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Rohan and Arpel boarded a carriage heading towards the border. As it was a large-scale movement with many priests traveling together, it was much more substantial compared to their recent trips with minimal luggage.
The rhythmic sound of horse hooves echoed regularly. It was an environment conducive to falling into deep thought. This was no different for Arpel.
“Arpel? Is something bothering you?”
“…No, it’s nothing.”
There was no way Rohan wouldn’t notice that Arpel’s state was different from usual. Sure enough, a voice laced with concern caught Arpel. Slowly shaking his head, he decided to bring up a topic that would reassure the other.
“It’s because of what Lexia said. I was just thinking that it might be related to Evelyn too. It was odd that he brought up the crown prince.”
“…That’s true. He acted as if he knew well about it.”
For someone who had been living in semi-seclusion until a few days ago due to surveillance from the imperial family, it was impossible to know so much about the crown prince’s condition. It would be impossible without Evelyn acting as an intermediary. Rohan quickly understood.
However, separate from his understanding, an uneasiness remained. Arpel’s expression just moments ago seemed to indicate he was pondering something much deeper. Not something with such a clear answer.
Rohan’s guess wasn’t wrong. In fact, the answer Arpel gave was merely an excuse to divert Rohan’s attention.
Arpel had a gut feeling.
‘The ending…’
He felt that the story’s ending was drawing near.
Although it had been quite some time since he became the sword and the plot of the novel was now just a jumble of vague memories, he was certain that the ending wasn’t far off.
Nevertheless, Arpel couldn’t be sure about anything in the future ahead. Too many things had changed from the novel, and more facts had come to light. His very existence was proof of that.
“It’ll be alright.”
At that moment, Rohan, who had been quietly silent, suddenly grabbed his hand. His voice, added to the clasped hands, was equally warm.
Arpel couldn’t shake the feeling that Rohan had read his mind. Although it was impossible for Rohan to have actually read his thoughts, the whisper that everything would be alright felt like it was comforting him, saying that everything would turn out well.
The thought that it wouldn’t be so bad even if his true feelings were discovered began to surface. Instead of answering, Arpel leaned his head on Rohan’s shoulder.
He heard a soft chuckle from above his head. With that gentle sound as background music, he closed his eyes as if going to sleep.
Once again, he recalled the end of the story. Though it was vague, there was one thing he knew for certain.
They had to find something in the Land of Wraiths and destroy it.
***
Dionel looked around the unusually empty temple today. His gaze then slowly sank. Undisguised anxiety was evident in his darkened eyes.
“Huu.”
A short sigh seemed to refresh his mood somewhat. Blinking his eyes slowly, Dionel glanced to one side.
“Urgh…”
“Kuhaha…!”
Someone groaned in pain, while another laughed madly. These two ill-fitting sounds intertwined, tormenting the ears. The mood that had improved slightly plummeted again in an instant.
The emotion that soon appeared in Dionel’s eyes was clear disgust. Meanwhile, someone’s voice echoed in his mind.
‘Please protect this place.’
What emotion was contained in that voice? Dionel knew its identity well. The voice that had been so youthful just a few years ago was now much firmer, expressing trust in him.
That fact struck him anew. The image of the small child who distrusted him due to their first meeting when he suddenly attacked Arpel was still vivid.
So… he should live up to that trust. He resolved this as he lightly gathered his breath.
The knights led by Rafon were all imprisoned in the temple’s underground. They needed someone to interrogate them, someone to watch over them, and someone to protect the now understaffed temple. Dionel had taken on that role.
Of course, the chances of the imperial family sending people again were low.
“Rafon.”
“How dare you treat me like this…! Do you think His Majesty will stand idle! This is an insult to the imperial family!”
From the moment this man before him spectacularly ruined the plan, that became an impossible proposition. Rafon came to the temple following the emperor’s will. The fact that he threatened the safety of the temple meant that this too could be seen as the emperor’s intention.
Dionel’s best option was to not confront the imperial family right away. With the border region in danger and most of the manpower having left the temple, it would be difficult for the temple to oppose the imperial family. At least if this matter was resolved safely…
“Argh!”
“You still haven’t come to your senses.”
Maybe I can dispose of all of these guys together. A blade manifested by magic pierced through Rafon’s hand in an instant. As agonizing screams immediately rang out, Dionel raised the corner of his mouth in a demonstrative smile.
