The Attendant in the Horror Game C59

Chapter 59

There was no concrete information about the temple. Still, judging from how temples were portrayed in fantasy novels, there was a good chance they could request treatment there.

Such scenes appeared often—priests healing wounds with divine power.

More importantly…

Jade intended to entrust Ian to the temple. There was nowhere safer. In every world, religious spaces were sanctuaries.

Especially in fantasy settings, temples were places even nobles dared not touch. He couldn’t be certain it was the same here in this Empire, but Ian had said something similar: temples must not be tainted by impurity.

Even the Linwood family wouldn’t find Ian easily there. They would never imagine Jade would leave him in a temple. They would more likely assume Jade planned to use Ian as a hostage to extort more money.

And because Jade himself could not take refuge in a temple, suspicion toward him would be even lower. Considering everything, the temple was the best option.

The problem was the fee for entrustment. Even a temple wouldn’t house a child for years without compensation. Jade’s hand drifted to the hilt of the treasured sword at his waist.

He said I could sell it.

Ian himself had said Jade could sell it, so he wouldn’t resent him for doing so. Leaving Ian at the temple for a period should be acceptable.

Truthfully, Jade felt more attachment to the sword than he wanted to admit. It was the first gift he had ever received from Ian. And Jade knew the sword meant far more to Ian than he let on. So even though he understood what he must do, his heart resisted.

“……”

His fingers lingered over the sword’s hilt with unmistakable reluctance. His thoughts were tangled. Everything in his mind twisted over itself.

They shouldn’t part so abruptly. He was supposed to trim Ian’s hair again once it grew out. He still had several dishes he’d promised to make. He had bought five new storybooks just before they left the village.

Would they really never return to the villa? There was no place more comfortable for Ian. Jade still had so many things to prepare—firewood for next winter and the one after, oil for the lamps, fixing the squeaky window frames…

“Ah…”

His vision blurred. What was he going to do? It felt as though he might not be able to leave Ian. Perhaps Jade was the one who needed warmth the most. His expression collapsed faintly.

“Jade…?”

“Forgive me. I’m just sleepy.”

Ian had quietly called his name. Jade made an excuse, then turned his face toward the carriage window so Ian wouldn’t see him.

“Hyah!”

The coachman urged the horses, and the carriage picked up speed.

After a long ride, the carriage arrived before the temple. By now, Jade was physically exhausted. He had tried to stop the bleeding with a handkerchief and bandages, but the wounds continued to ooze. Any wrong movement reopened them.

“Let’s get down.”

Jade dismounted first and held out a hand to Ian. The coachman, perceptive enough, had unloaded all the luggage. Yet Ian didn’t step down—he hesitated.

“I think we arrived at the wrong place. This isn’t the village.”

“I asked him to bring us to the temple. We’re in the right place.”

“Why are we going in there?”

Ian frowned slightly at the sight of the temple. The white stone building stood atop a hill, with a tall spire and stained-glass windows gleaming faintly.

He hadn’t visited a temple since he was too young to remember. He didn’t believe in the gods, but he held no hostility toward the place. His reluctance had only one cause.

“Jade can’t stay here.”

Without noble status, Jade could not remain in the temple longer than a day.

“We can rest for a short while, at least.”

“……”

“My shoulder hurts terribly. Honestly, everywhere hurts. I just want to rest somewhere safe. I don’t think I could sleep peacefully anywhere else.”

When Ian hesitated, Jade—so unlike himself—complained softly, as though in pain.

Jade was strong and never admitted weakness. But now, sweating and forcing a strained smile, he left Ian with no choice. Ian’s eyes drifted to his injured shoulder. With Jade in this condition, refusing him was impossible. Ian couldn’t heal him, nor carry him.

“Only one night. Maybe not even that… they might not let you in at all.”

Even as he stepped down, Ian reminded him: one night at most. After that, they would leave together.

“How rare, to visit at this hour.”

Before Jade could answer, a priest descended the stone steps, having sensed their presence. He was elderly, dressed in white, with a gentle face. Jade spoke respectfully.

“May we stay briefly?”

“That depends.”

The priest—Gregor—looked silently at Jade. He did not look evil, but those who sought the temple at night were often entangled in trouble.

“We humbly request it.”

