“You saw it on the way here, right? How completely different it is! We tore it all down and rebuilt it recently. It seemed like it would make money. Ah, maybe I shouldn’t say that to someone from the temple? Sorry.”
“……”
Van deliberately avoided eye contact, pretending not to hear that apology. However, Seilan, unbothered by that lukewarm reaction, spread his arms as if proud.
“But it really turned out as expected. The talismans went viral and became a huge hit.”
Now they’re even getting reservation inquiries from nobles of other countries, Seilan laughed with a keke.
“I’m going to make Marzen the second Seraphila with this opportunity! Is there a law saying vacations can only be taken by the sea? Mountains are good too. Right?”
You can’t make money by just following what others do. Take note. Seilan’s endless bragging continued with his nose held high. Business is all about…. blah blah blah. Van just nodded his head at the story that showed no signs of stopping. Rowy also nodded his head along from the side.
“So that’s why you specifically told me to go to Marzen with you.”
“That’s different. The Duke-nim needed a reliable protector.”
“Hmph.”
Reliable, my foot. Rowy scoffed. Seilan, naturally ignoring such a Rowy, asked Van.
“So how exactly do you perform this curse-breaking?”
“…First, I think I need to consult with the Head Priest-nim.”
All those belonging to Elysion Temple were prepared for battle against demons. Among them, the Head Priest possessed power specialized in defense against and purification of demonic curses. Since Rowy’s curse seemed more powerful than expected, it would probably be best for the Head Priest to check it directly.
“Hmm.”
Seilan nodded at Van’s explanation. Then he whipped around to look at Rowy.
“But Rowy, did you pay for the curse-breaking service? That’s a special order, so you have to negotiate the price with me.”
“Money-grubber.”
“Yep. Thanks for the compliment?”
“Don’t even know what a compliment is.”
“I think I know better than you.”
Here we go again. Van intervened between the two who were childishly fighting again.
“Then can I meet the Head Priest-nim now?”
“Only if Rowy pays will I let you meet him.”
“…Seilan-nim.”
“…Fine, fine. Follow me.”
Seilan, who had been itching to tease Rowy, reluctantly stood up at Van’s serious voice. The way he naturally led the way looked more familiar with this place than even Van, who was born and raised in the temple. Watching that made him feel strangely off.
‘I did wonder how he knew so much about the Elysion Order…. Come to think of it, he also put the Holy Sword up for auction.’
He still didn’t know which priest had sold the Holy Sword then, and Rowy’s curse wasn’t breaking….
He had thought everything ended with the annihilation of the Archdemon Mammon, but despite the peace they’d had, everything was uncertain again. Van, his expression hardening, gripped Rowy’s hand tightly.
* * *
The place they arrived at following Seilan was a small building located in the very back of the temple.
“I’ll be finishing up work, so let me know when you’re done.”
Whatever kept him so busy, with those words, Seilan scurried back the way they came. Van, who watched his retreating figure for a moment, headed toward the building with Rowy.
“What’s this place for?”
“It’s a prayer room.”
“A prayer room?”
“Yes.”
If the prayer room where they had viewed the Mammon painting earlier was for everyone, this small building was a prayer room prepared for only one person. That is, for the Head Priest. Van, who had steadied his breathing for a moment, pushed open the heavy wooden door with force.
“……”
The door opened, and the first thing visible was a large window filled with the glow of sunset. And in front of it, an old man wearing white priestly robes was kneeling in prayer. To avoid disturbing the prayer, Rowy and Van paused briefly at the doorway. However, the Head Priest, who had sensed their presence first, was already raising his head.
“Mm…? Oh my, Daer!”
“Head Priest-nim.”
The Head Priest, who had spotted a familiar face, quickly rose to his feet.
“Daer, how long has it been!”
Van bent one knee before the Head Priest who had rushed over in one bound and deeply bowed his head.
“Praise Elion.”
The Head Priest, who placed a trembling hand on Van’s head, kept muttering something. It seemed to be a prayer.
“……”
Still stopped at the doorway, Rowy stared blankly at that scene.
‘So that person is the Head Priest.’
The Head Priest was an old man with completely white hair and a face full of wrinkles, but his body was very upright and healthy. He was also quite tall and large-framed, so even with the big-bodied Van beside him, one didn’t think him small. Not knowing that all priests of Elysion received training in preparation for battle against demons, Rowy pointlessly looked down at his own thin body.
“……”
Even while Rowy was lost in such random thoughts, Van was still kneeling before the Head Priest.
‘…So when exactly does that end.’
What, is it some kind of religious ritual? As the incomprehensible act lengthened, Rowy looked at the two with a blank expression. What use is prayer or whatever? Besides, why does he kneel so easily anywhere? I’m his master.
