Chapter 23
Muttering softly, Auriel clasped her hands together, attempting to pray.
Yet, her gaze was still fixed on the seat where the man was sitting.
The man seated across from her.
Auriel, sitting opposite him, silently observed him for a moment, gauging his reaction.
Although she had initially planned to visit him, there were plenty of things she wanted to ask.
What was his name?
Why was he wearing a mask indoors?
What brought him to Bennessa?
These were just some of the questions she had intended to ask to break the awkward silence that hung between them.
However, in that moment, Auriel chose to wait for him to speak first.
She was curious to know why he had come to find her, what he intended to say.
And then…
“Let me ask you one thing.”
“W-What is it?”
At last, he spoke.
“Could you die for your god?”
“…Pardon?”
The unexpected subject caught her off guard.
It was such an abrupt and extreme question that Auriel couldn’t help but feel bewildered.
However…
“Is this about our earlier discussion? Well, I don’t mind such debates.”
Believing this to be a continuation of their earlier “religious talk,” Auriel considered her response carefully before answering.
“…Of course. My body is one I’ve sworn to dedicate to Him. If it is His will, I am ready to die for Him without hesitation.”
Auriel responded with confidence.
But…
“What if that god disappoints you? Would you still be willing to sacrifice yourself?”
The man’s tone grew more serious as he asked again.
Auriel felt a twinge of displeasure at the blasphemous undertones of his question but suppressed her feelings to reply.
“That would never happen. God would never disappoint me. Even if there are trials and hardships, they are all challenges He has set for me. If I endure and dedicate everything to Him, I am sure to be rewarded.”
“Even so, when you die, it’s all over. No matter how great a reputation you earn, you’ll be buried in the cold ground, and it will all be meaningless.”
“That is not true. Death is merely a passage. For us, there is the afterlife, is there not? By dedicating my short life to Him, I can enjoy eternal happiness in Heaven. There is nothing to fear.”
The man’s tone, which had been calm earlier, now carried a sharper edge.
Auriel’s tone also grew firmer as she replied.
“And if that’s not possible… No, more importantly, how can you even be sure Heaven or an afterlife exists?”
“B-Because it’s written in the scriptures and taught by His Holiness the Pope…”
“The scriptures and the Pope’s words are merely records and speeches of the living, are they not? No one has ever returned from true death, nor has anyone come back from Heaven. And yet, you’re willing to sacrifice yourself for an uncertain god and an unconfirmed reward?”
As a priestess, Auriel found this deeply offensive.
She raised her voice, her anger evident.
“I can always feel His presence! Every time I pray, every time I perform miracles with Divine Power, I can feel that He is with me! Someone like you, a heretic, could never understand or realize this!”
“…”
“Ah…”
Realizing she had spoken too harshly, Auriel immediately regretted her outburst.
“I… I apologize. I lost my temper…”
“No, it’s fine. It seems I took the wrong approach from the start. This will be faster.”
“Faster…? What do you mean?”
Ignoring her confusion, the man began to get to the point.
And when he was done…
-Slap!
“…”
Auriel’s palm struck the man’s cheek.
The force knocked his mask slightly askew, revealing part of his face—blonde hair and a golden beard.
Despite finally catching a glimpse of the face she had been curious about, Auriel felt no joy or excitement.
Only deep anger.
“…I am disappointed. No matter how much of a heretic you are, how could you say such things?”
“…Sigh…”
Her voice was cold as she expressed her disappointment.
The man adjusted his mask, covering his face once more, and let out a deep sigh.
“I expected you to react this way. That’s why I brought up the topic the way I did.”
“Leave. I don’t wish to see the likes of a vile heretic any longer.”
“As you wish.”
The man rose from his seat without hesitation.
Even as he left, Auriel remained seated, glaring at him with anger.
“Believe it or not, that is your choice. I have no right to dictate your beliefs. But even so, if your mind changes, remember my words.”
“That will never happen!”
Bang!
With those sharp final words, the man left the room.
Left alone, without even learning his name, Auriel covered her trembling face with her hands.
Waves of exhaustion and unresolved emotions washed over her.
And amidst it all, an emptiness gnawed at her heart.
Wiping her reddened eyes with a handkerchief, Auriel whispered to herself.
“Don’t think about it… Words from a heretic I’ve known for less than a day mean nothing. This is all the devil’s work, trying to confuse my heart…”
The now-empty room.
