Chapter 77

#077 The Knight's Honor and the Romance of Middle Age (1)

"His Highness the Duke and Lady Sarnez require a lot of aether, you say?"

I suppressed the sharp words that were about to escape and asked an appropriate question.

Sir Johann Haines nodded.

"Lady Sarnez has absorbed divine matter, so she won't be satisfied with the aether of an ordinary priest. As for His Highness the Duke..."

He made a small gesture in the air.

Then, once again, a transparent, sealed room that enclosed only the four of us was created.

His mint-colored eyes gleamed sharply.

"It's a rather unique case. While it seems that the aether is replenished by the 'Sword of Mars,' I believe there is a fundamental depletion."

"..."

The sharp observation sent a shiver down my spine.

I could feel the air around Prince Cedric grow heavy.

I tried to avoid Sir Haines' gaze and checked on the fallen Sant.

Bengal had hurriedly laid the young priest on a mat and opened a healing circle for 'mental and physical stability.'

It was one of the basic circles that was easy to memorize, so I didn't make any mistakes.

However, while using my healing power on Sant, my mind was working in a complicated way.

As the protagonist of 'Retired Duke' and someone who had taken the munchkin route, it was only natural that Christel, a priest-level cleric, would feel hungry for aether.

But the prince was different.

Though I didn't know the details, he would revert to a child's form when his aether was insufficient.

Even after obtaining the divine sword, he had once come to me as a child.

I thought he wanted divine matter to cure his condition, but it seemed it hadn't been completely resolved.

'Fundamental depletion' might be the most accurate description of his condition.

"When the Duke's new teacher and priest arrive, will the situation improve?"

I asked.

Strictly speaking, Sir Haines and Sant had come as Christel's teachers, not to take charge of the prince's education.

"The Vatican is currently minimizing personnel changes. It's a time when unity is needed as the papal seat is vacant."

Sir Haines said, brushing back his fallen hair.

"Additional teachers are unlikely to be dispatched. And as for the priest, well, it's unlikely that a bishop-level or higher priest would be sent to an unordained holy knight."

I bit my lip.

So, Sir Haines would continue to teach the two, and if a priest did come, it would likely be at the priest level, like Sant.

That would mean another victim.

I looked up at the prince. Our gazes met as if he had been waiting for it.

The reason 'Saidi' hadn't created a priest partner until now was clear.

He was the prince and would become the emperor one day.

The aether depletion that couldn't be cured by divine matter was too big a weakness to easily trust an external priest.

Cardinal Boutier was already the emperor's religious companion, so he couldn't provide aether.

There was a way to form a good archbishop and get a confidentiality pact, but...

"Do you have something to say?"

"..."

Given his personality, it didn't seem like he would easily let anyone close.

'Don't touch it.'

I recalled Saidi's sharp reaction when we first met in the royal confessional.

He was the type who suffered because of his stubbornness. A small sigh escaped me.

"Will the two of you attend the annual prayer meeting this month?"

"Yes."

Christel answered meekly.

The perceptive girl seemed to have noticed the change in my mood.

"By the Emperor's command, you are to find a priest partner there."

"Yes."

She nodded. Sir Haines was looking at us with interest.

I paused for a moment and then declared firmly.

"Until then, I will help with the aether supply."

"Wow, amazing."

Christel hastily covered her mouth with both hands.

Her eyes, as big as marbles, seemed ready to spill over.

The prince's amber eyes also widened slightly, which was rare.

Seeing the two of them so openly delighted, I felt like laughing, but I held it in.

I opened my mouth with as stern a face as possible.

"But there are conditions."

"Speak."

The prince answered immediately. I finally let out the words I had been holding back.

"I can't stand how you treat Father Sant. A holy knight and a priest should have an equal cooperative relationship, not one where one side sacrifices or serves the other unilaterally. Your actions are clearly wrong. Father Sant is enduring pain for your sake, and no matter how difficult it is for you, can you not show more consideration? If you continue like this, no priest will stay by your side."

"That's—"

Christel opened her mouth. Her troubled face suggested she knew her fault.

