While Valentine was preoccupied with his research, Acerus devoted himself to recovery. Though he was recovering at an abnormally fast pace, nothing was informed to the outside world. The Crown Prince's doctor was a man of few words and did not express doubts about the orders he received.
Meanwhile, the enthusiasm of those searching for the saintess did not cool down, leading to a tough situation.
Lara could not return to Isadora's hotel. After she almost got caught by the priests when she secretly visited the sanctum to talk to the God of Fate, she had a blasphemous thought; would it not be better to steal the God statue?
Heavy snow poured once again on the last day of winter. And despite their familiarity with snow, even the citizens of Dandelion irritably spat out complaints of the unusually heavy snow.
"Milady! Come out!"
At a small inn, on the outskirts of Dandelion, Demian came to Lara.
It was the first day of spring, and Lara was in the middle of enjoying her long-awaited relaxation time. The innkeeper hummed to himself and hung a white cloth embroidered with petals at the entrance.
Demian entered the inn wearing simple leather armor instead of a long cloak and flopped down next to Lara.
"What's wrong?"
Lara asked. Demain's face was a little stiff. From what others see, he had a face that was as indifferent as usual, but Lara recognized the subtle difference. She whispered to him.
"What happened?"
"It seems that the black sorcerers have begun to show their faces."
"Oh…"
It was expected, but still, Lara did not feel good. The fact that the black sorcerers began to show off their strength and power after having been hiding in the dark meant they were being ordered by the demons.
"But they won't be able to cause any accidents as they wish. The fact that they still have to walk on eggshells around the Gods has not changed."
Tarragon was a country with a very well-developed communication system connected along borders and important bases. In addition to military carrier pigeons, many other sorcerers were also secretly dispatched, just like how Acerus contacted Demian when he was in Hautean. So the Emperor was able to receive reports on what was happening in the provinces faster than anyone else.
"They're building a base."
The black sorcerers were gathering power. It was a process in which demon worshippers gathered and became troops, led by a powerful black sorcerer.
"So, they're preparing for war."
Lara muttered.
In Lara's previous life, the black sorcerers had built a base nearby Hautean. But it was a long time later from the current point in time. Back then, no avalanche had occurred because Acerus did not go to subdue Lilith, and the God of Fate did not even appear.
Acerus said Lillith looked very satisfied even though she was dying. Perhaps it was because she expected all of this. As the demons incited by Lilith began to put their hands out on this land, the clock of war ticked ever so faster. And should it be held true, Tarragon needed to prepare for it as well.
The Emperor took the imperial army and began a major reorganization. Training methods and weapons had also changed. At the last minute, the Emperor might have to deal with demons himself, so he had to use a completely different tactic.
Lara thought about something else.
"We have to keep the order."
"What order?"
"We mustn't let the demons take advantage of God's mistake. Instead, we must follow the order of God punishing the demons for their wrongdoings. If things go wrong, the clock of war will be out of control."
"I see."
"Lilith's words of how hostile the Gods are have been weighing on my mind. I don't want the demons to provoke the Gods…"
The gate had been opened, and it was impossible to block it now. The humans were stuck in the war between demons and Gods, and in order for them not to be used and abandoned, it was necessary to imprint themselves as the subject of this fight.
"We must be the first to strike."
"We have to hit'em first."
Lara and Demian said so at the same time, smiling briefly at each other shortly after. Then, Demian held Lara's hand and kissed the back of her hand.
"We can attack first with only the human army, and without the power of God or saintess. To let the demons know that their opponent is us, and to warn the Gods not to meddle in."
"Did you read my mind?"
"I have always been listening to your mind."
Demian smiled and got up. He was confident. Demian could unquestionably stand up to real demons, for him, demon worshippers were not such great enemies,
"I'm going to only take the Barbarians this time."
"Okay."
"I should ask your mother for help."
Various preparations were needed to move quickly. Rather than the Emperor of Tarragon, Demian decided to go to Isadora.
"I need to pack my luggage too."
Lara followed suit and got up. Demian asked where she was going but she reassured him by only saying not to worry.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
Due to the possibility of the Gods' being hostile, someone was needed to soothe them. Lara thought that was the role that the God of Fate wanted from her.
Deep in the night, Lara appeared in front of the sanctum, wearing a long robe. Even though it was late, the front of the sanctum was crowded.
