Chapter 95

"During the Corpus Christi celebration, various ceremonies take place. They will be held in the specially opened royal temple, and the central event among them is the Eucharist."

Unlike the Schützenfest, there were many things to do as a member of a noble family during Corpus Christi.

But for him, Yu Yesung.

An atheist, a non-religious person, someone who respected others' religions, but fundamentally held a skeptical view of faith, a healthy Korean man.

It was his first time participating in an event with such strong religious coloring, so he was receiving a crash course from Arndt.

"What is the Eucharist?"

"Didn't I tell you that God created all things with His flesh and blood? It's a meal where you eat foods symbolizing God's flesh and God's blood."

"Do I have to participate in the Eucharist with other nobles?"

"Usually, yes. I've heard that everyone enjoys it together outdoors in a tea party format."

"This is serious."

He wondered how he would manage to force down the food without being discovered.

As he was contemplating ways to escape, Arndt carefully said,

"There's also a banquet on the eve of the Eucharist, so you'll have to go there too."

"Damn it! I can't skip it, can I?"

"Didn't you say there was something you wanted to do at this banquet?"

"That's right. I need to walk a tightrope now, and if possible, I want to maintain good balance."

The royal family, the nobility, the temple.

Having already stood at a counterpoint to the royal family, he needed to avoid giving the impression of being too friendly with the temple.

At the same time, he had to convey that he had no interest in being the leader of the nobles.

Moreover...

"By the way, any news about Leandros?"

"Nothing specific. I think we might hear some news when we enter the castle this time."

Of course, Leandros wasn't the type to send warm letters, but shouldn't he at least let them know if he arrived safely in the capital?

Of course, he would have managed fine on his own.

But couldn't he at least send a greeting?

They say human relationships are all about affection, but it seemed this guy had lived without any.

But then, did the concept of affection even exist in this world?

"We'll probably meet at the Corpus Christi banquet."

Yes, they would probably meet at the banquet.

The thought of Leandros being attached to Yurik's side as a knight made his stomach twist.

But it would be enough to see that his face was healthy.

Consoling himself like that, he counted the days until the banquet.

But at the long-awaited eve of Corpus Christi,

Among the people filling the royal palace's banquet hall, there wasn't even a hair of Leandros to be found.

* * *

Yurik had been quite bored lately.

Even though the thing he had been so eagerly anticipating had come to pass.

The deal involving the development rights for the abandoned mithril mine and Leandros's dispatch had been concluded more easily than expected.

It even made him wonder if Arenheit had been holding onto Leandros all this time specifically for this moment.

When Leandros had bowed his waist to him, he had clearly felt elation and euphoria.

It had felt like a long-cherished wish had come true, but.

Now, why?

Despite sitting in a high seat as a proxy for the king, Yurik maintained a crooked posture throughout.

People below were dancing, eating, drinking, and enjoying themselves boisterously.

Most were emerging nobles climbing up to fill the vacant central noble positions.

Among the people, a red head stood out particularly vividly.

And the golden-haired escort knight following him.

What was his name again... Nabil, or something?

The face that had been so deeply moved, constantly looking at the medal he had given him, was clear, but.

He couldn't remember anything about him except the impression that his name was somewhat ridiculous.

Having come to the capital, he thought there might be something fun to do,

But it seemed far more interesting to mess with the Duke than with Leandros, who had shut himself in the knight quarters and training grounds, supposedly training.

The moment that thought occurred to him, Yurik rose from his seat and headed down.

As he stood up, people along his path offered polite greetings.

Though it might have been tiring to acknowledge them all, Yurik nodded his head benevolently with a smile.

After all, he had been in the position of Crown Prince of a country for more than just a year or two.

As he reached Duke Arenheit and the blonde escort knight, he saw the Duke's face contort sharply.

How impudent.

"I behold the small sun of the kingdom."

"You observe excessive courtesy between us, Duke. Has your health improved?"

"Yes. Thanks to your concern."

Contrary to his polite words, the Duke's face was already saying, 'You've been tearing holes in my stomach for a long time, you son of a bitch.'

Yurik felt good the moment he saw that face.

So he decided to be generous in his conduct.

"If I hadn't shown concern, I might have seen the Duke bedridden. How regrettable."

"I thought you might feel that way, so I almost didn't come today, but I felt I should see the face of the knight I dispatched."

"You mean Sir Leandros? He's been diligent in training every day. It seems he didn't have enough time to train at the ducal residence."

"Ah, Sir Leandros wasn't particularly diligent about training. But since he's changed so much at the royal palace, it seems staying at the royal palace isn't particularly exciting. Please look after him kindly."

