536 High Priest Setheiman
In the heart of the holy capital's eastern district, the main holy temple of the Sun God Temple was located. Though it wasn't the most impressive landmark in the holy capital, the main holy temple was still the third wonder after the sun god's statue and imperial palace.
The main holy temple was built like a pyramid with a golden peak to absorb the sun's radiance and covered enormous grounds.
However, its interior was filled with countless rooms and open spaces.
The main holy temple was home to more than 20-thousand priests and 15-thousand templars in active service. They also received more than 800-thousand visitors on a daily basis.
After all, it was also where qualifying imperial soldiers carried out their rites of passage. They became holy knights if they served the empire and holy templars if they served the Sun God Temple.
After Mortimer's group was brought to the Sun God Temple's main holy temple, they received the care of countless priests. With the aid of both medicine and magic, all their wounds healed in no time.
Once they were fully recovered, the temple priests escorted Mortimer's group to a large open bath of cleansing to wash away the dirt and blood and invigorate their bodies with renewed energy.
Mortimer's group was offered fresh sets of clothes after they finished cleansing and invigorating their bodies.
Shortly after, the temple priests escorted them to a private yet spacious room.
Looking at the multiple rows of seats and tables and the single platform in front, it seemed to have been a room frequently used by higher-ranking priests to preach the teachings of the Sun God Temple to new believers.
There, a single person awaited them - the same white-robed man who brought them to the main holy temple.
However, the person had his hood down, which exposed his elderly appearance. The white-robed old man was full of wrinkles and had a long white beard.
Mortimer's group found it hard to match the same feminine voice to the white-robed old man.
"We have escorted the guests to you, High Priest Setheiman."
"Un, thank you for your services."
"Then, we will take our leave now, High Priest Setheiman."
After a short exchange, the priests bowed to the white-robed old man and retreated from the lecture room, closing the door quietly on their way out.
"High Priest Setheiman, we are thankful for the aid you have provided us," Mortimer expressed his gratitude before firmly stating, "But if you are thinking about converting us into believers of your religion, you can forget about it."
"Don't be in a hurry to jump to conclusions, esteemed envoy of the Great Ratholos Empire," High Priest Setheiman calmly gestured for Mortimer's group to stop leaving before saying, "It that had been my intention, I would have at least planned a tour for you to experience the greatness of our Sun God Temple first."
"But of course, strong men like you wouldn't be so easily convinced to follow the teachings of the Sun God Temple when you have your own symbol of faith," High Priest Setheiman added with understanding.
"Then what do you want from us?" Mortimer frowned before mentioning, "The Holy Knight Empire has treated us quite poorly. However, the Sun God Temple appears to be quite different; you have treated us well."
"So, at the very least, I am willing to lend an ear to whatever you have on your mind, High Priest Setheiman. My men call me Lord Mortimer," Mortimer said.
"Lord Mortimer, was it? Then, I will be frank with you. I want to hear what happened to you in the imperial. Who did you meet? Was it the Imperial Princess? Or was it the false Sun God?" High Priest Setheiman inquired.
"This..." Mortimer hesitated with a frown.
No matter what, he was still a proud warrior. It was humiliating to talk about how they were suppressed and beaten inside the Great Hall, even if it was by the powerful Sun God.
Nevertheless, he noticed something important from the High Priest's words he did not acknowledge the Sun God.
If the entire Sun God Temple shared the same view, he could gain something out of it.
"I heard Lord Mortimer-No, the Great Ratholos Empire is interested in meeting the dragons that appeared during the war," High Priest Setheiman quickly mentioned after seeing Mortimer's hesitation.
"That's right," Mortimer admitted with a frown before asking with suspicion, "What are you trying to say, High Priest Setheiman?"
"Although I don't know who you met and what transpired during the meeting, I can guess that negotiations didn't go well. But if contacting the dragons is what you are after... the Sun God Temple can help," High Priest Setheiman stated.
"Oh?" Mortimer was intrigued once he learned the Sun God Temple could help him. "How does the Sun God Temple intend to achieve that? What do you want in return?"
"We can't absolutely guarantee you will meet the dragons. However, the dragons are located somewhere in the Black Rose Kingdom. The Sun God Temple can grant you safe passage through the empire to reach the Black Rose Kingdom," High Priest Setheiman promised. "Perhaps the witches are more willing to negotiate."
"I don't ask for much. I just want to know who you met in the imperial palace and what happened for you to be kicked out as you did," High Priest Setheiman added.
Of course, saying the witches were more willing to negotiate was nonsense. The witches of the seven witch kingdoms detested men - that was a known fact. Trying to negotiate with them was like talking to a wall; it wouldn't respond.
Nevertheless, Mortimer's group had already blown away their chances with the Holy Knight Empire's Sun God.
Mortimer felt like he had no choice but to take the risk of meeting the witches, no matter how slim the chances were.
After all, the dragons' existence was far too critical to the Great Ratholos Empire's future development and prosperity.
Nevertheless, the Sun God already said they weren't welcomed in the Holy Knight Empire. Thus, if the Sun God Temple helped them pass through the Holy Knight Empire, it would be openly going against the Sun God.
And yet, High Priest Setheiman only wanted information on the meeting?
"The information you want doesn't seem to be worth the risk the Sun God Temple is willing to take. Don't you think so, Head Priest Setheiman?" Mortimer mentioned, frowning with doubt.
"You don't have to worry about that, Lord Mortimer. The Sun God Temple will decide whether the information is worth it after we hear it," High Priest Setheiman boldly stated.
"Alright..."
Mortimer eventually agreed with the deal after High Priest Setheiman won his trust.
Considering the bigger picture, there was not much to lose from letting High Priest Setheiman learn about the details of his meeting with the Sun God.
Nevertheless, after Mortimer retold his experience in the imperial palace's Great Hall, he noticed High Priest Setheiman furrow his brows in deep thought.
A short while later, High Priest Setheiman's eyes lit up with excitement, having realized something seemingly significant or crucial.
However, Mortimer couldn't figure out just exactly what the High Priest found
out.
"Thank you, Lord Mortimer. I understand sharing such a sensitive experience with me wasn't easy. However, the information you have provided is useful to our Sun God Temple," High Priest Setheiman sincerely expressed.
"Please stay with us and enjoy our temple's hospitality for the time being. I promise you and your men will receive the highest level of treatment during your stay as you wait for your holy templar escort to be arranged."
"Now, please excuse me first, Lord Mortimer. I have something important to report to the Archpriest," High Priest Setheiman stated.
Before Mortimer could say anything, High Priest Setheiman had already left the private lecture room to do things.
"Someone, come and settle our esteemed guests into the spare rooms on the third floor! They must be treated with the highest form of respect!"
"Yes, High Priest Setheiman!"
Multiple voices were heard entering the private lecture room through the opened door High Priest Setheiman left behind, along with other distant noises.
Evidently, the private lecture room had good sound insulation. No sound could come in or out as long as the door was shut.
"It seems like High Priest Setheiman and the Sun God Temple are planning something big, Lord Mortimer," Eiram quietly mentioned after noticing the subtle details before shortly adding, "I think they are planning to go against the self-proclaimed Sun God..."
"But seeing how powerful the self-proclaimed Sun God was, whatever they are planning to do against him, I don't think it's anything different from suicide. I'm afraid..." Eiram whispered to Lord Mortimer.
"Holy Knight Empire has its own fair share of internal conflict." Mortimer rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Right now, we have two choices - we could stay a bit longer and observe the situation, or leave as soon as the holy templar escort is arranged to avoid getting implicated in the Sun God Temple's mess."
"What do you all think?" Mortimer sought his men's opinion.
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