Only Obedient to Me! Sir Knight Chapter 41

“…”

Rowy, who was trying hard to ignore the stares that kept clinging to him, turned the page of his book again. Priest Liner was working in the open space at the deepest part of the temple because some of the pigments used to draw talismans had a pungent odor. Since they had set up in a wide-open area, it was impossible to avoid running into people.

Those who had become familiar with him during meal times would often spot Rowy and approach him with curious faces to greet him. Rowy would also receive such greetings in his own way, saying “Hello,” and being kind enough. He would have preferred if they just talked to him directly like that… but for several days, the hidden, prying gazes had been continuously bothering Rowy.

“…”

How much time had passed like that? Finally, unable to take it anymore, Rowy slammed the bible he was reading shut with a loud thud.

“It’s uncomfortable.”

At Rowy’s grumpy remark, Priest Liner, who was drawing a talisman nearby, glanced at Rowy. Then, he wrote something on a spare piece of paper and showed it to him.

‘I think the believers are curious about you.’

“I’m telling you, it’s uncomfortable.”

‘They are just children.’

So what if they’re children? Rowy puffed out his lips. However, even seeing that, Priest Liner just turned his head back to the talisman he was drawing. He didn’t realize that Rowy was just as much of a child himself.

“…I can’t stand it.”

Finally, Rowy, filled with annoyance, raised his hand.

“…?”

Feeling a sudden, alien energy, Priest Liner lifted his head. But before he could even stop him, Rowy’s magic shot out in an instant, already ensnaring those who had been hiding behind the pillars.

“Ack! What is this!”

“Help me!”

“I’m scared!”

The source of the gazes—those who had been hiding behind the pillars—were dragged out one by one with a single gesture of Rowy’s hand. They were orphans living in the temple.

“Let go! You devil!”

“This devil!”

“That’s right! You’re a devil!”

The children struggled and shouted. But their bodies, tightly bound by Rowy’s magic, showed no sign of loosening. Seeing that, Rowy smirked.

“A devil? Shall I show you what a real devil is?”

As Rowy flicked his hand, the children started to sway this way and that. Eventually, screams erupted. Rowy giggled as he heard the sound.

“Heh, a devil, huh….”

“Aaaack!”

“Ack!”

“Hahaha….”

“…”

Priest Liner, who was watching the scene, shook his head in disapproval.

Rowy’s childish retaliation continued for quite a while. They say everyone in the Elysion Temple is raised to stand against devils. Even though they must have been terrified to be suddenly caught in magic, their faces, trying to endure it, were admirable. But, children will be children, no matter what.

“H-hic, snif….”

Eventually, the youngest-looking child began to tear up. However, regardless of whether the children cried or not, Rowy had no intention of letting them go easily. When Rowy showed no sign of stopping, the faces of the other children also began to look increasingly miserable.

“Priest Liner! Please help us!”

Was he about thirteen? The oldest-looking child asked Priest Liner for help.

“…”

But Priest Liner just looked at the child once and then turned his face back to the talisman he was drawing. Naturally, adults shouldn’t interfere in children’s fights.

“Priest!”

As Priest Liner’s reaction, who they believed would surely help them, was quite lukewarm, despair settled on the children’s faces. It was when Rowy, feeling even more triumphant, was pondering how to deal with these brats.

“You rascals!”

A sudden thunderous roar came from behind. Startled, Rowy straightened his posture and looked toward where the voice had come from. Van, who had been repairing the cracked floor in the distance, had reached them in no time.

“What kind of rude behavior is this?”

Van, who had arrived in front of the table where Rowy was sitting in an instant, looked down at the children with a fierce face.

“Where did you learn such nasty words?”

“…”

“Neil, and you, being the eldest, leading your younger ones like this!”

Van’s eyes, which usually held a gentle light, were frighteningly cold. Rowy, seeing him act this angry for the first time, held his breath as well.

“…”

It wasn’t even directed at him, but Rowy felt awkward and quietly released the magic that was binding the children.

“Are you not going to stand properly?”

The children, finally able to plant their feet on the ground, were lined up in front of Rowy under Van’s sharp, piercing reprimand.

“Apologize to him right now.”

“…”

“Hurry!”

No, it’s just something the kids said… Feeling awkward due to the suddenly serious atmosphere, Rowy scratched his cheek. It wasn’t really for him to say, since he was the one who used magic to bully them just because they were staring, but still….

“Neil, are you not going to say you’re sorry?”

“Ugh….”

Forced to line up in front of Rowy, the children looked at Van’s eyes repeatedly while gritting their teeth.

“Why are you like this? They’re just kids.”

Feeling uncomfortable being caught in that situation, Rowy tried to stop Van. However, Van’s voice remained firm.

