Sister Agatha led me to the secluded part where the other nuns were kneeling in the dark. She made a deliberate show of how I should be kneeling. I did not need instructions because I was once intimately familiar with the practices.
After all, the madness did not begin with this latest adventure.
Even when I was a devout believer, I was just as neurodivergent and let's be honest, a little psychotic. I never believed that anyone was particularly wrong about the creator. To be honest, I still do not.
The core is all the same as I have seen it, but the division is forced for control.
Because of my rather heretical thoughts, I had no problem studying different factions and understanding their practices. Therefore, I could quite believably present myself as a novice nun as needed.
Unfortunately, my stamina was not as good as my acting skills.
After kneeling for a while, I was struggling to keep my posture. However, when I slumped, Sister Agatha placed a hand on my back to let me know that it was not acceptable to take a break from the vigil.
Following what felt like hours, a clergy man finally came to lead in final prayers for the High Priest. I listened with interest to the prayer, which seemed to be filled with genuine hope for the well-being of the leader.
However, I did not know if I was imagining it or not, but I seemed to hear a little too much about 'the will of the creator'. It is not an uncommon phrase in prayer. Still, there was an undertone that seemed to imply that the will might not be very positive.
But again, I reminded myself that I am often paranoid and tend to look for a hidden meaning. Still, something did not sit right with me. As I said, I did not have special feelings for the High Priest, but I did not wish ill on anyone.
After the vigil, I left with the group of nuns.
But as soon as we left the temple, the Mother Superior pulled me aside as soon as we entered the guild. Her eyes were still as disapproving as ever. Sister Agatha looked nervous, but she could not do anything but go her own way.
Like before, Mother Superior indicated for me to follow her and she led me to the same office. However, before she knocked, she looked at me.
"Try not to faint again. You caused a lot of inconvenience yesterday. You are heavier than you look," She said with thinly veiled contempt.
I was a little surprised. It seemed that I was not drugged but had fainted due to fatigue. However, I refused to feel guilty or embarrassed. After all, I did not drag myself to this island against my will.
"I will keep that in mind." My response was caustic and sarcastic.
When I enter the office this time, I still feel the same chill I got from the Kingmaker. For some reason, he looks a little more menacing than he looked the previous day. However, this time he indicates for me to take a seat opposite his desk.
I feel like I am in a principal's office.
"What did you think of the vigil?"
I sighed inwardly. As expected, I was about to go through another round of questioning instead of getting information.
"I guess it was nice of the people to show up for the High Priest," I replied.
The Kingmaker tapped his fingers on the desk, and the frightening chill seemed to become deeper. I could tell he was not pleased with my answer. He always looked like he expected me to give him unhinged answers.
"Is that so?" There was a hint of a threat I could not quite put my finger on.
Since I was already in these circumstances, I decided to just say exactly what I thought. My predicament was not good. If I were going to end up in a ditch, or more likely, the ocean, I might as well speak my mind.
"I think a lot of people were sincere, but I got the feeling that The Sacred Sanctuary itself and perhaps other individuals of religious power might not be as supportive of the High Priest," I said.
The tapping stopped. "Why is that?"
"I got the sense that the priest was implying that the High Priest's illness might be because of unspoken sin. It was like he was implying that the creator might be punishing him for making decisions contrary to the right way," I continued.
The Kingmaker seemed contemplative.
"What do you think?" The Kingmaker asked.
This time, I was genuinely afraid to answer, but I powered through with my wild thoughts.
"I think the High Priest has expressed some controversial thoughts. If the cabal of powerful people did not agree with his decisions, they might take action to ensure the removal of his power and choose another High Priest," I said.
"Are you implying that the so-called cabal harmed the High Priest?" The Kingmaker asked with some amusement.
I shrugged. "All stories must have a logical flow. Fate might be real, but most of the time, those who can… make their own fate. You have not denied that you are trying to shape the world into what you consider to be the perfect one. I do not think you like the position the High Priest has taken on some topics."
"But a High Priest cannot be easily deposed or replaced. They must die to vacate their throne. However, it would not be plausible for an exalted person with such security to be directly eliminated. A prolonged illness followed by a tragic but expected death would be logical and result in fewer questions."
These were my thoughts because I had heard rumours that the Kingmaker was not on the High Priest's side. If anything, they had clashed on many occasions on countless issues, including the appointment of the Mad King.
"You have an interesting way of thinking," The Kingmaker said, but he did not explain anything further.