With this, the Peyton Countess completely fell from grace, and Viviana plummeted into the abyss, ridiculed by all of society.
The emperor, who had lost his beloved mistress, tried to soothe his heart with alcohol and even snapped at Beatrice.
"How could you keep this from me, that I am infertile?!"
However, Beatrice skillfully appeased the emperor.
"Your Majesty is a majestic and perfect emperor as you are. I didn't dare mention such a trivial matter for fear that it would dampen your spirits."
"Even so…!"
"And if this fact were to be known to the outside world, it is clear how those humans who love to poke fun would hurt Your Majesty. How could I have easily told you?"
The emperor was convinced by her words.
In fact, what he was most concerned about this time was the rumors in society.
'Surely there will be those who will shamelessly mock me.'
He sighed.
In the end, he swallowed his bitter feelings and drank more alcohol.
***
'The Empress has completely thrown out Viviana Lowry.'
Gabriel smirked as he received the news that Viviana had been barely saved but kicked out.
Viviana was not a threat anyway, but it was not right to just leave something annoying and dirty alone.
'Then I must also return with results that will satisfy Her Majesty the Empress.'
The annulment of Carlyle and Asha's marriage is a failure.
The relationship between the two was stronger than expected, and they were in a real marital relationship.
Asha Pervaz, who he thought would have sold her self-respect for money, was actually a sincere and upright person, and Carlyle, who he thought would have crushed her with money and power, was surprisingly considerate of his wife.
There were too many witnesses to deny it, so the plan had to be scrapped.
'But that's not bad in itself. There's talk that Asha Pervaz could be Carlyle's weakness.'
Carlyle's attitude was surprising when she had only given him a medicinal bath once, and he had come running after her.
Anyway, Gabriel, who had discarded the marriage annulment card from the beginning, had accomplished several important things during his stay at the castle.
It was difficult to avoid people's eyes, but with the help of black magic, it was not impossible.
'Soon… the day of the final battle is approaching. Then the magic circle I planted in this castle will play its role perfectly.'
Gabriel, who was wearing a smug smile, gave the messenger, who had flown a long way without rest, water and millet, and burned the letter he received.
After tidying up the surroundings, he opened his prayer book to offer today's prayer.
"November 30, 883, I offer today's prayer. Today, I will ponder the will of God in the story of Saint Robio."
He traced the lines of the prayer book, which was so tattered from being read so many times.
The page he opened today told the story of Saint Robio Kurobao, who single-handedly defeated the pagans and defended the faith.
…As the pagan army swarmed like a tidal wave, everyone surrendered and abandoned their faith to save their lives. However, the small territory of Kurobao, like a small island in the vast sea, endured the rough waves and kept the name of God…
Isolated by the pagan invasion, the small territory of Kurobao closes its gates and fights to the end.
Lord Robio of Kurobao resisted all the temptations and threats of the pagans and kept his faith to the end, but the food in the isolated territory was running out.
As the people of the territory starved and the situation worsened, Robio prayed earnestly to God.
Take my life and save your poor people. Keep their faith.
Then the voice of God is heard.
Do not be afraid and open the gates and charge at the enemy. I will help you.
Robio leaves his reluctant vassals in the castle and rushes into the heart of the enemy camp with only a sword in his hand.
It seemed like a suicidal act, but God really filled his surroundings with holy power and drove out the pagans and protected Kurobao.
However, Robio, who had exhausted all his strength, smiles at the sight of the liberated Kurobao and closes his eyes. He had sacrificed his life to protect his faith and the people of his fiefdom.
"Sincere faith and self-sacrifice can work miracles. I too believe and follow the word of God…"
As he prayed so calmly, Asha suddenly came to mind.
Asha, who protected this land from a massive number of barbarians, is she perhaps the reincarnation of Saint Rubio?
[We had to pray earnestly for the years that passed.]
[We came to pray whenever there was a gap during the war. Many died, and we had terrible days… but I still believe that God was watching over us.]
Asha's words seemed to ring in his ears again.
She was the one who guarded the lowest part of the empire, and she was the one who was selling herself to revive this land. Just like Saint Rubio.
'Asha Pervaz was really unexpected.'
