Leaving the High Priest's residence, Varkas led his men beyond the castle gates.
After passing over a series of gently rolling hills, he reached the crest of a broad rise, where the scattered villages surrounding the fortress came into full view.
He began inspecting them one by one, starting with the largest.
At first glance, everything appeared peaceful.
Whether that appearance reflected reality was another matter.
Village stewards and magistrates had a habit of downplaying problems within their jurisdictions, while local constables often turned a blind eye to petty corruption and crime.
If the High Priest had been telling the truth and heretical beliefs had spread among the local population, there was every chance the matter had been carefully concealed until now.
"Find people who know what's really going on inside each village and gather information from them. At the same time, dispatch trustworthy investigators to determine the full extent of the heretics' activities."
"Do you believe what the High Priest said?"
Bayrov, who had been following quietly behind him, finally spoke.
Varkas swept his gaze across the rows of wooden houses lining the road and the neatly divided vegetable gardens.
He could feel the farmers pulling weeds in the fields stealing cautious glances at him.
Reading unmistakable wariness in their eyes, his own gaze grew colder.
"He may have exaggerated."
He paused.
"But if the High Priest brought it up personally, it can't be nothing more than baseless rumors."
Even if it was merely the rambling of a senile old man...
He still had to pretend to take it seriously.
The High Priest of the East governed one of the largest dioceses among the Empire's countless senior clergymen.
If that old man truly resolved to brand Talia a heretic, even Varkas would struggle to suppress the matter.
More importantly...
Gareth might seize upon the accusation of Talia's apostasy.
He had to resolve everything before word spread beyond the castle.
"Increase the number of constables stationed in every village."
Turning his horse, he added,
"And announce °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° that all gatherings must receive prior authorization."
"I'm planning to organize a suppression force before long and conduct a large-scale search of the areas surrounding Kalmor."
His voice remained calm.
"Summon the mounted warriors."
"Understood."
After inspecting every village throughout the countryside, Varkas finally turned his horse back toward Laedgo Castle.
Crossing the broad hills and open plains, he approached the fortress enclosed by sandy-colored walls.
The gatekeeper immediately raised the portcullis.
Leading his horse inside, Varkas turned toward the guards lined up beside the entrance.
"Where is the Grand Duchess?"
One of the guards answered crisply.
"Her Highness is resting in the garden."
Handing the reins to a servant who had entered behind him, Varkas immediately crossed the courtyard.
Passing through the inner gate, he found himself surrounded by lush gardens overflowing with emerald shrubs and blooming flowers.
He walked through them with measured strides.
Then he stopped.
Beneath a white marble gazebo sat Talia.
As always...
The enormous beast was beside her.
She was chatting away to the gray predator curled obediently at her feet when she noticed someone approaching and looked up.
"Did everything go well?"
Varkas had intended to question her about the High Priest's accusations.
Instead...
The words caught in his throat.
The woman who usually watched him with wary eyes now smiled openly, the corners of her eyes curving ever so slightly in genuine pleasure.