Chapter 88

Chapter 88
Myaon’s thoughts lagged, unable to process the scene unfolding around her.

Amid the genial mood, the murmur that reached her ears was distinctly jarring. That was why Myaon, who had been caught off guard, let her smile vanish and knitted her brows a moment later.

She was aware, of course, that she needed to keep her dignity in such a setting. Even if the remark had been discourteous, the speaker remained a cardinal of the Holy Kingdom of Rosario.

Though she had heard something so absurd, she understood that calming her emotions and answering with poise should be her priority. Yet, even with that knowledge, her expression twisted involuntarily with anger, a fierce indignation native to her people rising inside her.

“What was that you just—”

Her voice came out sharp with annoyance, but she broke off.

No, it wasn’t that she chose to stop.

The words simply…ceased.

Her parted lips. Her tongue, which had been shaping syllables. Her furrowed brow. Everything just…halted.

The instant she became aware of this, Myaon abruptly felt that something in the world had shifted.

The sunlight, warm only a moment earlier, was now stained crimson. Her mission subordinates were also soaked in that red hue, and the Paladins who had been stationed near Yutia were now immobilized.

As though time itself had frozen.

‘What—’

By instinct, Myaon attempted to glance around, but, to her frustration, she could not shift her body in the slightest. Her vision was limited to the uncanny sight of lines, like streaks of blood, sketching across the motionless forms of her team and the Paladins.

Watching these lines take shape, as though demarcating borders, a feeling of impending peril flooded her. She strained with all her strength to make her body respond.

“Pay close attention.”

The voice from ahead made her go still, her breath catching as she stared forward.

And then, she witnessed it.

In this scarlet world, the only figure who retained natural color, gazing directly at her—the cardinal of Rosario, Yutia Bludia.

A chill of dread began to seep into Myaon’s very core, arising not from the loss of bodily control. Nor was it the fear that Yutia Bludia might injure her.

It was simply…beyond understanding. Unfathomable.

Yet, as if it were the inevitable outcome, terror started to penetrate her consciousness, quickly overwhelming and agonizing her.

Showing no concern for Myaon’s condition, Yutia, the sole person moving freely in this suspended reality, stepped closer and met her gaze.

In those red eyes, even deeper than the surrounding world, and on that utterly composed face, she could plainly perceive fury.

Staring straight at Myaon, Yutia laid a finger on Myaon’s right hand.

“He is not a person you may treat as a plaything.”

Her tone, a clear caution, resonated sharply.

“I trust you will comprehend my meaning.”

The moment a slight smile touched her lips.

“-Ah?”

Myaon became aware that the world had been restored to normal.

She gazed vacantly at the sky. It was blue once more. The forest had recovered its natural shades. Even Yutia, who had drawn near earlier, was now smiling serenely, without any trace of that icy demeanor, appearing as tranquil as a saint.

The sole element unchanged from before was the vivid red of Yutia Bludia’s eyes, visible even through her gentle smile.

“For the present, you appear to be a guest of a different sort, but I will lead you into the Holy Kingdom.”

Having said that, she turned and strode confidently toward the Holy Kingdom, and Myaon stared after her, bewildered.

She still had not fully comprehended what had just occurred—or rather, she could not tell whether it had been a dream or reality.

“…?”

As Myaon’s face twisted in puzzlement,

“Captain, is everything all right?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

She turned toward the voice of the subordinate behind her, who was watching her with a slightly worried look.

“Well, it’s just…you don’t seem well. You’re perspiring heavily.”

“Oh.”

Only then did Myaon realize that a cold sweat drenched her whole body.

Clearly, she was not in a steady condition. And…

“…Ah.”

Feeling a slight throb of pain in her right hand, Myaon glanced down and noticed a minor injury there—the shallow cut on the hand Yutia had touched in that red world.

Once she saw it, Myaon lifted her eyes back to Yutia. As Yutia entered a carriage bound for the Holy Kingdom, she looked back with that same serene smile and penetrating red gaze.

Yutia’s small, summoning gesture just before she stepped into the carriage confirmed that the strange world she had experienced was unquestionably real.

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump-thump~

Myaon’s entire being was flooded with horror.

####

Meanwhile, Alon, who had passed without trouble through the castle gates under the Paladins’ guard, looked upon the Holy Kingdom, which he had only ever seen in pictures, and reflected:

‘It truly lives up to the title ‘Holy Kingdom.’’

The capital’s outskirts were not so different from other regions. But the inner city was flawlessly kept, with neat streets and immaculate white structures.

Soon, Alon arrived at the enormous cathedral adjacent to Rosario’s primary structure, the Great Temple, where he shortly met Yutia once more.

“It’s been some time, my Lord.”

“It has. How have you been?”

“Naturally, I’ve been well. Although I do feel a little sad when your responses to my letters are delayed.”

Seeing Yutia’s playful jest, Alon could not help but grin. Unlike his meetings with the rest of the Five Sins, his regular exchange of letters with Yutia made everything feel far less stiff.

They shared light conversation for a time.

“So, the conferment ceremony is in a few days?”

