Chapter 11

After we had our breakfast, Artemis sent Amelia away, as I still needed to go with her to priest Andreas so he can do one more checkup on me and see if the curse is still active.

Though a little unhappy that her playtime got delayed, Amelia could not do anything about it except glare at me and Artemis as she went back to her room with her head bent down.

Priest Andreas was staying in the guest house mansion, just near the main house.

As we were walking there, only silence was between us. Artemis talked about some things now and then, but I could not have a proper conversation with her.

In the morning, all the emotions of the original Aish and my memories of my past life came crashing when I woke up, and I could not control myself and cried in her embrace. But now that I have accepted this new world and cleared my thoughts, I just do not know how to act around her.

She is not like Amelia, with whom I can feel an attachment. I would have ignored Amelia too if she did not have Ria's face. But with Artemis, I feel no connection. I mean, Aish's feelings of love are there, and I could still see them as memories in my head, but I cannot feel them—they are just like a good movie that is stuck in my head. So even if I love her character in it, having a one-on-one conversation as her son, now that would be difficult for everyone, let alone me, who lived half his life as a nobody.

Plus, the fact that I also must be careful that she does not notice anything strange—she is much more powerful and intelligent than I am. I can use the excuse of the curse to get away with some things, but you cannot expect me to look into her eyes and call her mother and hope that everything goes well.

But I also cannot ignore her, as that would make it harder for me to live here and protect Amelia. If I did that, then I think they will just adopt a new son—after all, they did that in the original book.

I was lost in my thoughts when I felt someone tapping on my shoulder.

"We're here. What are you thinking, standing there all lost and zoning out?" Artemis said.

"Nothing. Let us go in." I replied and started walking ahead.

There were some guards standing at the gate and some who were patrolling the perimeter, but no one said anything. When I finally reached the gate, they bowed their heads and opened it.

Me and Artemis walked in, and soon we saw Andreas kneeling beside a window, reading the book that he was holding yesterday. He was chanting something that I could not understand the meaning of; the tattoo of Lyre on his hand was shining in golden color. I recognized what he was doing—it was a prayer ceremony for God Apollo described in the book. Since there is no statue or altar here, he is kneeling beside a window from where he can see the sun and pray, but that scene sent me into another thought journey.

(He's praying to God Apollo.)

(But the prayers _ they are _)

I was lost in thoughts watching Andreas when Artemis pulled me away from there to not disturb him. Currently we were sitting in the hall, and after waiting for 5 minutes, he came out.

Andreas bowed a little and said, "Forgive me, lady Artemis, for making you wait."

"It's no problem; the fault was ours to have you stay the night and come unannounced." Artemis replied.

The people from any of the churches in this world do not go out unless it is necessary. They believe that the power of faith accumulated in the church would help them. While the outside world contaminates their faith. It is especially true for someone with a high standing in the church.

Andreas held the status of a High Priest, which meant that there were few who could order him in the whole BELIEF SYSTEM and none who were present in Damascus. The Church of Apollo here was under Andreas's control, and he was their leader. His being away for a whole night would be impossible if it were for anyone else. But he did not even want to ruin the peace that was kept between his church and the Floren House.

I bowed to priest Andreas and said, "Thank you for saving my life. High Priest. "

Andreas looked at me and replied, "It was God's will. I'm just a mere follower." Saying that he placed his hand on my head, and the same as before, the Lyre mark started shining, and a ring of golden light encircled my head. The light felt warm and comforting but different from before when it engulfed me and pulled me out of the darkness.

As the light started rotating around Aish's head, Artemis, who was worried and looking towards Aish, did not notice that for a moment Andreas made a surprised expression, but then it turned to normal again.

After some time, Andreas removed his hand and said, "There's nothing to worry about, lady Artemis. The young heir is perfectly fine. I see no effect of the curse or cursed mana left in his body."

Hearing this, Artemis had a warm smile on her face; she felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She replied, "Thank you for your efforts, Priest Andreas. I would personally visit the church and say my prayers to God Apollo."

Floren's family never affiliated themselves with any church and kept themselves neutral with the belief system. Now the Duchess herself going to church would be enough of a reward as it would improve their reputation among all their peers.

Though the entire world believes and respects God Apollo for defeating the Demon King Ditail and ending The Last War, many also blame him for breaking the balance and causing The Emergence.

And now, in an era where people forgot all about the wrath of Demons and only feared the non-stop monsters, towers, and dungeons, his reputation has been going downhill lately.

So now that Andreas had saved Aish and gained the favor of the Floren family, the church's reputation and belief in God Apollo would increase in the eyes of the public, which would then result in increasing the power of faith. That was good news for him. Andreas thanked her, and after some pleasantries, we left the guest house. Priest Andreas too was going to leave for his church soon.

When Artemis and I walked out, Priest Andreas stared at our backs for some time and then looked towards the sun and muttered, "God's will is ultimate. The prophecy had begun. "

_

Unknown about what Andreas said or meant, Currently Me and Artemis were coming back towards our mansion; it was the same silent walk as this time both me and her were thinking about what to do next.

Artemis needed to find the traitor that helped Evil's Scion, as she was not worried about the curse now and was free to punish them.

I too left the issue regarding the curse aside for now, but unlike Artemis, I did not forget it completely. No, I was worried as hell about that—something that was not mentioned in the original book—that is a big red flag for me right there.

But for now, I was thinking about how to get her to help me deal with Noah and the possible traitor trio.

After thinking hard and not finding any way through which I could get her to help me with killing a 10-year-old—without me sounding like a seer or a killer. Both would bring their own troubles for me, which I wanted to avoid.

I decided to stop that route and chose to take a different one. (What's the worst that can happen?)

I took a deep breath and said in a serious tone,

"It was Beric Zastan who cursed me, mother. He's been working with Evil's Scion."