[CHAPTER 90]
“Ahem.”
The white-haired High Priest cleared his throat.
“We have gathered exactly one thousand five hundred seventy-two ballots.”
“The citizens’ interest is truly remarkable.”
It was a number far exceeding that of previous years.
Considering that only a portion of the gathered citizens had participated in the vote, it was all the more impressive.
People who had been chatting and laughing began turning their attention to the podium, their expressions growing curious one by one.
“Before announcing the results, we have selected a few ballots to read aloud.”
“We will first share the voices of the citizens regarding the most holy woman.”
“Please try to guess who today’s main figure is.”
With slow movements, the High Priest adjusted the hem of his long robe and took out a pair of magnifying glasses from his front pocket, placing them on his nose.
“Long curly hair, a pink dress, and a very thin necklace.”
“That is all from Anonymous Citizen Number One.”
Rob, Gamri, and Adonis exchanged glances with indifferent expressions.
At the same time, they let out quiet chuckles and lightly clinked their glasses together.
“Do people really find this fun?”
“If they’re bored, they could at least go hunt some monsters with us.”
Gamri grumbled.
He picked up a spoon instead of a fork and shoveled a mouthful of steaming mashed potatoes into his mouth.
“True enough.”
Rob shrugged his shoulders.
“It’s already decided who’ll be chosen anyway.”
“Exactly.”
Adonis agreed.
It was the Day of the Holy War festival held every summer.
Yet despite the label of “this year,” the chosen individuals were almost always the same.
Sera Parker, and Caliph Renox.
Adonis glanced sideways at Caliph.
Sitting there expressionlessly, he looked as though he were merely killing time.
“The next citizen has kindly provided her name.”
“It is quite a long and detailed description.”
“Hello, I am Mari, and I run a small bakery on the outskirts of Kasadin.”
After pausing briefly, the High Priest continued in a tone reminiscent of telling an amusing old story.
“The most holy woman I saw today was wearing a dress the fresh color of wild roses.”
“What stood out most were her shoes.”
“The high heels curved like gentle waves.”
“If she is selected, please ask her for me which boutique they came from.”
Laughter erupted throughout the hall.
Meanwhile, Pippin, who had been leaning forward intently listening, suddenly turned her head to look at Adonis.
“That’s not me, right?”
Despite her words, her face was brimming with anticipation.
Her cheeks were as red as tomatoes, unable to hide her excitement, and her eyes burned as though the coming glory already belonged to her.
“Haha, well……”
Adonis awkwardly averted his gaze.
Curden, who had said he would step out for a cigarette, was still nowhere to be seen.
Sir Lota should have been here.
With a single remark, he could have dispelled Pippin’s misunderstanding.
At least before she embarrassed herself any further.
Meanwhile, after giving the crowd a moment to laugh, the High Priest began reading the third and final citizen’s account.
“I do not know her name, nor her place of origin.”
“However, I heard her introduce herself as the aide to an X-rank Holy Knight……”
“Kyaa!”
Pippin screamed and leapt to her feet.
All eyes instantly turned toward her.
Gamri, who had choked, spat the potatoes he had been eating onto the table.
“C-Cough!”
Rob scolded him while pounding his back, then glanced at Pippin with a puzzled tilt of his head.
Without waiting for anyone to stop her, Pippin began striding toward the podium.
“That’s me!”
“They’re talking about me!”
Radiant with joy, she stopped in front of the podium.
Then, as if to show off her heels to the audience, she lifted her skirt high and climbed onto the stage.
“Uh……”
The High Priest exchanged troubled looks with the attendants.
The name written on the result sheet was Mayna Winslet.
The woman he had briefly greeted just before the banquet began was clearly not the same person as the one who had just rushed onto the stage.
Moreover, the paper summarizing the citizens’ voices stated that “she has beautiful emerald-colored hair.”
“Hmm.”
The High Priest tilted his head.
Come to think of it, the young lady of the Winslet family seated at a distant table was wearing a violet dress, not pink.
“What?”
“Someone other than Princess Parker was chosen this year?”
“Who is that woman?”
Murmurs spread among the confused crowd.
But Pippin, overwhelmed by ecstasy, seemed to hear none of it.
“Thank you!”
“It’s such an honor!”
With a grin so wide it nearly distorted her features, Pippin bowed deeply.
“I am Pippin Perepena!”
“Aide to Sir Caliph Renox, the sole X-rank Holy Knight of the great Farman Empire!”
