How a Villain Defies Destiny Chapter 54

Indeed, she was everything an idealized priestess should be.

 

Looking at her, I was deeply inwardly reflecting.

 

‘Perhaps I’ve read too many novels in which the temple is corrupt, and I’m somehow prejudiced.’

 

After all, after reading so many such novels, I had assumed that the temple here would be selfish.

 

“We’ll be at the teleportation gate soon.”

 

Since there were only three of them, it naturally fell to Yves to drive the carriage.

 

As a paladin, I knew he could ride a horse, but I was still a little surprised that he could drive a carriage.

 

‘I wonder if there’s anything he can’t do.’

 

While I was thinking that, we were able to teleport.

 

‘It’s a good thing Dilbat is close to a teleportation area.’

 

While the various nations were closely connected by portals, there were only three or four large cities, usually including the capital.

 

‘Connecting a vast continent is nearly impossible!’

 

As a result, most people would teleport to the big cities and then take a carriage to their destination.

 

On the other hand, Dilbat was fortunate to have a direct line of portal, and we could just hop on the portal and move in one trip.

 

‘It would have been so hard if I had to travel all the way.’

 

Well, we hadn’t even gotten to Dilbat yet.

 

Soon, a blue light shone through the carriage windows. I had seen it once before, when I traveled from the Euphrates to the Divine Realm, so I knew it was a magic circle.

 

“We’ve arrived.”

 

No matter how I think about it, magic remains the best.

 

‘After all, science hasn’t invented teleportation.’

 

Of course, in this world, if one utters the wrong words in defense of magic, they vanish with the dew of the sentence.

 

“Thank goodness we got here in time!”

 

“Yes. Is Miss Syris going straight back to her home?”

 

“Yes. I’ll see my family first, then head to the temple.”

 

“Okay, see you later.”

 

The teleportation gate was in the center of the city, so Syris got off immediately, and we headed to the temple on the outskirts.

 

“But don’t you think it’s a bit much to call it a dragon? They won’t think it’s a joke, will they?”

 

“Sure. It even has the seal of her Holiness, so who cares.”

 

“Just. I’m worried about being here in the first place.”

 

“…”

 

It was an unspoken affirmation. I sighed, rationalizing that he must be worried about it anyway.

 

“It’s a bit of a walk to the temple, so if you’re tired, get some rest.”

 

“I’m fine.”

 

I stared blankly at the rapidly passing scenery.

 

‘Shouldn’t I have just said that if Selene got the city back in one piece the day after the dragon attack, I’d call it a success?’

 

In truth, there was no particular reason why I was on this trip.

 

It was simply because of the fact that I had seen a vision, so I could react quickly if something unusual happened in the field. 

 

Because I was the only one who knew the most important condition that could not be divulged to anyone else, I had to come with Syris to Dilbat.

 

And I told Syris in advance, ‘Tomorrow night, a dragon will attack the city.’

 

If she’s afraid, she doesn’t have to come, but she insisted she couldn’t leave her home behind, so she came with us.

 

‘I didn’t tell her it was my premonition, but I pretended it was a sign from the oracle.’

 

Perhaps because I bear the symbol of the gods, they believed me without question.

 

The three of us were not alone on the journey to Dilbat.

 

Enheduane was supposed to be here, but she had other business during the day and would not be back until tonight or tomorrow morning.

 

‘Then this.’

 

A dried branch was tucked into my waistband, where a knight would normally have his sword.

 

It was Huluppu’s branch.

 

I went to morning prayer as usual, but when I reached the temple of Astarte, I heard a voice in my head, just like the last time. 

 

I approached the tree in surprise, and it gave me this branch, saying it would protect me.

 

Although I didn’t trust its appearance, I kept it, believing that it was a branch of the World Tree and that it had special powers.

 

“Miss Laura.”

 

Turning my head in the direction of the voice, I saw Yves holding out his hand.

 

With an unexpected escort, I stepped out of the carriage.

 

“So this place is pretty normal.”

 

“It’s an ordinary temple in a medium-sized city.”

 

Looking at the completely canonical architecture of the temple, I make a wry comment.

 

“Oh, I’ve been waiting for this!”

 

Out of nowhere, a middle-aged man walks by, looking contemplative.

 

‘Oh, maybe this is the real corrupt priest?’

 

There was something about his burly frame and his oddly sprouting hand gestures that made him seem like a suspicious priest, like he was about to make some sort of underhanded deal.

 

“Hello, my name is Marco, and I’m in charge of the Temple of Dilbat.”

 

“Good afternoon. I’m Laura.”

 

“I’m Yves.”

 

“Wow, what a surprise to hear from the Divine Realm out of the blue yesterday! Well, you shouldn’t be hanging around here, come inside, and I’ll show you around.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

The man was sweating profusely and wiping his face with a handkerchief, giving off the air of a complete extra villain.

 

‘So, as it turns out, this guy didn’t run off on his own and go to the palace for backup or something?’

 

As I eyed the priest suspiciously, Yves suddenly poked me in the side.

 

“Why?”

 

“You, of all people, should know why he looks like that.”