"Whichever territory he's from, he truly resembles his master's temperament."

"Hahahaha."

"Hahahahaha."

Nobles who were stealthily approaching to join the conversation heard the exchange between the two and withdrew on their own.

Noticing this, Duke Arenheit cleared his throat once and forcibly created a fresh expression.

"Anyway, I know that Your Highness has accommodated me in various ways. I can only express my gratitude. Including the matter of the mithril mine."

"Hmm?"

"You may have heard, but we are currently building a temple in the north. At the upcoming dedication ceremony, I will officially donate the temple and pray for the well-being of the royal family."

Yurik momentarily failed to understand why Arenheit was suddenly behaving like the tongue in his mouth.

But he immediately understood when he saw the emerging nobles looking at them with curious eyes.

Arenheit didn't want to take on annoying tasks.

Whether it was being the leader of the noble faction or the frontman for the temple faction, Arenheit seemed to have no interest.

Contrary to spreading his name in all directions, did he not want to wear the real hat?

Why?

"Setting that aside. I was previously acquainted with the Duke's escort knight. But now that I look..."

Yurik stared intently at the escort knight who raised his head behind Arenheit.

"...he seems somewhat different from before?"

Previously, his impression had been vague, but something must have happened in the meantime because the person had changed.

Not his appearance, but his eyes.

The blue eyes that had simply laughed without knowing anything had somehow changed to a deep blue and hardened.

If Leandros was cold ice, this one was like a deep sea.

They were eyes that contained both a gentle undulation and the passion that could sweep away everything on the water.

Had he gained some spiritual enlightenment in the meantime?

Had Duke Arenheit placed some kind of brainwashing on him?

Having lost interest in Leandros, Yurik was beginning to like him.

"Good eyes."

"Would you stop eyeing my escort knight?"

"I merely gave a compliment. Don't be so sensitive. How did a person change like this? Did something happen in the north?"

If something had happened in the north.

Yurik paused for a moment.

"...Something did happen? Something you didn't tell me?"

"What would I hide from Your Highness the Crown Prince? It's just that it happened after Your Highness left, so I haven't had a chance to mention it."

"You're trying to climb over my head again. How many were there?"

"Well, I don't remember clearly. But you might shout with joy if you see it."

Arenheit, who had been speaking calmly, lowered his voice.

"With Corpus Christi right around the corner, it wouldn't be appropriate for such things to be wandering around the north. So I cleared them for you instead."

"You'll regret it, Duke Hartmann."

"Me? Not at all."

Yes, he was saying he could achieve anything even without Leandros.

Yurik, whose pride was irritated, suddenly smiled as if he had a good idea.

"Since we're talking about Corpus Christi, let me ask. Has the Duke ever visited a temple?"

"...? No, I haven't. When I was young, I had weak health, so I didn't go out much."

"Then have you never seen a portrait or statue of God?"

As Arenheit turned to look at his escort knight, the golden-haired knight whispered.

"Usually, when depicting God in paintings or sculptures, they represent Him as an empty chair, clouds, or radiance. This is because humans, as created beings, cannot casually capture the image of the great God."

To Russel's explanation, Arenheit nodded as if he hadn't known anything.

Yurik smiled at the sight and said.

"The Duke's escort knight is well-informed. I feel sorry that the Duke will celebrate Corpus Christi without ever having entered a temple before."

Yurik slightly lowered his eyebrows.

In contrast, Arenheit's eyebrows slightly rose.

"Is that so?"

"Then let me do this. How about the Duke and I share the Eucharist together this Corpus Christi?"

"I wouldn't dare take up Your Highness the Crown Prince's precious time. How could I possibly."

"No, no. I can't neglect a duke of the country. Besides..."

A private Eucharist.

Even people who had only caught snippets of Yurik's words could understand sufficiently.

Seeing people whispering among themselves with surprised expressions, Yurik smiled.

"Since the Duke is more welcomed than I am, I'd like to hear your thoughts on others as well."

Grabbing and seating someone who was trying to escape was Yurik's specialty.

Arenheit's face contorted subtly, as if he was both smiling and crying.

After not answering for a long time, Arenheit, unable to come up with a suitable excuse, barely opened his mouth.

"I am honored, Your Highness."

While Arenheit's mouth was speaking politely, his eyes were already glaring fiercely at Yurik.

You bastard. You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?

Looking at the Duke's face that seemed to be asking that, Yurik laughed internally.

The displeasure that the uninteresting Leandros had given him had completely flown away.