Betrayal Knight’s Joyful Faith - Chapter 416
Only Noblemtl
The 416th episode of The Merry God of Betrayal
Arendt, who had stopped by the main office above Neumann, hesitated for a while before deciding on her next destination.
It was hard to turn back since I had already contacted them to say I would visit, but I couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy.
“… … Hey, C.”
But the conflict was short-lived, and Arendt reluctantly headed toward the main temple.
Perhaps because it was early afternoon, the temple was more crowded than usual with both regular believers and priests.
In the main temple, where the renovation work was completely completed, there was no trace of the battle that had taken place that day.
‘I heard that donations poured in after that.’
Thanks to this, it was said that not only the statues that were cracked and broken due to battles, but also the old facilities could be replaced.
So it wasn’t particularly strange that it looked even cleaner than in my memories.
Arendt walked more leisurely, accustomed to the gazes of the believers and priests pouring in toward her.
‘The effect is certain.’
It seems that the one-act play he performed at the victory banquet after recovering from his sickbed became a huge hit through word of mouth.
The guy who survived a near-death experience by receiving the grace of the god Luce immediately cursed the god in front of the nobles, so most of the people who believed in the god Luce began to feel uncomfortable with him.
I was quite satisfied with the gazes that looked at the prodigal son who did not know grace and acted ungratefully.
After all, it’s easier than anything to become a dirty person who is avoided.
“Lord Arendt, are you here? I was waiting to hear that you would be visiting.”
Of course, one person who was oblivious was the priest Benno, who smiled brightly and quickly approached him.
“Your Majesty, I would like to ask if you could spare some time.”
“Your Majesty?”
Arendt arched an eyebrow at the unexpected words.
“I didn’t request an interview with the Prime Minister… … I told you that I would just be borrowing a few books from the library today.”
“Yes. But the Archimandrite said he was curious about Lord Arendt’s recent situation. He said he had prepared refreshments, so he asked if you could spare a moment, even though you are busy.
Arendt nodded crookedly.
“What? The High Priest has invited me, so I must go.”
Despite the arrogant gesture, Benno smiled brightly, paying no attention.
“Then I will bring it right away. Please follow me.”
“… … .”
Although I welcomed the hateful looks and the criticism, I felt somewhat uncomfortable with this kind of unprovoked kindness.
But Arendt didn’t show it and just walked along with the priest Benno.
In the large reception room, Archimandrite Lumiel had already arrived and was waiting.
“Your Excellency, I have brought Lord Arendt with me.”
“Thank you, Priest Benno. And welcome back. It’s been a while.”
Lumiel greeted him with a kind smile as always.
After Benno bowed and left the room, Arendt sat down across from Lumiel.
“Why are you so busy? I didn’t want to bother you, so I was going to leave quietly.”
“Isn’t it Sir Arendt who is busier than me? I haven’t been able to see you in a while, so I invited you on purpose.”
Lumiel smiled affectionately.
“The last time I saw you, you were quite ill, and I was worried about you as an old man. But now you seem to be fine. That’s fortunate.”
Although she had been in the position of High Priestess for quite some time, she still looked the same as when she was a priestess.
“Don’t worry, as you can see, it’s fine.”
“It seems like it’s hurtful, but… … It can’t be helped, since it’s Arendt’s case.”
Lumiel smiled wryly as Arendt shrugged her shoulders.
“I have kept the things you asked me to do before. It doesn’t seem like it’s time to return them yet.”
“Even though I searched for it so hard, it seemed like the owner had no intention of getting it back.”
I left Lexion’s book in the Great Hall with the intention of exploiting his weakness, but he didn’t seem to be very interested.
‘Is it okay if I just know where it is?’
Or maybe it was because he knew that no one would read it anyway, but he seemed quite detached considering that he searched the entire continent for it as soon as he woke up from his sleep device.
“So, if it’s okay with you, Your Highness, please take care of it for a while longer.”
“Yes. I haven’t forgotten the password either.”
Arendt also chuckled as she looked at the old man who was smiling playfully.
“I will make you recite it, so you must never forget it.”
“I’m looking forward to that day. You are my honor, so I hope to meet you someday.”
Lumiel’s expression brightened even more as she seemed to like the face.
But Arendt couldn’t just nod straight away.
Lexion will obviously be reluctant to face the Archangel.
‘… … This is Luce’s den.’
And the person he encountered was the high priest who was loved by Luce.
The most important thing was that it was she who pushed him to become the High Priestess.
‘Can you see the God Luce and the High Priestess Lumiel separately?’
At least now it was impossible.
Lumiel smiled, not knowing whether she knew what he was thinking or not.
“It is reassuring to see you here. I often hear news from the palace, but it seems that you are getting involved in many dangerous situations just like before.”
“As the Archangel said earlier, that is my job.”
Squeezing in her various thoughts, Arendt spoke deliberately in a more blunt tone.
He was conscious of his own appearance reflected in the eyes of the High Priest.
The posture should be slightly askew, but not too slouched.
