Chapter 34 : The Uninvited Guest

“Welcome, High Priest Francis.”

“Might you also be an Apostle of the Wise Tree, Your Highness?”

“No, but I too hold reverence for the Goddess.”

“Oh! Such devotion! I suppose I must learn this mindset from Your Highness, haha!”

His friendly demeanor and tone.

That was Glenn’s first impression of High Priest Francis.

If it weren’t for the fact that he was an imperial priest, one might even consider him affable.

Throughout the unusual greetings exchanged, the priest’s actions remained consistently gentle and courteous.

… Almost as if he were acting.

“This is silver tip tea, a rare kind. Haha, I hope it pleases you.”

“Wow, thanks to you, Priest, I’m receiving such a precious treat.”

Silver tip tea—a single packet costs over twenty gold coins, making it extraordinarily expensive.

It’s said that drinking it regularly clears the mind and strengthens vitality.

… Even a high priest would have this?

Though Glenn smiled on the outside, a flicker of suspicion began to stir within.

After savoring the tea for a moment, Francis, still wearing a pleasant smile, broached the main topic.

“By the way—who would have thought that the heir of such a steadfast ally would come to these distant lands.”

Glenn’s eyes twitched slightly at the mention of a steadfast ally.

“I came here on official business. But, as you can see, the city’s situation is quite chaotic.”

“I share your concern. Ah, may I ask if you have business at the royal palace?”

“Yes. Thanks to that, I find myself in a difficult situation as well.”

“Hmm—the royal palace, you say. How curious. Lepent and Ariane have been historic enemies, haven’t they? For Your Highness to visit personally…”

… That fellow, huh?

Glenn merely smiled faintly and spoke.

“Ah, forgive me. This one just couldn’t hold back his curiosity, haha.”

“I too have been entrusted by my father. I hope you understand.”

“Of course, haha. But, speaking of which—if I may say…”

He glanced subtly in this direction.

There aren’t many possible responses in this kind of situation.

“Please, speak freely.”

Once again, a warm smile crossed the middle-aged man’s face.

Skilled—too skilled for a clergyman.

“As Your Highness is well aware, many suffer because of the rising price of grain. You must have witnessed it firsthand?”

“That’s right. The whole city seemed like it was treading on thin ice.”

“Indeed. Innocent lambs endure suffering by the dozens every day. Thinking of their daily struggle honestly—my chest still aches.”

Francis’s eyes grew slightly red with practiced ease.

Glenn’s guard finally sounded an alarm.

“…If I may speak frankly, this is clearly the king’s failure.”

At the sudden blunt remark, Glenn frowned.

… What is he getting at?

“That’s a dangerous statement to make.”

“So what? My empire and the republic are brothers and no different. Isn’t that right?”

Brothers. If his father heard that, he might gag.

Isn’t the relationship between a hunting dog and its master more fitting?

Of course, Glenn kept silent and simply nodded.

The priest’s satisfied smile deepened.

“You see, in that spirit—I ask for your help, Your Highness. In the name of the empire and the republic.”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“There are those who share my will. People we can trust. We cannot just stand by while the citizens of Nier suffer! Our empire and republic must take action. Isn’t that so?”

As Francis’s tone grew more fervent, Glenn detected a familiar scent.

The scent he had smelled countless times during the Riclang period of his past life.

“I intend to change the ruling family of Ariane. Will you assist me? If the empire and republic stand together, we can save these innocent lambs from their suffering!”

He wrapped greed in grand ideals.

It’s hard to believe this is the earnestness of a faithful priest.

Yes, that scent is unmistakable.

The stench of corrupt politicians.

“This sudden proposal is a bit unsettling.”

“Oh dear, I might have gotten carried away. Haha, I did not mean to burden you.”

“Still, there must be some meaning behind your words. What do you think, Your Highness?”

He’s getting to the point.

Such characters are somewhat familiar.

“Write it down. As I said, official duties take precedence. It’s not the time to share my personal thoughts.”

“Consider this. If the owner of the throne changes, would Your Highness still need to have a difficult conversation with the king?”

It’s as if he expects to replace the king at will.

… Does he even know who the king is?

If his past life’s memories are correct, the current king of Ariane is ‘that’ man.

“That may be so, but offering my opinion at this moment feels rather reckless.”

“Hah, is there really a need to get involved in such a clear matter? Doing so… I’m concerned it might stir doubts about the ‘friendship’ between the republic and the empire.”

Now he’s openly threatening.

Glenn smirked slightly.

“I share your concern. But as you know—the republic is still considered ‘in a precarious position.’ There’s no denying the need for careful consideration.”

He deliberately mentioned the precarious position in front of an imperial priest.

Who could be the reason the republic is in such a state?

Francis’s eyes twitched for a moment.

“Hmm, then it can’t be helped. Think it over carefully—and please, do share your thoughts with me.”

