Minsoo blinked at the priest’s face. Why the hell does everyone I meet just find out that I’m not this psycho bastard?

"What?"

"You’re not Sir Glennhort. It’s quite obvious since you have a totally different personality." The priest grinned. "Sir Glennhort is a beast: ruthless, violent, and sadistic. If it wasn’t for His Grace’s protection, I’m sure he would have been convicted a long time ago. You, on the other hand, are gentler and more cheerful, and you don’t have a dangerous aura around you."

"You can really tell?"

"Of course! I’m a priest after all." The man held out a hand and helped Minsoo to his feet. "You have a different energy around you; maybe that’s why His Grace didn’t kill you on the spot."

"I’m just… a divine messenger."

"From our Sun Goddess Alaira?"

Minsoo nodded, and a strange light flashed in the priest’s golden eyes.

"Of course. Who else could send you here?"

"Then, do you know what just happened?"

"A kind of reaction to the divine energy. It’s been a while since I've seen something like that, but it seems your soul can’t sustain the divine energy gathered here at the chapel." The priest placed a hand over the glass box inside which the sword was placed. "Especially this sword’s energy."

Minsoo glanced at the blade, then looked back again at the priest. He didn’t remember this kind of detail, but he remembered the sword. It was said to be a sacred heirloom passed down in the duke’s family, a sword bestowed upon them by the Sun Goddess a long time ago, but in truth it was stolen by the late duke of the North from the female lead’s family. She would obtain it again while facing her trial before the Emperor, just before the war broke out.

But it’s better to fake ignorance for now.

"What is it?"

The priest crossed his hands behind his back. "It’s a powerful sword, and a precious memory for His Grace."

"Why is it here?"

"Because he doesn’t want to wield it for now." The priest smiled and looked at him. "Your reaction to the divine energy is quite interesting. If you’re really a divine messenger, you shouldn’t have problems sustaining this much, should you? And yet, you almost fainted, so I’m wondering if you’re really a divine messenger from our Sun Goddess."

Minsoo waited for a moment, then took a deep breath and wore one of his best earnest expressions, the same one he used to use with his nanny when he didn’t want to go to school.

"Of course I’m a real divine messenger. The truth is that Alaira sent me as a punishment. I broke one of her mirrors, and she got so angry that she almost killed me. So I begged her to forgive me, because I’m nothing but a stupid idiot, and she sent me here to help His Grace survive. And since she didn’t forgive me yet, that’s why I can’t sustain her divine energy."

The priest arched an eyebrow, then made a sound like a stifled laugh. "All right, all right! I still have my doubts, but it’s hard not to believe you if you make that cute face."

Minsoo pressed his lips together in order to suppress a satisfied smile. That’s a survival skill, man. Especially if you live in a family like mine, you have to do anything in your power just to survive.

The priest held out a hand. "By the way, I’m Sallust Maythorne, but you can call me Sall."

Minsoo raised an eyebrow. Why does he have the same name as a Latin historian? Wait a moment, did he say ‘Maythorne’?

"You’re one of the duke’s relatives?"

The priest grinned. "I’m Corvaliso’s first cousin. But I’m sure we don’t look alike, right?"

"You’re that pri— I mean, His Grace’s cousin?!"

"My mother was the younger sister of the late duchess. She died when I was very little, so I was raised here. But since the family thought that I could cause trouble, they forced me into the priesthood." He raised his gaze toward the statue. "But I don’t regret it. I have a huge amount of divine energy, so I’m glad that I can be of help in this way. And that’s why I’m the Archbishop of the North." He looked back at him. "And why I’m here too today. Val wanted to check if you’re really a divine messenger. He’s quite suspicious, isn’t he?"

Minsoo swallowed hard and smiled nervously. "Yeah, he is."

"Since you’re here, in Sir Glennhort’s body, I guess he died from the fall. In the end, there’s no way two souls could inhabit the same body. I never liked that man; he was cruel, but I know he was loyal to my cousin and the North. I’m not a man of war, so I just don’t understand how being ruthless could be useful in keeping peace, but maybe your presence can help us."

"What do you mean?"

"You could have a good influence on my cousin, so I won’t investigate further whether you’re really a divine messenger. Just promise me that you won’t betray the North; if you do, then I can’t guarantee that Val won’t kill you."

"I promise."

Sall smiled. "Then, you can go now. This place isn’t good for your health."

Minsoo bowed and turned toward the chapel’s entrance, but before he could cross it, the priest called him back once more.

"If you ever feel strange or ill, come to me. Your body absorbed some divine energy, so you could experience some kind of sickness."

"I will. Thank you, Sall."

He left the chapel and scratched his head. He didn’t know what the hell just happened, but he was sure of one thing: he would never set foot in a church ever again.

"What a pity, it was pretty."

Sall too was pretty. Dark hair just like the duke, a smooth and clean face, and soft, golden eyes. He didn’t have Cara’s cheerfulness; he seemed more like a wise old man, even though he must be in his twenties.

If the duke were more like him, I would get along with him better.

"Let’s just concentrate on gathering info. I don’t have much time before the meeting with Lady Loder."

And if he wanted to survive until the end of the story, he needed to find a way to make the duke and the female lead fall in love with each other.