* * *
Giselle asked a few more questions, but the pilgrims only knew what they had heard from the innkeeper, and the conversation soon ended.
After leaving a comment—whether it was a joke or a serious confession—about being homesick since they’d come such a long way to the Holy City, the pilgrims left the campfire.
Once only their group was left in the clearing, Seo Woohyun, who had been sitting with a serious expression, broke the silence.
“…Giselle, I have something I’m curious about. Can I ask?”
“Yes. Is it about the apostates we spoke of earlier?”
“Yes. I understand that people can come to believe in other religions, but I can’t seem to grasp why they would attack the priests. I don’t see any connection.”
Seo Woohyun thought that, for religious conflicts, this situation seemed unusually serious.
In the world he came from, people misunderstanding and criticizing each other for their beliefs was a common occurrence.
But conflicts that resulted in physical harm were things he’d only heard about from other countries.
‘If they find out I’m the saint… Ugh, let’s not even imagine it.’
It would have been nerve-wracking even if he were just a low-ranking priest, but now that he was at the top, fear gripped him first.
If the group of apostates could be compared to terrorists, then the person they would feel the greatest satisfaction attacking would be the leader of the Temple.
“The term ‘apostate’ usually refers to those who come to believe in another god, but in our Temple, it’s used to refer to priests who have been excommunicated. Those who act out of selfish motives or commit sins in Erdian’s name, and then declare themselves saints, are often the ones who stir up trouble like this out of rebelliousness,” Giselle explained.
Seo Woohyun nodded at this explanation.
‘I see. So they were priests who got kicked out after pocketing some bribes and living the high life, and now they’re coming back to harass their old colleagues. What a bunch of lunatics.’
Now that the term “apostate” had been narrowed to excommunicated priests rather than ordinary believers, it made more sense to Seo Woohyun.
“Still, since there were priests attacked nearby, we should send a messenger to the temple.”
In a world where communication relied on carriages, it seemed like someone would have to make the journey.
Seo Woohyun felt a pang of loneliness at the thought of yet another person potentially leaving, just when there was already an empty seat.
“Who do you plan to send as a messenger?”
“Not a person.”
With a cryptic answer, Giselle held out his hand, conjuring a small, white bird made of light.
‘What’s this? A magic show?’
Seo Woohyun’s eyes widened as he stared at the bird that suddenly appeared in Giselle’s palm.
Giselle pressed the bird’s beak to his forehead and closed his eyes.
Moments later, he opened them and released the bird into the sky.
“What did you just do?”
“That was a messenger bird, created with divine power. By pressing its beak to my forehead, I communicated my thoughts and explained the situation to Lord Sihero.”
Creating a bird out of divine power?
All Seo Woohyun could manage was to make a small flame, like a lighter, while the other side was at the level of creating life itself.
Though he felt a tinge of jealousy, Seo Woohyun reminded himself that he hadn’t been here long and tried to calm down.
There’s a saying—if a sparrow tries to follow a stork, its legs will tear apart.
“Even if we are attacked, we have more than enough strength to handle it. But it’s better to be cautious, so there’s no need to worry too much,” Giselle reassured.
“Yes, no matter what happens, I’ll protect you.”
Giselle’s gentle reassurance was echoed by Raullet, who had been watching Seo Woohyun’s anxious expression.
Having one of the three sword masters of the continent watching over him, what could he possibly fear?
To show any doubt would be an insult to him.
“Still, I don’t like the idea of anyone getting hurt, so it’s better to be careful.”
Even if divine power could heal wounds completely, Seo Woohyun didn’t want to see the people he had grown fond of get injured.
“Of course. We will reinforce the guards and…”
Raullet didn’t finish his sentence, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
Seo Woohyun couldn’t even see an afterimage—he had moved so fast.
A light breeze brushed against his cheek, and he could only guess that he had moved quickly.
‘What now? He didn’t even finish his sentence…’
It was the first time someone had abruptly left during a conversation, and it happened just as they were discussing the attack on the priests by the apostates, making Seo Woohyun uneasy.
Even knowing that a sword master capable of taking on an entire kingdom’s forces alone was by his side didn’t entirely ease his nerves.
Just as Seo Woohyun was glancing at Justin, who stood guard beside him, the rustling of leaves in the wind was accompanied by a brief scream.
It was a male voice he had never heard before.
The sound of the eerie wind and the scream that followed was something Seo Woohyun had never experienced, causing his heart to race.
“If this is a dangerous situation, what should I… do?”
Seo Woohyun muttered, trembling.
Panicking would only cause more chaos.
He clung to the thought of following orders, but footsteps drew closer.
Justin remained on high alert, his eyes fixed on the dark forest.
Soon, a familiar figure appeared—Raullet, with an unfamiliar man draped over his side.
“I had to step out briefly to deal with assassins targeting this man. They’ve all been taken care of, so you can relax now.”
