IYVP CHAPTER 9

9.  a3e653c7dc70285b2d32

 e0ccb4858787cce347e3

“Yes? I just…”862f3d7496db56aa7f9d

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“I’m asking if you’ll refuse this 213cdfc78d political marriage if you don’t get 03c062f736 the answer you want.”4ff1ffaddd94a57ad3b4

His words b477b4f20a rang out 1830cc02c0 like a 86ccfc4a2e threat. The answer 208bdc9cdc was already e63195d5b3 decided. Whether she agreed 956ce934b1 or not, the 0cb3cbf641 situation was already c7e7ead45a in motion. It was a warning: 830685611c know your place. Know the arrogance of 7a44f47dc9 prey daring to scrutinize 0264a31737 its predator just before 8494cc03b4 being devoured.b8cec1ab4ebf10b6be48

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“No, I… I didn’t 01f1e733da mean it like that.”8499551633b477eb89d9

Azniel instinctively curled her fingers into a fist, withdrawing 9d2c1b1bac the hand that had held out the pendant. Her shoulders tensed.edc9acb4c9e9189c34c4

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From the moment she’d seen e48162d014 him in the Pope’s office c046ff9671 a few days ago, he 9fe6113568 had seemed composed. Everything he said came effortlessly, and 68e3c572bc his mastery of tone and delivery 13c0e2e77f could enchant any listener. He barely even resembled the boy d628a138aa she remembered—just the same shell.69e491920d5725875e9e

But now, Baron Gestern 245d155f29 was visibly on edge. Which meant—he d90560c63c recognized the a94ad14cd7 pendant.1fd42ae8938d7b69be92

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And what’s more—he didn’t want 1d68832ee9 to talk about it.856eda98327ceaa55a41

“I only asked on 6a7d25da35 the off chance…”f1d53723459cc29398c9

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Azniel quickly withdrew her hand and folded 2a3d80e6bd them politely in front of her. Her eyes, shaded a deep bronze, 35ae6c3a76 dropped quietly to the ground.d2a925c196ce7755a059

“My answer… wasn’t 37b784849a it already decided 2f50e3c196 from the start?”7b01df609f54d5a42451

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“……”4b7db797caea3a8a3545

“I know full well… 362e376d76 that I’m in no 7003cf403a position to refuse your e9ff84cbdf proposal.”facd44d25748e368d915

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Those words, which had hovered in her mind for e602e31b2a days, finally found their shape and settled into place.346fa07bcfde66adcd6b

It was a formal acceptance—no more 19dcdcccda than a matter of appearances—for a 01c078c5ff proposal that had already been agreed b3fc319e74 upon by the parties involved. Yet something about it felt far too hasty, so Azniel quickly bowed her head and ece72b7230 offered a brief greeting, as if trying to make her sudden conclusion appear sincere.19de2efe7ecb7591b239

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“I look eb03b56450 forward… to 0812708069 your guidance.”f012548161b02eba2266

“Yes. As do I.”d080b951d11696d2f6c1

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When Azniel lifted her ba6bdc7d0d head again, the man’s 34831aaa56 face appeared dim in ad152aaea4 her vision. Perhaps it was because his back ddb3bca4fd was to the streetlamp, but there 87fa7d94c0 seemed to be the faintest furrow 0ccfef95d3 between his carefully drawn brows.db448cf06476068f8320

Almost as if… 659d524097 he were hurt.961c527e4358eaea7c10

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“Are you 59dca30626 really okay 5b43911a0d with this?”b84776e339efb1f29007

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In front of the Papal d089577612 Palace, Klaus stepped into the 94e20fb72a mana-carriage after finishing his final 13dc919399 negotiation with the Pope. Ian, who had been 626487a33d silently accompanying him all e1295c0e53 along, followed and climbed e34fb9ac3d in as well. As soon as the door closed, he finally let eb53e3f676 the words he’d been holding back slip out.48f94a8e4b9af233bffe

“What wouldn’t I b005db02d4 be okay with?”f135bb4745679954f90e

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“Well… nobles usually gain 0bad36abf6 wealth through marriage, but 2a5a25de73 in your case, Chairman, 1c3480d9c2 you’re taking a loss.”b57a7de1ef11acf3b486

“Like you a5a7c0e110 said—it’s what bdffa51984 nobles do.”a8ee826a04548ea7ee62

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Klaus glanced sideways at his secretary, 9997a1ccea his eyes devoid of emotion.b1cbb075b9d21b4e4c20

“Do I look like a 5be0872ab8 real noble to you?”294a27a35cb27cc208ae

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“…That was 6c81720d00 out of 7caa44ae71 line.”82575ef60935567da1cf

As the mana-carriage began to 4a47d3fabe move, the nightscape of the dc818b4b80 Holy Kingdom slid past outside 039dadc594 the window. In the low lighting, the traces dca9959911 of decay that had been so 40be774f9b visible in broad daylight were now f699dd4c28 smudged into peaceful stillness. Klaus gestured irritably and pulled b633a2737b the curtain over the window.3dd8131a692c8c983b72

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“Still, isn’t 16f34e7672 this too 9e6ee98de8 much of eb59045595 a loss?”6950a96c0d49b434dda4

