Great Sept of Harren

"What? Me, High Septon?"

High Septon Zari's fat face first lit up with delight, but then his expression turned troubled. "If it had been before, I might have had a chance, but now, those friends who would have supported me... the High Sparrow has stripped them of their standing in the Faith of the Seven. Their votes... sigh... And besides... by tradition, a new High Septon cannot be elected while the current High Septon still lives. Unless..."

He secretly studied Gryn's expression from the corner of his eye. "Unless... unless... an accident like the one that befell the previous High Septon occurs..."

Gryn's fingers lightly tapped the armrest of his chair. He seemed to be seriously considering the implication in High Septon Zari's words.

After a stretch of silence, beneath Zari's expectant gaze, Gryn... slowly shook his head. "Making the High Sparrow die in an accident would not be difficult, but it would harm you. As the one who benefits, you would easily come under suspicion. The Faith of the Seven is not a royal court. Even without proof, extremist believers could easily stir up a mob and judge you directly with their axes."

His gaze turned toward Zari beside him. "As I understand it, the sparrows are made up precisely of exceptionally devout people."

Could they all be killed? Though the thought crossed his mind, High Septon Zari did not show it. He continued playing the pitiful old septon, half sincere and half feigned.

After quite some time passed in the heavy atmosphere, Gryn remained silent with his brow furrowed, and High Septon Zari finally could not help asking, "Lord Gryn, may I ask... what exactly did you mean just now?"

Gryn's brown eyes shifted slightly. Zari's voice seemed to pull him from his thoughts. He rubbed between his