Chapter 235: A holy knight?
Edgar threw Cass’ arm over his shoulder, holding onto it as he practically carried the other man out into the hallway. He was glad that Edgar wasn’t going the Fiona route, since it had already been embarrassing enough to have her carry him.
He didn’t need the whole fucking hero party to do it. If Edgar did it, then it would only be like, Lady Ava who hadn’t carried him around.
He had a suspicious feeling, nay, a recollection from the book that Lord Ridgewood had already carried him. Maybe not like a Princess, but he was pretty sure that he had. Gross.
Edgar opened the door, both men still in shock so that neither one of them called out to them as they left the room. There were a few Priests outside, waiting around but Edgar shook them off, telling them to go find where Lucian and Sir Forsythe were. He kept a few behind, telling them to check on his father and Gideon, but the way he said it....
Well, it sounded like they would have to grovel to more than one person to get back into some good books.
They were alone, wandering down the hallway slowly to the main part of the temple when Edgar finally spoke up.
"I’m...sorry. I truly had no idea that he had done that." Edgar sounded pained. Upset. Hell, Cass could somewhat understand why. Lord Ridgewood and Edgar had been childhood friends. Had grown up together while Lord Blackburn had been ostracized. They had a bond that Cass would never understand.
Lord Ridgewood had basically thrown it away just because of a reason Cass didn’t understand. Edgar looked upset, ill.
"Why did he do it?" Cass asked, curious. Edgar swallowed thickly, glancing around the hallway before he let out a deep sigh.
"The Ridgewood and Vespertine family are quite close." He started. That wasn’t anything new to Cass, he knew that much. "But...I don’t think people realise that we used to be one family." Edgar revealed and Cass blinked several times in surprise as Edgar gave him a tight smile. "Gideon and I are not only friends, but cousins. Distant at this point, but it does mean that the contract that the Vespertine family made with the gods still applies to them. Which also means-"
"-They can develop holy powers and also have to uphold the contract you agreed to?" Cass finished, and Edgar nodded.
"They went about it differently, protecting the ruling family instead of building grand temples in the name of the gods. They used their weapons as a way to worship. It’s why they are so disciplined." Cass felt uncomfortable, a sneaking suspicion worming into his mind, but he didn’t want to jump the gun again.
"I...I see. So they went more physical while the Vespertine family went more...magical? Political?" Cass suggested and Edgar nodded, his smile grim as he looked at Cass.
"That’s the easy way to say it, yes." Edgar confirmed before he sighed. "They also...started forming groups of knights who could use holy powers. A...protection squad of sorts." Cass closed his eyes, wanting to groan.
Fuck.
Fuck everything.
He hadn’t just been a knight. He’d been a fucking holy knight! No wonder Lord Blackburn had hated him! The man had holy powers! The damn fucking High Priest had been building a secret fucking army of holy knights! Cass had almost been caught up in a rather serious plot.
Fuck!
"...He had holy powers, didn’t he?" Cass muttered and Edgar groaned.
"I don’t actually know. He’s never used them around me, or I haven’t noticed. You can understand how that would be rather hard for me not to notice given my...condition." Edgar said and Cass winced.
It was a trope. A secret character with a secret mission. How many of them had one when they had gone into the hero party? Was Lucian the only one who hadn’t had a secret agenda? Was just going along with it for the lolz?
"I can’t fucking believe it." Cass muttered. "I knew he hated me, but I didn’t think he hated me that much." Edgar winced. He sighed.
"It’s not an excuse, since I haven’t even had a chance to yell at him about his stupidity yet, but I have a theory. Maybe two." Edgar offered as they got closer to the priest’s entrance into the main hall. "He couldn’t fight the compulsion to tell my father, or he’d warred too hard with conflicting feelings inside of himself and chose what felt more comfortable." Edgar was right, it wasn’t an excuse, but he was glad to have him tell Cass more about his thought process.
It made sense, even if Cass didn’t like it. Cass let out a groan, before he just shook his head.
"Fiona is going to be pissed." Cass muttered. Edgar laughed.
