* * *

“When I set the ship on fire, I suddenly remembered that the heretics were wearing robes of the Maha Church. That didn’t cause any trouble, did it?”

“Ah, that’s right. Maha… We’re not exactly close, but we’re not enemies either. It’s a moderately indifferent relationship.”

Erdian seemed to brush off the topic, peppering Seo Woohyun’s cheek with kisses to avoid giving a proper answer.

Woohyun’s eyes narrowed.

‘A vague response…’

Even though he wasn’t entirely familiar with this world, he knew enough to understand that it could lead to religious conflict.

Despite once being a priest of the Erdian Church, switching to another Church made him a cleric of that faith.

In other words, the situation was akin to a priest of the Maha Church deliberately threatening a cleric of the Erdian Church.

It was entirely different from cases where excommunicated heretics attacked priests as mere laypeople.

“There won’t be any awkwardness between the Churchs because of this, right? I’d hate that.”

“Of course not. I’ve already settled things with Maha. You don’t have to worry about a thing.”

Only after hearing Erdian’s reassurance did Woohyun feel at ease.

Since it seemed the gods had resolved it among themselves, there was no need to press further.

“I’ve been worrying about it for a while, but I’m glad it’s okay.”

“Yes.”

Erdian stroked Woohyun’s hair as he leaned into his embrace.

Inwardly, Erdian felt a deep sense of relief.

‘Thank goodness I didn’t ignore Maha’s proposal that day.’

Back when Woohyun had disguised himself as an assistant priest and set off on a mission trip, Erdian was already restricted by the law of causality, forbidden from descending to the mortal realm.

He couldn’t even grant divine intervention.

All he could do was remain in the distant divine realm, helplessly watching Woohyun face danger.

Fearing that he might act rashly, Erdian held himself back, clinging to the chains of causality.

Yet inwardly, he was furious, mentally shouting threats at the restrictions.

“Erdian… Please, I promise I’ll do better. I’m sorry for being angry and calling you a liar… Just this once, please help me. You said you liked answering my prayers, didn’t you? Why… why won’t you respond now?”

“Why do you stay silent in moments like this? You used to answer every little thought when I merely held your hand. Why now… why are you silent?”

“Erdian, you damn fraud… You can’t do this to me. You dragged me here, so how can you abandon me like this?”

Unable to bear the sight of Woohyun crying in guilt over setting the ship ablaze, Erdian finally snapped.

Ignoring the chains of causality, he descended forcibly, enduring the agonizing destruction of his divine essence.

Though he couldn’t manifest a solid form due to the damage, he cared only about wiping away Woohyun’s tears.

After hearing Woohyun’s desperate plea not to leave, he promised to stay before standing silently on the trembling deck.

“Erdian, I will atone for neglecting my duty to protect the saint with my life.”

Raullet Vipel, the commander of the temple knights, bowed his head in confession on the deck.

Erdian, expressionless, glanced at his briefly before dismissing his with a cold retort.

“Do you think your life alone is enough to atone for this?”

The words dripped with frost-like anger.

Raullet held his breath, unable to respond. But soon, Erdian clicked his tongue.

“But Woohyun seems to like you. He’s always so excited, calling you a Swordmaster’s disciple and whatnot. I’ll leave your fate to his judgment.”

With those words, Erdian’s gaze shifted to the pile of heretics’ corpses.

The embroidered symbol on their red robes was unmistakably that of the Maha Church.

“So, it’s Maha…”

At Erdian’s low murmur, his face eerily calm, the air rippled as a chilling wind swept through.

The sudden disturbance marked Maha’s arrival.

[Erdian… Listen, this is all a misunderstanding.]

[A misunderstanding? My precious saint was attacked by those wearing your insignia, and you call it a misunderstanding?]

[How could I possibly keep track of every priest? I really didn’t know! Changing one’s faith isn’t common, but it’s not unheard of. Let’s resolve this through dialogue, please?]

