* * *

The higher-ups of the temple, who had been visibly worried about Seo Woohyun’s self-imposed isolation, now smiled with relief whenever they passed him in the grand temple hallways.

He had resumed walking in the gardens and had even started eating a bit more.

As the temple’s holy figure, Seo Woohyun naturally drew the attention of all.

For his safety, the head of the temple knights—a Sword Master—always guarded him, and only a select few even knew what Seo Woohyun looked like.

Among them, Caro, a priest who had accompanied Seo Woohyun on his first journey, was soon to be appointed as the chief priest.

Tia, the senior priest who had taught Seo Woohyun how to use his divine powers, was also about to be ordained as a high priest.

Even Fin, who had previously shown no signs of divine affinity, had recently awakened to such power and received an offer from High Priest Sihero to serve as an assistant priest.

“I never felt divine power before, so this sudden change is overwhelming, High Priest Sihero.”

The ability to sense divine power was typically determined at birth, making Finn’s situation even more perplexing.

“Didn’t you serve closely alongside Lord Erdian, who descended to the mortal realm and walked among us as a holy being? It’s no wonder you’re beginning to feel his divine presence.”

“Ah!”

Finn was reassured with a promise: once he completed his training in divine power and fulfilled the service required of an assistant priest, he would be allowed to step down.

His tenure as an acolyte had been recognized as a meaningful contribution to the temple.

As Finn embarked on his new role, Seo Woohyun, now slowly returning to his routines, sat in the prayer room adjacent to the Palace of Silence chambers.

He clasped his hands together, ready to resume a practice he had abandoned for some time—prayer.

“To the compassionate Lord Erdian, who watches over all…”

He had long since memorized the formal structure of a prayer to Erdian.

When Erdian had been present, he had spoken to him plainly, but once Erdian returned to the realm of the gods, Seo Woohyun adhered to the established format.

“Did you visit me in my dream today? I dreamt of meeting you…”

He held his breath, waiting hopefully, but Erdian’s gentle voice didn’t reply.

Back when he had stopped praying, he had seen little meaning in unanswered prayers.

Now, his perspective had shifted.

“…You must still be busy. I’ll pray again another time. May the peace you’ve brought to this land always remain.”

Reciting the concluding lines, Seo Woohyun unfolded his hands.

Though he had once struggled to memorize the prayer format, recalling fragments of his past life gave the words a strange poignancy.

The peace that Erdian brought.

In his memories, Erdian had gone to war at his father’s command under the pretext of protecting his lover, “Ciel.”

However, Erdian had barely been able to enjoy the peace he had achieved before Ciel’s death.

Erdian had brought peace to the land, but had he himself ever truly been at peace?

“I can wait as long as it takes. Waiting is my specialty.”

Why did Erdian’s words from long ago suddenly weigh on him now?

Even though he had already rejected Erdian, labeling him deceitful, the sight of his face in a dream was enough to stir his heart again.

“A man should have more backbone…”

Seo Woohyun, often told he looked delicate or younger than his age, had developed a strong attachment to the idea of masculinity.

He would go out of his way to prove his strength, even volunteering to haul water cooler bottles to silence the sneers of a superior who mocked him for his appearance.

“Well… I guess I’ve rested enough. Maybe it’s time to try something productive.”

Reclining on a sofa in the garden and basking in the sunlight, Seo Woohyun reviewed the documents Sihero had brought him.

“I should probably skip anything that requires acting as the holy figure.”

The events tied to his position as a holy figure were all grand in scale.

The memory of waking up on an altar, under countless watchful eyes, still made his skin crawl.

Beyond those, there were other less daunting activities, but deciding on one wasn’t easy.

“This calls for a lottery.”

Seo Woohyun cut sheets of paper into small squares, writing possible activities on each.

After folding them and placing them in a bowl, he hesitated.

“It’s no fun if I draw it myself…”

If he drew it, he knew he’d keep going until he got what he wanted.

Seo Woohyun thought of someone nearby—familiar, approachable, and convenient.

“Raullet, are you outside?”

From beyond the door, the familiar voice of the temple knights’ commander replied.

