MPBAGS Chapter 42

Only after the commotion died down did people start gathering. It seemed one of the priests had run to fetch the bishop. Bishop Jabanya arrived with priests carrying water buckets.

Usually, whether people died or temples collapsed, he wouldn't even glance at such trivial matters, yet here he was coming all this way. That old man still had good instincts.

"Raphaela... what is this?"

Look at him pretending not to know when he must have heard the full situation already. Bishop Jabanya had that benevolent face but possessed quite a fierce temperament. It was easy to be misled by his good-natured exterior, but he was quite selfish and ruthless.

Uriel used to say that Jabanya had many similarities to Raphaela, claiming that Raphaela suffered from self-hatred toward his own kind—and it wasn't entirely wrong. Still, that fox would have come leisurely without caring whether people got hurt or not, so it was unfair to compare them. At least that one had no conscience or guilt.

Unfortunately, Gabriel, the leader of the knight order that Raphaela belonged to, had also fallen victim to Bishop Jabanya's clutches in his youth and was still being exploited.

The leader claimed he was only repaying the bishop's past kindness... but from Raphaela's perspective, the bishop was merely using the leader as a chess piece. And from what he'd heard from the leader, the past favor wasn't even significant.

"The painting caught fire. Young Lady Rohanson extinguished the flames by pouring holy water on it. Sir Michel was burned but is unharmed thanks to the holy water."

"Oh, Rahel."

"I was a step too late and nearly lost the life of a precious knight. I'm ashamed."

"Not at all, Bishop. You were delayed fetching water, weren't you?"

What a sly old fox. At his benevolent words, the surrounding priests looked at the bishop with admiration, as if he were some incarnation of the god Rahel.

'What? Delayed fetching water?'

Raphaela could bet both his wrists—and even the unconscious Michel—that the bishop had deliberately arrived late. Since Raphaela had also hoped the painting would burn, Bishop Jabanya probably had the same thought and deliberately appeared late enough for the painting to burn completely.

If Bishop Jabanya had truly been a merciful person, he would have drawn water from the nearest fountain flowing with holy water. He would have said he'd cover the cost later. Just like how Evangeline Rohanson had extinguished the fire with holy water... Raphaela was amazed at himself for momentarily thinking Evangeline was righteous.

Seeing that Bishop Jabanya had gone all the way to the garden to fetch water from an ordinary fountain showed he had no intention of arriving early. The fact that no one around questioned it showed how well-trained they were in his hypocritical behavior.

Really, he'd be exhausting to have as an enemy. At least it was fortunate that they held the same opinion about Donau's painting. The representative figure of those who viewed the painting with praise had always been at odds with Bishop Jabanya.

"Now, now, since we're late, we should help sort out the situation."

"Yes, Bishop."

At Bishop Jabanya's words, the priests set down their buckets and began cleaning up. Some swept and wiped the ash while others dealt with the people.

"Believers, wouldn't it be better if you returned home now?"

"That's right. With the fire and all, isn't it too dangerous?"

"Are you hurt anywhere?"

Of course, there were no replies. Most were of noble birth, so they couldn't be treated carelessly, resulting in only endless unanswered suggestions to leave.

"Let's go! Are you planning to stay here forever?"

One priest with poor patience couldn't contain his anger and shouted. He immediately covered his mouth as if regretting his words, but fortunately, the other party paid no attention.

"But now that the painting has burned and disappeared, what are you hoping to see by staying here?"

When the priest lamented, a reaction finally came. The noble lady he was addressing pointed at Evangeline Rohanson with reddened cheeks.

"You're looking at that young lady?"

The priest looked around. He wondered why he hadn't noticed it before—everyone's gaze was directed at that fair and beautiful young lady.