The main story was rushed AF, but this even moreso. The last part of the side story ended with the former Elder Priest being imprisoned by the new Elder Priest, but then we get a random 2-year timeskip about how the new EP had pretty much abandoned his duties (at least the old EP seemed competent) and the old EP had tried to escape and failed. The old EP tries again, but eventually comes back because he has nothing anymore but the new EP still wanted him, anyway.
I don't really follow the author's explanation that part of the reason the old EP is going through this is because it's to show the power imbalances in a traditional Eastern society and the price of aiming too high/being greedy. Becoming Elder Priest was because of what the now-emperor forced him to do (kill a bunch of people), with the new Elder Priest helping him do that...but neither of them get repercussions and they were greedier. There are vague instances where the old EP's low status is thrown into his face, but the actual story isn't about power imbalances or injustice, so it doesn't seem to make sense here. I just think the author likes sexually torturing older guys; it fits with their other work.
And I'm still confused about the "romance"; the new EP mentions taking the fall for the old EP in the past and the old EP owing him. Haven't seen this yet, but at this point, they should be even; the new EP framed the old EP for the crimes when he was a part of it, so it's weird to me. Heck, the last chapter ended with a flashback of the old EP saving the new EP, so...Not to mention, I'm not getting any form of attraction, here. For the brief interactions we see with between them in the main story, it seemed mainly sexual, not really showing affection or interest beyond that. I don't understand when the romance came into play--and it doesn't make a lot of sense with the author talking about the EP getting what he deserved. Even now, it's just shown to be sex, sex, sex.
The main story was rushed AF, but this even moreso. The last part of the side story ended with the former Elder Priest being imprisoned by the new Elder Priest, but then we get a random 2-year timeskip about how the new EP had pretty much abandoned his duties (at least the old EP seemed competent) and the old EP had tried to escape and failed. The old EP tries again, but eventually comes back because he has nothing anymore but the new EP still wanted him, anyway.
I don't really follow the author's explanation that part of the reason the old EP is going through this is because it's to show the power imbalances in a traditional Eastern society and the price of aiming too high/being greedy. Becoming Elder Priest was because of what the now-emperor forced him to do (kill a bunch of people), with the new Elder Priest helping him do that...but neither of them get repercussions and they were greedier. There are vague instances where the old EP's low status is thrown into his face, but the actual story isn't about power imbalances or injustice, so it doesn't seem to make sense here. I just think the author likes sexually torturing older guys; it fits with their other work.
And I'm still confused about the "romance"; the new EP mentions taking the fall for the old EP in the past and the old EP owing him. Haven't seen this yet, but at this point, they should be even; the new EP framed the old EP for the crimes when he was a part of it, so it's weird to me. Heck, the last chapter ended with a flashback of the old EP saving the new EP, so...Not to mention, I'm not getting any form of attraction, here. For the brief interactions we see with between them in the main story, it seemed mainly sexual, not really showing affection or interest beyond that. I don't understand when the romance came into play--and it doesn't make a lot of sense with the author talking about the EP getting what he deserved. Even now, it's just shown to be sex, sex, sex.