[How boldly you flaunt your negligence. I could easily wipe out your pitiful Church.]

[…]

[Speak. Why should I talk to you? Use that famed silver tongue of yours to persuade me.]

Erdian’s anger resonated through the air, the vibrations almost resembling human screams.

Those aboard the ship collapsed one by one, unable to endure the divine pressure.

When Woohyun, unconscious until now, stirred with a faint groan, Erdian’s fury dissipated instantly, fear clouding his expression.

Maha seized the moment.

[Right, right. You descended forcefully, ignoring the law of causality, didn’t you? How will you handle the backlash alone? I’ll take care of it, so let’s end this here. I swear this wasn’t my doing!]

When Erdian didn’t reply, Maha grew desperate, bringing up Woohyun. Maha knew that Woohyun was everything to Erdian.

[What about your saint? He seems unconscious, but you need to stay by his side until he wakes up! Look at you—your divine essence is heavily damaged. I’ll handle the causality issue, so stop this. A war between our Churchs will only unsettle him, won’t it?]

Though Maha’s words irked him, Erdian couldn’t deny that Woohyun would hate a conflict-ridden world. Reluctantly, he accepted.

[…Such petty scheming.】

After confirming that Erdian’s response was one of acceptance, Maha, who had known him for many years, hastily set out to resolve the causal link.

Before long, Erdian could feel his form becoming increasingly distinct.

It seemed he had rushed to finalize negotiations with causality, fearing that Erdian might change his mind at any moment and declare a holy war.

The auxiliary priests, unable to comprehend the divine language spoken by the gods, were left gasping for air amidst the overwhelming clash of divine forces, gripped by terror.

Erdian carefully gathered Seo Woohyun into his arms and stood up.

Having completely exhausted his divine power, the least he could do was ensure Seo Woohyun could rest comfortably.

There was only one place on this earth where Seo Woohyun would feel both at ease and a sense of familiarity upon waking.

“Raullett.”

“…Yes.”

“Come to the Great Temple as soon as this place is taken care of. If Woohyun forgives you, so will I.”

“I will carry out your command.”

He no longer had the inclination to respond kindly.

Right now, he wasn’t the faithful commander of the temple knights who had served him with unwavering devotion.

He was merely a man who had neglected his duty to protect the saint.

“Finn.”

“…Y-Yes, Lord Erdian.”

“You did your best to save Woohyun, didn’t you? When you return to the Grand Temple, seek out Sihero. It seems you wish to keep Woohyun close and see him often.”

Erdian found it commendable how he had tried to block it with his bare body.

Erdian was clear in meting out rewards and punishments.

While Finn struggled to contain his overwhelming gratitude and eagerly agreed, Erdian cast a warning glance at the assistant priests, his voice low and stern.

“My Woohyun may brush it off lightly and even find some humor in it, letting bygones be bygones. But if you wish to keep wearing those robes, do not let arrogance take root. And today’s events? They must remain buried with you, even in death. Do you understand?”

The trembling answers of a few, excluding those who had already fainted, left much to be desired.

With a glance at Raullett, Erdian Churched him to ensure their silence before vanishing into the Grand Temple with Seo Woohyun.

“Who knew Maha’s laziness could come in handy one day?”

Erdian’s lips curled into a smile as he tucked away memories Woohyun would never know.

Though his half-embraced posture might seem uncomfortable, Woohyun nestled quietly in his arms, looking endearing.

“Woohyun.”

“Yes?”

As his name was called, their gazes naturally locked, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Woohyun’s kind and steady gaze, meeting his without hesitation, made Erdian wish it would remain directed at him forever.

Finally, Erdian voiced words he had kept buried for so long—words meant for the man who was once Siel but now existed solely as Seo Woohyun, his lover.

“I love you.”

It didn’t take long for a smile to bloom on Woohyun’s face, his eyes momentarily widening in surprise.

It was a quiet moment shared by lovers.

* * *