Chapter 22
Please Send My Regards
Is this what they call a disaster of one’s own making?
Past me, who carelessly brought up the Sea God because I had nothing else to say—reflect on yourself.
Thanks to you, present me is in a very awkward situation.
“I don’t know for sure either, but maybe the Sea God! Maybe the Sea God told me!”
The carriage was smoothly making its way toward the Temple of the Sea God.
Meanwhile, I was nervously worrying about how that excuse might come back to haunt me.
‘Oh Sea God, what am I supposed to do in this situation? If you tell me, I’ll become a devoted believer starting today.’
Even though I don’t actually know your name yet… but still.
Honestly, if our destination were the Temple of the Heavenly God instead, I wouldn’t be this troubled.
That one was the god Anael served, so I vaguely remembered reading about the god’s name and temple in the original story.
But the Sea God? All I know is that he’s usually depicted as male, and that most people in the southern Hesen Empire believe in him.
I should’ve studied this stuff beforehand. The regret was immense, but self-blame could come later.
Right now, overcoming the immediate crisis in front of me was more important.
“So… Richard, are you quite devout?”
“About the same as most people in the South.”
I tried to gather some useful information, but that answer told me nothing.
“…I see.”
“Are you disappointed that I’m not as devout as you are?”
“Of course not. I believe everyone has freedom of religion.”
“Freedom of religion…”
Richard muttered meaningfully.
‘Did he notice that I actually don’t know much about the Sea God?’
Feeling guilty for no reason, I lowered my gaze, but Richard continued casually.
“…Well, I’ve heard that in the Croker Archipelago, there are those who worship gods other than the Heavenly God or the Sea God.”
“It sounds like they’ve preserved their indigenous beliefs well.”
“……”
What kind of god is that?
Not the Sea God, not the Heavenly God—but not so obscure that imperial citizens wouldn’t know about it?
“But still, I think the Sea God is the best.”
“…Ha.”
Richard let out a hollow laugh.
Did he catch on that I was just flattering him?
While I fidgeted nervously, the scenery outside gradually changed.
The road sloped upward—gently, but clearly heading to higher ground.
“That must be where your Basium villa is, on the left.”
“…You’re right. It’s my first time seeing it from above like this.”
I thought I’d grown used to this place, but seeing the southern landscape at a glance felt strangely moving.
The problem was—I wasn’t in a position to enjoy it.
Get it together, me.
“We’ve arrived. Let’s get down here, Kalia.”
Richard stepped out first and extended his arm to help me down.
“Thank you, Richard.”
A cool breeze brushed gently against my cheeks.
The view on the way here had been beautiful, but the scenery from atop this high cliff was truly breathtaking.
Especially the vast ocean in the distance—and the white, green, and gray islands scattered across it like fragments.
“The weather must be especially clear today—we can even see the Croker Archipelago.”
“The people living there must feel refreshed in weather like this.”
“……”
For a moment, Richard’s expression hardened before he quickly composed himself.
…Are they all uninhabited islands? That wouldn’t make sense—he just mentioned people there earlier.
‘Ah, maybe since they don’t worship the Sea God, he considers them heretics and doesn’t like them much?’
“Of course, if they start believing in the Sea God from today, they’d have an even more fulfilling day!”
“……”
Richard said nothing to my sudden shift in stance.
Did I make it too obvious again? Damn it.
“The priest will be out shortly, so let’s wait.”
Was this arranged beforehand?
Tilting my head, I turned to look where Richard was facing.
“Wow…”
And just like that, the temple filled my vision—and overwhelmed me.
It was… enormous.
The entire structure, built of bluish-gray marble, was grand and majestic—reminiscent of Greek temples I’d seen in media.
A triangular roof supported by what looked like more than twenty massive columns, filled with intricate and vivid relief carvings.
Off to the side, dozens of people carrying what appeared to be offerings entered the temple, looking as small as grains of sand.
“…Come to think of it, I didn’t bring anything that could be offered.”
“The Sea God will be pleased with your sincerity alone. Let’s go in.”
Richard replied after giving me enough time to admire it.
Following his gaze, I turned and saw someone in long, pure white robes approaching.
“You’ve arrived. Duke Aquilus, Lady Lavius.”
The priest was a middle-aged man with light brown, sun-kissed skin and wavy amber hair, wearing a gentle expression.
“I am the fourth servant of the Sea God, ‘Marcelo.’”
After exchanging brief greetings, he led Richard and me into the temple with a kind gaze.
“I heard this is your first visit to the Temple of the Sea God, my lady.”
I glanced at Richard, but he didn’t seem particularly concerned.
Well, I had been openly amazed the entire time—it must’ve been obvious this was my first visit.
“That’s right. It’s my first time, but I’ve been interested for a while.”
“Is that so? Then Islea will surely be pleased.”
Islea? Is that the high priest here? Or maybe someone in charge of public relations?
“That’s great. Please send my regards.”
“…Y-yes, of course.”
Did I treat him too casually?
As I stood there feeling slightly awkward, Richard suddenly coughed harshly.
“Cough—!”
His throat must be dry. I should ask if we can get some water inside.
Whether it was a noble privilege or something else, we entered through a separate small marble door.
But even considering Kalia’s memories—someone well-versed in luxury—the interior was far more extravagant than any noble mansion.
Not just in splendor, but in sheer grandeur.
As we walked, glimpses of a massive relief covering the entire front wall of the temple could be seen between the pillars.
It depicted the Sea God.
Here, the Sea God had the face of a young man.
Though “young” hardly captured it—the aura of authority radiating even from the carving was overwhelming.
‘Richard really does look like the Sea God.’
Especially as a beautiful young man who could stir waves in people’s hearts—maybe even men’s hearts.
I could understand why people in the South treated Richard like a living legend.
As I looked around in fascination, we eventually reached what seemed like a dead end.
Or so I thought.
“Let’s go down now.”
Marcelo placed both hands on a relief depicting strange sea creatures.
The carved waves shifted—and the stone wall opened.
‘Oh, a secret passage.’
I was genuinely impressed. I hadn’t expected a temple tour to be this exciting.
“Where does this passage lead?”
“It is the entrance to the sanctuary. Please watch your step on the stairs.”
“The sanctuary…?”
“Yes. As requested in advance by Duke Aquilus, we are guiding you to the underground sanctuary of the Temple of the Sea God.”
How much must I have looked like I loved the Sea God for him to arrange something like this…?
As I stared down the dark, seemingly endless stairs with mixed feelings, Marcelo smiled kindly.
“It is imbued with pure divine power, so beings with impure energy cannot approach. You may rest assured.”
“No, I’m more afraid of these countless stairs.”
“There are fewer than they appear. Though if one were tainted by demonic energy, they would have to descend endlessly.”
Endlessly? Not a stairway to heaven—a stairway to hell.
“Will you be alright, Kalia?”
“…Let’s give it a try!”
Well, I wasn’t wearing high heels or a dragging dress.
‘When would I ever get to come here again?’
Nodding boldly, I followed behind Richard down the gently curving staircase.
Soon, the sound of Marcelo closing the door echoed behind us, and the passage grew even quieter.
“Kalia. If it becomes hard to breathe or you feel unwell, tell me.”
“Thanks for your concern, but my stamina isn’t that bad.”
And just as Marcelo said, the stairs ended surprisingly quickly.
Maybe about ten minutes had passed?
Just as the usual oppressive feeling of an underground passage faded, a large open chamber with a hole in the ceiling appeared.
My breath caught.
“Richard… I’m having trouble breathing.”