A woman who personally took up the sword and roamed the battlefield like a demon.
A woman who is stingy with smiles, speaks little, and does not change her expression much.
However, her eyes were clear without a speck of dust, and her voice was noble.
Without realizing that his prayer had stopped, Gabriel was lost in thought about Asha.
He had once drawn a picture of the 'ideal servant of God', and Asha seemed to fit right in there.
'I like it.'
The thought came to him without him realizing it.
It was the first time he had met such a human being in this fallen world.
As soon as he thought about it, he suddenly wanted to see Asha again.
So this is probably curiosity.
Gabriel closed the prayer book and had a servant ask Asha for a meeting. He made up an excuse that he wanted to ask her to purchase medicinal herbs.
'Asha Pervaz won't be able to refuse.'
She knows the spots on my body as a secret of my body and is trying to keep that secret, so she will definitely allow the meeting.
And that prediction came true.
"Did you call for me, High Priest?"
"I apologize for asking for a meeting on a personal matter when you are busy."
"No, I understand."
Once I thought I liked her, the more I saw her, the more I liked her.
TL/N: Ewwww?!?!?
Asha didn't panic or talk nonsense. She spoke concisely but not rudely, neither looking up nor down at her opponent.
"It seems that Lumen only grows in the border area between Pervaz and the Empire. So I would like to purchase as much as possible before I leave for Zyro. Is that possible?"
"I contacted the infirmary and they said they have about 80kg right now. Lumen is an important medicinal herb for us too, so we can't give you a lot, but I think 3kg should be possible."
"How much can I use with that amount?"
"3kg of dried herbs is quite a lot. You can brew the herbal sachet several times, so it will be enough until May next year."
Gabriel wanted to somehow continue his relationship with Asha.
"After that, how will I not be able to get it?"
"Once March comes, we'll also go out to dig for lumens, so we'll probably be able to send it back to you around April or May."
At Asha's answer, Gabriel was sure that she also wanted to keep in touch with him.
'It's better to rely on me than on the fallen prince. She's a wise one.'
He felt proud inside and tried to win Asha's favor again.
"How much does 1kg of lumens cost in Pervaz?"
"The price? It varies a little bit depending on the season, but it's usually around 80 Verona."
"Then I'll pay 5,000 Verona for 3kg of lumens."
"Yes? What are you talking about?"
"I want to show my gratitude, however small it may be. With the remaining money, I ask that you help those who are too poor to pay for medical treatment."
A look of embarrassment came over Asha's face.
"I was going to give it to the High Priest for free in the first place."
"Then please use the 5,000 Verona I'm giving you entirely for those in need."
"I appreciate the sentiment, but…"
"Did His Highness Carlyle tell you not to receive anything from me?"
Gabriel smiled his trademark melancholy smile. It was a very convenient tool that made the beholder feel guilty.
When Asha averted her gaze, Gabriel defended himself.
"It is true that I do not agree with His Highness Carlyle's political views, but my true nature is that of a priest. I have dedicated this body to God and it is my mission to devote myself to helping those who suffer."
"I know that…"
"Please understand my sincerity. Do you really think I would try to curry favor with His Highness Carlyle, who is pouring billions of gold into Pervaz, with a mere 5,000 Verona?"
There was really no ulterior motive to be seen in Gabriel's smile.
Asha finally nodded.
"I see. Then… I will gratefully accept it."
"Please keep this matter a secret. I don't want to upset His Highness Carlyle for no reason."
He didn't give the reason that it might backfire on Asha. That would have been like trying to curry favor.
However, Asha already seemed to understand everything Gabriel had left unsaid, as she smiled faintly.
"Thank you for being so considerate."
The fact that she, who was always expressionless, was smiling made it even more noticeable. It was like eating a bland soup with no spices for the whole week of Lent and then eating a soup with a little salt for the first time.
The salty taste of the little bit of salt was so stimulating…
'Her lips… are pretty.'
He realized for the first time that Asha's lips were pretty. Her plump lower lip looked like it would ooze sweet juice if he pressed it lightly with his fingertips.
TL/N: Brother Ehhh what's that brotha?!!
'…That was a bit of an inappropriate thought just now.'
Gabriel quickly erased it from his mind.