* * *

Seo Woohyun sat in the temple’s prayer hall.

He knew that prayer gatherings were held regularly, but this was his first time attending one.

Even though he was the Saint who had appeared after 1,215 years, he was in no condition for public appearances, knowing little about Erdian himself.

The hall was solemn, bustling with preparations for the prayer session, but Seo Woohyun’s mind was in turmoil.

‘Alright… So, let’s say I really am the reincarnation of Erdian’s beloved. Fine. And I get that he’s been kind to me out of longing. But liking me? Isn’t that just false? I don’t have any memories of a past life, and I’m here with no idea why.’

His frustration continued to simmer, leaving him restless.

Unable to clasp his hands in prayer out of fear that Erdian might read his thoughts, he clenched his robes instead.

‘And then he tells me it’s not deception, and I’m not just a replacement? Like I’m supposed to go, “Oh, I understand. Let’s fall madly in love again, just like before?” As if! I’m grateful for the nice accommodations, sure. But did I ever ask for any of this?’

The more he thought about it, the more betrayed he felt, even if the feelings were one-sided.

He had a hunch there was another reason Erdian had brought him here, but reincarnation?

That was too much.

If Erdian had simply admitted he wanted to take care of someone he pitied after noticing him, he might have felt grateful rather than betrayed and embarrassed.

If the attraction was mere coincidence, he could’ve even accepted it as fate, but reincarnation?

‘Without knowing I’m just here because he misses my past self, I’ve been genuinely considering whether to take this god seriously as a romantic partner? No matter how much I like good looks, this isn’t it.’

Seo Woohyun could accept falling in love with someone he met by chance, but he couldn’t accept being loved by someone only because he was the reincarnation of their past lover.

No matter how attractive Erdian was, with his well-built physique and… assets, Seo Woohyun had his pride.

He wanted someone who loved him for who he was, with all his flaws, someone who adored Seo Woohyun, as he’d lived back in Korea.

‘I don’t care how big the age gap is. I’d rather stay single than date Erdian. Why would I do that to myself?’

As Seo Woohyun’s breathing grew heavier, a small figure beside him scooted closer.

“Hyung… are you okay?”

The voice was soft.

Having witnessed something disturbing earlier in the mountains, Malrang was uncharacteristically quiet, sensing the strain between Erdian and Seo Woohyun.

“Yeah… Well, not really. My thoughts are a mess.”

“Why?”

They were in the middle of the prayer hall, preparing for a ceremony dedicated to Erdian.

No matter how angry or oblivious, Seo Woohyun knew better than to badmouth Erdian in his own temple.

“It’s just… complicated.”

As Seo Woohyun brushed him off, Malrang gave him a sympathetic look.

“I feel weird too.”

“Why?”

“…just because.”

Malrang took Seo Woohyun’s hand, holding it firmly but gently.

Seo Woohyun felt the warmth in the little hand, even the slight tremor.

It struck him then that the boy was still anxious.

While Erdian had shielded Seo Woohyun’s eyes from the scene, Malrang had witnessed everything.

‘Why only cover my eyes? He could’ve shielded Malrang too. What, was I supposed to be touched by that? Not grateful.’

He muttered inwardly as he squeezed the boy’s hand reassuringly.

Somehow, having Malrang close eased his heart.

The hall began filling with worshippers.

Given the solemnity of the occasion, no one spoke much.

‘Erdian won’t come, will he? No way he’d sit here listening to people praying to him.’

Ever since rejecting Erdian’s offer, they’d kept a respectful distance.

With Giselle busy inspecting the temple, it was unlikely Erdian would show up.

Yet, the familiar scent of someone next to him was unmistakable.

Under a hood that only priests could wear, the man allowed near him could only be Raullet.

“…”

“…”

It was Erdian, the man Seo Woohyun had turned down, who now appeared beside him in the prayer hall.

Both felt too awkward to speak, and silence stretched between them.

A little later, the High Priest of the Duchy, who had formally welcomed them, appeared on the altar in full ceremonial attire, holding a splendid jewel-encrusted box.

“Before we begin the prayer, by High Priest Sihero’s permission, this temple will now enshrine an artifact worn by Lord Erdian at the time of his ascension.”

It seemed that even the congregation hadn’t been informed; whispers spread as the lid of the ornate box was lifted for all to see.

“After 510 years, permission has finally been granted to bring the relic outside the sacred city. It is a great honor for our Duchy of Soznian’s temple to host it for three days and lead the prayer service. Now, let us begin.”

As the prayer service started, Seo Woohyun cast a sidelong glance at the person beside him.

‘So, if everyone here prays, will it all somehow reach him?’

Although he knew the man was a god, he’d never really thought about it deeply.

He’d been too busy trying to adapt to this strange place, barely leaving room to worry about a god.

But today, for some reason, he couldn’t shake his preoccupation.

Seo Woohyun watched the ongoing service with a feeling of discomfort.

It seemed to follow a set ritual, but he couldn’t concentrate; his mind was too scattered.

All he really sensed was the solemn and grand atmosphere around him.

‘If I ever had to lead something like this myself, I’d seriously refuse. It’s way too much pressure with everyone staring like that,’ he thought, just as he sensed movement beside him.

Erdian was slowly getting up from his seat.

‘What?’

People occasionally moved around to prepare for the next part of the service, so it wasn’t too unusual.

But Seo Woohyun clearly saw him—without hesitation, Erdian walked right out of the sanctuary.

‘And his expression…’

His face didn’t look good, either.

It was a look Seo Woohyun had never seen since they’d started traveling together—somewhere between anger and pain.

Seo Woohyun briefly worried something was wrong but quickly brushed it off.

‘Who am I to worry about him? Look at me. I’m barely holding on here. He’s a god, and I’m just a nobody hanging on by a thread.’

Although it seemed unlikely, if Erdian were to somehow lose his role as the Saint because of a rejection, Seo Woohyun would be in immediate trouble, struggling just to make a living.

That thought made his heart waver.

‘I should’ve held off with a vague response and prepared for the worst on my own before answering so impulsively.’

“May Lord Erdian, who is endlessly compassionate and watches over us…”

The high priest’s words of praise for Erdian were accompanied by a shining ring held aloft.

It was a design with a yellow gemstone set at the center, crossed by a streak of red impurity.

The sight of it made Seo Woohyun feel a pang of nausea.

‘Why does that seem so familiar…?’

Suddenly, an image flashed into his mind—a hand soaked in blood.

‘I promise… No matter what, I’ll find you… We’ll meet again. So please…’

It looked exactly like the ring Erdian had worn on his hand, the very one he’d clutched as he wept, whispering just before Ciel died.

He’d apparently worn it until his ascension, meaning he’d become a god only after Ciel’s death.

‘Is it because it’s proof they shared some legendary love? Why does it bother me so much?’

As soon as the service ended, he felt the urge to ask Giselle to join him for a night of heavy drinking.

‘Should I really go through with it?’

He considered it briefly, but quickly dismissed the thought.

He knew things would get very complicated if he ended up drunk and causing a scene with Erdian.

* * *