12 O'Clock Marionette-Chapter 54

Bwek!

The first thing to greet me as I stepped out of the carriage was—once again—the Winter Lynx.

It’s still here?

The feline leapt into my arms, and I caught it reflexively, blinking in surprise.

Moments later, I spotted a familiar face.

"I had a feeling it was you when the little one ran off like that. It’s been a while, Sister Siora."

"Good to see you again, High Priestess Friga."

After exchanging a few polite greetings, I got straight to the point.

Not that I was in a hurry, but… for some reason, my heart was racing.

"I’m here to make a donation."

At my signal, the knights accompanying me unloaded three large chests from the carriage.

When the lids were opened, a dazzling golden light flooded our surroundings.

"It’s just a small contribution."

"Oh, my…."

The priestess’s eyes widened, nearly the size of the gold coins themselves.

I struggled to maintain a calm expression, but I couldn’t stop my shoulders from rising.

I wanted to scream—Look at me! Look how amazing I am!

It wasn’t even my money, which made it even more enjoyable.

This was all from Cruello.

"I can tell this came from me. What if this ruins my reputation, darling?"

"Don’t worry. People will just think you’re even crazier than before."

"Please make sure to add ‘for his fiancée’ when you say that."

"It’s accurate even without that part."

If I had to make a donation with my own money, I’d have to empty out my entire fortune—and still take a chunk from what Cruello owes me.

Why would I waste my own wealth when he was the one who made the offer?

I swear, spending someone else’s money feels a hundred times better than spending my own.

"With this, we’ll be able to help many people. The gods will be most pleased."

They better be!

I barely resisted the urge to smirk arrogantly.

After basking in my moment of glory, I moved on to my second goal.

Mamic’s quarters were still deep within the temple.

I had thought that after the previous incident, her status would improve.

Guess that was just empty talk.

I knocked twice, and the door immediately opened.

"Ma—Oh?"

I had come to see Mamic, but—once again, she wasn’t alone.

The same holy knight as before, Ro Blue, was standing at her side.

He must have known why I was here, so why was he still here?

Couldn’t he take the hint and leave?

I stared pointedly at Mamic.

"Welcome, Sister Siora."

"…Greetings, Saintess. And you as well, Sir Ro Blue."

"It’s good to see you again."

"You seem busy. You can go back to your duties, if you’d like. The temple looks rather lively today."

"I was working just a moment ago. However, I cannot allow the Saintess to meet a guest alone."

"Hmm, I see."

"Please, don’t mind me. Carry on with your conversation."

If you don’t want me to mind you, then leave the room.

I shot Mamic another look, as if to ask her to do something.

She simply rolled her eyes and did nothing.

…Was she doing this on purpose?

Wait—was I being subtly rejected?

"And what brings you here today, Sister Siora?"

"Uh, well, I came to make a donation—and to check on Saintess’s well-being."

"Oh, I heard you made a most generous contribution. Many will benefit from your kindness. Thank you, Sister Siora."

She claimed to have scammed her way into sainthood, but honestly, she could’ve been a professional actress.

Look at how naturally she fakes sincerity.

She could run for office.

"I noticed the Winter Lynx is still here. I assumed the divine beasts would be relocated after the last attack."

"That’s… Can I tell her, Ro?"

"This is not something we can disclose to outsiders."

No matter how skilled a knight may be, if they’re this rigid, they’re practically useless.

Maybe his real role was just to keep an eye on her.

"But since Sister Siora helped us last time, I suppose we can share the situation."

I immediately changed my mind.

Yes, of course—it was a wise decision to assign him to Mamic.

A completely rational move.

People need flexibility, after all. Unlike Ro Blue.

"The Holy Father has agreed to protect the divine beasts. They were relocated in three stages, and the Winter Lynx is the last to be moved."

"The Holy Father? You mean the Pope? This has escalated quite a bit."

"Actually, the rioters from the last attack were also taken in by the Holy Father. They are currently imprisoned in this very temple."

"Did the interrogation not go well?"

"Have you ever heard of the Black Serpent?"

I froze for a moment.

I had already assumed the Elder Council was behind the attack.

But they actually used people from the Black Serpent?

I had thought they’d hire mercenaries and cut ties to avoid suspicion.

But this?

It was far too reckless.

Unless… they wanted that name to be revealed.

"It’s a necromancer cult that has existed for centuries. They worship demons and seek to conquer death itself."

"So those rioters pretending to be Recanon followers were…"

"Yes, they were Black Serpent members. They had remained dormant for decades, and yet, the first place they reappeared was this temple. It is a disgraceful matter."