"Because my aether tank is too empty, I get too sensitive... I'm sorry."

"That's not something to be sorry to me about. When Sant regains consciousness, apologize to him properly."

"Yes."

She answered quickly. I turned my gaze to the prince.

"Make some concessions. Can you do that?"

His eyes narrowed.

"What else do you want?"

"..."

"My safety."

I replied calmly.

Suddenly, I noticed that Ganael was smiling at my serious face.

Despite not knowing what we were talking about, his expression made me feel a bit lighter.

A conversation with a boy a few days ago flashed through my mind.

"I want to believe, but..."

"Then how about giving them a chance?"

...For a short period.

Giving the two a very small chance wouldn't be much of a loss to me. Probably.

"Promise that I won't be threatened in any way, by anyone, while helping with your aether supply."

"I promise."

"There shouldn't be anyone to torment the prince... No, I promise too!"

The two answered quickly. This time, a real laugh escaped me.

This was a 'deal' to ensure my safety in exchange for helping them.

I had taken a step after deep consideration, but the two protagonists agreed without hesitation, which made me feel a bit hollow.

"Interesting. The story of the three of you in the 'Biweekly Liester' wasn't entirely fictional, it seems."

Sir Haines, who had been silently observing us, commented.

I turned to him and frowned slightly.

"Forgive me for being presumptuous, but I think Sir Haines should also reflect."

"Ah, I'm not an exception, then."

"You and Father have come a long way together from the Vatican, haven't you? Aren't you neglecting your colleague? You knew that the Duke's and Lady's attitudes were not ideal."

"I admit it. But it was to gauge how much aether they use and how much they need... Please, just once."

He smiled, his drooping eyes softening. I responded firmly.

"Apologize to Father. How much must he have suffered alone?"

-Tap tap

At that moment, Ganael gently touched my hand.

As I turned my head, I felt the air around me clear.

The moment Sir Haines' sealed room disappeared, a familiar voice echoed in my ear.

"Prince Yeseo..."

"Father, are you alright?"

A sigh of relief escaped me. I carefully examined Sant's round face.

Fortunately, he didn't have a fever or cold sweat, and he seemed to have no dizziness as he quickly sat up.

The aether from the healing circle swirled around him in the form of blue particles.

After blinking a few times, Sant spoke with a bewildered look.

"Did I faint again? I'm sorry."

"No, Father, you have nothing to be sorry about. The three of us are the ones who are wrong."

I consoled him while glancing at the incompetent holy knights. Sant looked bewildered.

"I will continue to observe the lessons for a while. I will also help with the aether supply."

"Wa, Prince Yeseo..."

The young priest seemed overwhelmed with emotion and quickly looked like he was about to cry.

I gave a wry smile and patted his shoulder a few times.

During my military service, a twenty-year-old recruit had asked for potato chips, so I bought him a bag.

To make sure he could eat comfortably without other senior soldiers noticing, I stayed by his side. Midway through, the recruit suddenly started crying.

When I asked if it was because of me, he said, "I didn't expect you to be so nice" and cried, missing his family.

Seeing the sobbing Sant, I couldn't help but think of that recruit and felt a bit concerned.

It had been over a year since we last talked. I hoped he was doing well.

"First, Lady Sarnez has something to say to you."

I said.

Sant, who was fumbling with the handkerchief I had lent him, looked up in surprise at her.

Christel was approaching with a very apologetic and embarrassed look.

She was about my age, but perhaps because she was possessed by a nineteen-year-old, she often showed a childlike, innocent face.

"Father, I'm sorry. I got too sensitive..."

Christel spoke slowly. Despite her apology, it was a good sight.

A refreshing northern wind swept through her pink hair and everyone's clothes.

Bengal smiled gently and poured a cup of licorice tea for Sant.

His tear marks slowly dried.

The summer at the palace annex wasn't bad at all.

*

Emperor Frederic, the cardinal, and the prince returned from their summer retreat.

The prince of the Holy Kingdom, who had accompanied them, was also there.

"Was it that good? It must have been. You look like you're grinning from ear to ear. Anyone