Intermezzo: Zion (2)

High Priest.

The priest who presided over the main temple in Rexton, the Beulah Sacred Temple. The priest oversees other priests in the main temple and other temples throughout the kingdom. He is the first person to turn to if there is a spiritual need or problem at Rexton.

High Priest is elected by the previous High Priest his approval of the Pope residing in another kingdom on this continent. It is said that only these people can see holy and demonic powers. Therefore, they are the only ones who can fill these positions.

Then what about the current High Priest?

High Priest Meical, that's his name. A genuinely majestic name, reflecting his actions, strength, and abilities. Elected 20 years ago, High Priest Meical is loved by the people of Rexton. Especially since his role in assisting Marquess Hadrian Melchoir in eradicating the remnants of the demon that had gone out of control almost 10 years ago.

"I have never met High Priest Meical in person, but I have seen him from a distance. He…"

Axelle nodded stiffly. "Bound a contract with the devil," he continued poignantly.

Marioline watched him closely. "Has Your Highness ever met him?"

"Yes, as a child, I met High Priest Meical quite often when accompanying my father in certain ceremonies," recalled Axelle. "After that never again, only once after my return from the academy. That's when… I realized it."

"That explains why Your Highness rejected the offer to serve at Beulah Temple."

"Unfortunately, that actually aroused the suspicion of High Priest Meical. He probably… already knows my true strength despite being silent."

"May I quote my brother's words?"

"Eh? Yes…."

"That's because Prince Axelle is a coward who always looks for safety. That's why His Highness is never considered a bully. All his enemies thought he would just stay quiet, even willing to give himself up when he was cornered."

The sentence just now really pierced Axelle. From the start, he knew Chas didn't like him. "Really looks like Lord Chas," Axelle said in horror.

"Please forgive my brother's words just now, Your Highness. His temperament is indeed rude and impolite," said Marioline. She smiled faintly then. "But aren't you bolder now than before? You saved Lady Rheannon. That means something."

Axelle made him smile. "Thank you, it was very comforting after hearing the words from Lord Chas."

"Ha ha ha."

That's right, all of this was possible because of Rheannon.

Axelle didn't get to meet Rheannon at her wedding. Geez, they even parted suddenly without a chance to say anything.

How are things now, huh? thought Axelle. It must have been a shock for Rheannon to see the outside world and get married after a long period of solitary confinement. Moreover, the man she married was Hadrian who had a child.

Hope they are all right, hope Axelle sincerely in his heart.

***

Well, sadly they are not doing well.

Hadrian's entourage was facing problems. Not robbers or kidnappers like before. This time what they faced was a beast attack.

"Damn it. The timing is perfect when it's raining," cursed one of Hadrian's knights chasing a big bear.

It's terrible luck. Compared to animals, it was better to fight against humans whose abilities and goals were clearly measurable. Animals prefer to appear suddenly and attack for no reason. They kept coming and going without warning.

This is exhausted Hadrian's man. If this continues, they might fall before reaching Paiton.

"How strange," said Ichabod once they managed to ward off the beasts that attacked them. "The path in this forest is usually safe. Is there animal migration?"

Hadrian watched his surroundings. "Deer are rare here. Even the river contains only small fish. It's not enough of an excuse for the animals to migrate," he said.

"That is true. Usually there are only birds and squirrels. If there's anything dangerous, it might be a snake."

Hadrian squinted into the distance, staring straight ahead between the naturally created paths of the frequent tread. "I don't like this state of affairs," he admitted uneasily. It was true that no one was hurt, but his entourage atmosphere was tense due to excessive vigilance and exhaustion.

"But we have to rest here," said Ichabod. "Nowhere else is good enough to stop. The others are exhausted too."

"I will check the area around. Sir Ichabod, please condition the others."

"Very well, Your Grace."

Hadrian's entourage was not doing well.