Chapter 81

EP.81 Revelation-4

The next day, after the commotion at the temple was mostly settled, Leo and Aine got up early to meet the High Priest.

The paladins and priests continued to debate about Aine, but since the decision ultimately rested with the High Priest after Leo's defeat, they decided to let it pass for now.

"Good morning."

"Yeah, good morning... I guess?"

It was 4:00 AM, a time that was a bit ambiguous to call morning.

"Perhaps it's better to say good early morning."

Without blinking, Aine corrected herself. Her eyes, which lacked any sign of life, were probably not even capable of feeling sleepy, let alone needing sleep.

"Before we go..."

After lightly tidying himself up, Leo helped Aine with her appearance, brushing her hair and smoothing out her gray robe.

"Are you okay?"

"In what way?"

"...Just, overall."

"There's nothing wrong."

Leo smiled wryly at Aine's mechanical response, unsure if it was to avoid causing worry or simply a programmed answer.

"...Sometimes it would be good to express your dissatisfaction..."

"Then marriage..."

"That's on hold."

Leo was worried about Aine's lack of emotion, so he tried to explain feelings like love and affection, or emphasize family and parent-child relationships, but he didn't expect things to turn out this way.

He was ready to provide a dowry and even a house if it came to marriage. He felt like a terrible parent, but that was the point of having a child, wasn't it?

[Do you put up walls even with your own child?]

After a good night's sleep, the Sage had apparently restored his body and was floating around as a spirit. Aine clenched her fists at the sight of the spirit, which was quite commendable.

[No, no, no, no, no!! Stop it! Stop it...!!]

"Aine, I know the spirit is unpleasant, but let's hold back for now."

"Yes, I understand."

Aine retracted her fist, and the spirit, whose lifespan was slightly extended, let out a sigh of relief.

[How do you raise a child like this?!]

<The intelligence design was done by you, Sage.>

The guardian Aine saw when they first visited the Sage's cave, and the Sage himself, had done a terrible job with the intelligence design of the familiar.

[That's how it should be. They listen better when they're stupid.]

It sounded like an even more ridiculous reason when he explained it.

"Aine, give him a good punch."

Unable to tolerate the self-righteous defense, Leonardo allowed Aine to deliver a righteous punch.

"Yes, Father."

Crack!

Throughout his life, Leo had only heard the sound of a punch as "crack" when it came from Aria. Genetics can't be denied, can they?

[...This... This is filial impiety...]

"Knight Leo! Lady Aine!"

Leaving the spirit in tatters, two angels with beautiful wings walked over. Lumen, a candidate for sainthood, seemed to have had a deep sleep and greeted them with a beautiful smile, while Angelica, the angel, was horrified by Aine's gaze.

{L... Lumen...!! Destroy that impious and evil being!!}

The former saint and current angel, who had taken a few hits, was capable of making such ugly remarks.

"I'm sorry, but destroying Lady Aine would go against the decisions of the Magic Tower and the Temple, so I cannot do it, Lady Saint."

{Your smile lacks persuasiveness, Lumen.}

"I'm disappointed that my sincerity isn't conveyed."

Looking at Lumen, one could see that she had a human side. Despite this, she didn't ask Aine to hit her again, which made her seem more virtuous.

"Father Lumen. If you wish for the temporary destruction of the angel, you can ask."

At Aine's sweet offer, Lumen's smile froze for a moment. After only 5 seconds of hesitation, she replied.

"......It's fine."

{Why did you hesitate for 5 seconds?}

[Why not?]

The Sage, who had partially restored his body, couldn't even distinguish friend from foe and was making dog-like noises.

{You are the root of all evil!! Why did you create such a thing...!!}

[Hey...! Don't hit where it hurts!! Don't hit... Gah...!!]

Normally, they would have been evenly matched, but with Aine's punch, the Sage's spirit was damaged, and he couldn't win in battle. Watching the Sage become the punching bag of the saint, Aine asked:

"Should I help?"

"There's no need. Do you want to?"

"No."

"Then don't help."

Lumen seemed to agree implicitly and nodded. The fresh scenery and sounds of the early morning seemed to calm and soothe their spirits.

"Let's go see the High Priest."

"Wait? What about Lady Ariasfil?"

"Considering the doctrines and regulations of the temple, it's better not to bring her for now."

Given Aria's reaction so far, the conditions set by the Magic Tower, and the doctrines of the temple itself, it was necessary to reduce the variables.

Choosing the early morning was also for this reason.

Thinking about the arguments to be made, it might be better if Ariasfil didn't hear them.

"...That's what I mean, Aria."

A sudden eerie feeling washed over him. It wasn't just because Aine's response didn't fit the context; the grip on his shoulder was causing pain in his trapezius muscle, which was terrifying.

"Good m... morning..."

Turning around slowly, he saw a young lady who wanted to be a smiling mother.

"Is it a good morning?"

"...No... Good early morning..."

"What's good about it? Are you that happy to go without me?"