Raullet’s brief report ended as he dropped the man onto the clearing.
As he stood on his own two feet, his face finally came into view—an incredibly handsome man with silver hair and piercing red eyes.
“…Thank you for helping me.”
The man’s voice, expressing gratitude, made Seo Woohyun exhale softly.
‘He looks young, but he was targeted by assassins? Who is he?’
It was obvious at a glance that he wasn’t an ordinary person.
His refined appearance and calm demeanor were secondary to the composure he maintained—something that could only come from rigorous training.
A naturally indifferent personality wouldn’t remain so calm in the face of death.
That was rare.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am Havios, the sixth prince of the Erhartan Empire.”
With graceful movements, he offered a polite bow, leaving Seo Woohyun’s mouth slightly agape.
The Erhartan Empire was where the Holy City, home to the Great Temple, was located. And…
‘Isn’t that the empire where the former emperor was paralyzed after losing his claim to the tax rights? That would make this prince his grandson…’
The current emperor of Erhartan was the daughter of the former emperor, who had been paralyzed in his later years.
Seo Woohyun had only heard of royalty and emperors in stories, but now, after just a few days of travel, he had met one—a prince being pursued by assassins.
In Erhartan, the emperor had yet to officially name an heir, as he was still relatively young and fiercely protective of his power.
Seo Woohyun recalled how Sihero had cautiously mentioned that the emperor didn’t want any power to be divided among potential successors.
Hence, his children must have been living in constant tension.
The prince was clearly being pursued by an assassin sent by someone with a claim to the imperial throne.
Otherwise, why would the emperor’s son be chased by an assassin?
The historical knowledge Seo Woohyun had learned through formal education and his sharp intuition from reading fantasy novels over the years made him certain of this.
“Power struggles over the throne always spiral out of control. It’s best not to get involved.”
Seo Woohyun detested complicated matters.
In fact, whenever political disputes appeared in the fantasy novels he enjoyed, he’d skim over them without much thought.
It was while he was trying to calm his startled heart and avert his gaze that it happened.
“So, this is Prince Habios?”
Giselle looked at the prince with a distant expression.
The prince turned his head towards Giselle, and his eyes immediately widened.
“Giselle Issen?”
“Yes, it’s been a while.”
“Why… why are you here?”
“I’m on a mission for the church.”
Giselle replied briefly, and Habios stared at the person who had once been his childhood tutor, someone he hadn’t seen in many years.
Of all the people, it had to be Giselle’s group that he owed his life to.
He couldn’t fully appreciate the coincidence because the situation was far too dire.
“Also, I’ve given up my family name, so just call me Giselle.”
“…I see. I heard you’ve become the chief priest. I apologize for the slip-up.”
“Where is your escort?”
As Giselle asked the prince, he glanced at Raullet, who lightly shook his head. He hadn’t seen them.
A prince, alone in the heart of the Great Forest, being chased by assassins.
Although Seo Woohyun had heard that the struggle for imperial power was intensifying, seeing it with his own eyes was unsettling.
“…We got separated and haven’t been able to regroup.”
The Great Forest was so vast that even after traveling for days in a carriage, one couldn’t escape it.
It would take time for the prince and his escort to reunite.
If they were lucky, they might meet soon, but there was no guarantee the escort was even alive.
“For now, you should sit. You look like you need treatment.”
It was only after Giselle mentioned it that Seo Woohyun noticed the prince’s injuries.
Blood from the wounds on his abdomen and thigh had pooled on the ground.
What amazed Seo Woohyun was how composed the prince had been during the earlier conversation, showing no signs of distress.
“Ugh, that must hurt….”
Seo Woohyun grimaced.
He had seen minor injuries before, but this was the first time he’d encountered wounds deep enough to cause blood to pool.
He fidgeted with his hands, trying to steady his racing heart, forcing himself to look away from the prince.
Suddenly, someone gently touched Seo Woohyun’s shoulder as if comforting him.
The warmth and tenderness were unmistakable, and Seo Woohyun knew exactly who it was.
When he turned his head, his eyes met with a gentle, familiar gaze.
“I see we have a visitor I didn’t notice while I was away for a moment.”
“El….”
Seo Woohyun’s face lit up at the sight of Erdian, who lifted his hand and lightly tapped Seo Woohyun’s cheek.
Then, leaning down, he whispered softly, only loud enough for Seo Woohyun to hear.
“You should’ve called me first if something dangerous happened, hm?”
Hearing the concern in Erdian’s voice, Seo Woohyun let out a long breath.
He felt the tension in his stiff body gradually melt away.
Instead of replying, Seo Woohyun placed his hand gently over Erdian’s, finally feeling safe.
It seemed silly, but it was the truth.
* * *
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Thanks for the chapter.
Like a pair of lovers 😆
Like a family 😭🐾💕