Chapter 7
Those who were born with divine power.
All of them were known as priests.
The rank of priests was divided into divine power and foresight, and the greater their ability, the more qualified they were to become high priests.
Sometimes there was a small probability that a priest was able to exhibit both divine power and foresight.
They were called the High Priest.
Ginnon, who became a high priest at a young age with his powerful foresight and divine power, looked at the face of Signus.
His indifferent golden eyes and a firmly closed mouth made it difficult to read his mind.
In the midst of that, Leo, who stood there with an appalled expression, was reminded of what happened that day, one year ago.
‘Vice-General!’
The sword that broke through Lerine’s back shone eerily. Lerine’s gaze made Leo and the knights who were trying to run to her stopped.
Leo gnawed his lips at the sight of her frosty eyes.
At that time, the General of Dojino Knights was away. It had been a little over a year since the general of Theo Knights, who guarded the empire’s border retired.
Thus, the General of Dojino Knights and First Prince Demian went there to provide reinforcement. No one knew that the Imperial Palace would be attacked.
‘Why are we so weak?’
The faces of Leo and the knights were contorted in bitterness. At that time, a voice filled with determination echoed in the Imperial Palace.
‘The Knights of Dojino.’
Lerine grabbed the necklace on her chest and said,
‘I have my faith in you.’
Then the light burst out.
What was left after the blinding light vanished was the body of Lerine among the corpse of intruders.
The funeral was overflowed with sad tears, and without being able to heal their wounds, they were dispatched to find the General of Dojino and First Prince Demian. But they only found traces of fierce battles, and could not find any person.
Thus, the Knights of Dojino had lost both their General and Vice-General at once.
‘But the vice-general is back, you say?’
Then, Ginnon’s poised voice was caught by Leo’s ears.
“The Dragon promised one thing to protect the First Emperor of Avita. If he sacrifices his life, it’ll make his wish come true.”
Ginnon’s eyes were filled with the necklace in Signus’s hand.
“When you make a pledge, two necklaces will emerge and the pledger will have to share each of them.”
Ginnon’s voice was serious.
“That’s the pledge of guardianship.”
Leo’s eyes shook.
Lerine had saved Signus in exchange for her life.
If that was the case, then…
“For your information, the necklace can’t shine without a partner.”
It meant that Signus made a wish for Lerine to return.
“………”
Leo’s tightly closed lips slightly trembled. His thick eyebrows were twisted and water was formed around his eyes. No matter how much he suppressed it, tears kept filling up.
“Oh my god.”
The knight who looked like wood and stone shed tears in the end. Ginnon raised the teacup, waiting for Leo to clear up his feelings.
He wanted to let that simple-minded knight know that Lerine was alive. Because Leo was the one she cared about and the only one who showed loyalty to the current Signus, who changed a lot.
Both used the pledge of guardianship, so he wondered why Signus lived. Ginnon also wondered about it, but soon he understood.
Signus seemed to have already known that Lerine was going to sacrifice her life.
‘Before Lerine made a wish, right at that moment he wished for her return.’
Otherwise, it wouldn’t make any sense.
Looking at Signus’s indifferent face, Ginnon asked.
“What are you going to do now?”
Signus’s hand tightly clasped the necklace.
“I have to find her.”
“Please don’t overdo it. Right now by Your Highness’ side…”
Crash-!
A glass hit the wall right next to Ginnon’s face. Broken fragments scraped Ginnon’s cheek and made a small wound.
“……”
Signus rose from his seat in the midst of silence. The sacred light that illuminated the interior of the parlor touches Signus’ face as his red lips let out a low voice.
“Do you have a death wish?” Signus turned around. A cloak roughly hung over his shoulder and fluttered violently.
Leo bowed to Ginnon and followed Signus as he walked out of the parlor. Outside, it was crammed with the noises of high-ranking priests blundering about and delivering words of blessing to Signus.
Ginnon, who had been hardened for a long time, laughed a little.
“……You don’t even allow me to worry.”
With that nasty temper.
With a deep sigh, Ginnon raised his hand and stirred it in the air. Then the darkness in the parlor faded a little.
“How can I tell you not to worry? You’re too much.”
He said while exuding the energy of such an enormous demon.
***
I was lying in bed and looking at the clear sky.
‘I must be blessed with good luck.’
After training, I went on patrol. When I returned, I escorted Signus and if there was a banquet I would be tasked to guard the nobles.
‘It seems like every day I have a heap of work to do. But can I lie down here?’
Still, my current life wasn’t that bad. The duty of a vice-general was enough to drive a man crazy.
