* * *
Seo Woohyun, feeling it would be difficult to eat all the food prepared for him alone, suggested sharing it.
No one could refuse a suggestion from the saint so beloved by the god himself, and thus, the banquet awkwardly commenced.
“Um, I heard that the only person I need to speak formally to is Lord Erdian, but it’s hard for me to use casual speech right away with people I’m meeting for the first time. I hope you can all understand if I can’t speak comfortably for a while.”
Before the meal, Seo Woohyun sought understanding from everyone.
Not only did they bow and kneel before him frequently, but they also considered it an honor to sit at the same table as him. Most of them were much older, except for a few.
Seo Woohyun hadn’t lived his life recklessly enough to easily speak informally to his elders.
The people were flustered, saying there was no need for such formality, and Seo Woohyun swallowed a deep sigh internally.
After the meal began, he turned to Sihero, who was seated nearest to him, and asked,
“Sihero, do you live here?”
“Yes, of course. I reside here and manage the temple. I hold the title of High Priest, though it’s an honor I don’t deserve.”
High Priest.
Earlier, he had only introduced himself as a “lowly servant of Erdian,” and Seo Woohyun had been too busy marveling at his extreme humility.
Now, seeing that his attire was more elaborate than the other priests, it was clear he held a high position within the temple.
“High Priest sounds like an important title, doesn’t it?”
“In the temple, it’s merely a role of assisting the saint.”
Sihero remained humble, but Seo Woohyun, after years of working in the corporate world, could tell.
The High Priest was the second most powerful figure after the saint.
“Does Erdian often appear out of nowhere in empty spaces like that?”
“He rarely reveals his physical form, except for the High Priest’s appointment ceremony. His voice is also not something one can easily hear.”
“I see…”
The more they talked, the more Sihero’s speech patterns changed.
The overly formal tone he had used, reminiscent of historical dramas, gradually relaxed, making Seo Woohyun feel more at ease. He was grateful for Sihero’s detailed answers to his questions.
“Is Erdian the type to be scary when you make mistakes?”
“I manage the temple with utmost sincerity, and other than offering my respects by kissing the back of his hand, I haven’t been scolded directly. He is a generous and kind god.”
Managing the temple himself implied that Sihero held real power.
Seo Woohyun thought that maintaining a good relationship with Sihero would be beneficial for his future here.
Seo Woohyun smiled at Sihero, a practiced smile that he’d spent years perfecting in social situations, though it left a bitter taste in his mouth.
“Is this robe a priest’s garment? The one you and the others are wearing?”
“Yes, it’s the robe worn by the clergy of our temple. It is dyed with the colors that represent Erdian, taking after his eye color.”
Sihero momentarily set down his cutlery and lightly touched the decoration on his robe.
Seo Woohyun hadn’t had the chance to observe closely earlier, but now he could see that the robe was made from light purple and vivid yellow fabric.
The design, with thick knotted ribbons near the shoulders, resembled a cloak.
The colors were strikingly similar to the eyes of the unpredictable god.
“From far away, it’s immediately clear that we are priests serving Erdian. This bright, warm yellow is exclusively used by the Erdian temple.”
Seo Woohyun, chewing on a bite of stir-fried meat, raised his eyebrows.
Exclusively used by the temple?
What was that supposed to mean? He swallowed his food and asked,
“The temple monopolizes a color?”
“It could be seen that way, but it’s more about showing respect for Erdian’s symbol. Everyone respects it.”
Sihero answered, but Seo Woohyun could sense that he was trying to diplomatically soften the word “monopoly.”
‘It’s not like they monopolize every shade of yellow, but still, this is too much…’
It was a story unfamiliar and strange to modern people.
They had heard of artists buying exclusive rights to certain colors, but for a religion to monopolize a color?
If this had happened today, it would have caused a media frenzy, but in this world, it happened without anyone batting an eye.
Afterward, Seo Woohyun was able to briefly converse with others as well.
Although they were all visibly shaking with fear, preventing further conversation.
It felt as if they were employees suddenly forced to have a meal with a parachuted-in vice president at their well-run company.
He even felt a bit guilty for having spoken to them.
‘Still, everyone seems to be trying to be nice to me, which is a bit reassuring.’
After finishing the meal, Seo Woohyun and Sihero moved to a comfortable sofa.
A few sips of tea later, his body quickly became relaxed.
Before long, a holographic message twinkled in front of Seo Woohyun’s eyes.
[Main Quest: ‘Meal’ completed.]
[Reward: Basic Knowledge for Adaptation, 1 Erdian Praise Stamp]
[Do you wish to claim it now?]
Basic knowledge for adaptation…
He knew absolutely nothing about this place, so much so that he desperately wished for that knowledge.
However, he hesitated because he didn’t know exactly how the knowledge would be delivered.
It wasn’t the time to be picky, but he decided to delay it for just a little while.
It wouldn’t hurt to think it over a bit more before claiming it.
“Sihero, I have a question.”
“Yes.”
“You’re one of the highest followers of Lord Erdian, aren’t you?”
“There’s the Saint above me.”
“Yes, anyway, you mentioned earlier that you got scolded for greeting me….”
“Yes, I was severely reprimanded. I’ve sworn never to do something like that again.”
“So, in essence, am I a Saint in name only? I mean, the one running the entire religious order kneeled before me and got scolded because of it.”
Sihero struggled to keep a smile from creeping onto his lips.
‘What an adorably misguided misunderstanding.’
After being scolded by Erdian, Sihero had realized, albeit subtly, that his god’s attitude toward the Saint was far from ordinary.
Erdian’s scolding stemmed from the fact that someone else’s lips had touched the back of the Saint’s hand.
Though it was clear that only reverence was involved, Erdian’s affection was so intense that even the mere touch of another person on the Saint’s body seemed intolerable.
However, if he were to explain this too bluntly, the clueless Saint would only end up confused.
Sihero decided to keep his explanation as factual and neutral as possible, hoping that Erdian, who was surely listening to the conversation, would understand his intentions—that his heart was filled only with respect and service toward the Saint.
“Of course not. Lord Erdian reprimanded me because I acted excessively in offering a greeting that went beyond what’s considered reverence. It was entirely my fault for suddenly kissing the back of your hand upon our first meeting.”
Since it wasn’t about him, Seo Woohyun couldn’t argue back.
He nodded but still couldn’t shake off the strange feeling.
‘Kissing the back of the hand signifies reverence? Then why did Erdian kiss the back of my hand?’
Seo Woohyun reflexively moved to touch the back of his hand but stopped himself.
He had already learned that any physical contact would relay his thoughts directly to Erdian.
He had to be careful. It would be too embarrassing if Erdian sensed any odd thoughts.
As Seo Woohyun sat there, lost in his musings, a priest quietly approached Sihero, who was seated across from him.
After receiving a brief whisper, Sihero rose from his seat.
“Saint, I must step out for a moment to attend to an urgent matter. In the meantime, if you need anything or have any questions, please feel free to speak to High Priest Giselle here.”
Sihero gestured to the man standing behind him. Giselle, a man with long black hair tied in a ponytail, was one of the priests they had dined with earlier, so Seo Woohyun recognized him.
Worried that he might suddenly kneel or kiss the hem of his robe, Seo Woohyun was relieved when Giselle merely clasped his hands together and bowed respectfully.
‘Phew, at least he’s not doing any over-the-top gestures.’
Seo Woohyun sighed in relief. He wondered if he’d have to brace himself every time he met someone new in this place.
* * *
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Maybe he’s erdian’s reincarnated lover or something?
Me muero de ternura
Interesting chapter
Thanks for the chapter
❤️🥰