"Fiona? Gideon better watch his damn back. I’m not opposed to sucking his blood, even if it burns." Edgar muttered darkly and Cass jerked his head towards him to see the handsome man’s face twisted with anger. "I can’t believe he did that. Not only did he trample on years of friendship, but he also...hurt our base mission. He had never discussed any of this with me. I had no idea." Edgar sounded quite hurt.
He shook his head, forcing it down and Cass was impressed by the show of strength. He was handling this betrayal quite well given how painful it probably felt. It spoke to a strong character.
"We’ll talk about that part later, right now we need to focus on getting you to the gods." Edgar said, giving Cass a tight smile. "I would prefer if the next time you come to temple you weren’t falling over yourself and dizzy. There are some rather pretty places that I think you would like, as well as some outfits I think you would like to see." Edgar said and Cass blinked.
How did the man-right. They had gone shopping once and Cass had shown off a new style of clothing that he liked. That was why Edgar was bringing it up.
They got to the door and Edgar didn’t wait to push it open.
Cass was genuinely surprised by how empty the room was now, and how quickly it had happened. Either that, or time had been distorted for him while he was in this state. Cass wasn’t sure which was more likely.
Edgar didn’t look at any of the Priests who were in the main temple, ignoring all of them as he carried Cass up the steps towards the statues.
This time Cass didn’t feel like he was walking towards his doom. There was a lighter air, more playful. Cass knew it was the gods themselves and Edgar let out a shaky breath.
"Is that...them?" He asked reverently and Cass turned his head to stare at the slightly flushed face of Edgar. He was still moving, his feet taking them towards the statues but his eyes were bright and he almost looked like he was intoxicated.
"Is what them?" Cass asked, curious what he was talking about. Edgar gave him a look, a beautiful smile crossing his lips.
"The scent, the breeze, the lightness in my limbs. I think they are happy that I am helping you." He said cheerfully and Cass almost snorted. He really shouldn’t get his hopes up in regards to the gods. All dealings had been rather rough on Cass. He didn’t want Edgar to get any funny ideas.
"Edgar...I’m only going to say this once because you like them so much and grew up in a family that worships them but...don’t fully trust the gods, alright? They have their own agenda, and we are in only one of the worlds they manage." Cass told him quietly and Edgar paused. He slid his gaze to Cass, taking in his rather serious expression and swallowed.
"A-Are you-" Cass could almost see the gears turning. He was clearly about to ask if he was advertising for demons, but obviously Cass wasn’t. Not after his experience in the dungeon.
"Trust neither of ’em. They all have their own agendas. Just...live your life." Cass told him softly. "Try not to get involved with them. It’s not a good thing like you’re thinking." Cass told him. He didn’t want to crush the man’s dreams, but he really didn’t want him thinking it was a great thing either.
However, Edgar didn’t react negatively to Cass’ words like he had worried. Instead, his expression grew rather serious and he nodded.
"Of course. I understand. One of my ancestors left a journal saying the same thing. I appreciate your concern as well, Cass." His blue eyes sparkled as he smiled at him, showing off one of his dimples and Cass had to look away. Princely types were always dangerous.
"I just don’t want you getting in trouble. Fiona and I are already wrapped up in this shit, I don’t want more of the hero party to fall victim." Cass muttered and Edgar laughed.
"Well, I thank you for your concern, even after what my father and best friend did to you." Edgar said and Cass nodded.
They came to a stop at the small stand and Cass let out a deep, heavy sigh.
"Can you help me to my knees?" Cass asked and Edgar didn’t hesitate to help. He did hesitate once Cass was down on the ground.
"Should I stay beside you? Or should I stay a few feet away?" He was fussing, and Cass thought it was a little ridiculous given the circumstances.
"Whatever you want. Doesn’t matter to me." Cass said, getting into position to pray. He took a few deep breaths as he felt Edgar shift away slightly, the sound of his feet shuffling distracting him until it grew silent. Then, Cass began calling to them, still not really sure what he was supposed to be doing.
It wasn’t long till he found himself in that void again.