Auriel wiped her tears again, unable to take her eyes off the spot where he had been seated.
***
“W-What? Are you leaving already? I thought you were staying here…”
Bishop Juda expressed his bewilderment, addressing the man in the plague doctor’s outfit.
“My plans have changed. I’ll see you tomorrow at the performance or whatever it is.”
“Ah… I see. Well then, travel safely.”
With that, the man walked out of the hotel.
Watching his retreating figure, the bishop frowned slightly and spoke to the priest beside him.
“Put someone on him. If he seems like he’ll cause trouble, deal with him immediately.”
“Yes, understood.”
The priest disappeared to carry out the order.
Having given his instructions, Bishop Juda turned and walked back into the hotel.
‘Things have gotten a bit complicated… but it’s still manageable. This must be a sign that God has not yet abandoned us… We, who serve His will…’
***
“How was it? Did I do well?”
“Yep, you were amazing, our dear senior. How can someone so young be so sharp?”
“As expected of the Pirate King’s daughter… Quite impressive.”
Returning to the inn, the three voices were filled with cheer.
Arcroyal, who had initially hesitated, eventually agreed to their request.
Although she only agreed to briefly enter the venue disguised as a guard, it was enough to secure a significant advantage for the mission.
“Now, all we need to do is create some chaos at the auction house, draw the Navy’s attention, and grab the valuables inside during the confusion! This could be huge!”
“I do feel a bit sorry for that Navy lady… She was nice…”
“Don’t worry about it! If she knew who we really were, she’d go straight for your neck.”
“That’s true. At this point, pulling off this heist and severing ties is the best option.”
Elkana and Magellan’s words helped Ambasha brush away the slight guilt she felt toward Arcroyal.
For her, the success of the mission—and the praise she would receive from her father—was far more important.
“This… This doesn’t feel right.”
“…What?”
“Huh? What are you talking about, Franklin?”
Franklin, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.
Wearing a serious expression unlike her usual demeanor, she addressed the three who were buzzing with excitement.
“I’ve thought about this a lot… and I don’t think we should be using Arcroyal like this. It doesn’t sit well with me.”
“…Haha, what are you saying, sis? You barely talked to her, and now you’ve grown attached?”
“Don’t worry. As pirates, there’s nothing wrong with using the Navy…”
“That’s not it. What I’m saying is that I don’t trust her.”
Franklin’s voice was firm.
Despite her usual timid personality, she spoke with unusual resolve, causing Ambasha to respond in a slightly tense voice.
“Don’t trust her? But you saw how kind she was to me. Besides, she’s Magellan and Elkana’s friend…”
“But she’s Navy. A sworn enemy of pirates, willing to use any means to hang us at the gallows. If she’s deceiving us to lure us into a trap, what then?”
“That’s impossible… Besides, there was nothing for her to suspect us of, and someone that kind wouldn’t lie…”
“You’ve only known her for less than a day. On top of that, she abandoned her homeland to become an admiral here. There’s no way she’s an ordinary person.”
“…True. During the briefing, there was a warning to be cautious of her…”
Magellan agreed with Franklin’s words.
While he initially thought Franklin might be overreacting, he couldn’t completely dismiss her concerns.
After all, Franklin, as the most experienced pirate among them, had survived far longer than the rookie Ambasha or himself, a former bounty hunter.
Experience could not be ignored.
Ambasha’s plan was tempting, but the risks involved were undeniable.
“I support Ambasha’s opinion.”
“!”
“Elkana?”
“Sorry, but out of everyone here, I know Arcroyal best. She’s always been kind to children and has her own sense of honor. She fights fairly and wouldn’t resort to such dirty tricks.”
“That’s how she was when she was your ally. As a Navy admiral, drenched in protocol, she could be an entirely different person…”
“Besides, Franklin, you’re not exactly up-to-date on outside affairs. You didn’t even know much about Magellan. To criticize based on assumptions is a bit much.”
“Wait, Elkana. That’s a bit harsh. Franklin’s still our leader.”
“But let’s be honest, you’re leaning toward Ambasha’s side too, right? A quick heist during the auction chaos sounds much more rewarding than causing minor disturbances outside.”
“Ugh…”
Magellan was momentarily at a loss for words, struck by Elkana’s point.
Amidst the heated argument, Ambasha remained silent, staring at Franklin’s firm expression.
‘I won’t lose… even to you, sis…’
—
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