“I will, certainly.”

Now Francis no longer wore a friendly smile.

***

The conversation that followed held little substance.

Francis excused himself, citing another guest waiting, and the meeting ended.

Though the words were polite, it was essentially an expulsion order.

Glenn wore an indifferent expression as Nedian greeted him.

“Have you arrived?”

“And the priest?”

“In the prayer room. Ah, he’s coming now.”

The prayer room of the manor was smaller than expected.

Though ornate, it showed little signs of frequent use.

In other words—

“Somewhat suspicious. A high priest would surely have many religious duties.”

“Perhaps he has busier matters.”

“Did you notice something?”

“Not something to discuss here…”

As they were leaving the manor, a group of knights passed by their party.

Among them—a man who looked to be a Nikerba Order Paladin—caught Monica’s eye discreetly.

Several times, Monica’s eyes widened as she quietly stared at the man, who smiled faintly each time he caught her gaze.

“Clemens?”

Then her expression darkened.

“Is that really you? Dio Clemens?”

A voice of disbelief… Monica?

“Cl-Clemens! So it’s really you!”

Surprisingly, Monica the priestess jumped up and approached the man called Clemens.

It was a reunion after a long time—just by looking at them, one could tell.

Their warm reunion lasted for a while.

Watching them, Nedian smiled faintly.

“It looks like you met someone dear.”

“I’ve never seen Monica priestess like that before, haha.”

“My lord?”

Sensing something unusual, Nedian looked at Glenn.

“…Yeah.”

His voice was like ice scraping across skin.

His face was stiffened, his fists clenched so tightly they seemed ready to burst.

Even his hand, raised with the gesture of a casual dance, looked tense.

Glenn’s current state was extremely uneasy.

“My lord, why are you like this?”

“…Huff.”

He exhaled sharply, then his gaze briefly shifted to the ceiling.

“Forgive me, Prince Glenn. It’s been so long since I met an old acquaintance… I never expected a reunion like this.”

“…That’s fortunate.”

“Ah, this is Clemens, Dio Clemens. He’s currently a revered paladin of the Nikerba Order.”

The man called Clemens gave a faint, trembling smile.

“This is my first time meeting one who serves the Wise Tree—Dio Clemens.”

“Greetings.”

There was nothing welcoming about the greeting.

“…Your Highness? Are you feeling unwell? You look pale.”

Monica, noticing Glenn’s markedly different reaction from usual, showed concern.

Seeing his expression, she moved closer with a worried look.

“…I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine at all… My goodness, why are you biting your lips?”

Monica touched Glenn’s face, inspecting his complexion.

To an outsider, the gesture seemed quite familiar and intimate.

Clemens’s eyes twitched as he watched Glenn.

Glenn’s gaze had been fixed on Clemens since their first encounter.

“Do you know him?”

Feeling the tense atmosphere, Nedian quietly approached and asked.

… Know him?

A chuckle escaped Glenn involuntarily.

Not ‘know’—there was no way he could not know that man.

“Yes.”

“Your Highness? Why so…”

“Priest, come here a moment—”

Still unable to grasp the situation, Monica gave a puzzled expression.

To prepare for any eventuality, Nedian moved her behind them.

With a hardened expression, he stepped closer to Glenn.

Clemens, too, began sensing something amiss.

The reason is unknown—but one thing was clear.

That man named Glenn had shown him clear hostility from the very beginning.

Clemens instinctively placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Suddenly, the atmosphere turned icy.

“What’s going on?”

“What’s the matter?”

The knights accompanying Clemens and the members including Nedian gathered without understanding the situation.

Suddenly, a standoff formed between the two groups.

The manor’s staff started to leave with tense expressions.

“…My lord, whatever this is, it’s dangerous here.”

Nedian hurriedly spoke.

But Glenn barely heard him.

He was lost in memories of his past life.

No, rather than memories—it was a nightmare.

How could he forget that face?

How could he forget… that blond paladin?

Glenn let out a long sigh and forced a crooked smile as he walked toward Clemens.

He raised one hand, stopping Nedian and the others from following.

“Excuse me.”

“I mistook you for someone else. It’s good to see you again.”

An outstretched hand—was this a handshake? At a time like this?

“…Yes, good to see you.”

Clemens hesitated but clasped Glenn’s hand.

Yet the strong force behind it made him frown unconsciously.

“…Click.”

“Ron Glenn Lepent, is it?”

“What are you doing—”

Humanity’s last hope.

The anointed one.

The first glorious blade of the Nikerba Order.

“Long time no see, Dio Clemens.”

And the warrior—the man who would be called that in the future.

Dio Clemens of the Nikerba Order.

The paladin who killed Glenn in his previous life.

An intense hatred, as if he were tearing out Glenn’s heart alive, enveloped him.