* * *

The dining area fell silent as everyone turned to look at Fin, who glared daggers at Josh Tenet.

“Assistant Priest Tenet.”

“Y-yes? Why are you shouting all of a sudden?”

“Are you seriously going to play dumb?”

“What did I even do?”

Feigning innocence, Josh shrugged.

As he tried to sneak Seo Woohyun’s plate away amidst the confusion, Seo Woohyun firmly held it in place, raising an eyebrow.

“The nerve of this guy.”

Realizing the need for evidence, Seo Woohyun braced himself.

Meanwhile, Fin unleashed all the grievances he had held back.

“First of all, congratulations on the sponsorship from your brother-in-law’s cousin’s aunt’s nephew. But don’t you think you’re acting a bit too arrogant? Someone might mistake you for a grand noble! Even royalty doesn’t act like this!”

“W-what?”

“Foisting your laundry onto others and skimping on food portions during meal service? That’s unacceptable!”

As Fin pointed accusingly at Seo Woohyun’s plate, Seo Woohyun couldn’t help but be impressed.

“Wow, so he even pawned off his laundry duties? That noble sponsorship must be something else.”

While Seo Woohyun was aware of the clergy’s reliance on noble or royal patrons, seeing the subtle hierarchies play out firsthand was fascinating.

Josh, attempting to deflect, mumbled, “I just made a mistake while serving. Is this really something to shout about?”

“Hah! Being shameless must be a talent of yours,” Fin shot back, undeterred.

Josh, now cornered, played his trump card. “It sounds like you’re dismissing the Baron Barod’s sponsorship, Assistant Priest Fin. Or is there someone even more impressive backing you? Perhaps a distinguished figure from the High Temple?”

Fin knew admitting otherwise would be tantamount to conceding defeat.

With most of their companions already leaning toward Josh’s side due to his noble ties, all eyes were on Fin.

Only Seo Woohyun and Raullet, aware of Seo Woohyun’s true identity, withheld judgment.

Realizing the stakes, Fin met their gazes head-on.

“His Grace, High Priest Sihero, has personally confirmed that I will be ordained as a priest immediately after this mission. In fact, I carry his handwritten letter of recommendation, which I presented when I visited the sacred reliquary.”

“…The High Priest?”

When the name of High Priest Sihero was mentioned, the atmosphere around them stirred.

The High Priest, who oversaw the operations of the Erdian Temple, wielded power far beyond what a baron of a small kingdom could ever dream of.

It wasn’t hard to understand.

Even Prince Habios of the Erhartan Empire had been compelled to kiss Seo Woohyun’s hem rather than the back of his hand because of a decree stamped with High Priest Sihero’s seal.

A recommendation letter personally written by such a figure, who issued commands even royalty could not ignore, was beyond priceless.

“I’ve met with Sihero countless times in private, but even I wouldn’t stoop to creating a hierarchy among Erdian’s assistant priests. This is just embarrassing to watch!”

“…Well, I, uh…”

Josh Tenet, who had utterly lost the battle of influence, stood there defeated, his face a vivid shade of red.

He had assumed Seo Woohyun’s connections only extended to some minor priests, but a figure of unimaginable importance had stepped into the picture.

“And everyone knows that noble sponsorships can dry up at any moment. Why are we, as Erdian’s clergy, behaving so disgracefully? Imagine how pathetic this would seem to Lord Erdian if He were watching.”

When Fin bluntly delivered the final blow, the tide turned dramatically.

The twin assistant priests who had actively supported Josh Tenet, along with the others who had tolerated his behavior, also flushed with embarrassment.

Seo Woohyun glanced at the plate that had been the catalyst for all this drama.

‘So you’re still not giving me more meat?’

Travel Tips #4: Always prioritize good meals and sleep.

Seo Woohyun resolved to stick to his rules.

He extended his plate again to Josh Tenet, whose face looked ready to burst.

“…W-What?”

“Give me the same amount as everyone else.”

“Haa… Fine. Here.”

“Thanks.”

Seo Woohyun took the plate and moved past Josh Tenet, who was experiencing a live broadcast of his personal humiliation.

Sitting at a makeshift table, he picked up his utensils just as Fin, who had returned with food, hesitated before taking a seat next to him.

“This is so humiliating, even as a fellow assistant priest.”

