The Servant in the Horror Game is Suspicious Chapter 59

There was no information about the temple. However, judging from the existence of temples in fantasy novels, he felt that if things went well, he might be able to ask for treatment.

After all, don’t those scenes appear frequently? The priest using divine power to heal wounds.

Most importantly.

Jade intended to entrust Ian to the temple. There was no place safer than a temple. In any country, a religious space was sanctuary.

Particularly in fantasy settings, temples were places where even nobles couldn’t act as they pleased. Of course, he couldn’t be sure if this Empire was the same, but hadn’t Ian said something similar? That the temple was a space that must not be defiled.

The Linwood family wouldn’t be able to find a trace of Ian either. They wouldn’t predict for a moment that Jade would leave Ian at a temple. They would likely assume he was on the run, holding Ian hostage to squeeze out more money.

Furthermore, since Jade held a status that wouldn’t allow him to hide within the temple himself, it would deflect suspicion even more. Considering various factors, the temple was indeed the most suitable space.

The problem was the endowment fund. No matter how much of a temple it was, they wouldn’t take in a child for years for free. Jade fiddled with the ornate sword at his waist.

He did say I could sell it.

Since Ian himself was the one who suggested selling it, he wouldn’t resent Jade. Entrusting it to the temple for a while should be fine.

In truth, Jade himself felt more regret. No matter what, it was the first gift he had received from Ian. Moreover, he knew this sword was a quite important item to the boy. Perhaps that was why, even though his head understood, his heart couldn’t help but feel a lingering sorrow.

“…”

Regret dripped from the way his hand lingered on the sword. His mind was a tangled mess of complex emotions.

He shouldn’t be parting ways so abruptly like this. He was supposed to trim Ian’s hair when it grew back, and there wasn’t just one or two dishes he had promised to make. There were also five new fairy tale books he had just bought before returning to the villa.

Would he really never go back to the villa again? There would be no place more comfortable for Ian than that home. Of course, there was still so much to prepare. He should have stocked up more firewood so the boy could last through next year and the year after, and he should have filled the lamps with oil. There were still windows that creaked.

“Ah…”

His vision blurred. What was he to do? It felt as if he, not Ian, was the one unable to leave. Perhaps the one who needed warmth more than anyone was not Ian, but himself. Jade’s expression crumbled as it distorted.

“Jade…?”

“I’m sorry, I’m just getting sleepy.”

Ian called out to Jade in a low voice. Having made the excuse that he was tired, Jade turned his body away so his face couldn’t be seen and leaned his head against the carriage window.

“Hyah!”

The driver picked up the pace.

After running for a long time, the carriage arrived in front of the temple. By this point, Jade was physically exhausted. He had tried to stop the bleeding with a handkerchief and bandages, but the blood hadn’t fully ceased. If he moved the wrong way, it seeped out again.

“Let’s get out.”

Stepping out of the carriage first, Jade reached his hand out toward Ian. The driver helpfully unloaded all the luggage, but Ian hesitated, not stepping down.

“I think we arrived at the wrong place. This isn’t the village.”

“I asked him to go to the temple. We’re in the right place.”

“Why are we going in there?”

Ian frowned, glancing at the temple. The white stone building on the hill stood proudly, boasting high spires and stained glass.

The last time Ian had visited a temple was when he was so young he couldn’t even remember it. He didn’t believe in a god, but he held no ill will toward the temple. There was only one reason why he was hesitating to enter.

“Jade, you can’t stay here.”

As someone without noble status, Jade could not stay in the temple for more than a day.

“We can rest here for a bit, can’t we?”

“…”

“My shoulder hurts so much. Actually, other places do too. I want to rest peacefully. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep elsewhere because I’ll be too anxious.”

When Ian hesitated, Jade uncharacteristically groaned and complained to persuade him.

Jade was normally a strong person who didn’t utter weak words. Seeing Jade break out in a cold sweat and manage a strained smile, Ian’s gaze naturally went to his shoulder. He couldn’t refuse when put that way. What else could he do? The current Ian could neither treat Jade’s wounds nor run while carrying him.

“It will only be for one night at most. We might not even be able to get in…”

Even as he stepped down, Ian warned him. That one day was the limit. That after a day, they had to leave together.

“What brings you here at such a late hour?”

However, before an answer could be heard, a priest who felt an outside presence came out and walked down the stone steps. The white-haired priest in white robes looked elderly and had a gentle impression. Jade asked as politely as possible.

“May we stay for a moment?”

“Well now.”

The priest, Gregor, quietly looked down at Jade. He didn’t seem like an evil man, but those who sought the temple in the middle of the night were usually involved in rough business.

“Please.”

“Normally, we do not open the temple doors recklessly at night.”

Then, Gregor’s gaze shifted to Ian. He recognized the boy. The only son of the Linwood family and the child who, under normal circumstances, should have been the next head.

