Chapter 31, The High Priest’s Anguish

Translator: Lizz

The High Priest was at his wit’s end.

Because of his own skills, Calogero had become devoted to the sinless Lord of the castle.

Although still young, to be sinless suggested she had been kept sheltered, or perhaps… She was incapable of perceiving guilt.

Through conversations with Calogero, this had become clear:

If the person recognized something as a sin, then it became sin. Thus, if they did not perceive it as something bad, it did not become sin.

A young child learned this by being scolded by their parents. In other words… Had the child never been scolded while living in the Duke’s family?

Contrary to Calogero, the High Priest felt unease toward the Lord of the castle.

However, after that, Sylvia’s popularity skyrocketed.

Staying true to her word, she started with repairing bridges, and went on to repair various parts of the town one after another.

The High Priest breathed a sigh of relief, thinking his worries were unfounded. But now, he started to feel concerned about Calogero’s excessive actions.

It would have been better if Sylvia had been a child who had never been scolded. Then Calogero would have been disappointed and left Sylvia behind.

However, that didn’t seem to be the case.

After some time, Calogero said, ‘It’s also good for staying hidden’, and declared his intention to become the butler of the Lord of the castle.

“…It’s true that there’s no rule against a priest becoming a butler, but it’s an extraordinary exception.”

The High Priest said this, but Calogero insisted, ‘It is God’s guidance’, and would not budge.

The fact that there was a church on the castle grounds proved to be their undoing. If there was a church, then a priest was needed. Calogero ended up becoming the High Priest of that church.

It was entirely normal for the Deputy High Priest of the town’s church to take on the position of the castle’s High Priest. Following that flow, it was also justifiable to say that, since the castle grounds were under the same jurisdiction and lacked manpower, taking on the role of butler as assistance was a valid excuse.

The High Priest could only say, ‘Please come back as often as possible and share what’s happening’.

Calogero returned to the church after the bridge was raised and the gates were closed, and he spoke with the High Priest.

Most of their conversation was about Sylvia.

Though his expression hardly changed, when Sylvia was praised, he showed a slight reaction. He spoke about her endearingly, saying things like how adorable she seemed, and how witnessing her magic up close felt like truly witnessing a divine miracle, enough to make even the High Priest feel a bit taken aback.

Then, the conversation shifted to Edward.

The High Priest, somewhat dismayed, said:

“Isn’t he someone who is trusted by everyone? He’s passionate about the town’s restoration, and I’ve never heard a bad word about him. …Let him confess his sins. That way, his remorse will be lifted, and your worries will be eased.”

However, Calogero wouldn’t accept this, insisting that being trusted by others was itself proof of sin.

The High Priest, seeing no other option, thought he would casually inquire about it himself. –But just as he had that thought, Edward arrived to visit.

The High Priest understood something after speaking with Edward: Edward, too, had suspicions about Calogero.

With a cheerful demeanor and clever words, Edward subtly probed into Calogero’s past.

Edward’s tactful behavior reminded the High Priest of Calogero.

Due to his complex upbringing and unique skills, Calogero kept others at a distance and often observed them cautiously. Edward behaved in much the same way.

However, Edward’s skills were related to heightened sensory perception, and his elemental magic was wind. These posed no particular issues, nor were they concealed.

(What kind of sin does Calogero see in him…?)

Edward, who harbored growing doubts about Calogero, shared Calogero’s concern for Sylvia’s well-being.

From the High Priest’s perspective, Edward appeared to be a diligent and loyal young man devoted to his Lord.

He was often seen by Sylvia’s side, offering advice and speaking with concern whenever she attempted something reckless.

At times, he would lift her up, walking while conversing warmly. Their close relationship suggested that Sylvia had deep trust in him.

…However.

The fact that Edward was similar to Calogero was , conversely, what bothered him.

Since coming here, Calogero had faced many challenges, struggled, and confronted obstacles. Yet, he had grown into a young man trusted by all the townspeople, including the adolescent youth.

Edward, too, had quickly earned the trust of the townsfolk, and he had taken the lead in the town’s restoration efforts.

Of course, he consulted with the Mayor and the townspeople, and he properly got the Lord’s approval, so it was not as though he acted unilaterally. In the first place, Sylvia herself was a bit immature due to her age, thus Edward taking the lead seemed appropriate. However, the way Edward operated behind the scenes, as though pulling the strings, resembled Calogero.

One more thing.

Edward also seemed to regard Calogero with suspicion and, at the same time, with a sense of dislike.

As Edward was leaving, the High Priest called out to him.

“Sir Edward… If there is anything weighing on your heart, I strongly recommend you consider confessing. A thorn that remains embedded in the heart can never truly heal. The church keeps all confessions strictly confidential, and after confession, you may perform atonement, and purification magic will cleanse your sins. Even children commit sins. Please, even if it’s something trivial, feel free to talk about it.”

Edward was taken aback by the sudden words of the High Priest.

“Uh… well, let’s see. I can’t think of anything in particular, but… I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”

Edward’s response suggested he genuinely couldn’t recall anything that might trouble him.

–If that wasn’t an act, then Edward either didn’t recognize his sin, or considered it insignificant. …No, if Calogero was so outraged, then Edward must be aware that he had committed a grave sin.

The High Priest realized that Edward’s attitude of complete indifference might itself be a grave sin.

If it was an act, then Edward had perfectly deceived those around him. That, in itself, was a grave sin.

If it was not an act, then Edward recognized his sin but considered it justified. He genuinely believed confession was unnecessary, which was why he showed no sign of reflection.

Either way, it was the worst outcome.

The High Priest, gazing at Edward’s departing figure, felt he finally understood Calogero’s concerns.

Edward was dangerous.