‘Still, it seems like they haven’t met in a while.’
Even with a face full of sulkiness, Rowy, unusually for him, obediently waited for their greeting to finish.
“……”
How much time had passed? Finally, the Head Priest and Van rose to their feet. Rowy quickly approached the two.
“Mm? Ah, I’ve kept a guest standing. Please come here.”
Even seeing Rowy looking at him with a sulky expression, the Head Priest showed a good-natured smile. The Head Priest, who guided the two to a table on one side with that constantly smiling face, personally brewed tea with a tea set brought from somewhere.
“I’m sorry there’s nothing proper to serve. Still, the taste is quite good, isn’t it?”
“…Yeah.”
It really was. Rowy’s expression softened slightly at the tea that was better than expected. Van, who had been taking care of Rowy’s teacup from the side, finally offered a proper greeting toward the Head Priest.
“Have you been well?”
“Haha, as you can see. You went through unnecessary hardship because of me.”
The Head Priest laughed and waved his hands. However, even at such a reaction from the Head Priest, Van only clouded his expression heavily.
“Hardship? That’s preposterous. Rather, I….”
“Now now, enough of that.”
Even though we’re meeting after a long time, you’re still the same. The Head Priest shook his head at Van, who was digging himself into the ground with a gloomy expression.
“So, this believer-nim? You’re not planning to introduce him?”
“Ah….”
The Head Priest’s gaze turned to Rowy again. Before Van could answer, Rowy readily jumped into the conversation as if he’d been waiting.
“Hi. I’m Rowy. Van is my slave, you see.”
“…Pardon?”
The Head Priest asked back, not understanding Rowy’s words at all. However, with those words, Rowy just brought his lips to the teacup again. What on earth does this mean…. The Head Priest looked at Van with a bewildered expression. However, saying only what he wanted to say was just as true for Van.
“If the demon who cast the curse has been annihilated, but the curse still won’t break, what should be done?”
“…What?”
What is this about now? The Head Priest’s face filled with confusion. However, Van, unbothered by the Head Priest’s state, suddenly began pouring out what had happened. Because his desire to quickly check Rowy’s condition had taken precedence. The Head Priest, who had been bewildered at first, gradually changed to a serious expression as Van’s story continued.
“…So you’re saying you encountered a demon summoner who controls Demon Vessels…. And even a mid-level demon. Hmm….”
The Head Priest, who had heard the entire story so far, let out a deep groan. He couldn’t help but worry that demons were still running rampant.
“Were there any other strange incidents?”
“Other than that….”
‘Of course there were many other suspicious incidents….’
But it seemed better to arrange a separate time to discuss that later. Van glanced at Rowy, who was still drinking tea. The Head Priest, understanding Van’s intent, nodded slightly and spoke to Rowy.
“So, you encountered a demon?”
“Yeah. It seems my memory was erased.”
“How long ago was that?”
“About two years?”
“Hmm….”
At those words, the Head Priest’s expression hardened further. Even when the Archdemon Mammon was alive, cases like this weren’t common.
“Then, let me check for a moment.”
The Head Priest raised his hand with a serious expression and brought it to Rowy’s head. And at that moment, an intangible energy began to burrow into Rowy’s mind. Startled, Rowy jumped up.
“What’s this?”
“Ah, you can feel it? Usually, most people don’t notice…. You have sensitive perception. It’s fine. It’s divine power.”
“This is divine power?”
Divine power? Rowy’s eyes widened, never having imagined he would actually be able to feel divine power. However, before Rowy could be surprised, an even stronger divine power began pouring into his body. Rowy, with a hazy expression, obediently closed his eyes.
‘This is the first time I’m feeling this kind of power….’
It was completely different from magic power. How should he put it, the form was a bit more ambiguous, and… a bit warmer. Rowy’s expression gradually relaxed peacefully at the power that burrowed a bit deeper inward than the path magic power took.
“Hmm….”
However, unlike the peaceful Rowy, the Head Priest’s face became increasingly serious. As the examination took longer than expected, Van’s expression also hardened. After examining Rowy for quite a while longer, the Head Priest finally removed his hand from Rowy.
“How is it?”
Van, who had been waiting for the examination to finish with a tense face, asked. However, the Head Priest’s expression still wasn’t good.
“…It’s a stronger curse than expected. This is the first time I’ve seen one since the Archdemon was annihilated.”
“How can that be….”
“We’ll need to prepare a curse-breaking ritual.”
At those words, Van tightly wrapped his arm around Rowy’s shoulders. However, Rowy, who didn’t know exactly what a curse-breaking ritual was, just blinked his eyes.
