"Father doesn't matter. And if Father says something, I have things to say in return."
"Things to say in return?"
"Yes. Father said before, books should be shared and read with as many people as possible, only then this world won't be so ignorant…"
At those words, Decker burst into laughter.
"That sounds like something Sir Raphelt would say. Hahahaha!"
"So… it's alright. Ah, of course, under the condition that Sir Donovan is willing…"
"Of course I am willing! I could only buy three books in Zyro. Books are quite expensive, you see."
For a moment, Dorothea almost blurted out, 'why didn't you have money for books?' because she heard that the amount Carlyle paid to Pervaz was enormous.
Then suddenly, she remembered that even the young lord Asha did not waste a single penny of the money Carlyle gave.
'They say Her Excellency used all the money and supplies she received solely for the recovery of the territory…'
But wouldn't Decker, who hadn't received proper compensation for his hardship, be dissatisfied with Asha's decision?
"Did Countess Pervaz demand sacrifices from even Sir Donovan?"
Dorothea asked with a firm expression, knowing it was a slightly disrespectful question.
However, Decker showed no signs of displeasure or agreement, and simply waved his hand.
"Asha tried her best to compensate the war-torn soldiers. We were the ones who refused."
"We, you mean…?"
"The soldiers of the Pervaz army. We are content as long as we have food and shelter."
"What? But wouldn't some of them have families?"
"The money Asha poured in was precisely for those 'families'. If we make some concessions, we can use that money to do something better for our 'families'."
Dorothea felt her common sense about humans crumble.
These gruff but righteous and deep-hearted people cared more for their neighbors and the lord than for their own personal desires, and the lord, Asha Pervaz, was putting everything on the line to save this land.
And Decker Donovan, despite his unruly and fierce appearance, was dedicated, balanced, and loyal.
The way they joined forces to raise the territory resembled a utopia from a book.
"…I didn't mean to insult the Countess."
"I know. We have a knack for recognizing remarks that aren't meant to insult us. Hahahaha!"
Decker laughed heartily and then slowly stepped back.
"Well then, it seems I've interrupted the young lady's precious reading time."
"Oh! I, I should be the one leaving. Isn't this Sir Donovan's hideout?"
"It wasn't staked out yet. So whoever arrives first is the master. Oh! Please put the books you would lend me in here."
He said, lifting a stone slab on the floor of one side of the balcony. There was a space hidden underneath, just the right size to put something.
"I will."
"I'm already excited. Should I read this book soon?"
Dorothea smiled at Decker, who was humming in a good mood, and then hesitated and muttered.
"I… If my father comes looking for me…"
"Don't worry. I have that much sense. I just picked up a pocket watch that didn't belong to anyone while patrolling the castle. Of course, I won't tell anyone about that either."
He winked and turned away.
"Hmm. The weather is nice."
And then he disappeared into the distance, as if he were really on patrol. It was a farewell without even a greeting.
Dorothea, who had been watching his back, smiled quietly.
'I'm glad I brought a few detective novels.'
She opened the book again.
The events between Mala and Edmund felt a little more ticklish.
***
Clang
The gates of Pervaz swung open, allowing the procession of guests to enter.
But no one cheered.
Of course, the person stepping down from the white and sturdy carriage didn't pay any attention to such facts.
"May the blessings of the divine be with His Highness. Gabriel Knox presents himself to Prince Carlyle Evaristo."
Gabriel, the High Priest, had arrived at Pervaz to bestow his blessings upon Carlyle and Asha.
Perhaps due to the cloudy weather, his silvery hair seemed to blend with the clouds in the sky.
"Seems the busy High Priest is suffering because of Her Majesty's needless worries."
"Needless worries? What could be more important than the birth of a royal heir?"
"Many things come to mind, but let's start with not harming a perfectly healthy prince, shall we?"
Carlyle grinned, even folding his eyes.
But Gabriel wasn't the type to be shaken by such an attack.