 

“He’s…” I trailed off, knowing that no matter how low I muttered, they could hear me.

 

At that, Yves’s eyebrows twitched.

 

“Is there something?”

 

“No. What is it?”

 

“Mar…”

 

“Shh! We can talk about that later.”

 

I covered Yves’s strangely questioning mouth with my hand and motioned for him to be quiet.

 

Suddenly, Yves’ strange behavior stopped.

 

Luckily, Priest Marco, who was a good distance ahead, didn’t seem to hear our exchange.

 

”Priest, who are they?”

 

“Wow, there’s someone very pretty!”

 

“Is that the saint I heard about in the rumors?”

 

“Fool, she lives in the royal palace, she wouldn’t come to a place like this.”

 

“Well…”

 

“Oh, come on, you guys, calm down.”

 

Priest Marco seemed to be getting along surprisingly well with the children who had suddenly rushed out.

 

“Well, they’re from the Divine Realm, after all, so we can’t be rude to them!”

 

“Yes!!”

 

The children answered loudly in unison.

 

‘I must have gotten carried away with my contemplation again.’

 

The priest seemed like a really nice guy, getting along so well with the kids.

 

‘This is why prejudice is so scary.’

 

Yesterday, I had a moment of reflection after seeing Enheduane’s sacrifice, but today, I was quick to judge people based on their appearance.

 

‘I need to look at the world with a more open mind.’

 

And I’m not sure if it’s out there somewhere, but none of the priests I’ve met so far have been corrupt, so I should stop being suspicious of anyone who looks fishy.

 

“Ahhh, I was afraid something had happened, but I’m so glad you two are here. I’ll try my best to help out tomorrow, so let me know if you need anything.”

 

“Oh, please do.”

 

“Alright.”

 

For a moment, I thought the conversation was over.

 

‘Just a nice, talkative type.’

 

Afterward, Priest Marco introduced me to two of his apprentice priests.

 

“These are the apprentice priests who teach in our temple. Please introduce yourselves.”

 

“I’m Lena.”

 

“I’m Barnes.”

 

After a brief introduction of myself and Yves, I followed Lena, the female apprentice, to my assigned room.

 

“Excuse me, Laura.”

 

As we walked down the quiet hallway behind Lena, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she pulled me close.

 

“What?”

 

“So, are you and that paladin you were with earlier…?”

 

“Are we dating?”

 

“Oh my, you’re so bold to put such an embarrassing thing directly out of your mouth!”

 

Which part?

 

I tilted my head, not understanding her point of audacity, but with a coy glance she asked again.

 

“So, what’s your relationship like?”

 

“Well…”

 

What kind of relationship do Yves and I have? Her question suddenly made me contemplate seriously.

 

‘A guardian knight and a candidate for sainthood is the most acceptable relationship.’

 

But what should I call this relationship?

 

It doesn’t feel like I’m in charge of Yves, but rather I’m being protected.

 

“Oh, my goodness, you can’t be that serious.”

 

“You seem a little excited.”

 

“Well, it’s kind of a secluded neighborhood, so there’s not a lot of exciting stuff to talk about, hehe.”

 

“Well, I don’t have any tantalizing stories to tell you.”

 

“Oh, you’re shy.”

 

Earlier, she called me bold.

 

‘It’s like her choice of words completely depends on her mood.’

 

Lena, the apprentice priestess who showed me around the room, looked about Karen’s age, but her tone was that of a clumsy neighbor.

 

“Thank you for showing us around.”

 

“Me too, and if you have any interesting stories, don’t hesitate to share them!”

 

“Oh, yeah…”

 

Wow. It hadn’t even been an hour since I’d arrived at the shrine, and I already felt drained.

 

‘Let’s get some rest.’

 

There was nothing else to do until the evening anyway, so I decided to rest.

 

The room Lena showed me was small but clean and comfortable, so I closed my eyes, thinking I could sleep until lunchtime.

 

💫

 

Knock, knock—

 

Knock, knock, knock—

 

Laura was aware of the knock on the door, but she couldn’t bring herself to open her eyes.

 

“Miss Laura, how long will you be sleeping?”

 

“Five more minutes…”

 

“The Eminence Enheduane is here.”

 

“…What? Already?”

 

“Not already, it’s dinner.”

 

“What?”

 

Reeling from Yves’ shocking revelation, I looked out the window to see a dark sky.

 

“How come you haven’t woken me up yet!”

 

“I woke you up.”

 

“What?”

 

“I really did wake you up. I’ll swear to you that I did, if you don’t believe me.”

 

“No. Um, sorry, it’s my fault I didn’t wake up.”

 

“Well, if you’re tired, that’s understandable. You haven’t had lunch, so you must be hungry. Shall we go?”

 

“Sure.”

 

What the hell? Yves’ demeanor was softer than usual.

 

I shook my head, but I didn’t think too much of it, knowing that I needed to get my stomach filled first.

 

“Miss Laura, I thought you slept all day today!”

 

The rumor has already gotten this far.

 

“You’re always so cheerful, aren’t you, Miss An?”

 

“That’s what I’m good at!”