[Grand Master Kael,

I heard what happened with our representative, Sir Juniper, recently.

I wanted to inform you that the temple had no hand in what happened. Not only were we unaware of Sir Juniper’s true nature and plans, but we also became victims of his manipulation.

As fellow victims who disappointed the hero, I would like to ask for your understanding. I think it’s time we discussed the hero’s safety conditions and his future actions together.

The temple’s party will be in your town tomorrow for the meeting. I hope you will overlook what happened this once and grace us with your presence.

Regards,

The Cardinal.]

"What a bunch of bullshit. They want me to share responsibility for what they did? Do they think I am that easy to fool?"

Kael complained as he looked at the message. He burned the letter as soon as he read it and then got himself ready to go to bed.

It had been a long day and he had hit his threshold for bullshit. All he wanted to do was close his eyes and pretend today never happened in the first place.

He fell asleep as soon as his head hit the bed and only woke up once the first ray of sunlight hit his face.

Kael rubbed his face and looked at his bed with a longing expression. The soft and cold mattress was calling his name. He wanted to crawl back in there and-

knock

"Breakfast is ready. I-I thought I should tell you."

Seraphina’s voice called out to him and Kael’s dreamy atmosphere broke.

He was suddenly reminded that he had responsibilities he could not get rid of, and that forced him to get out of his room and start a new day.

...

When Kael reached the kitchen, Seraphina was already cooking the food. She had a good portion of it already plated and served him a freshly made portion once he arrived.

"I told you that you don’t have to do such tasks. You should focus on what you want to do, not what you feel like you should do."

Kael told Seraphina, but he did not refuse the food when she placed it in front of him.

Seraphina’s face darkened slightly at his words. But she neither apologized nor kept quiet. He was quite surprised when he heard her speak up.

"I...wanted to do this. I know I don’t need to cook, but doing so makes me feel...a little calmer. Can I continue doing it?"

This was the first time Seraphina had expressed herself so openly and Kael counted it as progress.

He knew from experience that it was hard to get an introverted person to speak up about what they wanted to do.

"I see. If that’s the case, then you can continue doing what you want to. If you want to cook, then go ahead and do it. If you don’t want to, then you don’t have to force yourself either."

Seraphina looked relieved and soon went back to cooking.

Leon and Iris came down as well and Seraphina served them their food. But Kael did notice that his serving looked marginally better than the ones she served the other two.

’Well, looks like Seraphina is trying to earn some brownie points with me. I better pretend I did not notice for now. After all, she just gained some confidence. I don’t want her to feel embarrassed.’

Kael went back to finishing his food before he got up and left for the meeting.

Iris would continue training the other two in his place today. Meanwhile, he would deal with the Cardinal.

...

"Welcome, Grand Master Kael. I initially wanted to hold this meeting in the temple, but I decided against it because I did not want to make you feel uncomfortable."

The Cardinal folded his hands to appear a little more intimidating as he welcomed Kael. Kael ignored the greeting and quickly sat down in front of the Cardinal.

He was well aware of all the looks he was getting from the Cardinal’s followers, but he knew that they wouldn’t risk doing anything out in public.

"I am surprised that you sent me a letter to meet me. I thought you wouldn’t want to after what just happened between your representative and my student."

Kael made sure to draw the line and emphasize the important points. He wanted to make sure the temple wouldn’t try to use this opportunity to make them ’share responsibility’ for this incident.

The Cardinal’s smile stiffened as soon as he caught wind of what Kael was trying to do. But he was also shameless enough to try and press the matter.

"Ah...that was a shame. I trusted Sir Juniper, only to get betrayed. I heard that Sir Juniper got crushed while trying to smuggle the hero out. I guess the goddess decided to punish him for his wicked acts after all."

The Cardinal sounded regretful.

Had Kael not already known what kind of person the Cardinal was, he might have even been fooled by this man.

But right now, all he did was pick up his tea without sipping it and make a noise of acknowledgement.

"I see. I can’t say I am really surprised. The temple is too big to keep track of everyone. That’s why I am sure you will agree that it would be better for the hero to remain under my supervision. I can get to him faster and save him in case another kidnapping takes place in the future."

"I don’t think this is something we should be talking about out here. Shall we head to a different location and talk more about this?"

The Cardinal proposed with a flushed face. It was clear that this was not a topic he wanted to start.

But Kael was not a kid he could silence with his aura alone.

"I am afraid that it is the most important topic right now. The temple was the one that caused the hero to almost get hurt, right? Then that means you people should take responsibility for it as well."

The Cardinal looked like he had swallowed something sour. But he did not argue anymore and decided to offer Kael what he wanted.

"Grand Master Kael, what do you need to bury this incident?"

the Cardinal asked and Kael did not hesitate to give him an answer.

"I want you to leave Leon alone and not interfere in our bond. That means no more sending teachers for him or opposing the ones I choose for him. Do you agree?"

"That is not-"

The priests started to interfere, but the Cardinal held his hand up to show that it was enough.

"While I cannot fully agree to those terms, I will try to reduce the interference as much as I can. Is this something you can agree on?"