“Yes, Your Holiness. I am standing by.”

“Could you come in for a moment? I have a favor to ask.”

“…Then please excuse me.”

The Sword Master cautiously opened the door, bowing deeply as he entered.

Seo Woohyun held a bowl filled with folded papers.

“May I ask what you require of me?”

The holy figure’s request seemed trivial, but Raullet froze.

He recognized the bowl—a sacred relic Erdian had personally placed in the Palace of Silence.

It was now repurposed as a lottery container.

“I’ve been debating what to do next.”

“Yes.”

“But I can’t decide, so I thought I’d let fate decide. Could you draw one for me?”

At his casual request, Raullet’s face turned pale.

Shaking his head firmly, he bowed even lower.

“I cannot presume to meddle in the holy figure’s decisions. Please forgive my disobedience.”

“Oh… no, no, there’s no need to apologize like that…”

Seo Woohyun scratched the back of his head while holding a bowl in one hand.

After spending so much time holed up in his bedroom, he had momentarily forgotten how uneasy the people here seemed to feel around him.

“I didn’t mean to pressure you, Raullet.”

“I apologize, Your Holiness.”

“You don’t have to apologize. This is my job, so I’ll handle it. Thinking about it now, asking someone else to decide for me is kind of ridiculous.”

Seo Woohyun handed the lottery container to Raullet, who was exuding awkward guilt from head to toe.

“Could you just hold this for a moment?”

“…Yes.”

Raullet took the bowl with extreme care, as though handling something sacred.

Woohyun gazed at the slips of paper inside, shuffling them seriously before selecting one.

As he unfolded the many-folded slip, his expression turned grave.

“May I ask what you drew?” Raullet inquired cautiously.

Without answering, Seo Woohyun held up the slip for Raullet to see.

[Mandatory Service Experience for Assistant Priests (Patalion Island)]

Since it had already been drawn, there was no turning back now.

He decided to carry it out. If a man picks up a sword, he should at least cut some radishes.

Seo Woohyun smiled softly and asked Raullet.

“I was planning to check with Sihero if there’s a slot available for this. Would you like to come with me?”

“As long as I’m permitted, I will always follow wherever you go, Your Holiness. Ensuring your safety is also my duty.”

Looking into Raullet’s resolute eyes, Woohyun felt a mixture of embarrassment and gratitude.

“…That’s reassuring. Knowing you’re with me makes me feel more at ease. Let’s head to Sihero’s office then.”

“Yes, Your Holiness.”

Leaving the lottery-filled container on a nearby table, Seo Woohyun stepped out of the palace with Raullet quietly following him.

Unlike the past, when he often lost his way, the Saint confidently navigated through a hidden passage to arrive in front of Sihero’s office.

Upon recognizing the Saint, a few senior priests were startled and bowed deeply before hurrying inside.

Moments later, the office door swung open with a commotion.

“Woohyun, what brings you here so suddenly without notice?” Sihero rushed out, his shock evident.

This was the first time Woohyun had come directly to his office.

“You could have just sent someone to summon me.”

In the past, such an overreaction might have felt uncomfortable, but today, Woohyun found it oddly comforting.

Sihero’s unchanged attitude of treating him with care felt both endearing and reassuring.

“Sorry for the sudden visit. I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Not at all. Please, come inside.”

Sihero’s gestures were hurried as he directed the attendants to bring tea and snacks while frantically tidying up the office cluttered with papers.

He led Woohyun to a more comfortable reception room and studied the rare liveliness on the Saint’s face.

“What brings you here? I would’ve come to you if you’d called.”

“It’s nothing major. From the list you gave me last time, I was wondering if this was still available.”

Woohyun handed him the slip of paper he’d drawn.

Upon reading [Mandatory Service Experience for Assistant Priests (Patalion Island)], Sihero raised his head.

Even if there were no slots left, Sihero had the authority to make one available with a single command.

“Of course, it’s available.”

“That’s a relief.”

Woohyun’s bright smile expressed his relief.

And with that, the Saint’s second journey was decided.

* * *