Lifting her head, Pippin looked straight at Caliph.
He had paused his conversation with Hugo and was watching her with an unreadable expression.
It had been nearly a month since she became Caliph’s aide.
They were partners in work and even lived under the same roof, yet he had never truly let her get close.
She had secured the position by striking “that deal” with Banze Motenson.
No matter how desperately she tried, it was useless.
She had not received a single word of praise or even a glance of interest.
Today, finally.
Fierce ambition settled over Pippin’s face.
If she could enjoy the honor of bearing holy water before everyone on this sacred day.
Only then would she be publicly acknowledged as the aide of the famed Caliph Renox.
Meanwhile, Mayna watched Pippin on the stage and smiled faintly.
She was ready to offer wholehearted applause to the woman receiving such an honor.
“Lady Perepena.”
The High Priest whispered softly, only loud enough for Pippin to hear.
“I believe there has been a misunderstanding.”
“What?”
Pippin blinked her round eyes.
The venerable High Priest fell briefly into thought.
He searched for a way to resolve the situation without humiliating her in front of everyone.
Just then—
Bang!
With a thunderous crash, the doors of the Great Hall burst open.
All heads turned toward the back at once.
A tall man strode noisily into the hall, reeking of tobacco and alcohol.
“Huh?”
“Sir Lota…!”
Adonis’ eyes widened as he recognized Curden.
Having discarded his jacket somewhere, Curden wore only a white dress shirt, looking like a drunk who had barged into the banquet.
“Good grief.”
Adonis pressed a hand to his forehead.
Ignoring the murmuring crowd, Curden marched straight up onto the podium.
“Excuse me.”
With a manner that suggested he felt no excuse was needed, Curden snatched the result sheet from the High Priest.
“Oh—!”
The flustered High Priest stumbled backward helplessly.
Claiming the center of the stage with ease, Curden calmly scanned the audience.
Then he read from the paper.
“AV 3022, August 1st.”
“The seventy-third Day of the Holy War.”
Knowing well how reckless Curden could be when drunk, Adonis squeezed his eyes shut and reopened them.
Spotting Adonis, Curden flashed a mad grin and spoke.
“The most holy woman.”
He paused and slowly surveyed the banquet hall.
Then his gaze stopped at one point.
“As expected, this year it is Sera Parker—”
Curden’s eyes were cold despite the smile curling on his lips.
“—or so you thought.”
“Unfortunately, that is not the case.”
“And it certainly isn’t Lady Perepena, who charged onto the stage like a wild bison.”
The banquet hall fell into complete silence.
Curden chuckled softly as he looked at Sera and the Empress, both frozen stiff.
Then he revealed the true result written on the paper.
“Mayna Winslet.”
“Caliph Renox.”
The announcement was as flat as cold water being poured over the crowd.
Only after holding up the paper like proof did Curden hand it back to the High Priest.
“Ha ha…… ha!”
“Yes, congratulations to both of you.”
“Please come up to the stage.”
The High Priest hastily stroked his beard and moved to regain control of the situation.
Those who had been watching in confusion finally began clapping and searching for where today’s honorees were seated.
As Curden stepped down from the stage, he suddenly stopped and cupped his hands around his mouth.
“Mayna!”
“Where do you think you’re running off to?”
Mayna had been trying to quietly slip out of the hall, unable to endure the absurd scene any longer.
Her entire body flushed bright red as she froze in place.
“You were wearing a pink dress earlier today, weren’t you?”
Curden shouted.
Mayna could neither confirm nor deny it, only covering her burning cheeks with both hands.
“Lady Winslet.”
“And Sir Renox.”
“Please come up to the stage.”
The High Priest urged them on with a hearty laugh.
Only then did Curden step fully off the stage and walk toward Mayna.
Stopping just inches away, he spoke quietly.
“Everything about it was obviously you.”
“You were the only one who didn’t realize it.”
“……”
“Try paying attention to what’s yours.”
He spoke lightly, almost in passing, but then his expression turned serious.
“More than anything,”
“a man and woman who drink holy water at the dawn prayer ceremony receive the protection of the Bisan Order for an entire year.”
With that, Curden passed by her.
Mayna slowly turned her head and looked toward Caliph.
She had tried not to look at him all evening, yet she immediately found where he was seated.
Perhaps due to intoxication or sheer ennui, Caliph had been lounging in his chair.
He straightened his back.
Amid hundreds of people, Caliph slowly rose to his feet, facing Mayna, who alone seemed to shine.
