* * *

Josh Tenet, an assistant priest affiliated with the Temple of Erdian in the Kingdom of Miraton, glanced around nervously.

Seeing other assistant priests, dressed similarly to him, gathered in groups here and there filled him with a rush of nostalgia.

‘So I’m finally starting my first service as an assistant priest… I went through hell to get that recommendation letter, and the thought of failing made me want to die. But here I am, at last.”*

By principle, those who couldn’t sense divine power were ineligible to become priests.

Even to qualify as an assistant priest, the lowest rank, one had to undergo a test involving a drop of their blood on a holy relic to determine their sensitivity to divine power.

However, even this test wasn’t accessible to just anyone, as the sacred relics were revered objects.

Only those who had dedicated themselves to the faith and earned a recommendation letter were granted the privilege to use the Sacred Plate.

Josh Tenet had spent a year serving the temple with unwavering devotion, finally securing the coveted letter.

With it, he was able to place his blood upon the Sacred Plate enshrined in the grand temple.

“Josh Tenet, volunteer of the Temple of Miraton. You possess divine sensitivity. Congratulations. If you wish to join the Temple as an assistant priest, please proceed to that line.”

The words of congratulations from the priest overseeing the holy relics had made Josh’s heart race.

Even now, recalling that moment filled him with overwhelming emotion, leaving him trembling with gratitude.

Becoming a clergyman of the Erdian Temple carried immense significance.

Not only did it bring great respect, but rising through the ranks within the Temple promised a life of luxury.

Priests could start families if they chose, and those who declined ordination as high priests could remain senior priests and pass their surname to their children.

“Josh Tenet, assistant priest of the Temple of Miraton, are you present?”

The voice of a senior priest from the Grand Temple snapped Josh out of his reverie.

Raising his hand promptly, he responded.

“Yes!”

“Good.”

The senior priest, responsible for organizing the journey to Patalion Island, jotted down some notes while muttering softly.

“Already verified the members from the Kingdom of Digthorma… Now it’s the Grand Temple’s turn.”

The service, a mandatory duty for all assistant priests, required them to live and work together with others from temples scattered across the continent.

The goal was to remind them that while their temples were geographically distinct, they all served Erdian.

“Where are the assistant priests from the Grand Temple?”

At the senior priest’s question, several individuals in pale blue assistant priest robes hesitantly stepped forward.

Their awkward demeanor was typical of fledgling priests unaccustomed to their new role.

The roster indicated four individuals of varying ages—20, 22, 29, and 34.

It wasn’t unusual, given that many people joined the faith later in life due to personal circumstances.

“I’ll call out names in Temple of age. Please respond if it’s you. Finn, are you here?”

“Yes!”

“Rian?”

“That’s me.”

“Paul?”

“Yes.”

“Hexion?”

“Present.”

After finishing the roll call and confirming the numbers, the senior priest nodded to a knight of the Temple Guard who had accompanied them.

“Everything’s in Temple. We’re ready to depart.”

“Understood.”

Knights from the Temple Guard hadn’t previously accompanied assistant priests on service assignments.

However, recent attacks on clergymen by apostates had prompted the Temple’s leadership to implement this new policy for protection during long journeys.

For this mission, three knights from the Guard’s special division had been dispatched.

Although there were only ten assistant priests on this trip, the number of knights seemed excessive.

Still, the decision was made by the higher-ups, leaving no room for argument.

One knight would guard the exterior, while the other two would ride with them in separate carriages.

“Let’s head out.”

Thus began the journey to board a ship bound for Patalion Island.

Inside the rattling carriage, an air of awkwardness filled the space.

Meeting each other for the first time, everyone seemed reserved.

Sensing the tension, Josh Tenet, from the Temple of Miraton, spoke up.

“We’ll be working together for this service. Let’s get along well.”

“Yes, we’ll be together for a while. How about we introduce ourselves?”

“Great idea!”

Perhaps it was the shared identity as assistant priests, but the atmosphere gradually became livelier.

“I’ll go first. I’m Josh Tenet from the Temple of Miraton. I’m twenty years old, and… it’s a bit embarrassing to say, but I’ve been promised sponsorship from Baron Barod of my kingdom.”

“Wow!”

A pair of identical twin priests exclaimed in amazement.

It wasn’t common for an assistant priest to secure a noble sponsor.

Nobles and clergy had long maintained a symbiotic relationship; priests would serve as godparents to noble offspring or heal soldiers during territorial disputes to repay such patronage.

Having a noble sponsor made one’s life in the Temple considerably easier and significantly increased the likelihood of rising to a higher position.

