How a Villain Defies Destiny Chapter 44

 

“That way, if Miss Laura calls me in a tiny voice, I will hear it.”

 

Well, that was…

 

That was very daunting.

 

‘You’re going to hear every fart.’ 

 

I pleaded with Yves, who was confidently declaring his eavesdropping, albeit with different intentions.

 

“Please stay in the next room, because it would be so humiliating to think that you could hear even the slightest movement I make.”

 

“…”

 

“You’re not going to answer?”

 

“…I understand.”

 

“Is that a promise?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

I was getting a little annoyed that he kept answering a beat late, but since I couldn’t lift my hand to check if Yves was waiting at the door or entering the room, I added another word.

 

“I’ll count on you.”

 

“I will. Good night.”

 

He tucked the covers carefully up to my neck, then turned off the light and left.

 

‘I hope he went in?’ 

 

It bothered me that I didn’t hear Yves’ footsteps or the door to the next room open, even though the soundproofing wasn’t the best.

 

‘Ha, I don’t care. I’m tired, so let’s just sleep for now.’

 

With that, I slowly drifted off to sleep, realizing that I’d have to revisit the new questions arising from my conversation with Yves another time when my head was clearer.

 

💫

 

“You’re late, Lord Leblanc.”

 

“As I’ve told you many times, I no longer have a last name.”

 

“Don’t worry, a new title will be bestowed upon you soon.”

 

“What does that mean…”

 

Before I could finish my rant, Enheduane interjected with a sly grin.

 

“I’ve kept your last name as Leblanc, and you don’t have a problem with that, do you? I can’t change it even if I wanted to, so don’t ask.”

 

‘Don’t ask.’

 

Despite Yves’s incredulous expression, Enheduane didn’t seem to care about my reaction and continued.

 

“I asked His Holiness specifically for this.”

 

Like a child puffing out her chest, hoping for praise.

 

For a moment, Yves wondered if this person was in her right mind, but then remembering that she was the High Priestess, Yves shook off the rude thought and spoke.

 

“I’ve heard that the Holy Realm often bestows knighthoods and surnames on paladins, but I think it’s unnecessary.”

 

The Divine Realm was not a status system.

 

It was a state founded by priests and worshipers, as it grew out of the great temples of the ancient pantheon.

 

As such, there was no nobility or royalty. It was also common to not have a family name.

 

A typical example of this was Enheduane, who stands in the center of the current Euphrates Kingdom, directly opposite Yves.

 

In the beginning, it was divine power, not status, that was required to become a priest.

 

However, as every nation on the continent implemented a status system, the Divine Realm created a similar system.

 

Divine power tiers.

 

Those without divine power are considered the same as commoners in other countries.

 

There are no official titles such as baron, viscount, earl, marquis, or duke, but instead, clerics are treated similarly to the nobility of other countries.

 

It was a formal system that was mutually agreed upon so that if they went as an envoy to another country, they would be recognized by that country.

 

However, although the priests treat the royalty of other nations with respect, they do not use titles such as ‘Your Majesty’.

 

It was the gods they served, not humans.

 

This explains why High Priest Enheduane, who was considered the equivalent of a duke, set the proper example for Endymion.

 

In contrast, Yves was honored by being called ‘Lord’ because he was a paladin.

 

Furthermore, the leadership of the Holy Realm was elective, not hereditary.

 

The highest number of votes among the seven high priests in the pantheon would become the Pope.

 

The process of becoming a High Priest involves passing various tests and making achievements that are recognized on the continent. 

 

However, seeing as it had nothing to do with Yves, he did not know much about how to become a High Priest.

 

Anyway, Enheduane’s offer to give a title that didn’t exist was more of a pun than anything else.

 

Instead, Enheduane smirked and confided, “I know the title is useless to my homeland, but I’m more comfortable calling you Lord Leblanc.”

 

Giggling and teasing, she coughed lightly as Yves stiffened, then cut to the chase.

 

“You said you were curious about the investigation regarding Miss Laura.”

 

In truth, it was Yves who had requested a meeting with Enheduane at this late hour.

 

To see if there was any new information about Laura.

 

‘The marks of the gods symbolize the gods themselves.’

 

So by matching the symbols, it would be easy to identify the deity.

 

In addition to the seven ruling deities, the Divine Realm had many ancient texts about deities.

 

So the High Priestess was hopeful that she would be able to find out which deity had blessed Laura.

 

But alas, he didn’t get the answer he was hoping for.

 

“No luck yet,” she says.

 

“In other words, it’s most likely a god who is not currently on record.”