Pitch-black anger rippled in eyes that had only been gentle before. It was an emotion built up gradually over the course of several years.
“The emperor has abandoned you, Rafon.”
“…That can’t be.”
“Ah, denial of reality, is it?”
“It can’t be…”
It seemed this one was broken too. Watching him desperately trying to escape reality, Dionel made a simple assessment.
It was after he had checked on all the other prisoners besides Rafon that he left the underground prison. He had to continue the interrogations while also tending to their wounds to some extent. There were some who begged just to be killed, but he cleanly ignored them.
‘I should leave the interrogation to him after all.’
One priest who admired Rohan excessively. His name was Halion, wasn’t it…? He quietly recalled the information as he moved.
During this, one question suddenly occurred to him.
‘…The emperor.’
Why did he send Rafon here?
At first, most except the high-ranking priests had fallen for him, but as time passed, more and more people began to feel a sense of discomfort. Even if Rohan hadn’t stuck close to monitor him, he probably would have messed up eventually.
Rafon’s eyes were always filled with intense desire. They were eyes that instinctively caused discomfort. He was excessively greedy, overconfident in his abilities, and due to his high position, his arrogance reached the sky.
‘The emperor must not be unaware of this.’
If all of this was meant to threaten the temple, they shouldn’t have missed this opportunity. For such an important plan, why entrust it to someone like him?
From the moment he felt doubt, an unsettling feeling gradually swelled. Something kept bothering him.
***
The distance from the Central Temple to the border region wasn’t very far. As it was the temple’s duty to protect the empire from the Land of Wraiths, the temple was built not too far away to ensure smooth manpower supply in case of any situation.
As they approached their destination, an undisguisable tension permeated among the group. The air also seemed to grow heavier gradually.
At some point, the earth had turned black and rotten. They had finally set foot on the “land teeming with wraiths.”
“Already…?”
Someone muttered.
Those who had set foot on this land before freshly realized the news that “the Land of Wraiths had expanded.”
The sky was full of dark clouds, and a gloomy wind sharply brushed past. Occasionally, sudden downpours would occur. The environment was that capricious and unpleasant.
“Hello!”
Not long after the color of the land had changed, they spotted a cluster of tents. Immediately after, a man jumped out of the central tent to greet them.
His face was pale as if he hadn’t slept properly at night, and the shadows under his eyes seemed to reach his chin. Although his face was worn with fatigue, his eyes sparkled as if he had found hope. Rohan took an imperceptible step back from the man approaching him with frightening vigor. It was overwhelming.
“It’s an honor to meet you! Haha! I didn’t expect you to come so quickly…!”
A few priests who were busily setting up new tents cheered along. The atmosphere didn’t seem too bad. However, Arpel easily discerned their honest feelings.
‘Despair, is it…’
They were in despair. They were afraid. These were the emotions hidden behind their smiling faces. The man in front of them, babbling on with an excited air, was no different.
“Ah, my name is Daniel.”
“I’m Rohan.”
“Of course, I’ve heard so much about Rohan that my ears are worn out. Oh, but perhaps…”
Daniel, who had approached warmly to greet them, glanced behind Rohan. More precisely, he seemed to be looking towards the back of the line of priests entering behind them. After carefully surveying the surroundings, he let out a belated sigh of relief.
“Phew… That’s a relief.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s been unrest in the empire recently, hasn’t there? Even though we’re far from the capital here at the border, we’re still well-informed about various news. I heard that the imperial side had dispatched a group of knights to the temple… I thought they might be coming with you.”
Rohan blinked silently. Arpel, standing beside him, and the other priests nearby did the same. They seemed to be recalling the knights imprisoned in the temple’s underground. Frowning at the mention of the imperial family was an added reaction.
“To be honest, knights are nothing but a burden here. The aura of the wraiths is so thick that they say just setting foot on this land makes your body feel heavy… And it wouldn’t stop at just feeling heavy over time, would it? We’d have to purify them separately, doubling the work for the priests… Hm?”
How could he not notice such reactions? Daniel, who had been speaking continuously, looked at those in front of him with wide eyes.
“…Did something happen?”
“Let’s discuss the details inside.”
“Ah, yes. I’ll explain the upcoming schedule inside as well.”
A cautious question followed, but Rohan’s answer was firm. Daniel, who had been blinking in confusion, had no choice but to quickly wrap up his words.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
