TVSP 35🍂

Chapter 35

The territory governed by Count Jasper bordered the lands of the barbarians, a region rich in mineral veins, where most of the inhabitants worked in the mines.

Because of its proximity to the barbarian lands and the harsh, physically demanding work, the people here had a reputation for being rough and fierce.

Yet, those who risked their lives for a living placed their faith in the divine above all else. This territory was one of the most devout, contributing generously with offerings and donations.

It was here that reports of heretics had begun to surface.

And not just once, but repeatedly.

The barbarians worshiped neither the Empire’s gods nor any deity recognized by the temples. The priests concluded that these outsiders might be infiltrating the territory to mislead the local population.

I was tasked with confirming the existence of these heretics in Jasper’s lands and, if they were real, punishing them. Thus, my journey began.

“Finally, I get to accompany you, my lady! The temple never lets me, so I can’t tell you how relieved I am. You know only I can handle your temperament!”

Wendy was not a devotee of the temple and therefore could not officially assist me within its walls.

“You’ve endured hiding your true self in the temple, haven’t you? Now that I’m here, don’t worry—let your temper fly!”

She had insisted on accompanying me, claiming she wouldn’t tolerate being left behind. Her stubbornness forced me to bring her along.

‘Has she really gotten used to me?’

Her eyes sparkled as she encouraged me to vent, and honestly, I had no desire to indulge her.

I sighed and turned my gaze elsewhere. She seemed disappointed but quickly shifted the topic.

“About the heresy rumors in Jasper’s territory… It seems the so-called heretics weren’t actually heretics. People kept disappearing, and the rumor spread that it was the barbarians’ doing, prompting the temple to investigate. Essentially, these are just missing-person reports.”

Barbarians did not worship the Empire’s gods but revered the strongest among them as their deity. Their faith, alien to the Empire, was often labeled heretical, and their worship of mortals as gods made them objects of fear and scorn.

“Then why didn’t they report it to Count Jasper first?” Wendy muttered, puzzled.

“There are two possibilities. Either Jasper tried to resolve it but failed, or he deliberately ignored it. If it were the former, he would have contacted the temple for help.”

“So, it seems Jasper knows but is simply ignoring it.”

“Exactly. That’s why the villagers turned to the temple. The problem is that the reports are anonymous—without finding the informant, it’ll be difficult to help them.”

Wendy’s face darkened at my explanation.

“Then shouldn’t paladins or other priests have come with you? If Jasper won’t help, you’ll have to handle this alone… How can a delicate lady like you deal with the barbarians?”

Aside from the paladins assigned to temple security, most others were in secret training. The priests had yet to fully trust me as a newly appointed cardinal.

“It’s fine. I have a plan.”

“Ugh… ugh, ugh!” Wendy groaned, struggling to contain her frustration.

“I can’t stand it anymore, my lady! Why do you act like this? You’ve always despised the temple and the gods, yet you’re acting blindly for their sake—it doesn’t make sense!”

“Sit still, the carriage is cramped.”

Her sudden shout caused the carriage to sway, and she slammed her chest in frustration.

“You’re not planning to stay unmarried, living like this forever, are you? You once said you would become crown princess, even empress one day. But this path… it’s so far from your dream!”

Wendy had never displayed such agitation before. We had spent years together, yet this was entirely new.

Her raw emotion was too much to reduce to mere ‘impertinence.’ I simply observed her without interrupting.

“Everyone else is worried, too. They fear you might end up entirely devoted to the temple!”

“Worried?” I asked.

“Yes! Even now, it’s not too late. Refuse this mission and return home. Tell the duke you cannot continue the cardinal duties. He won’t be angry—he worries about you!”

‘Was it Father who ordered Wendy to stay close and watch over me?’

“Your brother is worried too. If the council grows displeased with you…!”

‘Or the Saint? Or the council itself?’

Wendy noticed her own rising emotion and fell silent, perhaps after seeing my expression.

“They’d punish you, just like with Roy.”

The mention of Roy’s name made her shoulders drop, and she bowed her head deeply. Any reference to Roy was implicitly forbidden in my presence, given the emotions it stirred.

“You have nothing to apologize for. You were only concerned for me and offered advice.”

I said it quietly, with a tone lower than usual. Wendy, sensing the weight behind my voice, fell silent.

‘I should’ve ignored her and just seen how far she would go.’

Finally, a peaceful quiet settled over us. The silence was oddly uncomfortable, as if we were perched on hard stones.

‘She’ll think I’m sensitive. Well, it’s natural—Roy’s name came up.’

Roy, my second brother, had been cast out by the council due to behavior unbecoming of a noble. I had seen him leave with my own eyes.

“If you continue acting recklessly, your name will vanish from this family!”

I remembered my father’s fury and Roy’s reddened cheek as he stood defiant.

I didn’t know exactly what wrong he had done, but his mischievous face seemed stoic, almost angry.

“Expelled? Let them try! I’m done with this family anyway!”

He turned away, leaving behind the family’s honor, power, and fortune.

“Don’t go, Roy! Please don’t leave!”

At thirteen, I was still a child despite my maturity. I cried, desperate not to lose him, but he did not turn back.

None in the family knew whether Roy survived, died, or where he had gone.

I assumed they intentionally withheld the truth and tried to erase my longing. I hoped to meet him again, though I never imagined it would happen in the way it did.

Years later, Roy appeared unexpectedly, accompanied by someone I never anticipated. Leandros had taken him as a friend, under divine mission, and that day the entire family was turned upside down.

The family had spies tracking Roy, but they lost him and concealed the truth, reporting lies.

The trackers and informants were punished and expelled. Attempts to return Roy to the Apferdita family failed.

“Who are you?”

Roy had completely abandoned the family name, showing his disregard for us.

And why did I recall Roy now?

“I was worried because this mission is dangerous. Forgive my presumptuous words.”

The truth was, I had taken this mission as a pretext to encounter Roy.

Roy, hiding his identity in Count Jasper’s lands, met Leandros under divine instruction and became a comrade and friend.

‘But meeting him after the divine mission is too late. I must ensure he supports Leandros before that.’

Even if I wanted to protect Leandros, I could not do it alone.

Roy, who had stayed loyal and by my side, was the ideal first companion. I had chosen this mission as an excuse to bring him in.

‘Persuasion is another matter, but it should go smoothly. After all, he liked Leandros from the start.’

I thought it would be easy—but it didn’t take long to realize otherwise.