After all that fuss, Rishe and her party returned to the Grand Shrine.

I hope the young lady feels at ease in her room… But that’s not all there is to think about.

Rishe had a new concern.

Lord Jonal called that boy “Leo”. That boy is definitely the Leo I know… But he didn’t have an eye patch or a scar on his left eye, which means, ha.

It meant this was before the event that caused Leo to lose one of his eyes.

Senpai said that Leo’s wounds were due to a terrible punishment by his former employer… It’s three months from now that Leo would be joining the Order… Considering the time of year, his previous employer would have to be Lord Jonal.

Rishe gently lowered her gaze.

I’ve never heard of Lord Jonal violently treating his servants. He was always very tolerant and smiled no matter what mistakes newcomers made. It’s hard to imagine him chastising an eleven year old to the point of such severe injury.

But, on a second thought.

Not a single servant I’m familiar with is here, which means everyone will be replaced afterwards… There has to be a reason for that. First and foremost, the talk about Myria-sama’s “curse.”

An unpleasant thought dawned on her slowly in a blur.

For example, what if her curse is indeed true?

She kept her head down and chewed over it so that Arnold next to her wouldn’t notice.

What if the cause of Leo’s serious injury wasn’t Lord Jonal’s chastisement, but someone else’s who Lord Jonal was trying to protect? What if all the servants who knew about it were dismissed in order to hide it? Besides, if there’s someone that Lord Jonal wants to protect even if he has to use such means, it is–　

Rishe looked up at Arnold beside her and said, “Your Highness, aside from thanking you, I’d like to see the two of them in good health.”

“…”

“And also to that boy who served as a messenger. He looked in a lot of pain from riding so fast.”

Arnold looked at Rishe with an expression that didn’t hide his annoyance.

But then he let out a small sigh.

“Oliver. Keep them in check.”

“Very well, sir. Thank you, Rishe-sama for persuading His Highness.”

No, this is really my own personal agenda…

Meanwhile, another knock sounded at the door.

The man who showed up was a young priest.

“Your Highness, Arnold. The Archbishop is ready for you. Please follow me.”

“…”

You look blatantly disgusted!

Arnold and Rishe would have separate meetings with the bishop.

The reason was simple and obvious: they came here for different reasons.

Arnold came for official business involving the church, while Rishe visited the Grand Shrine to process her engagement cancellation with Dietrich.

Arnold would talk to the archbishop, the head of the religion.

On the other hand, Rishe was fine with any bishop who has a certain rank. Therefore, they would go their separate ways afterward.

“Oh, um, Your Highness Arnold, the priest is waiting for you…”