MPBGS 24

Chapter : 24

I pleaded my innocence with all my might. It wasn’t just water—it was expensive holy water, so there’s no way anyone could’ve gotten hurt! If anything, it would have healed existing wounds! Anyway, it wasn’t my fault that Michel fainted!

It wasn’t until Michel had collapsed that the priests realized the commotion and rushed over. They glanced at the burned painting, then at Michel, drenched and unconscious, and finally at me, assessing the situation. Only after Raphaella finished explaining did they bow their heads in thanks.

Among them, the eldest, who looked the most serious and kind, began to summarize the situation. Then he approached me.

“Miss Rohanson, we are truly grateful that you saved our temple knight. We will compensate you for the holy water used to extinguish the fire.”

“I’ll gladly accept.”

What a relief! I thought I had just wasted the money I spent on holy water. Of course, it wasn’t wasted since I saved someone from burning… Anyway, it’s a relief that they’re going to replenish it. They say it’s better to live righteously, and here’s proof.

“The other worshippers seem shocked, so we’ll escort them to a place to rest.”

Shocked? What are you talking about? These are people who were just standing there staring blankly while someone was on fire. I nodded, swallowing my irritation.

The kind-looking elder then moved away from me and approached Raphaella. They whispered something so quietly that I couldn’t hear. Were they gossiping about me? Surely not…

I glared at them to make sure. I’m right here, so there’s no way they’re talking behind my back!

Apparently, it worked. Raphaella cleared her throat and shifted the conversation.

“Your Excellency, may I excuse myself first? I think it would be best to lay Sir Michel down immediately. Sir Uriel must be exhausted as well.”

Ah, so he’s a bishop! No wonder he offered to reimburse the holy water—what a high-ranking figure!

“Oh, I hadn’t considered that. I’ll handle the cleanup myself, so you may go ahead. Miss Rohanson, you must receive the holy water, so come with me…”

“Ah. Miss Rohanson should also come along. There are things to discuss with the captain. I will prepare the holy water before you leave. The bishop need not trouble himself; just let him know in advance.”

Raphaella rejected the bishop’s offer in a rapid-fire manner. Right, I also have to see Hena and Canna, so I nodded. The kids must have been waiting a long time—I need to go quickly.

But shouldn’t I take the holy water now? If I try to take it while the kind elder isn’t around, won’t I look like a thief? And the bishop might forget to mention it… Hmmm. I looked at Jelly.

“Me?”

“Take the holy water and bring it to the carriage.”

“Oh, you really brought me here just to torment me?”

What? Who are you calling a delinquent? Besides, why is all the holy water gone at home? It’s because you treated my wounds!

“Listen before claiming I’m tormenting you.”

“Yes…”

Jelly grumbled, curling his tail.

“I will send my guard along.”

The bishop nodded reluctantly.

“Then it’s settled. Let’s go.”

Raphaella said, and Uriel lifted the unconscious Michel. He looked delicate, yet he carried Michel effortlessly, which left me in awe. Watching this, Raphaella quietly approached. After giving me a scornful look earlier, why is she pretending to be friendly now?

“…Sorry for the late greeting. Thank you for saving Michel. Although he lost consciousness, thanks to the holy water, he isn’t injured. Truly, thank you.”

Raphaella hesitated, then thanked me, her tone so careful it made me forget her earlier grumbling. I was actually a little touched.

“Thank you, Miss Rohanson.”

Uriel also expressed his thanks. Even carrying a man much larger than himself, he bent his back without showing the slightest strain. Only the holy water dripping from Michel’s long hair onto his back made me a little uneasy.

“But is it okay for Jelly to go alone?”

Why? Worried it’s too heavy? He’s carrying someone, yet worries that Jelly might struggle with the holy water?

“Jelly’s fine.”

He’s not an ordinary person—he’s a werewolf and a confirmed secondary lead.

“Miss Rohanson, it was wise to send your guard along. It’s best not to get too close to the bishop. Despite appearances, he has quite a cruel streak.”

Glancing back, I saw Bishop Javaniyah staring fiercely at Raphaella. That gentle expression is clearly a facade. Why now? Reviewing the earlier conversation, nothing seemed wrong… Could it be? Yes, it must be because Raphaella left before him. People in high positions are obsessed with protocol. I didn’t expect the bishop to be such a Confucian stickler.

Once the commotion settled, people began arriving. A priest ran to bring the bishop, carrying a bucket of water. It was Bishop Javaniyah.

Normally, he wouldn’t bother with trivial matters like someone dying or the temple catching fire, yet he came all the way here—he really is sharp despite his age.

“Raphaella… what’s this?”

Even knowing the situation, he feigned ignorance. Bishop Javaniyah, despite his kind face, is a ruthless and selfish man. His good exterior misleads people, but he’s actually quite cold.

Uriel once said that Raphaella resembles Javaniyah in many ways and tends to despise her own kind. Not entirely wrong. Still, this fox probably didn’t care if anyone got hurt, arriving late as usual. Comparing them seems unfair—he has no conscience or guilt.

Unfortunately, Gabriel, the commander of the knight order Raphaella belongs to, was still under Bishop Javaniyah’s control, a victim from childhood. Though he claims loyalty is repaying a debt, Raphaella knows the bishop treats the commander like a chess piece. The favors the commander supposedly received weren’t significant either.

“There was a fire in the painting. Miss Rohanson used holy water to extinguish it. Sir Michel sustained burns but is unharmed thanks to the holy water.”

“Oh, Rachel.”

“Had we been a moment later, we could have lost a precious knight. My apologies.”

“No, Bishop, it was just that fetching water took a long time.”

The foxish old man… The surrounding priests stared at him as if he were the embodiment of the god Rahel.

‘Fetching water took a long time?’

Raphaella could link the bishop’s intentional delay to Michel and the painting. Since she wished the painting had burned, Bishop Javaniyah likely arrived late to ensure the entire painting was destroyed. If he were truly merciful, he would have used the nearest fountain, like Evangeline Rohanson did with the holy water. Yet he went all the way to the garden, clearly not intending to come early. Everyone else seemed oblivious, showing how well his hypocrisy had trained them.

Truly, a dangerous adversary if turned against someone. At least they agreed on Donau’s painting this time, so there’s some relief—the man who usually praises paintings has always opposed Bishop Javaniyah.

“Now that we’re late, let’s help organize the aftermath.”

“Yes, Bishop.”

The priests set down their buckets and began cleaning. Some swept and wiped ash from the floor, while others tended to the people.

“Worshippers, would it be best to return now?”

“Yes. It’s dangerous with the fire.”

“Any injuries?”

Of course, there was no answer. Most were nobles, so they wouldn’t dare reply—they just received repeated polite urging.

“Come on! Are you going to stay here forever?”

One impatient priest shouted in frustration, then immediately covered his mouth. Luckily, the nobles didn’t mind.

“Now that the painting is gone, why stay here?”

When the priest complained, finally a response came: the noblewoman he had been speaking to, her cheeks flushed, pointed at Evangeline Rohanson.

“You’re looking at her?”

The priest looked around. It seemed almost everyone’s gaze was fixed on the fair young lady.