"I haven't heard any rumors about harming a healthy prince in the palace."
He replied with a gentle smile, causing everyone around them to hold their breath.
Only Carlyle and Gabriel seemed to be exchanging gleeful glances as if they were overjoyed to see each other. But the rest felt as if the winter of Pervaz had arrived a month early.
It was Asha, Countess Pervaz, who ended this icy standoff.
"You've traveled a long way, High Priest. Welcome to Pervaz. We met at the wedding ceremony, but let me greet you again. I'm Asha Pervaz, the lord of Pervaz."
"Oh! Your Highness, forgive my belated greeting. May the goddess of love, Aphodelis, bless you."
"Aphodelis may visit Pervaz later than other gods, but anyway… Please come in."
With exchanged glances between Carlyle and Asha, Gabriel and his entourage were led into the castle.
Gabriel's quarters were on the second floor of the guest wing, and Asha escorted him.
"There are many shortcomings in this old castle, but please understand."
"Actually, it's more splendid than I imagined. I heard everything was scarce due to the long war."
"Prince Carlyle brought Pervaz back to life."
"I've heard a lot about it. But if it weren't for the courage of Countess Pervaz, Prince Carlyle wouldn't have come to Pervaz either…"
Gabriel glanced briefly at Carlyle in the distance, then turned back with a smile as beautiful as an angel.
"I believe it was Countess Pervaz who brought Pervaz back to life."
But Asha didn't respond more than a polite smile, as she could interpret various meanings hidden in his words.
'He may package it as courage, but he probably thinks I've done something foolish.'
She still remembered the look Gabriel had given her and Carlyle during the wedding ceremony.
The people of Pervaz were quick to pick up on an atmosphere of contempt.
'This praise must be a trick to sow discord between me and His Highness Carlyle.'
But there was no need to show that she had already seen through his intentions.
"Thank you for thinking so. You must be exhausted from the travel fatigue, so please rest well and I will see you at dinner."
"Thank you for your consideration. I will see you at dinner."
They exchanged a few more words and then parted ways.
Asha immediately met with Carlyle and whispered,
"There was nothing strange until I entered the room."
"He wouldn't have started his tricks already, would he?"
"No, he did. He tried to raise my status and sow discord between you and me."
"He seems to be in a hurry."
Carlyle asked, poking Asha in the side.
"Did he use a beauty trap?"
"A beauty trap?"
Asha looked at Carlyle as if to ask what he meant, and Carlyle smiled with a playful face.
"Is there a law that only women can use beauty traps? Men can use them too. Why do you think the High Priest's prayer room is overflowing with believers?"
"Ah, no, I know that, but… why would the High Priest use a beauty trap on me? What good would it do him to have a woman like me attached to him?"
Carlyle's smile stopped at that.
"Why do you say that?"
"Yes? Did I… say something wrong?"
"Yes, you did. A lot."
He walked away with a stern face.
Asha, left behind without hearing an explanation, scratched her cheek, unable to understand Carlyle's reaction.
***
There was an oddly uncomfortable atmosphere hanging over the table where Gabriel sat.
It was only natural for the Carlyle side to feel uncomfortable with him being there as a spy, but the people of Pervaz were also not excited or flustered by the arrival of the High Priest.
It was true that the state religion of the Chad Empire was Elaheism, but Pervaz was a place that had been thoroughly alienated from even religion, so there was no respect for the High Priest.
Gabriel also felt the atmosphere.
'This is a place that deserves divine punishment. How dare they be so indifferent when a servant of God has visited…?'
Gabriel offered a prayer of thanks for the food specially prepared for him, while inwardly looking down on Pervaz.
He believed that they had been suffering from the invasion of the barbarians for 28 years because they had not built a single temple, because their faith was weak, and because they did not follow the word of God at all.
"But… ."
As Carlyle's voice rang out over the quiet table, Gabriel turned his head towards him with a silent smile.
"What exactly is the blessing of conception, High Priest?"