“Temple Knight Commander, Maguire Donald. Bring Saintess Idledra back to the Main Hall of the Holy See. If anyone obstructs you, they are to be deemed enemies of the Holy See. You are permitted to take action.”
Inside the vast temple, the Statue of the Goddess, representing sacred faith, flickered with her own light.
However, the entire hall felt incredibly gloomy and dim.
Upon the throne of the Main Hall of the Holy See sat a dark shadow whose face could not be seen.
Within those golden eyes flickered an aura of inviolable authority and oppression.
Though this was a sanctuary of light, that figure felt like a misplaced darkness.
Yet, it lacked the typical evil of darkness, feeling more like a manifestation of chaos.
Below him, a knight clad in silver armor knelt on one knee, awaiting orders.
He waited until he fearfully addressed the venerable figure.
“By your command, Great Pope. May the Goddess protect us.”
***
Presently, Maguire, a bearded knight with curly brunette hair, pushed aside innocent bystanders with a cold expression.
He walked straight toward Hailey and the other girl, his face displaying a pious reverence.
In front of everyone, he knelt on one knee before Hailey and thrust his longsword straight into the ground.
The knights behind him followed his lead and knelt in unison.
“Temple Knight Maguire Donald greets the Messenger of the Goddess, the esteemed Saintess Idledra.”
The passersby, who had been curious about the identity of these people, turned pale the moment they heard Maguire’s solemn declaration and observed the silver-haired girl more closely.
The Saintess of the Holy See was actually right next to them just now?
They had thought the Saintess visiting the Market previously was already a blessing akin to an incognito tour, but they never expected her to be right by their side all this time!
People further away watched with curiosity, while those closer were already preparing to kneel alongside the knights.
After all, Maguire’s eyes looked like they were ready to kill someone…
The people of the Empire already respected and loved the Saintess.
With her standing right there, anyone who dared to show a disrespectful attitude would likely be chopped to pieces.
“Everyone, everyone, please don’t be so nervous! There’s no need for such exaggeration… honestly, you don’t have to. Hey, you, quickly go tell everyone to stop!”
‘Really, where did this group of guys come from? They suddenly caused such a huge scene and attracted everyone nearby… what a disaster!’
‘Next, are you guys going to drape a Pope’s robe over my shoulders and mutter some command like “it’s cold, dress warmly”? What a bunch of weirdos.’
Unexpectedly, as soon as Hailey spoke those casual words, Maguire acted as if he had received a direct order.
He stood up, drew his weapon, and brandished it toward the surrounding crowd.
His cold gaze immediately forced the people back.
“The Saintess is merciful and allows you ignorant masses to be exempt from these holy rituals. Now withdraw at once. Do not defile the Saintess’s eyes, otherwise…”
The knights behind him also seemed to receive their commander’s signal, raising their weapons toward the surrounding crowd.
Seeing things escalate, Hailey quickly spoke up to stop them.
Only after the surrounding masses scattered like startled birds did Maguire give his subordinates a look, signaling them to reform their ranks.
He looked silently at Hailey and the black-haired girl protected behind her.
“Maguire Donald is one of the Temple Knight Commanders of the Holy See. He likely belongs to the Pope’s personal faction… in other words, the lapdogs of the Pope and the Holy See.”
Idledra whispered into Hailey’s ear.
However, looking at the man’s cold eyes, Hailey had a feeling he had already heard those words…
Because of the previous order, Maguire did not kneel so excessively again.
He simply gave a slight bow and reached out his hand toward Hailey.
“Mindful of the Pope’s decree, we have come to welcome Saintess Idledra back to the Holy See. This place where commoners live has already begun to stain your purity and holiness.”
For some reason, this guy kept letting words out of his mouth that made people want to punch him.
He possessed a strange sense of superiority, looking down on everyone else.
But watching Maguire’s attitude toward Hailey, it seemed those old men in the Holy See were still unwilling to tell the truth to their most loyal pawns.
‘Poor thing…’
Idledra’s mocking smile was noticed by Maguire.
He gave her a disgusted glance before raising his sword and swinging it violently toward Idledra.
Idledra, who had intended to use magic to deal with these people directly, suddenly froze.
Even the Black Magic that should have surged forth remained stagnant, flickering only at her fingertips.
“How—how dare you! Stop this instant!”
Hailey suddenly stood in front of her, glaring at Maguire with a serious expression.
In the end, the man helplessly lowered his weapon and watched quietly.
Although Hailey had stopped him, if one looked closely, her legs were shaking uncontrollably.
Despite not showing it on her face, she was scared to death inside…
‘That long, sharp thing almost hit my head! My legs feel like jelly right now, I have to keep pretending.’
“Saintess, why do you stop me from executing this insolent person?”
Maguire was somewhat unwilling.
This ignorant woman actually dared to speak rudely to him.
If the Saintess hadn’t suddenly blocked him, he would have chopped her into two pieces long ago.
Perhaps because of the other man’s hesitation, Hailey gained a bit of confidence.
Her tone began to grow firmer, feeling like she could actually bluff her way through this…
‘Since it’s come to this, I’ll just go all out. I’ve watched plenty of historical dramas. He’s just a glorified squad leader; why should I fear his edge?’
“Since you know I am the Saintess, how dare you strike a civilian in my presence? Are you questioning the kindness and mercy of the Goddess?”
“Your subordinate would not dare. However, the fact that this woman offended me is unchangeable. Even you, Saintess, cannot interfere with us to such an extent, can you?”
Maguire’s meaning was clear.
He was going to kill this impudent woman today, even if the Saintess tried to stop him.
At most, he would just accept punishment afterward.
As a Temple Knight Commander of the Holy See, the thing he could least tolerate was someone mocking his status.
Perhaps he was self-conscious of it himself.
However, being called a “lapdog” was undoubtedly trampling on his dignity.
This was something Maguire could not tolerate no matter what.
He had to kill this woman…
Yet, Hailey showed a rare moment of steel, standing firmly in front of Idledra.
She stared coldly and resolutely at the blade in Maguire’s hand, making him grit his teeth in frustration.
Idledra blinked in surprise, then gently wrapped her arm around Hailey’s shoulder.
Leaning against her, she shot a provocative, mocking smile at the knight.
One could even faintly make out even more infuriating words from the shape of Idledra’s lips:
‘See that? I have the gentle, cute, beautiful, kind, and bestest Hailey backing me up. What do you have?’
‘You trash.’
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