It was spectacular. The snow had stopped, and the sky was full of stars, illuminating the dark night. Down on the ground, countless people had filled the air with lanterns. Lara moved slowly between them and approached the sanctum.
Then, someone appeared and gently blocked her.
"Lady Lara."
He was the knight of the Emperor.
"Where is he?"
"His majesty is in front of the sanctum."
After parting from Demian, Lara sent a message to the Emperor.
Isn't this enough now? If Your Imperial Majesty intends to abandon the Temple of Glory, it is better to just give it to me.
The Emperor sent Lara an answer and told her to meet him in front of the sanctum.
"Welcome."
The Emperor reached out his hand in front of the sanctum. When she saw him dressed up like an ordinary old man, Lara smiled.
"You really look like your son."
"Is that an insult?"
The Emperor was displeased, but gave a light laugh all the same. Lara held his hand and made a big turn around the sanctum. The knights skillfully moved and protected the surroundings so that their conversations would not leak out.
"What are you planning to do by getting a hold of the temple? These guys are no longer the servants of God. They're just crazy about gold, meat, liquor, and pleasure."
"I know."
"There's no more hope for them."
The Emperor despised the Temple of Glory.
"Did you know what happened recently? A child told a little lie in a rural village. He was a child whose parents had died an early death and was hungry for love. It seemed that he did so because he got attention when he lied."
"Keep going."
"The child lied about there having been demonic beasts appearing in the forest. The villagers became tired after being deceived several times by his excessive lies. So, they sent him to the Temple of Glory. They told the temple to punish him."
"Then what happened?"
"They cut his tongue."
After having been leisurely walking while holding the Emperor's hand, Lara stopped walking. Then, the Emperor gave her a little force and pulled her hand. Then, they continued to walk leisurely.
"They said that, if the child's parents offered some money, they would not punish him. Rather, he would be blessed under the pretext of guidance. But because the child was a poor orphan, there was nothing he could offer to the temple."
"How old was he?"
"11 years old."
It was such a young kid. Lara identified with the Emperor's loath for the temple. She also understood the hearts of the villagers who became tired of the child's lies. But the child could have sufficiently been set on the right path with discipline and guidance, she could not believe that the child was punished like that. Who in the world gave them such authority?
"It was when I ascended the throne. I was energetic and thought that I could tear up the temple and embrace it. So I suggested that the High Priest come to my coronation and give me a congratulatory speech."
"Did he refuse?"
"The High Priest asked for the Temple of Glory in Dandelion. He wanted me to let him announce the temple as the land of God. But he would only write his name on the documents. He said he would hand it over to his son later."
She understood why the High Priest wanted to have the land of God. What he wanted was not land to devote to God, but private property in every way.
"So what did you do?"
"I cut off the subsidies to the temple. They are those who belong to God, so they should live as simple as possible. I didn't even give them a single penny."
Then, the Emperor said that they began to demand money from the believers.
Since then, people have had to pay significant sums of money to the temple for their services. Be it to bless a newborn child, perform a funeral for the dead, light a candle in the prayer room, or to receive guidance from a priest.
"I have known from the get-go that the Gods had already left this land. Unless it was an evil God, no God would ever consider such priests as their children."
"Your Imperial Majesty."
"I hate the Temple of Glory."
The Emperor said. While they were talking, Lara and the Emperor had already finished touring the perimeter of the sanctum and were walking towards the crowded entrance again.
"So do I."
Lara said.
"What?"
"There is probably no one in this world who hates the Temple of Glory more than I do."
Lara was smiling sharply. Her scarlet eyes that were exposed outside the robe had gleamed with the torches. Throughout her two lives, she deeply felt how greedy and selfish the temple was.
"I'm not a saintess chosen to serve the temple or to boost their glory."
Rather, she was a saintess chosen to point out their faults and dig up their sins.
"Your Imperial Majesty, please allow me to turn the temple over."
Lara's voice was very cold. Her eyes were distant and her tone was firm. Although she knew that the person she was talking to was the Emperor who commanded the continent, she did not hesitate in the slightest.
The Emperor bowed his head and looked into Lara's eyes. His lips twitched, creating a crooked smile.
"Sure. You're Isadora's daughter after all."
Saying that, the Emperor mentioned how he had forgotten about that fact for a moment and smiled along with Lara.