AWLC 21

Chapter – 21

“Wow, what is wrong with her?”

The god, Isis, was dumbfounded.

She had taken over the body of a saintess, and yet she dared to burn the invitation sent by a god?

Even after He personally appeared yesterday and dropped such obvious hints?

The god could only click His tongue.

In this world, it wasn’t unusual for travelers from other dimensions to appear. There had been quite a few.

But someone like her? She was a first.

Most of them would rush to the temple first, asking why they had been brought here and begging to be returned to their original world.

But this one? Not once had she shown curiosity about why she had come to this world.

“She really has a strange personality.”

As Isis was observing Asha through a hand mirror, someone knocked.

Knock, knock.

“High Priestess, it’s Elpi.”

Elpi was a page who handled Isis’s small errands.

When Isis lightly tapped the mirror, Asha’s reflection vanished, and the mirror returned to showing only Isis’s own face.

“Come in.”

Elpi entered the room, both hands full of gift boxes.

“These are gifts sent from the imperial palace. The High Priest instructed me to share some with you as well.”

She placed the stacked boxes to one side and began opening them one by one.

There were cookies and various teas, finely crafted buttons, luxurious-looking wine glasses, and even chess pieces made of gold.

As Isis looked at the gifts, she let out a small sigh.

Even the imperial palace was sending presents, trying so hard to curry favor—yet that reckless little thing had the nerve to burn the invitation…

***

In the Crown Prince’s office.

The “Owls” had gathered in a cluster, chatting noisily.

“You went to the ball yesterday, right? Did you see the Saintess?”

Jack asked eagerly, nearly bursting with curiosity. Eric puffed up proudly.

“Of course. I saw her clearly with my own two eyes.”

The other Owls immediately turned toward him.

“What was she like?”

“She looked really small in her profile. Is she really that tiny?”

“Hurry up and tell us.”

Eric pretended to search his memory, drawing out the suspense. Once he was satisfied with the attention, he spoke.

“She was even smaller than I expected. My daughter’s fourteen this year, and she’s bigger than the Saintess.”

Cornwell, another Owl nearby, chimed in.

“She looked like if she tripped on the street, her knees would shatter.”

“Just her knees? Her whole body would crumble.”

“….”

“….”

In the silence that followed, a plump Owl muttered,

“Shouldn’t she put on some weight?”

The Saintess had become a major topic of interest among the Owls.

It was only natural.

Most of them had watched the Crown Prince grow up, and this was the first time in his life he had ever shown interest in a woman.

It wasn’t just mild interest, either.

He declared the Saintess his ideal type, promptly moved her into the Almond Palace, and swiftly drafted a marriage contract.

He was completely smitten.

Honestly, he had been so indifferent to women that they had thought the royal line might end without an heir.

Given that, the Saintess who had captured their lord’s heart was of utmost importance.

The Owls watched her closely.

What kind of person was she?

It wasn’t that they doubted the Crown Prince’s judgment, but…

Well.

How could anyone trust the eyes of a man in love?

If their lord had fallen into the clutches of a villainess, wouldn’t it be a retainer’s duty to rescue him?

Yes—exactly.

So the Owls paid close attention for several days, trying to determine what kind of person the Saintess truly was.

Before long, they reached a conclusion.

“A person as harmless as a newborn calf!”

Surprisingly, most of those who observed Asha thought the same.

If they absolutely had to point out one concern, it was that she seemed too innocent.

While the discussion about the Saintess was still lively—

“What’s all this noise?”

The Crown Prince entered, and the room instantly fell silent—so quiet you could hear the rustle of fabric.

As he walked to his seat, he spoke.

“What about the task I gave you? Finding out the contents of the oracle.”

Jack sprang to his feet.

“We deployed an elite Owl team, but we couldn’t uncover what the oracle says. It seems to be treated as top secret.”

“And what are the Owls stationed at the temple doing these days? Taking a vacation?”

“They’ve been trying to coax the oracle keeper and the scribe, but—”

“But there’s no result.”

Alesto cut him off coldly.

In truth, he had ordered them to gather information to test whether the oracle’s contents had leaked.

The fact that no information surfaced was a relief—but regardless of his intention, the Owls’ performance was disappointing.

By his count, at least eight people in the temple likely knew the oracle’s contents.

And they couldn’t win over even one?

“…We apologize.”

“Enough. What about the maritime trade project? Report on the progress.”

As Alesto sat down, an Owl wearing glasses stood up.

“Y-Yes! I will report on the maritime trade centered around the Dalbert region. Please refer to the prepared documents.”

A large sheet was spread open, displaying a coastal map and detailed information on various individuals.

“After compiling reports from Count Carion, who spoke directly with Marquis Dalbert, and the Owl stationed in the Dalbert region, the current situation is as follows…”

***

The Emperor arrived at the Sol Temple before dawn.

He had complained to Alesto about feeling weak and plagued by frail thoughts, eventually securing permission to visit the temple.

But was he really there just to pray?

After even bribing Alesto with a fine bottle of Wipong wine?

Of course not.

He had another purpose.

Historically, the temple had once been a religious institution under the Empire’s authority.

However, about 400 years ago, when the existence of a Saintess became known to the world, the temple gradually gained power and eventually separated from imperial control.

Though it still used imperial ranks and titles, it received no state funding, making it practically an independent religious institution.

Over the centuries of self-governance, however, a problem arose.

The temple had grown increasingly closed-off.

On the surface, it appeared warmly open to all—but that was merely a display of benevolence.

Look closer, and it was clear they had formed their own tightly knit community.

Even someone as formidable as Alesto found it difficult to extend his influence into the temple.

The Emperor was no different.

He had planted someone there behind Alesto’s back…

But only a low-ranking Holy Knight assigned to guard duty.

Well.

“Still, that’s enough to send a single letter.”

When the Emperor and Empress visited the temple, as usual, they briefly met with High Priest Calavis.

“I am relieved to see that both of you are in good health. The god Isis will surely be pleased by your visit.”

“Haha, there are so many—so many!—things I must pray for, for the Empire’s well-being. Of course, the Empress as well.”

“Yes. Then please set aside your burdens and spend a peaceful time here.”

They exchanged shallow pleasantries.

Throughout it all, the Empress said nothing.

Eventually, with nothing more to say, the High Priest excused himself, claiming he had a meeting.

The Emperor then cautiously spoke.

“I think I shall stop by the prayer chamber for a moment…”

The Empress didn’t even look at him. Her gaze remained fixed on a distant tree.

Growing anxious, the Emperor added that he had been having troubled dreams lately, pressing for her approval.

“…As you know, nothing brings peace of mind quite like prayer.”

“Go ahead.”

Perhaps it was his pitiful demeanor.

At last, a short, cold response fell from her lips.

Even with the faint hint of contempt in her expression, the Emperor didn’t seem to care.

“Then I shall return shortly!”

As he turned away quickly, a smile spread across his face.