The Sinful Young Master

Chapter 422: Trouble in the temple

Milan shot Jolthar a warning look, clearly sensing where this was going. Andrion was watching with interest, curious how his friend would handle the provocation. Elmesona’s hand had moved slightly closer to Jolthar’s on the table, as if ready to provide support.

Jolthar smiled - a pleasant expression that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

"You’re right," he said calmly.

"I didn’t bow. I didn’t offer anything. That was intentional, not an oversight."

Korvus’s eyes gleamed with vindication. "Then you admit to showing disrespect to Deity King? In his own temple, during a ceremony held in his honor?"

"I admit to not participating in a ritualized performance designed to extract wealth from attendees while reinforcing social hierarchies through public displays of devotion," Jolthar replied, his tone still pleasant but his words sharp.

"Whether that constitutes disrespect depends on your perspective."

Gasps rippled through the nearby tables. This was far more scandalous than Korvus had probably expected.

"How dare you—" Korvus started.

"How dare I what?" Jolthar interrupted smoothly.

"Question the system? Point out that these ’offerings’ fund the temple’s political influence while the deity himself sits in whatever divine realm he inhabits, largely indifferent to whether anyone bows to his statue? Or perhaps you’re offended that I’m honest about viewing this as social theater rather than genuine spirituality?"

"Lord Inadrys is a deity King!" Korvus sputtered.

"He deserves reverence, worship, and devotion from all mortals!"

"Does he?" Jolthar asked, his voice dropping slightly but carrying clearly.

"What has he done to earn it? I’ve met deities, Merchant Korvus. I know them personally. And in every case, they’ve acted out of self-interest, pride, and petty grievances - not divine wisdom or benevolent concern for mortals."

The hall had gone almost completely silent now. What had started as a minor confrontation was rapidly becoming a theological debate that bordered on blasphemy.

"You speak heresy," Korvus said, his voice shaking with genuine outrage now.

"The deities maintain cosmic order! They—"

"They meddle in mortal affairs when it benefits them and ignore suffering when it doesn’t," Jolthar countered.

"They demand worship but provide little in return except threats of divine punishment for those who don’t comply. That’s not divine benevolence. That’s protection money with religious dressing."

Milan closed his eyes briefly, clearly thinking "here we go."

Andrion was grinning openly now, thoroughly enjoying the chaos his friend was creating.

Elmesona was staring at Jolthar with something between shock and fascination. She’d never heard anyone speak so openly about the divine in such critical terms.

"This is the Grand Temple of Inadrys!" Korvus’s voice rose.

"You’re a guest here! Show some respect!"

"I’m showing exactly the amount of respect I believe is warranted," Jolthar replied calmly.

"I came here because Prince Milan was invited and I’m his guest. I participated in the social aspects of the gathering. But I won’t bow to a statue of a being I don’t revere, and I won’t pretend to have faith I don’t possess just to make others comfortable."

"Then why are you even here?" Korvus demanded.

"Good question," Jolthar said.

He stood, his movement fluid and controlled. "Perhaps I should leave before I offend anyone else with my honest opinions about divine authority."

"Jolthar," Milan said quietly, "you don’t have to—"

"No, he’s right," Jolthar interrupted gently.

"I’m causing a scene at a religious ceremony. That’s poor form, regardless of my personal views." He looked at Korvus directly. "I apologize for disrupting your feast, Merchant Korvus. My presence is clearly unwelcome, given my lack of proper devotion."

The apology was delivered with such obvious insincerity that it was almost more insulting than continuing the argument would have been.

Jolthar turned to Elmesona. "My lady, would you like to leave as well, or would you prefer to remain?"

Elmesona stood immediately, surprising everyone, including herself. "I’ll leave with you."

Together, they began walking toward the exit, leaving stunned silence in their wake.

They had almost reached the door when a new voice stopped them.

"Baron Kaezhlar."

They turned to see Thessarim, the Chief Priest, standing at the entrance to the feast hall. The androgynous figure was even more striking up close—beautiful in a way that transcended conventional gender, with eyes that held depths of knowledge and power.

"Yes?" Jolthar asked calmly, ready for another confrontation.

But Thessarim was smiling—a genuine expression that held something like amusement.

"I appreciate honest skeptics far more than false devotees," Thessarim said quietly.

"Stay. Finish your meal. And perhaps later, we can have a more private conversation about faith, doubt, and the nature of divine authority. I suspect it would be... enlightening for both of us."

The offer surprised everyone, Jolthar most of all.

"You’re not offended?" he asked.

"I’m the Chief Priest of a deity whose primary domains include power and ambition," Thessarim replied with a slight smile.

"If anything, your willingness to challenge divine authority despite the social cost demonstrates exactly the qualities Lord Inadrys values - strength of will and refusal to submit without reason." They gestured back toward the tables. "Please, stay. I insist."

Jolthar studied Thessarim for a moment, then nodded slowly.

"Alright. But if Merchant Korvus starts another lecture about my lack of piety, I’m leaving regardless."

"I’ll make sure he’s seated far from your table," Thessarim assured him.

As they returned to their seats, whispers exploded through the hall.

The Chief Priest had just essentially endorsed a man who had openly criticized divine worship. It was unprecedented.

Milan leaned over as Jolthar sat down. "You have a remarkable talent for turning potentially disastrous situations into bizarre victories."

"It’s a gift," Jolthar replied with a slight smirk.

Beside him, Elmesona was trying not to laugh. "You’re absolutely insane. You know that, right?"

"So I’ve been told," Jolthar agreed.

"Multiple times. Usually right before things get interesting."

The feast continued, though the atmosphere had definitely shifted. People kept glancing at their table, whispers continuing to spread.

And Merchant Korvus sat at a distant table, fuming but unable to do anything about being outmaneuvered by both a skeptical baron and the Chief Priest himself.

It was, all things considered, turning out to be a very interesting afternoon.