"Probably because this was where the divine beasts were protected."

"It would not have mattered. The Black Serpent has been systematically dismantling ancient religious orders for centuries. They have used this temple before."

So they had been careful in their response.

The knight’s lip was trembling, his head slightly bowed.

A knight biting his lip in frustration was a rarely seen, yet oddly aesthetic sight.

But it was exhausting pretending to be interested in something I already knew.

So I spoke up—to let him know he didn’t have to keep talking.

"But is it really okay to be telling me this?"

"We are only telling you this so you can be careful."

"My life?"

"The Black Serpent might hold a grudge against you, Sister Siora, for interfering with their plans."

"Ah."

"If you’d like, we can assign a few Holy Knights to protect you for the time being."

"That won’t be necessary."

I rejected the offer outright.

A personal grudge of that scale wouldn't be solved by simple guards.

Just look at what they pulled at Bonetti’s estate.

They had been burning through Beatitudo like it was nothing.

If it weren’t for Nigellia, they would’ve already sent assassins—not just a few, but an entire squad.

They weren’t even bothering to hide their intentions anymore.

"If you change your mind, please don’t hesitate to let us know."

Ro Blue finally relented, ending the discussion.

Now, I needed to figure out how to get rid of this overly righteous knight.

As if answering my dilemma, a rushed set of footsteps echoed down the hall.

Then—a frantic knock.

"Lucas of the Halo Second Knight Order. I have an urgent report! May I enter?"

Ro Blue glanced at us apologetically before opening the door.

The knight who stepped inside was another familiar face.

I almost laughed.

What, is the main temple understaffed?

Lucas whispered something to Ro Blue, and the latter’s face hardened.

"Saintess, I must step away for a moment."

"Of course, if it’s urgent."

"And Sister Siora, please allow our knights to escort you home."

"You’re speaking as if there’s an immediate threat."

"Just now, we received word that all the imprisoned rioters were found murdered."

What?

"At least for today, please allow the temple to ensure your safety."

The sheer seriousness in his voice left no room for argument.

I nodded.

Ro Blue left with Lucas, shutting the door behind them.

I stared at the closed door, lost in thought.

The sourc𝗲 of this content is freēwēbηovel.c૦m.

So, they moved first.

It was too late to call this a cover-up—which meant it was deliberate.

I could already guess their reasoning.

But if those rioters really had been necromancers from the Black Serpent, then one thing still didn’t make sense.

Why did they hold a knife to Eden White Desert’s throat?

Even if there was infighting within the cult, would they really go that far?

Or had it just been… an unfortunate misunderstanding?

I frowned.

Just then—

"I-I didn’t have a choice!"

Mamic suddenly blurted out a defense.

She darted her eyes around nervously before yanking open a drawer and pulling out a dust-covered document.

It had to be the records she mentioned before.

Why was she suddenly so eager?

Ah.

Maybe she thought my silence meant I was angry.

I had discovered something useful.

"So, you do feel guilty?"

"I had no choice because of my position in the temple! If I sent the records, and they started digging around, I’d be ruined! How could I take that risk?"

"Makes sense."

"‘Makes sense’? That’s all you have to say? That single sentence is how you summarize all my suffering?"

"Same meaning. Anyway, must’ve been tough."

My halfhearted sympathy made Mamic’s eyes well up with tears.

She started grumbling about her struggles, but I only listened with one ear while picking up the records.

Ro Blue probably wouldn’t return right away, but I couldn’t read them here.

"Most of it is written in the common continental script," Mamic muttered. "But there were a few parts in a language I didn’t recognize."

"But you can read them, right?"

"How should I know? I don’t speak that language!"

Fair enough.

"Good work. I’ll be going now."

"Already? That’s really all you came for? You’re so heartless."

"Would you prefer I stayed?"

"Forget it. I’d rather look at Ro Blue than your face."

"I’m prettier."

Mamic opened her mouth to argue, but only a weird wheezing noise came out.

She pouted and shot me a glare before muttering—

"Make sure you take the knights with you. Ro probably already assigned them."

She really did act like an annoying younger sibling.

I smiled and nodded.

***

Traveling home escorted by an entire knight order was certainly an experience.

I had many titles within the temple, including one tied to the Holy Knights—but there was a vast difference between one knight and an entire order.

Shining white armor. Pristine white horses. It was magnificent.

I thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle as I returned to the estate.

And the moment I arrived, I headed straight for the drawing room.

"You’re back."

Because Nigellia was waiting.