The influence of the Linwood family in the Vilhelm Empire was considerable. Thus, when the family’s first child was born, the temple had performed a consecration to bless his future.

Gregor had been present at that ceremony as well. It was over ten years ago, but he could recognize him. The brilliant blonde hair that shone even in the dark and the greyish-blue eyes were symbols of the Linwood bloodline.

But why was the child who should be in the capital at a provincial temple in the North? And that too, in a shabby carriage with only one person who looked like a servant, without a single knight in tow.

Gregor stared sharply at Jade. Eventually, after closing and opening his eyes slowly, he spoke.

“You are being pursued.”

“We’ve just run into a bit of a difficult situation.”

“Is that so.”

Gregor also knew a fair amount about the current complex affairs of the Linwood family.

The temple, the imperial family, and noble society were bound to be closely intertwined. Especially since the Linwood family was one that held the Empire’s security in its hands, all external attention was focused even on the family’s internal matters.

The one currently being discussed as the next head was Malderic. The young child who should have originally become the head, and his servant who sought the temple while covered in blood. It wasn’t hard to figure out the situation.

How piteous.

“I understand. The temple provides a roof for all, so please come in for now.”

Clicking his tongue inwardly, Gregor led the two inside. Surely, this too was the will of God.

Jade was able to receive treatment at the temple. The treatment was ordinary. Just as at a doctor’s office, they pulled out the throwing star, applied medicine, and wrapped it in bandages. When he asked if they used divine power, he only received an odd look.

After finishing his treatment, Jade explained the circumstances appropriately to Gregor and asked him to take Ian in. Surprisingly, the priest accepted the request without much fuss. Rather, he nodded kindly as if he had expected such a request.

Gregor refused Jade’s intention to pay a price. However, Jade practically forced the ornate sword upon him. He felt he could only be at peace that way. He thought if he left something behind, they might look after Ian better.

And this was also an act to cast off his own lingering attachments. He must take nothing with him. He had to act as if the bond never existed.

“May God be with you.”

Gregor left him with a sign of the cross, saying they would be safe under God’s protection. Ian would be entrusted to the monastery. Things had finished faster than expected.

“Sigh…”

Jade walked along the long, pure white marble. The place he was supposed to stay tonight was a guest room within the temple. Gregor had advised him to stay for a day since his body was injured. However, Jade would not be staying there tonight.

“You came back quickly.”

Ian was standing in front of the guest room door. It seemed he had been waiting for Jade.

Jade’s steps halted in the middle of the corridor. Standing before the majestic door on the long white marble, Ian looked like someone who had been born and raised here. That was how well he suited this holy space.

“Ian, I’m going to go finish getting my treatment.”

“Wasn’t it all finished?”

“I haven’t done enough for my legs yet.”

Jade pointed to his legs hidden by his trousers. Fortunately, Ian readily believed his lie. Jade grinned, approached Ian, and sat to match his eye level. Then he pulled out a small pouch.

“This is a birthday present.”

“What is this?”

“I bought it in the village; they say it’s a panacea. They say if you drink it when you have an external injury, you’ll be healed as if it never happened.”

It was the healing potion he had received after defeating the Wraith of the Blind Servant a while ago. Since Jade had already consumed one, only two remained. Jade had endured today without using a healing potion just to give the two to Ian.

However, Ian didn’t look pleased with Jade’s gift. Rather, his expression was poor.

“Do you not like it?”

“May is still a long way off.”

At Ian’s reply, Jade paused for a moment. Had he read that momentary hesitation? Ian continued as if driving in a stake.

“Give it to me in two months. On my birthday.”

“I’m worried I might lose it. Take it in advance.”

He forced it into the pouch of the boy who was trying not to accept it. He couldn’t take care of it in two months. This was the only chance he had to face Ian.

“At that time… at that time, I will give you another gift.”

“…”

Ian’s expression was strange. Perhaps it was because Jade’s own face looked odd right now that the boy’s expression was like that.

He didn’t know what kind of face he was making. But he didn’t have the energy to manage his expressions. Jade, who had straightened his knees and stood up, pulled a money pouch from his chest.

“Ah, please hold onto this money pouch for me while I’m getting treated. It’s heavy.”

He had intended to take about half of it as escape funds, but he simply put all the money he had into the pouch. Having hung the money pouch on Ian’s arm, Jade turned his back, saying he would go finish his treatment. It was then.

“Jade.”

A calm and quiet voice called out to Jade from behind. Jade answered without turning around. Because it felt like his voice would keep cracking, he could only answer after clearing his throat a couple of times.

“Yes, Ian.”

“When you come back from treatment… please tell me the story of the Little Prince today too.”

“…I understand.”

And so, Jade made a promise he couldn’t keep. A promise he wouldn’t be able to keep for a very long time.