ended with a stern reminder to burn the letter after reading. He approached the fireplace with the letter in hand, then hesitated.

‘Wait.’

What if things went wrong?

What if she failed and pointed to him as the mastermind?

After a moment’s deliberation, Count Zellered quietly folded the letter and tucked it safely into his inner coat.

‘I’d better have some insurance.’

The reassuring weight of the letter against his chest fortified his resolve.