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Latvan hurriedly made his way to the kitchen. He was not one to eat anything beyond the prescribed amount at the designated time. Therefore, even though it was called a kitchen, there was hardly anything laid out in it. Since he spent most of his days in the Knights’ building, it was more likely that the Tangbi Hall there had more things placed within it than this place.
“Where did I put it?”
He filled the water quickly and searched around. In doing so, he found an envelope containing tea leaves tucked away in a corner. It was something a fellow knight had sent from his hometown and, unable to refuse his kind gesture, Latvan reluctantly accepted it. He had put it away in a suitable place and forgotten about it, never imagining that he would need it like this.
This house was one where no one would venture except for the internal caretaker who came once a week for maintenance. Most guests were received at the Knights’ building.
While he had a sensitive disposition, Latvan was not particularly fond of anyone entering his domain. But now

As he watched the water slowly come to a boil, he let out a sigh.
“Ah
”
He couldn’t understand why he had brought the maiden here so impulsively.
“How did it come to this?”
He recollected the events before he brought the maiden along.
***
Due to the recent issues concerning the Crown Prince’s whereabouts, security had been significantly reinforced in the vicinity today. Although it would have been sufficient to entrust the task to the knights, he personally took charge of the security today.
“It’s bothersome.”
Since their encounter, Latvan had been continuously monitoring the Crown Prince. He had a bad feeling about it. He had a distinct sense that something untoward was going to happen. The Empire, with its cunning machinations, had its sights set on the Grand Temple. It would be more suspicious if nothing happened here.
He should have checked the Crown Prince’s security status and returned to the knights. That’s what he should have done.
“I heard that all the afternoon appointments were cancelled, and he is currently resting in his chamber.”
He recalled the words that one of the officials had relayed to him. Shortly after, Latvan noticed that he was heading towards the Saint’s chamber.
“Why?”
Latvan was surprised at himself. Why on earth was he heading towards the Saint’s chamber as if it were a matter of course? Why was he going there? He pondered the reasons for quite some time.
“To carry out a task.”
He hadn’t received any orders regarding the consequences of the incident that had occurred during the prayer meeting. Therefore, he had to inquire about the consequences of that incident. Finally, he let out a bitter laugh.
“It’s just an excuse.”
He knew it best. Inquiring about the consequences was merely an excuse for his journey to the Saint’s chamber. He halted his steps. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t find a reason why he should go there right now.
“Should I turn back?”
As he stood there for a while, he slowly turned his body. There was no particular reason to go. Therefore, it was right not to go. If he returned to the knights now, important matters would be awaiting him. It was clear that it was right to attend to those matters.
Unlike when he was heading towards the Saint’s chamber, his steps were slower as he turned back. That’s when it happened.
[Thunk!]
He heard the sound of hurried footsteps from across the hallway. Someone was running towards him urgently. Why would there be a reason for officials to rush here? When Latvan turned towards the source of the sound, he saw an official running towards him. It was a familiar official. One of the officials who guarded the entrance to the Saint’s chamber.
Her face had turned pale. Then, she saw Latvan and immediately rushed towards him.
“Commander Latvan! The Saint!”
“What happened to the Saint!”
Unconsciously, my voice grew louder.
“She suddenly came out and told us not to follow her
 and she went somewhere! She left while still wearing her nightgown!”
As the official spoke, a surge of anger welled up inside Latvan. No matter how much he told her not to follow, she did. The duty of the officials was to protect the Saint. Despite his desperate efforts to control his rising voice, he asked.
“Where did she go?”
In response to his question, the official quickly guided him. While on the way, the official’s expression, which seemed ominous, made him fearful, and she continued speaking.
“Ah, you know. When the Saint speaks fiercely like in the past, if anyone disobeys her
.”
He didn’t find her state of mind incomprehensible. In the past, the Saint had mercilessly punished officials who disobeyed her words. The punishment was even more severe for low-ranking officials with little power. There were even instances where someone knocked on her door in the morning and ended up in prison. So, it wasn’t unreasonable for the officials to fear the Saint’s words.
After a while of the official explaining the Saint’s condition and making excuses for himself, she spoke to him in the corridor near the Saint’s chamber.
“She went that way! And by the time she turned the corner, she had already vanished
”
“I understand.”
He ran towards the place the official indicated. He was so familiar with the layout of the Grand Temple that he could find his way even with his eyes closed. He followed the faint traces left on the carpet.
“She didn’t even put on shoes.”
Why would the Saint suddenly rush out, wearing only her nightgown and even barefoot? Soon, the carpet-lined corridor came to an end. From here on, he could no longer trace the Saint’s footsteps. At the end of the carpet, there was a staircase. Latvan leaned forward and looked beneath the staircase.
It was no different from the main building of the Grand Temple. The door was open all day long, and many officials frequented the area. Even if there weren’t many people passing by at this late hour, he could sense someone moving around.
“She wouldn’t have gone downstairs.”
If the saint appeared in such a state, someone from below would have already come and informed me. Moreover, according to the words of the attendants, the saint had told everyone not to follow her. Thus, it was unlikely that she had slipped in among the people.