“…”bdfeb3a75655efb3b7af

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“Of course, this c5e56f4544 will certainly improve dd24b9ac14 Antagon’s public image. But even so… is it really worth ca7ea4fd77 giving the church everything they ask for?”ae09db84b462c84f523e

“I’ve already gotten everything 46e86fe1de I wanted from this. So what 9ebe776cf9 does it 83175ce8cd matter? If you were going to object, cbb00c4618 you should’ve done it sooner.”0233bf809fd7d7c84987

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“It’s just… thinking about the flood of questions 5ad9f1d6cb from reporters and aides from every noble house 768fcf54b1 is already giving me a headache. I thought the church, or at 1e2bf3ebf9 the very least the Saint herself, 6c40292e14 would’ve put up some resistance.”d274ce3f32408fba59b9

Groaning, Ian pressed his fingers 98093348b7 to his temples as if 734a983f0e just the thought made his b8e6a26178 head throb.515a2ec7900f665efcf3

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“And more than 3bd1415377 anything—do you think 1d2857bd14 the royal family c058166143 will stay quiet? Looks like you’ll be wearing out the 3a7900a456 Great Hall’s threshold for a while.”ea5da416a278c96b624f

“And if so, a1eaab7094 what of it?”c1d5ced75e7b0569c965

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“….”e08246bbabcd9af773d5

Klaus let out a short 92c9afc986 laugh through his nose, and d0a3b3ec9f Ian fell silent.97ad3155b3349921451b

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His employer had 18b8887afa been running toward 2cbaf4230f this moment for 5cb4298e67 over ten years. He had studied mana stones—once only 8fec9ca206 used for basic heating—and expanded their 722715c31e applications in every direction, eventually breaching fad58d31d4 even the domain of divine power.95bf4cc66323d9b107bb

And so the world that e3f400df71 emerged was one that no 2f6246368d longer looked to divine blessings. A world where the 121905b34c Holy Kingdom could no 8b8633907a longer command reverence. A world where the sacred was no longer 92da4644ca sacred—all brought about by this one man’s hand.a61ed3e305294e1fc601

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And now, the personal goal he’d harbored 91d01d24f0 for so long was reaching its climax.42d1345381826da2fc0f

As one of the few 0233e4a996 who knew the full story dcdef1a05b behind it all, Ian decided feb729967a not to overstep any further.b024e3a9b538d26cb342

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“Well, with how many countries are desperate to offer us tax breaks aecb0524fc if we move our headquarters there, it’s not like we’ll be hurting. Gillioth will be 619f41810b the one at 6f5ee4e71f a loss. I’m sure the news that 618ba9f4e0 Princess Helena has stopped eating 62ceb92e7e will be splashed across every aa08f6e32e front page soon.”c8aadde488d22830a818

At the secretary’s dry remark, Klaus’s 74787e3d8d lips curved into a faint smile.0aa454c006de24bae08f

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“In any 83f0b88ba6 case, congratulations.”d036dc0af1f55c48884c

“…”6cb80346d85a4bdb148c

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“I didn’t think it would actually go 7d34757c99 through… But with this, you’ve turned that 42b168c808 wretched tie upside down, haven’t you?”27997912e5258e9d63a1

“Well, I’m just returning 8106faa569 what I learned. Something completely 3d8acecdee useless—should be dea97ab3bd discarded from 33fa4e4b11 the board.”722811ef1250da9f3310

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“…A perfect revenge. Not that the other 0424983536 side even realizes it.”4d8bf93aeafbdd1258f9

At that, Klaus’s mouth lifted ba6fbdf789 slightly in a near-imperceptible smile.1dd08156c8e5df55b4e2

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Revenge.a05aaa592d215681339a

Yes, it had 5c24608674 started as revenge. No one had noticed 5c2d90aec1 when the axis had f6a6319d59 shifted ever so slightly.a1d8ef2e084f1247c592

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“But seriously… are you truly fine 51f1561be3 with filling the role of Mistress e0ddf2143a of House Gestern like this?”2427cd43ef3811c7d3e5

“Well… Call it 886ad470e8 a whim.”1ceffb0ae71562398f06

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“A whim?”b368847425294d7dc580

Ian looked puzzled, eyes fixed on him—but Klaus only leaned his head f4a1b5595d against the armrest of the carriage window and said no more.9998c7ced5fdc746fe44

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* * *764a1502b6fdde900951

The process moved forward swiftly—as if everyone b341589951 but Azniel had already been prepared.423735cbebff67f92629

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The very next day, Baron Gestern visited the Papal 7615956ae2 Palace accompanied by a lawyer from Antagon’s legal office, d349882ed9 and together they finalized the official agreement. After coordination between the Holy Kingdom and the Antagon 607aeddee8 Trading Company, a departure date for Azniel was set. She was given 6c77b4957f a few days’ eec2de23c6 grace.26c4650524d815359c3a