Crack

"Kyaahh!!"

A crack sounded from his shoulder. This was definitely a fracture. He felt like his muscles were torn too.

At that moment, he was certain. These two were definitely mother and daughter.

***

"Are you okay? Knight Leo?"

"...Yes..."

Lumen, treating Leo's dislocated shoulder with holy magic, and Leo, trying to regain his strength while his shoulder was being reset.

"Aria, calm down. Your father didn't isolate your mother because he disliked her."

"..."

Aria glanced at Aine's expression, which, even as a human, was very indifferent. However, it was so similar to Leonardo's childhood photos that it made her even cuter and more lovable.

"Our daughter is so well-behaved! It's okay! It's okay!! Mom is not angry anymore!!"

Unable to resist the indifferent cuteness, Aria hugged and rubbed Aine's face and body.

"You look like your sister. And you look like your father, who is going to marry your sister."

It was unclear if Aine was aware of the enormity of what she had just said with her expressionless face.

"Our daughter is such a good girl! A good girl!! I need to become a mother quickly!!"

I wish she would consider my embarrassment a little. Very much.

"First... calm down. I'll explain."

Even as Leo tried to gently pull Aine away, he couldn't overcome Aria's soft arms and legs.

"Explain. Our child is listening."

[You're really enjoying this.]

You should shut up. You're the root of all this, no need to point it out.

"Lady Aria feeling maternal towards Aine is fine. I feel the same way."

"...But you reject marriage?"

"...But you reject marriage."

They were so identical, it was both cute and annoying. As a result, only I suffered.

"The issue is that the temple's doctrine denies the treatment of 'artificially created beings with the same intelligence as humans.'"

The essence of religion was 'human morality.' Since the concept of morality often superseded laws and status, the status of religion could only be elevated.

And Aine's existence was touching on 'humanity' itself, beyond just 'morality.'

"...But..."

Ariasfil could imagine the dilemma Aine faced.

If Aine were recognized as an intelligent being, she wouldn't be a dissection subject at the Magic Tower, but she would certainly be executed by the temple's inquisitors.

On the other hand, if she weren't recognized, it would invalidate the arguments so far and strengthen the opposition against Aine.

"...That's why I hesitated to ask Lady Aria, who emphasizes maternal love, to come along."

This would make Aria's position as a hero unstable and make the conclusion about Aine seem biased.

"..."

After a moment of thought, Aria spoke.

"Your father loves Aine a lot."

"...Why do you interpret it that way?"

Aria looked at Aine and Leo with a warm smile. It wasn't seductive or alluring, but a gentle warmth radiated from her.

"Leo always takes on important matters alone. But he's strict with himself."

"That's true. You really are Lady Aria."

Hearing them say that, it felt different. Maybe that's how they saw him.

"I appreciate your concern. But let's think about it together."

"...I don't want to be a burden..."

"Let's think about it together. Not just for you, but for me too. It's frustrating to not be able to do anything when there's something I can do."

...I didn't expect to receive such a critique from Aria. I knew my feelings best, but Aria was continuously thinking and sharing them.

"...I need to reflect. You're right, Lady Aria."

"Good? If you reflect, then marriage..."

"That's on hold."

Aria's expression turned cold at his words. He had planned this from the start.

"...Is your father a scoundrel?"

It hit home. It definitely hit home. Otherwise, this pain wouldn't exist.

"No. Aine, your father is very healthy. In many ways."

Ariasfil said this with a meaningful expression and tone, followed by a benevolent smile.

I appreciate the defense, but is it just me who finds it hard to respond to such a defense?

"...We're already late for the promised time. It's better to go. I don't think the High Priest will be too harsh."

Lumen, perhaps finding the mix of family love and desire strange, tried to defuse the situation.

"That's true. Let's go quickly."

"Yes, Father."

"Good, Aine, my daughter."

The explanations he had given seemed to vanish like bubbles, but he didn't say anything. It was a pity, but it was beautiful in its own way.

"Who is the High Priest?"

Aine, perhaps trying to gather information and think of a strategy, asked.

"Hmm... The High Priest is one of the more radical among the past High Priests."

As he said, the current High Priest, despite being well over eighty, was a radical reformer.

He didn't force proselytizing and made it easier for people to freely choose and change their religion, all thanks to the current High Priest's reform efforts.

[Surprisingly? Not all priests are bigots?]

{Is that for you to say?}

Ignoring the continuing sound of blows, Leo and his party headed to the center of the temple.

"You've arrived. Good morning."

High Priest Pietas Indulgentia greeted them with a kind smile. Despite his advanced age, he had come to the door to welcome them, showing his benevolence and consideration.

"Hello, High Priest."

"I've heard a lot. You must be Lady Aine."

"Hello, High Priest."

Aine greeted him in the same tone and expression as Leo, almost as if she were mimicking him.

"May I have a moment alone with Lady Aine, if it's not too much trouble?"

"Wait? That