* * *
Lighthearted conversation in a relaxed atmosphere inevitably led to bits and pieces of valuable intel.
As usual, Ranshel had hoped to gather hints about the secret prayer gathering supposedly led by the Archbishop by chatting with those around him.
But in this sanctuary, even making a passing greeting felt like a challenge.
It was so quiet that the mere sound of furniture shifting or footsteps echoed loudly.
Ranshel clicked his tongue inwardly.
This kind of environment made gathering information nearly impossible.
“That’ll be all for today.”
The head disciple standing at the center announced the end of the shift.
The others tidied up and began filing out in an orderly line from the workstations outside.
Ranshel kept his eyes open, not ready to give up on a chance.
But even after work, everyone silently made their way to the chapel for private prayer.
No one said a word, and the silence was suffocating.
In the end, Ranshel slipped out of line midway to avoid going into the chapel.
He just wanted to find a place where he could speak freely.
The crowd made movement difficult, though, so he decided to wait until the service began and traffic died down.
Standing in a corner of the lobby, watching the others walk off in unison, his eyes suddenly sparked with recognition.
‘That’s Kon.’
He’d always had a unique way of handling scripture—no wonder he turned out to be a devotee attending the Grand Temple service.
Ranshel discreetly joined the procession and trailed behind Kon.
Acting like they’d run into each other by chance and striking up a conversation seemed like a good plan.
But then, Kon, who’d been walking in step with the others, suddenly turned off in a different direction. Ranshel quietly followed his lead.
Kon slipped into a narrow hallway branching off between wide corridors.
With no windows and only dim wall lamps, the path grew darker the further they went.
Eventually, Kon vanished into the shadows, and as Ranshel looked around, he noticed a door at the end.
Just as he began to approach, temple guards appeared out of nowhere and blocked his path.
A long spear shaft, held by a guard with a lamp, cut across his vision.
“This area is off-limits. State your identity. Where are you from?”
Off-limits?
Ranshel masked his surprise and answered with practiced ease.
“Ah, sorry. I just started working as a disciple today. Still figuring out my way around.”
“The sanctuary where the disciples work is quite a ways from here… What’s your name?”
The guard looked him over suspiciously.
Of all times, Ranshel had changed out of his work robe before leaving—no way they’d just let him pass.
Giving his name might get him through, but if he was flagged as a risk, it’d become a problem later.
As he weighed his options, Ranshel perked his ears toward voices drifting in from the corridor.
“I heard the Saintess is attending the service today.”
“I’d love to receive her blessing.”
“If I increase my offering, could I see her up close?”
Everyone was fawning over the Grand Temple’s Saintess.
At this point, most disciples would be done with work and walking the main corridor.
He hadn’t seen him yet, but surely Danie would be passing through the area.
Ranshel slid a small, razor-sharp blade from between his sleeve buttons and held it between his fingers.
Then, from a spot hidden from the lamplight, he swung.
[Unique Skill <Short Swordactivated!]
Clatter!
The glass cover over a hallway lamp shattered.
A murmur of confusion spread down the hall.
The startled guard turned to look.
‘That should be enough of a scene to catch his attention.’
Most wouldn’t pick up on it, but he would.
He’d notice the direction the shards scattered, figure out where the glass broke from, look to the nearby alcove—then see him, approach, and call out his name.
“Ran…”
“Disciple!”
Ranshel quickly cut off Danie’s response.
“I came to assist the Saintess, but I got lost and ended up here. Could you vouch for me?”
“…May I ask where you’re from?”
At the mention of the Saintess, the guard’s demeanor immediately softened.
Danie caught on quickly and, without giving a name, produced a sigil bearing the Temple’s crest.
“I serve the Saintess as her attendant. I’ll verify his identity with this access badge. With the service about to begin, may I take him with me right away?”
“Yes, of course. Apologies for the trouble.”
After confirming the sigil, the guard let Ranshel through without further delay.
As he walked side by side with Danie, Ranshel explained what had happened.
“Kon wants to become a Grand Temple disciple, but it seemed like his circumstances made it difficult. Yet today, I saw him in the temple… So whatever’s beyond that door must be important.”
“That man Kon—he entered without being stopped by the guards?”
“Yeah. Which means… there must be a specific method to access that area.”
Something must’ve happened in the brief moment Ranshel didn’t see.
It likely wasn’t a complicated trick.
“Did you find anything useful on your end?”
“No. It appears casual conversation is strictly forbidden inside the sanctuary.”
So it was the same on the women’s side too.
In that case, they were out of options—for now.
“I suppose I’ll have to try offering Kon a deal in exchange for information.”
“That might be the best option, but I worry he might demand an outrageous price.”
“That depends on how we approach the deal.”
Ranshel winked at Danie.
“Leave this to me. Just tell me when the next worship service is.”
“Will you be all right on your own?”
“Yes. For some reason, Kon feels oddly familiar.”
Watching him brought to mind Gary, a low-ranking servant Ranshel had worked with back at the Pomel estate.
It had been a long time since he’d seen him, and to be honest, he had kind of forgotten he even existed.
‘They act similarly, that’s why.’
Gary never had much to spare, yet every time he got a bit of money, he would offer it all to the temple.
Ranshel couldn’t help but think Kon was the same kind of person.
Practically a fanatic.
Faith itself wasn’t the problem.
It was surrendering all of one’s life and potential to the divine in such an unhealthy way.
“Shouldn’t you be going to see Lady Prey now?”
“Ah, um… Ranshel.”
“Yes?”
Danie, unusually hesitant, finally spoke with a slightly determined look.
“…There should be a carriage from House Vershel waiting in front of the temple. It’s delivering something for us. Would you mind receiving it in my place?”
“Oh, of course. I’ll be right back.”
Danie, asking him for a favor?
That was rare.
Humming to himself, Ranshel headed toward the carriage bearing the flag of House Vershel.
The moment he arrived, the carriage door opened as if it had been waiting for him.
While he stood in front, expecting to receive the item, the coachman made an unexpected request.
“I need to move the carriage a little to avoid blocking traffic. Would you mind getting in for a moment?”
“Oh, sure. As long as it doesn’t inconvenience the person inside.”
And just like that, Ranshel found himself climbing into the carriage.
House Vershel’s carriage was larger than the standard school transport he usually rode in, and accordingly, the interior was more spacious.
That’s when he finally realized who the passenger was—someone he hadn’t noticed earlier.
“…Lady Prey?”
“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“Why are you… here?”
Ranshel faltered, feeling the carriage move ahead at a steady pace.
Wait—wasn’t this too fast to be a simple repositioning?
No way.
Wide-eyed, Ranshel hesitated to ask, but Prey beat him to it with a gentle smile.
“You were wondering why I’m here, right?”
“Uh, yes…”
“I came to kidnap you for a bit.”
“…Me?”
“Of course.”
Prey responded softly.
Ranshel’s face went pale, his mouth moving wordlessly.
* * *