‘I lost my temper a lot.’
I was reminded of the faces of those who had made me lose my temper, and I heard a knock on the door.
“Navian, it’s me.”
“Come in.”
Ulysse, Anna, and the butler came in.
His fair face looked tired, but he was full of bright smiles.
“I have something to tell you. How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.”
“Thank goodness.”
Ulysse, who came to my bedside, put his hand on my arm and said,
“You know the Pilter family, right? The baron was close with our father for a long time. He sent you a letter when he heard that you have recovered.”
I, who did not know the baron personally but knew him as a knight, nodded and received the letter.
[Dear esteemed daughter of Marquis Yeronimo,
Hello, Lady Navian.
You must have been surprised to have received this letter without a casual acquaintance. I often heard about you from my father and he told me to build a friendship with you.
Are you feeling okay?
I wanted to visit your manor when I heard you woke up, but I was afraid it’ll be impolite for me to do so. I kept thinking about it and finally found courage.
I’m going to hold a tea party during the day, the third week of this month. Would you like to come if you’re feeling well? Other young ladies will also attend, so I want us to converse and build a friendship.
I am sending this letter hoping that we can be close just like our fathers. Then I will wait for your reply with much anticipation.
-From the one who wants to be your friend, yours truly, Julia.]
“Tea party?”
Ulysse smiled at my murmur.
“It seems like she arranged a seat just for you. Because you’ve been sick and haven’t had a chance to make friends.”
God, so you did really exist. I thought I finally knew why Anna prayed so earnestly.
I couldn’t believe this family had a connection with a big family such as the Pilter. Many people have always gathered at the meetings they hosted, so if I attend, I would be able to grasp the current situation of the Empire the most.
Then, I heard a dreary voice.
“…What party?”
The Marquis stood there, shaking. Then Ulysse replied,
“Baron Pilter’s esteemed daughter sent a tea party invitation to Navian.”
The Marquis, who strode closer, said to me with a forced smile.
“Navian, I’m sorry, but can you cover your ears for a moment?”
I couldn’t understand him, but when I covered my ears, the Marquis screamed loudly.
“I can’t let my daughter go!”
I knew it.
I sighed and lowered my hand, but this time, Ulysse shouted with blood in his neck.
“Why are you yelling?! The child is shocked!”
The Marquis tried to smile at me with his angry face and said,
“Navian, don’t get me wrong. I’m only yelling at that crazy doctor.”
“No, I didn’t do anything!”
The Marquis raised his eyes at the words of Ulysse, the ‘crazy doctor’.
“Then, are you out of your mind? How can you tell that to Navian?”
“It was in the letter, what do you want me to do?”
“You should have just taken care of it yourself! Don’t you know how much the child wants to go!”
I wanted to go.
The Marquis shouted when he saw my earnest face.
“Look at those glistening eyes! What are you going to do now that she wants to go?!”
“Then you should have told the Baron!”
“Tell him not to send a letter?”
“Who said that? Just tell him that you only send him your regard since she’s still weak!”
They’d still fought heatedly even if the servants tried to stop them. Suddenly, I felt like they were a pain in the ass.
I organized my thoughts for a moment.
‘I have to go. It’s my chance to hear about Signus. And it gives me a reason to move.’
“Do whatever you want! Do as you wish!”
“Fine, father, you do it!
“No, you do it!”
“Father!”
“You!”
But I wasn’t confident to break through those loud voices. So I chose the best method.
“Uh, uh? Miss! Don’t get up!”
At the young maid’s scream, the Marquis and Ulysse eyes went in my direction. As expected, they rushed to me in a hurry.
“So, sorry. You’re surprised that we fought, aren’t you?”
“It’s our fault. Come on, lie down.”
They must have thought I was being rebellious. I looked at them and said quietly.
“I want to go.”
The Marquis’ and Ulysse’s fierce eyes met. Despite the invisible tension in the air, they spoke to me in a soft tone.
“Well, I see. Um, of course you do.”
“It’s your chance to meet your friend, how can you not go? But…”
The end of his words was blurred, but it was obvious even if he didn’t say it.
Just where are you going when you can’t even move?
Do you want to die that badly?
That was what they wanted to say. But I opened my mouth casually.
“I can go,”
I said as I looked at the eyes that seemed to say, ‘what kind of nonsense are you talking about?’
“I will make this body walk until the third week of the day.”
Three weeks. It’s a tough journey, but it wasn’t impossible.
“If you don’t believe it, shall we make a bet?”
I smiled confidently at their faces.
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