 

“Yes. There are many records of creation myths and other ancient holy objects that have been destroyed and lost in times of war.”

 

“I see.”

 

The identity of the deity who had bestowed his blessing on Laura was as unfathomable as being lost in a labyrinth, but it wasn’t a matter of urgency, so Yves accepted it graciously.

 

That was all the business Enheduane had to attend to, so Yves rose from his seat.

 

“Speaking of which, Shanhart said something to me.”

 

With an even deeper smile, Enheduane caught him in his stride.

 

Shanhart was the high priestess in charge of the Euphrates Kingdom’s central high court, and one of the few people in the kingdom that Yves trusted, for she had helped him when he was younger.

 

“Miss. Shanhart?”

 

“You must be very close to Shanhart, since you call her so casually.”

 

Enheduane echoed, a little surprised, since Yves had always addressed her with honorifics.

 

“What did Shanhart say to you?”

 

Yves waited for Enheduane’s next words, wondering if anything was amiss.

 

“She said she’s looking out for you, so if anything happens, feel free to ask about it.”

 

What a useless thing to say.

 

Seeing her weighing words that didn’t need to be said, Yves knew what she was up to in an instant.

 

‘You’re just trying to tease me.’ 

 

Realizing that whatever she was going to say would only tire him out, he stood up quickly.

 

Whatever’s in store for me, I don’t need her to know, he thought.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Enheduane thanked him graciously and added a few words to Yves’ back as he left the office. 

 

There was laughter and mischief in her voice.

 

“I’m not interested in anyone’s love affairs, but at the request of my dearest friend, I would be happy to give you some special love advice, Lord Leblanc.”

 

“I don’t need it.”

 

“Ah, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s not uncommon for a Paladin and a Lady to be in a relationship, Miss Laura…”

 

“It’s not like that.”

 

Yves quickly cut Enheduane off at the strange misunderstanding.

 

Then Enheduan asked, her voice rising in pitch.

 

“Oh, really? You weren’t? You were so angry the other day that I stole Miss Laura from you, I thought it was because you two were together.”

 

“…I wasn’t mad.”

 

“Hmm, then why did you stop me from talking about it earlier?”

 

Immediately, Yves realized what Enheduane was referring to.

 

During their conversation with Laura earlier in the day, it had been about the next matter that had come up, a topic that had naturally flowed from their talk about the Guardian Knight.

 

“That, Miss Laura, is not necessary for you to know.”

 

“Why is the story of how Lord Leblanc originally tried to protect Miss Laura in the Temple of Astarte not something she needs to know?”

 

“Because… that’s in the past.”

 

“Hmph, I see, then.”

 

“I’ll leave you to it…”

 

Yves attempted to leave before the Enheduane could bite him further, but failed this time.

 

“Well then, since it’s all in the past, but I really want to tell Miss Laura, do you mind if I ask her directly if she’d like to hear the story?”

 

“…”

 

“I’d like to tell Miss Laura how angry you got and how your plans were almost derailed because of me. Is this okay? Lord Leblanc.”

 

“…”

 

“Well, I can’t think of anything off the top of my head, but when I do, I’m going to tell her what Lord Leblanc said at the time, okay?”

 

“…”

 

“Ah, but if you’re withholding it because you’re ashamed to tell Miss Laura, I’ll bear with you.”

 

Each of her words grated on Yves’s nerves.

 

“By the way, Lord Leblanc, would you mind relaxing your fist, I’m afraid.”

 

Realizing that he couldn’t beat a woman who meant what she said, Yves gritted his teeth and replied.

 

“You will bear with me, I hope.”

 

“Okay. If it embarrasses Lord Leblanc, I’ll stay put.”

 

“…Thank you for your consideration. I’ll leave you to it.”

 

💫

 

Karen watched Laura’s calm smile in the center of the commotion.

 

‘She’s such an interesting person.’

 

Laura Laurus.

 

Now that she’d dropped her last name, she was Laura, but still, she was well known throughout the Great Hall, not just among the apprentices she studied with.

 

A wicked woman from the Euphrates.

 

And a candidate for sainthood.

 

Unsurprisingly, no one approached her, perhaps because of the stark contrasts of those sharp tones.

 

They didn’t want anything to do with her.

 

Karen was no different.

 

She wouldn’t have made the first move if the teacher hadn’t pulled her aside and asked her to keep an eye on Laura.

 

But the moment she exchanged a casual greeting, her prejudices about Laura were easily shattered.

 

“Hello. Miss Laura. I’m Karen.”

 

She looked surprised, as if she hadn’t expected anyone to speak to her.

 

‘For better or worse, I thought you looked like you had a nasty temper.’