Chapter 50
The private audience with Calipe Ophensa, whom I’d only heard of through rumors, was steeped in frigid tension.
“Yes. I hear you have matters to discuss regarding the blessing ceremony.”
“Indeed.”
High Priest William, who had just exchanged his first greetings with her, found himself instinctively tense. Though her icy demeanor contrasted sharply with her notorious image as a capricious troublemaker, that wasn’t the only surprise…
‘How did she know the exact time I’d return to the temple?’
He hadn’t even announced his arrival.
‘Could she truly be using black magic, as Marquis Kaiman claimed?!’
Suspicion bloomed in William’s mind.
He had considered himself no better than a sinner since accepting Kaiman’s “request.” But if the Marquis’s accusations held truth, the situation shifted entirely.
“I’m honored you’ll personally bless my marriage and select an auspicious date, Your Eminence.”
“Haha… No, the privilege is mine to oversee the Ophensa family’s blessing ceremony.”
“It would be extraordinary if the Saint himself blessed my ceremony too.”
Saints rarely manifested except for royal events or those honoring great deeds. To receive a Saint’s blessing was the highest honor for any house.
Especially here, at the Reparatio Grand Temple, where the Saints were unique.
“The Saints here are said to wield hereditary supernatural abilities. History records one identifying the would-be assassin of a past emperor in an instant.”
“Speaking of which, Your Eminence—”
“Ah, forgive me—I’ve yet to serve you tea.”
William awkwardly laughed, cutting her off.
“Might I offer you my favorite blend?”
Calipe’s brow twitched faintly before she nodded.
“I look forward to it. Thank you.”
“Please wait a moment.”
Rising, William turned his back to her as he approached the tea set.
‘If corrupted magic taints her, this tea will reveal it.’
His trembling hand swirled the liquid, holy energy dissolving into the tea like particles. He offered her a cup.
“Brewed from leaves cultivated solely within the temple. I hope it suits your taste.”
“Thank you. The aroma is delightful.”
Calipe inhaled the scent before sipping slowly. William watched her every movement without blinking, each motion stretched taut in his perception.
When she finally set the cup down—
“…!”
The once-clear emerald tea had clouded—a faint change detectable only through scrutiny.
‘The Marquis spoke true!’
William’s shocked gaze snapped upward—and froze.
Calipe was staring at him, unblinking.
‘Did she anticipate everything?!’
But her focus lay on the quest window floating before the priest’s face:
[Emergency Quest!]
[Rescue the abducted ‘Noah’.]
[Rewards: Noah’s survival, Noah’s friendship acquired]
[Time remaining: 00:29:58]
Calipe’s expression hardened into bestial ferocity.
“What… is this?”
Her sudden growl, at odds with her beauty, radiated menace—as though she might trample everything in sight. The terrified High Priest shrank back.
“K-killing me here won’t benefit your lady!”
He recoiled as Calipe surged to her feet.
“I don’t know what scheme brings you to the temple, but I’ll never—”
The reception hall doors burst open.
Reinan and Mikhail stormed in, trailed by holy knights.
“Grandfather! Disaster—a monster’s appeared!”
Reinan stepped forward, voice steady.
“A monster infiltrated the temple. It abducted a child before vanishing. We request aid to pursue it.”
“What?!”
A monster in the heart of the Holy Capital’s temple?!
William trembled with fear and fury toward Calipe.
“Was this your design?”
“What?”
“You won’t escape! Seize her!”
As William grabbed the summoning bell’s rope, Calipe moved first—
“Halt!”
Thwack!
Her palm struck his throat.
Thud.
The High Priest crumpled like a ragdoll. Knights reached for their swords—
“How d—”
Reinan spun, scabbard flashing.
Thud! Thud!
Pressure points struck, knights collapsed. An acolyte outside fell to his flung scabbard. Retrieving it, Reinan sighed.
“We’ll get no aid here now. What did you do, Calipe?”
“My fault? You’re the reason we’re suspected!”
Unfair, yet undeniable.
“Regardless, we must hurry. The monster took Noah.”
“Then let’s—”
Reinan blocked Calipe’s charge.
“If the temple discovers this scene, chaos follows. We need someone to stall.”
Their gazes turned to Mikhail.
The boy gaped at the sudden criminals before him.
“Help you? After assaulting my grandfather? Criminals!”
“…No choice then.”
As Reinan raised his scabbard, Calipe intervened.
“Let me.”
She gripped Mikhail’s chin, forcing his gaze up.
“Hide what happened here. You’re already complicit.”
“Why would I be?!”
“Refuse, and Noah gets devoured while we delay.”
“That’s—! Don’t manipulate me!”
“No manipulation.”
Her voice chilled, but her eyes blazed. Mikhail realized she was restraining volcanic fury.
“Without your help, Noah dies. Choose.”
“I—I want to save him too! This is the temple’s respon—”
“You caused this?!”
Calipe’s roar silenced him.
Noah wouldn’t wander off unannounced. The boy’s involvement clicked. Her composure cracked—
A hand settled on her shoulder.
Reinan’s calm pressure steadied her. She inhaled, noticing Mikhail’s tearful pallor.
‘What am I doing?’
Kneeling, she met his eyes.
“Temple procedures will waste time. Help us act now.”
“…….”
“Only you can do this. For Noah.”
Mikhail’s defiance wavered. He hung his head.
“S-sorry. My fault…”
“Apologize to Noah later.”
“……Okay.”
The boy wiped his sleeve across his face and flung open a window.
“This exit avoids guards. But how will you track the monster?”
“Worry not. I was once a holy knight.”
Reinan patted his head, then hauled Calipe over the sill. Their desperate sprint began—
“There!”
Calipe pointed upward.
A wolf radiating malice loomed on a rooftop, massive jaws clamped around an unconscious child.
“Noah!”