The twins’ reaction reflected their understanding of this reality, and their expressions subtly shifted, their intentions to curry favor with Josh unmistakable.

“I’m Byron from the Temple of Digthorma, and this is Aaron. We’re twins, as you can see. I’m the older one, and Aaron’s the younger. It’s hard to tell us apart, but the one with the small scar on his face is me. I got it when I was bitten by a dog as a kid.”

With a friendly smile, the 20-year-old twin priests introduced themselves. Next was a young man with a green ponytail, who spoke with a detached tone.

“I’m Fin, formerly a servant at the Grand Temple for a long time. I’m also twenty and have become an assistant priest by the grace of Erdian. Let’s get along during our service.”

“Wow, as a former servant at the Grand Temple, did you run errands for important people?”

Josh’s eyes lit up with curiosity. Finn, with a reserved expression, nodded reluctantly.

“…Occasionally.”

“High priests, perhaps? Or maybe even the Saint?”

“Why do you ask?”

Finn shot him a wary glance, his voice cold.

The mood shifted slightly.

Was it such an offensive question?

Josh pouted.

“It’s just curiosity. No need to overreact.”

He had hoped to establish a connection if Fin had ties to influential figures.

Finn’s guardedness struck him as irritating.

“Well, I was just curious. It’s not like we get to see such people every day…”

“It’s best to avoid speaking lightly of those above us. Mind your words.”

“Oh, sure, if you say so.”

Josh’s reply was dripping with sarcasm, but he let the matter drop.

After that, a man with an unremarkable appearance introduced himself.

“I’m Paul. I’m twenty-nine years old… Nice to meet you all.”

Paul’s nondescript demeanor and lack of a surname suggested he was likely a commoner.

‘Ugh, these companions are hopeless. Am I the only one here with noble backing?”*

Spending a month with such unremarkable peers felt depressing.

Even Fin, the only one with a seemingly decent background, seemed too standoffish to bother befriending.

Lastly, a knight from the Temple Guard introduced himself briefly.

“I’m Rai from the Temple Guard.”

It never hurt to be on good terms with the knights.

“Sir Knight, I look forward to working with you!”

Josh offered a bright smile, but the knight’s curt nod was his only response.

‘Well, knights are always stoic types, anyway.’

He brushed off the remark nonchalantly and continued to steer the conversation inside the carriage.

As expected, the twin priests from the Digthorma Kingdom’s temple were remarkably friendly toward him.

Mentioning the promise of a noble patron had been a wise move, he thought.

“Baron Barod and Priest Tenet, if you don’t mind me asking, how are you two acquainted?”

Curious about the connection to nobility, the twin priests eagerly awaited an answer.

Josh Tenet shrugged casually and spoke with a self-satisfied air.

“Well, Baron Barod happens to be the cousin of my brother-in-law’s step-nephew. When he heard I was becoming an assistant priest, he readily promised his support.”

“You’re connected to nobility by blood?”

“Well… technically, yes.”

While Josh Tenet basked in emphasizing his noble connections, the twin priests eagerly engaged in the conversation.

Meanwhile, the two assistant priests from the Great Temple, Fin and Paul, remained silent.

Fin, being a former temple attendant, was one thing, but the silence of the other assistant priest felt particularly out of place.

‘Does he think people enjoy talking just for the sake of it? That guy sitting at the far end—isn’t he supposed to be twenty-nine? No idea what he did before becoming an assistant priest, but… I should try talking to him.’

Josh Tenet’s thoughts were purely strategic.

Since the Great Temple priest might prove useful later, he decided to initiate contact.

Turning his head slightly, Josh muttered.

“The assistant priest who served as an attendant is named Finn, correct? And the other one… Pop, was it?”

“It’s Paul.”

“Ah… Your impression was so faint, I forgot. So, Paul, what did you do before coming here?”

Better keep an eye on the unassuming ones—they might turn out to have powerful connections.

While looking at Paul expectantly, he received a bland response.

“…I worked as a volunteer but suffered from a severe fever, so I don’t recall much before that.”

“Ah, what a tragic story…”

Realizing Paul was inconsequential, Josh quickly shifted his attention back to the twins, engaging in more conversations that subtly reinforced his noble ties.

Observing this blatant clique formation, Paul, the assistant priest of the Great Temple, wore a faintly amused expression.

‘Wow, going from being hailed as “Holy One” and “Priest” to this outright disregard? This is great.’

Seo Woohyun, basking in the freedom from the overwhelming pressures of being a Holy One, allowed himself a small grin.

He had a feeling this journey would be different.

* * *