“The temple does not open its doors lightly at night.”

Gregor’s gaze shifted to Ian. He recognized him immediately—the only child of House Linwood, who was meant to become the next head.

In the Empire, Linwood was immensely powerful. When the child had been born, the temple itself had offered blessings upon him.

Gregor had been present that day. Though more than ten years had passed, the child was unmistakable—the radiant golden hair and cool, gray-blue eyes that symbolized Linwood.

So why was the boy in a rural northern temple, without even a knight escort, riding in a shabby carriage with only a servant?

Gregor narrowed his eyes at Jade. After a moment, he closed them briefly, then opened them again.

“You are being pursued.”

“It’s only that we’ve found ourselves in a… difficult situation.”

“Is that so.”

Gregor knew something of Linwood’s internal turmoil.

The temple, the imperial court, and noble society were tightly interlinked. Especially with Linwood—a house that held great influence over the Empire’s stability—the public eye was constantly upon them.

Currently, the man considered next in line was Malderic. A child meant to be heir, now blood-stained and accompanied only by a servant, seeking refuge at a temple… the picture was clear.

How pitiful.

“Very well. The temple offers shelter to all. Come inside.”

Gregor clicked his tongue inwardly but opened the doors. Perhaps it was the will of the gods.

Jade received treatment at the temple. It was ordinary treatment—removing the throwing knife, applying medicinal herbs, binding the wounds. When he asked if they would use divine power, he only received an odd look.

After treatment, Jade explained enough of the situation to be plausible, then requested that Ian be entrusted to the temple. To his surprise, Gregor agreed without resistance. He even seemed as though he had expected such a request.

Gregor refused payment. But Jade insisted on leaving the sword as compensation. He needed the reassurance. If he left something valuable, perhaps they would look after Ian more diligently.

It was also Jade’s way of severing his attachment. He must leave with nothing. Pretend there had never been a bond.

“May the gods watch over you.”

Gregor traced a blessing in the air. Ian would be sent to the monastery. Things had concluded far more quickly than Jade had expected.

“Haa…”

Jade walked down a long corridor of pristine marble. He was supposed to stay in one of the temple’s guest rooms. Gregor had urged him to rest for at least one night.

But Jade had no intention of staying.

“You’re back quickly.”

Ian was waiting at the guest room door.

Jade froze halfway down the hall. Ian, standing before the grand door and long white stone path, looked as though he belonged here—born and raised in this sacred place.

“Ian, I’m going to finish receiving treatment.”

“I thought it was done already.”

“My leg still needs tending.”

Jade pointed to his leg, hidden under his trousers. Thankfully, Ian accepted the lie without suspicion. Jade smiled faintly, came closer, and knelt to match his height. Then he took out a small pouch.

“This is your birthday present.”

“What is it?”

“I bought it in town. They say it’s a cure-all. If you’re ever injured, drink it and you’ll recover instantly.”

It was the healing potion he had received after defeating the blind servant’s wraith. He had three—he already used one—and saved the remaining two for Ian. He had endured today without using a potion for that reason.

But Ian did not look pleased. His expression darkened.

“You don’t like it?”

“May is still far away.”

Jade paused. In that brief silence, Ian saw something—and drove the wedge deeper.

“Give it to me two months later. On my birthday.”

“I’m worried you’ll lose it. Please take it now.”

He forced the pouch into Ian’s hands. Two months later, he wouldn’t be here to give it. This was the only chance.

“When that time comes… I’ll give you another present.”

“……”

Ian’s expression was hard to read. Perhaps it was because Jade’s face looked strange at that moment.

Jade didn’t know what expression he was making. He couldn’t afford to manage it. He stood, took out a pouch of coins, and offered it to Ian.

“Oh—while I’m finishing treatment, could you hold onto this? It’s heavy.”

He had planned to keep half for escape money, but instead he simply put everything into the pouch and hung it over Ian’s arm. Then he turned away, saying he would return after the treatment. Right then—

“Jade.”

Ian’s quiet voice stopped him. Jade didn’t turn around. He cleared his throat twice, afraid his voice would crack.

“Yes, Ian.”

“When you get back… tell me the Little Prince story again.”

“…Of course.”

And with that, Jade made a promise he could never keep.
A promise he would not be able to fulfill for a very, very long time.