Despite having said his piece, Fin was still fuming, which Seo Woohyun found endearing.

He smiled at Fin, who had stood up for him.

Remembering their agreement to speak casually during volunteer work, Seo Woohyun asked playfully.

“Did High Priest Sihero really write you a recommendation letter?”

“Of course! D-Didn’t he write one for you, too?”

“Oh, I was feverish, so my memory’s a bit hazy.”

“R-Right! You said you don’t remember much because of the fever…!”

Fin nodded earnestly.

‘This memory loss excuse is amazing. Anything vague, I can just claim I don’t remember.’

As Fin focused on eating, Seo Woohyun poured him a glass of water.

It wasn’t easy to empathize with others’ injustices and stand up for them, and Seo Woohyun recognized that.

In his previous world, he’d never experienced kindness like this.

Since coming here, he’d encountered it multiple times.

How had he ended up surrounded by such kind and warm-hearted people?

As his thoughts wandered, Seo Woohyun found himself envisioning the stunningly gentle face of Lord Erdian.

‘What could Erdian be doing now?’

It was a lazy afternoon, and he found himself wondering about Erdian’s well-being.

---

After Fin called out Josh Tenet, the journey to the port became more comfortable.

As they traveled to board the ship to Patalion Island, everyone did their share of laundry and distributed meals equally, without complaints or laziness.

However, invoking High Priest Sihero’s name had unintended consequences.

Assistant priests who previously ignored Fin began hovering around, asking if he needed help.

Eventually shaking off the persistent priests, Fin approached Seo Woohyun, who was quietly enjoying tea alone.

“…May I sit next to you?”

“It’s not like I’ve rented the spot. Of course.”

“What does ‘rented’ mean?”

“Ah… It just means you can sit.”

“Thank you!”

Fin glanced at the saint’s face.

If he hadn’t known Seo Woohyun’s true features, it would’ve been difficult to remember even the color of his hair, thanks to the necklace’s effects.

While the obscured features were a relief, part of Fin regretted not seeing his beautiful face clearly.

‘The saint sometimes uses expressions I don’t understand. Are they phrases from where he’s from? Would it be rude to ask?’

The saint, who had suddenly appeared in the Palace of Silence one day, often used unfamiliar words.

The only one who understood them was Erdian, who had descended to Earth and stayed by his side.

“Does this mean you’re the leader among us now, Fin? Everyone’s watching you so closely. Personally, I approve. You’d lead us well without playing favorites.”

“N-No way! I can’t be the leader. I’m not suited for it!”

Fin vehemently waved his hands at Seo Woohyun’s teasing.

Knowing the saint was present made the idea absurd.

If the saint commanded it, he would comply, but Fin believed he wasn’t fit for such a position.

“I really have no intention of being the leader.”

“Just kidding. And Fin, thank you. You’re not one to flaunt yourself, yet you spoke up for me. I appreciate it.”

“It’s nothing. I just couldn’t stand seeing Tenet strutting around and slacking off.”

“Still, thanks to you, things will be smoother going forward. The leader’s on my side, after all.”

“I-I said I’m not being the leader!”

Seo Woohyun chuckled as Fin flustered.

The journey, surrounded by kind and caring companions, was turning out to be much more enjoyable than he’d anticipated.

‘Leader, huh…’

The word brought a sense of nostalgia.

A small memory flitted through his mind.

‘Ciel, why don’t you join my crew instead? I promise I won’t bully you.’

‘No. My captain told me not to get close to Lady Calliope.’

‘Ha! You little thing, already so loyal to your captain!’

Before he was Seo Woohyun, he had lived as Ciel in this world.

That memory of his past life explained the strange sense of warmth the term “leader” evoked.

‘Ciel followed Erdian everywhere, calling him “captain.” He even mooched off him often. Going from a pickpocket to a royal attendant was quite the leap. And now, after dying, he’s even become a saint…’

He remembered Erdian’s anguished scream when Ciel took an arrow meant for him.

The memory felt surreal, more like something he had witnessed than lived.

Seo Woohyun glanced up at the sky.

The cool breeze brushed against his cheek, almost as if Erdian himself were watching over him.

‘I think I miss him a little…’

What had once felt like deception now softened.

Faint longing began to take its place.

* * *