MPBAGS Chapter 43

"Then if that person weren't here, would you leave?"

"Yes."

"And if that person told you to leave, would you go?"

"Yes."

The priest felt chills at the straightforward responses. He thought he could rest easy now that the damned painting was gone, but the blind devotion had simply shifted to a different target. At least now the object was a person who could communicate, not a piece of paper?

Moreover, seeing that a holy knight was attached to her, she seemed to be Sir Gabriel's guest, and Sir Gabriel was someone who would comply if the bishop ordered it.

The priest immediately went to Bishop Jabanya and reported. Upon hearing this, Bishop Jabanya highly praised the priest's observational skills.

"It seems the god Rahel has rewarded your faith."

"Not at all, Bishop."

He was quite satisfied to gain the bishop's favor with this. Bishop Jabanya thanked the useful priest and casually brought up a topic to naturally approach Evangeline.

"Come to think of it, I haven't thanked that young lady for extinguishing the fire yet."

"Bishop, I'll handle the rest."

A quick-witted priest immediately continued the conversation. Bishop Jabanya left the remaining tasks to the priest and headed toward Evangeline. Just as the priest had said, everyone was indeed looking at that young lady. The intense and fervent gazes should have been impossible not to notice until now.

Bishop Jabanya found himself captivated by Evangeline and understood the reason. It was only natural to receive attention because of a presence so vivid. Looking at her was as natural and right as a principle, which explained why he was so late to notice.

The bishop smiled benevolently and bowed. Usually, someone of a bishop's rank rarely bowed their head, but Jabanya was someone who could bow his head readily for his public image.

Beneath his composed face, he was calculating. What was her name again? Raphaela had said... Right, that's it. Rohanson.

"Young Lady Rohanson, thank you so much for saving our temple's knight. We'll compensate you for the holy water you used to extinguish the fire."

"I'll accept it gratefully."

The Rohanson Count family? It was a name he'd never heard before but had encountered once recently due to the Donau incident. Was she the employer of the woman Donau Blue had kidnapped? And now she was involved with Donau's painting again. Like last time, there was also a fire.

Bishop Jabanya brought up the main topic without showing his suspicion.

"The other believers seem shocked, so we're planning to escort them to a resting place."

He deliberately raised his voice so those inside could hear. Evangeline nodded indifferently, as if uninterested in why he was telling her this.

As soon as Evangeline gave her permission, their footsteps began to move. People who hadn't budged despite the bishop's earnest requests became docile sheep with just one nod from a mere count's daughter.

Bishop Jabanya watched this scene with great interest, and only Raphaela felt uneasy about it.

'How much has he figured out?'

When reporting about Donau's death last time, he had also submitted a report about Evangeline Rohanson. At least it was fortunate that he hadn't revealed everything. The fact that Evangeline was the master of the magic circle, the note found in Donau's remains, and the rumors about Evangeline's resurrection were known only to the leader and Raphaela.

Bishop Jabanya didn't have much information. However, despite the lack of information, anyone who faced Evangeline would immediately realize she wasn't ordinary. The bishop also seemed to want to probe the connection between Evangeline and the incidents, as he approached Raphaela and whispered quietly.

"Did the entire painting burn?"

"Yes. It was completely incinerated."

"What caused the painting to burn?"

As expected. Since both were fire incidents and the same people were involved again, he was definitely suspicious.

"I have no idea. Surely those people didn't start the fire."

"What about Young Lady Rohanson?"

"She was with me."

"I'll gladly believe your word."

Is this old man thinking we orchestrated this together? His tone suggested he knew I was lying but would let it slide for now. He thought there must be some connection with Evangeline Rohanson.

"There were believers present too, so you could ask them."

"Good. Let me hear what those fools have to say first. I'm curious how useful their stories will be. Though I doubt they'll tell the truth in that state."

Well, people who had been obsessed with the painting like fanatics had now become Evangeline's docile sheep, so he'd naturally be curious about what had happened. Even if people told the truth, he wouldn't believe them, thinking they'd lie to defend Evangeline. But really, Evangeline did nothing wrong.

"Also, Sir Michel arrived later than I did."

This was telling him to exclude Michel from the interrogation. He didn't want to unnecessarily trouble him, and something about... the state he'd seen just before Michel fainted made it seem like nothing good would come from having him alone with Bishop Jabanya. Michel would probably be no different from those people.

"Bishop, may I excuse myself first? I think it would be better to get Sir Michel to bed quickly. Sir Uriel must be tired too."

Raphaela felt a piercing gaze and hastily cleared his throat, cutting off his words. Evangeline Rohanson was staring at him terrifyingly.

"Oh my. I didn't think of that. Leave the cleanup to me and go ahead. Young Lady Rohanson should receive the holy water, so please come with me..."

"Ah. The young lady should probably come with us too. The leader has something to discuss with her. I'll prepare the holy water before she leaves. You don't need to trouble yourself, Bishop—just letting us know in advance would be appreciated."

This venomous old man! What was he planning to whisper to Evangeline Rohanson by separating her alone?

At least it was reassuring that Evangeline wouldn't fall for that man's schemes. How many people had lowered their guard to that benevolent face and walked into his maw?

Fortunately, Evangeline's escort decided to accompany the bishop.

"Then let's go, Young Lady."

Uriel lifted Michel onto his back. Raphaela looked at the unconscious Michel, lost in thought, then carefully spoke.

"...I apologize for the late greeting. Thank you for saving Michel. Although he lost consciousness, he has no wounds thanks to the holy water. I'm truly grateful."

"Thank you, Young Lady."

Suspicious things aside, the help was real. I wonder how many bottles of holy water she used. How much does that cost?

Evangeline looked puzzled as if she hadn't expected to receive thanks. Causing a different reaction made him a little excited. Raphaela, have you lost your mind? Getting this excited just because Evangeline Rohanson widened her eyes once?

Raphaela cleared his throat and changed the subject.

"By the way, is it alright to send only Jelly alone?"

"Jelly is fine."

"Young Lady, you did well sending Jel… your escort instead. It's better not to get too close to the bishop. Despite appearances, he has quite a nasty personality."

Raphaela tried to calm his excited heart.

The journey to the knight order didn't take long. Uriel had enough stamina to run easily even while carrying a grown man, so there was no need to deliberately slow down.

After entering the building, Uriel stopped in front of the stairs. The reception room required going upstairs, while the infirmary was located on the first floor.

"Then I'll toss Sir Michel in the infirmary and return."

"Uriel... please treat Michel like a person. He is not a sack of grain to be hauled about."

"Ah. I'll escort him there and return."

What am I going to do with him? Raphaela held his head as he watched Uriel casually disappear.