“They are old enough. And regardless of age, wrong is wrong.”

“H-hic, waaaaaah!”

Eventually, unable to bear the suffocating atmosphere, the youngest-looking kid burst into tears. The sound was incredibly loud. Rowy covered his ears in a panic.

“Waaaaah!”

The crying grew louder and louder. Priest Liner, who had just been watching the situation from the side, finally got up from his seat and began to take care of the children. Even as he was led away by Priest Liner’s hand, the biggest kid, who was called Neil, continued to glare at Rowy.

“You are a devil! The devil took our big brothers away! You won’t take the Captain! You devil!”

“Neil!”

Once again, Van’s lightning-like roar came down. Startled, the children eventually let go of Priest Liner’s hand and began to run away. Even in the midst of that, the fact that they kept glancing back at Van was, in a way, pitiful, but…. The opponent was Rowy. Rowy stood close to Van’s side as if to show off. Seeing this, Neil’s eyes sharpened even further.

‘Hmph, won’t take him, you say? Even so, he’s mine anyway.’

Giving a smirk, Rowy now completely hugged Van’s waist and clung to him. It was a laughably childish act, but his opponent was a child of a similar level anyway. Neil, who had been glaring at Rowy, finally lowered his head. Heh-heh, with a smile of complete victory, Rowy tilted his head up and looked at Van.

“Are they the kids you said you looked after? The ones you said you washed their hair and all that?”

“Yes.”

“With your personality, it’s impressive that you were able to leave them behind.”

Van watched the children disappearing into the building far away.

“That is… true….”

The voice of Van saying that was dejected. His expression was also not great. Van had been in a good mood continuously after having a meal together. …Really, at times like this, forget about everything else, I just want to return to Serafilla quickly. Rowy made a sour face along with him.

“Anyway, I absolutely hate kids.”

“If we get married, adoption will be difficult….”

…Why is the conversation going there? Rowy looked at Van with a completely fed-up expression.

. ꕤ ｡ ˚⋆

The purification ritual took ten full days just for preparation. During that time, Rowy learned all the basic sacred scriptures. It was surprisingly fast.

“…!”

The most surprised person was Priest Liner, who had been teaching him the scriptures. Seeing Rowy reading and interpreting the scriptures fluently in an instant, despite not having taught him much, Priest Liner genuinely marveled and gave a loud round of applause. They said that in a vow of silence, one shouldn’t even make sounds with their body, but he did it for Rowy. Although Rowy had lived his whole life being called a genius, this was the first time he had received such sincere applause, so his face flushed a little.

“Well, I’m just… Actually, I can speak the devil’s tongue, too. Scriptures are nothing.”

“…”

…It would have been better if he hadn’t brought that up. And around that time, the High Priest called for Rowy. It was said that Rowy also had to perform a purification prayer. It was the final procedure for the ritual preparation.

“I don’t even believe in gods. Is my prayer important?”

“It’s not much of a prayer, sir. You just need to follow the High Priest and close your eyes. Please just bear with it for a moment.”

Van soothed Rowy with a face full of concern. He said it so earnestly that Rowy, who had complained out of habit, felt embarrassed.

“A-alright. I’ll pray. I’ll do it.”

“Now, please come this way.”

The High Priest, who had been watching the conversation between the two with a pleased expression from the side, opened the prayer room door for Rowy. It is said that only priests can accompany you when performing purification prayers or whatever it was. Therefore, leaving Van behind, only the High Priest and Rowy entered the prayer room together.

“Does it take a long time?”

“I will finish it quickly. Now, please give me your hand.”

The High Priest carefully held up Rowy’s hand, covered it with his own vestments, and offered a short prayer. Rowy, who had been quietly listening to the prayer, opened his mouth.

“What do I do?”

“You just have to stay still. You can keep your eyes closed.”

“And if I open them?”

“Haha, of course you may.”

The High Priest, who had experienced firsthand how immense Rowy’s curiosity was over the past few days, laughed and nodded.

“Now, I will sprinkle holy water, so please close your eyes for a moment.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Rowy closed his eyes obediently. Soon, cold holy water was sprinkled all over his face. Even while flinching at the coldness, Rowy kept his eyes tightly shut. The High Priest, who was watching that face, had a slight smile on his lips. The Rowy he had seen so far was someone of a fairly gentle nature. Of course, it couldn’t be said that there were no times when he was headstrong….

‘Still, he listens well when Van speaks.’

The High Priest’s smile deepened as he recalled the two of them together. The affection in Van’s face when looking at Rowy was so overflowing that it was heart-warming just to watch from the side. Especially when considering Van’s state at the time of leaving the temple….

“I am glad that Van seems to have brightened up a lot.”

“Mm-hmm?”