My Life Was Taken by My Charm-Wielding Sister—But It Ends Here (The Mind-Reading Noble Lady’s Journey to Happiness After Escaping Her Toxic Family) - Episode 37

Three hundred years ago, the capital was moved from the ancient city where the Tioriolun Temple stood to the current royal capital.

The reason was to escape religious interference. The priests had begun meddling in state affairs.

“The believers are demanding this. Therefore, the country should be changed in this way.”

The priests insisted this repeatedly.

However, balance exists in all things, and there are cases where systems that are currently working well cannot be destroyed for the sake of a minority. Moreover, many of the demands, while ostensibly for the believers, were actually aimed at enriching the priests’ personal interests, so accepting their proposals had to be done with caution.

Amid this, the priests began cozying up not to the king but to influential nobles. To push through their demands, they started bribing the nobles with money.

For the nobles, having connections with the temple helped stabilize their power, so hardly any refused.

However, this made it impossible to carry out proper state administration.

As a result, the king at the time severely restricted the power held by the temple and priests and punished the nobles who had accepted bribes. Then, he moved the capital to the current royal capital.

As a result, the temple’s power weakened considerably compared to back then, and now it should merely exist as a place of solace for the people or so it was supposed to be.

(A rebellion…? The temple?)

While staring at the priest explaining things to Varick, Otilie’s heart pounded thump-thump.

If this were true, it would be a serious matter. Even though the temple’s power had declined, the number of believers it held was substantial. If a riot were to break out, suppressing it would be no easy task. Moreover, if they were falsifying their records, they might possess several times the power the country assumed.

(Um… I believe after the overview explanation, we were supposed to tour the old city and then return to the castle immediately.)

Those in charge often only attend important occasions and leave the rest to the field officials. Varick had other official duties, so that was only natural.

But if things continued like this, the inspection would undoubtedly end just as it did every year—merely confirming the numbers on the documents presented by the other party. After all, no one would imagine that the temple was plotting a rebellion.

(Even I still can’t believe it. Priests are people who serve the gods, right? How could they think of such a terrifying thing? Right now, since he’s reading the documents aloud, I can’t hear that priest’s inner voice.)

But Otilie had indeed heard the priest’s inner voice. It couldn’t possibly be a mishearing.

Even if she lacked confidence, Otilie believed that if there was a potential risk, it should be thoroughly investigated and prevented beforehand. It would be too late once damage occurred.

(But even if I asked the officials to conduct a detailed investigation, they wouldn’t comply.)

An inspection was just an inspection. It wasn’t meant to pull out all the documents and examine them in detail. The officials had likely come with a lighthearted attitude and wouldn’t follow the baseless orders of a low-ranking assistant.

The only one who could move them was probably Varick, the crown prince. If he gave the order, the officials would surely comply, even if they had doubts.

However, if they ended this occasion without any reservations, it would be difficult to reverse later. It would give the other party an opening to say, “You said everything seemed fine, didn’t you?”

In other words, if they were to announce a detailed investigation this year, it had to be now.

But Varick and Otilie’s seats were far apart. She couldn’t speak to him directly or hold his hand to let him hear her inner voice. This way, the overview explanation would end.

(Ugh… I have no choice. I must somehow convey the situation to Lord Varick.)

Sharing her mind-reading ability from a distance was merely a hypothetical “maybe it’s possible,” with no guarantee it would work. Even with Varick, she couldn’t share her ability without physical contact.

(Even so.)

“Connect, connect,” Otilie strongly willed.

A sensation of drawing her ability from within her body, gathering it, and sending it forth. Sound travels through the air. Surely, Otilie’s ability could do the same.

(Hear me, answer me. Lord Varick. Lord Varick…!)

Sweat beaded on Otilie’s forehead. Her head throbbed throb-throb, and her heart beat thump-thump. Was it really impossible? —Just as Otilie was about to give up.

【——Otilie?】

Varick’s voice reached her. He glanced back slightly and whispered, 【Did you call me just now?】

(Lord Varick! You can hear my voice!?)

【Yeah, I can hear you. What’s going on?】

Varick replied to Otilie while still facing forward.

(Thank goodness! We’re connected!)

Otilie briefly made a triumphant fist pump, then glanced furtively around. No one else seemed to hear their conversation. She leaned forward eagerly.

(I heard the priest’s inner voice. He said, “We’re plotting a rebellion”! And he also said, “They won’t notice this time either,” so I think they’ve probably been preparing for years.)

Then, she heard a sharp intake of breath. Though she couldn’t see his expression from here, she clearly sensed his agitation.

(Also, he said there was a “lie.” It was when he was explaining the financial situation. I didn’t know what kind of lie it was, but I think they’re probably falsifying the records in some way. But if things continue like this, this year’s inspection will also be just for show.)

【So, you wanted to somehow convey the situation to me.】

(Yes.)

Varick didn’t even doubt Otilie’s words and immediately grasped the situation. If he could now directly hear the priests’ inner voices, couldn’t they turn the tables?

(Um, right now, are you only hearing my voice?)

【No, I can hear other people’s inner voices too.】

The sound of someone mentally previewing the documents, repeating the priest’s explanation, thinking about today’s meal… Probably, Varick was hearing the same sounds Otilie was.

(Then——!)

【I’m thinking the same thing. Otilie, do you think you can keep the connection like this? I want to ask the priest a few questions and shake him up. At that time, I’d like to hear their inner voices】

(I’ll do it. I’ll absolutely keep it connected.)

Otilie firmly promised. Varick replied, 【Good.】