“It’s not easy to get a salary. So, I have no choice but to roll.”
A little arrogance and sass, a little bit of jokes and teasing, and you can make the mask of Arendt von Eckhart that we all know more firmly come out.
“That’s a funny joke, Lord Arendt. Haven’t you already amassed enough wealth to avoid having to depend on a salary for the rest of your life?”
“Of course, but these days, if you try to enjoy the nouveau riche lifestyle, you’re likely to lose your head. Your Highness, you know that very well.”
Arendt shrugged.
“Yes, that’s right. That’s why I’m always worried.”
“… … .”
But Arendt was left speechless by the answer that came back so quickly.
I could sense a hint of worry in the voice that spoke.
“… … Is there anything you want to say? If you’re going to nag me, then do it quickly. I have to leave for my post soon.”
Arendt, who had been paused for a moment, let out a deep sigh.
“Honestly, I’m not comfortable in this position. I’m sure you know why. I don’t particularly regret it or feel guilty, but I’m not stupid enough to show off in front of your high priest.”
“You say you don’t act like a guest, but you have no intention of hiding it at all.”
“I’m the type of person who doesn’t tell lies that won’t work. Doing so would just be a waste of time.”
Lumiel burst into laughter at the shameless words.
“I don’t particularly intend to blame Lord Arendt. The unexpected accident cost us a huge amount of money, but His Highness the Crown Prince gave us a grant to use for restoration. Thanks to this, the statue is now being carved even more beautifully than before.”
“… … The temple somehow sparkled.”
As expected, Lumiel was not an easy person.
This was especially true because, although he was certain that Arendt was the culprit who destroyed the statue, he faced her with an indifferent expression.
“It is not something I can say anything about since His Highness the Crown Prince has turned a blind eye to it. Above all… … .”
Lumiel continued speaking calmly.
“Because I know very well that Lord Arendt is not the type of person to act without reason.”
A soft curve formed at the corner of the aged minister’s mouth.
“Lord Arendt has never relied on God, but in the past she spared no effort to restore the relationship between the royal family and the temple.”
“… … .”
“As a result, Priest Theodore was forced to step down.”
Thanks to this, the imperial family and the temple were currently actively cooperating.
This was also the result of Arendt changing the scenario by bringing down Archon Theodore.
“Until then, Lord Arendt seemed to have considered the temple, or rather, Lady Luce, as an ally. However… … . Have you changed your mind now?”
“… … .”
The apprentice knight did not deny it.
The Grand Master, who read the affirmative answer in the silence, smiled sadly.
“So, it seems like it would be difficult to meet in private now. I made this space for you, even though you are busy.”
She was declaring an end to the unspoken alliance she had maintained with Arendt.
“I heard that you came to the Great Hall today to borrow a temple. In particular, I heard that you requested a temple that contains stories about the angels who serve Luce and other gods.”
“… … .”
“Most of them are things I made when I was young. You can return them slowly, so please use them where they are needed.”
The minister who spoke like that was still unwavering. His eyes were also affectionate, as if he was looking at a young grandson.
“Lord Arendt, do you want the truth?”
Arendt answered her question rather dryly.
“Yes. And using that truth… … .”
Arendt, with her golden gaze, looked straight at the Archimandrite Lumiel.
“One day, I plan to smear the face of this hypocritical God.”
“okay.”
Lumiel nodded slowly without showing any sign of surprise.
“… … It must be a wonderful thing to seek the truth.”
After a brief silence in the reception room, Lumiel spoke again.
“I too was once obsessed with it. I was so excited by the excitement and anxiety of youth that I couldn’t even sleep.”
It was a tone that seemed like a dream.
“And I found the answer by settling in Luce’s arms.”
“… … Was that the right answer?”
“Well, I don’t know. There is no right answer in this world.”
Lumiel answered softly, but firmly.
“But at least for me, it was a relief and an answer. As it was for many others. But it seems that Arendt sees another world.”
She continued speaking point by point.
“I will not spare my support for those of you who are fighting against the evil cult on the front lines. At the same time, I have a duty to protect those who follow Luce’s justice.”
That was her responsibility as High Priestess.
“So, Lord Arendt, don’t hesitate and follow your path. I will carry out my will.”
Arendt, who had been listening quietly, smiled bitterly.
“I thought you would say that, Your Highness.”
“I will keep the items you have entrusted to me safe until you come to collect them. I hope that this will be an opportunity to speak with Lord Arendt again someday.”
Even as he spoke the ending, his gaze toward Arendt was full of affection.
“And when the day comes when everything is settled… … I don’t know when that day will be when this conflict ends, and I don’t know what form it will take.”
Lumiel spoke slowly, as if it was a pity that this conversation time was coming to an end.
“I would like to pick a sunny day and take a leisurely walk with Lord Arendt.”
Arendt knew better than anyone that those words were true.
But instead of answering, he remained silent.
How will this scenario end, and will the old man’s small wish be granted?
It was because I couldn’t be sure of it at the time.