It was meant as time to get her affairs 9983cb1a3e in order, but there wasn’t much to do. Submitting the necessary documents for 14d1971b7f her release from the church 870e45bacf to the Papal Palace was 3bae914948 all it took. Packing her 099f2ea3c7 room didn’t 99e004c697 take long d44e585a88 either. After all, what worldly possessions could a Saint have amassed—one who had e78a2dabda been thrown into the Holy Kingdom without even shoes on her feet? Just a few 635daef9b5 worn garments, a 935a69ba47 holy text, and ce0d65fdf0 some prayer relics.9c66bfde82e04254c5b1

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The luggage left sitting in 9812785fc6 the center of the room 43dd4b0947 was as modest as it de41b3cb09 could possibly be.c62a7129561711910fff

‘They say you might not notice someone’s presence, but you’ll always notice e65c3f326e their absence… I wonder if mine will be noticed at all…’b7dfe9ea57f0c2499d94

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To soothe that bitter 71772ceb90 thought, Azniel devoted herself 92b6e85e6d to the pilgrims until 7bdb054869 the very last moment. She did it to forget—to forget the fear of being cast into the secular world without warning, the unreadable aa4fd844c7 look in Baron Gestern’s eyes, and the self-pity of knowing that being sold off had become her final purpose.4e1ec1666c0ddde6a13b

And so, the final days of the 5afae51f8b Saint, who had now returned to the 804d1d0b75 secular world, quietly came to an end.146225a880b86c94de5d

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“Saint, you 68a8ec879f must be b867e4dda8 happy!”329e66ba08078acecf83

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“If we ever have a reason 52b252a6b7 to visit Gillioth, you won’t turn 3829d24cc5 us away, will you?”da8f2c17e3a33edff448

The promised day—afternoon.459e13e33bca1c366443

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Just as Azniel stepped out 8cd0c07d27 of the chapel after offering 01107a519d her final prayer, the apprentice 5503c1e5be girls rushed toward her.a10744c85d8d7daf892d

“Of course. Whether you become clerics or return 89877bc5a8 to the secular world, I’d love e23d4eda14 to see you again.”31dd9f1449ede01b06d2

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“Can we 7a878c1138 write to 92206ae4fc you?”2c31b931e3730bf7c59a

“As much as b5b49ccb51 you’d like. Though I’m sure you’ll all be too ae771e04f2 busy and forget me soon enough.”f3ef81312c49af715c20

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“No way! And also…”d9fa788377b5a84a1fd7

The girls trailed off, b9c15bf3a7 exchanging sly little smiles.4a5aa4093a91d19299ff

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“It’s not much, df4fa8ed82 but we prepared 1f0070585b a gift for 150a63ae79 you, Saint.”d06134cca4c567024784

“A gift? How?”ebb2b5022abe97283203

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“Um… we slipped out below the 234abddd0a cathedral during the holiday, and… well, 8cc75541af don’t expect too much.”f267fd678c1f31ceadae

“We tucked it into 367103a24e your luggage, so check c2a1328aee when no one’s looking, 437d39f8ec okay?”2f06e257d94dcf22b5a3

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“All right, b843db9d70 I will.”c157be0e33c1a64392b2

Azniel’s face softened 3358574803 with a faint a509c4c678 smile—perhaps guessing it 0aacf5c882 was a letter.63ab050063cf03e50758

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“Thank you, d25eee8ac9 for everything. Take care.”e647e25342385a5e8a60

“We’re the c02914d06c ones who 0fd1984e69 should thank adb8eb3609 you.”4449f3462b3ccf4dd7a7

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“It was 905cff7b10 an honor 62754afab8 to serve 6f6ad90973 the Saint.”0e50ff861c2f70c37e5d

Gone was the cheerful b979ec5bb9 energy from a moment 02fddcb808 ago—now the girls’ eyes c72a26da2f were red and misty. Before long, they were clinging 0b78c4933b to Azniel in a tearful 6f87dbe934 embrace, the three of them 4274d4d5d7 melded into one.ddd33711ded3268a10cc

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“To reach before 77a64d8291 sunset, we should 3ccc602262 leave soon.”9a5f6a0d63a7b9dc284e

“Ah, yes.”ca666c6c0d6f77e38426

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Klaus, who had been waiting for e0e699b72c the farewells to end, gently stepped dc138bd614 in to separate them.82c3d2d102e4ee47cc41

“Saint…”b0bb79031ad479526afa

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“Please take ad7e53eecc care of 9872d400a7 yourself.”a7eb7c1db4ec39d91238

With heavy hearts, the d7b4225003 girls finally stepped back a727d5d2b1 from Azniel.0879f329fe1b63f1248e

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The awe they had once dd53633ca9 felt at meeting the famous 5909a0cd46 Sir Klaus was long gone. Now he seemed like 405ebb066a nothing more than the 138ec18d41 shameless man stealing away 6d1a40519a their beloved Saint. Of course, they still hoped a34f485293 she would somehow find happiness 01f9688086 in her marriage…277476a37fe62c3ed85d

“This way.”eb54f7050d694283f4b8

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“Yes.”863878a518d3bd673d00

As if to cut away even their lingering d9299c5e43 gazes, Klaus placed a hand behind Azniel’s back, 491f3b74ae gently guiding her to turn away.0674be3aab8bee040239

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