“Yes. For the ceremony, the Chief Cardinal, who is currently in prayer, must be present. Let’s see… Tomorrow, you will meet with the overseeing official to go over the ceremony’s arrangement and directions, and until then, you may rest.”

Alon gave a nod at Yutia’s explanation, delivered with a smile. Clearing his throat slightly, he spoke.

“Yutia, if it’s not too much, I have an appeal. Would that be acceptable?”

“Certainly. What do you need?”

“I was curious whether I might be permitted to enter the Spirit Chamber. Could that be managed?”

The Spirit Chamber.

As the name implies, it is a special room within Rosario, open only to high-ranking individuals, where it is said one can communicate with the goddess Sironia, whom Rosario worships.

…But, of course, merely entering the room does not allow one to speak with the goddess. Only those specifically selected by Sironia or those with profound faith—typically of bishop rank or higher—might barely hear her voice. In practice, only the saint of Rosario is acknowledged to have genuinely heard the goddess’s words.

In other words, even if Alon entered, he would not be able to converse with the goddess, but his purpose for visiting the Spirit Chamber was not to speak with her—it was to acquire a useful artifact.

However, unless one held the rank of cardinal, and especially without the approval of the current “Saint” of Rosario, it was difficult even to enter that room.

He posed the question with the thought of “It would be good if it works, but it’s all right if it doesn’t,” yet…

“It can be done. If that is your wish, my Lord. It will not be hard.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Alon, taken aback by how readily she agreed, spoke with a trace of uncertainty behind his impassive expression.

“…Truly? I suppose it sounds odd for me to doubt my own appeal, but I heard that only the saint’s approval allows entry to the Spirit Chamber. Isn’t it challenging?”

“It’s fine. If you truly desire to go, I will manage it.”

Yutia’s firm assurance made Alon feel profoundly thankful, though he did not wish to inconvenience her unduly.

“If it proves troublesome, tell me at once. There’s no need to overextend yourself.”

He spoke, observing her with consideration.

“Do not be concerned. I would not do anything reckless either,” Yutia replied with a smile, seeming to understand his worry.

Seeing her smile, Alon felt satisfied. He had felt some unease after witnessing her confrontation with Seolrang in the colony, but after speaking with her, he was sure of one thing: among all the Five Sins, she had undergone the most reformation.

‘Her outlook is as righteous as one would expect from someone dedicated to faith.’

With that, Alon carried on his discussion with Yutia, taking pleasure in their exchange.

…It was the afternoon of his first day in the Holy Kingdom.

####

In the Kingdom of Ashtalon, within Duke Komalon’s office.

“I see.”

“The Dark Melodies Guild was wiped out in a single night?”

Duke Komalon released a heavy sigh as he observed the dark elf standing before him.

Unlike the individual who had reported previously, this one stood in silence, head lowered. The Duke remained quiet for a long moment before inquiring,

“Who was behind it?”

“We are deploying all available means to investigate immediately, but we have not yet determined the perpetrator. However, we do have a probable suspect.”

“Who?”

“It appears to be someone linked to Count Palatio.”

“What makes you say that?”

“We had already conveyed the instructions you mentioned to the Dark Melodies Guild as well.”

At the dark elf’s reply, Duke Komalon reflected for a moment before speaking.

“So, it’s a similar case to the Pigule incident a few months back?”

“Yes, it seems they struck back.”

“Retaliation…?”

He muttered quietly with a dry laugh before falling silent once more. After a lengthy pause, the dark elf ventured to ask,

“What steps should we take?”

Duke Komalon continued.

“Last time, you indicated that the one who dealt with Pigule was likely Deus Maccalian, correct?”

“Yes, he is among the most probable candidates, though it is not confirmed.”

“And Deus Maccalian and Count Palatio have a patron relationship, is that right?”

“That is the rumor going around, yes.”

“It is certainly no ordinary connection.”

With that murmur, he concluded, “Enough. Let us cease focusing on this issue.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes, for the moment, the ‘outcomes’ we anticipate are more critical than Count Palatio. We can address the Count once we have secured the results.”

The dark elf fell silent, then spoke again.

“Actually, there is another matter I must report.”

“What is it?”

“At present, Count Palatio is said to be in the Holy Kingdom.”

“Count Palatio?”

“Yes. I understand he traveled there for the conferment ceremony.”

The dark elf nodded, and Duke Komalon, wearing a peculiar expression, looked almost pleased.

“Then there is even less cause for worry. Soon enough—”

He murmured, smiling.

“The outcomes of the Abyssal Project will appear there, and then we can deal with Count Palatio as well.”

An ominous smile crossed his face.

####

The following day, Alon met with the cardinal overseeing the conferment ceremony in a few days, intending to acquaint himself with the event’s schedule.

However…

“Ah, ah, greetings, Count Palatio. I…I am Sergius. P-pleased to make your acquaintance.”

…

Trembling.

Alon watched as Sergius—one of the eight cardinals of the Holy Kingdom—shook as though standing in deep winter. But more than that, Alon observed that Sergius kept stealing nervous looks toward Yutia, who stood nearby, her expression calm and smiling.

Is her devotion truly as steadfast as it appears?

Somehow, he felt a little unsettled.